HighRoller

Drachen Fire?

Dropbuktu? No, that's the name of the gift shop.

** drools ** Amazing shot of what looks like an outstanding coaster! Thanks!

Also got 7. Guess I'm not nerdy enough...

Sounds like an awesome contest, Big Mike! Looking forward to it! Additionally, as I'm entered in the not-so-epic contest, successor to the super-epic contest, any idea when that will kick off for those of us who got in?

R.D., This may be the best news I've heard today. Thanks! Seems that there are two rides with the same name. Bluegrass Boardwalk contains this one: http://rcdb.com/2216.htm which is a weight-drop model, while Cliff's will be getting this one: http://rcdb.com/55.htm which is a flywheel launch model (like Montezooma's Revenge at KBF). Cheer up!

This may be the best/most comprehensive statement that I've read about why Q-bot is better than cardstock-based passes. Caveat: I've not read every page of every discussion on the forum, but I do read fairly thoroughly everything that's current. I appreciate your thoughts, and, based upon that, I can see this switch as being potentially good for all parties, as long as the implementation is done well and the ROI is better than previously. My chief complaints about any skip-the-line system are in implementation and in managing expectations of all of your guests. This is the reason that I hate "exit passes", because you're ignoring the expectations of your standby customers, who may, in some cases, wind up waiting several trains/cycles when they appear to be "next in line" because someone with an exit pass takes their seat. This is one of the reasons that I am very much in favor of the new Fastlane at CF and dislike the FlashPass at SF. One effectively manages expectations, one doesn't. It's not about the fact that people are paying more to skip lines, it's about the implementation and how guests' expectations are managed. Back to the USO question, I tend to agree that the requirement to use a locker for the Q-bot is asinine. That's one of the implementation issues that (hopefully) will get worked out, but makes me [initially] resistant to the change.

All I can think is that the "Carnival Elissa" would be the perfect place for the next epically masterful TPR Klassy Kruise. Sorry, Back to the news...

^ I've just got to say - this has the potential to be a really outstanding attraction. Best of all, it should be open, with the kinks out, the next time I'm down (marathon weekend in January). I'm excited!

I also don't know about the SCAD tower - that seems like a fool's errand to me. I'd me much more comfortable with skydiving (which is on my bucket list) than the tower, but that's just me I guess. Also, sorry to hear about the cancellation of the Super Epic contest, but since I'm already enrolled, is there any chance you might pass on a clue as to what the prize for the not-so-epic contest might be......?

It looks like a great park, thanks! The last time I was there, it was still called "Olympic Stadium" and still had a track... Have you made it to MLB's newest park, Target Field, yet? Similarly, did you get to the Metrodome before the Twins moved out?

Found some more info on the AquaCourse that's going in: www.blooloop.com/PressReleases/-WhiteWater-s-First-AquaCourse-to-Debut-at-Alabama-s-Splash-Adventure-Waterpark/3390 Sounds to me like a wet version of these ropes courses that have been going in lately.

Nicole - once again you've added to (or encouraged) my list of parks that I REALLY want to get to... But I'm not sure that it'll be this summer... job and all that...

Looks like the only permanent parts of this park are the kiddie train and the "Waterslide". glad you could find time to get the credit... not sure it'd be worth it for me. Have fun riding next week!

FACT! Rows 4 and 5 each have a seat for "guests of larger size".

^Unfortunately, to create a Station Merge like some of the other rides would require them to cut, pave, and theme another opening through the mountain to reach the loading station. If it happens (and I'm not yet convinced it will), it probably won't be until the offseason (wait... didn't that just end...?). That's gotta be the hardest of their rides to find a satisfying (for all parties) solution on this issue.

We did go there FIRST THING at opening both days and that's when all of this happened. Wow. That's the only response I have. Wow.

Somehow, of all the rides for this to happen on, this surprises me the least. Ask yourself, "If I could break up the Fast Lane Pass and buy it for just one ride, which would it be?" I'd guess that most people either said "volcano" or "Flight of Fear" as those tend to generate the longest lines. Volcano's been a known capacity nightmare for years. While i sympathize with your frustration, In the first weekend of Fast lane, this was to be expected. Hopefully they'll find a better balance on Volcano, but in the meantime, the age-old advice still applies: if you want to ride Volcano with a minimum of wait, you need to hit it FIRST THING when the park opens. 'Course, now you could buy a Fast Lane if that doesn't work for you.

May I suggest that the vast majority of Football Games will be played either a) on the weekend or b) in the evening, both of which are outside of "normal business hours"? That would seem to be the real difference, since the actual volume of sound from the stadium would seem to be greater. Of course, the thing that gets me is that the park has been around for 30+ years, and the office complex is 8 years old. You're telling me you didn't think to put in sound-dampening measures when you built the building? Poor planning on your part does not justify and emergency or a change in business strategy on the part of your neighbor, who's been established in that location since before you came along. Shame on you.

^Sure, it's tight, but they've got two sets of paths into/through Hurler's infield, why not expand that if you want to go that way? Or better still, put in something to replace that bruise giving machine.

Loved the Knoebels Pics! If I hadn't already been convinced (thanks to TPR) that I need to visit this park, this sure would have given me more incentive! As it is, I'm just more excited (and more impatient for my visit)!

The could also fit a good solid flat or two back there... realistically, they took out one flat to put in the windseeker, but it's not that huge a footprint. You could probably fit two flats in the area currently occupied by the Hypersonic Station and maintenance buildings (blue roofed in the picture).

From Robb's I305 video. "This ride is very boring, it doesn't have the loops, the twists, or the hills. It's just like fast and it hits those brakes at the end. If this would have been built by B&M instead of Intamin it would have been 10,000,000 times better."

Just how much land did they use up in between WWC & Grizzly for the DA attraction? I hope they left some room back there for a future ride installation because they need something other than two water rides on that side of the park. There's still some space between the service road that runs up to the go-karts and the edge of the dinosaur attraction, but realistically, if they want to maintain the "woodsy" feel of both Dinosaurs Alive and WhiteWater Canyon, I don't think there's really much option for rides back there. Besides, it would be difficult to access, being that the space between the two attractions would require you to walk directly across the Go-Karts or between the Karts and the Theater to reach. IMHO, they'd be better off trying to add flats either in the niche between the Grizzly plaza, the Sky Swing, and the Windseeker, or in the space still occupied by the HyperSonic XLC station. I'll see if I can get a rough diagram added later on. EDIT: Here's a VERY rough diagram... Rough diagram of the placement of the new attractions, and the new entrance plaza for Grizzly and DA.