Ed Farmer

Six Flags Great America Batman The Ride Raging Bull X-Flight Gol Viper Demon American Eagle Whizzer V2 Superman Ultimate Flight Gol could have easily topped this list if they hadn't left out the iath part of it. I've really warmed up to B&M Wing Coasters, especially X-Flight. Of the US Wing Coasters, I've also ridden Mild Eagle and Gatesleeper. X-Flight spends much of it's time near the ground and hauls ass from the top of the lift until it hits the brakes. Until I get the chance to return to Holiday World and wet my beak on Thunderbird, this is far and away the best of the stateside Wing Coasters.

Going to try to keep this as realistic as possible- there are bountiful assloads of parks I would like to visit all over the world, I guess these are the ones that rise to the top of that concoction. Hershey Park is the big one that I had on my list up until I finally got the chance to go in 2015, and it did not disappoint at all- probably my favorite park that doesn't have "Busch" in the name. Not in order of preference. Probably the one I'm least likeliest to ever visit is one that would come near the top of the list- Gold Reef City. Europe Europa Park Mirabilandia Port Aventura Thorpe Park North America Carowinds Kings Dominion Lagoon Six Flags Fiesta Texas Six Flags Magic Mountain Other Ferrari World Fuji-Q Highland Gold Reef City Nagashima Spaland There are too many incredible things being built in China, seemingly at once, to keep track of. I'm sure one or two of those places will make the list once that all settles down.

I fully expect something along the lines of Top Thrill Cubster or Cubbie Force.

Me neither, and now I don't recall getting a coupon book/Bring a Friend vouchers. Are these mailed to you?

I fully expect something along the lines of Top Thrill Cubster or Cubbie Force.

Welp, the world is still turning, I think. It's incredible that the Indians got as far as they did.

Great trip report. Hershey might just be my favorite park that doesn't have "Busch" in it's name.

Bam Bam Schwarber not cleared to play the field for the upcoming 3 games, so he'll be limited to pinch hit appearances for the Cubs. I read that the wind will be blowing out tonight with gusts of up to 40 mph. If so, that doesn't bode well for Tomlin at all...

This is such a fun bet between the two parks. It probably doesn't matter which team wins, it's free advertising for both parks. It's fun to think of what the name changes might be. TTD changed to "No longer the tallest - The ride" MF changed to Millennium Forceless Raging Bull to Sedated Bull Grazing Heifer

Edit: Double Post

My only soothing thought is that I was absolutely certain that Cleveland was going to get their asses swept in both the ALDS and ALCS, and yet here they are. I will probably drink tonight.

haha

There's your pre-lift, I'd imagine.

Intamin cables are pretty good at hauling a train 80 meters up in a timely manner.

There's nothing wrong with Demon, it doesn't need to be tinkered with. Hopefully it stays just the way it is, sans ridiculous VR.

"Furious" seems like it would be more CF's style.

Yesterday was a great day to go, and one of the better days I've had at this park in quite a while. I was especially impressed with how none of the crews jammed the restraints down on you (especially Raging Bull and Batman). I'm really coming around to Wing Coasters; I haven't gotten on Thunderbird yet, but I think X-Flight is the best of the rest of the stateside examples. The weather appeared to be conducive towards the B&M's tearing it up (sans Superman, which is incapable of this, so we passed), and we took two spins on Raging Bull and a lap on the other two. Bull is usually a one trick pony with a very good trick, but there were some hints of what a ride it could be scattered throughout the course. Also caught a lap on Goliath, American Eagle (Red), Giant Drop, and River Rocker for some reason. Great times- definitely the better of my two visits so far this year, and not at all a let down just a few weeks after our annual trip out to Cedar Point. Looking forward to that last weekend of operation in November.

I wouldn't call those who like a DH-less NL "purists". I'm a White Sox (AL) fan who grew up not being able to comprehend why the NL would deliberately put the pitcher in a batter's box- sometimes they'll just stand there with the bat on their shoulder as BP is thrown to them, other times there will be failed bunt attempts followed by a half-assed swing, a K or weak dribbler, and so on. I'm now of the opinion that when used correctly, a P in the batting order can add a hell of a lot to the game. It can entirely redefine how a game and especially the bullpen is managed- we've seen some good examples in this Giants/Cubs series alone (I'm not talking about the Wood and Arrieta HRs- those are outliers, but when they happen, are all the more remarkable because of the circumstances). And if you do have a pitcher that knows how to swing well, that's quite an advantage... Also, Bartolo's HR should forever cement this format. *Edit* Found this- AL vs. NL HRs hit by year.

QFT. Everything about this post is pretty much exactly how I feel about the B&M vest restraints. I really wish B&M would just go back to the old school harness that they used for ages. This is exactly why I LOVE SheiKra and Griffon, yet if I never ride Valravn again I'll die a happy person, the vest restraints KILL the ride. Prior to riding it, I thought the vests might put a damper on things. Having now ridden, this is not exaggeration. In general, I feel like I'm part of the damn train with the vests. I'd hate to see this become the norm.

Yeah, that little B&M they added for 2016.

Jeez, MadBum...

An Indians win here would be unexpected and highly awesome.

Great how the ALWC was lost in a late inning tie game by a pitcher other than the team's knockout closer (Britton), while the NLWC was also lost in a late inning tie game, but by that team's knockout closer (Familia). Also glad that the Jays and Giants came through. Blue Jays/Rangers will be epic after everything that has gone on between these two teams, and honestly, I couldn't see the Mets doing anything but getting swept by the Cubs with the current state of their roster had they gone on, despite managing to grab a Wild Card spot. I love that the Giants appear to be frigging robots in October during even years. I'll be thrilled with whoever wins it all this year (even if it's the Red Sox) as long as San Francisco can keep that magic going for at least one more round. For the next 3-5 games, they'll be my favorite team in the world.

Batman The Ride. I wouldn't even care if my park had two of them.

So that announcement at 20:00 looks like pretty much a message to stay tuned...