ajfelice

Volcano: The Blast Coaster gets my vote. I can't get enough of that rolling launch into an intense banked turn. The final drop back into the volcano is very good as well. In second comes the Flight of Fear clones. The darkness and the noise of the LIMs really intensify the experience.

To draw the shortest straight line from my front door to a coaster, the nearest one would be Waldameer's Comet. Had a few extra minutes before opening, so I took a walk around the layout.

Driving fast over a hilly road, and I get that "airtime" feeling sometimes. That feeling makes my day when I experience it as lame as that sounds. Also, I look at some of the unique ski trails and I picture how a terrain coaster could be constructed on that type of land.

My vote goes to El Toro due to the fact the "Rolling Thunder Hill" looks very deceiving. Coming around that turn, it just appears like a another nice, typical drop coming. Actually, it's an intense catapult into the most amazing twisted mess of track that is the second half of El Toro. Phoenix has got to be the best "stand-up" airtime ever, but when you easily see that double-up/double-down ahead you should be aware that something epic is coming. Therefore, El Toro has the edge, because I never saw it coming until it occurred.

The size of the crowd determines my amount of time spent at the park more than number of attractions. My experiences at Six Flags Great Adventure, Canada's Wonderland, and Darien Lake this past season alone are perfect examples of the crowd factor. Even my 2011 visit to Kings Island was a good demonstration. On the average day between June and August at these parks, I could spend the day open to close without being bored (not even including water parks, except maybe Darien Lake) because these parks are of good size and usually attract a good crowd. However, I visited these parks on either May weekdays or a rainy September Saturday. Most of these parks I mentioned are large with over 10 major coasters, and I rode every one of the coasters with several re-rides with a couple hours to spare. Heck, I even mixed some junior coasters, flats, or gentle rides that aren't on the high priority list, but I still came up short on a full day at the park open to close. All of these parks were so dead, the size of the park in terms of number of things to do seemed like a non-factor due to the frequent walk-ons on every coaster including signature attractions (El Toro, Leviathan, The Beast, Diamondback, Nitro, Behemoth, among almost every other coaster). I'm still hoping for that day when I visit Cedar Point and the crowds are very low with decent weather (Maybe the Tuesday after Memorial Day this year? That's my plan for now). However, on the average day in the mid-season June-August, I can expect to spend the entire day at a park when there are more than 5 major coasters unless the weather scares everyone off to create a "May" day. My typical day in terms of energy levels starts very high with the initial dash to cover as much as possible before the real crowds arrive. When the crowds peak and the heat takes its toll, I will get very quiet and moody. Once I get to 7:30-8:00pm and the crowds thin, I do a 180 and get late-night cat syndrome and regain my early form. Once I get home or back to a hotel, I usually crash hard, so I'm sure there is such thing as fatigue from spending an entire day at a park. In the case of small parks, even in mid-season form I will lose interest fast after about 3 rides on every major coaster (unless ERT). Yes, my beloved hometown park Waldameer gets boring quickly if I visited as a guest very frequently. A small park like Knoebels that I love to death, which seems to always have a good crowd, also wears on me after awhile due to the fact that there are only two major coasters. These coasters are great ones I must add, but they can only go so far in addition to nauseating flats that aren't the most re-ridable for me.

Cedar Point posts a picture of Gatekeeper's construction from the lift. GP: "they're taking down Cedar Point?" facepalm

Very true that us employees like to have some fun by playing with guests' minds. Too often I get the question on Ravine Flyer II if it is safe, so one time I got just a hint sarcastic. After being asked if it was safe for like the fifth time in one day, I replied, "About 50% of our riders leave this ride with no injuries, so that's really good." You should have seen this person's eyes double in size. Of course, I informed the guest that it was a joke, and of course the ride is very safe. The days are long, so poking a little fun at the GP is the perfect way to spice things up.

Great addition for Knoebels. I could only Imagine if A.R.M. made towers over 200 feet. If only this park was closer than 4.5 hours from me, this is a special place.

I, and several of the operators, cross the tracks frequently during a typical day at work at Waldameer, but we have rules. For Ravine Flyer II, if the train was in the station, operators will cross through the train (through seats, not car gaps), from behind, and in front before the restraints are locked and checked. During the course of the ride when running one train, they can cross when the train is on the lift because we have to cover several duties with a limited crew size as little as three operators. On two-train days they can only cross when a train is completely parked in the station. There aren't as many strict rules as many larger parks, but it is made clear and enforced when the safest times to cross are. Jumping, fooling around, or walking beyond the station when not authorized, will find an operator losing his/her privileges to operate the "big rides" for a period of time or worse consequences for repeat offenders.

Pre-season test-runs on Ravine Flyer II.

I would go back to the original Ravine Flyer. Little is known about the layout of that coaster besides the fact it went over Peninsula Drive. Pictures depict only the station and the bridge, but there is not blueprint or pictures of any other portions of Ravine Flyer.

Snow is no barrier. I will be personally operating it tomorrow. Music Express is being marketed as an intense thrill ride for older kids. The maximum speed will be used through the season unless other circumstances arise. There are three programs, so if we went from the third to the second program, we can use a 48" height requirement like Seabreeze uses for their Bertazzon model. Both Morey's Piers and the former Seaside models operate with the 52" requirement like Waldameer will use.

Music Express Update: As some of you may have noticed, Waldameer has completed the assembly of their Bertazzon Music Express. The ride will be operating for a special season passholder only event Saturday December 22, 2012. A few things about this ride/new area: Waldameer has it programmed to the highest/fastest ride program possible (13.5 rpm both directions). I do not lie on the speed as the operator booth has a gauge that shows the speed changes. The rather high 52" height requirement comes from the manufacturer when the speed is set that fast. You will experience some pops of airtime (I sure did). I personally thought most Music Express rides were just ok, but this one is intense! The LED lighting package is spectacular. The LED lighting package to be installed on Scrambler right in front of Music Express will be spectacular as well. Closing out on the LEDs, there will be an LED-lit fountain in the area (LEDs are just plain cool). If you have been to Waldameer before, you will notice the area between the Train and Dodgem is completely reconfigured. Here are some videos: Ride operating: Lighting package: P.S.: Initial reports of the retracking performed on Ravine Flyer II indicate a ride as smooth as, if not smoother than, when it opened in 2008.

2002, I was 12 years old and very inexperienced when it came to my roller coaster resume. However, I called it before my family went to the park, this was not anything great. Needless to say, Roller Soaker was very underwhelming. Water fountains, waterfalls, and water cannons couldn't save this one. I almost forgot it was there when I visited in 2012 until I crested Lightning Racer's lift. Good for Hersheypark to make the decision to try for something better. Let's hope they can capitalize on this new opportunity and make some progress on spreading out that crowded Boardwalk.

Their coaster collection is fine for now, actually I enjoy almost all of them. I understand Mind Eraser is on the rough side like almost every SLC, but it offers something that is unique to the park, and it is fairly reliable to operate. Of course a paint job on Mind Eraser or Ride of Steel would be greatly appreciated. However, Darien Lake has other important tasks to complete before the next mega-coaster is built or they replace an existing coaster. If Darien Lake starts only focusing on the next great coaster (think Six Flags Ohio), they risk losing sight of the rest of the park. Building new things is great, but if the park can't support them, these new toys can be the death sentence to the park. When Six Flags went into Ohio, they slapped on four coasters in 2000 and another in 2001 totaling five coasters in two years in which four of them were "major." This sounds great on the outside, but the park was bleeding internally. Six Flags was up to their neck in debt, and the park was not guest-friendly in terms of operations and guest service. In summary, the park was not ready to take on such a large expansion, because the park's infrastructure was not built to handle the influx of people. In the end guest satisfaction tanked, attendance dropped, Six Flags sold out to Cedar Fair, and Geauga Lake is only in our memories. Darien Lake is building from the inside out. Thrill rides, family rides, and kiddie rides are crucial to any amusement park. Internal strength in terms of modern facilities, strategically designed park layout, effective operations, and outstanding guest service are real factors that keep people coming back. Rowdy's Ridge, Blast Off and its new area, Splashtown, refurbishment of Giant Wheel, and restroom facility upgrades are improvements that are more valuable than many may realize. These round out the total park experience. Darien Lake is getting closer to that next great coaster, but they still have work to do. Older rides need some clean-up, and there is still a lot of modernizing of facilities/buildings that needs to be done to support expansions like new coasters. Think of a new coaster as the final step or a sign of a job well done for Darien Lake's new rise to stardom.

Ravine Flyer II Favorite home park coaster, and one of the best coasters overall. The story behind this coaster is the reason why I am a roller coaster enthusiast.

I can't find the sketch I made, but I created a "re-brand" for Ride of Steel when I was bored at work. I wanted to create something that fit the ride experience and also pay tribute to the local area. I came up with "Stampede." The logo featured a charging bison which coincides with the "Buffalo" region as well as the natural/secluded area the park resides. The color scheme uses a dark charcoal gray structure and track, but the rails would be a dark red. One train would be a charcoal gray with red highlights, and the other vise-versa. Just my two-cents on Ride of Steel which is still one of my absolute favorites.

Personally, before I enter a queue I will win one of those basketballs and dribble it the entire duration of the queue to take my mind off the wait. Actually, unless I know the park is dead and there won't be any lines, I won't go to parks alone because it is borderline depressing to wait in long, crowded lines all day with no one to talk to. (No, I'm not having that awkward conversation with some random person)

Ravine Flyer II was supposed to have those, but Mr. Nelson did not want to risk an unproven product on a ride that had a decade's worth of anticipation. Actually, Gravity Group even hinted at Timberliners back then, but again, Mr. Nelson wanted to practically guarantee the ride to be open on time. However, for the time being, PTC's aren't going anywhere on that coaster. For Ravine Flyer II, back seat is the best overall hands down. Although, if you want an extra hint of air, 2:1 might be for you at the expense of some intensity. When it comes to any wooden coaster, unless there is overwhelming support for a seat towards the front (think Phoenix 1:3), the back car is usually where it's at for me. If I'm worried about roughness, I tend to go second to the back.

Skycoasters are not worth it. The inital release is cool, but not worth paying the upcharge for. Also, the following swings are very tame. I have never tried the one that you sit in the ball-shape, and you are slingshot upwards. I imagine these are better.

Predator at Darien Lake. This ride has airtime, not just one or two pops, but several on almost every hill. The ride is not perfectly smooth, but it is not unbearably rough by any means. The new trains make it very re-rideable even in the back. Next to Ride of Steel, Predator is the number two reason for visiting Darien Lake.

Height is the easiest way to determine if someone can be safely restrained into a ride; you either are tall enough or not, and there is no question as every ride has some measuring device. Age restrictions are silly because they are too difficult to enforce. Visual profiling by age will cause a lot of unnecessary arguing. Also, how can a guest/operator prove if that they aren't/are lying? "May I see your child's birth certificate?" Restricting by age is like opening pandora's box. An argument for minimum age restrictions is the maturity level associated with experiencing some of the more intense rides or rides with easier opportunities for riders to stand up, attempt to exit early, or using the restraints properly (examples include old rides with manual locks or non-locking restraints). It is best to restrict this based on height. Height can be related to age and maturity to a decent degree, and height is easy to enforce. Height requirement levels associated with age (ride alone or ride with responsible person) can be set based on the average age and/or maturity level that is found by experts in whatever appropriate field. Of course, any minimum height should reflect the ability of a ride to safely secure a guest. Heights can vary from the average age/maturity, but height is a cut and dry measurement than can be easily controlled at a ride. As for a maximum age, the warning signs do more than enough to inform guests about physical conditions that are not safe for riding. For example, Kings Island was not held responsible for the death on Top Gun (Flight Deck) several years ago when it was found out that the woman had a heart condition which is one of the posted restrictions. My sympathy goes out to anyone and their family who has coped with an injury or death associated with an amusement ride, but operators can't make decisions on assumptions guests' physical conditions that aren't easily recognizable such as heart problems, back problems, and even pregnancy to name a few (do any of you think it's appropriate to ask a woman if she is pregnant or just overweight even if it looks obvious?). Now, posting suggested ages is not a bad idea. We do this on several of our kiddie rides at Waldameer, based on what the ride does and how children are restrained. Of course, a manufacturer or insurance company could enforce an age requirement, but that hasn't happened here yet.

The train is the best ride to operate next to some of the coasters, hands down. The train is also my favorite gentle ride. I usually enjoy every park's train except Kennywood's because I find the billboards tacky.

FYI: Bolts sticking up are not the reason for roughness on any wooden coaster including SoB.

Must Visits (All of these are very likely) Holiday World (first timer) Cedar Point Martin's Fantasy Island (so close to me, but I never tried out Silver Comet) Likely Kennywood (Free admission for Waldameer Employees as much as that place irritates me lately) Maybe/Hopefully Six Flags St. Louis during the Holiday World Trip Six Flags New England/Lake Compounce And I will be returning to Waldameer as Assistant Rides Manager, so about 90+ visits there this season.