kraxleRIDAH

Hmmm... SheiKra Cheetah Chase Scorpion Montu Kumba Gwazi vs. Griffon Big Bad Wolf Loch Ness Monster Alpengeist Apollo's Chariot Looks almost about even to me.

Don't know if Riddler's Revenge has this posted on the rider rules sign, but employees always make it a rule to remove all earings before boarding the ride and have told people getting into the train to remove earings on the spot.

Yes it is. For more than 9 years now. Gimmick or not, I still think there are benefits of riding in a standing position. It's a more vunerable feeling position than sitting down and accentuates all the forces where they are positive or negative. (For those who've experienced airtime on a stand-up, you know what I'm talking about!) They'd be less enjoyable. Stand-ups were designed around a different heartline than other looping coasters because of the standing position -- so most elements are drawn out longer or modified slightly to accomodate for the higher heartline. Going from a stand-up refitted with regular sit-down type trains would change the ride for the worse (less intense, much more boring).

^ You would think so, but The Riddler's Revenge actually does, with a 4.2 maximum G-force rating. A lot of people report Mantis and The Georgia Scorcher being the most intense, but that's because of their numerous rapid directional changes of track which The Riddler's Revenge lacks, which has nothing to do with the amount of maximum positive G's felt.

I would NOT recommend riding with legs locked, I find it most stressful on the legs that way -- and is also damaging to knee caps (having your knee caps absorb bursts of G-forces up to 4.0 is NOT a good thing). To thoroughly enjoy stand-up coasters, the first step is to ride them in the best stance. This is what I do: I straddle the bicycle seat with both feet supporting my entire body weight standing on the floor of the train (not just touching, but actually holding my entire weight, not the little seat). The little bicycle seat isn't up against my crotch either, but is barely touching, I'll explain why I do this. I do that so I have enough space to stand up fully, yet also enough space to bend my knees slightly through heavy-G turns. I stand with my back straight, shoulders back, head up -- legs and feet planted slightly behind where my shoulders are and have my knees just slightly bent, NEVER LOCKED RIGID. At the bottom of every inversion or drop where the G-force load is heaviest, bend the knees with a little flex of the legs and have the muscles in your thighs and calves absorb the force, not the cartilage in your knee! Then at the top of the inversions or any ascent, relax them. But don't make it a chore, as it should come naturally. I find it that I have never experienced sore legs or had ANY painful rides on ANY stand-up coaster so far by riding like this. If you just happen to have very weak knees and legs, then this approach might not be the best for you though.

The trim brakes on the first drop are no longer used I believe. They were only used when Mantis ran a 3 train operation a while back when it opened. Not true. The first time I rode Mantis, I definitely felt the trim on the first drop tug on the train (really odd sensation) and the ride was in two train operation. I believe it depends on the time of year and the temperature. When the ride tends to be running faster than usual, the trims are activated. As for the ride itself, it's pretty fun. I liked it and it wasn't painful nor did I get any headbanging.

I recall Kinzel stating the mistake stemming from all the technological issues that arose from such a technological push in the envelope -- it was more trouble and headache than it was actually worth. Dragster was solely designed and built to capture the height and speed records for a roller coaster (and by a long ways too), at the expense of a good well-rounded ride experience, only to be surpassed JUST two years later. I can completely understand why Kinzel stated Top Thrill Dragster was the worst business decision he's ever made.

...completely ignoring the fact that PowderKeg doesn't have a 95-degree first drop and two corkscrews.

^^ Whether IntaRide should pay or not is completely irrelevant. If Cedar Fair should decide to take them to court over it (this instance has happened in the industry before), then IntaRide will most likely pony up the dough. Six Flags has filed lawsuits against Vekoma In't and Arrow Dynamics in the past for loss of revenue and marketing expenses due to a ride(s) that were not delivered on time as promised. And believe it or not, manufacturers and design firms do agree to a specified target delivery date that is usually gauranteed. When this is breached, they face potential lawsuit or some sort of compensation from the park or company.

There is a good reason why your last few threads have been closed.

On the contrary, I am very aware of it all. Still doesn't negate the rapid side-to-side head movement that will be produced by the rapid change in direction during the S-curve. Three words: Storm Runner S-Curve. Make that four: Ouch.

A third inversion will not find a place on Maverick without additional extensive modifactions to the current ride -- which I doubt the park is considering. A lot of resources and time has been lost just for this one modification. Maverick will have two inversions, and will stay that way. A lot of you keep forgetting that this modification process is a pricey one and has cost Cedar Point a good month's worth of Maverick operation. While it is more than gauranteed the modification is being done for free by IntaRide, it's still an embarassment to the park. Good thing Cedar Point has held their ground and is doing the best they can to get this problem fixed.

Or so you would think. Storm Runner's S-curve slams riders' heads from one side of the harness to the other. Ow. I can't imagine how much more painful that would be at the speed Maverick's trains will be taking that curve. Maybe a flat-section would've been better off.

VIP programs and tours at theme parks are getting real popular! Mark Shapiro of Six Flags said in the 2007 Q1 conference call that demand for VIP treatment at certain Six Flags parks are increasing to a point that the company intends to increase the premium in certain markets... Here's a rather interesting article/review of the VIP tours offered at Six Flags (Over Georgia), Disney (Disneyland), Universal (Islands of Adventure), and Anheuser Busch (SeaWorld Orlando) and how they compare. Article: http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/0517biz-VIPparks17-ON.html So...have any of you payed for a VIP theme park tour before? If so, share your experience...what park was it, when did you visit, how much did you pay, and was the outcoming experience worth the admission? And if you haven't had the opportunity to take a VIP tour of a theme park, it doesn't matter...what are your thoughts of it? Would you ever consider taking part in one?

Yup. Papa John's, Coldstone Creamery, and Johnny Rockets didn't know what they were getting into when they signed contracts with Six Flags. People will now come to associate those three food brands with slow speed of service, uncleanliness, bland tasting foods and low-morale work force all thanks to Six Flags' method of serving.

Thanks for the update. Though it's refreshing to see an old restaurant building made over at Magic Mountain (Johnny Rockets), the whole "walk-up-to-the-counter" approach completely negates the whole Johnny Rockets experience and what the brand is all about. Just my two cents. I look at the Knott's Berry Farm Johnny Rockets (which happens to be the largest in square footage by the way) and think that's quite impressive, while the Magic Mountain attempt at it is a bit underwhelming. Not to mention the inflated menu prices which are a bit ridiculous. The prices on Knott's JR's menu are VERY reasonable and are almost the same as every other franchise JR. So Magic Mountain not only has a limited menu, they're charging more! But then again, that's me nitpicking. Good to see some changes at the park. Those planter things are a bit curious though. Wonder what those will be...maybe a foundation for a large park map and guest directory? I'm happy to see that not only are changes occuring at Magic Mountain, but new ones start up at the tail of others. The improvements keep going, which is a good sign!

To give you some idea you can see how it works here... -> ~Matthew The floor on Griffon isn't exactly the same as on other Floorless coasters. Griffon has no "drop, split and fold" sequence like other Floorless coasters.

The two large platforms pull away into both sides of the loading platform and the middle platform lowers into the track. Nifty!

If you had read the posts above, you would have had the answer to your question.

Thanks for the TR. Those were some great pictures. That water ride is called Snake River Falls, btw. I never got around to riding it when I went to CP in 2002, but I figured since we had Perilous Plunge over here, I could pass it up.

Was anybody at Busch Gardens Europe yesterday for Mothers Day? I guess not as I would think we would've already seen a thread! But anyway, Griffon had a soft opening and was operating all day with approximately 20 minute waits with a three train operation -- two weeks ahead of its scheduled official opening. The ride looks spectacular! I'm envious of every person that will have the opportunity to ride it this season! Here are some photographs courtesy of Anthony Ferguson and BGEscape. Griffon, wetting itself from all the excitement. Guests piling into the queue entrance. Wide load... Wow.

After $25 million dollars, a truckload of mechanical failures, an incident where riders were injured from a flayed cable, a still a relatively moody operation, and Dick Kinzel remarking it as the worst business decision he's ever made...I doubt Cedar Fair will be returning down that same path. EVER. Especially at a park like Canada's Wonderland. Keep dreaming though.

^ 1. Superman is going to be repainted sometime during the winter operating schedule (most likely after Fright Fest 2007). 2. The Riddler's Revenge Flash Pass and Single Rider line are NOT the same line. The Flash Pass line is a former employee-access only staircase that leads straight up to the queue side of the station. The Single Rider line utilizes one half of the exit staircase that leads straight up to the exit side of the station. 3. The seat with the two-belts on Scream! is what is commonly referred to as a "big boy seat." This seat is specifically designed to accomodate guests of larger girth. The double-seat belts are used as a means to determine whether or not the guest of questionable size will be able to safely participate in the attraction.

When you renewed your pass, it was probably activated then. But you need to make sure it definitely has been before you attempt to gain admission at other parks. You'll save yourself a lot of trouble.

During the winter operating season later this year.