kraxleRIDAH

Well...in addition to knowing what the ride will look like, we have some stats... Length: 1,410' 9" G-force: 3.3 Height: 62' 4" (not factoring in footers)

^ Is it mid-January of 2007 yet? That's your answer.

HOLY! This coaster is a lot longer/bigger than I could ever imagine it to be! It's entire first half is HIGH off the ground (looks to traverse over to Fiesta Village/North end of Camp Snoopy) and then the rest of the ride, which is the majority of it, spends a lot of time lower to the ground or near the ground. It has a lot of spirals, a helix, and big dips. VERY BIG for a spinning coaster, I think.

Um.........that makes no sense. Anyway, I haven't been on a B&M sit-down (like Kumba), hyper, nor Dive Machine. My favorite B&M is Tatsu, but my overall favorite category would be inverted.

75/100 questions. Not bad, I don't think. Although I missed a few because I sped through it too quickly without thinking.

Again, I'm not being negative about the "show", but you have to understand that it's not what everyone looks for when they go to a park. But then again, how often is it that a Six Flags park goes out of the way to bring a new major non-ride addition in such as a Cirque-du-Soleil inspired show? Then take that and make a comparison to how often they (used to) install multi-million dollar thrillrides... Sure, I can perfectly understand some people's disappointment with this announcement, but there is ALWAYS going to be that group of disappointed people because there is never any one thing that pleases EVERYBODY. At least with this show, it shows how the current management realizes that stepping away from ride attractions CAN be a great alternative and a way to make up for entertainment options that were long neglected and laid-off due to their impractical fixation with mega-budget coasters for the past half decade. If anything...the question of "what does Six Flags Over Texas have an adequate amount of and what department do they lack in" shows Six Flags is really trying to balance out the kinds of things people can experience at the parks. They have an adequate amount of roller coasters and thrillrides for every age and every type of person. But I don't believe for a second that their live entertainment department doesn't have room for improvement and expansion. I'm in the same boat as you Robb. I go to amusement parks and usually never take in a show, EVER. Not because I don't like shows...it's just that I'd prefer to spend my time on rides instead. However, you can't ignore that relatively BIG group of park clientele that really doesn't do it the way you and I do it...the kind of people that DO take a break from roller coaster riding and seek alternate forms of entertainment. Sure, it's a disappointment to the coaster loving folks, but if you cynics just think for a brief moment...you'll realize this new show is nothing but beneficial to park goers and the park itself for MANY reasons.

Yes, yes. It does seem like they REALLY wanted a new roller coaster next season. Here's what we'll do. Us SoCalers will trade Flashback for your Cirque show. That way, you get your "new" roller coaster, and Magic Mountain will finally have something worthy to see, rather than do. In the heart of rural Africa, teens in numerous communities are starving and dying of thirst and lack of medicare. Meanwhile, in the sprawling Texas scene...teens are falling apart from despair over a broken promise...spawned by false assumptions that a big shiny new roller coaster would come to Arlington in 2007. *tear* LIFE IS SO NOT FAIR!

I would be honestly okay with not having another new ride at Magic Mountain (aside from the whole park-is-on-sale fiasco) for YEARS if operations reach their upmost peak. I haven't seen Goliath operate with three trains since I rode it its opening week back in February 2000. I was lucky enough to be at the park this year when Riddler was operating all three trains for some odd reason (you can imagine how surprised I was) --- and it's definitely one of those coasters that NEEDS a three train operation majority of the time.

Ew. Get over it. We ALL knew Six Flags was taking a hiatus with big spending on big budget roller coasters and thrill rides when Snyder took over. This is Shapiro's vision of a complete family-inclusive day at one of his parks becoming a reality. I personally feel it's a VERY VERY good move on whoever's behalf that green-lighted this production. This only reinforces his claimed commitment to transforming these parks into places where the parents don't feel odd-man-out because of their weak stomach for thrills. How can this be a bad or lame thing in ANY way? After a tiring day running around spending countless dollars on food and souvenir items and queuing for rides --- the entire family sits down together at night for about an hour or so to watch a Cirque-du-Soleil inspired show with lights, lazers, bizarre costumes, enchanting music, and acrobatic stunts. It definitely gives mom and dad a good reason to say "okay" to a Six Flags trip in 2007. It's ridiculous how some of you were really expecting some Rocket Coaster or Intamin wood coaster. The park installed TEN RIDES last year -- regardless of their size and thrill-factor. TEN RIDES is A LOT.

For an 11-year-old, you use better grammar and spelling than most 15 and 16 year olds do on these enthusiast community forums. Props to you Dallas.

I would probably have a mini-stroke if that were to follow through. That enough would be a great addition for the 2007 season. No joke.

Things are about to get very very interesting... L.A. Times staff writer Alana Semuels: http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-sixflags11nov11,1,5859222.story?coll=la-headlines-business

Shapiro really didn't think that part through when budget cuts were made mid-summer season.

Uh. Says who? Every park needs an X-tra Large churro cart.

And I wouldn't exactly call Ultra Twister "BIG" either. New for 2007 at Six Flags Over Texas -- KINGDA KA II: The Revenge of the Lone Star State Serial Thrillers Sounds real to me.

Shapiro said cheap season passes and admissions cheapened the brand name and the experience. Then Play Pass is offered AGAIN for a single day's admission for 2007 at SFMM. Go figure. ------- At a stop to Six Flags America in a pep-talk to employees, Shapiro tells employees that nobody will be getting any raises this year --- that "we all have to make some sacrifices." He then accepts a $300,000 salary increase and maximum bonus increase to $2.6 million. ------- Says parks do not have enough costumed characters to help build that "family friendly image," so SFMM employs quite a few for a few months. Then allegedly, due to budget constraints, the park is forced to "let go" more than half of the costumed character lineup. --------

Here's my list: Iron Dragon Mantis Disaster Transport Wildcat (Cedar Point) Deja Vu Tatsu

I have probably around 10 of those giant glossy color SFMM maps from this season. All in excellent condition. Anybody want to trade me for other Six Flags 2006 glossy maps?

1. No. 2. Final bids from potential buyers are taken in early this month. 3. CEO Mark Shapiro plans to sell all 6 said properties in a bundle to ensure each of the six properties hold on for a strong chance to remain amusement parks. 4. Once the potential buyers are narrowed down, the company plans to sell within 24 months. So, to briefly summarize my points, Magic Mountain IS STILL up for acquisition. Magic Mountain (in addition to Darien Lake, Elitch Gardens)WILL be operating for 2007 because the final bids haven't even been received yet.

LOOLLLLLL. You funny man. And ya. What's the big deal. Like Rob pointed out indirectly, it's not like the place was called "Beanerland." That would be racially insensitive and extremely politically incorrect.

So could somebody give a few examples of this "pumping" phenomenon on some better known coasters?

SFMM needs one in 2007. They have to step it up after Tatsu. 17 roller coasters is NOT enough. Once they make the 25th coaster mark, then they can start focusing on landscaping, infrastructure, employee discipline, etc. [/yeah right] On a more serious note...I would like to see a new coaster at Geauga Lake or Michigan's Adventure.

So...did Thrill Shot EVER reopen this year?

Some of favorite coaster endings: Tatsu --- a disorienting and high-flying inline twist into a high-G helix more than 100-feet above the ground below. WOW. Talk about a strong finish. Gemini --- very tight helix with deadly-looking headchoppers. Some of my least favorite coaster endings: Raptor --- that turn coming out of the final helix into the brake run is SO bad. I don't understand it. The rest of the ride is practically flawless. Xcelerator --- hitting the brakes at a downward slope at approximately 60 mph says two things. (1) Ow. (2) What a waste of speed and potentially longer ride. Ninja --- No need for any kind of explanation. Probably the West Coast's most anti-climatic finish.

Maybe that extra $55 is why Cedar Fair is solidly in the black, and paying dividends. This is as opposed to having debt at 2x your annual revenue, and an ingenius plan to get out of debt by selling off your prime assets. FYI, after having acquired the Paramount Parks from CBS Corp, Cedar Fair actually now carries a heavier debt load ($2.7 billion) than Six Flags ($2.1 billion).