AllenA07

Back when I was running my site in around 1999-2002, I did get rumors over the closing of Astroworld a few times, in fact the only park I got more rumors about closing down operations was SFEG, which I was getting a decently regular basis. So when the offical annoucment came, I was a little surprised it actually had happened, but was far from shocked.

I'm currently wearing my Oscar Mayer weiner pants, a UCLA stomp T-Shirt, and an ugly green sweatshirt that is abnormally warm and comfrotable.

1st. As far as Viper viability in the park, I've throught for a long time that it's days are numbered. Not right away by any means, I think as of right now Viper has many (i.e. Don't lose sleep over them taking Viper out someday) more years. However looking at the history of the Arrow Loopers from that period, I wouldn't at all be surprised if Viper eventually was removed. 2nd. That crowd looks crazy. The one year I worked on Thanksgiving the park was abandon.

^Agreed... However in response to the question, Manhatten Express, in my opinion is much worse then Ghostrider.

What's strange is that it appears on the park map, so there is hope that they are going to build the thing. However I've been by the park a couple of times, and they've not doing even the slightest amount of work yet. The ride won't take that long to throw up, however I've got no idea what winter is like in Lubbock (moved here in July). I drive by the park every now and then, so I'll keep an eye open, and I promise a photo trip report when the ride reopens.

If anybody is curious I drove near the park (Joyland) yesterday and the ride isn't vertical yet. In fact, I've yet to see any kind of basic ground work going on for it.

So what does a procrasting law student do when somebody asks for how the rides are inspected? They go and look up the state statute! First it's farily long, and I didn't take the jump over to the OSHA page to see more specifics, however if you're curious search around for Cal Labor Code § 7924. That's the offical code of what kind of inspection requirments there are.

^It is seriously impossible to predict what is going to be open and closed come June. Just wait until the trip is closer, and then try to figure out what will be running. With that said, I bet it's a safe bet Flashback is closed.

I couldn't imagin Viper being closed more then a couple of weeks... This is SFMM however, so Viper will be down until sometime around 2009.

I guess I can post again here, I'm now at Texas Tech working on a law degree.

I've worked there before on Thanksgiving, and can tell you that the park is empty for the most part. I worked on the shows so I didn't see how lines for rides were, but on a show where we normally had 150+ people, we had well under 50. It's a pretty good day to go to avoid lines. Superbowl Sunday is another day when the park is pretty empty.

It makes me sad they took out the movie stones, I knew they would, but I always enjoyed them for some strange reason.

The park used to have all the plaques of Paramount movies up near the carousel (I believe, it's been several years since I've been there so my memory is foggy), anybody know if those are still intact?

I think that eventually another park is going to build a standup, however I think it's going to be a while. I think that most of the parks that I could see wanting a Standup coaster ended up getting one. Eventually I'm sure another park is going to come around and decide to build one, but I wouldn't expect it anytime soon.

Nice work Robb, weight loss can be difficult but you really seem to have a good command over it.

^^If you wrote the quiz how could you not do good? I mean logically you should know all the answers.

That does look like it's going to be a good wooden coaster, it'll be good for that park to get something new. I do expect that CGA will grow slowly, as they have for a while now. As far as their next ride, an Intamin looper would fit well in that park. I wouldn't expect a hyper coaster to ever go into CGA, if I recall they've got a very strict height limit due to the near by airport. BTW: Am I the only one who keeps typing PGA instead of CGA???

I've always had to assume that the sound has to be incredible. When you watch on TV it's always these little pops, but in person I'm sure it's loud. I wonder what the next hotel out there to come down will be. I've got to put my money on Imperial Palace.

So in the end I had to cancel on my family due to work... But lucky me, they've decided to come out here to see me instead, which basically assures that I'll still end up getting no work done, and now I've got to help host Lucky me!

I fully agree, it is a very short ride. I rode it several years ago and was surprised and how rough it was, especially considering that it is a B&M. However as you said, most of the 1st generation B&M coasters are not holding up as well as the more modern ones.

I didn't really care for Vortex at PGA.

The first drop on Desperado has always made me duck down. I've seen several people on Gold Rusher at SFMM manage to hurt their hands by putting them up, it is possible in places to slap Log Jammer.

I think B&M gets this hands down.

The first kiss is one of those things I've chosen to repress and attempt to forget. Subsequent kisses were far more enjoyable.

I've been coming to this site since at least 1999, and it has always been one of my favorites. R&E both do a great job here. Even before these forums I used to join in on the AIM coaster chats with them, and I've always enjoyed their opinions.