AllenA07

Looking at the basic design, it does look plausible that Maverick was orignally planned to be an AquaTrax.

I bet the retracking of the ride was an expensive endeavor. Remember it's not just stick new track in there, they had to pay for designers to redesign that section of the ride, production of the track, construction costs. I am a bit surprised that the park has decided to take this ride, not really one I would have pegged to be on the chopping block.

I find it amazing that just a handful of years ago when Six Flags bought the park it looked as though the park was going to make a splash into the Ohio market. It's crazy how much things can change in such a short span of time.

http://www.jp-petit.com/science/Z-machine/machines_MHD/machines_MHD_illustrations/bombe-russe-tsar-bomba-31oct1961-50MT.jpg My weapon will melt your weapons. If any of you are interested that is the Tsar Bomb (search for Tsar Bomba). It is the largest man-made bomb to be exploded. When detonated it produced a 55 megaton blast. Of course the bomb had absolutely no tactical use, since it was the size of a house, but still, that is a very big explosion. The thing that always has shocked me is when the bomb exploded it produced roughly 1% the power of the sun for the same duration of time. 1% isn't that much generally, but it's the sun! Alright that'll wrap up the history fact of the day.

I've never heard that one, but I really like it. I personally think "The Panda Express" would be better, but hey, what are you going to do.

Years ago when when I was running my website I was putting together a guide for every ride in the park, with just basic information and stuff. It was during that trip that I decided to go back and try out the water slide (I hate water slides!) that is in the back corner of the park... While back there I discovered the petting zoo, and was really stunned that it existed. I ran a website about Magic Mountain for almost a year and a half by the point, and then all of the sudden discover the petting zoo. Shows how visible it is to the public.

I know a lot of people who called the ride Xtreme.

Well word of mouth does count as evidence, however what I keep coming back to is the fact the police need probable cause to tow the car. If there is no probable cause, then the car isn't getting towed.

I was going to mention last night how poorly the news article was written. Even by a simple review of the statute, I was able to determine that the paper had made the new law sound much more dramatic than it really is. Most places I'm guessing have laws about loud music in the car, and if they don't you can always simply report that the person in the car is disturbing the peace. Again the officer must have probable cause, so when he is 2 miles away and can hear the music, you might have a problem. But if somebody just randomly reports your car, if he gets there and there is no evidence that the charge is true, I highly doubt he will have probable cause to tow your car.

Just a few things, I got curious and looked up the law... First the officer must have probable cause before he can impound your car. Which does for the most part throw out the claim that you can be walking through a parking lot, see John's car (John stole your girlfriend, ran over your cat, and got the last peace of cake at the office birthday party the other day while you stood in line) and decide that you are going to claim that his music is too loud. Police wouldn't have probable cause if the car is just sitting there empty. Also if your car does end up getting impounded, you only have to prove to a preponderance of the evidence that you're music was not that loud. Which in most cases shouldn't be terrible hard, especially if you are not actually liable for the offense. For just $21,000 a year you can learn how to properly read statutes as well!

I strongly agree about the Granny Grand Prix removal and the petting zoo. Many years ago I had actually heard rumors that there was a somewhat major expansion planned for that area. I can't recall the specific details, but I believe it had to do with a flyer being placed there. Now it is obvious that a flyer isn't going there, however just pointing this out to say that it is not the first time I have heard a rumor for the area. I used to work at Carrot Club, and recall it always being completely empty back there, most people are surprised to learn that the park even has a petting zoo.

Elementary: Pioneer Middle: Lobo High: Cowboys J.C.: Cougars College: Bruins Law School: Red Raiders It's interesting... I can tell from who is from Santa Clarita.

Ignorance is basically never an excuse. I'm sure this couple is going to attempt to sue the park for all sorts of things, and I'm betting that the judge will dismiss it, because once again, ignorance isn't going to work as an excuse.

Kind of sad that they are scaling it back. I always really enjoyed all the mazes and scare areas... As an employee who worked in a scare area (running a sound system behind a wall) I can tell you that it offered me endless hours of fun scaring people whom would not have expected anybody behind the wall.

I'm waiting to see who wins the war between them. I also figure that within the next couple years they'll be at a much lower price. When I first looked at these things they were over $1000, now they're approaching $400. I think that in another year or so you'll start to see a few creep in under $200.

I'm in Lubbock, TX. About 300 miles from Dallas in one direction, and Albuquerque in the other.

Where is Sky View Lane? I remember taking The Old Road to Feedmill and going in there. Did a street change it's name, or am I missing something? Looking back I do recall that they were planning to devlope the area around the park, nothing has happened thus far and I honestly forgot about that. I bet all the new retail over there is going to start an annexation war between Santa Clarita and Los Angeles county, since I'm sure SCV wants a cut of those tax dollars.

What I don't get though is why they would chose to build a mall right there. Valencia Town Center is maybe a mile away from the park, and is in the midst (or so I understand, I live in Texas now, so news from Santa Clarita comes to me slowly) of what amount to a major expansion. From an economic point of view I just don't see what having a big shopping/plaza center by the park wll accomplish, other then giving local teenagers a new place to get curfew tickets.

The reason I don't think a "city walk" would work in Santa Clarita is because, Santa Clarita is located in Santa Clarita. City Walk and Downtown Disney are both located in places where people are likely to go and spend a lot of time. SFMM is a bit further out, and therefore I don't think would really have the grab that would get people coming out there. If you're going to be going to SFMM it's going to be to go into the park, not to wander shops in front of it. And as was said above, these rumors have been circulating for at least 7 years. A one point there were actually some plans for this, as well as a hotel, but they just faded away.

I know there was a site where you could find some plans, but I can't remember what it was, and they only had it for a couple of coasters. Somewere in a box high up on a shelf (i.e. Ive got no idea where) I've got a full set of X blueprints. I've honestly got no idea how to read them, but they're kind of cool.

I started my first semester of law school two weeks ago. So far it isn't as bad as I had thought, though I'm finding Civil Procedure to be a lot harder than expected.

I'm a republican, but in the more classical sense rather than the modern sense...

Cloud seeding is going to make it rain when they decided that they want rain... Basically what they are going to do is pump silver iodine into the cloud, which in turn will turn the supercooled water into ice, which are then heavy enough to fall. There has been some good results with it, but it is still debated if seeding actually does much. That is basically how the process works, however just a word of warning, I got this out of a lower division college class on weather in which I only got an A-, so I can promise you that it is much more complex then what I stated above. Edit: Just as a side note so I don't confuse anybody, I know there are a couple other ways cloud seeding works, however I'm not sure how those work, as I was only required to learn the Silver Iodine method. The Silver Iodine method is the most common so it is a fair guess that Alton Towers is going about it that way. Just so that you're all aware that there is more than one way to seed a cloud.

Honestly I've been living in Lubbock for less than a month, so I'm not really sure what the hold up is. There is some mention on the website about soil problems, which leads me to believe that soil could very possibly be the problem.

Keeping true to my word, I made it over to the area around Joyland today. I didn't make it into the park, since it's a lot cheaper to go during the week. However despite that I did look for things going on around there. I can say without much doubt that there is nothing going on. Again I didn't make it in, however I walked about 20 feet away from where there ride is being placed. I didn't even see evidence of dirt being pushed around. I'll keep an eye on it and let you all know if I ever see anything.