bert425

I'm seeing posts on Twitter that they have repainted Montu (or freshened up the paint on Montu). . to a bright yellow on the supports instead of the light/faded cream/yellow it had. so it looks like Goliath at SFFT now. . . hmmmmm

hmm. . well, I wasn't drinking, and I was there. . . didn't hear him say anything about that unless he was teasing. he just said there's another coaster coming, and the above info I have in my post. But I mean. .they have some unique stuff coming in 2022, and they say that in 2023 they are planning on opening up as a year round "park". . . so I'm just going to be excited about that and not worry about what might come in 2023 (tho I'm hoping for a wooden coaster there). COTAland has a lot of space to expand into.

who's instagram was it? do not recall that. . tho they did announce they were hosting Winterfest 2023, and they said that Palindrome was not the "last" coaster they have planned. they want to make it into a year round park, and did say more is coming. I glossed over it above, noting just more rides are coming, but one of the new rides they announced was a log flume.

oh. . I mentioned Dr Diabolical's Cliffhanger construction tour and didn't supply pics? ah.. you want those? ok. . . they have already started construction, and the maintenance / transfer track is already starting to go in place.

in the park yesterday for an event - where many parks presented their 2022 plans (and beyond) which was a lot of fun, and I'll get up a report on that at some point (hopefully). . . .tho we did manage to get two walk on rides to Iron Rattler Back Seat, Superman, and a walk on to DareDevilDive (which broke down for 10 minutes as we were about to get on it. . . .but once reset, we got a ride, and it *IS* now going back up to the top of the tower before it starts flipping the planes so yay for that). Guess it paid to go to the park on a cold and overcast day - and everything was operating despite the weather and the light crowds, *except* for Poltergeist. we were inside Zaragoza theater almost the entire operating day tho. . so didn't get to get into the park itself until ~4pm when it closed at 6. . and take out for the time watching the Parade (which was full on and fun, even with the light crowd due to weather), and a backstage tour of construction on Dr. Diabolical Cliffhanger. So that's not a bad ride count considering we really only spent ~1 hour available to do "rides". . . . We got an hour after close to ride WonderWoman tho and taste lots of the MardiGras food offerings. but. . what I think is some of the bigger news? Skyscreamer is still offering the "Harness" option. (it was supposed to only run for 3 weeks and be gone as of 1/6/22). I asked a few of the Mgmt folks on the construction tour, as I noticed the harnesses on it. Most of them were cagey about it. . . "yeah, we're still offering it until we dont". . . but i did get someone to kind of admit that (and take this with a grain of salt, but it's from a horse's mouth, if not THE horse's mouth (ie: not from Park President): "it will continue running for free as an option thru the end of this week" (which I guess means today), "and then will be offered as a pay option" no idea how much it will cost, but I guess they have the infrastructure in place to support it as a paid option (separate line for it, and area to get in the harness). . i I suspect this will be a true statement. so there ya go . and to give you an idea of how crowds were yesterday ~4:30 pm: post parade bert: (and no you dirty minds. . I didn't have to show anything to get all these beads - it was too cold to anyways - but if you want lots of beads? catch the parade on a day without much crowd. . every float will have folks tossing beads to you) and can't post pics from SFFT without including the incredible Park President: Mr. Jeffrey Siebert

Actually in the park yesterday at SFFT? they were unable to honor things purchased but not activated before the changes made earlier this week. I was with someone who had purchased an upgrade to their membership, but just hadn't gotten around to activating the membership at the park in the first place. . .so they would not allow him the Platinum upgrade and told him they were unable to access it in their system. Instead they offered him a refund. (tho they DID honor the dining plan he had purchased attached to the Gold+ Pass he had purchased online back in Dec). just noting.. .that what you're suggesting isn't likely to be honored in the parks when you go to activate.

they presented today at Winterfest - hosted by SFFT this year. they showed what new things were announced to the Big Rivers Waterpark in 2022, including the 11 rides as part of the Fairgrounds that Larry mentioned in that post late last year. It was reiterated - that adding rides the waterpark, is simply a way to keep the Waterpark able to operate in colder months, and help with cashflow. . but that the owners are *absolutely* set on the creation of the Grand Texas Theme Park. and that a lot of the "groundwork" has been completed, or is in process. They showed off some concept art, and asked those in attendance to keep the faith, and that they realize it was announced a long time ago. . and tho he cannot give any kind of "planned opening date". but they absolutely still have the plans to open this Theme Park in the future.

Spent the day today at SFFT, which hosted Winterfest - a presentation from many parks around the Country (tho mainly from Texas), and COTALAND was one of the presenters. I'll get a more detailed report up in the next week or so, I think, but the big COTAland news that came out of Winterfeast? -- the Wildcat did open, but they had an issue with burning out some parts, so it's currently down - but expected to be back open fully by March 2022 (they had to completely rebuild a new control panel for it too. . so they've spent a lot of $$ on this ride getting it ready for Texas!) -- they have purchased several more rides (and a replacement Ferris Wheel for the one on site that they sold last week) including standards such as a Pirate Ship, Tilt A Whirl, and several others. . most of which are in transit or on site. -- tho a few of the existing rides are of the "carnival" variety (including the "claw" and the "drop tower") that was mostly due to the ride manufacturer's impacted by Covid, and unable to get new rides made in a needed timeframe. So the plan is to replace the "traveling"/"carnival" rides with more permanent Theme Park models, now that most of the manufacturers are back into the swing of things and are able to supply new rides when ordered. -- Palindrome (the new Gerstlauer) is planned - if all parts arrive when promised and they hit no snags in assembling - to open by October. -- and the "full park" planning to open by September (including the above Skyblazer, which will be the only one built in Texas per the contracts). -- it was noted that they plan to have the park open during events at the tracks (at least any rides available) later this year, but plan in 2023 to open the park as a year round, dedicated Theme Park. . with at least one more coaster coming in the future (a question was asked if a wooden coaster might be coming, and the answer was a bit evasive, but was NOT a "no"). I'm actually really excited about this park and how it's progressing! (oh, and they announced that next year? COTAland will be the host for Winterfest presentations)

Big Fan of T.U.K. boots. . have lots of em

bring on the "your Mama" jokes!

Join on your home computer, Bill I have it on my phone, but the only tweets I ever send, and most of the content I look at. . is from my home, desktop, system.

I'm doing terrible. ..well off the wagon, and gotta get back on. I've put back on a lot of weight

^ that's cause she took her earrings off first!

^^ look at you on Twitter !!!!

Montu absolutely has the B&M "Big Boy" seat option avail. so she should be fine with no issues - but DO NOTE. . it's temporarily closed for scheduled rehab. Think it's back open in Late Feb: https://buschgardens.com/tampa/roller-coasters/montu/

^well. . I mean. . agreed. . LOL (I'll NEVER knowingly go on a BAFF day again.. those days bring out the trash to the parks. I mean trashier than a typical day). but I really don't think that they want to "improve the level of their clientelle to improve the overall guest experience" is the reason for the things they are doing - no matter how good that bullet point looks in a presentation to the boss.

I'm as amused by the discussions I've seen elsewhere about how SF raising prices by so much is to help keep the riff-raff out, and to help restrict how many unsupervised teens are in the parks. yeah.. THAT'S why.

from what I've heard (from a very reliable sources) that *this* particular cut is 100% due to staffing issues. . . . now how much of that is impacted by people quitting in anger over what's been going on lately in particular at SFOT? I'd be really curious to hear. but yeah. . this is staffing reasons, and I suspect if they are able to get staffing back up, those hours will get added back to Feb weekends. It sure does seem like new Upper Mgmt has it out for this park tho, doesn't it? we need those SFStL thread folks over here to post about how much "Mgmt *HATES* this park!)

no, I saw what he was doing. but I ignored it because it was a "dad-joke". . so instead gave an update on the status. edit: didn't' mean that to come across harsh. . . puns and dad jokes just aren't really things I enjoy much . . . but i got it.

they're ahead of schedule. . supposed to be open in June.

ABSOLUTELY yes. tho we are assuming they will grandfather in those who currently have passes/memberships with dining plan included.

from Park President Jeffrey Siebert - Dr. Diabolical's Cliffhanger (B&M Dive Coaster) has gone Vertical! I'll be at the park on Saturday for Winterfest (where the Tx parks all present what's going to be coming in 2022 and beyond - this year is SFFT's turn to host). . so will make sure to take more pics of the progress!

I just saw that a little bit ago . .what the hell is SF doing???

all I have to say is that I really hope they are honoring dining plans already purchased on folks passes/memberships. I suspect they will.. . but how messy.

OMG. . tacky tacky tacky! and while this is over 250X more. . if I had money to burn? I'd absolutely pick this up in a heartbeat. THIS? This is gorgeous: and it's "only" 250K