brneff99

well someone beat me to it but anyone old enough to remember and have ridden Colossus when it opened in '78 would not have described as boring...it was relentless...I'm all for this and will remain optimistic that the company doing the make over will ensure its done correctly...and I agree, the original double down drop should be restored...we all know why it was taken out and the ride slowed back in the day...

Great thread...o.k. we've all said that enough now... Pleasant Surprise - American Thunder (SFStl) - I was not expecting much from this coaster or for it to really compare to Apocolypse out here at SFMM and it really surprised and was a great ride all day long last June in 100+ degree weather... Viper (SFGAM) - Another coaster that I had not heard that much about or great reviews from that was a really great ride this past Summer. UnPleasant Surprise - Raven (Holiday World) - Sorry, this one did nothing at all for me or anyone in my Family...I don't get the hype... Whizzer (SFGAM) - Again, I don't get the hype beyond the unique lift hill... All the obvious also apply here...SOB, the Boss, Revolution (Please fix this legend!!), and Riddler's Revenge...

O.K. I've always been a Cruise Naysayer...my argument being that I'd far rather spend the money on a nice room at at nice resort in one location and explore that area...and we all know the Cruise ships hit the finest spots in most Caribbean and Mexican ports...but you are converting me with this TR! As always, thank you for sharing your families time with all of us...we are all the ultimate voyeurs through your adventures...and now I'm hungry...!

and most of us would never have access to or get to experience such sights without TPR and all that you do!! I've been to a Bash but can't wait to be able to make a TPR trip...they obviously create a whole different environment and experience than just a day or visit to a park...so keep it up!!

For those I've actually ridden, I'd have to go with X2 and the Voyage... For those I'd love to ride and have thus far only dreamed about, I'd have to go with Maverick and El Toro....

I think we/I become less tolerant of the head bashing as we get older...during our Midwest trip this Summer, coasters that I could tolerate or loved as a kid were now painful and unpleasant...I could not believe how bad Demon was at Great America yet remember riding it over and over as a kid and having a blast. Now as SFMM as one of our local parks, I rarely even bother with Viper or Revolution any longer...of course the Revolution issues could all be fixed but we've all beaten that dead horse. I have come full circle on Riddler's...used to love it, and now could care less about riding it...again, could be age...my kids still love it. However, the line is usually ridiculous since it seems permanently banished to a one car operation...not that they ever dispatched 2 quickly. The operations on Tatsu, a great coaster, are embarassing... I guess I've just summarized why we haven't been back this year since WCB...not even Lex Luthor has lured us up yet for a visit.

Aahh...SOB Memories...we rode one time....6/14/09...which I believe is 1-2 days before it closed forever...we had to get the credit and see what all the fuss was about...my youngest son was 9...not tall enough to ride Diamond Back which had just opened but he was allowed on this ride of bodily destruction...I remember thinking the entire time that I was going to be pounded to death so what must it be doing to him...he still tells horror stories to all of his buddies that he rode this large mass of hell...and yet, deep down somewhere inside of me, I can see the sadness of a complete miss here...this concept might have worked under difference circumstances, builders, trains, etc...there was a certain thrill on that lift hill...it was hidden behind the deafening chain noise for sure...and a completely disappointing layout... Sadly, on that same trip, I learned that the elder Beast was not the ride I remembered so fondly from my Youth either...although the late night post fireworks ride in the fog was still pretty awesome.

Hit the park yesterday with our kids for the first time since my wife and I were kids and shortly after American Eagle opened...heat was tolerable, crowds were tolerable, day interrupted with lightning and rain for awhile but overall a great visit. Park is in very nice shape...such a great collection of flats and the theming in some areas remains outstanding...best themed drop tower I've seen although the ride was so so... Highlights: X Flight was tremendous...no bad rides...line moved quickly and there is so much still to come with this type of coaster. One question/concern: One of the trains already has numerous seats closed/shut off...why is this?? Raging Bull was great and I can't say enough for the Ride Ops on this one as they were cranking out 3 cars the entire time (are you listening SFMM??)...line moved very quickly. Has the brake always been on the 2nd airtime hill?? Since it was overy 100, the Buccaneer Battle was a lot of fun...maybe because we've never been on one before but we all had a blast...and our kids are not young! I was surprised at how much I liked Viper...I had really not heard that much about it and it had some great air time in the back. American Eagle seemed to be running very well...we loved the rides in the back on both sides. We all enjoyed Superman even though I know its not a fan favorite and its definitely no Tatsu...but again, the Ride Ops were cycling the trains pretty good early in the day...much better than I've ever seen at SFMM. No real disappointments other than the jarring and unpleasant ride that Demon gives out...ugh...I can't even say anything too negative about the Dark Knight experience. Spending a day at this park and last week at SFStl makes us realize that although we have a very nice collection of thrills at our home park of SFMM, sadly it sorely lacks in the overall experience and atmosphere that we had at either of the parks on our visit.

We hit the park on Thursday when it was a cool 108 most of the day...the best part, no crowds, none...we arrived at 10:15 and had ridden every ride we wanted by 12:30...every ride was a walk on...we departed for lunch on 'the Hill' for the Italy game and returned around 4 for a few hours in the water park and then back to the main park for a few repeats. Highlights: Definitely American Thunder and Mr. Freeze...both were outstanding rides from any seat. We loved them both...Screamin Eagle was running good and the Batman clones are always fun... I enjoyed the layout of the Boss but I hated the ride...it was all I heard and more...the closest thing I have ridden is that 3 letter structure now closed in Cincinnati...my 15 year old was the lone warrior who enjoyed the experience... Superman Drop Tower was the worse I've ridden...seemed slow, boring, and uninteresting... It was the perfect day for Tidal Wave... Ninja and Mine Train were ridden for the credit only...ugh...I do miss the old racing mine trains. No real highs or lows from the water park...got in one ride on the new Bonzai slides...beat the hell out of my heal and cut my wife's back...first experience in the capsule/drop floor type slide though... Overall, love the park and landscaping and brought back great memories...the newest coasters were a blast... Will brave the heat and crowds this Thursday at SF Great America in Chicago as well...

This looks about 1,000x more fun than the Green Lantern joy ride we got down at SFMM...and will still probably load faster.

We are beginning our Midwest 'heat' Adventures tomorrow from SoCal and hitting this park on Thursday where I see it will be HOT!! Will plan to be there the moment the park opens for 2-3 hours and then return again in the evening after 6. Any advice of where to journey first to avoid lines later on in the heat...assuming that Mr. Freeze gets the longest lines quickest and we should start there? Its probably at the top of the list anyway along with all 3 wood coasters. I grew up in the Midwest and this will be my first trip back to SFStl since around 1984...anxious to see all the changes and experience now with my kids.

Each day makes me more and more jealous...I spent a Semester in Italy during school long, long ago...good is as low as they go for food...even bad food is great there...and they seem to have a Wacky Worm infestation... Did Robb work Nicki Minaj lyrics into this report!? Wow...

Nice TR...I can't believe that I travel to the Dallas area from SoCal approx twice a month for work and have never yet been to this park!! Its on the list...dying to ride NTG...Flashback, not so much...not sure we really miss the ole Bobsleds at SFMM but we do miss the Parachute Drop at KBF.

For some strange reason I actually miss Deja Vu (Goliath) at SFMM...even though it was usually down 1 of 3 trips, it was one of the few coasters that still actually scare me...perhaps it was just the never-ending wonderment of whether it was really safe to ride that day or not...but when its running well, there is nothing like a ride on the outside seats.

Wow...so impressive in every aspect...great shots...thanks for the report for all of us that can only wish this was closer!!

So are all of the Windseeker rides currently closed?? I believe the one out here at KBF has been closed for awhile now...I agree that its a one ride only required credit...but its way up there if you have any height issues...which most on this Forum would not but the GP most certainly do...but it would be a shame if this ride is already experiencing troubles across all parks... Great photos...I grew up in the Midwest long before HW existed and KI was our home park...we made almost every opening weekend back then. I got to take my 2 boys a few summers ago to both KI and HW. It was great to pass along those memories...we were actually at KI the very last day SOB operated and all got our credit...not sure how happy we all are about that one but I'm glad we got to ride it!

Planning to hit SFDK for the first time during our trip up North for college visits the week after Easter...planning a Tuesday visit...any tips?? Also hitting Santa Cruz Boardwalk on the weekend...

Hoping to see a similar announcement as well for the version at SFStl for our trip to the MIdwest this Summer in June...I think I had read/heard that was a possibility...its always great to mix things up where possible on these rides and see the public's reaction and whether it makes a large difference...as already stated, SFMM certainly enhanced Superman with the change...

Back to work and still flying high from night time ERT on X2 and Tatsu...so many great rides...something about those twists and rolls against the dark night sky that enhance them even further...I think we got in more rides than all previous visits combined! I can't share the same love for Green Lantern...it left me saying, Why? Granted we had a perfectly balanced ride and were stuck in ERT for an extended period for the stalled car described above...but I can't envision ever waiting in the normal line for a repeat experience... This was my families first TPR event and I think we are 'all in' for the experience and future trips...I can say that we met some of the nicest people who were all amazingly friendly and share a love of these adventures...it was certainly nice sharing the park in the morning and evening with this group as opposed to the standard crowd. Looking forward to the reports from those lucky enough to make the European adventures this Summer...

My entire families 1st TPR Event and WCB (actualy my 1st TPR Forum Post)...we are So Cal locals and very excited for ERT and meeting folks who share a common enthusiasm/hobby. So hopefully you are nice to newbies...unfortunately we only chose to attend Saturday at SFMM as we live very close to KBF and are there quite frequently. I already know we are going to regret that decision but will just add incentive to get to another event.