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At one time, the Giant Dipper at Belmont Park had nine-car, single bench Prior and Church trains, similar to today's Millennium Flyers. Not sure what Santa Cruz had originally, but I'd bet it was something similar. It'd be great if somehow, modified Millennium Flyer trains (modified, as in shortened to nine cars from their standard 12-car ones) to either or both rides. I think then you'd get a ride more true to its/their original form. Eric

The last time I rode the Giant Dipper at Belmont Park, it was a bit rough, but it is a nice layout with a good tunnel to start it off. At Santa Cruz, I've never had a rough ride, and I like its tunnel better. Honestly, I give my nod to Santa Cruz. Regardless, though, I'm glad we still have both of them. Eric

I've said it before, a mere dollar is nothing compared to the time and trouble you'd have to go through if you lose something of value. For me, being an Xtreme passholder, a few bucks spent in the park only helps 'em out. Funny thing...I remember the Alamo, but can't recall whether Scream! had cubbies or not. Most people just put their stuff on the side. The last time I was out there, people were still doing that and no one on the crew cared. Moving on... About Tremors and Timber Terror at Silverwood, I've heard good things about both, but, yeah, they aren't on the West Coast. It's kind of sad how few woodies we have out here. Hard to believe that we once had one of the greatest ones ever, the Long Beach Cyclone Racer. Oh, if only Intamin or GCII would ressurect that one. Eric

I don't care for eggs, so I'll say...no. Have you ever gone on a random photo taking safari just for the fun of it?

"Be-Jebuz, TPR must be cursed." (Paul_Hollibone) I'm going to guess that you meant "JP-R." But I'm glad this wasn't a fatality. Eric

^ Actually, the two Giant Dippers (San Diego and Santa Cruz) are great rides, too. They could use better trains, though. During my last visit, I noticed that the cubbies in Goliath's station were gone. Good...that's a start. If they want people to use the enclosed, secure spaces that charge a dollar, then removing the station cubbies is a must. I've said that many times. That'll speed up train dispatches. Eric

The only part of the ride I can think of that might induce an accident is the drop. But I guess you could fall out of the boat at any time and drown, too. I'm sure by morning we'll know a lot more. Eric

Had to lay out $113 for a new battery for my car. But my old one was four years old, so I guess it was due. Eric

1. Pay off all my debts so my family won't get stuck with 'em. 2. Travel around the world. 3. Cure diabetes. 4. Fly a plane. 5. Drive a train. Eric

"My friend knows pi to 55 places" (Sasquatch) Knowing where to get pie at 55 places is a good thing. Eric

"...what's next, Merry Go Round, the Movie? or maybe Teacups?" (some sort of coaster dude) Those would be spin-offs. Eric

With shame, I've only ridden the Santa Monica West Coaster and Quicksilver Express at Gilroy Gardens. It doesn't help that I don't get out much and that none of Morgan's big coasters are here in California. But what I have ridden was at least fun. Hopefully I'll get to sample others someday. Eric

I don't know how the pretzel loop is on other flyers, but Tatsu's is 1-1/2 times as high as all others, even Manta's. Funny...I can still remember when Gold Rusher's spiral was the thrill of the park! Eric

As Tatsu goes, even if you don't think the ride itself is all that great, you do have to like the view from the so called "egg turn" and from up high on that mountain. Topping the lift, you get one of the best views in the park. Eric

Tatsu is almost a thousand feet longer than most other flying coasters (only about 250 longer than Manta at SWO). It is rather short, but packs a lot into its layout. Goliath could have been more as well; even a second airtime hill and/or helix (like Titan at SFOT) would have been nice. But I like it anyway. As I've said, I don't doubt that SFMM will come up with something really big at some point. Just not now while the company is trying to get itself together financially. Eric

Just a thought...being that these trains are supposed to be themed to Dale Earnhardt's car, wouldn't it have been cool if they were like the actual five-point heavy fabric restraints used in NASCAR cars? Of course that won't happen. Guests would take forever getting them fastened. Eric "hopes to see a big Intamin coaster out West someday" L.

Probably something nit-picky, but I wonder if the trains will have eight cars or nine cars? Millennium Force and two Ride of Steels have nine, but one Ride of Steel has only eight. Just curious, as it didn't say on the website. Eric

^ Your average number of laps is also evenly divisible by three. That should make your family quite happyful for the rest of their days. Eric

^ Jay and Neal have both said that while SFMM wants to increase the number of its family friendly rides, they're not going to forget those of us who like the more "Xtreme" thrills. Not every attraction will be for all members of the family. Eric

"Still trying to figure out why they made the track so beefy. They could have made the track half the size..." (lilj4425) You might want to learn a bit about structural engineering. Intamin's truss-like track structure allows it to span greater distances with fewer supports. But in doing so, it needs to be "beefier" than other styles of track. This is indeed a more expensive type of track, but is amazingly strong. Granted, I'm not a structural engineer, but having been in the engineering field for 30 years, I've learned a little. Eric

^ You can still visit Mount Rushmore. Just get a South Dakota State Quarter and stare at it for awhile under a magnifying glass. I'm having lunch today with some former co-workers to get caught up. Eric

Upon discovering that this page number (1197) is evenly divisible by three, it occurred to Andrew, Ben, and Charles that the first initials of their names are the first three letters of the alphabet. Blended together and boiled, everything involved resulted in a tasty soup. Eric

^ Thinks I know where to get a toupee. < With decreasing hair count, should look into getting a toupee. V Donates hair to the toupee factory!

SFMM has its hyper (Goliath), and Superman--The Escape, which it still claims to be over 400 feet tall (OK, the tower is, but the cars never get anywhere near the top). Something in the 300+ foot range may well be in store for SFMM, as over and over at our Q&A sessions, park management appears to be quite interested in making SFMM the world leader in roller coasters. They've claimed that SFMM will regain the title of having the most in one park, and even though smaller coasters will raise the count, I don't think Jay, Neal, and Tim are going to settle for that---they're going to go BIG again sometime. Granted, that's just my opinion, but I think we will see something like Intimidator or Millennium Force out there at some point. Eric

^ You're just "giga"ling. Eric