Intaman

I received my copy of the latest volume last evening. This should give me that offseason coaster fix.

If New Hotness fails, you can always do Scandinavia, Simaan.

Thanks for the update. I am really excited about having an RMC so close by.

Both coasters are, indeed, boring. I typically dread new B&M installations. Now, give me an Intamin or RMC and I am .

I wouldn't be surprised as that's what they did with X-Flight. That's one thing that sort of irks me about Great America, I don't get why they wouldn't want their new coaster to be open to everyone on opening day. For those who only go once a year, it would seem like a ripoff if they went to the park early in the season only for Goliath to not be open yet or only be open to season pass holders. I think this is a strategy to increase the total number of season pass-holders and potential revenues. The park wants to capture those potential repeat visitors and incentivize them to buy the season pass to ride Goliath opening day. Just by having the pass is a possible reason to revisit the park. Six Flags, like other parks, assumes that they will generate additional revenues from the concessions and merchandise that repeat visitors e.g. season pass-holders buy per visit. By creating exclusivity, those reluctant to buy a season pass, but eager to ride Goliath, will likely buy the season pass. Even if that opening day is their only visit, Six Flags still generated more revenue from the purchase of that season pass than a one-day admission. Of course, those one-time park attendees typically visit between mid-June and mid-August, so this is really a matter of attracting those that are able to visit the park more than once per season e.g. those that live within two hours of the park

You mean, they finally retracked that section where I temporarily lost feeling in my legs?

I don't think he is taking advantage of the system by acquiring what some might describe as "dive" motels. There are major hotel chains e.g. Hilton, that acquire properties and rehab/renovate them. They later rebrand them. This reduces development costs. Of course, the Mt. Olympus Village is far from a major hotel chain. However, if the demand is, indeed, there, this likely makes sense. This is a way to expand his business. By the way, the Mt. Olympus Village already has to compete with more inclusive resorts like the Wilderness, Kalahari, Great Wolf, and Chula Vista. I don't think that the Concord Inn was ever competition, especially at the going rate for a Village room (I think their price points were rather far apart). Unlike these resorts, however, the Village does have proximity to the strip and free admission to the park (if that means anything), so, again, its supply and demand.

I came across this write-up about Nick Laskaris, I would say he has definitely faced (and survived) some tremendous challenges during his life. I'd bet even Hades 360 can't hurt him.

This sounds really cool. I am looking forward to the new color scheme.

Thanks Robb.

Will they be announced beforehand? I was just curious which of the three post-Mini New Hotness tours was selected.

I will go with Central Florida.

I enjoyed the comments about the validation-seeking runners. I thought most people did races for themselves. I think, in addition to my Six Flags refillable sports bottle, I will start carrying around all my old trophies from when I played little league.

This is a difficult choice. Since both parks are similar e.g. mountain setting, rustic landscape, quality rides, cinnamon bread, food, yet unique e.g. Dollywood train, Outlaw Run, cave tours, this is, undoubtedly, a tough decision. I really enjoyed my visit to Dollywood. I loved Thunderhead, the train, and the ambiance. However, I visited SDC with TPR and it was fantastic, especially Outlaw Run ERT! That said, I will have to go with SDC, but only by a narrow margin.

Really entertaining trip report. This gets me excited for my trip to Orlando in late December.

What? Really, Flying Turns, running, at last? Wasn't this supposed to open a few decades ago?

I really like the Northwest trip idea. I'd totally do this or even Texas again! I am ready to send in a deposit for either of these trips, should one of them happen. That said, it looks like I could be doing two TPR trips this summer. Whoohoo!

Awesome looking train. I can't wait to ride this next summer during the Scandi trip!

Please build an Intamin.

I've actually ridden Scorpion at BGT, Voyage, and Raven alone. Of course, there were like ten people at Holiday World when this happened. It was definitely strange.

I am so torn right now. In any case, Mini-Hotness and then, the possibility of another Mini-Hotness, after, would be really awesome. However, I am also looking at West Coast and Scandinavia. Decisions, decisions.

I'm really happy that the park will have this type of major attraction. It certainly could use it. If I don't get to Mexico next year, I will definitely look at Spring Break 2015.

This looks fantastic. After Outlaw Run, I have no doubt about this one. Even better, it's actually "in my backyard", which sounds really strange for me, to at last, say. Now, I need to tentatively plan a trip to Mexico.

I was going to try to get to this meeting tonight, however, I can't get up to Gurnee from the city, at this hour. I'll need to settle for the stream. By the time I get home and get to my car, it's a lost cause.