lk2500

Yeah you're right, this is a MM fail. Up north at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom whenever this happens the ride operator will get on the PA and say "To our guests in line we apologize that we have priority riders that may already be in your row, if someone is in your row please do not sit on them, you can board the next train." or something similar. They do the same for guests with exit passes. MM should really be doing the same. I've seen people on here mention similar experiences. I plan to be there on a Friday in late June so I am also planning on purchasing Platinum Flash Passes. Anybody else have any advice or issues with the Platinum pass?

For me it was a no. I had a small chain last year for mine because I always lose the stupid thing, and they wouldn't let me in with it. Thanks. That's good to know. I didn't see it on the rules on their website, but knowing Six Flags, I figured I should ask. I was thinking about bring a, god forbid, a fanny pack. I know, I know--totally lame. I was thinking since I don't want to lug my purse around and pay $20-30 to rent a stupid fluffy, fluffy bunny filled with medicine and goo, since wearing a small fanny pack I would wear it on the rides with me. Has anyone had any issues where the rider operators wouldn't allow you to wear your fanny pack on the ride? When I was there is 2010 I was not allowed to wear a fanny pack on rides. Due to peer pressure I retired the fanny pack and just stuff everything I carry into cargo shorts pockets now instead of using a locker.

From what we've discussed I would guess they won't find anybody really at fault. How is the attendant supposed to know if the lap restraint is on somebody's gut or exactly on the person's thighs without digging through clothing or putting their hand physically under the restraint to check? I wonder if they are taught to watch or check for this in particular. I can guarantee they will from now on or that an additional restraint will be added. Does anybody know if there are any signs posted with instructions to riders on how to make sure the restraint is properly positioned?

This actually makes sense since it was reported that the restraint was in the down position when the cars came back into the station. Do we know exactly where on the ride she came out? I watched Robb's youtube video of the ride and can only venture a guess.

Very good information, thanks so much! I was actually wondering about this at Silverwood, so just tried to stick to the middle since I wasn't sure where would be rougher. I was less worried about Aftershock more that the two woodies, but I actually had more problems riding Aftershock. I hated the head banging and trying to figure out the best position for my head. My neck was a bit sore after riding it. Looking at your tips I, of course, was riding in a wing seat towards the back of the ride (opposite of your suggestion). Figures as much, lol. It was a great experience to get on those coasters after being so unsure about riding.

Wow, how horrible. My prayers to the family members. I was curious about what exact facts posters have about the restraints here. Reading through the posts I have gathered that the restraints are hydraulic with the redundancy being two hydraulic cylinders. No lap belts are used. So a couple of questions for ya'll: 1) How do the ride ops know for sure the restraints are locked? Are they supposed to just pull up on them to check? Somebody mentioned prior that there should be a light board showing that each seat restraint is locked. Is there in fact a light board like that for this particular ride? Just curious. I just got back from Silverwood. Both Tremors and Timber Terror have lap belts in addition to the lap restraint/bar and Aftershock has the lap belt and also a belt/buckle that attaches the shoulder harness to the seat. I know in a high tech world that redundant hydraulics should be safe enough, but having a mechanical lap belt or attachment for the lap or shoulder restraint is a nice peace of mind. It will be interesting to see what the investigation turns up.

Bumping this thread for a happy update and title change. Edit 7/20/13 I got the go ahead from my doctor and rode Tremors, Timber Terror and Aftershock at Silverwood this weekend!! I was pretty paranoid but just thought YOLO (thanks Wes) and hopped on the dang things. Back in the saddle again, woohoo!!! I'll try to post a mini trip report in the Silverwood thread later.

Aren't most of the SoCal schools back in class the last week of August? What would be the best day to attend that week? Or perhaps August 21st-22nd?

What sort of crowds would I be looking at the week of June 17th? It looks like the local school districts are done by then. Are the crowds bad that week? I would imagine things pick up at the end of June with Hoopfest going on in Spokane? Are there better days of the week to go, i.e M/T vs later in the week? TIA,

Thanks brad and hilltopper, gives me some hope. I'm progressing slowly along and am just hoping it's a run of the mill torn disc like the doc says. I am going to assume that this will heal completely eventually and I will be better for it in the long run after doing the proper back strengthening exercises, etc.. I will likely not ride any coasters this summer as a precaution and see what next year brings. I'll just continue living vicariously through ya'lls trip reports until then

Thought I'd just give this one bump. Hard to believe nobody on this board has had any back problems related to riding roller coasters. Anybody else care to weigh in? For those not having problems - I highly recommend you purchase the book "Treat Your Own Back 9th Ed" by Robin McKenzie (about 8 bucks on Amazon). It goes through proper sitting posture and has some exercises we ALL should be doing to prevent back injuries. Most of us go through life constantly putting our backs in flexion while the natural back shape is in extension. The advice in this book will definitely help extend your roller coaster riding life span. Just wish I had read it a few years ago.

Yeah, definitely will be checking into a brace. I would assume that I won't be riding anything this summer - give me a year to work all my core muscles. The sad thing is I'm already in shape, work out 5 times a week, lost 30 lbs, etc... I guess I wasn't doing the correct core exercises? Oh well, such is life, gotta deal with it now. And as a reminder to you old foggies (I'm 47) and desk jockeys out there. Make sure you pay attention to your posture and get professional help in coming up with the correct workout routine, stretches etc... So you can keep riding those coasters and don't end up like me.

Original Subject title: Roller Coaster life after a herniated disc? I have just been diagnosed with a torn L5 disc which has been causing severe sciatic pain on my S1 nerve. I'm on the mend and the pain level is already down, doing PT and such and it looks like it won't require surgery. I'll be talking to the doc, obviously, about short and long term impilications about my injury. Has anyone gone through anything similar and still been able to ride coasters after they mended? Any particular rides at DL, SFMM, and Knotts (my closest parks) to stay away from in particular (like Ghostrider, lol). Will I ever ride X2 again? Am I stuck riding "It's a Small World" on an endless loop? Oh well, just need to concentrate on getting better. Let me know if ya'll have any experience with this. TIA, Edit 7/20/13 I got the go ahead from my doctor and rode Tremors, Timber Terror and Aftershock at Silverwood this weekend!! I was pretty paranoid but just thought YOLO and hopped on the dang things. Back in the saddle again, woohoo!!!

I have heard that most Cali schools have off either the week before or week after Easter. A Saturday in late April might be better than early April, but obviously a weekday in late April would be a better choice.

Haha, exactly. Especially when you switch from going upside down and backward to front facing and upright - get your head back against the headrest before it accelerates. I learned this the hard way the first time I rode it

I just took a look at the Knotts web page and it says Xcelerator is closed May 21 - June 22 and Ghostrider is closed June 18 - July 4. I'm in town 6/23 - 6/28 and planned on hitting up KBF one day. Does anybody know why those rides are closed and if Xcelerator is still due to re-open 6/22? I suppose I don't care too much about Ghostrider being closed since it does beat you up pretty good, but I was still wanting to ride it once for the heck of it, oh well.

Ah.

I'm there that week as well, through the 28th. I would assume it would be a good idea to stay away from SFMM on the 27th then? I'll probably try to go on the 25th and/or the 26th then. Is there any chance of a LL:DOD season pass holder preview on the 28th?

Same here, I fly out the 29th. Is there really any chance at all of a soft opening?

Hehe, we have my decision, yes. Just need buy in from the fam.

I've never made a Florida trip so haven't experienced Spiderman. I did watch a POV of Transformers, it looks basically like you're in a tram moving by a bunch of cool 3D movie screens? I would assume the trams give some sort of sense of motion/movement similar to the SImpson's ride or Soarin over California? Or is it more extreme than that? I think I'd rather just ride X2 and Tatsu a few more times than go ride Transformers personally.

I agree, we visited SD 4 years ago and did the whole SD Zoo, SD Animal Park, Sea World thing. We really loved the wild animal park, I think feeding the rhinos was the highlight or our trip which also included DLR and USH. The only think we haven't seen down there is the Manta coaster, but I don't think it's worth driving down there for that. My "kiddies" are 15 and 18 so we're mainly into thrill rides. We use DLR kind of as a hub and drive out the other parks. It worked our really well 2 years ago but we really didn't have weekends to deal with since we flew in on a Sunday and out on a Saturday last time. I have no qualms ponying up for a Gold (or even Platinum?) flash pass or Fast Lane. I read somewhere that most people just recommend buying the Gold FP because they've encountered a few problems here and there with angry people in the queues when they re-ride? This will probably be our last time in So Cal for a while, I'm trying to work out a midwest coaster trip for next year. Is Transformers at USH worth the trip there? My kids really like the look of it. I imagine that would be packed Sunday as well. So many options, lol....

I'm arriving in town Saturday morning and leaving the next Friday morning so I will be doing parks during the week as well M-Thurs. I want to hit SFMM at least 2 twice and KBF once. I've got a 5 day hopper for DLR so I what I do I spend at least one or two full days there and then most of the evenings until closing (after hitting SFMM/KBF in the morning/afternoon). Anyway, the weekdays are easy. I'm just trying to figure out which parks would be the best to hit on the weekends. I.E. is FP or FL going to make up for the crowd level on the weekends. We're not much for sightseeing or hanging out on the beach. I suppose we could just do DLR Sunday morning until the crowds are ridiculous, then come back later in the evening and leave the weekdays for SFMM/KBF. SWSD and USH are outlyers, don't really see myself going there but leaving the option open. Just looking to see what ya'll would recommend.

I'll give this just one bump. Is it going to more worthwhile springing for a FP at SFMM or FL at KBF on a busy Sunday? I'm already assuming DLR will be wall to wall people since Carsland opens on 6/15. I'm just trying to maximize my park experience while I'm in town. TIA,

I'll be making a SoCal trip in June and will be in town Sat morning - Friday morning. I know the parks are crazy on the weekends but what park would be best Saturday/Sunday if I hit it at opening and maybe used Fast Lane at KBF or a flash pass at SFMM? Other options would be Sea World, USH (mainly intersted in Manta and Transformers but don't really think it's worth the time/money since I'm not horribly interested in the remainder of the parks) or just chill and spend some time at DLR (I have a 5 day park hopper so I can just go a few hours at a time and leave if it's too crowded).