Blue Fire Guy

PNW really intrigues me (I voted "somewhat interested" as I'd love to do it yet am currently not at the point that I can commit to it), I've heard great things about Tremors and Timber Terror, and especially PNE's Coaster. I am really hoping that it becomes a confirmed tour, but if not, there's always Mini New Hotness as my backup choice.

FINALLY is the key word here. The first and also previous time I visited DLP was in March of 2005, and I didn't have the chance to ride it as it was undergoing it's DLTALL-SMM2 transformation then. Up until now, I've refused to go back there as I've heard all too much of it's ability to give one a concussion. Is there any information on when the new trains will start running? (and I'd like to see the return of DLTALL, wishful thinking though)

I had a bit of dread before I rode Green Lantern for the first time (WCB 2013), but when I rode it it wasn't that bad and I actually liked it. However, I am saying this keeping in mind that I could've lucked out on my ride and have yet to experience the pain that others claim it dishes out in spades. As for the new coaster in Greezed Lightnin's spot, I think an LSM launched coaster (with a layout custom made to fit in that spot) from Mack or Premier would be nice.

Despite the wetness, that was a great day at the 'walk! I now prefer Giant Dipper in the front, as I found the airtime more potent there than in the back (especially the crest of the station turn). It was running almost perfectly smooth (sluggish in the morning, but later the rain mixing with the grease really made it roll) with the exception of a pothole at the bottom of the first drop and the abrupt "rib-cracker" that is the third turnaround. And yes, I still suck miserably at Ghost Blasters and have lost my skill at throwing the rings in the carousel. I do remember getting one in the clown's mouth, in 2008 or 2009 I think.

Anybody who's been to PA this year: How's Tonnerre de Zeus been running this year? I know the ride has a reputation for being extremely temperamental, how sometimes it runs amazing and other times (I've heard of how bad it was during the ECO 2002 tour) it runs like crap.

Yeah, LL:DOD also felt to me like a really fast elevator during the drop, and didn't give me any stomach tingles like the 2nd-gen Intamins. And... THIS!!! Those puny little ARM/Larson towers pack a nasty punch, and I have yet to ride a tower that has a more scary drop that those things. Also, there is absolutely no warning as to when it'll drop unless you observe the shadow of the tower (the overhead panels make it impossible to see the top of the tower) or hear the *whiiiiiiir* of the motor stop (and after that, there's only a second of silence before BAM!). The rather loose-fitting OTSRs on them also mean a LOT of airtime, like at least 5 inches off your seat (that's how it feels to me at least). I really want to ride the 140 ft versions of those, like Scandia's Cliff Jumper or Silverwood's Panic Plunge.

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I cannot stop laughing right now! Now I wonder what YOYOplaza, YOYOwings, YOYOstilts (raccoons in stilts maybe?) would be like.

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I'm still crossing my fingers and hoping Undertow opens either this weekend (would take a lot of tension away) or on the 21st when I'm going, as unlikely as it may seem right now. I'm still betting that there won't actually be an announcement confirming the opening date in advance, and the ride will open spontaneously like Gold Striker (what's up with Norcal, is it cursed or something?).

^ Amen!

Kinzel out. Guy with a real vision for parks in. That's what has happened. THIS! Times infinity. I can say the same thing for my home park, CGA, as well. I seriously thought it was done for when the JMA stuff happened, but then when Cedar Fair retained ownership of the park (with Matt Ouimet at the controls) it provided not only a sigh of relief but also a turn for the better. The new GCI finally came into being, there have been various improvements all around the park, and it felt like a real renaissance for the park. While I wanted to visit Knott's in the late 00s, I'd keep hearing things about it not being what it used to be before CF purchased it in the 90s, and that kept me away. The way it is now (combination of Ouimet and Raffi Kaprelyan at the controls here) I'd go back again in a heartbeat!

^ R.D is going to need a cold shower after looking at these. Seriously, this is AMAZING Schwarzporn. Sexy curves, loop penetration, and the list goes on.

First Sandy and now this, right when they are getting back on their feet...the Shore is having some of the worst luck ever right now. Hoping nobody got hurt, is getting hurt, or will get hurt. Doesn't look good for the park though...this is horrible.

Great TR Gumball, and man that day at Knott's was amazing. Apart from my phone getting "baptized" in a small puddle of holy water (and thankfully surviving), the Log Ride tour was really awesome, and walking in the flume itself was a big highlight for me. Seeing the entire attraction burst into life afterwards was the icing on the cake, and got me instantly hooked. I am DEFINITELY going back to Knott's next year, be it during another WCB, summer West Coast Tour if it happens, Haunt if possible, or just any trip down there. And one can NEVER, EVER have enough Mrs. Knott's fried chicken and boysenberry punch! (same with Xcelerator, now my #2 steel) Lastly, I simply cannot express enough thanks to R&E, SFMM, and especially Knott's (KBF really went out of their way for us) for pulling this off. Now that I think of it, the amount of stress and effort that goes behind WCB is simply Herculean. Once again, I cannot express enough thanks.

That near crash you had in the Devil's Butthole proves once again that doing anything in a park (even the most OMFG extreme rides) is way, WAY safer than getting to a park. Looking forward to the rest of the TR!

Agree. Apocalypse has gotten really rough and Colossus has somehow gotten smoother. (Not smooth, but smoothER.) Ive really enjoyed my last few Colossus rides and cannot say the same for Apocalypse. 100% completely agree. I took my very first ride on it in the early evening before WCB night ERT started, and didn't even care to go back to ride it during ERT. When I was in the queue, I looked closely at the track to see (and hear, it was squeaking in the turns) that there was no grease on it. When it opened as Terminator in 2009, I guessed it would get rough in less than 5 years due to poor maintenance, and I guessed right. It felt like the train was running on octagonal wheels (by 2015 it will feel like hexagonal wheels, and by 2020 square wheels considering how poorly maintained it is as of now), and I got off with a headache and feeling like my spine had been compressed. I'm NEVER riding it again until the highly unlikely event (it's SFMM, what do you expect?) of a major retrack, and expect to only see reports of it getting rough to the point of being unrideable. Really hoping CGA takes care of Gold Striker the way they are taking care of Grizzly now, as I would hate to see it get rough as well (I've got my hopes up since CGA has a proper off-season).

http://www.goldenticketawards.com/2013-event/2013-itinerary Could it be? I do realize that the GTA and rides are not open to the public (this event is being held Friday) and is a private event. But still...could this mean that opening is just on the horizon? With the 2013 GTA now over, I still haven't found out anything hinting towards Undertow opening other than it having possibly opened exclusively for those attending the 2013 GTA. Anybody have any updates on the ride as of now?

I'm back home now after the crazy weekend that is WCB. Absolutely loved it! A huge thank you to Robb, Elissa, and the parks for making this amazing event possible. ESPECIALLY Knott's, loved the Log Ride backstage tour and the Q&A just made my day (I have no words to describe how amazing Jeff Tucker's humor is).

This day is being slower than CGA Grizzly right now, but I'm all packed up and ready to go. Gonna catch my SJC-SNA flight later today, I'm crazy excited right now!

Just filled out the survey, put somewhat interested in for Mini New Hotness and Summer West Coast as I'd love to do those two as a combo, yet am not at the point where I can commit to them quite yet. Definitely hoping Summer West Coast becomes a reality as there has been plenty of new hotness in the region recently and I have yet to visit the rest of California's parks (Legoland, USH, Disney, SWSD, Belmont, etc.).

^ Both and

^ Black Widows Cavern is no more. I'm glad I got to do it last year (my first Haunt), and it had some really awesome music too.

Same, just didn't want to be the first to mention that. I hope it'll be in the "family ride" category, because credits. Hoping it'll be that way too, lol! Definitely an excuse for me to go to SFMM again next year (WCB will be my first) and X2 and Apocalypse will be back open then...maybe...they could have problems again, you never know!

I've certainly been on worse than Grizzly, Roar at SFDK is running very rough right now and when I ride Ghostrider at WCB, that'll also shake me around pretty good. Grizzly's also much smoother now thanks to the heavy retracking it has received over the past few years, but that doesn't change the fact that it is a very lifeless, forceless, lethargic, slow, and actionless coaster. I could fall asleep before the train dispatches, and by the time the train gets back to the station I'd still be asleep.