prozach626

Save your money and drive if you're within 12 hours. You could drive to Cedar Point if you haven't been, and then hit KI, which is also close. Of drive to King's Dominion and Busch Garden Williamsburg. Do your homework and go somewhere you can drive. Six Flags over Georgia should also be close.

Eh. I've seen enough in the last three years to turn anyone into a grumpy old man. If it helps, I'm even more cynical in person!

Good job turning normally standard and dull obligatory shots of Banshee into really great pictures. Nice trip report of one of my favorite parks!

Thanks for the feedback, guys. I think you're right about option 1. I think going to KD on day 1 will give me a change to finally ride I305 and geek out. Then day 2 at BGW will give my wife a chance to relax, drink a few beers, and enjoy the park as a whole, rather than worrying about how many rides I can get in on I305.

Yes... I meant Maverick. You'll have to excuse me, I'm hopped up on cold meds! Damn, this is going to be a tough one. I've wanted to go to KD for years and I was hoping you guys would seal the deal for me, haha. I really want to see what all of the hype for I-305 is about. We stayed at breakers when we last went to CP and loved it, so that's always a good choice. However, last year was the year of the repeats for me, so I'm looking to up my count. As much as I would love CP, I'm going to have a hard time going another year without gaining more experience. I also went to SFGadv when Medusa was opened as the world's first floorless. A lot has changed since then. Hershey also looks amazing. As far as KD not offering any more than 3-4 re rideable coasters, that doesn't bother me. I usually go to a new park, hit everything, and bounce between 2-3 different rides at night, once I have a few beers in me. I'd like to get in at least ten rides on I-305 if I end up going there. The standard corporate feel doesn't bother me. KI is very similar to KD from what I hear and KI is probably my favorite park. Fast lane /flash pass will be mandatory for all parks.

A family man such as myself who have 2 children and soon another, They might appear lame to you...but they aren't lame to a young child. Theme parks can't just cater to the the hard core roller coaster enthusiasts all the time. A successful theme park has to cater to everyone. I really don't get why so many people hate this park.. I love it and enjoy working there too. That's why I emphasized that I don't understand how someone without kids can enjoy shows, etc. I understand their place, but I have yet to... evolve... to that level (aka I have no kids). Someday I'll have to tolerate it more and may enjoy it on some level. It's the childless adults who rock out to Disney Dance Party with Goofy and Micky who blow my mind. It's like watching a grown man play with dolls.

Same here.

So... next June I'm going to be 30 and my wife has awarded me a special trip. Here's what I have come up with so far: Option 1: I305 has been on my wish list since it opened and BGW seems like a solid park. King's Dominion (1 day) Busch Gardens Williamsburg (1 day) Option 2: We've been to Cedar Point before and had a great time. However, that was years ago when Maverick (edited) opened. Cedar Point (2 days staying at Breakers) Option 3: Hershey Park (1 day) SF Great Adventure or another NE park (1 day) I really want to go to KD, but I wanted to see what you guys would say about my other options. Everything is about 12 hours away from me except for Cedar Point, which is 8 hours.

^ I'd like to suggest a modern thrilling steel roller coaster. You know... like the ones that other parks get. Thanks.

^Trust me. I can tell.

I agree with Steve. Nothing is ever going to be changed on the boss.

Water fountains, food stands, pathways, landscaping, music, shows: All gimmicks.

Inverted coasters: seats are UNDER THE TRACK! By your definition that's a gimmick. Loops, cork screws... banked turns... steel roller coasters... all gimmicks.

If my wife and I drive over 5 or 6 hours to go to a park, we incorporate it into a vacation to make it worth it. When we went to Carowinds two years ago we made it a one day stop on the way to Hilton Head Island. Otherwise I won't drive all that distance for just one park, which is why I find a way to incorporate a new park in most of our vacations. For the previous poster who said it was not expensive, that's true, but it's not that cheap. For us to visit KI or another 6 or so hour away park you have to factor in food, hotel, gas, admission prices, fast lane (inevitably), and any extras. You could go completely cheap if you wanted to, but the costs add up quick. Our combined Midwestern salary clears six figures, but it's still no cost to ignore, if you're responsible. It would be much more difficult for a teenager to come up with that kind of money. It does however get significantly cheaper when splitting the costs with a non house hold member. (half price to be exact...) Which is why it's always better to leave the wife at home... always.

It's just a dumb title no matter how you look at it. SFStl is one step away from posting a billboard declaring itself the best amusement park in St. Louis. Hearing Dave's strategy is a let down. I don't care how positive his attitude is, I don't like his strategy mostly on the principle that it does nothing for me personally. I like to ride state of the art roller coasters. I usually could care less about anything else. Occasionally my wife and I throw in a log flume, a dark ride, a random flat, or a rapids ride (depending on how many beers we've consumed), but roller coasters are really our (my) main draw. We don't have kids and we don't watch the shows, because frankly... shows are really freaking lame. A Bugs Bunny parade of "Micky Mouse Dance Party" aren't what I call a good time. I still don't understand how a grown man without kids can enjoy Disney... Our skyline is DATED. You could put a 90's disposable camera filter on a picture of our skyline and it wouldn't look out of place. Don't be teased when Dave eludes to a new steel roller coaster coming in 5 years. We'll probably all still be b****ing about getting the shaft again in 2020. BTW: Indiana Beach is rumored to get a new "thrilling" attraction in 2015 or 2016. My money says it's not going to be a 27 year old used boomerang.

Fury in itself is a good name, but the 325 makes it a little cheesy. I don't like Cedar Fair's trend of incorporating ride height into the name. I can't figure out if all of the aspects of this hobby keep getting cheesier and younger, or if I'm just getting older.

I'm looking forward to Thunderbird... but there is so much in this thread... It's gotten down right school girl level in here.

No one does. The nerds that do are few and far between. There aren't really any coaster cities. I disagree with this statement, just based on numbers. Let's say for the sake of argument and easy calculations that 1% of the population are enthusiasts and keep up on new coasters, etc. This would make St. Louis with a metro population of 4 million have 40,000 enthusiasts, while Chicago with a population of 20 million would have 200,00 enthusaists, so just by having a larger population would make you a coaster city. Btw, I just guesstimated on populations. I don't know, man. I think your estimate of even 1% is a little high. Just for an example, although a lame example, I have a few hundred facebook friends. I'm the only enthusiast of the bunch. Then I think of all of the people I know from work, my past work, acquaintances, etc. Between a pool of maybe 500 people or more, I can only think of one other person who I've only slightly converted into a 'sorta' enthusiast. My wife, although she has well over 100 credits, definitely doesn't count as a coaster enthusiast. If it weren't for her being into my interests, she probably wouldn't care if she never rode another coaster again. I also think about a large population of people I deal with in my cop life... I don't see a lot of them being coaster enthusiasts... Don't get me wrong. I have a very small hand full of friends who "like" roller coasters a fraction more than other people I know. A few of them have even been to cedar point, but none of those people have any idea of what coasters are coming next year or even what SFStl is doing. Sometimes when I talk about roller coasters... which is rare... they say things like "We should go to that place in Ohio that has a ton of roller coaster." If I mention going anywhere else like Great America or King's Island, they look at me like I have two heads. Hell, think of how few people post on this thread from STL out of our 4 million population pool.

No one does. The nerds that do are few and far between. There aren't really any coaster cities.

Yes it would, but now that it seems like it's happening, is it really a surprise to you? I don't think so. Once again: the shaft. So we're getting a new steel coaster... maybe... in 5 years? Are you ****ing kidding me!? So it will be over twenty years in between Mr. Freeze and the new modern coaster? 2/3rds of my life will have gone by without a state of the art Steel addition SFStl... New coaster enthusiasts have been born and will mature in the time from the last modern steel coaster until the next one. Just think, you'll be able to say that the new kid on the Cardinals wasn't even alive when the last new thrilling steel coaster hit SFStl. Who wants to take bets on who will build the next large coaster addition first: Holiday World or SFStl? New for 2018 Indiana Beach announces B&M Dive Machine. Meanwhile, the coaster capital of the world announces "Floop-de-doo", the 30ft kiddie coaster, and "The March of the Flamboyant" an all new parade. For 2019: Take your last ride on B:TR to make way for the new ropes course. It never ceases to amaze me about the constant string of disappointments that come from this park.

Oh God. We all know how well Millennium Flyer trains worked on Gwazi and how Timberliners worked on Hades 360. I can't wait until they start advertising the Boss as a new coaster with its 15 foot higher drop... Exactly. I've been saying this for years.

^ I agree. A launched wing rider is probably the safest bet and it would go well with the park. It's really not that simple. You have other factors like reliability and capacity. That's why B&M, although not cutting edge, is a safe bet for Cedar Fair. Although not cutting edge, the GP loves them, they are high capacity, and they are reliable. Except for parks like Cedar Point, people who travel to ride roller coasters make up a small percentage of park revenue. You can build a giant launched coaster, but you're still going to pull mostly from the surrounding area, which is made up of a somewhat small population pool. The ends have to justify the means.

I know a lot of people like it, but I'm not much for the cheese of the legend of Thunderbird and all that... stuff... I just feel like it's not for my age group (And I feel it is not intended to be). Sorry, it's just not for me. I'm sure there will be plenty of people upset that I don't drink that koolaid. That said, the themeing and attention to detail is what a lot of parks like SF have left out, but it looks like HW has gone the extra mile and nailed it. I don't care about an over the top story line, but the themeing, display, location of the queue, the close proximity to the trees, and all of the other factors are going to add up to a great overall experience. This is one of the few examples of a park really listening to average consumers as well as enthusiasts. As for a previous poster, the ride will not be I305 intense, nor is it intending to be. What it will be is a smooth, fun, and overall an enjoyable experience that I feel even the B&M haters will want to ride over and over again. My best Guess is that this ride, in terms of B&M intensity, will be somewhere in the middle between B:TR and Patriot. I'm looking forward to it. Side note... does HW sell beer? I can't remember, but I'm assuming no.

You're talking about a massive expensive coaster. Not many have been built in the US and Cedar Fair has been utilizing B&M for their major coaster projects lately. I love Cedar Fair, but that's not the type of innovation you see on this side of the ocean. Especially from a corporate park like WoF, at least lately. Even if Cedar Fair did go that route, I doubt you would see the new cutting edge roller coaster pop up in Kansas City. You'll likely get something already proven that is marketable and reliable.

^ That's a pretty tall order.