JJLehto

That is all I needed to hear! Excitement level back to 10 ha I don't mind rough so that's fine. Hmmmm interesting on the end of social distancing, but I get it. We don't need to like it/agree but just factually: people will be returning to parks this year. Maybe not back to normal, but close. Limited capacity will make lines just brutal, with cases down, vaccines up, more ordered etc tough call but I get it. I'm driving anyway and will self quarantine when I get back, even if I'm vaxxed, to be safe anyway.

LRod "Just as fast an relentless as before" See there we go. All I needed to hear : D Oof, sounds like not the best visit. Sometimes I avoid start of season openings for that reason, get the kinks worked out. Esp these covid days. Though oof I hope one train ops are not normal! Great photos btw, I think the new little part of MM looks kinda neat myself.

I guess another example of why POVs dont do justice..... was that little bit of MM that rough/intense?? Like I know it's our thing "waaahhh GP whining, they had to take out a good part" but like, what about it was so problematic?

Same. I don't have Twitter, (and glad!), so that was never an option to me. FB doesnt always pop up everything you follow so yeah I did the old school check site each day. Ya can't beat it! Should be no problems! The year S.V. opened it got sold out immediately, other years they tended to be available for a while.

I forget when tickets usually go on sale. Keeping my eyes peeled. I know in the past Tony Clark would announce it on Twitter, but I think I usually saw it posted on the CP FB page. I do wonder what it'll be like this year. I was surprised the event is even happening but...it's there soo

Yup I apologize for opening the can of worms. It just looks so sluggish, I can't believe its only 2-3 seconds slower but eyes deceive, numbers don't. That deff can be made up from temp and weight alone. I just sweat it seemed so much worse than that but there ya go. Just hoping late May will be enough for it to get fully warmed up! Wow El Toro valleying?? That really is unimaginable.

Oh yeah I know the launch was slowed down years ago, but that never seemed to be a problem everyone always said it hauled ass and noticed no difference sans a less airtimey first hill but the ride was unchanged. If any did gripe that was too much "neutrering" yeah that was deff online ego stroking lol Nah I was worried it may have been slowed even more so this offseason, to the point where it would be noticeable. But yeah probably not. EDIT: Someone nerdier than me actually crunched the numbers. Eyes do deceive. The latest video, despite it being a cold morning empty train, is at worst 2 seconds slower and by the end actually was a second faster. Go figure. So yeah its certainly slower through that first half but 1-2 seconds isnt much. Should deff be unchanged/unnoticeable at full speed. I broke this open so here's my apology. lol Mystery Mine. You are one of the few people who seem to like it but even that, I can't experience its full glory XD

Sounds fun! If possible, add King's Island. Great park and it's not far! Well about 2 hours....but still. Easy drive too very easy to link it up. I did KI, KK, HW was super convenient and easy.

I mean I didn't expect Maverick! But did expect intense and forceful. It's Orlando I should've known better XD Honestly, long as its a step up from Copperhead Strike I will be happy! That was one that really let down from what I expected. Dang those pictures are just amazing. That scenery is awesome and I've seen some clips of it running at night. What a beautiful ride. In all regards, Universal killed it with this one. Super excited, and yeah gunna be one helluva FL trip with this Ice Breaker, Iron Gwazi and I need to hit the Fun Spots!

Appreciate the effort! And yeah I mean people, don't tell me my eyes don't work, its clearly slower. Now sometimes my brain doesn't work XD I didn't think about oh right its been brutal cold lately, it may have been morning, nor did I consider slight differences in perspective can look very different. Ah dont say that! For making the video: If you ever get to the states I'll pay for your Dollywood ticket!

That's A OK. You are free to disagree but unlike the internet's usual response I shan't counter or argue, bc you can feel that way and its ok. Just like how I can have mine : D I will say, I saw another discussion about this and someone did bring up RMC's are temperamental, which is fair, and apparently this video was recorded very early and it was 40 degrees. So that would certainly explain it. This person said they've seen El Toro test in similar conditions and it looks slow as hell, crawling even. SO that helps a lot. I also appreciated they didnt say Im blind/dumb/crazy (ok ok I may be dumb and crazy but me eyes deff work!). Not like it took away from my overall excitement. Hear nothing but rave things about this place so I'm quite ready to finally make it.

I expected the "1-2 mph slower is better than moving at 0" / "slower and reliable > unreliable" type of comment was coming so: 1 I dont care. I just dont, tis my venting 2 its annoying when that type of comment comes from people who've ridden...like yeah, easy for you to say lol Like, ya gotta at least give us that one. "pfffft quit whining this is better than it not running" from someone whos ridden something multiple times to the person who's never experienced it. Not here necessarily IDK who has, but I've gotten that from others and for other rides in the past and sorry, its not real helpful lol Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaanyway I did acknowledge it could be time of year and empty train. I shall await rider reviews. But yeah aint apologizing. Its valid to be concerned it may run slower only been trying to ride this for years and I cant help big daddy rona thwarted last time. I guess it's my eyes. Even in that side by side...it looks slower. BUT I had my vent, not gunna sweat it now. We shall see. Long as people say the ride feels unchanged that's all that matters.

Hmmm some of yall may have been right about the launch being slowed own farther. Disclaimer: Its one POV and its March so I know it's not perfect, but there is POV out of the redone Lightning Rod. It DOES look really slow over the top, like it seems to barely crest. Also seems real slow in the wave turn. I'm kinda nervous the first half is gunna be neutered. People have already said the 1st half was never quite the same after they slowed the launch originally so OR its an empty train on new track in March so it may be deceptive esp since POVs are never perfect at conveying feel lol And I know some claimed it'll be as fast over most of it/even quicker second half due to the new smoothness. But still.....I know its supposed to be wild from drop to end, if it feels a little underwhelming I'll know its a neutered ride. I'd be doubly bummed since I had everything ready to go last year..... Hope Im wrong and it wont be subdued!

No idea! I'm terrible with following offseason stuff and I always rely on forums/locals. Yeah it's a little concerning there's been no news at all. So many are testing, even with people etc deff I'm on edge. If its not open by then I'll likely be skipping the park. Itd be more convenient for me to do Carowinds as Id not have to deviate from the highway at all but I went 2019 and ofc I wanna do the new ride. If it aint though yeah Im prob skipping here. We shall see! Fingers crossed for you.

Oof....yeah yet another ride I'm getting too after its been neutered. I mean its Mystery Mine soooooo not that big a deal but it sounds like this was one of the best parts. Well guess I wont know what I'm missing but shame the ride is going to be even lamer now XD

Yeah I never really trust these testing videos. I mean even POVs can be deceiving, so idk these empty train, kinda from a distance videos eh I dont really base much on that. So my excitement level is unchanged but really I dont feel tooo much until there is a POV out and better yet some actual rider commentary. And yeah the second half certainly seems speedy, so we shall see!

Oh interesting! That's something I'd never have thought of, rafting is just not something I've done in ages/not really a usual activity of mine. Sweet.

Oh thanks for clarifying... I see my totally serious statement about Blazing Fury being an RMC now is actually incorrect....

Also let's not forget, with all this talk of LR and Mystery Mine work, isn't RMC also retracking Blazing Fury? Now THIS is a the cred I am really interested in! The baddest RMC on the block now, cant wait XD

Oof....I hope! I already feel bad (and comments always drive this home lol) I've not gotten to experience the original form and after the launch changes the first half was noticeable slower (still great, and the second half supposedly felt unchanged) so I hope the speed is unchanged. Would hate for the ride to be neutered....but yeah I heard similar speculation now that it'll be smoother it should help the speed throughout.

Yes! So glad it'll be open (and running consistently!) for when I finally go. I am not holding any hope they will restore the launch to its original speed, (they removed some of the LIMs right?) but still will be eagerly awaiting to hear how it's riding in its new steel form! Still torn if I wanna make this part of a big ol may road trip or go solo in April, $ will likely determine. Thanks! I do love hiking and I hear the mountains are just superb in that area.

Same thought! Did not expect Orion so high. Adds credence to my belief maybe not always best to listen to the enthusiasts as the loudest perhaps don't always reflect the community as a whole. Granted I say that as someone who has always been and still is an MForce fanboy who always had to shrug off the loud enthusiasts and their thoughts on it lol Hmmmmm could be some of the volatility though. Sorry if I missed this but is there a rider count anywhere? Like I thought past ones (maybe Im thinking of Mitch Hawker) had the # of riders? I get not including peoples ballots like MH did but may be cool to see the # of riders : D But hey glad Orion is getting some love. I mean I think it looks lackluster but guess we'll find out lol

Im just hoping Pantheon will be open by Mid May-ish as that is when Im hoping to travel on through.

Well I'm committed. Either late April or mid May I'll finally be going. I know caveat: anything can happen in a year like this. But in general, are weekdays in mid May usually crowded? Just torn between making this a solo trip or tacking it onto my larger southern road trip, only difference would be late April 24-30ish vs like May 18-20ish Also never been to the area. If there are any recs/tips for stuff to do in Knoxville, Gatlinburg, or hiking I am all ears. I know the Smoky Mnt Park is not far.

I also enjoyed Grizzly at KD, back seat could get some nasty air! I saw its rankings on the TPR poll and clearly not many agree with me LOL Rebel Yell was great! I recall it being hit/miss but on a good day was pretty darn fun. I enjoyed it more than Racer at KI. And yeah Flight of Fear isnt anything superb but its fun little ride. Again far better than the one at KI which somehow left me w a crushing headache! I do think KD has a decent lineup but I know many think not highly of the park. Hmmmm guess how we define "bad" I think quite a few parks have uninspiring collections but often they arent bad....either clones or generic or nothing great, but not bad. Off the top of my head....CGA had a pretty bleh collection. Railblazer is epic, Flight Deck good (but ya know is just an invert and a short one!) outside that..... Goldstriker at least I found a bit lacking, and the rest is a lot of meh or kiddies. It was possibly the least time I ever spent at a park of its size.