ytterbiumanalyst

Now this is interesting. What's the right way to ride Impulse to get the best experience? I will be visiting soon, so I'm interested to know.

I have to agree with this. I went on the one at Arnolds Park in Okoboji, Iowa, and it's really intense. I don't really do flipping rides so I didn't try to flip it, but they're really fun! In many ways, it's kind of a miniature version of Mickey's Fun Wheel at Disney California Adventure (or its sister ride, Wonder Wheel at Coney Island). Very fun indeed!

I knew there's a reason I like you. Anyone who really understands Thom Yorke is by definition a good person.

Not being able to sleep and being too tired to function at work the next day. What's worse than dry rot?

You're telling me. It's different with a family of 5, versus just 2 adults.... I've priced out several options, and I don't see it being any cheaper than about $2500. So we're going with 3 days at Dollywood, all in for less than $1000. Woohoo! The important thing is spending time with family, and doing the things you like to do. If you do that, then you've had a good vacation.

^ Yeah, that'll be great. Asia's still not feasible for us financially, but I really want to take them to Florida. Even that's a bit much right now, hence why we're going to Dollywood next year, but hopefully by the end of the decade we can get to WDW.

Yeah, the Japanese whip our asses when it comes to trains. One of these days I'll get there, for Shinkansen, and Tokyo Disneyland, and all the other Japanese awesomeness.

Good photos! There's been a tremendous amount of ground work done already. I think a lot of enthusiasts are thinking 2018 because nothing has gone vertical, and because the park hasn't announced anything yet. Outlaw Run went vertical in April 2012, nearly a year before it opened, but this is a different project. That hillside needed a lot of prep work before anything vertical can be done, and it's obvious when you ride Thunderation just how much work has gone into it. If this is a steel coaster--and all signs point to it--then we have plenty of time to get this done by March 2017 and be ready for opening day. Let's keep in mind too that SDC's season always goes until the end of the calendar year (this year the last operating day is 12/30). In general, they tend to announce next year's additions around the beginning of November, once the Christmas festival begins. It's true that Outlaw Run was announced August 2012, but that's very much the exception, and probably due to the very visible construction. Most of the time, even when a coaster is coming, they've waited until November to announce. So I'm not ruling out 2017 yet. I can't really be disappointed if it waits until 2018; SDC doesn't do things like the big chains do, where they need to have new additions every year. Instead, it's more in the league of Disneyland, where they get it done when they get it done, and you'll love it once they do. One more year's wait just means that's the time needed to get it right, and that's more important than doing it fast. Still, with the amount of work already done, it seems a 2017 timeline may very well be within possibility, and that would be quite all right with me.

^ That is a very cool pin! The Monorail is just such iconic Disneyland; it symbolizes Walt Disney's idea of the future. It's too bad that monorails never really caught on, but the future was not in trains, not for this country at least (while Japan and China have maglevs... ).

Ok, cool, so it's the best gas station, but still a gas station. And yes, Kum 'n' Go is our biggest chain around here, and yes, it's really spelled like that. They have decent pizza for $1 a slice, and about 8 varieties of coffee. They also have a hot dog bar with a bunch of different condiments, including things like sport peppers and tomatoes. I would never go out to eat there, but when on the road, if it's a choice between McDonald's and Kum 'n' Go, I'm going with the Kum 'n' Go. It's cheaper, and has better food. When I was reading the Buzzfeed article mentioned above, I was thinking, "Wow, this is a bigger and better version of Kum 'n' Go." Part of the fun of traveling is trying out stuff that isn't at home. I made a point of stopping for a Biggby coffee when I was in Michigan this past spring. Since I'll be traveling throughout eastern PA and NJ, I'm sure at some point I will be in need of road food. Sounds like Wawa is worth a stop. And don't worry, Bill, I will definitely be eating at Cesari's. I'm planning on a couple of days in Philadelphia itself to see the historical places. Where's the best real deal hoagie spot in Philly? Also, I'm considering maybe doing this tour: http://www.cityfoodtours.com/philadelphia/flavors_of_philly.html Per the website, it seems to hit the major food groups: cheesesteak, pretzels, fries, and pizza. Do you know anything about it? Are there better tours? I won't be going to NYC on this trip, as there's so much to do there it warrants its own trip later, but I'm looking for an experience like Scott's Pizza Tour is there, but with the quintessential Philly food. I know I'm hijacking this thread for my own trip planning purposes, but everyone knows Six Flags food sucks, so it doesn't matter.

Steel Phantom/Phantom's Revenge at Kennywood (originally Arrow in 1991, then refurbed by Morgan in 2001)? Not sure, clue is pretty vague.

That's the best possible scenario! Being trapped in an elevator with Nickelback. What's worse than asking a woman if she's pregnant?

^ I've heard several people from the Northeast mention Wawa. I Googled it, so I know it's a convenience store, but does it actually have good food? Or is it just a matter of saying that crappy convenience store food is better than Six Flags (which is actually true). In Missouri, we have Kum 'n' Go and Casey's General Store. I don't know if those are in the Northeast, but if they are, does Wawa compare?

Thanks, Dr. Bill! I shall adhere to this treatment plan.

Petit fours. I'm not into eating tortured animals. Hollywood or Vine?

but what if it's forceless and rattles? This made me laugh so hard. Well done!

but what if it's forceless and rattles? Quote of the Week nominee right here!

Hmm. The focus has been so much on the ToT overlay that not much has been said about the rest of the land. It'll be interesting to see what they do with it. I for one would absolutely welcome another coaster in DCA. I hear good things about the Rock n' Roller Coaster if it does end up being a version of that ride. I'm new to all this, as you know, but I got hit by the Disney Parks bug badly on my WCB trip. They really blew me away with the level of quality all across the board--and that was with many attractions down for construction. I will need to go back here once the SW and Marvel lands are done, for sure. It'll give me a good excuse to do another WCB if there are any more.

Six Flags dining plans typically limit the venues in which you can eat, and limit the menus at those venues too, in exchange for really cheap food. I love the dining plan (although CF does it better) because I have 3 kids and that way we can feed everyone for a reasonable price. Because of the limited choice, though, the food venues do tend to have long lines, so if you're willing to spend the money, you can get better service at a place like this waffle stand that's not on the dining plan. Well, you'll have shorter lines anyway.

Granted, but we all have to eat alien sushi for a month. I wish I knew what's going on in the picture above this post.

Hmm, interesting. It looks like it takes over part of A Bug's Land. Is that the kids' bumper cars you're referring to? I basically just ran through A Bug's Land on my way to RCR from Tower of Terror.

Zyklons. I can take roughness better without headbanging. Although if it's MiA's Thunderhawk, then that one please. 19 or 42?

"Burn the Witch" - Radiohead

I haven't heard anything about a roller coaster in the Marvel land. It could be in the plans and I'm just not aware of it. In any case, it would be a good idea. With just 2 coasters in DCA, they could certainly add another if a coaster is what is needed to tell the story they want to tell. They don't "need" a coaster, but it could certainly be on the table for that area.

Sort of. That's a landing pad for the Avengers jet, which is a VTOL model (Vertical Takeoff and Landing). The US army was experimenting with those around the time Stan Lee was writing the Avengers. On a side note, the real VTOL project was scrapped due to significant cost overruns. Basically, it's possible, but there are just so many moving parts that it's difficult and expensive to keep one of those running. Plus, there just aren't that many uses for VTOL jets where they'd have any significant advantage over normal helicopters. They're supersonic, and that can help tactically, but we just found Black Hawks much more useful in the end. So the Avengers jet is a cool little piece of history. The Avengers tower would have worked for theme, yes, but the Collector's museum makes for a myriad of theming possibilities. Marvel fans like me will go nuts over the movie memorabilia in the queue. I think Disney is on the right track with this attraction.