ytterbiumanalyst

I was looking at Sea Dragon. It kind of stands out on Google Maps, being out in the middle of the lake. Do you know the model? I ask because I find Zamperla ones make me queasy, but I love the Chance models. I'm not really sure what the difference is, but I've been on a lot of swinging ships, and the only ones that make me sick are Zamperla. Thanks to everyone for all the advice! This is very helpful, since there's not a huge amount of information out there about this place.

^ You're thinking about this backward. The log flume wasn't removed because they wanted to put in Monster; Monster was put I'm because they wanted to remove the log flume.

You mean bolt 2,654? Have you seen the threads on that thing? I was underwhelmed by its representation in that original animation, but now I'm impressed! Seriously, though, I can't wait to ride this thing. It'll be my first RMC. Yeah, I' m with you. This is my first steel RMC.

I'm a big fan of the bolt on the left side 117.2 m from the station.

The airtime is unreal. Especially on Wildebeest.

^ Yes.

Both LIM water slides are fantastic, and both are very different from each other. I think I prefer Wildebeest, but then I remember going down the 45 degree drop on Mammoth backwards. The lines are always long, and for good reason. Get there first--or go for Holiwood Nights!

Oh, there are lots. PR team hires a clown, but his makeup is done badly and looks like the Joker's. One of the PR reps puts a very lifelike rubber snake in a highly used desk drawer. PR team leaves food out and discovers that their office has rats. PR team is informed that their building was one of the last ones built with asbestos and that it was never removed. Many more things are nightmare-inducing than this.

Springfield Cardinals (AA) game last September. When was the last time you crushed an aluminum can against your forehead?

This!

^ Yeah, I meant that only in the timeline of the company. I've only ridden the two existing ground-up coasters. I hear the conversions are a bit different. A ride doesn't have to the MOST XTREME to be very fun. I've been eyeing KK for the last couple of years, and now that everything's running and we have this beauty, it's time to check it out. They had me on "barrel roll drop."

I don't know about getting better each year. A lot of people say Outlaw Run is their best, and it was their very first ground-up installation and only their second coaster overall. If I had time and money to get to Mexico....but Storm Chaser may well be the closest I ever get to riding Medusa. The new POV video looks great. Very much looking forward to riding this in June!

I expect people to spell things correctly. I'm always disappointed.

Cool, lots of great advice, and quickly too. Thanks! I tend to get up early naturally, so I'll drive from Sandusky that morning. Hopefully I'll make it by opening or shortly thereafter. It sounds like I should go to Wolverine Wildcat first, then Shivering Timbers next and ride in the front row. It's good to hear Thunderhawk is relatively smooth. The only SLC I've ridden is Gauntlet at Magic Springs. I liked its Batman level of intensity, but it rattled too much. Without the rattle, I think I'd enjoy it. All four water rides look like they would be worth it. How is capacity on those? Any of them get hour lines? I'll be there early June, but on a Saturday, so I may need to do those right after Wolverine Wildcat and Shivering Timbers. Regarding clones, I'm one that will ride Batman in every park I go to. I've ridden it at SFStL for 20 years, but it's good, and it's good everywhere. Zach's Zoomer and Corkscrew sound like they fall into that category. Mad Mouse would be an "if there's time" ride. I like the non-spinning variety, but this one doesn't look too special. I don't have any interest in the Big Dipper. I do like waterparks, but I'm stopping by Kentucky Kingdom on the way to Cedar Point (it's a long drive for me, so I'm breaking it up both ways), so the waterpark at MiA isn't a top priority. I would do it if there's time at the end of the day. I see they've got a ProSlide Tornado, so if I do go to the waterpark, that would be a must. I love those things. What other slides are worth the time?

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Michiganders and Michigeese! I am planning a stop by Michigan's Adventure on the way home from Coastermania. This would be on Saturday 6/4, and I will be travelling alone. I am most interested in Shivering Timbers. There really aren't any rides there of a type I haven't been on before, so priority will go to the ones of highest quality. Besides roller coasters, I really enjoy water rides. I will skip a bad to mediocre roller coaster to ride a good log flume or rapids ride. Other than Shivering Timbers, what are the best rides? The waterpark looks skippable to me except for Hydro Blaster. The photo looks like the people are wearing street clothes, and it's not in the waterpark section of the website. Am I correct that it's a part of the dry park then? I'm also curious about food options. It looks like basically burgers and pizza. Is the family buffet any good? Worth the price? Or should I just plan on eating before I go and then getting dinner in Muskegon after I leave?

American Plunge was great until 2001. It had theming, animatronics that worked, and a tunnel with illuminated shadowboxes. The theme was awesome throughout, based on the leisure time afforded by the newly implemented 60 hour work week. Americans were left with lots of time to do whatever they wanted, and the leisure and entertainment industries didn't yet exist. So they sat on flagpoles for days, went over waterfalls in barrels, jumped between logs to cross rivers. You know, stuff that's better than being at work. Then sports, zoos, movie palaces, and amusement parks popped up, and people had legitimate options. American Plunge is the story of that primitive and crazy time before modern entertainment. When Wildfire was built in 2001, American Plunge was drastically shortened, with most of the ride now being in a straight, unadorned concrete tunnel. It's now a pretty basic log flume.

Wow, that's quite a while, but glad it's finally being done. We'll be there opening day, so I'm looking forward to riding this if indeed it's open. Thanks!

It's interesting that the Nationals aren't even mentioned here. They've been a strong team for several years; their problem has been mainly in stamina--they go strong through August, then implode after that. I've seen plenty of teams do that, and don't count them out. So here are my nearly pointless predictions for this year (WAY too many variables to have any degree of accuracy): The Correct League: West - LA Dodgers Central - Chicago Cubs, St. Louis Cardinals (WC), Pittsburgh Pirates (WC) East - Washington Nationals Cardinals over Pirates in the play in, Dodgers over Cubs and Cardinals over Nationals in the DS, Cardinals over Dodgers in the CS The League of Wimpy Pitchers: West - Texas Rangers, Houston Astros (WC) Central - Kansas City Royals East - Toronto Blue Jays, New York Yankees (WC) Astros over Yankees in the play in, Royals over Astros and Blue Jays over Rangers in the DS, Royals over Blue Jays in the CS RETURN OF THE I-70 SERIES!!!!

Holiwood Nights almost a year ago. Met a bunch of them. When was the last time you played mini golf?

Wildfire, 7th row, right side.

Cool! Is the new wheel in the same spot as the old one?

I had heard it was going to be done over three years. Has it been extended? Also, do you know if the retracking is finished now and if it will be ready for opening day?

^ Yes, it's about an hour in length. You can reserve a spot on the Lantern Tour, which is at 4:30. That's the last tour of the day. Really, a Thursday shouldn't have very long lines on anything. Remember that SDC only has 4 big coasters, 2 dark rides, and 3 water rides, along with 3 thrilling flat rides. You can easily hit all these very quickly if crowds are reasonable. Make the cave a priority; you won't regret it.

Today we went to the park, hoping to enjoy light crowds between Easter and World Fest, which opens next week. We arrived just before opening and saw to our dismay the sign that said "Young Christians Weekend." I had forgotten that was going on. Oh well, we're here, let's see what we can ride. First stop was the buffet at the Mill Restaurant. I find everyone has a better time when they have a good breakfast, and this year's buffet shows some remarkable improvement. The sausage is in links rather than patties, and of a higher quality. Also, rather than have two kinds of scrambled eggs, one with dehydrated peppers and onions, they have one scrambled eggs tray, and a separate one with actual real grilled peppers and onions. There was more fresh fruit replacing canned, and the streudel was very good too. Overall, they really stepped up the quality. Then once the park opened, it was off to the rides! As so often occurs at SDC, the crowds were there for the shows rather than the rides. Thunderation was a station wait, Outlaw Run, Wildfire, and Grand Expo were a 20 minute wait, and only Powder Keg had a lengthy line at an hour. We didn't ride Fire in the Hole today, since we went on it several times two weeks ago on a rainy Opening Day, but it would probably have been about half an hour. Not bad at all for the number of people there. The shows today were three gospel music concerts in Echo Hollow, at noon, 3, and 6. A lot of people were here for the concerts, so while they were going on, the park was fairly empty. Consequently, I was able to get a lot more photos this time. Enjoy! Before the park opens, time to explore the square a bit. I like the festive look of the square so far this year. The muted primary colours suit the park well. My son wanted to go on Thunderation first, so our first attraction was the classic Swinging Bridge. It's the most fun way to get there. I wonder if they'll ever do anything with that spot? People were already gathering in Echo Hollow for the gospel concert. First roller coaster of the day! I love how close this queue is to the ride. Well, it's a hot tin roof, but no cats. The corkscrew path through the former Tom Sawyer's landing has some great views of the park. The line for Fire in the Hole was long. Well, as long as it gets. The line for Powder Keg was down the hill. We're going to be here a while. 3 train ops made the queue move pretty well, though. Ooh! We're going to be launched soon! Outlaw Run, I'll be back for you. Fireman's Landing really dominates the Riverfront. No waiting on Lost River, if you want. We didn't. Wilderness Waterboggan wasn't running today. This is a new planter in the Grand Expo. The tree isn't new, but the planter is. I couldn't stay away from you, baby. The wagon has a new roof now. I like the look. Then on to an old favourite to finish out the day. Wildfire was the first looping coaster at SDC, and it's fantastic. I rode in row 7, right side. American Plunge had a decent line today, despite a high of 71. Until next time, good friend. Oh, we will, my good sign.