ytterbiumanalyst

I imagine they're doing a lighter addition in anticipation of the large expenditure once the parking lot gets approved. Keep in mind, a lot of the money is spent prior to a ride being built. SDC in 2012 had the "Biggest show year ever!"--definitely an off year. Why? In April 2012 they began construction on Outlaw Run, and a lot of that was paid for in advance. Valleyfair's second parking lot is very expensive, and I'm sure what we're seeing is a reflection of that. People only see what's happening right now, but there are plans behind the scenes.

If XXL carries a 48" height requirement, I can totally see a 7-year-old being tall enough. My 7-year-old daughter is just under 51", so in a lot of parks she can do almost everything. SDC she can do all except Wildfire. SFStL is everything except Batman, Freeze, and Excalibur. WOF it's everything except Patriot. You'd think there'd be a lot of limitations for a kid of that age, but not really. Once you hit 48" you're basically golden.

Really cool report. This place seems to be from a past life. China is moving so fast now that places like this are being forgotten. Thanks for sharing! One slight correction, though: The photo you labeled as the Kremlin is actually St. Basil's Cathedral. This is the Kremlin:

Because humor Because YOLOcoaster is a way better name than the one Six Flags gave it. I always refer to it as YOLOcoaster even in actual speech, and I sometimes forget what the real name is. But back to Cedar Point: I'm actually really excited to have a dive coaster within driving distance. I've heard nothing but good things about the two Busch Gardens dive coasters, but they're both a LONG way from me, and I won't likely have time or money to go to those parks any time soon. Cedar Point, on the other hand, is a reachable destination. So for me, having a fun coaster type at a fantastic park that is reasonable to expect to be able to get to within the next couple of years is a HUGE announcement (even if it was heavily rumoured before). And let's face it: All of you who are saying "But we've already been on dive coasters in Virginia and Florida--this sucks" are going to go on Valravn, and you're going to like it. Maybe not be in love with it, but you're going to have fun. And that makes Valravn awesome.

^ In most people's eyes, a new B&M Hyper would be just a newer version of Mamba. And that's not a bad thing at all.

Next will be Silver Dollar City on 9/26, then after that Worlds of Fun sometime in October.

Thanks for the vote of confidence.

Great, thanks for confirming. Seems like the sort of policy that would work well for local parks, since most guests would be familiar with the rule. Holiday World is getting bigger than a local park though. I knew about the policy prior to going, thanks to this forum, but it's not extremely well advertised except for the two LIM slides (where you have to walk past a sign right at the queue entrance).

Wow, that came out of left field. I think everyone expected it to sail through. At this point with track in production, it would be very expensive to redesign it to be 13 ft. shorter. Reducing the height changes the speed throughout the course, which changes G forces as well. It would be far cheaper to run a public campaign to approve the coaster. Sounds like the FAA would approve it if the public pass it. Considering the entire town's economy depends on Cedar Point, it would be very likely approved by the public.

Worlds of Fun removing Zambezi Zinger and replacing it with Boomerang.

^ Of course! You can't get the best coaster on the West Coast and not complain about it!

Brand new hyper, absolutely. Really? Iron Boss would pretty much be the best RMC conversion yet IMO. A B&M hyper would be nice but Goliath, which is probably the "worst" of the RMCs, is still great and better than both Raging Bull and Diamondback. I know I'm in the minority, but I actually like Boss as it is, especially with the retracking they've done the last couple of years. I loved it in 2000, and though it became a bit rough toward the bankruptcy period, the new management has really been doing a good job getting it fun again, especially on both the big drops. I really don't consider Boss a priority for the park at this point. A brand-new hyper out by or in place of Tidal Wave, and removing Ninja, would improve the coaster lineup significantly.

Brand new hyper, absolutely.

Holiday World is the only park I've been to that has this policy, but I believe that Kentucky Kingdom does as well. Someone can correct me if I'm wrong; I haven't been to KK myself.

No worries; it's all good. We're all passionate about our hobby, and why not? It's a significant investment of time and money. I know I can come off a bit brash, as well, especially to those who don't know me. I don't (usually) intend to be rude, though; you fight karma, and you will lose.

Glad you liked it.

^ I don't think you're entirely getting my point, but that's all right. Really, my objection is to the phrase "I have heard." Why post something as rumour when it is so easily verifiable? Facts are better.

I had already been told it was taken off the website, so I didn't feel the need to check. But thanks for stating the obvious. You're welcome. Hey, while I was there, I noticed that they've announced a giga coaster for next year called Tall Hawk and they're selling platinum passes for $1. It's on the website. So you know, no need to fact check or anything.

Outlaw Run is fine. Beyond that, it's great, and it's not remotely rough. Next to Goliath, it's the second smoothest wooden coaster I've ever been on. It's not a B&M, and we shouldn't expect it to be. It's a wooden coaster, absolutely.

^ You know, it's pretty easy to check. I just did, and yes, Thunderhawk is no longer on worldsoffun.com.

Cool. Thanks for the info.

How are they distributed? Do they have self serve stations like HW does, or do you have to go to a drink stall?

The new addition for 2015 was Crystal Lagoon Jr., which is an "in-between" kiddie pool at 3 1/2 ft. deep. It has two tiny slides, including one that mimics a bowl slide. It was very popular when we were there. Most people don't go for the roller coasters; they go for the water park. That's where the new additions are going, and it seems like a solid strategy.

Well, after the Six Flags announcements, it's still for me Monster. The combination of being a coaster type I've never ridden before, in a park I've not been to that's close to me. Joker looks like overall the best new coaster, but as it's an unattainably far 2000 miles for me, I can't really get excited about it.

I'm of the opinion that if only two exist, and are halfway around the world from each other, that's as good as unique. The number of people who have visited SFSTL and who have heard of Powerland is very small indeed.