azza29

Not working for me on either iPad or iPhone. Boo.

Top 5, in no particular order: - Goliath - X2 - Tatsu - Apocalypse - Riddler

Canon Aisle or window seat?

Worst B&M: Mantis - more headbanging than a Megadeth concert. Worst GCI: Roar (SFA) - rougher than downtown San Francisco after dark. Worst Intamin: Mick Doohan's Motocoaster - too short and frustratingly slow to load (combination of terrible park operations and poor restraint design)

^^If the crowds are light enough that you don't need a Gold flash pass, a regular pass probably isn't going to save much time, particularly on the coasters where the merge point is a bit before the station (i.e. Tatsu) or where a 'station wait' can be 20 minutes (looking at you, Riddler's Revenge).

Demon Drop is notable for it's uniqueness, even if it's an average ride. Steel Force is still the best coaster in the park, apart from that... ...this! I don't consider any of Dorney's coasters to be anything less than decent, but when you're a stones throw from the awesomeness of Hersheypark and the charm of Knoebels the park is always going to come in as a third choice. Height shouldn't be an issue, especially if they add a launched coaster. Maverick is only 105ft tall, could even go with a family coaster like Jet Rescue which is only 20ft high. At 35ft tall Wooden Warrior is one of the best woodies in the country, or if a small footprint is required the nearest El Loco is in Indiana. They could even use the four-across trains for an added punch! So there's definitely potential because the rest of the park is pretty good, it's just lacking that one ride that makes you want to keep coming back.

Nice TR! The entrance to Ocean Park reminds me of Luna Park here in Melbourne... big creepy face with a toothy grin! How did you find the HKDL Hollywood Hotel - worth the extra expense for the convenient location? Also was it easy enough to get to Ocean Park via public transport? Planning to head up there later in the year.

Happened when I was there in early May too. We rode, and on the run after us the brake didn't stop the train completely (we were already at the gates for our next ride). But they got it running again pretty quickly as you've described.

Awesome trip report Chuck! I too braved the shame of riding the Woodstock Express, despite my group refusing to participate. Gemini is definitely a pleasant surprise, especially when it's running both sides. I may have been fortunate enough to experience the one good ride Mean Streak has ever given, because it was nowhere near as bad as I was expecting.

I was there about a month ago, as others have mentioned not a lot in the park apart from cars and tees. But I remember seeing some more interesting merch (BTTF numberplate, Marty McFly rainbow 'future' cap) in at least one of the comic/pop culture shops on CityWalk, so that might be an option.

Still more exciting than Grizzly.

^they had me at "should of"

^This year at least Ghost Rider seems to be running fairly well. But then, once you've been on Roar at SFA every other woodie seems smooth as glass...

Stayed at the Red Roof in late May, 20 minute drive to the park but only paid about $100 for two nights. One of the nicer Red Roofs we visited on our trip as well.

Event looks great - ERT on X2 and Xcelerator in the same weekend! If only I lived a little closer... (starts thinking of ways to justify a weekend trip to LA...)

National parks. Yosemite is one of the most memorable places I've ever visited.

New water ride would be a good addition, unless it's a low-capacity boat flume. Perhaps they'll introduce "Ghost of Log Jammer"...

Missed Batwing at SFA and Goliath at SFNE, both shut the days I visited. Also Gold Striker at CGA, my visit was during the interval between the ride being finished but not yet open due to noise.

Giant Dipper (Santa Cruz) Nitro or Bizarro (SFGAdv)?

^First floorless woodie. With four inversions. You heard it here first.

^^Odds for a front of line pass look much better than the "plinko" game at CP, where you have about a 1 in 10 chance. The consolation prizes aren't bad either.

I'd pick Lake Compounce as well, Boulder Dash is awesome, their Boomerang is one of the smoother ones I've been on, the skyride is good, and they have a great log flume. Plus all the free soda your kidneys can handle and the water park is there if it's hot.

^I'd still recommend going Knoebels > SFNE > SFGAdv > New York rather than SFNE last, to avoid backtracking.

BGW Arrow or Vekoma?