The Geek Mojo

Screamscape put out something by All American Thrills today saying that the Music Express, Whip, Kiddie Rides and Midway Tent are being removed. Not saying it's gonna happen because I read it on the internet, but just saying, if that much space is being cleared by the road, it has to be a coaster.

Wow...Glad I didn't plan a trip to Magic Mountain this month if Green Lantern and Ninja are both down now. Looks like Six Flags handled this well, but I have a feeling the media will still beat them up over this. Glad no one got seriously injured. Wish I could say the same about that kid in Spain that got killed on Inferno...That's pretty sad.

Fury 325 (if that's what they're going to call it) looks like it's going to be a great ride according to those pictures, if they're legit. I don't have a problem whatsoever with Carowinds putting in two B&M coasters back to back that might be similar. B&M makes great coasters. Just rode Goliath at SFOG the other day and I'm still impressed with that coaster. Intimidator isn't that bad, it's more of a milder ride, so I'm assuming this Fury 325 will be more active. A lot of people are complaining that Intamin isn't getting any love from Cedar Fair, but hey, it's their money, they're going to build what they want to build. I love Intimidator 305, and it is my favorite coaster, I'd love to see more coasters like it, but Intamin just isn't getting the business B&M is getting because B&M is more reliable...and parks want that. I get it. Hell, I think the last big Intamin that was built in the states was Skyrush in 2012 (which is another great coaster imo) but that also says the industry may be losing faith in Intamin coasters. Obviously, I doubt we will see an Intamin built at a Six Flags or Cedar Fair park anytime soon because B&M and RMC is what's popular right now with those parks. If we do see an Intamin coaster, it'll probably be at an independent park. Hershey seems to like them seeing how they have 3 big ones in their park. Maybe what Holiday World is building might be an Intamin, who knows. But regardless, Carowinds is building a B&M, and I'm sure it will be great. I have a theory that it won't be 325 ft tall. Probably more like 310 ft tall with a 325 ft drop. It'd be cool as hell if it does reach 100 mph. We'll just have to wait and see...But I have high hopes for this coaster. I can't wait to ride it!

First time I have been to Hersheypark, so I took a lot of pics. I won't bore you by showing them all to you guys, but I thought I would share a few of my favorites I took. You might have seen many like these before...But still...You gotta love Hersheypark. Nice shot of The Wildcat from a distance. The view from the Kiss Tower was pretty awesome. Love how all the coaster just cross over each other like a tangled mess. Lightning Racer has got to be one of the best racing coasters I've ever rode. More LR love. Storm Runner has to be the most photogenic coaster in the park imo. Storm Runner is one hell of a ride. Got some pretty good looks from the flying falcon. Going down. Up and around. I call this the coaster lift to Heaven. One loop and it's Sooper Dooper. I don't think Great Bear ever slows down...Awesome coaster. Trailblazer was down all weekend. Is it still down, I don't know. Wild Mouse was wild. The Kissing Tower great for taking pics. Fahrenheit, Intamin goodness. The Boardwalk was fun...But I came for the coasters. Thanks Hersheypark for a great time.

Trip Report: Went up north to Chicago for three days to visit SFGAm and ride Goliath. On the way home coming south on I65, we stopped at this little park that sits about 20 miles off the interstate in a small town in the middle of nowhere. I only had about two hours to spend so I hope I could at least ride the coasters. I literally laughed at the surrounding "resorts" by the park as it looked like a redneck trailer park. They have two free parking lots but I chose to park at the VIP parking lot for $7 to be close. I first rode Steel Hawg, it was my first El Loco coaster and it was a blast. Second I rode the Hooiser Hurricane. I spent the majority of my two hours in line for this ride. The two girls working this ride were horrible at their job. I'm talking slow as slow can be about getting people on and off the ride. However, the ride itself was really good. I enjoyed it more than Cornball Express...Which was my third ride. Wasn't really a sign for the ride, well there was, but not much of one. I was really excited about riding this ride because I've heard so many good things about it, but after the ride, I left pretty beat up. It was fun, but rough as hell...The airtime on this coaster was pretty awesome. After that, I got in line for Tig'rr, but it shut down right before I got on due to weather concerns. Looking at the coaster, it didn't look like much so I just left the line. The Lost Coaster of Superstition Mountain looked closed, so I just decided to leave the park. Over two hours and just three rides due to very slow operations at this park. I just went with higher expectations and left very disappointed. The water park looked dirty, some places smelled like a sewer and all over looked unclean. They had some other rides I want to experience but it'll just have to wait to I have more time to give the park. It's hard to judge a park on just two hours, so I'm just going to say, I hope my next visit is better.

I bought the platinum passes online before the visit thinking they would sell out because of unlimited rides on Goliath...Stupid me, right? There was no disclaimer online telling me this except that Goliath would only be available on the platinum pass and that there would be no refunds. Well, when we got to the park they told us right before they handed us the qbots...talk about being pissed off. I couldn't return them for a refund so we were stuck with them, so we made the best time out of them possible. It was fun having them, I won't lie...But there was this big void after having spent so much for them. Also, the park closed at nine for everyone but stayed open to midnight for season pass holders. The qbots had to be returned by 9pm...and we couldn't use them afterwards even though we had season passes. That was another drawback. The park was nearly as crowded after 9pm as it was before 9pm, so it didn't really help. I know it sounds like I'm griping, and I'm not trying to...We had a really great time. I love this park. I love the rides. Really, the only hiccup all day was the qbot thing. Before you spend all that money, you should know that they only give you one pass-the-line on Goliath. That's all.

You can't double ride Goliath either like you can all the other rides on the platinum pass. I will say it's nice having the platinum pass and not getting out of your seat when you have front row on all the coasters, but it just took a big chunk of fun out of the whole experience when Goliath vanishes from your Qbot after one ride. Also, you can't double ride on V2 or Giant Drop either. They make you exit after each ride.

It's because they only give you one ride...that's it. You pay $110 for a platinum pass and it gives you one single ride on Goliath. The regular and gold pass does not allow you to ride Goliath. It is a complete rip off. If I could have, I would have rode Goliath all day long.

Yes, I agree. Ride Goliath in the back. It was unbelievably awesome! My wife and I visited last Friday and we both bought the platinum passes and they were a complete rip off. We spent $220 on those things and they only got us one ride on the Goliath, which we rode on the very front. At the end of the night, they had an extra three hours for season pass holders and stayed open to midnight, which we used to get our last ride of the night on Goliath in the back. We waited in line for an hour an a half, wasn't that bad. I would have waited again, but they closed the queue down an hour early and we couldn't get back in line. The park got totally awesome around 8pm because heavy fog rolled in and it made the park look like frightfest, plus it got cold so, it was basically October in June. It had been about two years since I last visited when X-Flight was added to the park. I still love that coaster...although I still consider Wild Eagle to be the best wing coaster. Raging Bull had too much breaking going on, it was running a lot slower than it did the last time we rode it. I had missed The Whizzer, Ragin Cajun, Spacely's Sprocket Rocket, and Little Dipper last time I was there so I made sure to get the credits this trip, but still, no Ragin Cajun credit because it's in SFA. I swear, American Eagle is a great ride, but it has the longest walk to the ride I've ever walked, the queue is ridiculous. I could go on and on about the other rides, but won't. I had a great time. I love this park. Goliath was freaking amazing, it was my first RMC I've ever rode...I'm definitely a fan now.

That old video was awesome! I've only rode the American Eagle in 2012 and in 2014. It looks like I would have enjoyed it a lot more back in the 80's. The only negative thing I can say about the ride is I absolutely hate the queue...It's like 5 miles long.

Trip Report: Went to Hersheypark for 3 days this past weekend. Went to Chocolate World Friday and Hersheypark Saturday and Sunday. Whoever gave me the roller coaster advice on here to avoid long lines, thank you! It worked! We rode Fahrenheit first, then Storm Runner then the rest of the back of the park. We ate at the BBQ place across from Trailblazer like suggested and it was good also. And speaking of Trailblazer, it was down all weekend. It was the only coaster we didn't get to ride...But I did get my credit on Cocoa Cruiser...lol. Later in the evening is the best time to ride Skyrush and Comet...Lines were a lot shorter. This park is definitely doable without the Fast Track Pass...The value of the pass is just not worth it. Operations kept the lines going at a good pace and the only ride with a lengthy line we actually waited a long time for was Great Bear...Although on Sunday night, it was a walk on every time. I really like Hersheypark's coasters, they all have their pros and cons. Fahrenheit is an alright coaster, it has a lot of rattle, but still an okay ride, probably my fifth favorite in the park. Lightning Racer has got to be the best racing wooden coaster I've ever rode. Most just go up and down, out and back...But Lightning Racer is like two Dollywood Thunderhead coasters racing each other...it's really awesome...My fourth favorite. The Great Bear is a really great B&M inverted coaster, not as good as some I've rode, but not as bad either. It has some great elements to it and I enjoyed it a lot...It was my third favorite. Storm Runner and Skyrush were my favorite top two. For the longest I couldn't decide which one was the best. Storm Runner is like a miniature Top Thrill Dragster with an awesome finish...It was intense...I loved it! Skyrush took some time to figure out. I rode it like 10 times. The first time I rode it, it scared me half to death. I thought I was dead and was flying out of the thing. The second and third time I rode it holding on for dear life but ready. But the more I rode it, I finally let go and held my hands up in the air and knew I was safe. The only other coaster I've rode as intense as Skyrush is Intimidator 305. But I305 you have shoulder harness strapping you in. Skyrush doesn't strap you in...Your legs are the only thing saving your life. I'd have to say in my opinion, Skyrush is more intense than I305 just for the restraints. You also have to figure out how to ride the thing so it doesn't frog your legs every time. I found out if you ride in the middle and not on the outer wing seats, you can put your feet on the floor and it doesn't effect your legs at all and doesn't hurt one bit...Plus it make you feel more secure to ride with your hands in the air. After all this, I'd have to say, Skyrush is my favorite ride in the park and probably my 2nd favorite coaster I've ever ridden behind I305. I usually consider myself a B&M guy, but Intamin have my favorite two coasters now. As for the other coasters, Wildcat needs a seat restraint like Lightning Racer has with a curve in the bar to make it more comfortable, but Wildcat is still a great ride. Comet is probably one of the smoothest roller coasters I've ever ridden and I think that's strange seeing how old it is. Wild Mouse is pure hell. Sooper Dooper Looper is kinda meh but alright I guess. Sidewinder is your basic boomerang but I liked the restraints it had. Cocoa Cruiser was a credit, nothing more. Sad I didn't get the Trailblazer credit. We had enough time to see Zoo America, it was okay. We did the water park...Vortex, Whirlwind and the Wave Rider were awesome. I think standing in a que to get into a wave pool or lazy river is a bit stupid though. As far as Chocolate World goes, it was fun...A bit childish with the 4D movie, but the rest was enjoyable. I didn't sing on the trolley, I refused. I made my own candy bar, graduated chocolate tasting university and saw how Hershey chocolate was made on the tour...It was overall pretty cool. I'd suggest eating at the Hersheypark Place, it had really good food...It's outside the park, but it's a full service restaurant and worth the price. I also refused to eat the Kettle Corn because my wife and I were seeing how people around the park stuffed their faces like crazy with the stuff and stood in long lines to get it...We believe it had to be laced with crack...Only explanation for people and their Kettle Corn obsession. The one thing I didn't like was how security rushed us out at park closing not allowing us to shop. Most parks stay open after the rides shut down, to sell their merchandise, but not Hersheypark...The only thing open after the rides close is the damn Kettle Corn place...lol! Anyways, it was a great trip...Had an awesome time...Can't wait to go back.

That sounds like a fun plan too.

Also going to Hersheypark this weekend so I should probably count the Cocoa Cruiser too...It's new even though it's a kiddie coaster. So that'll be five. But Goliath will be my highlight of the year because it'll be my first RMC I've ever rode.

Hello Kristen, I would love to say for sure that Goliath will be open by then, but the park hasn't officially said anything as of late except "it will be opening very soon". Media day is on track for next Wednesday so I would assume the ride will open as soon as next Thursday (19th) or Friday (20th). The park will hopefully announce an official opening date sometime in the next couple days. The ride is testing every day now and human riders are already riding it. It's just about ready for the public to ride so I don't see why it wouldn't open next Thursday or Friday. Also, the season pass preview looks like a no go since their top priority is to just open the ride to everyone as soon as possible because of all the delays so I wouldn't worry about getting a pass unless you plan on visiting another Six Flags park again later this year. Just keeping checking here for more updates. Yeah, I've been checking Six Flags Great America's social sites religiously and along with TPR over the past few days hoping to hear from someone who knew an opening date for Goliath. I will be at the park regardless if the coaster is open or not on Friday June 20th. I live ten hours away so I don't have the luxury of coming back day after day hoping it opens. I truly hoping it opens Thursday so all the diehards get it out of their system so Friday won't be as bad. I know it'll still be a long line but I just don't know if I want to wait in a 5 - 6 hour line. Platinum pass is an option but it's $110 a person and it's the only pass that will work on Goliath. I imagine Six Flags is probably going to wait until the commercial shoot this Saturday to see how guests do on the coaster before they announce an opening date....that's my guess. Goliath will be my 4th new credit this year...Firechaser Express, Banshee and Lightning Run were my other three. It's been a great year for new coasters.

The SFGAm website says that Goliath will only be available on the platinum pass. I'm sure they will sell out as soon as the opening date is announced. I'm willing to spend $110 on the pass but I just want to know what day it's going to open to the public first before I shell out that much cash.

I surely appreciate the advice. I will follow it. And yes, I am kind of disappointed with their fast track system...So with your information, we may skip it. Thanks.

I've had plans to visit this park on June 20th for months now. I thought for sure this ride would be open by then...But I wasn't expecting such a delay. Stuff happens, understandable, but I can't reschedule my trip and I'm really worried that I won't get to ride this on my trip. I see the commercial is being filmed on the 14th and media day is the 18th. If it does open on the 20th...I guess I can get ready for a 5 - 6 hour wait...but whatever...I just want to ride it. Has anyone heard of an official opening date to the public yet?

Need a little advice from those who know about Hersheypark. My wife and I are traveling 12 hours up to Hersheypark next Saturday and will be the first time we've been there. We will be there two days, and I know from reading reviews the park will be extremely busy on the weekend but we plan to buy the fast track pass. On the web site is says you can ride 9 of the coasters one time. Could you tell me which 9 coasters they are talking about and I hope Skyrush is on the list. Also, I heard they sell out fast so is there a trick to getting the passes before they sell out. We plan to be there before the park opens but I've heard they can sell out within 10 minutes which makes me worry. Also, is there a path we can take to avoid the long lines, as in go to the right or go to the left? I want the experience to be a good one but from reading blogs and such, a lot of people are just unhappy about the wait times. Also heard there was little shade but being from the south, heat isn't a problem. Any suggestions on food options? Of course we're going to load up on chocolate but other than that, what food is good there? We've been looking forward to this trip for a long time and really looking forward to their awesome coaster collection. Anyways, I appreciate any helpful advice on Hersheypark. Thank you.

Park looks fantastic. Last time I was there was in 1997. It'll be nice to visit again after not being there for so long. Thanks for the awesome pics. Can't wait until July to ride Lightning Run...Coaster looks great!

Looks fantastic! Can't wait to ride when I visit in July. I'm glad this park is reopening. I haven't been there since 1997.

Trip Report: Went to SFOG yesterday for the first time this year and had a great time. Is it just me or are Six Flags employees getting friendlier? I don't even think Walt Disney World employees said "hello" to me as many times as Six Flags did yesterday. It was strange...But a good strange, I guess. Anyways, I have to say that I do not like getting my season pass processed at the front gate. It takes forever to get in the park. They have this whole two step process now that in my opinion just slows down everything. I wish they would just go back to the old system of going through the season pass registration building and it be done. However, I do like the new finger print scan though, I'm sure it will help speed up getting in the gates later in the season so I guess that's good. All the rides were running except for Acrophobia and Ninja, although Ninja did open at the end of the day. Ninja was just running one train and it had a new paint job advertising something. Goliath was running super fast yesterday...Rode it four times, still the best ride in the park...But Mindbender is close second. Didn't get to visit the park last year so I got my first ride on the Sky Screamer...Basically just like the one I rode in St. Louis. I don't know, I may like the Sky Screamers better than the Windseekers...The jury is still out on that one. I really got no gripes at all, the operators were friendly, the park was clean and all the rides were running well...Or as well can be expected. The Georgia Cyclone will always beat the hell out of you, so that's expected. I worry sometimes with the coaster being right in front of the park, it may be the first coaster a lot of people come to that may have never rode a roller coaster before and get scared to death to ever ride a coaster again. It doesn't really bother me, because I can take a beating, but others may not be able to and SFOG may be forever to blame for their fears. But anyways, moving on...Great day at the park, it was a beautiful day, hot and the water rides were cold...just right! One last thing, speaking of water...I don't see how in the world Hurricane Harbor is going to be ready by Memorial Day weekend. They got a crap ton of work left to do in a couple of weeks. Slides still not finished, concrete still not down and landscaping to be done. I hope it's done, I plan to go back Memorial Day. I was against at first, but seeing it all come together, I think it's going to be a great addition to the park.

Wow! Disney is just awesome...Nobody can compare. Can't wait for the full POV of Seven Dwarfs Mine Train.

Wow! Banshee looks amazing. It'll probably be later in the year before I get to ride it. I love B&M coasters (except stand up coasters)...Glad Banshee is all it looks to be...Awesome! Hopefully after Carowinds Giga, maybe B&M might surprise us and create something new for the next lucky Cedar Fair park to get. Kings Island now looks to have the best B&M coasters out of all the Cedar Fair parks.

Awesome, I live in Alabama. I always liked the park. It needs more shade. It's freaking hot as hell in the Summer. I was sad to see the ride side go...But the owners of the park let it go down with little security in the park. I'm visiting HW for the first time this year so I'm kind of anxious, but seeing how all the Koch family feud is going on, it'll be weird. But whatever, as long as both parks are run to their full potential, I got no problem. I want to ride Rampage again!

Glad to SeaWorld get these big name performers. Hope Kid Rock does well today against the Super Bowl. Wish I could attend.