mightypotato

I'm torn about this. Skyrider actually isn't too bad, especially for a TOGO standup. It has some enjoyable pops of standing airtime that you can't really find on other rides. However, it's a capacity nightmare with extraordinarily long dispatch times. I guess taking it out in favour of a higher capacity ride would be advantageous for the park.

They probably kept those as close to the Golden Horse booth as possible, just in case.

Stereoscope Jerk Explosion - Tigerella

I eagerly await the inevitable battle between RMC and GG. This will end well for all parties.

Heidevolk - De Toekomst Lonkt

This is always a tricky list to make since it always has new additions/removals every year. But, here goes... 1. El Toro 2. Intimidator 305 3. Bizarro (SFNE) 4. Phoenix 5. Leviathan 6. Boulder Dash 7. Voyage 8. Maverick 9. Storm Runner 10. Shivering Timbers

My first Boomerang was The Bat at Canada's Wonderland, probably sometime around 1998 or so. I recall thinking it was really cool and scary at the time. Since then, I've ridden a bunch more and my opinion has certainly changed. Now, I will only ride it to get the credit and then move on. I guess the "best" Boomerang I've been on would be Sidewinder at Hersheypark. This is entirely due to the new restraints which do manage to minimize any headbanging. That said, I still wouldn't ride it more than once.

I am all in and super pumped for Texas/Midwest. Can't wait to do my 2nd TPR trip. If the first was any indication, this is going to rule.

I305? I'm not sure that counts since it was only the restraints.

If the world does end in December, I'm fine with that. I mean...is there really any cooler way to go than in the actual apocalypse? Outside of spontaneous human combustion, probably not. I say, bring it on.

I've been on a bit of a power metal kick lately. Been listening to a lot of stuff like Hammerfall, Powerwolf, Iron Mask, etc. Not that I'm complaining, power metal is usually a ton of fun.

Outlaw Run. Nothing else even comes close to being more exciting for next year. Three inversions...on a wooden coaster. Damn.

Gravity Group - With reports of the more intense US coasters, Voyage and Hades becoming quite rough, is there concern for the new Chinese coasters going down this same path given they use the same rolling stock?

Gravity Group - We've seen you guys build some crazy and extreme coasters in China over the last few years. Will we be seeing any of that insanity come over to North America in the next little while?

Also, With the success of Dinoconda and X2, can we expect to see any new 4D coasters or any new layouts in the future?

S&S - What lessons were learned from the failure of RingRacer with regard to how much stress the air launch system cane take?

B&M - Will the Wingrider eventually lead into a full blown 4D coaster?

Voted for ya! Good luck! The Who still put on one hell of a show, even in their old age. I hope you win!

Sadly, I am done for the year. Barring any random trip to California or Florida, my next coaster will probably end up being Leviathan at Canada's Wonderland's passholder night in the spring.

I haven't been on many defunct rides, but out of the few, I'd say I miss Big Bad Wolf the most. Well...it's more or less the winner by default since all the other defunct rides I've been on (i.e., Wildcat, BGT Python) weren't really all that good.

I rode Hydra for the first time this summer, and apart from the jojo roll, there really wasn't much else interesting about it. It seems to fall victim to the "forceless B&M" syndrome that the newer rides seem to have. That said, at least it was pretty smooth. And the jojo roll kicks ass.

^ Oddly, I was putting together a trip more or less the exact same as the Texas/Midwest trip myself for next year (without Texas though). To have included Holiday World would have taken us waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay out of the way and would not have made any sense. Same goes for Indiana Beach. I'm glad TPR is doing this trip because it will be epic. Big respect to Robb and Elissa for the work they do for these things...it's not easy.

A couple notable highlights from this year include: Riding Leviathan, Behemoth, Steel Force and Griffon in the pouring rain Riding Behemoth 59 times in one day for Give Kids the World Seeming to get hit with every waterfall on every rapids ride I rode this summer The total shock of how much I enjoyed Michigan's Adventure Not riding a Boomerang for the entire season I305...'nuff said

I don't think I've been as excited for a new ride as I am for Outlaw Run. This looks fantastic.