EricGarbo

If X^2 wasn't in the park it would be my favorite ride there, ahead of Tatsu. Yeah, that advertisement is pretty cringe worthy. It's like they tried to reach that teen demographic that frequents the park but a bunch of old white guys were the ones who put the campaign together.

Personally I don't think the name is that bad. I would imagine that this name would apply to a launch coaster and this one happens to have three. The whole ride including the lighting and audio effects in the tunnel give you the impression that, "Yeah, you're here, going upside down in a huge loop, launching back and forth, pedal to the medal!" Is it any worse than tacking some Superhero name on a ride or naming a ride something that has nothing to do with the experience simply for the sake of licensing?

Maintenance? Is the ride still operating? If so it's probably routine maintenance or something came up which requires attention specifically to that train. If it's torn apart they're working on it most likely. Sometimes it can be an absolute pain to get to a tiny part underneath all of the exterior plastic and seating and what not. It's like trying to get that one bolt undone on your car that's just in the most impossible spot. If it's hasn't been stripped off of the track it'll probably be operational soon.

Here's to hoping that the weather holds out! I don't think there's any day where I've been so afraid of the weather. I have no problem with some rain on Thursday. In fact, I actually prefer it. It's any lightning that I'm concerned about because then they can't operate. Oh, a little rain doesn't bother me at all. I'll be bringing my balaclava just in case so the rain doesn't pelt me in the face too hard. My concern is that every forecast predicts severe lightning. Gah, why couldn't it have been today? Such beautiful weather in Lake County.

Here's to hoping that the weather holds out! I don't think there's any day where I've been so afraid of the weather.

I'm pretty sure it already re-opened.

Being an automation engineer I'll be the first to say that Rockwell can be a really pain in the butt what feels like more time then it's worth, but most of the issues are on the manufacturer. These aren't easy problems to diagnose, though. Proximity switches fail all the time, things rattle loose when a multi-ton object travels over them several times a day, and you're in an outdoor environment. You then put conditions in the code where if any of your sensors fail or the train doesn't complete the circuit quick enough you go to E-Stop. I see this kind of thing in the environments I work in. On a system that has been running for at least 1+ year components always fail. I feel like a lot of Intamin rides have many more steps than B&M's which leads to more automation being required. Think of how many trains run on Maverick's circuit, how many block sections there are, and two LSM launches. This is a complicated process and keeping it running 100% of the time is difficult. B&M's are built as such: Two/three trains, lift hill, circuit, blocking brakes, station. I agree with what you are saying mechanically, because that's what everyone is really getting at here. It would seem to me that Intamin has a lot more issues with everyday elements of their rides that simply do not perform consistently. It's important to remember that B&M doesn't build launched rides and their entire philosophy is based on a very consistent quality and construction. There are some major technical differences but B&M really builds the same track and base chassis for every ride. Intamin is all over the board with wood, steel, water, four across versus two across seating, launch, lift hill, vertical lift hill (Giraffica), etc.

Maybe we could get Deja Vu back in that spot and it could be legitimate deja vu!

On top of that, the weather looks terrible for the Media Day and for the first day of operation. Goliath will not be open until after the weekend. I honestly don't think a little bad weather will stop them. Unless there is lightning threats, the ride will probably open on time. It's all thunderstorms in the forecast until Sunday evening. I'm just trying to kill all expectations I have for riding this thing. I have this feeling that I will not be riding Goliath for quite a long time no matter how hard I try so it's better just to get used to it. It makes it easier in the end when I'm actually let down.

On top of that, the weather looks terrible for the Media Day and for the first day of operation. Goliath will not be open until after the weekend.

Yup! Good find! It definitely looks like two separate elements. I don't know, maybe the additional time inverted will actually be better. In a lot of B&M inversions it sometimes goes so quick you really don't get to relish in the fact that you're inverted. I think the way RMC did it here is going to be good.

I'm going to need to experience it first (next Wednesday for Media Day) but NTaG has the best first drop I've ever experienced, and this comes from a guy whose favorite roller coaster is Outlaw Run. In all honesty a super steep drop doesn't necessarily make the best drop. At the Great Am my favorite drop is the first drop on the Eagle. However, I think Goliath will take the winners spot. I think the back seat will feel like the back seat on Xcelerator after you crest the top hat at Knotts, just absolute destruction on whatever part of your body happens to be touching the lap restraint. Also, as far as the dive loop goes, look here. Now this just marketing material but the original graphic is not just a dive drop. It's very clearly a 180 degree roll (as they show) followed by an inverted drop. Typically the twist should smoothly transition into drop to make a dive drop but the original graphic shows it as two separate elements separated by a stall. From photos we've seen of the actual built installation it really is a dive drop, but I think it's interesting to discuss this. I disagree about it being different than the concept art which defines it as two seperate elements. Look at this photo from last week. It ascends wayyy up the hill before it starts to twist. [attachment=0]image.jpg[/attachment] Oh my goodness, this definitely supports my point! The concept art shows it rolling over, sitting in a stall, then diving into the inversion. This image shows a much more fluid and definite dive drop. In all honesty it looks exactly like the B&M dive drops without the lift hills now, but the concept art shows it actually leveling out at the same height for some time. It's humorous actually, you can see X-Flight's immelman in the background of this shot and it's very similar. Much different from the concept art I posted. Understandably it does ascend way up the hill, as you said. The point was that in the concept art it sits there for the entire length of the station before starting the drop.

I'm going to need to experience it first (next Wednesday for Media Day) but NTaG has the best first drop I've ever experienced, and this comes from a guy whose favorite roller coaster is Outlaw Run. In all honesty a super steep drop doesn't necessarily make the best drop. At the Great Am my favorite drop is the first drop on the Eagle. However, I think Goliath will take the winners spot. I think the back seat will feel like the back seat on Xcelerator after you crest the top hat at Knotts, just absolute destruction on whatever part of your body happens to be touching the lap restraint. Also, as far as the dive loop goes, look here. Now this just marketing material but the original graphic is not just a dive drop. It's very clearly a 180 degree roll (as they show) followed by an inverted drop. Typically the twist should smoothly transition into drop to make a dive drop but the original graphic shows it as two separate elements separated by a stall. From photos we've seen of the actual built installation it really is a dive drop, but I think it's interesting to discuss this.

^ While I would love for a legitimate dark ride we have to remember that this is Six Flags. However, they have surprised me in the past by replacing Deja Vu with a family area. I just have this feeling that every time they have any sizeable chunk of property available their first thoughts are 'roller coaster.' But, that location is directly adjacent to the waterpark. If we look at the Six Flags 2013 Annual Report linked here we can see that they list the Wisconsin Dells waterparks as a major competitor to the Gurnee park. I could very easily see a waterpark expansion in their continued attempt to outdo the horrible Mt. Olympus and (much better) Noah's Ark. It seems like a proper business strategy to make proactive attempts against your leading competitor. On a side note, Key Lime Cove has a ways to go to outdo the multitude of indoor waterparks like the Kalahari.

Six Flags Great America. I'm basing this on the fact that CGA is still not stable with their finances yet and removing an asset on their property for future development doesn't seem like a smart move at the moment, especially given that they just purchased Goldstriker a year ago. There was never an issue with the parks finances, it was an issue of the old Cedar Fair management neglecting it because they thought they were going to sell the property and demolish it so the stadium could be built. Financially, they were fine. After researching it a bit I appear to have my facts incorrect. This also reintroduces one of the major questions I have about the park, which the debt issue was a long excuse for: Why does the place so dang crappy and ran down for a major California theme park? I know a lot of parks could use some TLC but this one is one of the worst offenders for what I feel like should be a well maintained park. Going to Discovery Kingdom is like night and day compared to CGA. CGA is actually a nicely maintained park, they keep up on painting, planting, and maintenance so I don't understand how it could appear crappy and run down. Have you been to Magic Mountain lately? I have, actually. It's a shame that Magic Mountain operates the way they do and a lot of their really good themeing is starting to get bulldozed over, but I still stand behing my thoughts that CGA needs more work. Some of the work they've put into it is actually quite nice but I have this memory of visiting last year of sitting on the drop tower there. The restraints were gross and old, the pavement under the queue and ride was cracking, the queue sun canvas was really old and ripping, and the ride really needed a paint job. It felt second rate, and that was only one example. It just seemed, I don't know, worn down. Needing some TLC pretty badly. It looks like they're trying but it seems like a new effort; like, what took them so long to realize that the place needed work?

Double barrel roll, Outlaw Run.

Oh jeez. They seem to be unable to bank turns beyond a few degrees and you're supposed to not end up with neck injuries somehow in the corkscrews of doom?

Six Flags Great America. I'm basing this on the fact that CGA is still not stable with their finances yet and removing an asset on their property for future development doesn't seem like a smart move at the moment, especially given that they just purchased Goldstriker a year ago. There was never an issue with the parks finances, it was an issue of the old Cedar Fair management neglecting it because they thought they were going to sell the property and demolish it so the stadium could be built. Financially, they were fine. After researching it a bit I appear to have my facts incorrect. This also reintroduces one of the major questions I have about the park, which the debt issue was a long excuse for: Why does the place so dang crappy and ran down for a major California theme park? I know a lot of parks could use some TLC but this one is one of the worst offenders for what I feel like should be a well maintained park. Going to Discovery Kingdom is like night and day compared to CGA.

Alright, so we're all in agreement. Someone get Hank on the phone. The Pictorium Planning Commission has made its decision.

I signed up yesterday. You know what? I just might make a trip out of this and take the following week off of work. Drive from my home in Chicago Thursday night, do this trip, then spend the next week + weekend hitting up all of the major parks on the east coast.

Six Flags Great America. I'm basing this on the fact that CGA is still not stable with their finances yet and removing an asset on their property for future development doesn't seem like a smart move at the moment, especially given that they just purchased Goldstriker a year ago.

Hardhats but no high visibility vests. Tisk tisk

The overbanks are what do it for me. So much sidways action! I've been wondering about the last turnaround, the 'overbanked twist and shout.' I'm wondering if this is to become the 'official' term for that maneuver for it or if that's just marketing crap.

I hope the course will be properly certified.

Really, unless there is something in the works to replace it, maintenance cost is becoming too high, or people simply do not ride it, there's not much reason to remove a ride from the park like this. I really do wonder what the long term investment plans are for parks. Looking at what Busch Gardens Williamsburg did with Big Bad Wolf they cited that the ride had lived out its manufacturers expected life so they removed it. This fits in with my point about maintenance costs, but what I wonder is what is the expected life on most of the rides out there? Certainly Leap the Dips, Cyclone, and Giant Dipper have outlived their expected lives but what about Batman: The Ride or Millenium Force? These parks purchase the rides knowing what their ROI is over a certain amount of time but I wonder what that time is and what the 20 year plan is for most of the attractions they install.