GoBears

Yes, there's a Goliath at SFMM, SFOG, SFFT, SFNE, and now SFGAm. I think I got them all.

It also looks like they're getting the remaining footers ready of the twist and shout/base of the overbank turn for the next bents to go up. Update: Next bent is now in place.

The crew is up bright and early at 7:15 working on the floater hill. It appears there's track down now on the top of it, but it's hard to tell.

Next part of the overbank structure is be lifted now...

Back in early December, Brandon Bruce told me that their plan was to top off the lift hill in mid-March. If they start working on that next, it's certainly a possibility.

I wouldn't say that just yet. From here on out, the weather should (hopefully) get better which means construction will move quicker. Also, once the overbank structure is finished, the rest of the ride should go rather quickly. They have to build the first hill structure still (zero-G stall will be built within that) and the dive loop structure. I think the reason that it doesn't look like a lot has been going until recently is because they had to get the dirty work (like digging out the tunnel) out of the way. The other side of the overbank twist and shout will be put up next week because the bents are already assembled for that. It appears they can install the track pretty quickly too. The major changes coming to the station and the queue line probably won't happen until April/May. We still have about 4 more months so let's just pray the weather gets better soon.

They are also beginning to work on the footers for the other half of the overbank structure and those bents that are already assembled will be put there probably sometime next week.

There's not much "Wilderness" back in that section of the park now anyways. But I would agree. Southwest's amphitheater seems misplaced, and its hideous with the Spygirl Theming still there. It doesn't get used for shows anymore, but I think they still use the Wilderness Theater for yearly cheerleading competitions or tryouts... or something like that. I think there's 3 things that could happen in the near future with the 2 outdoor theaters... 1. Wilderness Theater gets removed for a new attraction. 2. Both the Wilderness Theater and Southwest Amphitheater get removed for future attractions. 3. They repair the Wilderness Theater and remove the Southwest Amphitheater. The problem with this is that they already took out part of the WT for Goliath and it's very close to the ride. Scenarios 2 and 3 are the unlikeliest of the three. As far as the 1st scenario goes, they could also remove the flumes and build something decent in the spot of Yankee Clipper/Logger's Run and the Wilderness Theater. The flume rides are popular during the summer, but they're outdated and have needed recent repairs for cracks in the structure and troughs. They could always build a newer, modern water ride or a good size family coaster there. Could also be a good spot for a full circuit launching coaster in the future which the park is lacking. I think this was brought up many pages ago but someone said the park needs to keep at least 1 outdoor theater. I would have to disagree. First off, they haven't had many decent concerts in recent years. Two, the last couple outdoor shows haven't been very successful. Three, they can always use the Grand Music Hall for any musical shows, like they are doing now. We are seeing some theme parks stop using their outdoor theaters or just removing them all together lately because they simply don't draw in attendance like they once did. Building a new, more permanent attraction will bring in far more guests than a show at a park like Six Flags, even though it's obviously more costly than a show. I think the theaters will be around for at least a little longer though since Hank Salemi said a few weeks ago to keep an eye on the former spot of Ragin' Cajun for future expansion.

I always buy a coffee mug and at least one T-shirt to every park I visit.

The exit right before it goes back up onto the final brake run.

They actually removed the track that was installed back in December just the other day. I'm not really sure why.

The dragon part right before the station of Dragon Challenge is pretty neat. It's so hard to choose between all the cool stations in Orlando.

We have some twisted track being lifted right now.

I went to WDW's parks a long time ago so I don't remember them too well but Disney and Universal definitely do an amazing job with theming. My favorite park is Islands of Adventure because it includes such different themed areas throughout, yet pretty much every section is themed in detail. I haven't been to many parks but I've heard that both Busch parks, specifically BGW, are very beautiful and have good theming.

I don't know, I really wouldn't call the "tallest, fastest and steepest" wooden coaster in the world "compact"... Have you seen the layout of Goliath? Not only is the plot of land nearly as narrow as the width of Spacely's Sprocket Rockets, but it isn't all that long either. In fact, the length of the land that's it's going on (including the removal of part of Picnic Grove) is about the same length as the BTR clones. I would consider Goliath more of a compact coaster.

Deja Vu, Viper, and Batman TR (all at SFGAm) are among my favorite compact coasters. I'm sure Goliath will be up there after it opens this spring. I guess I could also throw in American Thunder.

With some of the recent dark ride technologies we've seen outside of Disney and Universal parks, I think they could make a unique story line to go with an exciting interactive dark ride without using a brand name and still have it be popular. I would love to see a western shooter in ST like you said.

^Hank Salemi said to look for expansion in Ragin' Cajun's spot either next year or in 2016. He really wants an interactive dark ride so we may see something like that go there. I didn't think the space was big enough, but TDK's building could actually fit there so I don't see why a smaller dark ride couldn't fit. Of course, a SkyScreamer is always a possibility too.

Is this another piece of track ready to be installed? EDIT: Actually, it appears they are removing the track that was installed back in December.

Well, my original plans were to head down to Texas this spring but it looks like I'll be going down to Orlando in mid May instead to visit family down there. I'm staying at the new Cabana Bay Beach Resort at USO and I'm doing IOA and USF for 3 days. I'm familiar with Universal since I've been there before but I was looking into doing another park or attraction nearby. I looked on Fun Spot's website to find prices to ride White Lightning, but I only found the full day armbands. Can you pay for a single ride on it or do you have to buy an unlimited armband to ride it? Also, SeaWorld or BGT is a little pricey for me right now so I was wondering if they usually have ticket deals as it gets closer to spring. Lastly, are there any cheaper attractions in the Orlando area that you recommend? Thanks a lot, Tyler

Viper at SFGAm. It starts squeaking on the turns and it feels so much faster.

Thanks for sharing Scotty. It's always interesting to see the structure from the ground view rather than the top of Yankee Clipper.

From this morning.

I've only been to 2 Six Flags parks and 2 Cedar Fair parks. I might be going to BGW and KD for the first time this spring and Goliath opens at my home park (SFGAm) in May so I'm sure this list will change in a few months... Six Flags: American Eagle Cedar Fair: Maverick Universal: The Incredible Hulk Disney: Space Mountain (Magic Kingdom)

On the subject of Goliath, they're going to use a vertical transfer track and store the trains underneath the revamped station. Makes sense because the space is too small to build a transfer track beside the station to house the trains when they aren't in use.