Brent York

If you arrive before opening, you can easily ride everything within 5 hours even if the park is slammed, as long as the operations are good and things aren't closed in the morning. Thunder River is one of the best looking and most exciting rapids rides are well (I've never seen a more realistic rapids ride. You'd think it's a real river) but you might not have time to even consider that. I have done all of these within 3-4 hours before on a few Saturdays, so it is much more realistic than it sounds. I agree about Thunder River. The only other rapids ride I've seen at a non-Disney/Universal park that looked as realistic was at Opryland. I've seen SFOG so crowded on Saturdays near Halloween, that if you don't arrive at opening, you might only get a handful of coasters ridden all day. Also, DDD is fun, but *way* too short.

I was at the park on 7/3 and DB was dispatching fairly quickly. Although one time I was on a train waiting to enter the station as the train in the station was delayed from dispatching an extra 15-20 seconds while the happy ride op did some goofy non ride related spiel. A lot of delays are causing by first the riders having to put their bags and junk in the storage bins, then the ride ops having to carry more bags, phones, drinks and junk from the seated riders and put in bins. I saw one ride op carrying 5-6 of those plastic refill cups full of soda. Banshee was dispatching super fast. I've gotten to where I don't care much for inverts anymore, but I do like Banshee a lot. Had to wait at least 30 minutes after the fireworks ended before Beast could restart. The vibration in the back row of DB was terrible. Headache inducing. And the front row is pretty forceless and not very exciting. Maybe 2nd or 3rd from the back is the way to go, but I didn't get a chance to try them. FoF comes to a complete stop mid-course. Maybe it always did but it's been several years since I've gone. Beast at night is still fun, though there are way too many brakes. Backlot Stunt Coaster is still fun. The tunnel after the scene stop is completely dark (even during the day). Was it always? I seem to remember it being lit. Adventure Express is now the roughest coaster in the park (even more than Vortex). I'd forgotten how bad the transitions on Vortex are. Worse than Anaconda. Yet it'd still rather ride Vortex than Firehawk. Making the overnight hike to The Bat, it was strange seeing SoB's queue still there and remembering waiting 2.5 hours in it a month after it opened. I also got a reminder that unlike Six Flags, Cedar Fair won't let an asking single rider near the loading gates take an empty seat (tried on more than one coaster, even getting a rude "no" on DB). There was a wallet under the brake run of Firehawk. And a set of keys sitting on the metal safety grid under Banshee's lift.

Good to hear somewhat positive comments about T3. I rode Nor'easter a few weeks ago and even though there's nothing to bang your head on, the ride was still very jerky (think:whiplash) and not fun at all. I realize it has Vekoma trains. Hopefully the Kumbak trains don't get rough as they age (or KK take better care of them).

^ I got them at the circular stand by the rotating roof circular covered tables.

I tried the Pierogies a couple weeks ago and wasn't too impressed. Also the Cesari's pizza is pretty good but nothing special. However, the apple dumplings are fantastic. Their food prices aren't very expensive either.

I've only ridden it in 2013.

Twisted Twisted Twins AKA T3...oh wait. T3 II Wicked Twisted Twins Wicked Twins Iron Twisted Twins Twisted Iron New Twisted Twins Twisted Steel

There should be an idiotswithselfiesticks site. http://idiotswithipads.tumblr.com/ Saw a guy walking slowly through the queue of Thunderbird a few weeks ago with a selfie stick fully extended.

Bizarro was a "let down" to me too, although just a let down from the "incredible" I was expecting, to just "great". Still fun, but I was expecting a lot more. Shouldn't be on any top 5, and for me not a top 10. I wish I'd paid more attention to the wheel type when I rode WC. I went to several parks last week and it seems like there were many groups of school kids at all of them. Kids everywhere! At Lake Compounce, I couldn't hardly get through the crowd of them gathering to leave right inside the gate.

I came across this photo of Atari's Video Adventure arcade at Great America: http://mcurrent.name/atarihistory/video-adventure-photo.jpg I wish I could find more pictures of this place.

^ We can sure feel for Dwight.

1. Boomerangs! Can't figure out how the GP still likes these things. 2. SLC's. Ditto. Although better in some ways and worse in others. 3. B&M flyers. Never liked them and the GP still cheers when the seats are lifted. 4. B&M standups. Uncomfortable position/restraints. 5. B&M inverts. Too forceful. OTC restraints. Can't see anything if not in 1st row. *Haven't ridden Banshee 6. Magnum XL-200

In line for Turbulence last week (from Hispanic girl): "They have that one coaster that's taller than Kingda Ka.". I can't remember where/which coaster she was trying to describe. Possibly TTD.

^ They were rough, or at least gave an uncomfortable ride, when I rode them. I've been to SFA. I've ridden a lot. I know rough.

I wouldn't want to spend two days at Carowinds. Unless you're going on a Saturday and think it necessary? Knoebels has an after 5:00 wristband price that's much less. Also a band that includes the wooden coasters costs more. Strange. And, no band includes the haunted house. They have a Wed & Fri bargain night too.

Funny, the first time I rode NTG (my first Iron Horse) last year, I was surprised how much slower it seemed than I expected. Still fun. I didn't really get that sensation on WC until maybe the last quarter of the ride, though maybe I'm just more Iron Horse experienced now.

I was at Luna Park Sunday 6/7 and Thunderbolt was rough and very uncomfortable to me. It was a huge let down as I had high hopes for it. And they had stapled the restraint so hard that it was worse than Skyrush's. In fact, I was surprised that every single coaster at Luna Park was rough and I was glad that I was only riding them each once. Oddly enough, Cyclone was obviously still rough (though less than my last ride a few years ago) but was by far the most enjoyable of any coaster there. How is it that all six coasters are rough!? Also after scanning my pass for Thunderbolt, as I was putting it in my velcro'd cargo shorts pocket, the guy tried to accuse me of having a cell phone in my pocket.

I stopped by the park on Wednesday 6/10 just long enough to ride WC twice (2nd and last rows). A few things: WC is definitely fun, but I much prefer Iron Rattler, possibly even NTG. I haven't ridden Outlaw Run (or Goliath). I'm sure people love the little "angled the wrong way turn plus a small hill" thing, but to me it's like riding a Little Dipper. They don't let you pick a row, which I don't understand. The line was maybe 15 minutes. On my first ride, they stapled the restraint down so, which has a protruding section in the middle, so it was very uncomfortable. The coaster sure makes a lot of scraping noise in the turn before the lift; a little surprising given the age. Goliath valleyed between the loop and spike just as I was walking by it. I stopped and watched it roll back and forth for a few minutes but didn't seem like it'd ever stop and I was in a hurry so I continued on to WC. I was there all day two years ago, and never knew they had Houdini. Luckily I have ridden SFGAd's.

Pretty much sums up all of Montreal, for non-French speakers. It is the most obnoxious city I've ever had the displeasure of visiting. Hah. I talked to a large group of Belgian's (whom I think said were from the rollercoasterfriends.com club) at La Ronde who were all talking about how rudely they were treated there. Some of them spoke French too I believe, but the employees knew they weren't French or F/C. The thing I do like about driving up into Quebec is getting fully away from the insane way many people drive around NYC, NJ, CT, MA, etc. It's like a video game.

^ Not sure where it originally came from but that info was on wikipedia too: https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Cobra_%28La_Ronde%29&oldid=666962336 Someone removed it because rcdb says it's operating: https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Cobra_%28La_Ronde%29&action=history I was at La Ronde this past Tuesday (the 9th) and Cobra was down. A customer service supervisor up front said it had been down for awhile and they weren't sure if it would ever operate again and would likely be replaced. Also Monstre side 1 was down and the track was pretty rusted. Some badly faded Texas Cyclone cars (including the front) were sitting on the ground in probably the worst/most boring helix of any coaster I've ever ridden. Ednor was down and I was told it was waiting on a part. A few other rides were down as well. Too bad they can't put this info on their website. When I went two years ago, there was very light rain, so only three coasters were running. I was really hoping to get everything ridden at this park this time so I wouldn't have to go back for awhile, but no such luck. A few other things: They don't let adults ride the family coaster, Marche du Mille-pattes, without a child. BTW, when hearing them say Marche du Mille-pattes in French sounded absolutely nothing like I'd think it should sound. They seriously need a walkway between Vampire and the ferris wheel so you don't have to walk all the way back around the lake. When driving to the park, after you get to the bottom of the ramp from the bridge, there are no signs at the first "Y" mentioning La Ronde. They're only after that intersection, if you happen to have gone the correct way. Crazy. A male employee walked into the women's restroom, with no announcement to the several women (including my girlfriend) in there, and started cleaning. I guess that's no big deal to them. Many employees at the park were rude to us, as usual. Also, off topic, but tried to go eat at a restaurant in downtown Montreal afterwards, and after first getting a slightly rude comment from the man who seated us, then waiting 15 minutes for someone to take our orders, as the waitresses ignored us walking past several times to help others who were already eating, including at least one that walked in after use, we left. Oh, and as we sat there, there was a very strong marijuana odor. And this is coming from someone who has always been treated well at every other Six Flags park I've visited (even SFA). I was at SFGAd a few days (Friday) after La Ronde and every employee I came in contact there was extremely nice and helpful, just as they were during my 2010 visit.

Thanks guys. DirkFunk, I was already planning to drive to Staten Island, but knowing I can also drive to the Long Island parks makes things easier. And good tip about taking the subway from Coney Island. Is there by chance a parking lot where you think it's safer to leave the car than others? Any tips on riding the subway? ie. paying, safety? Never ridden one before. As for Adventurers FEC, I guess I could stop there (driving) before Coney Island, as I assume walking there isn't a good idea.

This Sunday (6/7), I plan to stop by the following on a credit whoring trip, in this order: Fantasy Shore - Staten Island Victorian Gardens - Manhattan Fantasy Forest - Flushing Adventureland - Farmingdale Boomers - Medford Kids 'N Action - Brooklyn Adventurers Family Entertainment Center - Brooklyn (schedule says closes at TBD, any idea when that might be?) Luna Park - Brooklyn (closes at 11) I've heard I need to take the subway to Manhattan for Victorian Gardens because of traffic and parking, but what about Long Island for Fantasy Forest, Adventureland, and Boomers? Is the LIRR a must? Where should I park the car (with luggage) to get on the subway and possibly the LIRR? http://www.themeparkreview.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=1510732#p1510732 In this post, coasterbill said it took 4.5 hours to get off Long Island, and that was apparently a Sunday too. Fantasy Shore is scheduled to open at 11 but it seems like people said this place opens when they feel like it.? Also at Kids 'N Action, I know the credit is iffy, but where do you park? Where do you usually park at Luna Park? Last time I was there (before Luna Park), I parked free in a "lot" (with a few other cars) between the park and the Cyclones stadium. Probably lucky and not a good idea. I'll be driving up from Dover DE that morning (after hitting the Jersey shore and Ocean City MD parks the day before) and will probably stop at Funplex in Mount Laurel NJ on the way.

Mystery Mine opened in 2007. 2006 = Timber Tower 2008 = River Battle 2010 = Adventure Mountain ($5 million!) 2011 = Barnstormer

It's been seven years since a new coaster, and nine since something really good. It's time again for SFGAd to get something really good. To me, a Free Spin would not fill that need.

Having worked in food service at a theme park many years ago when I was a teenager, I can understand the "total disinterest". It was a terrible job. Boring, hot, rude customers, low pay, long hours. FYI, many "tube-style" (CRT) TV's were flat screens. I avoid any public hot tubs these days, and don't use pools nearly as much as I used to. This kind of thing happens fairly often in cruise ship hot tubs too: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/sickened-royal-caribbean-passenger-dream-vacation-and-it-turned-into-a-hell-cruise/ A few years ago, someone even died from Legionnaire's disease they caught from a hot tub, waterpark, or pool on the LIberty of the Seas.