rcdude

So does construction mean they'll move a small pile of dirt and be done for a couple of months, or will they actually start pouring footers and placing track on site? Considering there's track and rebar on site, I'd assume it means they'll start putting it together. If I had to guess, I'd say they'll wait until the holiday season is over, then do construction during the week while the park is closed. I'm hoping they'll actually make a Memorial Day opening for this one since the employees are hyping it (especially the survey people and Sky Tower employees), but I'd still plan a trip for mid-July or later if you're not in the area just in case. One other thing I forget to mention that may benefit anyone going in the next couple weeks...SFMM is conducting a guest spending survey at the moment. If you speak to one of the survey people before opening, you can get an envelope to participate. You just collect receipts for everything you spend money on during the day, then return to Guest Relations at the end of the day and fill out a five minute survey. They will take your receipts and ticket stub (or scan your season pass if you have one of those), and you get a complimentary one-day ticket valid any day in 2013 (one per party). From what the survey person said, it sounds like they will be doing this every day for the rest of 2012, so you may want to check it out if you're visiting during winter break.

There were a couple. I remember one at the tram crossing in the parking lot in the morning and another at X2. I can't remember if anyone else did. I don't remember the names of the employees. It was raining in the morning before opening and drizzled at a couple points during the day, and I know Superman can't run in the rain, so I guess with the low crowds they probably figured it wasn't worth opening it and/or there was some mechanical problem with the ride. Seems somewhat odd that they'd have a fence out there blocking it off instead of just putting a sign or trashcan at the entrance, although since there's nothing else out that way I guess it saves guests the walk. I doubted that the ride was actually closed due to construction since they'd probably put up a sign if that was the case (instead of having an employee), and I believe it was stated that Full Throttle construction would not require any ride closures.

Update to my list to include 2012 misses (the bold rides): Missed for various reasons (reason in parenthesis): Boomerang at La Ronde (closed on my only visit) Boomerang Coast to Coaster at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom (closed on both visits) Gemini Red at Cedar Point (only blue was operating) Great Chase at Six Flags New England (didn't attempt since I believed a kid was required) Monstre Left at La Ronde (line was too long) Nighthawk at Carowinds (closed, but rode as Stealth) Rainbow Chaser at Fun Forest Amusement Park (didn't want to purchase tickets for the kiddie coaster) RC Racer at Walt Disney Studios Paris (didn't want to wait 75 minutes and keep everyone else waiting) Rebel Yell Blue at Kings Dominion (only red was operating) Rock 'n' Roller Coaster at Walt Disney Studios Paris (closed all day on my visit) Run-A-Way Train at Pharaoh's Adventure Park (closed on my only visit) VeggieTales Sideshow Spin at Dollywood (opted out to avoid keeping Q-bot group waiting) Wacky Soap Box Racers Track(s) at Knott's Berry Farm (I have no idea how many times I rode this, but I know I rode at least once and was too young to bother keeping track then) Woodstock Express at Cedar Point (ran out of time) Skipped due to child required policy: Jr. Gemini at Cedar Point Lucy's Crabbie Cabbie at Carowinds Marche du Mille-pattes at La Ronde Roadrunner Express at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom Taxi Jam at California's Great America Taxi Jam at Kings Dominion

I was at the park yesterday and got a chance to see Slingshot in operation. While it does look like a fun ride, it doesn't look like it would be worth $30. $10-15, maybe, but not more than that. The people I saw riding it looked to get around 3-4 flips during the ride. Also, although the ride does have a temporary appearance it doesn't look as bad in person as it does in the photos. A couple other random notes from yesterday: -A few pieces of Full Throttle track were visible on the far side of the parking lot (easiet to see from Colossus, Goliath, and Scream). A fence has been put up blocking access to Superman: Escape from Krypton, although since there was an employee standing there instead of a sign perhaps that is just what they do when the ride is closed for the day and is not an indicator that the ride will be closed for Full Throttle construction. Lastly on the topic of Full Throttle, an employee at Sky Tower said construction should begin next month and the ride should be open by summer (I'm assuming this could be anytime between Memorial Day and the actual beginning of summer in late June). -X2 had audio on one train for part of the day, but both were silent when I went back to ride again in the evening. I forget which had audio (1 and 3 were running), but in the evening a mechanic was doing maintenance on one of the seats every time it came into the station, so perhaps they turned it off. -Green Lantern's current policy: There must be a rider on both sides of the seat, but there does not have to be four riders. However, when there is a line they will attempt to fill the vehicles to maximize capacity. Even when I rode in a 3 person car, however, we only got one flip as usual. -Train Counts: X2 and Goliath were running two trains. Viper, Revolution, Scream!, Colossus, Apocalypse, Ninja, Riddler's Revenge, and Gold Rusher were running one, with signs posted at Revolution, Apocalypse, and Riddler's Revenge to notify riders before they entered the line. Batman The Ride had both trains on the track but was only loading one. Tatsu started with one train, then added a second when the line got long enough it was being held at the bottom of the stairs. The second was removed once it got back down to a station wait (when not in use, the second train was always parked in the second station). -Lex Luthor: This was my first chance to ride it, and while it isn't my favorite drop ride as a whole (hard to compete with Tower of Terror, after all), it does have the best drop of any drop tower I've been on. The line moves faster than you would expect, as it was out of the building and still only took about 15 minutes (although they weren't using all the switchbacks inside, just the permanent set by the entrance). Unfortunately, I only got to ride once since it didn't open until 3:45 (whether that is due to the rain in the morning, mechanical difficulties, or both I cannot say), and closed less than two hours later when it started to drizzle. Still, it is a must ride attraction, and the only non-coaster ride at the park I'll likely make a point of doing every visit. Overall, it was a pretty good day with minimal crowds. The only significant lines were for Lex Luthor and Green Lantern, as everything else was a 2 train wait or less (both of those were still under 20 minutes). Ended up with two rides each on X2, Goliath, Scream, Apocalypse, Batman, Green Lantern, Tatsu, and Riddler's, and one each on Viper, Revolution, Colossus, Road Runner Express, Canyon Blaster, Lex Luthor, Ninja, Sky Tower, and Gold Rusher (my brother also did Jetstream twice but I didn't want to get wet so I passed). Other than Superman, the only closures were the seasonally closed water rides.

Six Flags Magic Mountain tomorrow to finally ride Lex Luthor: Drop of Doom. I also need to get my 2013 pass processed.

I've only been to the Disneyland Resort in California and Disneyland Paris in France, and California's is definitely the better of the two. Not only are both parks better than either of the French parks, but the resort as a whole is just superior in almost every way (variety, convenience, service, etc). It also doesn't feel like it's stuck in the 90s, which is the feeling I got at Disneyland Paris, and has some of my favorite rides of their type at anypark anywhere (such as Indiana Jones Adventure, Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, Soarin' Over California, and Radiator Springs Racers). The only two advantages I give to the Paris parks are that they are easier to access by public transit and they have some very different versions of well-known Disney attractions (though not better in every case). As far as individual parks go, I rank them as follows in my overall park rankings. Disneyland (1 park gap) Disney California Adventure Park Disneyland Paris-Disneyland Park (large gap) Disneyland Paris-Walt Disney Studios Park

Based on my visit to Darien Lake this past summer, there is a lot the park needs to do before focusing on a new coaster. While nothing in their collection is noteworthy apart from Ride of Steel, it's sufficient for a medium-sized park like Darien Lake. Perhaps its because I've only visited the park once and it was an odd day, but on my visit there were delayed openings, numerous breakdowns, one train operations on most of the coasters (I think Ride of Steel and Viper were the only ones with two, and Viper didn't even have a line), and some of the staff members seemed as slow as La Ronde's. The only other Herschend park I've been to is Dollywood, and while I don't expect Darien Lake to be at the quality of Dollywood I would expect the company to hold employees to similar standards. I hope they will attempt to do this in 2013, as well as ensuring everything is running at maximum efficiency. As far as rides go, additions like Rowdy's Ridge and Blast Off seem like better choices for now. Many of the park's non-coaster rides are outdated, so working on that collection and keeping a balance between family and thrill rides is probably a good course of action. The park is not as big of a draw as Dollywood or Silver Dollar City, so they don't need major investments as frequently. Additionally, Darien Lake doesn't really seem like a thrill park, so a major new coaster is not likely to be a priority for them. Besides, with Canada's Wonderland less than three hours away and Cedar Point only a couple hours further, thrill seekers have options better suited to their tastes within reasonable range. That being said, I wouldn't be surprised to see a new coaster in the next few years, but not until other necessary improvements are completed.

It was $3.73 here in Orange County when I got gas last week.

^I'd give it another month before saying the coaster won't be ready for opening day. A Boomerang should only take about two weeks to assemble once vertical construction starts, and I doubt there will be any significant problems during testing. If there aren't any footers and the track is still in Texas in mid-January, then it's unlikely it would be open by opening day, but now is too early to call.

I don't have a problem with the brief moment of hangtime you get on some roller coasters when going through an inversion at low speed. However, I don't like rides that just stop and hold you upside down. It's not because I worry the restraint will fail, but because I find it uncomfortable to be suspended like that. I also tend to feel unwell after being suspended in an inverted position for more than a couple seconds. It's not the same, but I also really like the hanging sensation on a diving machine at the top of the drop. The dive certainly looks a lot bigger when you're looking down from the top.

Missed the Bag-O-Crap due to being busy with schoolwork, but that's okay. I enjoy filling this out each year, and since I keep an updated word document of my official rankings it takes very little time to do. -------- LOCATION FOLLOWS THIS LINE (LEAVE THIS LINE AS IS) ~"California" NAME FOLLOWS THIS LINE (LEAVE THIS LINE AS IS IN Ballot) ~"AJ Hummel" RANK THE FOLLOWING RIDING SENSATIONS <-LEAVE THIS LINE AS IS Floating Airtime___________________________,y,y,1 Out of Control Feeling/Directional Changes_,y,y,2 Abrupt Airtime_____________________________,y,y,3 Sensation of Speed_________________________,y,y,4 Lateral Forces_____________________________,y,y,5 Positive G's/Loops_________________________,y,y,6 COASTER NAME PARK LOC <--Please leave this My Favorite Steel Anypark Anywhere **,y,n,1 El Toro SFGAd NJ,y,n,1 The Voyage Holiday World IN,y,n,2 Boulder Dash Lake Compounce CT,y,n,3 Thunderhead Dollywood TN,y,n,4 Ravine Flyer II Waldameer PA,y,y,5 Apocalypse S. F. Magic Mountain CA,y,y,6 American Thunder Six Flags St Louis MO,y,n,7 The Legend Holiday World IN,y,n,8 Raven Holiday World IN,y,n,9 Comet Great Escape NY,y,n,10 Giant Dipper Santa Cruz Bch Bdwk CA,y,n,11 The Grizzly Kings Dominion VA,y,n,12 Thunder Road Carowinds NC,y,n,13 Roar SF Discovery Kingdom CA,y,n,14 Excalibur Funtown USA ME,y,n,15 Rebel Yell Kings Dominion VA,y,n,16 Silver Comet Martin's Fantasy Is. NY,y,y,17 Colossus S.F. Magic Mountain CA,y,y,18 Blue Streak Conneaut Lake Park PA,y,y,19 The Boss Six Flags St Louis MO,y,n,20 M.Can.Mine Buster Canada's Wonderland ON,y,y,21 GhostRider Knott's Berry Farm CA,y,y,22 Screamin' Eagle Six Flags St Louis MO,y,n,23 Yankee Cannonball Canobie Lake Park NH,y,n,24 Cyclone SF New England MA,y,n,25 Le Monstre La Ronde QU,y,n,26 Jack Rabbit Seabreeze NY,y,y,26 Thunderbolt SF New England MA,y,n,27 Blue Streak Cedar Point OH,y,n,28 Hurler Kings Dominion VA,y,n,29 Giant Dipper Belmont Park CA,y,y,30 Ghoster Coaster Kings Dominion VA,y,n,31 Hurler Carowinds NC,y,n,32 Wooden Warrior Quassy CT,y,n,33 Ghoster Coaster Canada's Wonderland ON,y,y,34 Woodstock Express Carowinds NC,y,n,35 Predator Darien Lake NY,y,y,36 Wild Beast Canada's Wonderland ON,y,y,37 Rolling Thunder SFGAd NJ,y,n,38 Wildcat Lake Compounce CT,y,n,39 Comet Waldameer PA,y,y,40 Mean Streak Cedar Point OH,y,n,41 The Grizzly Great America CA,y,n,43 I'm sure some of my rankings will seem odd to others, but part of the fun of this poll is to see what everyone's preferences are. I'm hoping for a return of the steel poll this year, as even though it takes a lot longer to fill out it tends to give more differences in opinion than the wood poll.

I love TPR for all of the following reasons: -Reports from parks all over the world, including everything from the destination parks to credit stops few have even heard of. -A focus on not just coasters, but on all aspects of the theme park experience. -An excellent forum that allows interaction with members from all over the world and is a great place to discuss and debate with other like-minded people. -Honest opinions about the parks of the world, not just super positive or very negative ones. -The best coaster POVs I've found anywhere, as well as a number of other videos, few (if any) of which were not entertaining. -Just the right amount of humor in the official reports. -Last but not least, Robb and Elissa put on what I feel are the best trips and events in the business. Seriously, TPR is great. I know that everyone involved puts a ton of work into this site and it shows, as few other sites have the same level of quality as this one does.

I saw Skyfall again over Thanksgiving weekend, but I've seen a few other movies since then. The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn-Part 2: I'm not really a Twilight fan, but since I ended up seeing all the previous movies in theaters for one reason or another I felt like finishing the series off. After the awful Breaking Dawn-Part 1 (my least favorite in the series) I was expecting another horrible move but I was surprised. This is the best of the Twilight films, as it actually feels like there is a point to it as opposed to a random love story with little going for it. It's very different from the other films, and contains one of the most violent action sequences I've seen in a PG-13 film. The acting was also better in this one than in the previous ones. Despite that, it's still very cheesy and just an okay movie, so I wouldn't recommend it if you're not a fan of the series in the first place. C+ Lincoln: This move got really good reviews, and as much as I wanted to like it I just couldn't. The acting was great and the film was well done, but I just can't get into Historical Dramas (they're one of my least favorite types of film), especially when they crawl along and last more than two hours. We were debating between this, Argo, and Life of Pi last weekend, and I'm guessing I would have liked the other two films better, but oh well. Not a horrible movie, just not one of my favorites. B-/C+ from me, but if you're into Abraham Lincoln, the Civil War, or political dramas it would probably be closer to a B+. Moneyball: I don't know why it took me so long to see this, but it was worth the wait. This film was very, very good. Probably my favorite "based on a true story" movie, as well as my favorite sport movie. I'd even say it belongs on my top 30 movies list. This one would definitely be my pick for best film of 2011. A- What's left for 2012? I definitely want to see The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (and I'll probably need to see it at least twice...once in regular 2D like the Lord of the Rings trilogy and once in the new 48 fps 3D just to see how it is), but other than that I don't think there's anything else on my must see list. Overall, I'd say it's been a rather disappointing year, but 2013 is looking like it will be better.

It really varies by ride. In my experience, I've found that most CCIs (except Boulder Dash and Holiday World's Woodies) are better toward the front since they run smoother and most GCIs are better toward the back since the ride feels more out of control. Older wooden coasters can be all over the place, but tend to be smoother toward the front. Most wooden coasters give the most intense ride in the back, but some rides are so brutal that it's not worth it. On some rides (particularly smaller woodies), the difference between seats is negligible, while others (like El Toro) vary significantly depending on where you sit. Usually, I'll sit somewhere in the front half unless I know the ride isn't too rough, in which case I gravitate toward either the front or back when the line is short, or just pick the shortest line if it isn't. However, I will not sit in a wheel seat (except the very back row on rides that I know are relatively smooth), and I prefer the middle row of three-bench cars.

Expect lines up to 10 minutes for the major rides and a walk-on for everything else unless the park is bombarded by groups. Off-season weekdays are rarely busy and I've rarely seen longer than a fifteen minute wait for anything on one (usually due to one train operation, which used to be frequent but has seemed to occur less recently...when both trains are running, you can sometimes stay in your seat for several laps. As for which inverting coaster is best, it depends what you're more afraid of. If you're more worried about inversions and don't want several at once, or you dislike being suspended with nothing below you, do Montezooma's Revenge. If you don't want a launched shuttle coaster, however, do Silver Bullet instead. Both are great rides, very smooth and are intense and thrilling but not over the top. Just whatever you do don't try Boomerang first. It is rough, nauseating, and probably not worth riding if you have to wait more than one train for it. My favorite of the three is Silver Bullet, but it may or may not be the best candidate for your first looping coaster. And no, you will not pass out. You will experience strong forces (very brief on Montezooma's Revenge, a bit longer on Silver Bullet), but as long as you aren't dehydrated or physically ill you shouldn't have anything to worry about. The worst I've ever got was a bit of dizziness, but that was after several rides in a row. Compared to other inverted coasters, Silver Bullet is tame, but it is still a great ride. It's not super intense, just a fun coaster. The helix at the end is the only point where you'll feel strong forces. The ride is most intense in the back (my favorite seat), but if you want an unobstructed view, try the front. For the gentlest ride, go directly in the center of the train (rows 4 and 5). Better yet, do all three and see which you prefer. Boomerang is rough, forceful, nauseating, and may give you a headache for a while. If you do decide to ride it, sit toward the front and keep your head pressed agains the headrest for the whole ride to minimize headbanging. I would recommend skipping it unless there is only a one train wait. As for Riptide, the more riders the more intense it will be. If the gondola is fully loaded, the end consists of a series of six consecutive flips, all very forceful and executed rapidly. If there are only a couple people riding, however, you'll only get two or three flips. The inversions on this are much different than a roller coaster inversion. I wouldn't recommend waiting in a long line for this one, but watch it and if you feel like trying it, just do it. If you don't like it, you never have to ride again.

Out of all the coasters I've been on, I'd say the following have the strangest layouts (at least for the type of coaster they are): Boulder Dash: Unlike most wooden coasters, this ride has a completely unpredictable layout as it runs through the forest. Carolina Goldrusher: The ride is basically a lift, a helix, a second lift, and a second helix with little else in between. It also has one of the longest pre-lift sections I've seen. Dragon Mountain: It feels like a cross between a giant mine train and an Arrow looper. Jaguar!: Large freeform family coaster that winds all over a section of the park. Pandemonium (former SFDK version): The ride has elements of a wild mouse layout (such as the switchbacks and small dips), but also includes helixes and highly banked turns. Riddler's Revenge: Several things not common on B&M coasters are present on this ride, such as a loop around the lifthill and consecutive dive loops. Roller Coaster (New York, New York): The ride begins like a hyper coaster, then turns into a looping coaster, and has a finale similar to a Japanese Jet Coaster. Screamer: Giant out and back Miler. Space Mountain (Disneyland version): The ride is nothing but a series of turns, almost all of which are in the same direction. Tennesse Tornado: Unusual layout for an Arrow looper with giant inversions and a nearly overbanked turn. Volcano, The Blast Coaster: This whole ride is unique as it is still the only complete circuit launched inverted coaster.

I can't pick one, but my top years were... 2000: The year I began getting into roller coasters, although I still remained afraid of larger rides 2003: The year I started to get over my fear of certain coasters (particularly coasters with large or steep drops or complex inversions (anything other than a loop or corkscrew)). 2006: The year I got over all fears of new coasters and began to enjoy them 2008: The first year I visited an amusement park outside of California (in this case, Cedar Point). 2009: The first year I attended a TPR event (Termination Day). 2010: The first year I was on a TPR trip (IntimidaTour). 2011: My second TPR trip (North East USA), my first non-TPR theme park trip, and my first international park visit (La Ronde). 2012: My first visit to a European park (Disneyland Paris), and my third TPR trip (LeviaThon). I guess I've had more good years than bad. If I absolutely had to pick a best, I'd probably say 2011, with 2012 being runner-up. 2013 is shaping up to be the least exciting in a while (most likely only California parks, and most likely my only TPR event will be WCB).

Okay, I think this place is going to blow Wet n Wild out of the water. It already looks better than anywhere else I've visited except possibly Splashin' Safari. I may not make it here for opening season, but as soon as the opportunity presents itself I'll make it out here. Depending on the state of construction, I might have to make a detour during one of my Utah ski trips just to see these amazing-looking rides in person (even if from a distance behind a fence). I can't wait for the official announcement of everything that this park will offer. It seems somewhat like a North American showcase for Polin and definitely seems to have a different style than most other waterparks, offering a new take on well-known attractions.

I used to be afraid of plummet slides. Even further back, I was scared of enclosed slides where you rode single (both innertube and body slides). Now, however, I go on everything and have yet to find another slide that actually scares me (that may change once I find one of those trapdoor slides, however).

19/20. I had a perfect score, then I missed the last question.

I've never been on a skycoaster because the nearest one to me (the one at Six Flags Magic Mountain) is fairly expensive and because when I'm visiting a park i don't visit that often I'd prefer to do everything included with my ticket first (every other park I've been to with a Skycoaster was a first or second visit). Skycoasters aren't that great for capacity (maybe a few hundred riders per hour on a double with everyone flying in groups of three) so if there is a line it can be quite a bit of a time investment. When I get to a park that I've already visited a couple times and has a skycoaster that is at a price I'm willing to pay ($20 or less), I'll give it a try.

I don't mind screaming on an attraction when it is acceptable (according to my personal definitions), but otherwise it irritates me. Examples of acceptable screaming: -Any reasonably thrilling part of a ride -When something surprising happens on an attraction -In response to an operator Examples of unacceptable screaming: -Before or during the lift hill and during or after the brake run of a coaster (limited exceptions apply) -By older kids and adults on any family ride (excluding certain family coasters) -When it is done intentionally just to annoy others -When the attraction makes an unscheduled stop, especially after a notification announcement is made -Not really screaming, but excessive profanities are also unacceptable in my opinion (occasional ones, like when first cresting the big drop of a coaster don't bother me, but people who just spew obscenities for the duration of the ride get on my nerves) (exceptions apply for particularly rough, painful, or uncomfortable rides)

Okay, next time I visit Las Vegas this is on my must do list. I love all the new takes on existing ride types and can't wait to see what else you've got in store.

A couple recent ones: -Cedar Fair buys not one, not two, not three, but four prototype Windseekers and they all have significant issues. They then purchase more and have even bigger issues. Shouldn't all of the issues been solved on the originals before more were installed? -Six Flags Magic Mountain installs Green Lantern: First Flight, which has an unacceptably low capacity for the park. It gets delayed to a 4th of July opening due to a late start on construction and last minute changes, thereby losing out on half of the summer season. They then refuse to run the ride at its full potential, and turn what should be one of the park's best coasters into an average ride that can be uncomfortable and has a line long enough that it is typically not worth riding. -Six Flags decides to give its parks most in need of a new coaster old, outdated relocated rides from other parks while they install new, somewhat gimmicky new coasters at their parks that already have enough. They also seem unable to install any flat rides other than Sky Screamers or kiddie rides at their major parks. -Merlin Entertainment hypes their new attractions to the point that the rides have no chance at living up to the unreasonable expectations created and recieve an overwhelmingly negative response from the public and from enthusiasts. These ones haven't happened yet, but I could see them occurring based on the direction the industry is currently going: -Disney brings NextGen technology and more upcharge events to the California parks after their success in Florida, but due to an entirely different visitor base they backfire. -As a result of excessive price increases and lack of major unique attractions that appeal to a broad audience, the Orlando parks experience a sharp attendance drop as more people choose to visit their local parks for less.

I generally don't think of wood coasters as compact, but if I had to pick one it would be American Thunder. For steel coasters, I'd say B&M's more compact designs (Batman, Superman, and smaller custom layout coasters) as well as Premier's LIM spagetti bowl coasters and Vekoma's Giant Inverted Boomerang. For traveling coasters, Schwarzkopf wins, but ignoring his designs Maurer Sohne's Xtended SC 2000 is probably the best.