Cameron

2001-2003 were pretty bad years for VW, but things have got a lot better since; particularly the MK5 cars. My 97 Jetta was rock solid, as is my 04 R32. Currently it would take a lot to pull me away from VW/Audi (or anything German), they just drive so amazingly well; I mean they are designed and built by a culture that drives for pleasure. Interestingly enough VW is considered one of the most reliable brands everywhere but the US. Just read this cool (although very brief!) article: 100 Years Of Audi. Cameron.

^ It doesn't matter! A comment like that simply shows a general lack of class and thought. It's like when you get a Q&A session with a park's manager, and he starts of by saying "we can't comment on future attractions, sorry" .. some idiot is bound to ask "OMFG WHEN ARE YOU GETTING AN INTAMIN WOODIE??!". These morons are by far the minority, but they make the entire community look really bad. Cameron.

And "it won't be an issue next year" could mean anything .. maybe a new control system will be installed this off-season, or a troublesome train is getting rehabbed .. It could be a zillion things. In this Six Flags age of "blaa blaa blaa FAMILY blaa blaa", I'd be surprised to see Whizzer removed for a second stand-up coaster (when most parks don't even have one). To me this rumor is just too insanely ridiculous to warrant even an ounce of thought. Cameron.

^ hahaha! I *love* the Leon! It's like a new Corrado (but it actually works ). I wish stupid VW would bring it here, even more than the Scirocco. A little Leon R32 would rock so hard, I'd be all over that. Cameron.

Dan + Carlos + Sea World + Kracken At Night = awesome.. Seriously, some great photos there (particularly the night shots). It's such an awesome park that doesn't seem to get as much attention as it deserves. Thanks for posting, you win: 1 TIMTAM! Cameron.

Saw this awesome old Fiat last week .. It's in the Chicago suburb of Skokie, which is famed for its old people, so you just know that some awesome old guy owns this .. He probably shaves with a straight-edge, and obviously gets all the chicks!

You really think that a park with 9 adult coasters (most of which are considered to be pretty great) needs another? Why? Capacity is already horrendous enough, some lame coaster vomited up in some corner is not the answer. There are rumors about expanding the water park over the next few years (lots of capacity there), which sounds awesome (even though I've never met a water-park I liked). A big collection of flat-rides would be very welcome too. But a coaster? Save that crap for the rabid, foaming Cedar Fair morons Cameron.

Eh, I'm not a fan. I really, really like the "normal" Mini, but this just looks a bit awkward to me. Also with that butt sticking out the back, it's tough to call it a coupe, looks more like some weird flattened hatch. It will probably be a boatload of fun to drive though, which is really the point! Cameron.

Great photos and report Matt - man those were a freaking fun two days! Although I propose a new rule where-by no-one takes photos of me anymore, thanks. (And sorry!). Cameron.

Wow, this thing looks great! Definitely (for me) this is the coolest looking ride for 2010. I was bummed I didn't make it to Kennywood this year, but will certainly be there next. Cameron.

^ it's 230 mpG, not mpH (which I think is actually far more impressive!). Love to know some of the tech behind that, as I've always found pure-electric cars to be severely impracticable. I reckon Volt will be the ones to do it right (and really, a world without the Prius will be a much better world!) Cameron.

Great report man, that tour looks like it was serious fun - totally worth the $80 (for 3 hours!). I did a behind-the-scenes tour at the Magic Kingdom about 10 years ago, but they didn't allow cameras (or anyone under 16!), and it didn't include anywhere near the detail that the BGE one did. I just love stuff like that. Thanks for sharing, Cameron.

Weird to hear that Galaxi was braked so hard .. there are brakes all over that thing, but I've never seen them used (except one trim near the end, which is necessary otherwise the final turn really hurts). Lost coaster was running both trains earlier in the season, so one must be down for maintenance (they wouldn't willingly only run one train now when they ran two while the park was significantly less crowded). Tiggernel: There's no real "way" to do Indiana Beach, that's one of the things that's so great about it. Take your time, enjoy the the flats, and just soak up the atmosphere. So many rides packed into such a small space means that you can easily bounce around the entire park without feeling like you're walking around the sun. Even on really crowded days you're likely to not wait more than 15 minutes for anything .. except obviously Lost Coaster since one train is down. Hawg can get a bit of a line too, but it's not too bad. I actually tend to have more fun there when it's crowded as the atmosphere is just so much better. Don't skip Frankenstein's Castle, it's worth the $4. Cameron (Yes, I'm an Indiana Beach fanboy!) Silver.

Yes! Sorry for the delay, Matt, Renee and I have been having fun at Indiana Beach all day Anyway we will meet at about 9:30 at the flags out front (Tuesday August 4th). Matt will be wearing hotpants, stillettos and a really tight tube-top. Should be a fun day! See you tomorrow! Cameron.

I think the quote was "the only wooden coaster in the world with triangle wheels", which really isn't something to be proud of. Besides that line is far more apt for Timberwolf (a special trip to the chiropractor on Monday finally got rid of the last of the pain that monster caused). Cameron.

I finally got my car detailed yesterday. It *desperately* needed it, aside from the 1400 miles worth of bug on it (from my MO trip last week), it was just looking dull and tired. I forgot how nice it looks when clean I take care of the car pretty diligently, but I also really use it so it accumulates battle scares along the way. The detail shop managed to get 90% of the scratches and nicks out. It really looks so much better.

Silver Dollar City really is as great as Erik made it look. And I know I might get yelled at for this, but I actually like it significantly more then Dollywood - yes, it's that good! Of course a lot had to do with the company .. Erik, Paul and Andrew are awesome. Cameron.

In this case it's Iron Wolf that has aged poorly, not you. I'm actually in significantly better shape now than I was even as a teenager, so don't worry about it Cameron.

^^ does anyone else want to hump that?

^ lots of complaints from parents and adults. Local news shows covering the removal and people calling in angry. It actually generated a surprising amount of negative media for the park. The whole time I've been reading this thread, all I was thinking of was Powder Keg (it helps that I was just there). A ride like that is perfect for families (not toddlers, *families*). Buccaneer Battle at SFGAm is in the same place. We need more of that .. we certainly don't need another testicle-busting flying coaster. And yeah, I'm sad that BBW is going. But you know I look around the 3 Busch parks I've been to (BGA, BGE and Sea World Orlando) and I love those parks. I trust their decision. Cameron.

I've loved my 30s. In fact I can pretty much say that each decade has been significantly better than the previous. Well ok, 10-20 (actually 13-18) kind of sucked .. But 30s have been vastly better than 20s. Cameron.

Looking forward to Tuesday 4th

When we went a few weeks ago I had ordered a Gold Flashpass online. You still have to wait in line and see the video with everyone else .. but they hold your pass until 12 noon. I just went there as soon as the park opened and I didn't wait at all. It would be nice if there you could skip the wait to pick up pre-ordered passes. Cameron.

^, ^^ or we could just go drinking! (Alcohol is a muscle relaxant.. ). Cameron.

^ Had heeleys been around when I was a kid, I surely would not have lived to this ripe-old-age.. Umm .. I think he's supposed to be there Cameron.