VF15

The two weekends before Haunt are generally quiet, so crowds shouldn't be an issue today. If you do wait for anything, it shouldn't be any longer than 15-20 minutes.

I too would be happy with a Mack launched coaster too, as long as it has inversions, because I've heard great things about Blue Fire and Helix, but I looked up the costs of those coaster, and Blue Fire & Helix cost $25.3 million and $36 million respectively. I couldn't find a cost for Manta (SWSD), but that was apparently pretty expensive too. Unfortunately, dreaming for a coaster that expensive at Valleyfair is delusional. At that point, a small B&M invert or floorless would be significantly more likely. It's my understanding that they are one of Vekoma's better models, but I don't think they produce them anymore.

This is a bit off-topic, and it may have been discussed before, but who else would want to see a B&M floorless coaster come to Valleyfair? I don't think it is impossible for us to get one because a smaller one could fall into the $12-15 million neighborhood. It would satisfy VF's need for a modern steel looper, and it would give us something unique because there are no other B&M floorless coasters in the Midwest (although that could change if CP converts Mantis). Kraken is my current favorite steel coaster, so one here would make me happy. Although, it would definitely be more like Hydra than Kraken. Even though 2005 was the last time CF bought a floorless coaster, CF did suddenly bring back the invert after 8 years, so that could be the case here too. Plus, I heard rumors somewhere that Hydra was supposed to come to VF, but for some reason, it went to Dorney instead. So, thoughts?

...you've ever put your hands up while watching a POV. (I am guilty.)

I was just reading the thread "How do you do deal with the heat at amusement parks?", and it got me thinking about the other end of the spectrum, especially since the weather is starting to turn cooler around this time of year. I was just wondering how everyone else deals with it? Being from Minnesota, I'm used to the cold, but I'll still dress properly for the weather. If it's 50-65 degrees, I'll usually just wear a light jacket and jeans. If it is below 50, I'll add an extra layer and a winter hat because when it is below 50 degrees and the wind is rushing past you on a coaster, it can get mighty cold. I also drink a good amount of water because even though it isn't blazing hot, coaster riding is still a physical activity that can dehydrate you after a while. Also, I tend to not put my hands up as much when it's cold because my hands will feel frozen when the train hits the brake run, and I wouldn't want to use gloves because I don't want to risk losing them. I usually take more frequent breaks between rides because coaster riding in the cold can really leave me winded. If you live in Florida, SoCal, or somewhere else where it's usually warm, this thread probably doesn't apply to you, but as for everyone else, how do you handle the cold weather while at the parks?

I've accepted the fact that Valleyfair will never be the park that receives a Millenium Force or a Gatekeeper or a Fury 325, but I don't see why a small B&M is completely impossible. WOF is a similarly-sized park, and they have a small B&M invert (Patriot). Plus, I remember reading that Valleyfair had plans in the early-2000s to build a B&M invert, but they got cancelled. Maybe you are right, maybe Valleyfair will never get a B&M, but I'll just remain hopeful for one in the meantime. No thank you. I've heard that the newer SLCs still aren't that great. Plus, Cedar Fair doesn't buy stuff from Vekoma. The last time they bought a Vekoma was 14 years ago, and I don't see why they would suddenly start doing business with them again.

Exactly what I said a few pages ago. I really don't think that Soak City will undergo another period where it will be neglected for a long time. Of course, now that some additions have been given to the waterpark, a new coaster should now be VF's biggest priority, but in about 2-3 years, I think we'll hear about another waterpark expansion.

^ I've been to many other waterparks, but I haven't seen a Raging Rapids-like tube ride at any of them. I'm sure there are a few more of them out there, but I think it is a relatively unique ride type. Plus, I think Raging Rapids is a really fun ride, but I'm really looking forward to the new slide complex coming in next year.

One time, I rode Kraken at SeaWorld 15 times in a day because it was a walk-on all day long. Yeah, good times...

^^^ Good point. The concept art makes the play area look like the size of one that you'd find at your local aquatic park. I was originally disappointed in the kids' area, but then I read that it's land area is an acre, and that is about the size of a football field (not including endzones), which is pretty big. Also, putting everything into perspective, Valleyfair's waterpark expansion is similarly sized to other ones at other Cedar Fair parks like Dorney Park, Canada's Wonderland, and Kings Dominion, so I don't see why everyone thinks that VF got the bad end of the deal.

I think that if Mantis does indeed convert to a sitdown or floorless coaster, the word " Mantis" will not be used at all in the new name because they are saying that Mantis is going to get "squashed", and that just doesn't make it seem that they would continue Mantis theming. But that's just my opinion. Also, I really hope that they don't rename it "King James" because it's starting to sound really cheesy and stupid. I could live with it being called "The King", but "King James"? Please no.

Yeah, I think the reaction to this is a little over the top. Just because the waterpark expansion was a bit smaller than anticipated does not mean it's the end of the world. I also don't get why everyone posting here thinks that Valleyfair has no thrilling rides whatsoever. Renegade is a terrific GCI, Wild Thing and Steel Venom are both solid coasters, and Xtreme Swing is great too.

Granted, every other coaster at Cedar Point sucks instead. I wish that Goliath at SFGAm lasted longer.

This may or may not be the case since these renderings are never 100% accurate, but it looks like the entrance to Soak City might be moving over to near Mad Mouse. That's another improvement you could add to the list. Since they're doing this, that could be a sign that they want to reroute the problematic turn near where Barefoot Beach is going. However, that's more of something that I just want. It probably won't happen, but it would be nice. Possible rerouted walkways?

...members of PETA. They were destroying the park because SFMM had renamed all of their coasters with animal-related names. They eventually ended up destroying the entire park. Meanwhile, DarienLaker had mysteriously come back to life again. He then bought the plot of land where Six Flags Magic Mountain once stood, and then started to rebuild Darien Lake there, but...

This. Plus, I thought I'd point out that we're starting to get yearly additions instead of every other year like in the past. 2007: Renegade 2008: Nothing 2009: Wave Pool 2010: Nothing 2011: Planet Snoopy (which was $11 million, more expensive than Wild Thing) 2012: Nothing 2013: Dinosaurs Alive 2014: Route 76 2015: Slide Complex and Kids' Play Area I think that annual additions show that CF is paying more attention to VF. They may not be very expensive additions, but it at least shows that something is going on. Also, keep in mind that we had a lot of other nice improvements made over the past offseason (new Ferris Wheel lights, better speaker system, FunTV, etc.) More of those taking place this offseason are a valid possibility in my opinion. It would not surprise me if we hear about something else like a carousel refurbishment in the middle of February.

After thinking about it, I think that VF will be having another waterpark expansion in the next few years. Even though I'm pretty excited about this expansion, the waterpark needs a bit more to it before it can really be considered an overall "good" waterpark. Another reason why I think that is because Carowinds got a waterpark expansion for 2014, they're getting Fury 325 for next year, they've already hinted at a new "splash" for 2016, and we're marked for expansion like Carowinds. I think it will probably happen in 2017 or 2018, but I wouldn't be surprised if comes in 2016. Hopefully 2016 is the year for the new coaster, but I'll be willing to wait an extra year if it means we'll get a good coaster. I think that our 2015 addition bumps up Soak City from "bad" to "decent", but another eventual expansion could make it a lot better.

My gosh. Is there anyone else out there that is even remotely excited about this? Maybe everyone else's expectations were set too high, but I knew that it was not going to be a complete teardown and rebuilding. Would it be nicer if we had gotten a little more? Absolutely. But for now, I'm excited that we're getting this, and I'll be thankful for it. Also, why is it that everyone praised Route 76 last year, but everyone is now bashing the waterpark expansion, especially considering it is more thrilling. I'm never going to understand coaster enthusiasts.

My analysis: I am extremely happy with what Soak City is receiving for 2015. It is a 3-part expansion like I originally predicted, and 2 of the parts are thrilling .This expansion does several things to the park... -It turns the waterpark from one of the chain's worst to one that's actually decent. -It will make Soak City look much more pretty. The slides in the illustration look colorful, and that's a nice touch. -I think it allows us to dream B&M since other parks have had similar waterpark expansions and B&Ms in recent years. -It brings a thrilling addition to VF for the first time since 2007. The floor-dropping slides look awesome. I can't wait to try them out. -The new slides will be a big GP grab. Not as big as a coaster, but it will bring in crowds. I'm happy that VF and CF made the decision to add this because I think they really are realizing the growth potential. Hopefully the year after is when the long-awaited new coasters comes.

Yes! Just what I've been waiting for. Now I have a reason to visit Soak City next year.

Disaster Transport Arrow Dynamics Suspended Coaster

If High Roller is getting repainted this offseason, that's great, because it's starting to become an eyesore. Well, when you're off the ride, High Roller looks just fine, but on-ride, you can see a ton of bad spots that need new paint. Yeah, it would be nice if Wild Thing and Steel Venom could get new paint, but it's not as bad of a deal as on High Roller. I actually think Excalibur has the worst paint job, but at this point, repainting it would not be worth it. Less than 6 hours to go .

Granted, it's an Intamin kiddie prefab woodie. I wish the weekend would come faster.

...you're the only one putting your hands up on a coaster.