Jodon

I actually preferred the Gatlinburg Mountain Coaster, though it was the shortest. I hated the Ober Gatlinburg coaster for a multitude of reasons: the coaster was really rattly, the cost of the tram ride to get to the coaster, the wait to get on the tram, then wait for the actual coaster. All in all, I strongly disliked my Ober Gatlinburg experience, but the other 3 mountain coasters are well worth your time!

I just got off three laps and there is a substantial vibration in row 3, but I can't remember what train I was on. Still a great ride, but it does feel like it loses a good bit of speed by the end. Don't let the vibration keep you from riding a really good coaster. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks, I actually decided for Goliath for that very reason. It was a decent ride up there, but I doubt I'll hit it up again. I've since gotten two laps on Wicked Cyclone and it's a one train wait and the flash pass/grouper nazi isn't letting anyone choose their seats. It's ridiculous with how little lines there are. I literally had to get to the top of the stairs, then let a group of people go through so I could get a front row lap. Still gotta figure out how to finagle a back row ride. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Heading to the park this morning. Is it best to start with Goliath or WC? Also, my home park is SFGAm, so I'm familiar with the better Six Flags food options like Johnny Rockets and JB's, but is there anything unique at SFNE worth trying? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I'm thinking of making a stop to Kentucky Kingdom on a quick road trip, but the only day that would work would be Monday, May 23rd. They appear to be "open" for School Days but not open to the public. Is there a way to get in that day, or am I completely out of luck?

^^ Dining plans are attached to specific memberships. Dining plans will not work unless the pass associated with the plan was used to enter the park. ^ Typically, opening day is a huge cluster, so my guess is that Sunday would be better than Saturday, but I haven't been to an opening weekend in a long time. If you aren't planning on being back to the park any time soon, Flash Pass wouldn't be a bad idea. Especially with the shoddy operations at the beginning of the year. I would also recommend planning on eating outside the park whether you pack a lunch and keep it in your car or go to a restaurant off property. You will have better/cheaper options than inside the park, and probably won't take you much more time due to how long the food lines usually are in the park.

Have there been any other coasters that have used ipe wood for their top two layers? If so, did it have a significant impact on the longevity/smoothness? Also, Holiday World announced that they would have dole whip this year, for those of you who care about those things.

Arrive before opening. As early as possible. Goliath and Whizzer are a do not miss for everyone; beyond that, it depends on what you're into. King Chaos was skippable for me, and I did skip it both days. I know a lot of people are into those, though, and they're becoming rarer (probably because of people like me who don't like them; sorry). Personally, I loved both the log flumes, the rapids ride, Giant Drop, Sky Trek, Goliath, X-Flight, Vertical Velocity, Demon, Viper, and Whizzer. Like I say, though, depends on taste; they really do have something for everyone. You should buy a Platinum Flash Pass. Even in June. Even on a weekday. Ok. Thanks! By the way I probably should skip Justice League (if it's open) because there's one at STL I agree with a lot of what Y said! I would try to get to the park about an hour before opening. Then head straight to Goliath at rope drop to get on one of the first couple trains. If you haven't been to the park in a while and aren't planning on going back any time soon, I would highly recommend the platinum flash pass. It really helps people get the most out of their day with the double rides and the two reservations for Goliath. As far as must rides, I agree with Y mostly as well, but I would thrown Raging Bull in there, but in the back row.

Double post. Stupid Tapatalk.

I've been at the park the last few days and I haven't seen anything happening on the lift for Lightning Rod when I can see it.

Is there a single rider line on Mystery Mine?

^^ & ^ Thanks!!!

I'm about to head to Dollywood this morning. What is the best order to hit up the coasters?

Am I the only one that is starting to question the reputation of RMC? When Goliath at SFGAm was nearly a month late, people chalked that up to it being Six Flags, but this is at Dollywood. RMC was really late getting the track and bent work completed which didn't leave much time for testing before the original opening. Then there's this debacle with Velocity Magnetics when there are several other manufacturers of LSM launch systems that have already been proven. Does anyone know if this was RMC or Herschend's decision to work with Velocity? When B&M decided to make a launch coaster, they partnered with a reputable company to get it right. Regardless, this coaster doesn't look like it will be open for a long time. I'm betting with the change in LSM manufactures, there will need to be alterations to the trains... All in all, this has not been a good look for RMC.

All lanes are open going south, but still closed going north. There is a chance they will have one lane open going north by the end of this week. You will be fine coming down but I would be prepared to use the detours going back. Thanks! I'm heading down there with a group on Friday and they are returning on Tuesday of next week. Hopefully it's open by then!

Does anyone know the status of the road closures on I-75?

Speaking of bags, are the roller coaster stations bag friendly or are rented locking cubicles necessary?

The problem is this logic can be applied to any aquarium anywhere in the world, and to zoos as well by extension. May as well shut them all down. Not to be dismissive, but...so??? There are a lot of educational and conservational aspects at a lot of zoos and aquariums, but it still does not change the fact that these are animals that have been taken out of or never lived in their natural habitats and are largely there to serve the curiosity/entertainment of humans. To me this is an incredibly selfish way of thinking. What kind of real connection are you able to get with an orca whale in a gigantic arena with thousands of other people? One could also argue that these "scant few regions of the world" where you can see orcas or other whales in the wild are as or more accessible than 3 land locked SeaWorld locations in the USA. Also, if you think what you are seeing at SeaWorld or any zoo/aquarium is seeing "the real thing" than I'm not sure what to say... I have seen many shows on tv or youtube that are far more insightful and educational than anything I've seen at a zoo or aquarium. While I don't disagree that there are significant issues with the way our world is being consumed by humans, I'm don't think this is a very good argument. With your logic, you might as well say that humans would be better off in solitary confinement in jail. It would remove issues of violence, hunger, health care, etc.. I think there is a place for zoos, aquariums, and SeaWorld, but to act like the removal of the orca shows is the end of happiness as we know it is incredibly selfish and short sighted. I love all of the research and rehabilitation SeaWorld does, but thousands of people aren't sitting in an arena to watch science and research. The patrons are sitting in the arenas to be entertained and splashed by mammoth creatures living in captivity.

Except Mickey Mouse is a fictional character and these whales are live creatures in captivity. Not a great analogy. However large we think these pools are, these whales lives are the equivalent to a person being born in a house and then living the rest of their life in one room of that house. Don't get me wrong, I'm not a fan of PETA and thought that Blackfish was ridiculously heavy handed. However, as a compassionate human, it is always a little sad to see animals meant for vast spaces confined to a relatively small living environment.

I think it's been mentioned on his thread before, but IMO The Beast at Kings Island does not have a very good layout at all. I understand that it has cult status in the enthusiast world, but I feel that the design and layout would be laughed at if it was being built today. There are too many straight aways that don't do anything. The double helix after the second lift is great, but after that you have the looooooong straight, crawl back to the station along the lift hill. Why not put in some bunny hops along the way?

I like a lot of the coasters mentioned already. Here are two more obscure coasters that I think for the bill pretty well. Thunderation at Silver Dollar City has a great layout for a mine ride. The use of the terrain is awesome. I love the double helix into the tunnel followed by huge diving sweeping turn deeper down the valley. Whizzer at SFGAm. Not a thrilling ride, but the ground hugging turns are what the ride is all about. The pacing is really good for a coaster geared towards little kids and families. It's hard to ride Whizzer without a huge grin on your face.

I just did a huge Pennsylvania road trip last summer and had a great time. I think you have the right 3 at the top of your list with Kennywood, Hershey, and Knoebels. I will say that my day at Knoebels was probably the highlight of the trip. It is such a different experience than the other parks and you just have a gigantic smile on every ride! Kennywood is a good park with a good mix of old and new, but some of their policies were odd/frustrating to me. Hersheypark is worth a visit for their Intamins alone. If you can do all three, you won't regret it. If you can only do one, I would probably chose Knoebels over the rest of them. With all that said, if you want to ride a bunch of decent to average coasters with hardly any wait, you might want to consider Dorney, but the other three parks are sooooooo much better and much more worth your time, IMO.

Going back to this for a second Even if you are an adrenaline / coaster junkie - you can easily spend 2 days at SDC. Trust me on this. There is so much to do and so much to see that during our last visit to Branson - we spend almost three days at the park and never became bored. I agree. I went and spent 2.5 days by myself at the park during spring break of 2014, didn't see many shows and had a blast. The park has so many different areas it was nice to be able to relax and enjoy the park and get plenty of rides on all the coasters and other quality flats, plus the cave is a great experience. Also, going 2 days will help you experience more of the awesome food at the park!!!!!

Definitely: Dollywood Six Flags Great America Cedar Point Probably: Holiday World for Holiwood Nights Kentucky Kingdom Indiana Beach Six Flags New England Thinking about a trip to the Southeast, but haven't thought too much about it at this point.

^^That is a full trip. The only thing I would suggest to change in your itinerary is to move Kennywood to day 13 in between CP and Waldameer and then push everything back a day. I think that would have a better flow and less driving than going from Knoebels to Kennywood to Hersheypark. Unless this person would want the Leap the Dips credit at Lakemont.