boldikus

However, if no thunderstorms in the forecast, pack a poncho and enjoy having the place to yourself for the day. edit: Saturday actually looks like "chance of rain", but Id keep an eye on it.

Again, I like Steel Force. The first time I had already ridden Nitro and Ride of Steel (SFA) and I first rode SF in the back, and I immediately understood the running 'steel forceless' joke. I thought it was boring. Then I tried it in the front and I think its a lot of fun when ridden up there. Decent/mild floater over the first big hill and great pops of ejector on the return bunnyhops. I really enjoyed marathoning it during C4Ks earlier this year. Basically this. I went into Magnum with trepidation thanks to all the complaints here and elsewhere about the restraints. Also, it being an old Arrow. But it blew me away more than once and I only rode it in the first car (2nd and 3rd rows). Not only did I not notice any pain (still not sure if I inadvertently did this so called seat belt trick, I didn't know about it before I rode) but the airtime is insane. Some of the best I have experienced on any coaster ever. Right into my top 10.

Sit in the back. I normally prefer the front on inverts but the line was way longer, back was a walk on. It's forceful. I expected it to be 'eh' was all 'OH F*CK'. I actually enjoy Morey's SLCs drop in the back seat, mainly because of the nice yank into it and the footchoppers as you drop down right overtop of a bunch of slides in the weaterpark.

Fixed

Oh sweet and glorious Title Fairy! Since I've never asked for a custom title and have racked up a decent post count in my time here, please graciously consider my humble request. I'd like mine to be "Founder of the Cult of Skull Mountain"

I'm in the minority but Ive come around to Steel Force. I think some people just like to pick on it. I was underwhelmed by it until I rode it 12xs at Coaster For Kids this year, it really grew on me and moved up considerably in my rankings. Still not Top10 material but its a coaster I look forward to riding again. If its late in the day and the train is full it can provide an amazing ride in the front seat. The airtime on the return bunnyhops is great. I would kill to get a ride with the MCBR turned off.

If you decide on GreatAdv, on a Saturday in October expect crowds. Though if you get there well before opening, get at the front of the gates before they open and wait it out you can potentially get in quickly, run to the heavy hitters (Toro, Zum, KK, then Skyway to Nitro) and get them out of the way and work your way around to the 2nd tier (Skull Mountain, Batman, Bizarro, etc). The key during fright fest is to get there early as you possibly can and take advantage of the light crowds early in the day. If you go in afternoon or evening unless you get a gold or platinum fast pass, you will be looking at lines. And not just lines for the coasters, we're talking lines to get into parking. Like hour long waits just to park. Early early early in the day is your only bet to avoid any of that.

^ No one should have to make you ride it. Just go to the park and The Mountain will call out to you.

Dude I'm seriously considering making "Cult of Skull Mountain" membership cards.

For me its probably Thunderhawk tied with Hydra. Thunderhawk is not only tiny but it feels like you are rolling down a jagged cliffside in a steel barrel. Hydra, for being a non-curved drop (which I prefer), is just small, boring and forceless in any seat imo. I'll concur with others that Mean Streak was a giant disappointment, but as mentioned its due to those ridiculous trims. On a good day I think Steel Force's first drop is great in the back seat. Nice yank over the peak and some great floater air on the way down. But since it does that pause at the top its super lame in the front, which is a shame because the rest of the ride is so great in the front car and sucks in the back. I also like Great Bear's first drop with that funky yet surprisingly forceful helix which gives you a good bit of speed before the straight drop down (rare for an invert) next to the creek.

^ Thats every op at Dorney on every lap you take.

Ive both, and many times. But yeah what Robb said ^. I'll admit I almost stole someones seat who was putting their cup down once. Lesson learned and I'm much more careful about it since then. Its easy to do it when its quiet but Ive gotten away with it on busy days also. Just pay attention to others and certainly don't be an ass about it (if the crew gives you shit about, don't argue, just walk away. FYI no one has ever given me a problem, more than once Ive gotten the thumbs up and a smirk from an op when 'caught'). It's also appropriate to ask a single rider before you plop down next to them.

^ None listed in my passholder portal. The only two BAFF days I have left are this Friday and next Friday. (the 2nd & 9th).

Nice try. I've been buying Barq's in Philly for as long as I can remember.

Earlier this year at Coasters After Dark it was about 40 degrees and the park was dead so we marathoned Toro continuously for the last hour, only since it was so cold they were making everyone sit toward the front of the train for fear we would valley right before the brake run. And believe me, it felt like it could. So instead of the park saying "its really too cold to be operating this ride" they just said "f*ck it, lets run it til it valleys, if all the weight is in the front, we should be good." LOLOLOL

^ N/P @toughmudder. One of the best things about the park is their "we don't give a f*ck" rain policy.

Everything but Skull Mountain and Dark Knight will shut down in thunderstorms/lightning. Everything else EXCEPT KINGDA KA will run in rain without lightning/thunder. KK will not run any type of precipitation. On the plus side, potential rain keeps crowds light so if you want to marathon Nitro or Toro in the rain it shouldn't be a problem.

And THIS is why Dorney's Haunt is better than Great Adv. Sounds like you had a good time, thinking we're gonna try to get up next weekend. Need to get some laps on Talon, my favorite invert.

^ Yeah seriously! *yoink* Thanks for the new desktop!

Great report and photos Bill. I was enjoying following along on your FB posts yesterday. I haven't done the safari since we would drive through in the 80s, and have been wanting to get the other half to do it with me, this VIP thing might be the move. I am dreading going over to the park for Fright Fest. We got lucky on a misty/almost rainy night in Oct last year and while we got a gold pass the crowds were still heavy and annoying at times. My experiences at Macho Nacho have been great all three times Ive gone. Last time we ordered food, got our little number thing, went and sat at the bar and ordered multiple drinks (while others did) from just one bartender and then ate our food there and continued drinking. Seems like it was really busy. I'm really focused on getting to Dorney for Haunt cause it was just so much better.

https://www.sixflags.com/greatadventure/special-events/holiday-in-the-park/news-release "Holiday in the Park also features nearly 30 thrilling rides such as SkyScreamer, Carousel, Big Wheel, Parachutes and Tea Cups. Children can enjoy pint-sized thrills in the Adventure Seaport area. Coaster fans can challenge world-class rides like Nitro, BATMAN™: The Ride, THE GREEN LANTERN and SUPERMAN – Ultimate Flight, THE DARK KNIGHT Coaster and Skull Mountain, weather permitting. "

Great Adventure Online posted a photo of the map for Holiday In The Park.

El Toro /endthread

Sorry for the doubleposts but wanted to share this. Morey's created a little about their history as well as an interactive time line about their ride additions/general history over the years. Pretty cool.

Lots of valid points in this thread and a very interesting discussion. But I really just came in here to say that when the next Intamin coaster is announced in the U.S., it will certainly be cause for celebrations. It'll happen.