Top Thrill Dragster
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Posts posted by Top Thrill Dragster
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Hypersonic XLC
After 3 rides on Hurler, I made my way to Ricochet. Its a typical wild mouse, but with a large drop at the beginning . But the rest of the ride seemed to be one of the weakest wild mouses I have been on due to the excessive use of trims. Fun ride.
After XLC I made my way to Hurler.
Hurler
I did not have high expectations for Hurler when walking up to this it. I was going on Hurler expecting to come off with one of my ribs and spine broken. But to my surprise Hurler was GREAT! Great laterals, ejector seat airtime, and floater air time. And it never lets up. I got 3 back to back rides on this ride without leaving the station. Why is this ride not getting any notice? WHY?!?!?
Perfectly engineered transition!
They should really be using the second station.
I have been wanting to go on this ride ever since it was built. And hearing that this will most likely be its last season in operation I thought that I would never get to ride. But thanks to an unexpected visit to VA I would finally get to ride this unique launch Coaster. With only a station wait I joined the queue line. 10 mins later I was on the ride (capacity sucks). I got row 3, right seat. Pulling down the restraint I notice how heavy and restrictive of your lower body these restrains are. You can not move you legs because of the ankle guards. And no-matter how you position the restraint you are stapled into you seat. After a check of the restraints you pull slowly out of the station and make a left hand turn. Stopping in the turn, a safety spiel begins. after a 15 sec wait you train rapidly moves into the launch position. Another safety spiel is played and the drag lights light up. No more than 20 seconds after the spiel, the green light comes on, and the train is launched. This is BY FAR the most intense launch I have ever experienced. It is simply indescribable. Awesome. But sadly thats about as good as it gets on this ride, from here on out the ride goes down hill in quality...FAST. Pulling up into the tower the train shakes and jerks its way to the top of the hill. Cresting the top, you can feel that there is some MAJOR ejector seat air to be had, but because of the restraint design you do not come out of the seat. Coming down the hill the train again begins to bounce and jerk like crazy. Making a long left hand turn around the train is shuffling an bouncing its way through the course. Then you make a sharp right hand turn into a small bunny hill. Once again you can feel MAJOR ejector seat air, but you do not come out of your seat. And then you slam into the brake run, shaking you even more. Over all S&S had a great Idea but failed big time. The ride has one hell of a launch, but the rest of the ride just shakes you around too much to be enjoyable and the restraints don't help. I was very disappointed with this ride, Thank god I did not have to wait in 2hr+ line to ride.
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Kings Dominion
After a fun ride on Volcano, I made my way to Hypersonic. On the way I took a few pics of the Grove section of the park.
Generic Cedar Fair safety sign.
10:30 came and the security guard walked us down to the entrance to Volcano. I originally planned to go to Hypersonic first, oh well.
Volcano The Blast Coaster
This ride was just a load of fun. A little on the short side, but fun. The ride had fun launches,great hang time in the rolls, and a great first inversion. Overall the ride is fun, but could have been better If they did not end this ride with a huge drop into breaks. A helix or special effects inside the Volcano would have made this ride great.
Approaching 10:30, the security guard gave a spiel saying that if you run ahead of him, use profanity, or horse play you would be kicked out of the park. This was strictly enforced (a good thing!).
Kings Dominion has a opening time of 10:30 so they were holding people up the entrance to Nick Central.
Once in the park I began my walk down International street, my first impression was that this was a very nice and beautiful park, but that would soon change as my day went on.
When I arrived at the park, I went strait to guest relations and Used my Knotts Berry Farm Maxx Pass to get my ticket to get in.
On 23rd and 24th of July I Visited Kings Dominion. This is my first time to this park since I was 4 years old, so I was very excited.
I arrived to the park at 8 and they had yet to open the parking lot so, while I waited decided to check into the hotel and grab a bite to eat before going to the park. After a some what good breakfasts a Days INN, It was time for the park.
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Photo By ME
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I know, he was just kidding.
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^Time Difference.
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Viper is definitely one of the most underrated rides in the park. When I was younger it used to give me a headache, but since I am above the restraint the ride is awesome and intense.
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Knotts Berry Farm, this coming Monday.
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Well right now Ghost Rider is running Great. The only problem with the ride is Gold train is really rough, but silver is GREAT! Ghost Rider is not going any were, the ride still gets 90min waits during the weekend.
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If these go over well, will the other steel model trains have its own set? I would like to see an Arrow coaster set.
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Very COOL! When you say that you are going to add more coasters from different parks, is it just going to be the Busch Parks or are you going to do the Cedar Fair and Six Flags parks as well?
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Drachen Fire (BGE)
Wild Maus (BGE)
Psyclone (SFMM)
FlashBack (SFMM)
Python (BGA)
Screaming Mummy (Pharoahs Lost Kingdom)
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X getting new trains was confirmed by the PR of Magic Mountain.
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Thank you.
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I have an Mac book. I have a Emerson VCR. Is there a cord that can connect my VCR to my Lap top so I can record a VHS tape onto my lap top?
And if there is a cord, NEW raw Drachen Fire Footage will be put up onto TPR.
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I had the opportunity to ride Drachen Fire 58 total. It was the ride that broke my fear of roller coasters and is the ride that made me an enthusiast. I personally never had a problem with the ride. The only head banging that I remember is the turn up into the MCBR and the two turns into the brake run. Also I remember the corkscrew at the end of the ride use to always pin me into the seat, I used to put my hands up and I would never come out of my seat. I will miss the ride and It was wired not seeing there when I visited the park for the first time in 9 years.
RIP Drachen Fire 1992-2001
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Yes one day is enough, but I can almost guarantee that you will want to spend another day, its just that great of park.
^^ Thursday July 19th, I was expecting it to be very crowded, thank god it was a VERY light day.
^ I completely agree, BGE makes KD look like a dump.
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Canon Powershot A530
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Thanks to every one who has commented.
^ Drachen Fire closed because of low rider ship and complaints of Roughness. Also the location of the ride did not help. If the ride was located some where else in the park I think it would still be up and running.
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After 2 good rides on the Wolf, I went to Curse Of Dark Castle. When I went to IOA in 1999 I skipped Spider Man due to the wait, so I wasn't going to pass up the opportunity to ride such a unique ride that Dark Castle is. The ride is great, almost on par with any Disney E ticket dark ride. (not going to go farther than that because I don't want to spoil the ride for any one)
After a fun ride on Darkastle I made my way to Loch Ness Monster. On the way I grabbed 2 more rides on Alpinegeist and 3 more rides on Griffon ( single rider line rocks!!). Walking into Ireland I stopped by Jack Hanna's Wild Reserve aviary and fed and took a few pictures of the birds.
After I looked at the birds I when to Loch Ness Monster. The Loch Ness Monster was my first Looping coaster when I rode when I was 7 years old. The ride was fun and was really smooth, but the ride was on the tame side. Fun ride.
After Loch Ness I went around got more rerides and ended the day with an front seat night ride on Griffon.
Busch Gardens is a GREAT park and is well worth a trip to VA.
Ride count
Apollos Chariot 35x's
Alpinegiest 12x's
Loch Ness 3x's
Big Bad Wolf 5x's
Griffon 12x's
I end this part of my trip report with a tribute to Drachen Fire, the ride that broke my fear of all roller coasters.
RIP 1992-2001
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When I arrived in England I made my way to Italy. Italy is probably the most beautiful part of the park. From the gardens to the ruins and rides and San Marco. Bush has done a wonderful job with this section of the park. The only compliant about Italy is the Festa Italia area. Busch could landscape and theme this area a whole lot better.
Apollos Chariot was my first B&M hyper coaster and I have been wanting to ride since it opened. B&M did not disappoint with this one, this is Busch Gardens best roller coaster and is my personal #1. The ride is loaded with air time and is butter smooth. Also the lack of restraint just added to this ride making for some very intense floater/ ejector seat air time. Also how the ride is in the woods and can not be seen from any were in the park besides the parking lot added to the ride, especially at night. The trims on this ride were on, but only the third hill and MCBR, and were both on lightly. But their is one thing I noticed that I have never noticed on a B&M...Pumping. their was one very noticeable pump in between the drop out of the MCBR and bunny hill, has anyone else noticed this? Other than that this ride is AMAZING
and is very underrated.
After 12 great, air time filled rides on Apollos Chariot, I made my way over to the Big Bad Wolf. On the way I stopped on the bridge to take a few pictures of the Loch Ness Monster and Big Bad Wolf (witch I will show later in my PTR).
Big Bad Wolf was my first big roller coaster I rode when I was 6 years old, so it was fun to ride the ride that started my love for roller coasters and theme parks.
Although there was no wait for any row but the front, I decided to wait for the front . If it was not for the fantastic drop and turns at the end of the ride and the theming, I would have to put Ninja over Big Bad Wolf. The binging of the Wolf is a lot of fun but way too short. Good ride, but a little on the short side.
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After Griffon I went strait to Alpinegeist. Alpinegeist was my first B&M coaster when I rode it in 1997 and was my #1 coaster before I moved to CA. So I was very exited to ride. Walking up to the ride I noticed that nothing seemed to change, but one thing that I noticed, is that this ride no longer has a on ride photos. I was disappointed because I wanted one to go with the last time I rode this ride in 1998. Walking up to the station I was very happy to see that this ride still has its great theming (Snow, Polka music and the overall look of the station and queue as a ski lodge with flags and skis and sleds inside). The ride is still as great as It was in 1998. The only thing is that the transition into the MCBR is still really rough and the MCBR really slows the train down, but it did not detract from the sheer insanity of the ride. Great Ride, and the Cobra Roll is one of the single most intense elements I have gone through.
After three rides on Alpinegeist I started to make my way to Big Bad Wolf, only to find that Germany opens at 10:30. So I walk back towards Griffon and Board the Sky way.
When you ride this ride you start to realize just how well planned out Busch Gardens is. Every thing looks great to gather, nothing looks as if it should not be there. And it offers spectacular views of most of Busch Gardens roller coasters.
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This is my first TR
On Thursday 19th of July I made the trip from Skippers VA to Williamsburg VA to go to Busch Gardens. This is my first visit in 9 years ( the last time I was there they were building Apollos Chariot) I took about Hour and 30 mins to reach the park. Arrived a little after 9.
Almost There!
Beautiful, isn't?
Arriving in the parking lot I noticed that the none of the rides were running thankfuly they open the rides at 10, so I made it in time to look around and take pictures before taking part of the running of the bulls to Griffon.
Some one on this site will like this picture
Everyone waiting for the chain to drop.
The Chain Dropped the running began only to be held here, not yet 10.
finally, It was 10, and the run to Griffon began. I was on the first train of the day! I sat front row last seat on the left. The feeling of being so far out from the track is weird, Nothing below you and about a good 6 to 7 feet away from the track, very odd feeling! As you leave the station the train begins to pick up a nice amount of speed in the little turn around before the lift. Going up the lift reminded me of Millennium Force because of how steep it is also it is almost just as fast. Once at the top the trains begins to pick up speed once again. Looking down on Alpinegeist you make a right hand turn facing the brewery. As you come close to the edge the train slowed to a craw. Then the train edges its way over the top and you are looking straight down on the France section of the park, it is very freaky for some. Then the train is released, down the drop you go. It is one of the biggest rushes I have ever experienced (standing as you come down). The train pulls some very strong forces as it dives under the bridge, and up in to the Loop (sorry I don't know how to spell the correct term for it). At the top you get some a little floater air time. The turn into the MCBR had a little bit of head banging but nothing serious. The train is slowed rapidly to a craw. Looking down on the Loch Ness Monster you dive once again. Pulling some strong forces once again. The second loop is a bit more intense than the first. Diving out of the loop into the bunny hill you get a nice little pop of floater air. Then you dive down into the splash down, then into a left hand turn. This section of the ride is by far the weakest part. Then one last pop of floater air into the brake run. Over all the ride is great, but not perfect. I would love to see B&M go farther with this concept (zero G roll). The best row on this ride is the back, because you are yanked down the drop. Also a night time ride makes this ride soo much better.
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Dont go to Universal, It gets boring quick. And like others had said there is just not enough to justify a $60 admission. Six Flags Magic Mountain gets a bad rep from the past and is really trying to turn it self around. Also X and Tatsu are really great, unique rides that cant be missed. Knotts is a great park, that gets put down way too much. They have some of the best Flat and water rides in southern CA, and they also have some great roller coasters. (Xcelerator and GhostRider) And they just opened a spinning coaster Sierra Sidewinder, that is also really good.
But if you want the absolute best experience go to the Disney Land Resort, Its a whole lot better than the Magic Kingdom.
Crowds should be on the light side when you go.
What ever you choose good luck, and have fun!
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Photo by me.
Kings Dominion PTR
in Theme Parks, Roller Coasters, & Donkeys!
Posted
Part 3
After a fun ride on Triple Spin I went across the midway to Drop Zone. Drop Zone was a fun ride and had a very intense end to the ride. But personally I prefer the S&S drop towers, I like being blasted down instead of just dropped.
After ShockWave I decided to ride some thing I Have never done before, Triple Spin. Triple Spin was a fun and disorienting ride and would fit nicely at Knotts or SFMM.
Shock Wave
Shock Wave was my first Togo roller coaster, and from what I have heard about Togo I was expecting the worst. Walking into the station, even though there was no wait for any of the rows except the front, I decided to take a front row ride. Shock Wave has BY FAR the most interesting restraint design of any ride I have ridden. After I got into the restraint the train slowly, and I mean SLOWLY begins its climb up the lift. Cresting the lift the train rapidly picks up speed. Making a right hand turn around you begin the drop. The drop and loop were both fun. The loop looks like a Schwarzkopf shuttle loop roller coaster loop, but its not as intense. Exiting the loop the train gose up a hill and transitions into the double helix. At the top of the hill there is a nice pop of ejector air. The double helix was fun, but I bashed my jaw into the shulder part of the restraint about 1/4 of the way through. Exiting the helix the train goes over a bunny hop, providing a nice pop of air. After the bunny hop the train makes a climb into a sharp left hand turn around and descends into another bunny hop. The train again makes another climb and into the brakes. Over all Shock Wave was a lot of fun, and not as bad as I was expecting. It was certainly different than the 2 B&M stand ups I have been on.
After Rebel Yell. I made my way to Shock Wave. Along the way I took one of my favorite shots of the trip.
After Ricochet, I went to Rebel Yell forwards, the backwards side was not open yet. It was a 5 min wait due to they were running 1 train. This was a trend on all of KD's woodies. I rode in the middle of the train and regretfully took a wheel seat. This was by far one of, if not the roughest wood coasters I have ever ridden. I really felt as it was trying to compete with Psyclone for being the roughest coaster in the world. Every time the train would come to a valley on the ride, it felt as if some one had a jackhammer on my spine. Worst ride of the day. But I found out if you ride in a center seat the ride dose give a decent ride. Soon as I got off, they opened the backwards side. So I joined the queue and walked on to a front row ride. The ride was rough, but not nearly as bad as the forwards side.