Samuel

OK, here we go: "This drawing looks too intense for me!"

Bullet Coaster at Happy Valley?

I've been on both incarnations many times, and I think that if we remove the nostalgic romanticism from the fact that the original can't be ridden anymore, Phantom's Revenge is absolutely superior in every way possible...smoothness, openness, airtime, fun, being totally re-rideable...the whole experience improved significantly. The first two hills on Steel Phantom were good fun, as they are now, but beginning with the curve at the bottom of the second drop, the headbanging would pick up in a hurry. There were only a few good seats on the train that delivered a somewhat smooth ride with any consistency, and you'd have to posture defensively in the inversions to eke out a tolerable experience. Go back and look at old pics/vids and you can see just how dated some of the transitions seem today. The exit of the corkscrew always supplied a head jolt, and you could never successfully brace yourself against it. You had to really fight the ride at times to have fun. It maintained some cult fans to the end, and despite a short surge in ridership once its removal was announced, it scared off a lot of the GP in its later years and wasn't too popular. Steel Phantom sure had a mystique to it in its first couple of years, though. It was amazing at the time that Kennywood would make such a big statement in the budding coaster war that Magnum started, and the buzz was huge. It definitely deserves historical respect, but Phantom's Revenge is an all-around better version. In fact, I wish Chance/Morgan would've picked up more business after Phantom's Revenge (other than Superman El Ultimo Escape)...but now with Lightning Run proving itself so well, it seems like the potential is renewed for us to reap some awesome new thrills from these guys in the future! More Phantom/Lightning Run airtime in the world? Yes, please!

Getting yanked down Ravine Flyer II's first hill while riding in the back is my favorite coaster drop, and perhaps overall favorite coaster moment/element. No matter how many times I ride it, it always takes my breath away! That drop is airtime nirvana and stomach-tickling coaster bliss, all in a gorgeous setting. When it's hauling, it sometimes even sneaks up and nabs my unofficial "Best Ride on Lake Erie" crown.

Best chain dog noises in the business! Just like you know a song is from Van Halen the moment you hear Eddie's signature "brown sound" tone, there's no mistaking those classic, nuanced clankety-clanks of Magnum, Viper, Phantom, etc.

Intimidator at Carowinds...I think it has good value for the GP and park, but I didn't feel a sensation of any kind throughout its course. I rode it 15 times to try to kindle some love for it, but I couldn't find a whole lot going on. Since Diamondback has an awesome butterflies-in-your-stomach first drop, I thought Intimidator would start off with a similar bang, but the first hill actually had me thinking "wait, that's it?" at the bottom. The trims bit hard on the first big camelback, which muzzled the airtime potential throughout the course, and the soulless spiral & dips after the MCBR end the ride on a totally fizzled-out note. One Shambhala-like speed bump, or perhaps a double-down instead of its current ramp-like turnaround, would've added much-needed variety to the repetitious layout. The trains just lumbered over and down the hills, making clicking and clacking noises while I searched in vain to feel anything fun or thrilling. The way the riders around me would typically freak out, however, you'd think every moment of the experience was bat-poop crazy and loaded with extreme thrills. It also tends to get a pretty good ranking in the coaster polls. Maybe one day I'll see the light when it comes to Intimidator, but it hasn't happened yet.

There will always be a minority of die-hards who love what they love, no matter how unpopular, but I've also noticed a pattern of temporary support that rolls in like a tide to defend a coaster or class of coasters any time one is on the way out the door. We saw the same kind of love for Arrow suspended coasters come out of nowhere when Big Bad Wolf's closure was announced. For the most part, the love will fade in time, but you'll still find a few hardcore fans trying to cobble together Internet petitions to bring back Drachen Fire, Steel Phantom, Psyclone, and others -- I guess their brains were too scrambled to remember how those rides actually felt!

There *could* be structural reasons, but as far as ride experience alone is concerned, I found it pretty darn uncomfortable at full speed -- it seriously hauls through the first half without trims. The carousel turn, incline loop, and upward turn into the MCBR have always been a positive G clinic of elements, exasperated uncomfortably by standing up. I think this move is going to be a very good one for the park. I've had some decent rides on Mantis, and while the current headbanging and leg stress isn't totally intolerable, "just OK and barely tolerable" isn't an overwhelming commendation for such a beautiful coaster with a twisty/powerful layout. Here's to hoping the new trains bring out a lot of untapped potential in this ol' Beemer!

In general, recognize the difference between a bad day at a park and a bad park. If you aren't sure which you've experienced, give yourself time to emotionally settle down so that you can accurately attribute the cause of your dissatisfaction. Whether on the Internet or someone storming into Customer Service, I can't stand hearing complains like, "rained all day, too many people, I had to walk too far to my car, so the park is terrible." What logic! Kids: Don't harshly scream "HEY! GUYS!! HEY!!! GUYS!!!! GUYS!!!!!" just to flag down a few friends you recognize from school. Same goes for the Stewie Griffin, "MOM! HEY MOM!!!" Instead of being a one-child factory of noise pollution, just walk over to the people you want to speak with, or at least call them by using their real names!

Son of Phantom's Revenge?

When I saw the newer Fury logo, I couldn't help but think of the other insects in already town, the Hornets, and that an insect motif would be a logical one with which Charlotte residents could identify.

If the premiums for licensing don't pass a cost-benefit analysis, they could always try their luck with the under-the-radar, off-brand Chinese park approach, by cooking up "Quick Guy Line Jumper," "Question Mark Man's Mystery Park Challenge," or "Pranker's Funhouse," along with associated merchandise you just know you've seen somewhere before!

Just curious, do you feel the same way about Hulk and other comic-themed attractions, or are your thoughts just in the case of Six Flags? And thank you, Robb, for clearing that up. Rather than lifting characters developed from the games and paying to do so, can Six Flags simply go further with their in-house storytelling and create original narratives that'd help explain a back-story for a ride or haunt? Even something as basic as a coaster launch representing Superman getting riders out of harm's way works better than, "well, he's Batman and this is his ride." In general, I still think Six Flags could do a lot more. Imagine an interactive in-park game or app-related challenge where guests solve daily Riddler mysteries (taking pics with your phone, and uploading answers to parks' social media pages to win prizes). Little things like this could be a win-win for the guests and the parks, and leverage the use of characters without having to go to Harry Potter-levels of immersion to be successful.

Playing through the Batman Arkham games (I'm a few years behind, but loving them), I've been so impressed by how the developers have reinvigorated the franchise and its fictional universe. It makes me realize how much potential Six Flags has with these characters, and how far short the "park a Batmobile, slap a facade on a ride station, put character cutouts in line, theme a gift shop, and call it a day" formula is from realizing that potential. When it comes to Batman stuff, I've been as mainstream GP as it gets: I recall the classic show, I've seen the movies, I remember the 90s cartoon, and I ride the rides. Well, thanks to these games I've never been so captivated by a superhero series, and I've spent time on Wikipedia just catching up on the comic book fiction. I've become a fan. I'm invested. And for the park, that should be money. I realize now just how far ahead the movies, games, comics, and overall franchise have moved past the Michael Keaton-era Gotham environments of the parks. My favorite villain of the games is Scarecrow. Scarecrow is the alias of fictional doctor Jonathan Crane, who uses a toxin/gas to make people hallucinate manifestations of their fears and phobias. Six Flags should be squeezing everything this character has to offer for its haunts (use fog, and go from there). I know parks have scarecrows (Corn Stalkers and others), but this character is something else, with so much storytelling and depth to explore. They could make Scarecrow a Halloween brand and even the host of Fright Fest, but my bet is we'll get a piecemeal 3-D clown maze, butcher shop, and crypt, instead. Do you think Six Flags is missing opportunities like this with its access to the DC comics universe? Does anyone else have ideas that would revitalize superhero areas or capitalize on different characters?

Awesome! Your post put a smile on my face - I'm really glad you had a good time! I don't love the price of Fast Lane, but it's really become the thing that separates a frustrating day from a great one when the park is oppressively busy.

Aye, aye, aye, Lucy, I don't even know what to say here. There's no moment in Internet research where you suddenly acquire the equivalent knowledge of actually experiencing something. Goliath isn't the best coaster on earth, but it got 94th on the 2013 Mitch Hawker poll, around the company of Silver Star, Steel Eel, and Titan. I think being in that pack sounds about right for what it is. It's also one of the smoothest coasters I've ever been on. Go ride it, you may like it!

I'm not sure if Ohio schools kick back in (they do in PA), but if so, then I would imagine crowds would indeed thin out at night, and would be further reduced during the day compared with the usual summer crowds. Just note that people like to pick their favorite coasters to get that last ride. This usually means continued lines at Maverick and Millennium Force, and each one attracts its cult-like fans near closing time. This can actually make for a very fun, almost TPR/ERT-like social experience. A nightly ritual, the riders on these two are full of extra energy, with lots of excitement, orchestrated clapping, and high-fiving among strangers -- it can be a blast. I've noticed others snagging a quick ride on Raptor or Gatekeeper near the main entrance as they head out the door, but I've had walk-ons with lots of other coasters at night: Mantis, Gemini, Power Tower, Magnum, Wicked Twister, and sometimes even Dragster.

Pleasant After riding Wolf Bobs and Villain earlier in the day (bleh and meh), I wasn't looking forward to the oldest woodie at then-Six Flags Ohio, but Big Dipper turned out to be my favorite ride in the park! It was glass-smooth, had great airtime, and was just all-around fun. It even had that greasy oil smell to it, and just this aura of classic awesomeness. It didn't deserve its fate, and to me was the biggest victim in the park's demise. A very pleasant turnout. Unpleasant On the other hand, it had taken me a while to get on Storm Runner. In the meantime, I loved Dragster, Maverick, and Fahrenheit, so I thought I'd really like SR. While the launch was fun and the airtime at the apex of the top hat was nuts, the rest of the ride had some violent edges to it. The freelance layout impressed me, given how tight and unique the space is in which the ride was placed, but I remember doing a lot of bracing against headbanging in the snake dive and s-curve into the brakes. The engineering just seemed to lack polish with the finale, and I didn't want to ride again (I will give it another chance in time, though). Also, I've now ridden every U.S.-based Vekoma Dutchman. X-Flight was my first during its opening year at SFWoA, and I remember thinking it was a big deal and major win for the park. I thought the sensation of going through the loop was so unique and unlike anything at King's Island, Kennywood, and Cedar Point. I loved it. After collecting the other Dutchman credits, they all just started seeming lamer and bumpier over the years, and nothing like my first great impression of X-Flight. I finally re-rode Firehawk (X-Flight) last year, and it confirmed my new thoughts: these just aren't sensational coasters. Kind of fun in some places, and uncomfortable in plenty of others, never do these rides really produce that sky coaster sensation of flight -- they just feel like you're riding a Vekoma on your back, which is exactly what's going on, and I can't call it pleasant.

Yes, driving to Cedar Point is worth the money . Breakers can be a lovely experience, not just for on-property convenience, but also for the beach, pool, getting late drinks at Friday's, etc. Having said that, if it's just you and your brother, and if you're also a bit younger, I'm guessing saving $ would be more important to you than the perks of Breakers, which would make more sense to me if you were going in a social different dynamic -- spending a weekend with a date, having young kids with you who'd need a rest or clothes change every now and then, etc. I think you should be able to save money staying at another hotel off-property. Some even have deals offering discount park tickets, and although they wouldn't grant you early entry, it wouldn't surprise me if you could scrape together tickets, parking passes, a decent hotel near the park, Fast Lane, and still spend under $900. In regard to Fast Lane, if you don't go to the park often, want to ride a lot, and happen to be going on a weekend, then I'd say yes. If these are weekdays you're talking about, you might be able to get by with lesser crowds. And although there is some risk of the park selling out of the passes, you could head to the park without Fast Lane and wait until you get a feel for whether you need it. The kiosk has been open for business each time I've gone.

If you are going to CP on a Saturday and hoping to ride a lot, I'd go for it if I were you. Otherwise, most of your day will be spend waiting for the Intamins and B&Ms (expect 1.5 hours + depending on time of day), and I wouldn't be surprised if the rest of the lineup and big flats were over an hour.

The resurrection of old British English variants of words like whilst, doth, hath, amongst, amidst, etc. by American kids on the Internet trying to sound intellectual blows my mind. It's spread around the Web, so now there's this buzz language half-way between Shakespeare and diarrhea, and I've unfortunately started hearing the style in public, too. "That shop maketh an epic sandwich, whilst also having a legendary location on the corner. Mind = blown." Yikes!

Does anybody know how we got to the point where there's so much Euro disco music accompanying POV coaster videos, and is anyone sincerely into the genre? When I stumble across a POV or NL design posted to Youtube, space-club-remix-dub-trance music kicks right in about half of the time, and then I'll see that the poster will be a man from some place like Arkansas. I don't hate it, it just never made any sense to me! I know two guys from Russia who sincerely love that kind of music, but beyond them, I've never gone to anybody's house or sat in traffic and heard this stuff coming from anywhere else...it seems to just be a thing with Internet roller coaster videos!

I don't think that's quite the case, but I do think there should be a reasonable expectation for a new ride to be smooth in 2014, provided it isn't a Chinese knockoff. At the same time, I think rough coasters are becoming more noticeable when parks like Carowinds and Wonderland put in some great headlining new attractions that expose an aging undercard of 80's and 90's rides, which feel dated by comparison. Another point, I used to waive the flag of preserve, preserve, preserve with all older rides. But now with modern technology, what we're seeing is possible with RMC, and even the Phantom's Revenge transformation, I don't think it's that we have become physically more sensitive to roughness; rather, we're more aware of the fact that good modification/rehab options are out there, and it's no longer excusable to have some of these chronically-rough rides continuing to operate as-is. As riders, we should not champion personal toughness to mask the fact that some parks just aren't taking care of their coasters. I didn't like it years ago when, instead of fixing poorly-tracked coasters, Six Flags would slap corn nuts ads in the lines (do they still do it?) daring people to survive the extreme challenge ahead of them that will push their toleration to the limit and on, and on...just put some love into the ride! Instead, they tacked up formal invitations to endure discomfort .

With riders exiting to the back of the station instead of to the side opposite where they got on, a lag occurs when those getting off end up mixing with those getting on. I've seen human traffic jams on that platform regularly, especially among people trying to get to the bins to either retrieve or drop off their stuff. Although Gatekeeper has a larger station, it's a similar situation to the occasional gridlock on Skyrush. "One side for loading, one side for unloading" is just a lot more efficient, but it can't be done with that train design and station setup. I think this has to explain some of the perceived slowness in dispatches and train stacking.

Just to be fair, I thought the crews were awesome on my last visit a few days ago. On Blue Streak, Mantis, Mean Streak, Gatekeeper, Magnum, etc., the ops kept moving quickly, and the crew talking on the PA were lively and keeping everyone excited. I was actually thinking that more parks should take a cue from Cedar Point's ride ops (those Romanians are very nice and know how to zip!). Also, Millennium Force and Gatekeeper do tend to stack (same with Maverick), but heck, this is constant three-train operation you're criticizing. It'd be a miracle for some major parks to put even a second train on the tracks of their coasters (Here's a riddle for you: What train takes four hours to catch on a Saturday in July, is standing-room only, & makes you want revenge?) . If you don't mind my saying, my impression is that you were hot, tired of waiting in lines, and bitter about watching Fast Lane users cruise through, which put a negative tint on your day. I didn't notice any line jumping, general rudeness, or hostilities on my trip, but I know these things can happen. I've had rude encounters and witnessed absolute idiocy at times at many parks, including Cedar Point, and while it stinks, isolated negative experiences are different from an entire place trending downhill. My dad was given the finger on a highway outside of Philly decades ago, and to this day he maintains that it's a terrible city because of that incident. I've seen concerts where the local audience around me has ruined my experience, but this doesn't mean the band or the venue are at fault. I'm sorry your visit sounded a bit rough around the edges. I know Fast Lane has been polarizing, but for me having a one- and a three-year-old in tow, combined with not being at the park too often, I think it's a godsend that it's offered.