darklingscribe

I think the future of coaster design might be heading in the direction of Winjas at Phantasialand. Where the "special elements" of a coaster can't be glimpsed until ridden. On that note, has anyone suggested more coaster designs be made like Expedition Everest? Where the track changes over into reverse. Why not add a bit more thrill to this switch over, perhaps incorporating something similar to Vekoma's often talked about tilt coaster. I don't mean that the track should tilt backwards 90 degrees and release the train, I'm thinking about stuff that could be done to make the track switch more dramatic. Like rotating the track 180 degrees so the train is upside down before being released in reverse into a half loop or half barrel roll. I'm not sure I'm explaining this clearly enough, when I say turn the track 180 degrees I mean it should rotate on its spine while the train is stopped. An effect similar to a in line twist in feel to the riders. I apologize if someone already suggested this, I read over the thread, but I'm sick and me reading comprehension skills are eluding me today.

Here is a short article I came across yesterday on the financial woes of the Dubai World project and company. It doesn't mention anything specific about the theme parks but it does state that the government has refused to help them handle their debt.

Great trip report. I never got around to doing the holiday in the park events last year, but this year I really am going to go out of my way to try to attend. I think it is the sledding that sold me on the idea. By the way, where in the park is the sledding located? I couldn't figure out where they could put it besides blocking off one of the paths.

Looks like some sort of piston to me.

I've been wondering if this coaster's secret elements will be something like the surprise elements in the Winjas coasters at Phantasia land.

I'm really into Demon's Souls right now. It's the most challennging RPG I've ever played. I've lost count of my deaths, but yet I keep coming back for more. The game is challenging, ruthless and fun. Though I may yell at the screen every now and then, the deaths never feel all that cheap, As I can only blame myself for not being cautious enough. I also love the way the game utilizes it's online features. players can leave messages behind in the floor warning of traps or a hidden enemy which gives the game a felling that you are teaming up with all of the other players to tackle a worthy adversary (i.e. the current stage you are in). You can also leave your own messages behind and if they help another player your health is fully restored. Be warned, this is a brutal game, but it is also a must buy for anyone who owns a PS3.

These three I know are safe to bring food into. In my experience any park which allows free entry and has a pay per ride system does not mind if you carry your own food in.

Sounds like the only Tony Hawk ride small enough to fit into that space, barring a custom layout, is a clone of the one at SFDK.

Totally forgot about this one. Though I have never seen it in person I love the way the old quarry was worked into it's design. It reminds me of Magnus Colossus at Terra Mitica in Spain, another beautiful coaster build into an old quarry. From what I've read, It's a real shame that the ride Magnus Colossus gives isn't good. Picture from rcdb.com

I tried doing a search for a topic like this, but the closest I found was the post your favorite coaster color scheme thread. I find that there is something arresting about the curves and shapes roller coasters create. And regardless of the ride there are some coasters out there which are so visually stunning that it is hard to deny that they look great. Here are three that I love. Goudurix at Parc Asterix is the first that comes to mind. While it's probably the worst ride at the park no one can call it an eye sore. Photo by Hhappy And the Giant Dipper at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is what I think may be the most Photographed coaster in the world. The Voyage at Holiday World has always been eye catching to me. This photo in particular was my desktop background for a good part of a year.

I have to say I prefer SCBB's Dipper as well. Last year on a hot night I had some rides on it that blew me away. It was on a Friday concert night and though the lines were long and the boardwalk was packed shoulder to shoulder, I had one of the best times I ever had at a theme park outside of a TPR trip.

I guess it's about time to explain mine. Way back when I found TPR and joined the message boards I was taking a web design class. I wanted to build a web site that I could display my creative portfolio on (i.e. short stories, short films, art). Wanting to create a mysterious looking figure that I could use as a mascot, one night while fooling around with my camera, a duster and fedora I got this profile photo I liked and have used it as my avatar on all the message boards I visit since.

Signed up. There is some interesting stuff on the site, but I'm missing Hot Topic's collection of horror movie shirts.

Congrats for All those who made it though High School. I couldn't stand the place so I took a test and progressed straight to community college in my Junior year.

I wish you the best of luck with the book.

I'll have a go. Is is a hydrogen fuel cell?

Great pictures Hanno. I've searched and found a POV for Anubis because, as Hanno pointed out, it is hard to get an idea of it's layout and my god it looks as if it TEARS through its course at unbelievable speed.

I have some questions. Will guests need to pay to get into the park? -A now defunct water park near where I live used to only require that the guests pay for wristbands if they wanted to ride the slides, but they would let anybody come in without charge. This way the whole family could come and play for cheap while the grandparents or others who didn't want to use the attractions could relax on the chairs and watch the family's stuff. If a guest with a four hour wristband decided they wanted to stay the entire day, will they be able to go somewhere and pay the difference between the four hour and all day pass to upgrade their stay? The Park is looking great by the way.

Yes 10 hours on 101. I was about a mile away from Universal Studios when I left at 2pm and didn't get back to the bay area until midnight. It was bumper to bumper in just about every major city 101 passed through. This was the 17th of August last year.

^May I just say that if you are planning to take that prettier coastal route, your five hour drive will turn into a 10 hour drive. Interstate 5, while boring, is definitely the fastest route between San Francisco and LA.

I found a website selling this: http://www.exilim.com/intl/ex_f1/ for $135. it was one of those deals that refusing was impossible. A $999 camera for $135. I paid for it on my American Express so I could cancel the payment if it turns out to be a scam (though Amazon marketplace is pretty reputable and I triple checked the details of the sale.) I assumed it might be a camera seller liquidating stock after declaring bankruptcy.

^ So true, but very unlikely. Still one can hope. Efteling is one of my favorite parks in terms of overall atmosphere.

They probably thought it was a better move to just try to out wait the housing market's bust with a company they know can deliver on the lease's payments. I've always been meaning to head down there one of these days to check the park out, I love water parks and they seem to be disappearing up here in the bay area.

I've always thought it was too bad that HRP was poorly designed and managed in the first place because the idea of themeing a park to Rock & Roll is an intriguing one.

I don't really have anything constructive to say other than it is looking is really awesome.