kongker

It looks kinda cool. I'm actually surprised it has taken this long for Speedy to receive his own coaster namesake. Not sure about the placement though. All of SFMM's family attractions are so clustered in one restricted area. I would have probably opted for the go-kart location near Dive Devil. Oh well. Random thought: Anyone else feel that Helix at Liseberg would have made for a better FT/Log Jammer replacement as opposed to what we actually got? I feel it would have really complemented the topography of that hillside (IMO). Just wondering. BTW, I found another gem to share with the class (in case you all haven't seen this yet). Enjoy! 1990 Six Flags Magic Mountain - Viper (Commercial) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aCJdyjlQvPE

The recent Goliath/SFGAm coverage has prompted me search for any signs of life regarding the mythical "Iron Colossus". Well, I just came across this little gem so I thought I'd share with the class. It demos the rumored single track "longest hybrid coaster" layout. It's pretty fun to watch. Anyone else heard or seen anything new? Iron Colossus - Six Flags Magic Mountain (Animation Simulation) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WL4mJ5nvNf0

#1 Wood: Ghostrider - KBF WAS exceptional, especially the first 5 years of it's existence. I actually loved this ride more than the Texas Cyclone. The PTC's (esp. the Silver Train) made the ride feel truly awesome. However, after recently riding I felt like all my internal organs had been violently pummeled. Picture: Mike Tyson's Punch Out (Body Blows). Every lateral shuffle was painful & not fun. #1 Steel: Matterhorn - DLR Another all-time favorite. I was truly disappointed after riding w/ the new train stock. I thought the LED's lights were cool.. But no seat/back padding?? Not even a suspension system in lieu of basic seat comfort? Even Goofy's Sky School (Fair Ground Death Trap) has better rolling stock. After the hype & build-up it felt as if absolutely no track rehab had taken place. In fact it felt worse. Unfortunately, no future re-rides for me in it's current state. Bummer

Is this the original logo? Either way I love it. Yup, it's the original. Same Aztec Flying Dragon that's over the main ride entrance (I believe).. Photo Credit: D. Houston ("Roller Coaster Fever") Montezooma's Revenge original lead-car (Aztec Flying Dragon) logo

Yes, it did.. ; ) UPDATE: I found the renderings for Colossus' original rolling stock from renowned theme park artist & designer Robin Hall (Magic Mountain's Art Director from 1972 - 1978). Photo Credit: J. Waldrop ("Roller Coaster Fever") Colossus original I.A.D. Trains with Art Director Robin Hall's "God of Lighting" side panel graphics Photo Credit: Robin Hall SFMM Colossus I.A.D. "Thunder" Train Rendering Photo Credit: Robin Hall SFMM Colossus I.A.D. "Thunder" Train (Front) Rendering Photo Credit: Robin Hall SFMM Colossus I.A.D. "Lightning" Train Rendering Photo Credit: Robin Hall SFMM Colossus I.A.D. "Lightning" Train (Front) Rendering

Wow, that's quite a prediction. I wonder what they might tell us at WCB... Gonna take a guess and say they're going to turn it into a continuous circuit racer so the total tracklength (4300 something per each side right now I think...so combined would be 8600 feet) would eclipse Steel Dragon. Yes, I have the same feeling. It will be interesting to see the height/speed needed to traverse the final layout. Also curious to see just how many inversions it will have. I'm assuming 2 minimum (perhaps a vertical loop as well)..

I didn't think the new trains would see the light of day this soon, wow. Seems like they've been "in development" forever. Very cool though. Even the glimpse of them looks GREAT! More bobsled-like in their appearance than the previous generation. Regarding the question about "smoothing out" the track, I've wondered that myself after riding. Is re-tracking on the Matterhorn even feasible? Could Vekoma, Intamin, or Mack accomplish this with the "plug & play" technique we've recently seen down south? Given the ride is custom built into the structure versus Space Mountain's surface enclosure, I'm curious if it's even an option (financially) for Disney.

Very exciting! The (proposed) layout looks insane. Should be a winner. I completely forgot about the "think outside the box" statement from Robb. Sounds like a reference to B&M's signature box-frame track spine.. I guess we'll see. Anyone have word on Gwazi's re-tracking & alleged new trains? There was the one pic of the (covered/borrowed) Millennium Flyer train on the transfer track a while back, but nothing since. Not even in any of the recent Trip Reports.

WOW, This ride looks absolutely amazing! Great videos Robb. Thanks for the POV's. That lift hill is insane! So steep/fast. I like Intamin's use of the magnetic braking system in place of trims. The overall theme, color scheme, & look of this coaster are definitely a WIN for KD. Very nice

YES!!! Thank you Shane! Those clips are the best* YouTube also FINALLY has the commercial online. They have both the SFMM and SFGAdv versions too. Thouroughly geeked about this.. SUNGLASSES, lol SFMM SFMM (Short Version) SFGAdv

Screamscape has posted an update w/ a "Color Code" diagram on the current status of the Texas Giant's rehab. The key maps out: - Track removed - Track & structure removed - Structure replaced - New track installed http://www.screamscape.com/html/sfot_0.htm ADMIN EDIT: I have added the photo so people know what they are looking at.

Thanks Shane for posting! I loved Shock Wave!! Unfortunately there is very little (if any) video of it anywhere on the internet. The black trains on the black track were awesome. At the time, the four abreast trains & massive rectangular spined track were bold & very striking to look at. The roar that coaster made as it traveled the track was awesome. Great video. Do you happen to have any of the "86-91" era commercials in your vault? I found your "Psyclone" posts online but can't find any earlier rides, especially Shock Wave.

There's a new post on Screamscape showing off the removal of the turn leading into the lift. Anxious to see how this "re-construction" will develop! Pic: 1 Pic: 2 Pic: 3 Pic: 4

Definitely a Whoop/Woo-er Also been known to make bellowing guttural yells exclaiming, "Yeahhhhhh"!! However, some rides have thrilled me silent to the point where I'm beaming with disbelief (see below). Thrilled Silent: -Texas Cyclone, SFAW ('92 version). -GhostRider, Knott's (*Media Day Opening). -Rock 'n' Roller Coaster, WDW - Disney's Hollywood Studios.

I'm pretty excited to see the new blue Batman. I always thought the gray version worked well for Los Angeles, but this is a welcome change. Good to see Gotham City Backlot receiving a more "comic book" feel. Should look impressive at night! Thank you Bolliger&Mabillard for breaking this news first. On point as always!

Cedar Point has a "Point Cast" video that features a CP staff member who co-signs on the Host's statement that Demon Drop is heading to KBF for the 2010 season. Shortly after, word came (via: the internets) that this would not be the case. I'm curious how TPR & other sites come into play when parks are planning & developing attraction ideas. Do Knott's (and other parks) consider it an afterthought or is the feedback held in much higher regard than previously thought? I am very happy Knott's will be spared a Cedar Fair hand-me-down, but I couldn't help but wonder if the "Forum Furor" had anything to do with it. Demon Drop video (Statement made @ 00:20 mark)

Is there any word (rumored or official) if Colossus is on Six Flags' list for a "Texas Giant" style make-over? Given it's age, I'm wondering if corporate is going to see how things pan out at SFOT before putting their other iconic woodies under the knife. Timberliners? I too remember when it was a great ride. Didn't get to ride when it was running PTC's However, even with the current Morgan trains the ride was much better without the mid-course block brake (which I was told was added to facilitate running 3 trains on each side). SIDENOTE: Revolution also kicked a** before the OTSR's.

Oh WOW, There were so many, lol. Let's see, I used to.. - Re-create my favorite SFMM commercials (via tape recorder) & play them back for my own "amusement". - Draw/design existing & non-existing coasters on countless pieces of notebook paper, book covers, folders. Even drew coaster logos on my white Air-Jordan's. - Attempt to make coaster models (FAIL). - Check out the same dozen or so theme park related books over and over again fr: my local library. - Engage non-enthusiasts in convoy about coasters even if they weren't interested. - PRESENTLY: haunt the inter-webs, TPR forums &, make the occasional theme park trip (when schedule permits).

Thumbs up on the new neon in the queue area. I've always been partial to WDW's "pre-show" & area music on their version. I had hoped that Disney would take a chance & include a solid launch (a la California Screamin') along w/ new track, digital effects, and 2+2+2 seating, like DL version for increased capacity. In my opinion, I felt like DL missed an opportunity to do something great w/ their re-design & were too scared of backlash. The ride is much darker/smoother yes, but could have been more thrilling. Given Disney's move into more thrill-oriented attractions, I thought WDW was going to benefit greatly fr: this latest re-imagining. Just hope these latest improvements (minus track replacement) stand the test of time.

Seems that an Intamin launch coaster is a highly popular choice for SFMM's next coaster. If the park does remove Tidal Wave (to make room for the new attraction), they will be short 1 major water ride. Assuming management was indeed collaborating w/ Intamin, I'm wondering if they might want to incorporate 2 in 1 (launch-coaster + water ride = 2010?). This attraction would retain their coaster/water ride count & maintain their family appeal. It could (in theory) also put the old Metro tunnel to use. A new station/launch area, perhaps? From there, it could extend out into the former Freefall/Tidal Wave lagoon area for the course remainder & splashdown. It's closest market competition would be more than 2 Hrs & 152 miles away (Journey to Atlantis - Sea World). Intamin AquaTrax [coastertube]http://www.themeparkreview.com/coastertube/play.php?vid=atlantis2008_640[/coastertube][/coastertube]

Very happy SFMM has officially stepped into the arena of immersive theming w/ Terminator Salvation: The Ride. Will they continue to do so with other current attractions? Specifically: Colossus, Scream!, & Goliath. I've often wondered why the park hasn't created an area based in mythology. Like Terminator, this area could be based on the upcoming feature remake "Clash of the Titans"www.imdb.com/title/tt0800320/. This area could take what Goliath has already established and run with it. Scream! would transform an existing parking lot with elaborate rock work, waterfalls, and lakes. Hey, If Kraken can do it.. They could center the theme around the sirens of the sea, making the name Scream! still relevant. Colossus would be awesome after being re-tracked (GCI or Intamin) and removing the mid-course block brake. The station could be transformed into Mt. Olympus and the trains would be the gods. The "gods" would also race or duel every time. An encounter with a Minotaur (Expedition Everest) could be the finale! On a similar note: Ninja could also be themed to "Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon". Even include a Manta-esque splash effect on it's first pass over Jet Stream's lake. These improvements would give SFMM the Hollywood tie-in and add years to the shelf life of these classic attractions. I'd love to see my favorite park be great once again! Anyone want to render these concepts? This was my first official post and I read all the rules beforehand. I hope I didn't blow it.