Angry_Gumball

Boy are there still new Zyklons? Why do there have to be.... Well, its most likely a refurbished/used one but its new to their arsenal. It even has fresh paint. It was also equipped with magnetic brakes, much like their identical "Zillerator" Zyklon.

So, today, the family and I hit up the California State Fair where there were several insane moments and typical fair things to see. Besides the rides, there were supposed to be dachshund races (which was funny to see) but was kind of a fail on how it was set up...basically it was just a little side show thing between the main horse races (and letting people walk the mile track). The fairground itself is HUGE! New to this year's fairground were DCA's "CALIFORNIA" letters at the main entrance. The letters once stood in front of DCA before it got revamped. So onto the rides, the juicy stuff you all are waiting for Butler was the ride provider for the CSF and actually had a nice selection of rides! Basically this is going to be a mini review on these rides as many were new experiences for me. So, let's go now that we have the unlimited rides bracelet on! Wisdom Wind Surfer This is a NEW attraction, and the first one to be made...it is Wisdom's take on the classic Flying Scooters attraction and I actually found the ride to be quite responsive! The ride does have 1 unique twist however. Once the ride is going, the main ride structure tilts, banking the overall swinging direction...kind of like a Wisdom Tornado. While the cables were too short for any real snapping action, I did get a pretty thrilling ride...felt miniaturized though. Overall, fun ride! And yes, it feels very ghetto! Pole Position (Credit #67) Fabbri Spinning Coaster This is a spinning mouse-like coaster that has a funky 2-section lift...you go up one lift, make a 90-degree left, and up the rest of the lift. Spins were quite good and unfortunately, this was sort of a jewel smasher...as there was room for my butt to slide around in all directions. I'm surprised we actually spun on it...honestly wasn't expecting much from it. Magnum - Mondial Shake Basically, this is like a 4D Breakdancer that loads riders while the main turntable is spinning. The restraint system sucks as you are pretty much forced to have your hands on your lap and there is no arm room. Not comfortable but the overall ride was disorienting. Just wish we got more flips. And yes, the restraints suck! Crazy Train This was one of the rides I was excited to try...until I got seated and locked in. The cars were rather cramped and the windows were all fogged/frosted. With 2 riders, this would be a clench-n-squish experience. Not to mention, it is very stuffy and hot...and the plastic 'window' is just inches from your face. Ride itself was very nauseating and as much as I have a strong stomach, this one actually got me pretty good...mid cycle, I was hoping it would stop...Done once, doubt I'd make efforts to ride again. Mardi Gras Funhouse - Revisited! Needing to take a quick break from any rides, I decided to revisit the Mardi Gras funhouse that was previously visited last month at the San Mateo County Fair. This is a quick little funhouse with a very tricky mirror maze of death. During the SMCF, TPR member Blue Fire Guy constantly slammed into the plastic/glass walls. Today was a test to see if I'd pull a Blue Fire Guy and do the same..but came through with no crashes! Otherwise, just wavy mirrors on 2nd level followed by a twirly slide. Big Top Funhouse This one really shined and had a lot of gimmicks to it! There were moving staircases, lots of turntables on ground, vibrating floors, conveyor belts (that would try to fling you off the end), more turntables, punching bags, and more! This had 3 levels to it and the walkthrough lasted pretty long! Worth checking out again, especially with people who lack coordination. Chance Skydiver The ferris wheel that does barrel rolls! This was a highlight of the day and actually gave my head the ultimate headrush. This is a rider-controlled ride in which the rider can determine how intense their ride will be. I tried every possible maneuver such as non-inverting loops, 'upside down loops' (where I was inverted at bottom of wheel), standard loops, sideways loops, and overall just spun the cars like a madman. It's an arm workout! For some reason, Butler runs their Skydiver backwards. Vertigo (Ghetto star flyer) Short star flyer ride...fun ride, interesting way of getting around the real Star Flyer patent by having the entire tower rotate the swings. Great way to cool down even on the hottest days. Cycle could have been longer however. Zipper Yes! I finally get to ride one of these amazing torture devices! It is quite terrifying yet fun simultaneously...I'm glad the insides are padded as my head was slamming about. Very cushy inside I also got some crazy airtime on this several times! Yup, one of my top flat rides! Orbiter Not sure how you want to describe this...Think of it as a high speed scrambler that turns 90-degrees...gave me a headache, 'nuff said. Other rides we did were the portable log flume (insanely quick deceleration forces sent me flinging forward), Planet Pandora (cheesy ghost train/dark ride in a hot trailer), Ring of Fire, and Gravitron. I also got Butler's 2nd Wacky Worm credit (they own 2 Wacky Worms BTW) and their recently acquired Pinfari Zyklon that runs better than their Zillerator with the same layout. Yes, I got airtime on this! Yes, it finally opened late in the day and was actually my last carnival ride as I was pretty beat/exhausted from the heat and intensity of some of the rides. So, pictures! Arrival to the Cal Expo! Clearly, we are at DCA actually... See? There's Mickey's funwheel in the background, and monorail passing by! Michael Jackson...you're doing it wrong. (Neverland bumper cars) ... YES!!! The Zipper isn't sitting folded up behind a fence! Butler's new Zyklon, meaning, new credit...too bad it was closed for most of the day...teething problems... Rides aren't open yet, let's check out some exhibits! Why? YOLO! Half a Batmobile Anyone wanna buy me a near life-sized R/C R2D2? an R/C Wall-e was present too! MARMALISED...5M1L3 4LW4Y5 Can't have fair without animals! Malaria Lake... What was this? Kinkajou? Kinky pikachu? Decided to grab lunch early as I ate really light this morning...Juicy's 1/2-pound "Outlaw Run" burgers as I call them (They are simply Outlaw Burgers") And of course, horse races...they're neck-in-neck! When the horses weren't racing, these little wieners were...cute stuff! Rolice?!? The state fair had a woodie...looked pretty awesome! Too bad I didn't get to ride it. Cute little ducks... And lots of airtime to be had at the fair too! And for some carnival action! Ghetto Star Flyer and Fireball Uh...Denied... Fireball in action...fun ride! Wanted to ride the Turbo Force ride but they wanted 3 tickets as well as my unlimited rides wristband...fail... The much-anticipated ghetto flyers ride, a Wisdom Windsurfer! Maggie This thing...had to try it, once was enough. Maybe when it isn't so hot, I will try one again. Yes, please! After reorienting myself, I will take a "Chance" and ride this thing! New credit! Cha-ching! Portable log flume was a hit in the almost triple-digit temps today in Sacramento. Who wants to win that giant butt? Paradise coaster...I'll pass, I already know what this is...and I'm NOT going to fall for this again I carefully navigate the moving staircases in this evil funhouse Ghetto dark rides...Hot-Box Trailer: The Ride. Awesome little fair souvenir that isn't the slightest bit ghetto...Kendama is actually quite huge out in the valley and it is actually very entertaining playing with this simple toy! And I conclude this trip report with the long ride back to the Bay Area.

Well, in less than 12 hours, I will ride some potentially awesome and scary carny flat rides...ones I'm looking forward to: -Zamperla Turbo Force -Orbiter (This looks insanely scary, especially if it's the lapbar only version) -Zipper (loss of Zipper virginity) -Mondial Shake (Magnum) -Chance Sky Diver -KMG Spinout (Spinning upside down will make up for no Energy Storm at the fair) -Wisdom Windsurfer (Ghetto Flyers...Butler's the first to own one of these and this is Wisdom's first flyer...it is time I go ahead and break her in via the old cable snapping technique!) -And a ton of other scary flat rides, funhouses and hopefully well-lubed up Super Slides of Death -And checking out all the crazy/weird things the fair has up...Reason why I say weird as last fair I attended, I scored some rubber fetuses that an anti-abortion booth was giving out.

I'm not quite sure either (will check and see, so far off the top of my head I know there's a unique/strange layouts in general...not isolated to specific parts of a coaster). My strangest element is actually very minimal...it is the double up on Gold Striker...this can actually kick your @$$ in every way (in a good way). Lots of body slams will happen here...this is actually where TPR member Blue Fire Guy accidentally elbow punched me in the cheek

-Grizzly, CGA... Modification would be: TAER IT DOWN!!11! (and replace it with a Blitz or Mega Coaster) -Return SFMM's Revolution to lapbars only -RMC topper track Ghost Rider...she would probably be very amazing if it weren't so bumpy! I still loved Ghost Rider though. -As much as it would mess with the heartlining, convert CGA's Vortex to a sitdown or floorless.

I don't want to divert this thread too far off topic but the 2 coasters you mentioned were Pole Position (Fabbri spinner) and a Pinfari Zyklon. I have the unlimited rides thing so I will ride as much as possible (Yes, expect a TR on this in a separate thread). Again, I'm looking forward to experiencing the park without your typical iPod playlist running...those songs got stale after a while...lost track at how many times I heard Mambo No. 5 and 500 Miles in a single day. Should actually bring some nice atmosphere into the park.

Glad to hear they finally ditched the iPod playlist as we've been calling it...gotta figure out my next visit as I'm off to endure some carny rides tomorrow at the CA State Fair Who would have thought new music playing in a park would make me excited to visit again

^I forgot that game existed...with that said, there are a few more Disney-based games I can recall...one in which I own. This is an AMAZING recreation of Disneyland by the way...in fact I feel like I'm actually in the park walking around And let's go way back to an older Disney Park-based game. This one I did not have a copy of, but have played it before, seems like a precursor to the Kinect version with ride-based sub-games and using the park as an overworld.

Not to mention, KTVU is all over this story as they claim to be the first to cover every aspect of it. See what happens when one jumps to be 'in' first with content? At least KTVU admitted fault for their part of it rather than just pushing it all on the NTSB. Hastiness can and will nip one in the butt And http://www.ktvu.com/videos/news/san-francisco-runway-at-sfo-quickly-reopened-after/v6TZJ/ Yup, it's been cleared and runway is now open.

Perfect explanation why.

Sad, but inevitable... PRINCE DESMOND...WHERE ARE YOU?!?!? (May both sister shuttle coasters rest in pieces and be together in 'coaster heaven' )

^Honestly, I tried everything...from holding head forward to firmly resting it against head rest, to just going with the flow...I even went as far as sticking my hands over the ears (hear no evil position) only to find my hand were smashed and was almost impossible to cushion the blows. Part of it may have to do with my height that my ears lined right up with the harnesses. Taller riders (6 ft+) may have a better experience.

Mine was this past April. I was visiting SFMM, snagging some long-missing credits and was about to get in line for Tatsu, seeing it only had a 10-minute wait...turns out it had 'extended delays' and wasn't going to open for a while. Looking for short waits, I checked Revolution, which was at 45 minutes all day...dropped down to 15 minutes. Little did I know what this ride was going to do to me. Coming down the initial drop naturally I put my hands up. A little shakey at the bottom but was ok...next sweeping dive is when all hell broke loose and Anton let out his wrath...(perhaps he doesn't like OTSR's on his coasters) and yea... to the extreme. The restraint design itself is horrible and just happened to line right up with my ears...not like an Arrow coaster where the restraints don't even make contact with my head. Finally up to the loop, it was a nice little breather until after the loop. The final helix is what really did it, what I call the final blow. It sucked. I came off with a throbbing headache and still had a few more hours to go in the park. I may try it again during WCB but that's a very slight possibility...as in only if I have time to ride it. I got the credit so I have no reason to beat myself up again. lengthy Revolution rant>

I know GL has a flat appearance if you look at it's front profile but...GL is an Intamin coaster

Lovely bay area news station KTVU really screwed this one up (I'm sure many locals have seen this already) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJ0sTJ1AIaM Yea, Now that the video has gone viral soon after it aired, KTVU issued an apology.

Now that I've began counting laps, I can easily say I've ridden Gold Striker the most...with a total of 86 laps and counting. I'm sure Flight Deck (CGA) is right behind, count-wise.

When you look at GL from its front profile, I'd say its pretty flat Flat Coaster anyone? In all seriousness Zac Spins don't fall under the flat ride category as its a coaster. It's like calling the Energy Storm a roller coaster.

I saw that earlier too in the Big Kahuna Club emails I get. Just in time for school, right? Well, with that said, at least crowds won't be so crazy when I plan on heading over the hill and hit up the 'Walk! I wonder if UT will be part of the limited op come off season...I really enjoyed my February visit early this year

There's several under my belt that I absolutely love. First off, I'm a sucker for anything that has some degree of rider control...this would have to be the following: -Tea Cups -Flying Scooters (though Cedar Fair doesn't like snapping apparently) -Tilt-a-Whirl (If you shift your weight at the right moments, you can go right into a nice spinning frenzy!) -Break Dance (Again, like the Tilt-a-whirl...weight-shifting = spinning frenzy!) -Rock-o-Plane (This ride completely messed me up after riding however) Ones that you just ride and go with the flow: - Zamperla Energy Storm...I know that these aren't as crazy as the Soriani & Moser version (like at Prater) but the one I rode at the fair took me by surprise and completely exhausted me...being inverted for a good 30 or so seconds, spinning the same direction as the main ride structure... - Chance YoYo...we may not have the Kick-Boodie swings here but the one I rode at the fair offered many monents of 'Kick-Boodie!' with some hard swing collisions with friends after the ride ended...nothing like sending off a chain reaction! - Freefall towers, most noteably the puny 70-foot ARM/Larson tower that yanks you upward when it suddenly drops...Intamin towers runner up - Ring of Fire...smooth, floaty hangtime! - And a well-lubricated Super Slide of Death! (Would this really be a flat ride?) I'm sure there will be many more to add to my list this weekend as I have yet another fair to conquer...looking forward to riding Crazy Train, Zipper, Chance Sky Diver (always wanted to try one as a kid), ghetto Wisdom Rides take on the Flying Scooters, and much much more! (Butler is providing a hefty selection of rides at this year's California State Fair)

Tough choices when it comes to steel. I have a lot of them I found fun and re-rideable (Silver Bullet, SFDK Medusa, Goliath, etc...) but there are a select few that really hold their ground with me. My top would have to be Xcelerator (KBF) while Flight Deck, Batman & Tatsu (SFMM), and Superman Ultimate Flight (SFDK) are all fighting each other for the #2 spot. Wood, that's easy as I have very few wood credits. 1- Gold Striker (CGA) 2- Giant Dipper (SCBB) 3- Apocalypse (SFMM) 4- Ghost Rider (Knott's) 5- Roar (SFDK)

Well, I'd also assume that CB will be gone as actually, part of the Club Blood alleyway was used for the "On Broadway" show, in the opening scene

Day 4...Knott's Berry Farm! Yes, it's been a very delayed trip report...been too busy riding Gold Striker and visiting parks This is one of those places I've been to twice, though I only really want to count it once as the first time I was there, I was like this... (yay, baby pix of me!) Why on earth did I reach for Snoopy's head??? Ok, seen enough of my childhood photos that I don't even remember. My last visit prior to this trip was in 1998. Wind Jammer was the new hotness, Ghost Rider was under construction, and I was just a GP...Knott's was my gateway into discovering the world of coaster enthusiat-ness. So visiting KBF was almost like a fresh new experience yet felt familiar at the same time (I knew my way around the park and where everything was at for the most part). So let's start the day off! First ride of the day was one I was a bit worried about...one I would think I wouldn't like...one known as Ghost Rider! I figured that I may as well just get the credit done and over with and had pretty low expectations for it due to the condition it's in. Once seated and dispatched, I had no clue what I was in for. This is one of those rides that you don't want to put your hands up as you feel like you're on a coaster made of Lego's or a "Mine Craft Coaster" as I like to say...like this: imagine that you're riding your bike down a long set of stairs, sitting down. Among the bounciness this ride offered, I was greeted with several bursts of airtime. Tempting to put the hands up, I let go for a brief moment before bracing myself once again. In the end, I can see where this was once a top coaster. It has a great layout, and I can see it's awesome moments trying to come out, much like the sun trying to peak out on a stormy day. In the end, I actually enjoyed it...Later in the day, I had to try it again, with a little dash of YOLO...let's ride in the back seat! Definitely more "Mine Craft Coaster-y" but even more airtime too. Yup still enjoyed it, I'd put it in the middle of the pack on where I rank my wood coasters. Needing to catch my breath and take it easy, we took a quick ride on a KBF classic - Stage Coach! No LIMs, no braking systems, no lifts, no anti roll backs, no e-stops, no lapbars...just a simple horse and stage coach! Takes you on a quick loop around Silver Bullet and Camp Snoopy. Nice relaxation session! Ready for my next coaster, it was time to hit up Silver Bullet! I initially had very low expectations of the ride due to it's ever-so-steep drop (maybe about as steep as a wheelchair ramp maybe? ) I found this ride to also be quite enjoyable! It's no Flight Deck or Batman but there was a moment where I actually did grey out (after the loop in the last row), as well as several moments where my feet began to tingle/go numb. Strange feeling... In the end I enjoyed SB even though it has a wheelchair ramp-steep drop. Sierra Sidewinder was next on the list as we were making the loop around the park. My first ride on this left a very good impression as we were spinning pretty good! My 2nd Mack coaster, and a rather fun one at that! Definitely re-riding this again! Monte....the coaster I chickened out on... I have some unfinished business to take care of, and that is riding a Schwarzkopf that will not smash my head in the hardest way possible...a Schwarzkopf that's done right. Last Schwarzkopf shuttle loop I rode (and only one) was Tidal Wave at CGA...so this was a nice treat (even though it's a flywheel and not a weight drop launch). Not to mention, this thing travels pretty far up the back spike. Just watch for that gut punch as you hit that curve...it's pretty abrupt and forceful! As there was barely any lines I rode it 3 times back-to-back (had to go around). After hitting up Monte, it was time to take a break from coasters...a real brief break. It was time to hop onto Supreme Scream. Final verdict: I'll take on SCBB's Double Shot any day, this was a bit tame. Intimidating but a bit too tame. I will also take an Intamin drop tower over the taller S&S towers to be honest. Next on the list was the moment I was waiting for...something fast...something made of pink Intamin track...something named...Xcelerator! All I can say about this thing is "WOW!" I took my first ride in the back and was blown away by its insanely quick-accelerating launch! Oh, it's not done yet! After cresting the top, I felt myself literally feel like I was standing up coming down the 205-foot tophat. To be honest, on my first ride, I didn't feel as intense of airtime. After a second ride in the same seat, it was noticeably stronger and remained strong since. I then braved the front row (Intamin cables, please be nice to me!). I'd have to say that this is where I had my best ride yet. Why? Clear view of everything, was launched upward cresting the hill, and then felt like I was being pulled out coming down... After 6 total rides on this, I decided that this lives as my #1 steel coaster. Forceful launch gave me that 'butterfly' feeling and left me giggly as it launched...while feeling like my face was being stretched like silly putty. The airtime from 205 feet up was just breathtaking. Nothing special, but here's a little off-ride POV I did...as I loved Xcel that much! Time for lunch, we hit up a Johnny Rockets...great food, and a nice perk: I was able to get refills with my CGA souvenir cup. Six Flags, what happened to your Johnny Rockets? (The KBF JR is a full table-service restaurant) After lunch we hit up were Riptide which is my favorite top spin. It had plenty of flips and a pretty long cycle! After riding Riptide, it was time to get a credit...but wait, what's that?!? Whee! Last credit I need at Knotts until Coast Rider opens Uh...looks like I'll be holding my horses until further notice (WCB?) In the end I rode pretty much everything I was after and really enjoyed the crowds (of what..20 people??). I really got a chance to explore the park despite their early closing time. Anywho, off to these delayed photos from this delayed trip report from back in April! Yay, we are here! 'Tis been a long time I've seen you KBF! I love coasters towering over the park entrances! A fun coaster...if I want to compare it to other B&M's I've been on, it reminded me of an inverted SFDK Medusa..smooth, fun, and quiet! After being shaken by Ghost Rider (I liked GR by the way), it was time to ride something classic. Silver Bullet through the Stage Coach station platform! Jeff taking picture of me, taking picture of him... Train... Flume construction...yes we just went back in time...by a few months This place is just swarming with people at the gates Stage coach entrance, after the fact of getting off Where we are headed next... I actually thought it was kind of neat walking right under SB's lift. Checking out the test seat...of course we will fit on a Beemer! LOOOOPTY LOOOOOOOOOP! I found the overbank to be quite fun! Definitely not as snappy as Flight Deck (CGA)'s Corkscrew... Off to Sierra Sidewinder, my 2nd Mack coaster. Up-skirt shot of Sierra...I feel dirty for doing this Some unfinished business to take care of...has been haunting me since 1998...why did I have to chicken out back then?!? Monte's "Gut Puncher" back spike, if you are in the very back. Brace yourself! And we're off! And we're zooming back! On our way towards Supreme Scream, we were greeted by a non-working Wind Seeker... Supreme Scream! Too bad it was rather tame for its height...oh well, I have a 400-foot Intamin tower to look forward to tomorrow Well, my moment I've been waiting for has arrived... Sexy pink Intamin track! Pink curves... Wow, just...wow...insanely fast! I feel like something just crashed into me and sent me off flying! In case you forgot what ride I'm currently drooling over at the moment... Who doesn't like pink coasters anyway? En route to Johnny Rockets, I decided to snap some photos of the Sour Skittles fluorescent Vekoma Boomerang...my first boomerang and my 2nd inverting coaster. Very vibrant... Again, we just went back in time...before KBF had their new Boardwalk up and running. Yay, Riptide! A very fun Top Spin! Well, we know what's next (or not...) Pony's being awfully quiet today. No tunnel taking will happen here... Back to Riptide, to finally ride it of course! Since CGA's Star Tower was down for the first part of the season, I had to get my observation tower fix here... Boardwalk area construction, from back in April The main new KBF attraction I'm looking forward to riding I'm totally surprised we were allowed to ride this as single people per seat. Normally they make it mandatory that there are 2 riders on these types of rides. Yes, this thing exhausted me! And now for some random park photos...Wind Seeker again, not running. No surprise here. Wheee! (More Silver Bullet porn for you all ) And one of the few final rides we did...Calico Mine Train! Looking over at GR, I kept thinking of Gold Striker and its tunnel...only making me anxious to hop on GS! And I conclude this TR with something that just had to be...TAKE THE TUNNEL! (Ok, cave)

Oh yea, the Spinning Wheel game...forgot about that being too noisy

I'm very excited as well...each time I see an update, I am quickly reminded that I already have the game coming to me soon (Kickstarter pledge). I'm also reminded how glad I am to take part in helping make this happen, among with other supporters!

I had heard about it for a while as well, but opted not to say anything Home of Dia De Los Muertos