Angry_Gumball

I haven't counted total laps on coasters until this season, but the one ride I've probably ridden the most even if I combine what I've done over the course of my seasons at CGA, it would have to be 52 laps on Gold Striker (which hasn't officially opened yet ), with Flight Deck and Grizzly running right behind.

I'm just happy that we were able to get in our rides (50+) so I can see where we are kind of spoiled. I'm going to say Memorial Day Weekend. A lady taking surveys a year ago at the park entrance mentioned about a new coaster with tunnels (see what happened?) and will be opening Memorial Day Weekend 2013. While it was doubtful about the date at first, it's starting to actually look pretty realistic.

This is just a wild guess but I'm go take a stab at it and say that noise tests could have been conducted the past couple weeks during the promo shoot...since we've seen walls go up during the week. Back in the planning phases it was noted that modifications will be done as needed to keep noise levels in check. Maybe they have to get the ok, volume-wise before they can open it. Hopefully soon it opens.

I've actually (recently) done a Chance Wipeout, solo. This was down at Knotts and it was definitely insane, to the point I felt safer actually hanging on! Definitely a fun experience! The Zipper I know is one that requires 2 riders...in fact, next month a fellow TPR member (Blue Fire Guy) and I are looking at hitting up a local county fair so we can both lose our Zipper virginity. I'm actually pretty curious to see how Zippers are.

Honestly crowds don't bother me at all, I go to the park to have fun. I don't care if im not able to go on whatever ride because it's busy, I enjoy walking around just as much as I do riding rides. Whenever I step into a park I feel somewhat relieved since I don't need to worry about the outside world and it's someplace to escape for awhile. Honestly, I'm getting over the whole "OMG CGA is crowded" thing...I've had 6 seasons to get adjusted to this. Sure I like a quieter park, less idiots and line jumpers but when I'm at the park, half the fun is being away from reality/work/obligations and instead, hanging out with the group...and of course hopping on rides even if it's the flat rides

You sure 'bout that? I see this: Ah-ah-ah And the theme is insanely catchy, been stuck in my head the past few days! Well I watched the POV and did the Smiler app ride through and in the app, even with all inversions unlocked, it is not an exact recreation. There's some parts missing/changed.

The ride looks pretty cool, though it looks like it *could* provide some headbanging. I watched a rider cam pov the other day and saw a few jarring moments that looked pretty painful. I've been messing with the app on my iPhone lately (great way to pass time waiting in line) and messed with the scanner...this is a bit creepy: Normal.... Yikes!!! I'd love to actually scan the real train in person.

If the park were to remove Loggers Run for a coaster I wouldn't care too much. Sure I would miss it, but if an amazing coaster were to replace it then that would be fantastic! However I doubt the park would remove the rapids ride as well. Removing the log flume would be a pretty large kick to the stomach in my opinion. Sure they have the water park, an Intamin Spillwater, and a Rapids ride but the abundance of water rides for those hot summer days help keep the water rides from getting too over-crowded. I do agree, if the park wants something, they will find a way to get it to work...even if it's shoehorning it in and building on top of other things...look at how Pony Express was put in over the rapids down at Knotts, as well as how a longer length coaster is spread out over the midways (Jaguar)...or Silver Bullet built, towering the carousel...Ok I don't want CGA's carousel being dwarfed/hidden by a coaster...

It is indeed a very cute little train! This looks like it will be yet another one of those that are not 'just another GCI' as people (on other sites) tend to write GCI off. Can't wait to see the first *official* POV (none of the illegally GP-recorded junk) and hear some opinions on this when it opens...I doubt I'll be making it to Florida anytime soon.

Steel full circuit: Goliath (SFMM) Wood: Colossus (SFMM) Invert: Silver Bullet (Knott's) Steel Shuttle: S:EFK (SFMM)

I believe they can't go into the ground much due to the water table. The wetlands aren't really that far from the park.

When did they build Grizzly around the Twirly Thing?

Well, just a month ago there were several pages consisting of potty talk (That's all I read my entire trip home from my SoCal trip were complaints about SFMM's restrooms)

Shoot...even Gold Striker at CGA has some decent fencing! Maybe it's a Cedar Fair thing

^The DK ones were just plastic. Actually last time I rode it (SFDK opening day 2013) the wings had cracked a bit due to them being semi brittle and the fact that clumsy people (like myself sometimes) bump into them. The sharp corners suck too...I'm good at bumping into corners of objects

Honestly, the wings don't really restrict anything...only nuisance they cause is catching your shirt on the corner of it, or banging your arm on the corner as you board the train.

I've actually spoken to some of the higher ups about the issue we had Saturday and how the cutting was happening...the kids were cutting across the grass from exit path at Flight Deck to meet with their friends...like 5 kids. We were watching them like a hawk as they did the same. I have faith in the park that measures will be taken to help thwart off line jumpers especially when summer hits.

I'm going to take a shot in the dark and say Memorial Day Weekend, the weekend of my next CGA visit (either the 25 or the 26th). Technically it would still be 'opening in May' just like how Superman Ultimate Flight (SFDK) technically opened in the spring even though it was literally at the tail end of the spring season. The First Rider auction is still TDB as well (as it seems). We shall see when it opens but I'm sure my 52 rides in on the coaster can hold me over for the next couple weeks...will give me a chance to get the ride out of my system so it will feel fresh again (not that Gold Striker ever got old...I could ride it all day if I wanted ) Well an exact clone of Maverick would not fit but a custom Intamin Blitz coaster would definitely be a neat addition, or a Mack megacoaster like Blue Fire or Helix...definitely need a gimmick that kinda the launched coasters up north, something worthy of competing with...with a little more length of course.

Security seriously got after you for taking a pic of a ride? Sure it was down but that seems a bit...awkward. To be fair though, my first time doing Haunt, one of the security guys was really being a nazi and said I couldn't have my camera out, period. I obeyed for that evening but following weekend, I opted to pull the camera out and had no issues. In the end I guess it really depends on the security...some take their job a bit too serious and others come off as pretty cool people. Speaking of security, I kind of had an annoying moment during the Friday promo shoot...while normally security checks are pretty brief, the security I had gone through wanted to meticulously check every nook and cranny of my bag, to the point of reaching in and moving things around...and then when I got the wand scan, I happened to have a foil gum wrapper in my pocket (no trash can near by when I opened my piece of gum) that happened to trip their wands...I go to throw it out as I'm asked what I just threw it out. Uh, it's called garbage...hence making way to the trash can. Finally after what felt like an eternity, I got in just in time to meet the rest of the group who was just about to get off Gold Striker. rant> OTSRs, leg restraints, arm restraints....handcuffs.... Bondage: The Ride. .... 'nuff said...those who went last night know what I'm talking about haha

I know I'm a little late to the party here but there's a lot I can relate to and answer...which a lot has been answered already. Just play with your camera, learn the fundamentals of photography (shutter speeds and f-stops, along with ISO). I've had my DSLR for almost 3 years and there's still a lot of things I'm still learning. I however haven't taken any photography classes so this is pretty much just a hobby for me. When I get lazy and don't feel like fiddling with settings, I'll just switch to auto and if taking photos becomes too much of a chore, I just put it away and ride. If you're feeling bold and got the idea down on using your camera, you may look into shooting RAW...I've been doing that a lot and have not looked back since.

That was yolo-rific! How on earth did you get it to launch backwards? *baffled* Update: I see what you did, very clever! I would have never thought of making YOLOcoaster as a shuttle and make it appear as though it were connected. Awesome job!

Great day with the group! But something was missing...but I can't quote put my finger on what it was...perhaps Gold Striker? Park was insanely crowded today but we had 12 hours as the park closed at 10:00pm. About line cutters, we dealt with some. I'd rather not let it ruin my day but at the same time it's rude. But what can you do? Random highlights: -Bumper Cars, some nice impacts while keeping from head on collisions -Crowds remained pretty solid all day! -Clench 'n squish on Logger's Run (5-person log, 3 in back half and 2 in front) -Enthusiastic ride ops, really make your ride experiences that much better! -Grizzly's line was too long and none of us even cared to ride it due to being hooked on GS I really can't wait for Gold Striker to open now! Sure I will dread initial crowds but I kind of know what realistic wait times to expect. Also I figured I'd share this for those who didn't get to ride Gold Striker, the so-called "Great Wall of Gold Striker." This actually produces some nice hand choppers as we were able to do hands up on the last train of the promo shoot. It's especially noticeable as you come out of the "Middle Finger Turn." I'm definitely guessing that the promo shoot days were also the noise tests being conducted as the walls had gone up during the time we were riding. On the plus side for us riders, it block out a lot of the view of the neighboring offices (yay!). Reminds me ofBalder....but in the form of a GCI rather than an Intamin prefab...(Since Balder has a mix of tunnels and walls to be taken).

Hmm...that's actually a really tough decision...it really depends on what I'm on the mood for. I love either the very front or the very back (give or take 3 rows). In the front provides very nice UPHILL ejector airtime (into the first turnaround, midway turn) while the back provides more of the downhill airtime (coming out of turns). I guess in the end, I'd have to say row 12 is my favorite all time as the non turnaround moments of airtime are the strongest (coming into Prudential/Middle Finger turn, the sudden drop/double down after Middle Finger turn, etc...) Not to mention, you actually come out of your seat as you "TAKE THE SHAFT!!!" Something I like to do on Gold Striker...assuming you aren't stapled hard and have a little wiggle room, I like to actually lift my feet up a bit as I get true airtime rather than feeling like I'm just standing up. It however ends up with my feet slamming down and often stepping/stomping on my fellow rider's feet. So my little blurb of how today went: I got a somewhat late start getting out there as I got off work at 5. The coaster (from what I heard) started taking on its first riders today promptly at 5:30. I got out to the park around 5:45 after dealing with hit and miss traffic on 880...gotta love random Friday afternoon traffic. Getting out there, I expected it to be very busy as it is Friday and the park also had Physics, Math and Science day. A lot of teens were there today and built upon the initial crowds...line consisted of using all switchbacks and spilled out of the entrance. When we got there, I had to wait for the rest of the group to get off so we were kind and brought snacks to the exit for everyone Getting in line... It took us about 40 minutes to get through though it seemed as though the operations were a bit slow at first. It did pick up and we were back through the line (using all switchbacks) at a much quicker pace. After 2 hours into it, some of the crowds waned a bit but line still was present. In the end I got a total of 5 rides in. Random tidbits/highlights/lowlights: -Line jumpers...ugh! -Vandalism again...usually happens in the dark mine shaft portion of the queue as the GP think that 'nobody will ever see this.' Nobody cares if you were here anyway so knock it off GP! -Metal detector area...felt like I was getting a thorough inspection, more than ever. Like, I had a gum wrapper in my pocket that I threw out as it was tripping the wands and I was being questioned on what I threw out...it's garbage, that's all that matters -Saw some GP with wrist-mounted Go Pros on the ride...really? Can't you follow simple instructions? -Got 2 back-to-back rides, and rode the last official train of the promo shoot. What happened was that when we did our lap, there was just a little over enough people to fill the next train so when we got back into the station, there were about 4 rows worth of people to board. The rest of us got to stay seated as nobody was in our row. -2 very awesome dusk rides, and as it was pretty much the end of the night, we were able to go hands up! -Heard ride ops over the loud speakers telling the GP going up the lift to "PUT YOUR CELL PHONES AWAY!" I'm glad they're enforcing this as I really don't want to get struck by a loose article (or potato as we say...you'd have to be there to get the joke) -As shown above, I hit my 50 and am now at 52 rides..many more to come when it officially opens! I will be back at the park again tomorrow but sadly, no Gold Striker to ride...it will be there to tease us in the best ways possible. But I'll get to reunite with the 'forgotten' rest of the rides at CGA including my beloved Flight Deck and Flyers. Jeff and a fellow, new TPR member (RCTbrony) struck 50...I loaned them my sign An overstuffed Cedar Fair trash can...that's blasphemy! The queue can (if they can fit) use more trash cans in all seriousness...not trying to pull a Cedar Fair trash can joke here Well, the moment has arrived... NERD!!! And after my 50th, it was time for my neighbor to hit her 50th lap! And yes, one of the guys at the park signed my "50th sign" And I'll end my random photos with a Goldy nerd shot Everyone loves lift chain mechanisms, right?

Well I officially hit my 50th lap on Gold Striker! Now where's my golden nugget?

As Rob said, today was a pretty solid day, even though the crowds were present the entire night. I got in 6 laps, boosting my count up to 47, now 3 away from hitting my big 5-0! Cars were stopping on the lift again, due to safety checks and camera repositioning. There was probably a good 10 minute delay however towards the end of the night where several empty trains were being cycled. Well, we actually did get to start riding before 5:30 and lines were averaging 30 minutes with 80% full switchbacks. I'm really surprised how quickly the line moves even with the periodic stops on the lift. Final run tomorrow and I can confirm that Gold Striker will NOT be ready to run this weekend. I am however still going Saturday to hang with the group and catch up on all the other rides that have been forgotten since riding Gold Striker. Should be a busy but fun day!