Angry_Gumball

Ready for this? I could not resist responding to this one, but I was polite. I am reading this right, correct?

Awesome shots, especially the up close shots! There can never be enough Gold Porn on here I'm trying to figure out why my photos look foggy...I blame the Friday evening Haunt fog for that!

Last night when in line for CGA's Slaughter House maze, the queue takes you up close to Gold Striker's construction, an unobstructed ground level view. Naturally, JeffyJosephNorcal and I whip out or DSLR cameras and begin snapping away like paparazzi. Some kids behind us suddenly ask "Why are you guys getting so many pictures of that?" (We were adjusting the settings on the camera to get the right exposure and whatnot, I only shoot in manual mode) We then tell the kids that we're part of a roller coaster fan site and we've been posting updates on the new coaster's construction. Like any good coaster enthusiast, I then whip out my phone and show them renderings of Gold Striker. They quickly got bored of me showing them the different renderings that shows the layout. Initially when I showed them the rendering showing the first drop, their reaction was "Woah, where's that coaster at?" I then tell them that they're looking at it and explained that the first drop will wrap the star tower (points that directon). They didn't quite understand. Finally, we were next in line for our 10-person group to enter the maze.

I noticed the plush carpets, was a couple seconds of relief to walk on after the long 14 hours at the park; my feet were thanking me for those brief seconds. Weird that I didn't notice it on my first visit.

^Don't feel bad, this song has been stuck in my head all day long, even moreso than the rest of the themes...and I've listened to the others quite a bit throughout the day today A little further in, you can hear Jeff talking about his dog too. After thinking about it more, MMMM has definitely solidified its ranks as being my favorite maze as far as the amount of detail/theming that was put into it. Because of the fact that it is very realistic as opposed to the more fantasy CarnEvil, Cornstalkers, Club Blood, Toy Factory, and even Slaughterhouse (SH comes next in line as far as realism goes), it pushes up the ranks for its creepy factor. While I still have yet to be startled in there, the overall maze just gave off these creepy vibes.

I'm back with a Gold Striker update and also a 'spoiler-ific' review of Haunt! As noted, we were at the park for 14 hours today. Our group consisted of Jeff, Blue Fire Guy, myself, my cousin, and 2 other TPR members (forgot their TPR names). Later, 2 more joined forces. Here's a little taste of our stuffed logs, I totally recommend ERT on this riding in this style next time TPR does an event at CGA Goldy is now going vertical on the so-called Drumstick pad and is looking really good! Again there were people working on it today. I took advantage of this evening's lines (or lack thereof) on Slaughter House and got some evening Gold Striker porn! Now that I got that off my chest, let's hop over to Haunt! As usual, we kicked off the evening with the Boofet (An all-you-can-eat buffet) that normally gets you into the park a bit early. Unfortunately, that wasn't the case tonight and some of the GP were already in the park and Overlord resurrection had already happened. I do however understand things do happen so I'll let it slide. And this is where the spoilers begin! So skip past this if you don't want to find out! Starting off the night, we really wanted to hit up the new maze, Massacre Manor (or what we call M4). I can say that this is a winner. The queue is situated right in front of the first aid building, kind of just shoe-horned in there. The maze's entrance consists of the facade (which looks very nice now) where you enter and go through a dark hallway. Inside the maze, it reminds me of an old Victorian mansion (hence being a 'manor'). There is just a ton of detail everywhere and I almost forget the fact that I'm in a big metal shed and actually feel like I'm inside an old house! I'd have to say that my favorite element in here is the 'zombie window' where they get shot (and you get sprayed when they splat on the window). The music is also rather creepy and really adds to the atomsphere/theme of the maze. I also liked going through the wine cellar at the end, and how pretty much the events in that maze unfold...from what starts off somewhat normal. First run, I didn't get any startling scares but it did give off this creepy vibe, good enough to give me nightmares Besides all this cool stuff, it is still a metal shed and if you choose to look up you can see that. Visitations: 2x Wait time: 10 minutes, 20 minutes Grade: 9/10 Next on the list was Toy Factory. Hello catchy tune, nice to hear you again at the park! The line for this was almost nonexistent and before we knew it we were up at the building...but wait! What happened to the outdoor part with Pinocchio and all the toys on shelves? The maze immediately starts at the building. There seemed to have been some missing talent/some holes...there was no Raggedy Anne, and at one point I accidentally almost walked back into an earlier section of the maze as there was no blackout there. And of course to end it, there's that black squishy thing of death! 3 members of our group lost their virginity to this, one of them didn't fare too well and got sick shortly after (claustrophobia). We quickly got her some water and ventured off to our next maze. There didn't really seem to be too much effort when I went through, talent-wise...maybe should have given it another go! Oh well, next time, have all Haunt season to do so! Visitations: 1x Wait time: 5 minutes Grade:7.5/10 (Sorry TF, you're normally one of my favorites!) Corn Stalkers is the park's longest maze and there seemed to be some differences this season. Along one of the back stretches, there's practically no walls, huge floodlights, and a view of CGA's neighbors...so much for atmosphere! At this time nothing was really going on but it picked back up when it headed toward the car track. This maze actually gave me the most startles as talent popped out of nowhere. My highlight of this maze was walking through the dark void of burlap sack strips under Grizz's brake run. Combine that with darkness and fog, and some talent, you got a nice setup for some good scares! The rest of the maze (love the outhouses) was a tad thin on talent but left you wondering if someone was going to get you. Visitations:1x Wait:15-20 minutes Grade:8/10 At this point we have 10 in our group, heading toward the log flume, Black Widows Cavern! This means, a night time clench 'n squish ride on BWC! Due to the weight of our logs, it seemed like we were flying through the lower flume, making it a tad difficult for the talent to get us. My log didn't soak us that much, the other log with the rest of our party was another story; they came off soaked! Visitations:1x Wait:10 minutes Grade:8/10 (Clench 'n Squish!) The next one up on our hit list was Werewolf Canyon. After being disappointed by it last season, I drastically lowered my expectations this year. After a hefty line (I think we waited 20 minutes) and seeing a group of 6 line jumpers dart across the grass and hop the ropes about 30 feet ahead, we got in. Too bad the line jumpers weren't caught but what can you do... Anyway onto the maze! I was overall impressed with the talent this year, as much as there are still week spots (a long stretch of the rapids queue with no talent at all, just bare) but it picked right back up with a nice surprise when it got back to the 'corridor' section. This 1 werewolf was just standing there blocking the path, staying as still as ever. All of us were puzzled, and about 20 seconds after, he lunges towards us and got some good startles. Definitely a maze highlight! The corridor section went on forever and this time it actually had talent! To end WWC, poor Blue Fire Guy was being targeted by one of the talent, followed by the talent running off after another member of our party (not my cousin this time haha). I also spotted Robman, he got a few members of our group Visitation:1x Wait:20 minutes Grade: 7.5/10 (Yay for a nice pickup after that long dead spot!) From this point we took a pause and rode "Fright Deck" (which was a rather short wait). After sacraficing our goods to the bins (as to not stir up the ghosts) we took our ride. Blue Fire Guy had to get heading out so he wanted to end the evening on FD. Just FYI, the eagle train's getting some rattles while the shark is still pretty smooth. Finally, back to more mazes! Naturally, we head to CarnEvil. After forgetting my 3D glasses at home, I decided to fork over the cash and get a fresh pair. This was the shortest wait of the night and this was around 9:30 or so. This maze is classic, love every bit of it. I had a couple startles in there as well and the maze definitely felt like it went on forever! However, there didn't seem to be a whole lot of clowns in there at that time. Unless there's new props in there, everything's pretty much the same. Why fix something that isn't broken? Visitations: 1x Wait:5 minutes Grade: 8.5/10 Anxious to check out the new Club Blood, we head over that way. Before I talk about the maze, let's talk about some happenings in the area. First off, there was an opening in the fence where we can get a clear view of Gold Striker bents laying in the lot. Naturally I snag some photos Afterwards, several kids decide to hop into the Fright Lane queue (which is adjacent to the normal queue) to bypass everyone and try to sneak back over. After making comment about it, several others in the queue also ranted about it. They attempted getting in when the one at the head of the line informed the blackout that they had cut. They were kicked out! So the maze. The maze is back to normal for the most part! You start off in what now feels like an extended alleyway with a more windy layout.The dance area seemed a bit expanded and before you know it, you're in the Pictorium! I'm not sure if the inside is the same as previous but it works. I like the dark windy hallway full of fabric strips, very challenging to navigate While it's an original maze, it feels like it got a fresh coat of paint and the whole experience feels fresh. Visitations: 1x Wait: 10 minutes Grade: 9/10 Last maze, Slaughter House (AKA Gold Striker photoshoot session)! This is the 1 maze where I was somewhat hoping for a slower queue so I can admire the construction. Some great views as mentioned. Now onto the maze as before we knew it we were right up there! Sorry Slaughter House, you were kind of the maze that was just there last night. While there was some talent there, their effort was not quite there. Still lots to look at in there, and while Flagg 'o Dim was tripping over bones in 1 maze, we found some hair that had fallen off of either talent or prop, that was on the floor. I picked it up and moved it aside so nobody else would step on it/trip. The last half hour of the night consisted of a ride on Grizzly (with the longest dispatch ever, didn't time it sadly but it took a while), and a spin on Tiki Twirl. It was getting pretty cold so the fire was nice to have We ended our last bit of Haunt with M4 (or as we called it MMMMMMMMM.....). Still need to see everything in that maze, there's just so much detail in there, spotted the working piano as the one playing it banged on the keys making me jump...after I was listening to what she was 'playing.' Definitely a favorite maze and the talent in this are really into what they are doing. Scare Zones: Gauntlet was kind of just..there. The clowns weren't really interacting with our group so it didn't do much for me. There weren't that many clowns in there either, was kind of thin. Underworld Alley was definitely the strongest for certain reasons Actually, the talent in this maze were interacting with just about everyone going through. While the navigation is weird (split path), it is definitely one of the best this year, has the best atmosphere and talent. Deadman's Cove... Yea, I was disappointed. No music in there (I pulled out my iPhone and began playing the Deadman's Cove song to fill that void. It has drastically shrunk and other than one of the talent that I know chasing my cousin through, I just pretty much walked on by as though there was nothing there. I was quite disappointed in this one. Random notes: -I'm learning the technique of the flyers! And there is no violent movement of the fins, it's all pure 'being one with the ride.' -Around 5:30 leaving the park, I heard the Toy Factory song blasting inside the building (we just got off Drop Tower) and also heard the Slaughter House sounds inside the white tent. Also saw a random Slaughterhouse talent heading to his maze, seemed very weird to see. -It was the first full moon of Autumn, very fitting for last night's event! -Despite how busy it looked, crowds were being pulsed into the mazes at decent intervals. I don't think I recalled once that we caught up with another party...maybe we moved slower to admire all the work being done as some caught up to us. This opened up opportunities for good scares for the most part. Oh, and if anyone's interested, I recorded the audio from MMMM for all of us to enjoy! Hopefully, an 'official version' will make it to Soundcloud for our streaming pleasures Yay, bright and early to CGA! Time to renew our passes and get the meal tickets! Detail shot. Was a foggy morning...what is that I see? More verticals! As posted yesterday, here's the latest vertical work. More bents waiting to go up. Land prep for lift and station? Random prop. Jeff and his new bony friend Aw...ain't that cute? No longer Club Bloid... And some more Gold Striker porn! Taken from under the fence, I'm surprised this came out decent. Over to Delirium for some morning Twirl 'n Hurl! And over to "Endeavolution." (AKA, my head's about to 'splode!) UA theming during the day...does not look like much...yet. There's these new headstones you can crawl through (or some good ops for some good scares!) Looking sexier every weekend Wow, I'm really impressed with that facade! (And according to Nibbler, it has a real, functioning doorbell!) The MMMM/M4 sign. Can't get enough of Gold Striker construction! See that opening? If more of the bents are like this, there's going to be a lot of headchoppers! Now in line for another coaster, Psycho Cheese! (Psycho Mouse) Boofet time! The "Cool Table" These guys came in as soon as we all got settled and began eating. Looks like Heather's made some new friends (They wanted her brownie!) "Whee!" Some Flight Deck evening testing! Just in time for Haunt, a nice Harvest Moon! Yay, Haunt has begun! Skipping by CB and Carnevil we jam over to M4. It's Starlight Spectacular at CGA! No wait... its... Christmas at CGA? Nah, can't be... Well, welcome to MMMM! This guy was out here all night, really getting into character! While he wasn't really there to scare anyone, he added to the whole feel/theme of the maze. Random shots from around the area. Blue Fire Guy, more like Magenta Fog Guy "Here in the Toy Factory!" Fog was a common site of the evening. Random talent in Cornstalkers line. Big Black 'Pider...you know what this means...and since we had 10 to our party, that means time for some clench 'n squish BWC! A creepy-ish shot of one of the members of our party. "Oh, Heather!" *Takes off on a chase!* Yup, this is one of the talent I know The very sparse/dead Deadman's Cove zone. Random Firefall shots heading over to Werewolf Canyon. A perfect ride for those cooler fall nights. In line at WWC now. WWC and a (dinky) full moon! Orbit. The Ghoul Rave area, basically it's Ghoul Time moved outdoors. Night session on FD! Next up, CarnEvil! Let's put on the 3D glasses! Om nom nom... Over to Club Blood. Gold Striker bents! And over to Slaughter House (GS Porn Shoot coming NOW!) Wow, this thing looks massive from back here! Check out that tight turn in the bents! Random shot of Sky Flyer/St Louis Arch. More of Underworld Alley Electric Chair sweetness! Final rides for the night. Like mentioned, fog was not unheard of here. And a ride on Tiki Twirl...the fire is much appreciated! Back through UA to finish up the evening with M4! ??? The banner changed! Despite how crowded this looks, it moves fast! Closing ceremonies (since we missed the opening 'resurrection' ceremony) He's shrinking! Alright CGA, see you soon! (Next weekend?)

Good morning TPR! Just got done at my 14 hour day at CGA! Lots of photos taken, have about 600 to flip through! Stay tuned for a day trip report, never seen before night time Gold Striker porn, and of course, Haunt! In short I really enjoyed MMMMMMMMM! The music was creepy (I recorded it for our listening pleasure) and detail was top notch!

As promised here you all go!

Well, I will be at the park tomorrow. Since I can upload photos from my iPhone (finally) I will satisfy our cravings to see Goldy's progress:) stay tuned! This is where we left off on updates Testing upload capabilities since iPhone photos are a tad large for the boards.

This under-rated B&M creation...well, I'm riding it every month

When you strap on a pair of skates, go for a ride down the street and realize how rough the street is...immediately you begin to think Vekoma Rollerskater...why? Vekoma for being rough, and rollerskates for obvious reasons. Also...When you named your lizard after a coaster! (I named my new bearded dragon, Tatsu)

I'm really tempted to get the renewal done and over with this Saturday. I'll be there early enough anyway that I'll be waiting around for the park to open. Random note: I had nothing better to do tonight and decided to search "Gold Striker CGA" via Google and found this site, completely unrelated but extremely coincidental. http://www.cgamining.com/ It's apparently a gold mining company based in Canada and Australia, called "CGA Mining Ltd." It totally screams "Gold Striker" at Great America

The "Biggie-Suit Samus"

Dead Man's Cove - Thomas Tissot Also very ready for Haunt!

Decided to get back into rollerblading, trying to get some form of exercise in as I want to get rid of my gut. My legs are sore after a measly mile. I guess I gotta get myself conditioned as I have not really skated consistently since the early 2000's.

As far as ones I actually experienced, I would have to say SCBB's Giant Dipper and Hurricane. The sea-side atmosphere is what makes it, especially when Hurricane was there (being dismantled now). Otherwise, I don't think anything can top the views in the original post. It seems like it could be very disorienting and made to feel like it's up higher than it really is...even better than the old High Roller on the Stratosphere tower. Something I would not mind adding to my credit list one of these days.

I should definitely renew mine sooner this time. Last season I renewed mine that morning just prior to heading off to the park for opening day.

Yes you saw/heard that correctly!

I like In-n-out but their burgers do seem to have...shrunk over the past few years. Can't go wrong with animal style. I do have to agree though, spending the same price over at Jack in the Box, I leave the place feeling like the epitome of an ACEr after eating their Ultimate Bacon Cheese Burger. I have yet to get a 5 Guys Burger credit (I really need to watch how I say this...can see/hear people saying that 'they ate 5 guys for lunch). A 5 Guys Burger opened in my city, across town. Unless I treat myself one of these days, I probably won't have one for a while...trying to lose my spare tire that has formed.

^I need to go back and study flying technique... Flyer Addicts, here I come! Oh, not sure if it's been mentioned but Global Winter Wonderland is making a return again this year according to the SC Permit page.

Yay, the CGA thread's alive again So far, that I know of, there will be my cousin, Blue Fire Guy, JeffyJosephNorcal, my neighbor, Rolercstrluvr and Rawkin Coaster. Evening, I'm sure there will be at least another 6 to add onto that. Come to the boofet, meet us there (and get into Haunt a bit early and beat the front gate craziness!) I'm very excited for this weekend, going to be one of my longest days spent at the park as I'm also doing the day visit to do some rides and check out Goldy (It seems like ages since I last saw an update, seeing the coaster almost 2 weeks ago when I last visited). It should be a nice surprise and drool session for us...bring an extra change of clothes, guys!

A photo can't do it justice, so take it in video form

Closed for good