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Totally agree. I finally got on one of the Premier skyrockets late last year (EDIT: and yolocoaster in 2015) and while it was a good, solid, fun ride for what it is, the Intamin accelerators I've ridden are in a completely different league. If I ever find myself in Japan I'll go way out of my way to check out Dodonpa as that launch just looks crazy and have always wanted to try one of these powerful S&S launches.

You're correct, it's honestly not a very nice place. I've you've never been though, may as well spend an hour like I said to grab the credits and leave. I'm a former Phoenix resident so I've been a handful of times and the only ride I'd even consider "good" is the drop tower. The reasons they won't build a larger park there are a) insanely high summer temperatures (not uncommon to remain in the high 90's well past midnight in the center of town) which prohibits maximized attendance through the summer which is financially critical- even tons of shade wouldn't make much of a difference, and b) Phoenix is the only major market/place to pull from in a several hundred mile radius and Phoenix alone, especially with its demographics, would not be able to support any sizable park. If many people in Phoenix won't consider driving to SFMM because it's too far...people surely won't come out here from the Socal market for something that would equate to far less than that. EDIT: Sidenote for an interesting tidbit of information, SFMM did actually advertise in Phoenix for a year or two via radio and other targeted internet methods and then stopped as far as I can tell. I think it was immediately before and after the opening of Twisted Colossus, but as I said I don't live there anymore so there is a small chance they still do although I definitely don't remember hearing much past a certain point. Correct me if I'm wrong.

^It's worth an hour or so to experience the Hopkins weirdness with Desert Storm, and the drop tower which is one of ARM's 120ft models so it absolutely kicks ass. Totally agree that it's better than Lex Luthor as I rode them about a month apart a couple years back. Free entry too (tickets per ride/wristband type system), so it definitely can facilitate a cheap and quick in-and-out if needed. (That's what she said).

Taxpayers of EU countries. While good for enthusiasts...horrible management of funds for everything else.

I won't go into a three hour economics diatribe, but I'll just say that as a dual citizen to Germany...I've seen these policies play out man and it's not good. I'll just leave it there to keep the peace.

You can get subsidies for that? TIL. And this is exactly one of the reasons the EU needs to go. As cool as I think that is, the adult in me says taxpayer money doesn't need to go to things like this. If I ever find myself in Poland though, I will definitely stop by this park even with just the Intamin hyper!

My wife is Chinese, both parents from the mainland...and the three of them would pretty much agree with everything you said. lmao. I could never live in that country after all the crap I've heard from them, there's a reason they left. Having said that, too bad it was such a frustrating day for you. The silver lining/positive takeaway is that stories like this help remind me why I shouldn't give money to parks, organizations, even countries in some cases that don't deserve my business.

EDIT: double post.

I won't touch on the state of the park in general, other than to say that when I was last there in fall of 2015, the park was in the best shape I've seen it since visiting in '04 for my first time (Scream was the new attraction at that point). Employees, aesthetics, operations, etc. Still left a lot to be desired, but I can't envision a park like SFMM ever growing above a 4/5 in these departments with the current corporate restrictions they have to operate under. Hypothetically if they left Six Flag's ownership and became their own independent park, I could see these issues being rapidly resolved. But I digress... What I really wanted to point out, why can't Viper get THESE kind of trains?! Of course it comes down to a cost/benefit analysis especially factoring in the age/wear and tear of the steel structure...however....I think Viper with these trains would kick total ass.

What time of day? LA traffic is always bad but how bad varies wildly as mentioned. My general rule in that town is to go to google maps and multiply by two for outside estimates. God I hate Caltrans.

^^I'm looking at that hop into the break run...if that thing has the speed I think it will going into it, that could be a stupid ejector pop. Wow.

My last minute prediction... Rebuilding Windjammer.

Yes, at 8pm Pacific Time. Sweet thanks, couldn't find it after digging through a few threads. It's like Christmas in August!

So is the Knott's announcement today too?

^ Don't post that dude, watch out for the ban. Well, that confirms my trip to CP next year. Will be looking at hotel deals periodically!

I believe there was a rainfall issue many months back as well as a permit issue as stated above. As for it being a long standing business, without knowing any details I can't help but remember what state we're dealing with here- wouldn't exactly be out of the ordinary for a government body in California to take forever to issue a permit for something. lol

Thanks for the report! Looks fun and all...but man...I wish we just had one single decent roller coaster within 400 miles. Metrocenter is half closed/abandoned by Castles n' Coasters, hell you could easily plop in a parking lot mega lite. I wouldn't complain.

Thinking of Vekoma...this could fit both the "new relationship" and the "new type" labels, no? A Vekoma Mega/Hyper would be pretty sweet anywhere, especially Knotts if they made it work.

This is a toss up between a few rides, difficult to say which one for sure as two of these were ridden many years ago...and my head might have suffered some minor drain bamage which may explain the hazyness. 1. Manhattan Express 2. Windjammer 3. Green Lantern The latter gave me a powerful shot between the legs, and was then slammed onto my shoulders upside down going into the station upside down. That I won't ever forget, having to sit down in pain for 30 minutes.

Hmm...not the most space in the world, need to go over a midway perhaps, need something unique and marketable...that can fit in a tight place...

Easy, that belongs to Patriot at Castles n Coasters in Arizona. Decent little family coaster, but holy mother do those breaks hurt. Worse than Goliath (SFMM), and boomerangs.

So as far as I'm aware...Gwazi is still sitting there...any trucks, boats, or other activity seen near that ride?

For my most recent surprise I'm going to go with Superman: Escape from Krypton at SFMM. I was never the biggest fan of the forward incarnation but it was much better than expected when I finally got around to it last year. All time would be New Mexico Rattler, the last CCI, at least when I rode it many years ago. Not a world class ride or anything but it's got a pretty interesting layout for it's height.

I was lucky enough to get several rides in yesterday, on my last day in Germany before going back home! I was visiting family in Dusseldorf for a week, I didn't think I was going to have time to make it over but I decided since I wasn't all that far away and it's going to be a long time before I'm back in Europe...that I have to go ride the latest greatest Intamin just few kilometers away. I'm not going to type an overly long review (and no pictures, dropped and broke my phone while at the park and unfortunately lost all pics), but let me get this out of the way first; Phantasialand has got to be one of the most underrated parks in the world. This was my first time and the Disney-level theming, the immersive atmospheres, the food...was something you only see at a handful of parks anywhere. To say I was blown away by the whole package doesn't even come close. While not a very big park every single inch of the place is just littered with stunning details. I actually enjoyed it more than Disney as while I think what Disney does is excellent the parks unfortunately just lack the thrills I need to keep myself entertained. What can I say I like 'em big and fast. A few rides: Black Mamba- not quite as good as Nemesis, but it's now my second favorite Beemer. Reminded me of the older, snappier ones a bit although I think the close proximity theming added to that. Nonetheless, this is easily the best B&M built after like 2002 that I've ridden. Great ride...from a company with so much potential...why don't they build em like this anymore? Both Winjas- really fun, I can see why many think this is the best spinner although I don't have a very long list to compare it to. Chiapas- Absolutely my new favorite log flume which was also really fun but not too crazy. Would be the surprise of the day if it weren't for... TARON- Holy, effing, crap. The videos do it absolutely no justice, especially the second half. First half is great warmup, and then the pedal hits the metal and all hell breaks loose. This thing moves pretty quickly through the tunnels and in/around the seriously themed Klugheim. I had front and backs seat rides and I'm extremely biased towards the front of the train usually due to the unobstructed views but the back is just as good. My favorite parts are the second launch, the overbank, and that one transition after the overbank. The layout is perfect, the trains and restraints fit me perfectly and are awesome, almost constant headchoppers and near misses, world class theming, twistyness and airtime, AMAZING capacity...Intamin got this one right and will remind everyone why they are still king of the hill for major coasters. So now the big question, is it a Maverick killer? My answer is yes and no. This ride was designed to gel with the theming whereas theming of Maverick enhances the designed layout, at least that's how they feel to me. This ride was also not supposed to be crazeballsinsanofast the whole way where as Maverick was more or less designed to do so. I think if you take the coaster layout alone I gotta give the edge to Maverick still as I love those Nemesis, I305, Maverick type of extremely intense rides, but Taron is far and away the better experience despite it not being quite as intense. Still 100x more intense and 100x better than any B&M lately in the second half. There is nothing like this anywhere else and again, Intamin and Phantasialand have created something special. Taron is now my #3 coaster, only behind Maverick and El Toro. Also my #1 in Europe, dethroning my beloved Nemmy. Go ride it. Tomorrow.