blk_mamba

I am happy SFA has a ride they are adding to the dry park that may actually make me want to come back to the park! Wish it was a little taller but I won't complain, lol

I agree there is no rattle. I think people may believe it rattles b/c it makes that clicking noise during the first drop.

The delay has nothing to do with the fact that it's a wooden coaster. It has everything to do with the fact they used a prototype launch system from a manufacturer with minimal LSM development experience. Two things. 1. I think the fact that it is a wooden coaster may have everything to do with because I can imagine the technology needs to be retrofitted to accommodate a wooden structure. For example: A steel LSM coster runs on a steel straight track where the manufacture has to make sure that every part lines up perfectly. With a wooden roller coaster where wood settle, shifts, sways etc that may be something that needs to be accounted for when adding a LSM system. Also remember this is not a straight horizontal launch like many launched rides. This is is essentially a launched lift hill which may also pose some problem on a wood structure. 2. The fact that it is a wooden coaster might explain why RMC had to resort to using a company whos experienced with LSM launches is limited. No one has experience with an LSM launch on a wooden coaster, and few manufactures have any roller coaster LSM experience; and of those that do some may have decided their tech could not work with this type of ride. From early April....Fast forward to August. Still "technically rehearsing"

This move solidifies CW as the flat ride capital of the World. I really want to visit this part just, in large part just to ride the flat rides.

I hope we are not just being trolled, lol.

Obviously this announcement does not excite someone like me, a roller coaster enthusiast with no kids, but I get it. Though KD has not added a roller coaster in a while, they have doing a good job upgrading the other parts of the park where they may have been lacking. In general, KD is a hard nut to crack roller coaster wise b/c they have such a unique, and impressive roller coaster collection that checks off many boxes. Even if they added a new coaster you would hear either: A. That ride is not good enough compared to Volacano, i305 or Dominator or; B. They already have a roller coaster like what ever they'd add. For example, if they added a winged coaster people would say 'they already have a invert and a floorless ride.' As an aside though I thought there social media roll out was cute.

Interesting article. I wonder what Six Flags would do with a bonafide year round park in Florida. However, I just believe that Cedar Fair amusement parks, top to bottom, in every category are just better. They appear to have better operations and a better feel. I worry about a sale to CF because of what they did to Geauga Lake, and arguably what they are doing to Michigan's Adventure. However Kings Dominion and BGW are both strong parks and could be the next Cedar Point-Kings Island tag team.

There is no incentive to make it free. The dry park alone is a 2 day park...

I agree, no one will probably order another launched lifted hill after Lightening Dud. However, it is not outside the realm of possibility that to increase capacity Cedar Point would add a launched lift hill.

At that time RMC had a VERY small workshop to manufacture the track pieces. They could only build one, maybe two pieces at a time. Since then they have moved into a new, much bigger facility and have hired a lot more staff to make many more track pieces at a time. If Cedar Point is waiting to do an RMC conversion until 2018, I think it's more likely that the park just wants a nice large buffer zone of time to work out any kinks in the project and have the ride ready for opening day. And now RMC works several of their own projects, combined with the track manufacturing for the S&S 4D Free Spins. Also, Mean Streak would be their biggest project since Iron Rattler. Depending on how long the conversion takes, the manufacturing, installation, and testing can be spaced out a little more to give RMC a little breathing room with how many projects they have for 2017 and 2018 combined. I think: 2017: Water Park Expansion. I hope it is a water coaster. It probably will some slides. 2018: Mean(er) Streak(er)... lol. I know Cedar Point is the crown jewel of the company, but adding Valravn and a RMC conversion back to back just seems like bad business. Also the Cedar Point hype machine will really do a good job with a whole year to hype the new roller coaster. Finally, Cedar Point can utilize the extra time to make sure the ride is really ready, and not another Lightening Rod. 2019-21 Celebrating the 150th in 2020. It is hard to tell what the park is doing. Cedar Point is infamous for being tight on space, however they are freeing up alot of spots for expansions.

So Cedar Point sent this in the mail. http://www.morningjournal.com/article/MJ/20160809/NEWS/160809590 They are doing a good job keeping me guessing. I've heard some people say Mean Streak will get RMC'ed but because the structure is so big they will have to take a full year to get it ready. This flip-flop has all but confirmed, for me, that it will be a water park expansion year. I hope they go big and build a large water coaster bringing their "coaster count" to 19, but they probably are just adding that same water slide complex everyone has. Or...Maybe a stretch.... the flip flop is a water park expansion, however the other flip-flop is not a flip-flop at all, and is a cowboy boot

I am going to make a controversial pick and say Six Flags America. So many people trash and bash this park, sometimes with good reason, but I feel like it is not as terrible as advertised. I have never had an amazing time there but I have never had a horrible time. I think it has been bashed so much that if people gave the park a chance they would probably leave saying "its not great but not as bad as people make it out to be".

"addition". Not "edition". Sorry for being a grammar Nazi but that makes me insane. Oops on that one... That would have drove me insane also if I caught it. lol

This is a very peculiar edition, and demonstrates the dangers of trying to please everyone--no one is really happy. I understand the park's desire to make sure they are family friendly, but adding the smaller 80 foot tower appears to be why the tallest tower is so.... short. Visually it would look weird to have a 80 foot tower next to a huge 250ft tower and they might have some height restrictions. I remember there being some issues with even getting Skyrush approved. It will be a pretty unique edition to the park's skyline, especially at night. There are people who are way smarter than I that get paid to think about these decisions, but who is really going to ride the intermediary tower? I imagine that kids will want to ride the 80 foot tower, and thrill seekers will want to ride the 189ft tower; with many people passing on the 130ft tower. I know Hershey Park has been criticized for lacking a drop tower, but now the new knock will be that that Hershey does not have a legit drop tower, imo.

Disagree. Mean Streak does lend itself to that. Mean Streak's overall layout is similar to the Texas Giant, which was the first RMC transformation. I agree. My point was that Cedar Point tends to build record breaking roller coasters. If they want to break the World Record for tallest woodie they would have to build a drop that is taller than 197 feet (218 feet if they wanted to top Son of Beast). That would be a 36-57 foot first drop increase. Not saying it can't be done, just saying it is not practical.

Cedar Point tearing down Mean Streak makes sense. Cedar Point point prides itself on building record breaking roller coasters. The current layout does not lend itself to being converted into a record breaking wooden coaster, or RMC hybrid. If they are going to build a record breaker they need to start fresh if they want to build something over 180 ft that goes over 73 mph. Personally Mean Streak was never as bad as people made it out to be, but I understand that it sits on a large plot of land and was never very popular. I a surprised that they are presumbly adding back to back roller coasters. I know roller coasters are in their DNA but at some point hey have to branch out to other rides. Tearing down Mean Streak puts them in a double bind where either: A. Families will be mad b/c Cedar Point is adding another major thrilling record breaking coaster or; B. Coaster boys are going to be upset that Cedar Point would take out a roller coaster to add more family rides or expand their hotel properties. I thought for sure they were expanding their water park. I actually think they still will. It seems like every year they invest a lot into the park, maybe they will do both.

Nope I think the Millennium Flyer trains made it run better. Like all wooden roller coaster you kinda have to learn how to ride them; especially when they have a twister layout. I am also partially bias b/c Wildcat was my first big kid coaster that I rode the year it opened and Hershey is my favorite park. With that being said I am not against RMC working its magic.

These predictions are based on what I think will happen and should happen. *Cedar Point: They should/will add their 19th 'roller coaster', a WATER coaster. I think the ride could sit on that new plot of land created with the removal of the go-karts. Cedar Fair is alway says roller coasters are in Cedar Points DNA; it makes sense that would hold true for their water park. Also in true Cedar Point fashion it would break some record (tallest, fastest, longest). Also Cedar Point's Soak City has to be one of the worst in the chain, so a refresh would help. I DO NOT think anything is happening with Mean Streak. *Kings Island: Mystic Timbers has already been announced but I would not be surprised if the their second announcement is that they are adding VR to the ride. Its not that tall, or fast and the ride stays low to the ground. It may be a reservation based up charge. *Carowinds: The flat rides they have been advertising for months and VR on a roller coaster may be their surprise "it is more than you think" announcement. *Canada's Wonderland: I don't think they are adding anything this year. *Kings Dominion: Action Theater EA brand ride. Maybe Plants v. Zombies b/c it is close to Planet Snoopy. *Worlds of Fun: I think they will be getting B&M launched winged coaster. *Knott's Berry Farm: They have already announced a Soak City expansion. I think that is all they are doing. *California Great Adventure: Floor less Trains for Vortex *Valley Fair: I don't think they are adding anything this year. *Dorney: They are getting the privilege of being the first park to get ride of their Dinosaurs alive attraction *Michigan's Adventure: 2017 Souvenir Bottles

This may be the 'Mean Streak is "closing"' tweet/announcement. I wonder with all the GCI love if they will RMC it or give it the Ghost Rider treatment and have GCI re-profile some drops and update the ride.

I am not a big fan of the name, but I think it will play well with families and children. Mystic Timbers is a name that does not sound intimidating. Additionally parents can easily explain to kids that it is not that tall, and does not go that fast; which are common things I hear in lines when parents are trying to assuage their kids fears. Finally I love that is has a story. I've noticed lately with Cedar Fair rides that they work hard to give it a story line, even if the theming leaves something to be desired. Also we still do not know what is in the shed! lol

Once the trees grow in this ride will be pretty cool. This is not a record breaker, but it will be good family ride. I am a little surprised that they are adding a woodie like this when they have the Beast. As an aside GGI is making a big come back with three roller coasters in 2017, that we know so far!

I also rode VR Iron Dragon today. It was pretty cool. Not sure I got the story line. There was a horse and carriage, which was our train. As we were climbing a steep incline in with our horse and carriage we are snatched up by some creature that fly which creatures on the ground try to attack you. It was very immersive. If you look in any direction while riding you will find there is something attempting to attack you.

Yes.

This latest clue makes me think they are really getting ride of one of their most unique attractions, the Kissing Tower. I think they need a drop tower, but not at the expense of letting go of such an beloved attraction. This is like Disneyland turning its a Small World into an indoor roller coaster. With that said, I hope I am wrong. I also hope that Hershey does not miss the opportunity to name their new ride, 'Chocolate DROP"!

I think this disproves your theory. https://www.sixflags.com/greatamerica/attractions/vr/overview No way that a B&M hyper coaster is under performing.