DILinator

^Don't worry about it then, honestly. Can I shoot straight with you? I have an 11 year old son, so not much younger than you. He too loves coasters, though he hasn't taken to posting online in forums about them yet. I'll tell you the same thing I would tell him... Navigating the waters of posting in coaster enthusiast forums can be cutthroat at times, and you really need to have a thick skin sometimes. Not everybody is going to agree with everything you say or think, and there's the simple fact that the longer one has been around, the more they realize how things go. So, if you post things which seem hopelessly idealistic, or uninformed, some people will jump on that and talk you down. There's nothing wrong with what you're doing, but I think you push some of this too hard, and too far. If there is a topic, or idea that is clearly being met with an unfavorable response, you might want to just let it go. I've learned about this over the years of posting on enthusiast sites, and there are certain topics I tread very lightly on now, because my opinion is not popular. It's part of the learning curve with these things. Also, I am seeing certain concepts being discussed by others, that you are not seeming to grasp (such as why a place like NU is more popular than VF - hint: it's not because of NU itself), yet you continue to try and discuss them without understanding them. That's always going to end poorly... I suggest trying to understand the principles behind why people are disagreeing with your assessment, before trying to refute them. You will learn something, and learning is always a win, but you will also be more respected on the forums, in spite of your age. Just because you are young, doesn't mean you are any less capable of being an excellent poster here, and I would encourage you not to stop, if this is something you're passionate about! It's just about being adaptable, and willing to learn. Along those lines, I would suggest you not put "YOUNG POSTER MADE" on all your posts, as that fact shouldn't define you, or your posts. You have your age under your info, so we can see you are one of our younger members. Be confident in your posts, but not cocky. Assertive, but also adaptable. I'm just trying to help you out, because as much fun as it may be for some of us (guilty) to make little quips at your expense, taking the time to explain things in a patient and understanding way is always a better route to go. Hopefully, this advice is well received, and you can utilize it to become an even better poster going forward!

I haven't been back to MiA for years, as a semi-protest for CF's lack of new investment there, but I'm taking my family there in a few days for my kids' first visit. I'm sure we'll have an awesome time, but that doesn't mean I'm not still disappointed with how CF has chosen to manage the park to essentially freeze it in time. So, I don't blame you Prozach for your approach to SFStL. I went to SFStL back in 2003, I think it was, and frankly, it hasn't changed much since then. I DO want to go back (mostly for American Thunder), but it certainly hasn't made itself a priority. JL:BFM is a really nice addition, however, so count your blessings for that ride, even though it's down currently. I hadn't really thought about it, but the lack of a Hyper coaster there is really conspicuous when you do think about it. Hopefully you'll get something along the lines of a S:RoS in the next few years! At least Six Flags seems willing to consider their smaller parks viable entities for sizable additions, which JL:BFM proves.

Reading through the last little bit of this thread...

That's small time, it's clearly an Ocean. They wouldn't have had to take out Thunder Road for some lake. All of this!

^Yup, it does, thanks! I'm a little bummed, just because I'm "old school" like that, but I totally understand what you're saying, and frankly, in today's day and age, it's not really surprising. Thanks for all the time you've invested in the previous ones though, and know they have been enjoyed!

Hey Robb! I was just curious when you thought you'd have another Roller Coasters in the Raw video out? I assume probably not until after this "season" wraps up, but I wondered if you had a target date. I have every one of the releases so far, as my kids love to watch them all fairly regularly (and not just my kids either!)

With Cannibal coming to the forefront of coaster-consciousness, it has really shed light on this entire park for me! It looks like a FANTASTIC little family-run park, and I really, really want to make it out someday! Unfortunately, it's very remote, and nowhere near any place I see myself being in the next couple of years... Still, if flights into Salt Lake City get real cheap at some point...

Well, when I say "scary", I DO mean in a fun way. Kind of like how in a movie that is a good, taut, thriller, you feel that tension, but it actually excites you. That's how I felt on Demon Drop. And that's not a feeling get very often on coasters or amusement rides in general, anymore...

Where is an Aquatrax confirmed for? I don't recall seeing anything about one, locally at least.. I have not had the opportunity to ride Leviathan yet, though I hope to before long. It definitely sounds like they must have improved on it greatly with Fury, however!

I know this has been said other places, but a Mega-Lite like Kawasemi would be such a perfect, and sensible addition for Michigan's Adventure! Great pics, BTW! I was planning out a theoretical Japan-trip down the road, and I was thinking Tobu Zoo should probably be a stop. Definitely looks like it should be!

Seriously, I was actually a little bummed when CP removed it, because it was one of the few things besides the coasters (and maXair) that I would be sure to do every time I went there! Such a great little drop tower! It was the scariest thing in the park, at least for me!

Fury begs to differ with this remark!

Because OMGBUYMOARRMC!!!!1! In all seriousness, Intamin coasters just don't happen to be what US parks are looking for right at this very moment. That could change lickety-split, you never know. Definitely what A.J. said... Going back over the course of my lifetime, I've seen many "shifts" in which coaster manufacturer was in vogue for a period of time. For most of my early years, from the late 70's through the early 90's, Arrow was king of the coasters. They popped up everywhere during that time, and were definitely the go-to manufacturer, despite Vekoma and a few others being installed as well. Then, B&M came along in the early 90's, and really took the industry by storm with all of their unique (at the time) design concepts, and wildly varied ride types. That lasted through the 90's, but then Intamin, despite being around for years, really started releasing their cutting edge technologies, and that seemed to propel them into the driver's seat through most of the 00's. With that cutting edge technology, comes more difficulties and less reliability, so naturally they experienced some fallout from the extensive downtime some of their models experienced over the years. This led to a resurgence of B&M towards the end of the 00's and into the 2000-teens, as they have a reputation (whether deserved, or not) for being more reliable, if not nearly as exciting. Then, of course, RMC came along with NTaG in 2011, and the rest, as they say, is history! All this to say, I think Intamin will make a comeback in the US in the coming years, and to be clear, they never really stopped building overseas, even when things soured towards them here due to some highly publicized incidents. What's funny, is that through all the years, companies like Premier, and even Vekoma, continued to chug along, in spite of never being the BMOC for a given time. Say what you want about all of the Vekoma clones, but they got no shortage of business out of those models, and virtually anybody who's ever been to an amusement park has ridden one! I love all of the B&M's, and always look forward to their latest coasters, but I am excited to hopefully see Intamin getting more business here locally again, as they do create amazing ride experiences!

I agree Maverick sucks, nobody should ride it and get in that slow moving queue ahead of me. Ejector airtime and ridiculously amazing transitions all with great new pain free restraints (even though it was fine before) is just a complete waste of time.

I'd definitely ride it, if one were to be located somewhere I was going already. However, I don't care for the cylinder ride "vehicle"... Wake me up when somebody invents a body slide that can safely circumnavigate a vertical loop!

How one personally experiences forces is subjective to their own body, tolerance levels, and preferences. That's not speaking of ethusiasts alone, either. That goes for every human being. However, whether a coaster has significant forces, is NOT subjective. And MF has forcefulness in spades! It's not airtime forcefulness, but rather speed forcefulness, and a few quick transitions as well. I've never gotten off a ride with a NE (non enthusiast), and had them relay your experience. They are all blown away by the ride! That doesn't discount your personal experience however. It is what it is for you, and nobody can take that away from you. However, anybody calling it Millennium Forceless is saying a lot more about their own personal proclivities, than they are about what the coaster experience actually is... As for what you said about Maverick, I'm not even going to dignify that with a response...

I suppose the term "growing pains" doesn't really apply, to either SFStL or MiA. MiA is actually going on 60 years old next year, though it didn't start being a "coaster park" until 36 years ago. Either way, I'm just saying that our park was on a clear, upward trajectory as the 90's ended, and there was a lot of optimism about where it was going. Cedar Fair has effectively killed all of that... People still go, especially since West Michigan is a hot summer vacation destination already, but nobody I talk to about it (I'm talking GP, non-enthusiast types - adults, not kids) is ever really excited about the place anymore. It just kind of "exists", and is something to do if you're not doing anything else. It certainly could be more, but honestly, I don't think CF wants it to be that... I do see, however, that SFStL is in a similarly "neglected" spot among SF parks, as there are really only three I identified, who have gone an extended period without a "new" coaster (not relocated): Great Escape, Six Flags America, and you guys. But you did get JL:BFM, which is no doubt awesome when it's working, and will be a regular blast for you once they gets the "bugs" ironed out! I would love such an addition at MiA, for instance, even though it's not a coaster (though, I can't think of a Peanuts one themed well enough to duplicate the excitement of the Justice League!) Like I said, at least HWFan seems to think things are heading in a good direction for you. Until then, we'll both have to just commiserate with each other I guess!

First off: Who are you to call somebody "stupid", or get pissed off at them, just because because they enjoyed a coaster that you think is terrible?!?! I mean... what?!?! Coaster experiences are subjective, and a matter of opinion. There are those who enjoy Corkscrew at Cedar Point, which I think is a terrible coaster. Heck, I loved Drachen Fire at BGW, but clearly, my opinion was not in the majority, because the ride was removed. However, I am no more "stupid" for liking such a rough coaster than all the complainers who "couldn't handle it" were for causing its removal. It's all a matter of opinion... I As for my "Worst Coaster Ever", that's easy! Great American Scream Machine at Six Flags Great Adventure - Rest in Pieces, you hunk of junk! (Now, watch the GASM preservation club come into here and call me, "stupid!" )

One year I looked up while in line for MF, and there was a Black Widow spider - no joke - hanging upside down in the web at the center of the awning! Needless to say, everybody gave the center of THAT section of the queue a wide berth! Looking down the wall of Wicked Twister that faces the lake one year, I saw tons, and I mean tons of huge webs lined up alongside it, with those massive black spiders like in the picture on them. That was definitely creepy for a mild arachnophobe!

I still think CW is getting a coaster, regardless of what CP is getting. That is simply my gut feeling... I guess we'll see!

Fair enough... Six in one, half-dozen in the other. I always psyche myself down for coming attractions, that way there's typically no place to go but up when the thing is actually announced.

I AM CRAZY NOW DON'T LEAVE ME HANGING ROBB PLEASE THIS IS KILLING ME Oh, what a shame! I hope you don't die before the news is released! maverick_cp, you've waited this long for the announcement, another day won't kill you. Besides... What if the major announcement is... a record breaking sized pumpkin patch in that walled-off area!!! That Cedar Point... Always breaking some kind of record!

Reading through all of this, I am struck by a similar chord of pessimism, and frustration that I (as well as many other Michiganders - enthusiasts and non-enthusiasts alike) know quite well regarding Michigan's Adventure. However, I do have to say, that compared to them, you guys are making out like kings! So, as frustrating as the growing pains you are going through may seem, take heart that there are other parks' fans who truly have no reason to hope for better days on the horizon, and have endured a bigger drought. At least HWFan has stated that you're going to love where your park's at by 2020! I'd love to hear that from somebody "in the know" about MiA, but I'm reasonably certain at this point that nobody's going to say that, because it's simply not going to be the case...

^ I'm not convinced CP IS getting the coaster that is going to go there in 2016, personally. I actually feel CW is more likely to get a major coaster next year than CP, and suspect that it may be that orange/brown track that everybody assumes is for Valravn. To me, things just add up that way more to me - thinking outside the box, that is. CP could still get a major attraction next year, as the dark ride/coaster is still very much lingering out there as a possibility. Remember that there is plenty of room in the cleared out area for BOTH a dark ride, and a decent sized coaster. One could come in 2016, and one in 2017. It'll be interesting to see if anything is announced this weekend...