DILinator

I'm not a tall person, and I pretty much always leave a day at an amusement park with marks on my shoulders from the OSTRs on rides. For me, since I'm not tall, I fall into the restraints with force on inversions, which probably adds to the impression they leave. Storm Runner in particular, I remember having this effect... though that doesn't detract too much from the awesome ride experience for me! That said, I would prefer something like the new Maverick restraints on that as well!

Man, that stinks... The last thing I want is soggy socks and shoes from riding those rides... I suppose I'll just bring flip-flops for those, though, so it's not the end of the world! Thanks for your responses!

It's nice to see that I am not alone in thinking that nickname, and frankly, the whole line of thought that goes with it, is one of the dumbest things I've encountered in "coaster enthusiast" circles! I've ridden MF with a TON of non-enthusiasts over the years, and to a man, "forceless" is the LAST way they would describe the experience! I love my coaster enthusiast friends, but we still have to have words whenever they bring that nonesense up!

I'm going to have to respectfully disagree with you there. Flight Deck's forcefulness tips the scale in its favor for me when compared to Medusa. Everything else you said it pretty spot on. Assuming CGA gets that Vortex Floorless conversion next year, a better comparison (to make then) would be Medusa to Vortex, and Flight Deck to Kong. Obviously, I think we can all agree Medusa and Flight Deck win those battles.

^Yeah, CP has that effect on people! I have a few questions about MiA, for those who have been there in recent years... -How is the mini-golf course there? Even though it was there last time I was, I've never utilized it. Is it fun? Worth doing? My family enjoys mini-golf, typically, so I was curious. Also, how much does it cost? -Am I correct in assuming that you can wear your swimsuit and go without shoes outside of Wildwater Adventure, to the three water attractions next to it (Hydro Blaster, Adventure Falls, and Grand Rapids?) I seem to recall being able to do this before, but needing to get fully dressed again to go anywhere else. I'd enjoy doing those attractions, but seriously dislike getting wet in my clothes. -Is Coasters the only indoor eatery there? Also, is the Backyard BBQ a good place to eat? How much does it cost, if you know? -Most importantly, is the beer garden still there, and open? For those who are old enough to have used it, what kind of selections do they usually have? Thanks for any and all answers! Less than a week now until I take my family for the first time, and I'm pretty excited!

I love CP, and it's been my "home park" essentially, for over 30 years of fun! However, unless you are going wanting to ride every single flat ride, and take in every single show (as well as eating at as many different sit-down restaurants as possible), I don't see why you would need to spend more than 2 days there. Especially if you're getting the Fast Lane for at least one of those days. I can go there in mid May, right after the park opens for the year, and ride every coaster there and a few of the best flats, with time to spare. Yes, that's not going in the middle of the Summer on a weekend, but my point is that even with extra wait times, CP is still a solid 2-Day park, not a 3-Day park. Unless you're going for the complete park experience, and not just hitting the major coasters, which it seems like you're wanting, 2 days will be plenty! I am a huge fan of BGW, myself, so I would never be able to swing through Virginia on a coaster trip, without hitting it up! I understand the financial aspect you're up against, but I'd still give it some thought if I were you. My three favorite amusement parks are Cedar Point, Hersheypark, and BGW, and that was before they added some of the awesome looking coasters they have now! Just something to think about... I would also add another voice to those suggesting that you hit up Kennywood! Especially if you trim a day from CP, I would say it's worth the effort. You probably won't even need a full day there to get it done, but you'll be able to hit up all their old classic wooden coasters, the fun little Sky Rocket, and my #6 coaster, the awesome Phantom's Revenge! Oh, and don't forget Exterminator! That's a fun indoor spinning mouse coaster, not to be missed! I know you'll have the Cedar Fair pass, and want to maximize that vs. spending on non-pass parks, but I'd still give serious consideration to holding off on Dorney Park, SFGAdv, and Coney Island, and adding Kennywood and BGW to your trip (assuming you also do Knoebels and Kings Dominion still.) Hitting those three parks in conjuntion with a Northeast trip a later year seems to be a better idea to me. Have fun, whatever you do!

yes Truly, it is! But hey, I'm sure you've ridden both NTaG, and IRat, LiftThrill, and I'm similarly jealous of that! Some day, you'll get to do Fury, and I'll get those RMC gems under my belt!

^Such a bummer! Does it ride this way in the front seat, too? That was where I sat when I rode it before, so maybe it was already pretty rough in the back, even back then...

I had the exact same experience, and feelings after my first visit to Carowinds earlier this year! I mean, Cedar Point doesn't have much in the way of shade either, but at least the ride ops tend to actually be pretty focused on their job, and performing it at a quality level. Holiday World is truly a special park, and a place that I have immensely enjoyed both times I have gone! I don't know how old you are, but I am geting closer to 40 myself, and have noticed that when it's really hot out, and there's not adequate shade, I start to lose my ability to handle the coasters that used to give me no trouble. At Holiday World this year, I spent most of my time riding The Voyage (which is my #1 Wooden Coaster) at nighttime, when it was cooler, so its intensity didn't bother me as much. So, I guess what I'm getting at is that I wonder if it's the heat that is the biggest problem for you as well. I got so sick at Carowinds due to the intense heat, and lack of shade outside, that I ended up sitting and doing nothing for over an hour. Thankfully, they at least have Harmony Hall there, which did give me a bit of a reprieve from the heat and sun, and allowed me to recharge enough to finish the park out. Just a thought, since it sounds like we may be in a similar boat...

Yeah, but calling MF "forceless" is the height of absurdity! I think anybody saying that needs to go re-take physics class to understand what "force", actually is!

Ok, I've got to pop up and get the full scoop... I keep seeing people refer to Apocalypse as being really rough now. Is that really the case? If so, that's a shame, since when I went to SFMM back in 2012, that was one of my favorite coasters there. Heck, it's currently in my Top 10 wood based on that experience! What happened to it? Just bad aging? Sorry to machine-gun you with questions, it's just a shame to hear that what was once a great coaster, has fallen on hard times...

I'll never understand why people would hate a B&M... They are fabulous coasters, and we as a society of amusement park goers (enthusiasts and non-enthusiasts alike) should feel blessed that they exist, and that we're not stuck with old Arrow coasters, rough Vekoma clones, and Togo Death Machines! Yeah, Intamins are awesome in their own way (when they're not experiencing downtime), but it's not like in order to appreciate them, you have to "hate" B&M, or call them "forceless." It almost feels like those similarly inane D.C. vs. Marvel arguments that fanboys of one or the other are always engaging in! Can't we all just like them both and get along?!

^ Well, considering most Michiganders consider Cedar Point their "home park", and no worse than 1b, I think we'll survive!

Sounds like you gave it a whole bunch of thought though Not really. It is what it is. It just takes a lot longer to type, and read, than to realize and accept.

I still say orange would be the perfect color for a dive coaster themed to the giant, mythical bird Ziz, to complete the trio of Hebrew beasts at Canada's Wonderland! But hey, we'll all be just as happy with a new Pirate themed dark ride/coaster, right?!

^The park's "newest" coaster has been there longer than my third born child, who is now old enough (and tall enough) to ride all of the coasters at the park except Thunderhawk. When you factor in THAT coaster is actually as old, really, as Shivering Timbers, and both of them are 6 years older than my oldest child, who can ride any coaster in the world... Well, let's just say you get past the depressing aspect of it, and just accept that it is what it is, and try not to give it too much thought...

^I've been wanting desperately to get to SFNE for well over a decade now, but haven't yet been able to make it out! Enjoy yourself there, and this wonderful opportunity! Be sure to post your "first timer" thoughts at some point afterward!

Seriously! If you're going to be going anyway, and you live in the area, West Coast Bash is a can't-miss steal! All that ERT, and plenty of enthusiasts to help you through everything!

Congrats on your ascension to the ranks of a coaster-lover! Honestly, based on what you wrote about the other coasters, I would just try to get on as many coasters as possible there at SFMM. X2 is pretty intense, but I suspect that you'll regret passing it up if you do. Maybe do a few of the other coasters first, to build up courage to ride it, and then give it a whirl. Here's a few other thoughts... Tatsu - I love B&M Flying coasters - or I should say I love THIS B&M Flying Coaster, as well as Manta at Sea World Orlando! If you aren't freaked out by the concept, I'd definitely give this one a try! Viper, Green Lantern: First Flight - These coasters are pretty rough/jarring. If you're not into coasters that shake you up a bit, I'd skip these. The park's lone wooden coaster, Apocalypse, was awesome when I rode it a couple of years ago, but I've heard it's gotten rough now too. So, you'll have to decide what to do with that information. Gold Rusher - If you didn't like Jaguar, it's possible this ride will bore you too. Or not. It's just an old Arrow Mine Train coaster, so it's not going to be high on thrills. You can put the four kiddie coasters in this category too. Riddler's Revenge - Have you been on a Stand-up coaster before? If not, this could be a little freaky for you, as it's definitely a different experience. Many people do not care for stand-up coasters, and I wouldn't make it a priority if you're short on time. But I would still try to ride it if you can, as it's not a bad coaster - probably the best of the stand-ups (that I have ridden.) Superman: Escape from Krypton - This is a launched coaster, similar to Xcelerator (thoguh I like Xcelerator a lot better.) You'll probably get that same freaked out feeling, but still enjoy it in the end. Scream, Revolution, Goliath - These should be right in your wheelhouse. Not too wild, not too tame, and relatively smooth. Batman: The Ride, Ninja - These are both coasters that hang under the track, but they are very different. While Batman is one of the more intense coaster experiences you can get (outside of launched coasters), Ninja is more like a leisurely stroll through the park - or in this case, the trees. I'd ride both, but skip Ninja if you get short on time. If high intensity rides bother you, or if you just ate recently and don't feel like riding something intense, I'd wait on Batman. If you thought Silver Bullet, which is the same type of coaster, was intense, this is much more so! Catch it later if you feel up to it though. F U L L Throttle (also known as Full Throttle here on TPR), Twisted Cyclone - I haven't ridden either of these new coasters since I was there back in 2012 last. Both look pretty cool to me, though you should be aware that FT is another launched coaster, probably even more similar to Xcelerator than Superman is. So bear that in mind. I'm sure you'll love it. As for Twisted Cyclone, it looks amazing, and I suspect when all is said and done it will end up being your favorite one there! Enjoy it! I hope this helps, at least somewhat!

4/5 Great Lakes do prefer Michigan... I'm with you 100% on this! I don't have anything against a Dive Machine either, and will definitely be happy with it, if that's what it ends up being. But for the reasons you stated, plus a few others, I just feel like it's superfluous given what CP already has. Considering what they don't have, that they could put in that spot, is what makes a Dive Machine seem like a let-down, even though it would still be awesome. Besides, I'm still half-expecting the bomb to be dropped that the track we're seeing is for a major new coaster for Canada's Wonderland, and CP is going to get that Dark Ride/Coaster in 2016!

From where I live, in the middle (East to West) of Michigan, it is just about an hour longer to get to CP, than MiA. Not a great deal of difference. And CP being what it is, I go there far more than I go to MiA. And yes, CP gets a tremendous number of people from Michigan regularly. Pretty much everybody in the Eastern part of the state, and many in the central, would consider it their "home" park. I know most of the people I've been around my entire life do. MiA certainly could be big enough and exciting enough to change that, or at least bring better balance to those numbers, but for some reason, I just don't see CF doing that any time soon...

A disc-o (although not a coaster! ) would be a pretty decent addition for the park. Particularly if they can put it over where Falling Star was to liven that area back up again! However, I particularly disliked the one bowl slide I've been on, at Kalahari. I really hope that is not what they put in... Though I suspect parks care less about "anniversaries" than we as enthusiasts do, I have to agree with you. Of course, I think expecting anything new, ever, IS hopeless at this particular park, and as long as CF owns it (which will probably be forever), that will likely be the case. It would be an EXCELLENT fit for the park, either that, or an Intamin Mega-Lite! But, don't hold your breath on that happening... We'll miss you here on the forums!

Have you ridden the good Flyers? Manta and Tatsu? Because the concept isn't the problem, it's the typically boring execution. Both of these coasters, especially Manta, fix that problem though, and make for a really fun ride experience! I'm more in love with the idea of what a Flying coaster could do, than what most of them have done, but some of the more recent models lead me to believe that parks are starting to get more creative with their layout, and some awesome models are coming! I'm with you on this! A Flyer interacting with Anaconda would be even better than taking the old Arrow looper out! I don't recall hating Anaconda when I rode it 13 years ago, which, when it comes to an old Arrow looper, is really a win! So that would place it in my upper echelon for that ride type! Actually, this isn't an "enthusiast" issue. If anything, enthusiasts are going to be more tolerant of rough, or unusual coasters, such as Shockwave. The non-enthusiasts are much more practical when it comes to coasters. You ride it. You get off. Either you liked it, or you didn't. Either it was rough for you, or it wasn't. There is no factoring it against other coasters of its type, or various manufacturers. There is no comparing it with other enthusiasts' opinions to determine whether it's overrated or underrated. My wife enjoys riding roller coasters, but not at all to the extent I do. She is definitely still firmly in the "GP" category. When she rode Shockwave 13 years ago, she didn't like it, and found it rough. It's not because she's a baby. It's because Shockwave is rough. Period. There's a reason it's getting removed, and it's not because the "babyish" enthusiasts didn't like its alleged roughness. It's because it's an older, rougher coaster, and wasn't getting the ridership numbers that CF and KD felt justified its continued existence. Sure, it's packing a line now, but that's because it's getting removed, and people, including the non-enthusiasts who may not have even liked the ride, are getting their final rides in. I'm sure Mantis experienced the same thing a year ago after it was announced that it getting "removed." To cite a personal example, I loved Drachen Fire. I wish it was still around, as I thought it was an awesome coaster experience! However, I clearly overlooked its deficiencies to come to that conclusion, as its roughness was too extreme for many people, apparently, and BGW made the decision to remove it. And it wasn't because the small subset of the population known as roller coaster enthusiasts, who are normally more tolerant of coaster roughness to begin with, thought it was too rough. It's because the GP thought it was too rough, and they received many complaints. Look, I'm not saying enthusiasts can't be "babies" about things. They most certainly can (and frequently, are!) However, this issue of thinking Shockwave was rough, and good riddance to it, is not one of those times. It's great you, and some others here and there, enjoyed the ride, and think it shouldn't be removed. That's your personal opinion, and prerogative! Heck, I still feel the same way about Drachen Fire! But you (and I) are the exception, not the rule, and those who see it differently aren't "babies" because of disagreeing any more than all of those people who couldn't handle Drachen Fire are babies.

You and me both! I know that RMC has really become the go-to name in wooden coasters as of late, but I would really like to see more El Toro's out there. My hope is still that somebody (preferably CP, since they could use it and are my most frequently attended park) will get and El Toro-esque wooden coaster, but with just 20 more feet, to snag the wooden height title, and cross that mythical 200 foot mark for a wooden coaster. While SOB turned out to be what its initials can also refer to, I have no doubt that a coaster of that height can be viable, done correctly. Ever since El Toro, I've thought an Intamin Pre-Fab would be the best way to do just that...

^^^It's all fun and games speculating on new coasters until somebody's sentimentally classic coaster gets mentioned for possible removal! ^^I think we are both pretty (obviously) aware that what we are talking about isn't at all likely to happen. Just having some fun dreaming about the day somebody finally gets a clue and utilizes the Flying coaster concept to the best of its potential! Your park just happens to have a juicy piece of waterrific real estate that would be perfect for it... I actually really like the Wing Riders, all of the ones you mentioned! But I've had a soft spot for the B&M Flyers ever since they were introduced, and have really wished somebody would build more unique ones here in the states - ones like Montu, and especially Manta! Did you mean Tatsu? I liked Tatsu a lot. The pretzel loop on that ride is one of the most intense elements I've ever felt on a coaster. "Boring" may have been too harsh a word to describe the wing riders. They just didn't do much for me. I hope the general manager of Kings Island consults with Pat Jones at KD and lets her know how glad he was that KI got Banshee over a wing rider. I think he said something at Banshee Bash to the effect that they went with an inverted over a wing rider based on customer reaction to Gatekeeper. Getting back to an inverted over the lake--one of the things I like best about Silver Bullet is that it's over water. I think that bumps it up a few notches for me over the fact that it's not very forceful. Still I guess I've heard some rumor/speculation that a new inverted might be going near the front entrance of the park. Yeah, I meant Tatsu! I'm just going to blame the lateness of the hour, and leave it at that. And YES, I feel the same way about Silver Bullet! I really like that coaster, and think it's severely underrated. The fact that it's partly over water is definitely a factor in that for me!