DILinator

First off, apologies to RaceBoarder for not getting back with you at all. I didn't even get on TPR while at the park, and just saw your comment now. Had I seen it, I would have probably advised you to stay away, or at least suggested you exercise caution. I anticipated that the combination of beautiful weather, the last operating weekend, and the BAFF promotion would lead to high crowds, and I was certainly not wrong! Thank goodness we hit Goliath, the only coaster I hadn't been on yet, first thing, before the wait got REALLY long! In spite of healthy waits for everything we did, we got to do all of the main coasters we wanted to, and really enjoyed our time at the park! The only downside was the atrociously long waits for food, which led to us simply not eating anything the entire time we were at the park, since every restaurant and stand had at least a 30 minute wait. And while others on TPR have talked about there being peak times, and lighter times, and not being stupid enough to try to eat during peak times, that was not the case Saturday. ALL DAY was peak time, as the food lines were never really short, other than maybe the first hour or so the park was open. Hopefully this was just a product of the heavy crowds, and not something that is always a problem at SFGAm! So, here are my thoughts from the day (besides avoiding BAFF days next year!) -Goliath is SO freaking awesome!!! Given the fact that it's regularly considered the "worst" of the RMC's, I tried not to get my hopes too high. It definitely exceeded them, however, and proved those correct who have said even the worst RMC is better than most coasters! SO much fun, and my only regret of the day was not getting a night ride, due to leaving early due to the crowds, and being ridiculously hungry! I'll have to be sure to do that one of my visits next season! I was fortunate to be assigned the front row on it for our ride, and it was amazing to take it all in from that vantage point! I'm sure it's even more wild and crazy in the back, so I'll be sure to try and ride it there next time. However, I think I'm glad I was in the front for this first lap! It immediately jumps into my Top 10 coasters, though I still prefer Storm Chaser more, among RMCs. Oh, and that whole "stall" part of the coaster... -Justice League: Battle for Metropolis was fantastic, and immediately became my favorite dark ride/shooting ride! Seriously, I would ride that over and over, if the line weren't so ungodly long! To top it off, I was the high scorer for our vehicle, and was Top 20% . I'm sure that's child's play to some of you, but given that I'm usually not the greatest at winning these types of things, I was very pleased! The immersive story-line through the queue was a great way to distract from the wait, and then the way the motion simulating felt SO real, like we were really going upside down, and zipping all around, was very well done! I like the non-screen effects as well. I don't know how the SFGAm installment compares to the rest of them, but I was very, very impressed, and think it's a fantastic addition for every SF park that is getting one! -Raging Bull gets far too much crap for how great of a coaster it is! Yes, it may be one of the "worst" B&M Hypers, but then I like that type of coaster across the board, and I feel RB is still an excellent ride experience! It's also so unique, compared to the rest of the B&M Hypers, and if it weren't for the one miserable trim, would likely get more love across enthusiast circles. Even factoring that one frustrating part in, I still consider it my second favorite coaster there (not sure yet if I prefer JL:BFM as a ride or not) behind Goliath, and will marathon that in a heartbeat, whenever the line isn't long! -I'm still trying to figure out where exactly Joker is going next year... It's obviously using part of the old Ragin' Cajun plot, but it's going to be far too big for just that footprint. Given the removal of East River Crawler, and Jester's Wild Ride, I'm guessing The Joker is going to span where the current pathway is now, and the pathway will be moved elsewhere. From eyeballing it, and some very "MacGyvered" measuring utensils, it would appear that it would fit there in the old RC footprint, and the current pathway, with the end that hangs over being above Roaring Rapids. I suppose the part that hangs over could be over the new pathway (and presumably, the replaced covered "bridge", which will essentially be where the two removed flat rides were. Is this what everybody else is thinking for placement? Or does anybody here actually know? Wherever it goes exactly, I'm definitely looking forward to finally getting on one next year! -X Flight was the first B&M Wing Coaster I went on, the year it came out, and I was impressed then. Having now ridden a couple of the newer ones (GateKeeper, Thunderbird), I must say that X-Flight still holds up very well compared to them! I prefer both of the newer models still, but X-Flight brought elements to the table that keep it fresh, and fun, even compared to its bigger and "sexier" cousins! In closing, we all had an enjoyable day, in spite of the crowds, and I very much look forward to returning next year, most likely on school days early in the season when wait times should be lower! SFGAm is no Cedar Point, but it's certainly no slouch of a park either, and I will enjoy going there more frequently in the future, now that I have my SF Membership!

It looks like my last coaster of the 2016 season (barring anything unforeseen), is Batman: The Ride, at Six Flags Great America on Saturday! It was supposed to be Goliath, in the dark (and hopefully in the back), but by 5:00, my whole group was hungry (because we didn't want to wait in the 30-60 minute long food lines at every single restaurant or food stand that endured the entire day), and were simply tired of the crowds and lines, and we decided to leave the park early. Oh well... We got to ride everything we wanted to, and still had a great time! We'll be back a few times next year with our Memberships now, so I'll make sure to get a night ride on Goliath one of those times!

Thanks, guys, for the encouraging information! I'm looking forward to getting on my last coasters of the season tomorrow, even if the waits are long, and getting my second RMC under my belt as well!

^Thanks for such a helpful response! Obviously, coming from a distance, my availability to just "pop in" is limited. Additionally, if longer waits are the cost for being able to bring my son for free, so be it... I'll at least have my son with me!

So, I'm coming on Saturday to get my Membership processed, and I just wanted to be sure of how it'll work... We can use the vouchers to get free parking, but then we need to go to the Pass Processing place first to get our Memberships processed, right? I'm assuming that will need to happen before we enter the park. With this in mind, does the Processing Center open at all earlier than the gates? Or the same time? Thanks in advance for the assistance! On another note, given the BAFF weekend, a nice weather forecast, and it being the last Saturday it's open, I should expect the park to be absolutely packed that day, correct? I'm bound and determined to get on Goliath, as it's the only coaster there I haven't ridden yet, but I'm expecting 1-2 hours waits most likely, right? Just wanting to get my expectations properly set, so if they don't end up being so bad, it'll be a bonus!

Will probably happen the year after the 210ft Chance Hyper Coaster. Im still bitter our Morgan hyper was canceled. Only if CF bought the park a year later Ditto...

The trick-track was a cool and unique feature of the ride, but it didn't ride the greatest. Many of the complaints from casual riders I have ridden ST with, stemmed from that area, especially after the helix was re-tracked. And another airtime hill? Sign me up! So my take: while the nostalgist in me is a little sad, the pragmatist in me loves the move! As for RMC... I love ya', but STAY THE HECK AWAY FROM SHIVERING TIMBERS!!! Wolverine-Wildcat, on the other hand, I'd love to see transformed. It would add to the steel count at the park, and give the park a good inverting coaster (no, I do not count either Corkscrew or Thunderhawk as "good", in that department, or really, any department!) Plus, with ST being such a strong wooden coaster, WW is just lame by comparison, and could stand for something to enhance it. I'd also like to see the "Wildcat" dropped from the name if it gets redone, and have it just be called "The Wolverine", or "Wolverine", if adding "The" infringes on the character too much.

The Tribe just feels like a Team of Destiny this year, and I think they're going to bring home another Title to Cleveland, in what is shaping up to be a great sports year for the city! Sorry to all the Cubbies faithful, but at least the World Series appearance drought is over. Maybe next year will finally be their Championship year!

Frank Gore is the epitome of a no-frills RB, and Anderson is going to have games where he puts up great numbers in a run-first offense. However, the emerging presence of Booker in Denver, who is arguably a better RB, will cut into those numbers, and NOBODY is threatening Gore for carries in Indy. Looking at the TEs, Bennett will have his games where Brady makes his owners very happy, but at the end of the day, he's still secondary to Gronk in that offense among TEs. I'm cautiously optimistic that Graham is going to continue to experience a resurgence in usage and value in the Seattle offense, and he has no serious competition for touches among the TEs there. So, analysis aside, it's a very close decision, and honestly, could go either way over the course of the season. However, given Booker is only going to see his share of the touches in Denver grow, and Bennett isn't going to be consistent from week to week, I'd give a slight edge to the side getting Gore and Graham, which I assume is you.

I actually rode the Frontier Lift a few times back in the day! I have a 1983 and 1986 Souvenir map too, though I see now pictures have been posted. While the current Sky Ride is a nice, refreshing ride to take a spin on, I did much prefer the Frontier Lift, and it really was a pretty view, since everything was so much more wooded and rustic back then! I do miss it, though Iron Dragon was my favorite coaster in the world when I went to CP back in 88, so hard to say that I would have preferred it not exist, since it served its purpose for a 10 year old!

I will provide a slightly different, and in my opinion, reasonable take on this... I was strongly considering doing everything in my power to FINALLY get back to VA next year to visit BGW and KD, when I thought both InvadR and RMC Hurler were going to be coming. I haven't been to either of these great parks since 2002, and am desperate to get back (but, money, and responsibilities are a thing, sadly...) However, now that it looks like RMC Hurler won't be until 2018, I'm thinking I'll plan on that being the year I finally get back. Given the other places I've outlined to go next year already, VA was looking difficult to pull off as it was. So I do think there are times where it makes sense as you're traveling great distances to go to Amusement Parks, to plan based on new coasters or other attractions. So while I'm an "enthusiast" by definition, and the very fact that I am on this site, my rationale is a very practical, GP one for delaying my trip.

I actually agree (and have said since Day 1), that there will be an extensive addition to the park surrounding RMC Streak, potentially with a new, dedicated back entrance, as well as a new midway that could connect to the Gemini area. How many of my thoughts regarding its potential come to fruition remains to be seen. But I feel pretty confident that there will be some significant infrastructure additions surrounding this new coaster, and expanding the reach of Frontier Town!

meh...i never got to appeal of that ride when i went on it,it was so disappointing. Yet it seems a lot of people like that ride. Some enough they got bent out of shape about it. I left a comment on youtube about how that ride is boring and someone was like you arnt a true coaster fan if you say that!!! It was funny honestly. Also im surprised someone with a pic of a giga coaster would like it so much:P lol Just like i dont get the appeal of Wizzer at Great America either.... So, what is your guilty pleasure ride, so I can say "meh" to it, too? I called it a guilty pleasure ride, not a Top 50 coaster! Plus, my positive feelings about it are almost entirely based on night rides. It isn't anywhere near as good in the daytime. Plus, that ending... Still arguably the best troll-job on a roller coaster anywhere!

^I appreciate the offers, and definitely the attempts to make something happen! However, I was actually interested in just Gurley, and my son was wondering what you'd want for Rodgers. I can let him know you're looking for a WR.

Glad you had a great time! I feel similarly, and I haven't been there since Cheetah Hunt and Cobra's Curse, so I'm sure it's even better than it was!

There are a number of rides that would probably fit this bill, but the one that immediately comes to mind is Adventure Express at Kings Island. I enjoy that coaster WAY more than I probably should (especially at night!)

I am almost certain it would be a B&M, given CF's recent focus on them. However, personally, I would love to see Intamin get another shot at a Giga, creating basically a 300+ foot sized version of Superman at SFNE, with airtime galore! Throw in a few fast turns along the ground at the end as well, a la I305. All of this back in the woods running behind the park (think Dinos Alive area, wrapping around interacting with The Beast, with the turnaround near Diamondback.) A B&M along those lines would be great as well (Fury obviously brings it), but I would like to see an Intamin like that, and I feel it would provide a little better variety of ride experience compared to Diamondback (yes, I know Carowinds and Canada's Wonderland say hi, but I actually feel like Carowinds actually proves my point!)

I posted a response to your inquiry in the league thread! I'm pretty happy with my team's performance this season, but I feel like it's irrelevant, because my son's team is a flat out beast, and will probably go unbeaten and win it all, barring injuries! Any time you're rostering the top 3 RBs in the league on one team, you're going to win a LOT more than you lose, in Fantasy Football! The suspension dropping Le'veon's value, and the severe undervaluing of DeMarco Murray coming into the season, really helped him out, as his QB and WRs are all great too! (Not to mention my ill-fated trade of David Johnson for Adrian Peterson! )

I, for one, look forward to the day the NL gets the DH, and stops wasting the time of the fans who want to see something better than an almost-automatic out in the lineup! I've been a die-hard Baseball Fan since the early 90's, so I'm no Sping-chicken to the game, either. I just think the "Baseball Purists" have frequently held the betterment of the game back in the name of "tradition", and I am always pleased when another sacred cow falls. Now, if can just replace the Home Plate Ump with a fail-proof computer, we'll be all set... Regarding the Playoffs, three of the four series have now gone the way I wanted, the two AL series in emphatic fashion! It's up to the Nationals to make it four for four with a win against the Dodgers, though regardless, that was the series I least cared about which team won anyway. I'm definitely digging the Playoffs this year!

Even though I am definitely "Team 2018", I have this terrible notion that maybe it will be 2017, and they're waiting to announce until AFTER the 2017 Pass prices go up, because they know sales will spike, regardless of the higher price. Given that I am not planning on renewing my pass for 2017 at present, that will definitely stink for me! Still, I'm not too worried about it being in 2017 at this point...

Well, I am sad to see it go... It was an absolutely fantastic coaster! Having said that, it had reached the point where this was inevitable, so might as well get it over with. Heck, I loved Drachen Fire, Big Bad Wolf, and enjoyed Wildcat at Cedar Point, but they're gone, and life goes on. Que sera sera...

I second this! And I think either Sea World or Fun Spot America is my second favorite park (with Legoland faring highly as well!)

Yeah, the Lions are an absolute WTF!!! this year! Good luck figuring out what's going to happen in ANY of their games! As for the Broncos, their Defense is still bringing it, and Atlanta wasn't very impressive, outside of the one play early, and wearing down a tired defense that was on the field all game late. Clearly, as good as he will likely eventually be, Lynch isn't there yet, and once Siemian is back, the Broncos will be back to dominating, don't you worry! As for the Vikings, they're not sexy, nobody talks about them, but... ALL THEY DO IS WIN!!! I guarantee they won't lose next week, either! As for the laughable Brady love from the media this week... Seriously, he's not even the best QB of the week, going against the worst team in football, and the media can't stop gushing over him! He's a great player, and I respect what he's done over his career, but seriously... The day he retires, will be a great day for the health of the game of football! The obsession over him, and the Patriots in general, is absurd! Were it not for the single worst coaching decision in the history of the NFL (not running an unstoppable - literally all game - Marshawn Lynch on the goal line), they wouldn't have "won" a Super Bowl since the mid 2000's... Don't fall for the media hype, people...

So far, this postseason has set up precisely the way I've wanted it to! Now, the Cubs and Nats just have to finish it! No mainstream, been there, seen that, yawn inducing teams going forward, please! (Cubs are excepted from that descriptor, because they're almost a humanitarian case at this point! )