DILinator

In before people tell Mossed that "Amusement Parks don't care about Anniversaries!"

^Hmmm... I'll be interested in hearing you elaborate on this, because having ridden both ShieKra and Valravn, I think the latter is a FAR better iteration of the Dive Coaster!

^ Oh, you can definitely do it all in one day! It's not that large of a park, even if you do the water park.

Even if you were to look at it that way, it's dueling, not racing. Yeah, TC is an exception to this rule, but typically, to be considered dueling or racing, a coaster would have trains that start simultaneously. I suppose you can consider it whatever you want, personally, but I would never consider Smiler to be a racing, or dueling coaster...

Other than my new midway concept, and placing Ripcord near Slingshot and Gemini on that extended midway, I agree, that there isn't really a better place in the park for it. I also agree that the STR land isn't ideal from a look, or theming standpoint. However, if it is placed where I described in my post above, it is the least obtrusive route, and can even utilize the railroad crossing entrance that is already in place from STR. That at least places it at the far end of Frontier Trail, and allows for future expansion in STR's plot as well! Along those lines, if this rumored "7 year contract" thing for Dinos Alive is true, that would place them in line to be removed at the end of 2018, making way for a potential 2019 addition of a GCI woodie in that spot I mentioned earlier, but also interacting with MF, and utilizing their old spot!

Find Me - Anchor & Braille

After many moons of waiting, Google Maps (online version) has finally added an updated satellite image of Cedar Point that includes GateKeeper! It must be from last fall, because it was after construction on Valravn had begun (the start of the lift hill was up), but before the removal of the GoKarts and Skyscaper. In semi-related discussion, I was looking at possible places for the relocation of RipCord next year on the satellite view. My personal thought process on the matter has it being placed next to Gemini and Slingshot, in the beginning of the new extended midway that will be completed in 2018 with the addition of RMC Streak, and a new back entrance gate. This will, of course, necessitate the removal and likely relocation of the buildings back there currently, but to me, that makes sense as they are some of the few non-public access buildings remaining within the perimeter of the park. Perhaps I am off-base in my thoughts about that whole new midway/gate concept, but I guess we'll at least have an idea by the end of tomorrow what is in store. Assuming Ripcord doesn't go there, where else might it be relocated? One popular train of thought is in the old Shoot the Rapids spot. Now, I don't know what everybody else envisions when they think that, but from actually looking at the space there, I can see that it could fit completely on Millennium Island, or completely on the Frontier Trail side of the lagoon (but on the other side of the train tracks.) However, I think either of these locations would be a tremendous waste of the potential space for expansion in the old STR footprint. What I looked at as a better possible use of that spot involving Ripcord, was having the attraction positioned in such a way that the spikes you get pulled up to are positioned ON Millennium Island, and the entirety of the Ripcord footprint is to the left of where the current (at least in the satellite image) STR lift hill is located. That would use the least amount of space, and also provide a cool swoop across the lagoon water while riding Ripcord. Additionally, that would leave room to the right of the STR lift hill, and the remainder of the Millennium Island plot that STR occupied, for a GCI woodie to be added there a couple of years down the road. The station, and beginning of that coaster could be in the area where there's currently other behind the scenes stuff to the left of MF's second hill, and the queue and its entrance could even be incorporated into Fort Sandusky, which is currently a cool looking area on Frontier Trail, that is ultimately not very significant in what it's being used for. But that's speculation for a different time, really, as we're a little ways off from that right now, I believe... What other areas in the park do you think might be a landing spot for Ripcord, if not the two I have already mentioned? Or do you think it'll be in one of those two areas?

So, what you're saying, is that Tusenfryd is the "Six Flags" of Norway!

This is what happens when people assume they know what's going on with a park. I've decided especially in this thread to just wait for an official announcement from the park on any new additions they are getting. Given the history of this thread, you know, the "Oh it's a Dive Machine, now it's a flying coaster, now it's a hyper coaster, now it's a wing coaster, now it's a launched coaster, now it's a spinning coaster..." Yeah, no. I think the most creditable thing right now is the spinning coaster, and that's because it came straight from plans the park made public. This is precisely the conclusion I've come to as well, regarding Silver Dollar City, their new addition, and this thread. All the "hearsay" was getting quite confusing, and I've just decided to wait, see what the park actually says, and enjoy whatever, whenever.

most of magic mountain is badly faded. Well, in fairness, I imagine the intense sun pouring over the park year-round makes them fade quicker than the seasonal parks (I know Xcellerator is badly faded too). Still, when a coaster is as visible, and as much of a marquee attraction as Tatsu, I would think they'd be vigilant to keep it looking good all the time.

Wow! Tatsu is looking REALLY faded these days! Definitely could stand a fresh coat of paint on that before long...

I'm like you in that I don't go out of the way or instigate talking to people randomly about roller coasters or amusement parks. People know I am REALLY into coasters, as they'd put it, so they will often ask me about them, or bring up talking about them, knowing my interest. But beyond that, I pretty much focus my "enthusiasm" online, in places like this. One funny thing regarding this, from recently, is the huge number of people who have said to me either "Hey, I assume you heard about Mean Streak", or "Did you know that Mean Streak is closing?" Funny, because it's almost like some of them act like they are giving the information to me too, or wondering if I was aware yet. I just smile, say yes, and if they want to discuss further, nerd out on them about the joys of a potential RMC transformation!

I'd have to think Cedar Fair would at least look long and hard at BGT, if only to break into the lucrative, year-round amusement park business in Florida. They already have experience with that in the So-Cal market with Knott's, so it's not a completely new tack for them. Maintaining the animals would be, however, so I'm not sure if that's a route they'd want to go. As for BGW, I do wonder how much they'd feel like that park would be a market redundancy with KD so close. Yes, CP and KI are relatively close, but not 1 hour close. Heck, even Geauga Lake was farther away from CP than that. Both Kennywood and Waldameer are closer to CP than KI is. Ohio's a big state, and they are basically at the North/South extremes of it. As such, I'm not sure CP would be interested in BGW. I have to agree with those that predict that a company like Herschend or Merlin would be most likely to buy them. I could see Herschend being interested in a a park like BGT, or possibly even BGW. Merlin actually seems like a prime candidate for BGW, as its vibe just seems to fit in the best with the other parks in their company. If it went that way: BGT to Herschend (or CF), and BGW to Merlin, I would feel very good about the direction of either park. I'm still leery of how well Six Flags would manage either park (especially BGW), but I suppose they could surprise me... They do have experience with animals, both at Discovery Kingdom, and previously at Worlds of Adventure. Still, if Sea World sells them, Herschend or Merlin would seem to be the best case scenario, to see the parks continue to be operated at the high level they are at currently. The potentially awesome side of them selling, would be the accelerated investment into roller coasters across the Sea World parks. SWO is already awesome in that regard, and another one or two coasters there would be most welcome. I've never been to the other SW parks, but it seems they could stand to be improved in that regard as well. It'll be interesting to see how this all plays out going forward...

I have been to enthusiast events, and I completely agree with you! Sometimes I wonder what the heck I'm doing there! However, my desire for ERT often outweighs my desire to avoid all the weirdos! Also, I'm glad to hear that PPP isn't so enthusiast heavy, or exclusive. I hope I can make it out there for the first time this year!

I think we're all pretty much in agreement. To me, I've always struggled comparing for ranking purposes Maverick with coasters like Fury and MF, because they're so different. As such, I basically consider them all #1, essentially, though I definitely prefer Fury to MF (which is easier to compare.) Maverick is so, so good though! Ok, we've successfully gotten off the topic of KI here! Back to KI talk, thanks for the construction report John Peck!

I doubt that cedar fair will rmc something at Kd before it happens at Cedar Point. I disagree... I still think RMC is Hurler's destination, for next year. The RMC Streak will be a much bigger project than this will be, and the two parks operate independently of each other anyway. I just don't see them holding off on a much needed refurbishment for Hurler, just because they haven't unleashed the biggest and best at CP yet.

Your wrong to. Maverick eat fury for breakfast and poops it all over intimidator 232 You do realize that my comment was meant as humorous, right? Hence, the winkie... Neither of us is wrong, in actuality!

^ I can't speak for the other poster who first made the comment about liking the color scheme, but I know for me, the reason I like it on that coaster, is because it fits Batman so well. That doesn't mean I like it on any coaster. I do agree that Apocalypse does look good, and the theme is fantastic! Too bad the ride experience doesn't match it...

I rode Goliath when it was Deja Vu at SFMM, and I actually enjoyed the ride! Apparently, it's gone drastically downhill since then, to hear people talk about it now!

^But the towers were blue when it was Deja Vu... So is this a change unique to SFNE's version?

Well, I've been going to Cedar Point multiple times a year, every year since the 90's, and have been riding MF with regularity since its opening month of operation. I may not have worked at the park, but that has nothing to do with knowing what I have experienced on a coaster. Sure, there is no airtime on MF like Maverick, or Magnum. However, the airtime on the hump by the queue and station is definitely much more than simple floater airtime, like you experience on the previous MF hills. It's stronger than you experience on most B&M coasters. In the back, where I typically ride the coaster, I'm ejected out of my seat with force, every time I ride it. It is not the same airtime as the firm airtime that you glide (or float, if you will) into over the previous hills on the coaster. Clearly, where the disagreement stems from, is differing ideas of what constitutes ejector airtime. If you want to say that you've never considered any of the airtime on MF to be ejector, based on your definition of what is needed to constitute that to you, that's fine. But you can't state so definitively something that is clearly not an absolute, that applies to every rider. If we reframe "ejector air" to "airtime you really feel!" then 99% of coasters have ejector. MF could likely be ridden in any seat with no lapbars or seat belts and all the riders come back to the station assuming they're willing to not misbehave and hold the grab bar in front. I'm not "re-framing" anything... The definition of eject is force or throw (something) out, typically in a violent or sudden way. This is the type of air I routinely experience on MF, in that particular spot. I'm sorry that your experience on it is apparently not the same, but I can only speak from mine... *shrugs*

Pretty sure that this is the Bandit at Movie Park Germany Yes! I just checked it out, and I believe you are right! The seat backs are very distinctive. Thanks!

I just watched the recent Tom Hanks movie "Hologram for a King" (kind of a "meh" movie if you ask me), and right at the beginning there are a couple of shots of Hanks riding some wooden coaster in a bizarre and seemingly pointless opening sequence. Anybody know what coaster it is?