hendrixmarshalljames

I've always lived a long ways from real parks, but try to make the pilgrimage every year to a few of them. In late February, as I was watching the progress on the yet to be announced Coaster going in at my favorite park - I decided to look into what spots might be available to transfer. Preferably near Roller Coaster heaven/nirvana. Turns out I'm one of 3 finalists in a location that's 1 hour away from CP, 2.5 from KI, 5.5 to Holiday World, 8 hours to El Toro, 8.5 to BG Williamsburg, and 6 hours to Hershey. Considering it takes 8 hours to go to Valley Fair, (12 to SFGAm from where I live now)...Guess what I'm thinking about? Are the schools good? Tax rate? Plenty of Chicks? Cost of living? Crime? None of the above. All I can think about is being 1 hour from CP, 2.5 to KI, 5.5 to Holiday World, 8 to El Toro, 8.5 to BGW, and 6 hours to Hershey. My boys' think the same thing. So my little hobby has taken over my life, officially...and I couldn't be happier. Shout out to Tony making that thing happen, and the "non-marketing" marketing strategy is brilliant on so many levels. Good on ya, mate.

I go to the RNR HOF every time I'm in the area...

I believe you're mentioning "Raging Bull"? Damn right he is. I'll back it up and spell it out. Raging Bull's first drop is better than Goliath's (and most other coasters). The good truth. Raging Bull in the back seat is one of my favorite things to do...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MaMY4GROaYM Video we did for Cyber Link...It says AC\DC because we did a park tour getting to New York

The salt is just so strong. Can't we just love the parks we love, and the rides they want to put in them?

How's this?

^^ To save money, we stayed at the Sandusky Rodeway Inn...Yikes! On a return trip we did the KOA camping cabins for a few days, and was literally blown away on how peaceful it was.

Holy crap! A sunset picture that was actually taken at sunset! I'm impressed. If those Racer and Banshee pics above weren't in this thread I would have assumed they were taken at noon. Should someone post the definition of sunset? Here's a few I took @ SFOG last month. Jeezus...what's it take to get you people to not complain about anything? They're some great shots...my worst is still better than your best, maybe we should define great?

Here's a few from last summer's trip... X-Flight Decent one of Lighthouse Point Lucky Shot Really like this one

Nice! Last year I tried to do the same thing and was told it was impossible to do. Maybe my strong but fairly-written response to that situation had enough of a pull that they decided to reconsider their stance this year. If it falls through, let me know and I can get whatever you need in the beginning of July when I go. Thanks for that, but I'm hoping to get a full blown Coaster "Armageddon" trip in before July...HW, KI, Dollywood, Hershey, Knoebbels, Kennywood, CP. We might hit SF Chicago on the way back...depends on how much I spend...looking forward to Knoebbels quite a bit, though.

Out of the blue, I sent one of those "contact us" emails to CP to see if they could ship a Maverick sweatshirt for my ex-wife's birthday. Long story, but basically because we're so far away, we can't get there that often. The VP of merchandising contacted me the next day about arranging a 'buddy ship"...One of the many reasons CP rocks!

I hated getting spam mail via TPR PM account.

The storage shed for glitter and baby oil is completely themed, has a tunnel with water effect(s), VR ready for the not so cute and/or overweight ones...The private dances will be completely forceless, though.

Which is why I booked mine a few months ago. And after staying at the Breakers last year, it is worth the extra money to stay there every time. The hotel is gorgeous, the remodel was done very well, and it is within walking distance of the park. Money well spent! While I would normally agree with you, this time around we are on a budget and just need a place to lay our head at night. We have no plans of leaving the park during the event, and don't mind driving 5 min down the road to save $150 per night. Hotel breakers is very nice, and we usually spend every opening day there. The KOA has those cabins for 35 a night. At least it was last summer. You have to bring your own pillows and sleeping bags, but we saved a ton on a quick trip out there.

I didn't read every single post, so apologies in advance if someone brought it up. The KOA in Sandusky has these little camping cabins for 35 a night. For two people, it's a no frills way to go really cheap. Didn't bother us one bit, but you have to bring your own sleeping stuff. (pillows, blankets, etc.) I did a big tour like that a couple times last summer, every little bit of money you can save the better the trip will be.

I have a soft spot for Desperado...my first 200+ footer. After that I was hooked. I think it had the record for tallest, fastest and longest for a little while...Not the most creative track layout ever, but I wouldn't put it into the category of Anaconda, Manhattan Express, or Hurler...I think Mr.Twister in Denver deserves to be on this list, though... Kind of like mean streak...fun too look at, but you just think "what a waste of track'

We went from "Valravn has nice curves" to taking out Corkscrew and Gemini? Can we talk about the colors? Or no Splash? Forceless? Hate B & M? Love B & M? The Boat? chik-fil-a replacement? Heaven? Hell? It seems the internet was invented to complain, and that's all...FFS, ridership up or down, lines short or long, glad to have something to do when I'm at that end of the park...that's visually striking...and...lest we forget, the only dive coaster that's reasonably close for anyone that doesn't live on the East coast...They really are fun...it ain't I305, and wasn't intended to be.

El Freakin' Toro

The thing everyone's missing...is another quality ride that will take the heat off of Millenium, TTD, and Maverick...Who cares if it doesn't tunnel under Lake Erie? I, for one...am super happy to have something else to do when I'm at that end of the park.

The best part of the new restraints is not having someone's sweaty arm rubbing all over ya...

El Freakin Toro!

x, or x-2's inspiration came from the Zipper...

Sadly...I missed 305 as well a week ago. Just wasn't feeling it, and the knee-knocking lift hill just scared me! Five minute wait, too...

I just got lucky, really...it was a great trip, even if it reads a little choppy!

I am about 100% positive that is not a Dive Machine car. 1.) Why would it be so far away from the track and supports? And radomly laying on their back in grass?? No. 2.) Don't they usually store the trains inside until they and brought out to be put on the track 3.) Why would they be there so early?? Trains usually don't arrive until well AFTER the track and supports start to arrive. Also, someone correct me if I am wrong, but don't B&M Trains usually arrive at parks in those boxy metal shipping containers?? Not randomly wrapped in blue plastic. Our thought was CP having the car for a photo op for the big reveal...they would probably look like that inside the shipping crate, along with styrofoam keeping it tight. We noticed it the day the big reveal was supposed to go down, but got pushed back. So it's not impossible to think it got unpacked prior to it getting pushed back. I'm not saying it is or it isn't...but the bottom looks like headrests, and the top looks like it has plywood covering/protecting the business end of a coaster car. We should have gone back and rode the train for a better photo, because the sides have a bird-like face looking outwards. The photo doesn't really show it, unfortunately.