n1ch0las
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Posts posted by n1ch0las
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^Completely agree about IoA being one of the best parks in the world. Still think so with the inclusion of WWoHP.
It's still such a shame that the park chose to stop dueling the dragons, there aren't many experiences out there that compare to a front row ride on DD:I. Just a really well engineered ride that I would hate to see removed completely.
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There have been a lot of good mentions here - X2's first drop, final Raven hill, all of Skyrush.
But this one still gets me everytime. Best head chopper ever.
That moment where you think its the end.
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I'd say 90% of RMC coasters entire layout's minus the brake run and lift hill. The amount of crazy negative forces on those rides are insane. Which makes me wonder:
Has anyone here lost, or seen someone lose a loose article on an RMC coaster??
I can attest.
Rode NTaG a couple years back as my first RMC. I've never ever had to even think about losing my wallet out of my back pocket on a coaster before, but during my 7th or 8th ride I saw it go flying into the row ahead of me on an airtime hill. Thank god it bounced into the guy next to me's lap and he grabbed it and gave it back. I flew back home a few hours after that and wouldn't have made it through security without it!
Love that ride.
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Sorry to double post, but the bankruptcy hearing was last week and went better than expected for the park. After 3 and a half hours of debate between the two sides (and apparently a bus load of supporters) the judge sided with Mediation between the two sides to be completed within 60 days. He also granted the taxing authorities over 400K from the insurance settlement after the Beach Club fire a few years back.
For those of you who don't know what legal mediation is - it's exactly what it sounds like. They've been ordered to compromise. If they can't compromise, then it will likely go back to court for a final decision.
Thought this quote from the judge summed up his decision quite well:
"I am a little befuddled why the interests aren't aligned here." Deller said. He later said "I would assume Crawford County wouldn't want tumbleweeds going through Conneaut Lake Park" -
Pretzel loops on B&M Flying coasters. Don't even know how many times I've seen objects go flying when you hit the top of the loop with the floater air.
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I have heard that the rides with the longest lines are Goliath, Superman, and X-Flight. Is this true?
Substitute X-Flight with Raging Bull and those are typically your top three.
Raging Bull doesn't tend to get above 45 minutes, so yes X-Flight and those two are the longest. American Eagle has the shortest line, and never really gets above 20 minutes
6 or 7 years ago I'd agree with you on the Raging Bull thing. Substitute poor operations, flash pass increases, and a whole lotta teenagers in that EAP line though and suddenly one full queue house means a 90 minute wait.
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I'll just go ahead and skip most of the Leviticus and Job themed holes.
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I have heard that the rides with the longest lines are Goliath, Superman, and X-Flight. Is this true?
Substitute X-Flight with Raging Bull and those are typically your top three.
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I think I speak for the entire enthusiast community when I say holy sh4t.
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^Work on circulation of blood to your brain. Practice thinking really hard, that usually helps increase stamina.
I'm not the type of guy to not ride a roller coaster, so usually I'm kicking myself (literally) half way through every Arrow Mine Train (other than the one at SFStL) as I slam my knees into the middle bar for the 6th or 7th time heading into the unnecessary 3rd lift hill. I hate those things.
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SFGAm. Haven't been there in 9 years, but my visit in 2006 was awesome. For a SF park it was clean, had very solid theming, lots of shaded areas, great selection of coasters, was bigger than I expected, and their HH blew GAdv's out of the water. As much as I love GAdv as my homepark, SFGAm was easily the best SF park I've been to.
In fact, I find that SF's poor reputation is really over-stated in general, and have had great times at all SF parks I've been to.
It's really amazing how quickly things can spiral downhill in just 9 years...
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GUYS, I have breaking news. Things look different from different angles. Can't believe this is still being discussed.
Lightning Rod looks absolutely insane. What a setting for a ride. And the drop will have insane sustained airtime all the way down it looking at the shape.
Exactly.
I don't think I've ever been this impressed by a coaster under construction for years. RMC seems to be knocking this thing out of the ball park and they've convinced me to visit next year.
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It actually sounds like the board of trustees for the park tried to get the hotel operator to pay them their debts, likely so they could use the money to pay their own...getting desperate
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I really didn't expect 1988 to be the oldest third of this board:
Shockwave @ SFGAm takes the win out of the coasters opened that year, which honestly was a pretty sad year for coasters that still operate today! I suppose an honorable mention can go to Wolverine Wildcat, and I wouldn't even pick a third place out of that bunch.
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So somebody wants to develop a theme park around the family friendly idea of children murdering other children who are less fortunate financially?
Sounds like it'll do really well.
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I know there are tons of cities with no 'big' parks (at all), but I've always wondered what it would look like if there were another Great America-sized park on either the west or south side of Chicagoland? It certainly seems like the interest (from the public, in going to an amusement park) is there.....I guess, at this point, it'd have to be Cedar Fair who'd have to be interested in a Chicago area park...right? And, yes, I know it's unheard of for a major chain to build from the ground up (as of late), but the crazy attendance at this park (and it's inability to truly do a major expansion) makes me wonder.
These crowds are very typical for the 3rd and 4th weeks of Fright Fest. The park has been doing these numbers for years now, and the attendance in peak summer really isn't much higher than what was typical in the 90s and 2000s. The difference to guest satisfaction and lines is decreased staffing (which leads to decreased engagement because their shifts are a living hell) in F&B joints and increased use of Flash Pass and EAP. 10 years ago (when Flash Pass existed) Bull could clear a full queue house in 45 minutes, full queue in an hour and 15. I bet over the weekend some people waited over 2 1/2 for a ride. Don't even get me started on Goliath, that station can become a disaster, especially when they make those poor people in wheel chairs cram along the side of Iron Wolf's tiny exit ramp. Needless to say, poor Operations are a bigger deal than increased crowds.
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X2, Magnum and Big Bad Wolf for me.
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Update from the park below, not good news I'm afraid.
Update:
At the most recent hearing before US Bankruptcy Judge Deller on October 9th we reported that despite our best efforts, a consensual plan of reorganization for CLP was not possible as no modification to our plan would likely be supported by either the Taxing Authorities or First Capital Finance (Ron Anderson). Also, the Taxing Authorities sought and secured authorization to submit a competing plan to permanently shut down and liquidate the assets of Conneaut Lake Park to pay creditors.
Judge Deller ordered the Taxing Authorities to submit their competing plan by October 16th, indicating the likelihood that both plans would eventually be submitted to creditors for a vote before the court formally authorizes a final plan.
Last Friday the plan to liquidate Conneaut Lake Park was filed by the Taxing Authorities and will be subject to a hearing in about three weeks. This plan generally involves transferring control of the assets of CLP to the Taxing Authorities who would then sell them all to satisfy back taxes and potentially other debts of the Park. This plan calls for the permanent discontinuation of all operations relating to Conneaut Lake Park and the eventual dissolution of the Trustees of Conneaut Lake Park, Inc. Additionally, and of critical importance, the liquidation plan presented contemplates the removal of the deed restriction currently in affect that grants public access to the lands of Conneaut Lake Park, and the “rejection” of all existing cottage leases regardless of their vintage.
In our view, if implemented, the Liquidation Plan would have a disastrous effect on those owning or leasing cottages in the area as no provision has been made to assure either road access or water services to properties after the proposed liquidation.
The Liquidation Plan stands in stark contrast to our Plan of Reorganization. Our Plan pays the debts, saves and revitalizes the Park for future generations, and promises considerable positive economic and social impact for the region. The competing plan seeks only the repayment of debt without regard for the adverse impact liquidation will have on existing or future residents or the region.
As this process of competing plans continues to develop, we urge those in support of our plan of reorganization to remain engaged and to be ready to voice your opinions to the Court with regard to the Taxing Authorities’ proposal to eliminate the public’s right to access and utilize Conneaut Lake Park.
On a very possitive note, Judge Deller seems to have recognized our collective efforts in support of CLP as he noted the increased use and activity at the Park this past season.
We will keep you posted as to important developments in support of the reorganization and revitalization of Conneaut Lake Park.
Please stay tuned and supportive…
It's not over yet, but it sounds like it would take a near miracle or major investment of liquid assets to save the park at this point.
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I'll be in the minority here, but after riding all three quite a few times, I still put Mantis/Rou in the front. I actually think Raptor kicks your ass a little more than Rougarou does and I really like positive Gs and the quick transitions that the former standup coaster still delivers.
Though Gatekeeper is a public winner and makes for a dramatic entrance to the park, I thought the ride was pretty boring and after 2-3 rides it actually made me kind of sick, which barely ever happens to me on coasters.
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I know it's likely been talked about to death, but this is just the start of a larger demand based pricing system that will eventually be better for everyone. Annual Passholders at Disneyland have been overrunning the park for years now, which obviously detracts from guest experience of regular day ticket holders. The park has raised prices before which obviously hasn't achieved their goal, and they will continue doing this until they reach the number of passholders they want at the right price.
By raising ticket prices (and annual pass prices) on peak days such as Christmas, Spring Break and Summer Disney is able to reduce volume while increasing revenue and guest experiences during the day. I think the big question will be whether or not they lower ticket prices on off-peak days as much as they jack them up during the holidays, my guess is they will offer a slight discount on slower days, but tickets will be significantly more expensive on busy days.
And to add to the talk about madness of price increases, when I lived in SoCal in 2012 I bought my premium pass for $500. That's an increase of 103% over 3 years.
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Arkham Asylum at Warner Bros Movie World in Australia was actually a really great SLC experience. It had new trains and restraints that were vests and not headbang machines that all the other models have. Turns out when the ride isn't slowly torturing you its actually pretty great.
Honorable mention goes to the GIBs around the world, when they work they are really fun.
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While a lot of the hypers and gigas mentioned have some pretty great drops, for me nothing tops X2. Going up backwards, not sure which way you're going to flip and ending up looking straight down that drop was one of the greatest experiences on any coaster.
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Both Magnum and Skyrush are rides that I need to ride with at least one hand on the restraint at all times, but I also love terrifying airtime so they are both ranked quite highly. Magnum is a good example of a coaster that really solidified my love for traveling to theme parks.
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One of the reasons RMC is so hot with chains like Six Flags is because they offer very good value for money in terms of thrills - this looks like an extension of that business plan. This track looks versatile, strong and able to support a full, ground up built steel coaster with plenty of "next level" elements that we probably haven't even seen before. Most importantly, it might be able to be produced cheaper than competitors in the steel coaster market, and that's a win for the company. Next step is improving their products with each iteration and providing a more reliable experience for parks with better capacity.
It's already been said but it reminds me of B&M track spine without the rails - either way its really neat to see this company create so many patents in such a short period of time. I wonder when they sleep?
Any coaster/attraction that was a mistake from day one?
in Theme Parks, Roller Coasters, & Donkeys!
Posted
Kinda feel like most everything you said right there was hearsay. Superman never got reprofiled, just new trains and started running backwards. When it first opened it was one of the most covered roller coasters in the world because 400 feet/100mph was unheard of back then. The issues started when SFMM got cheap and stopped running it at full speed.
I'm still surprised that I305 doesn't have a longer wait time for KD, it's certainly not the MF homerun in terms of popularity but still a great ride.