Double0Kevin

My experience has been similar for both, a lot of side to side head banging in a few rough spots. Though if offered the choice, I would always go Revolution over Viper. Same. I look at the extra space on top as the cap that's always on the top of Intamin towers or the decorating toppers on S&S towers. None of those technically reach the top of the structures but no one complains. This thing is still crazy big.

^ About 150 feet over it.

^This assumes that arguments were not made and they just didn't bother at looking at the options. Do you know that the park didn't look into dual loading or longer trains? A 51 year old company probably knows how to do things, they've stayed in business this long (albeit there were some close calls). Yes, it's capacity is going to suck, but if that's what it takes to get the new coaster versus it being too expensive and the park just adding another animal show or kids land(or nothing), I'll take it. DOD is probably more of a bragging rights for height thing, the other option would be add an all new tower. Their capacity is what was possible with where they are putting it. Goliath... I'll give it to you, I don't get it either. Apocalypse is smart because Skull Mountain was dead. From what I've heard from people I know at the park, that thing wasn't going to operate after last season regardless. The fact that they replaced it with something rather than letting it sit is kind of a plus. RSR is a bad example because it's one of the lowest capacities on a Disney ride. It pulls about 850/hour vs. Mermaid that does what like 2,000. Luigi's pulls approx 250 to 300 per hour and it seems to hold on at a 60 min wait avg. inside a Disney park. SFDK should be able to do that as well with the exception of busy holidays and events. I understand frustrations, but people really have to stop acting like they have all the facts and know better than the park.

Back working at SFDK I've ridden a lot alone. Boomerang, Kong, Medusa, Roar, V2, Zonga, Tony Hawk, Roadrunner Express, Cobra, Thomas the Tank Engine, Shoreline Express, Thrilla Gorilla, VooDoo, Skycoaster, Ark, Taz Devil, 3D Theater.... yeah I'm going to stop now, you get the idea.

If it's like V2, which I'm assuming it is, the computer probably compensates for the speed and only accelerates to a certain speed so that it doesn't go higher than it's supposed to. I don't know the reason why the brake prior to the roll wasn't added, though it seems like it had to have been taken out early in the design process because the track prior to the roll is clearly not designed to accommodate it. I'm personally happy that it's not there, because it seems like it just would have added that much more on to the ride's cycle time.

I was there on a SoCal blocked day and it was still pretty packed. You know it's busy when even Mermaid and Monsters Inc. have lines. The park is doing extremely well at managing the crowds and keeping people happy though. The huge amount of entertainment helps (the entertainment schedule for DCA was bigger than DL's). I think this summer is going to be packed with tourists who have been waiting the last few years to do a big family trip.

Looks pretty awesome. Nice use of the music at the end. Haha, very epic.

I like Invetigos, but I didn't lose any sleep when they moved CGA's across the country. There are just so many better coasters to care about, even if Invertigos are pretty decent rides. Also, if you go to SFNE and live by SFA, just stop make a detour to Dorney and ride Stinger. Yeah, it's not an SF park that will take your season pass, but it's about the same trip driving time (maybe shorter) and it gets you on the style of ride you like.

Looking at the course the footers take after that banking it appears that the only way that "turn" can go is to the right of what's pictured meaning that is a zero-g roll. Obviously we need to wait and see if that's true, but right now it looks like that's what's going on. Could we really be seeing another attempt at an inverting woody? I know where my coaster travels are taking me next year.

Sorry everyone, I hadn't been on here for a few days and didn't notice the last few pages otherwise I never would have made that comment. I had thought people were wondering about it not having some huge debate. RSR did have a big line all day but the entire park was busy (though handling it very well) by noon.

Were you there with a smaller rider, who rode in the front row? -RO I think this was an argument earlier and I don't want to start it again, but yes I was and she absolutely loved it. I don't know if it's an issue for others, but since 90% of the stuff in the dark ride is next to you and elevated, it was easy to see for her. The only negative was you couldn't see her in the ride photo.

I do the same, for example I avoided all Transformers POVs before I rode. I'm glad I did because the experience was amazing and fun to no expect what was going to happen. With coaster I'm less worried about. I'll read reviews and watch POVs because with those you generally know the layout and it's all about the ride at that point.

Hey everyone, Wanted to give a quick TR of my visit to DCA on Thursday. I arrived at the parks around 720 am. They opened the gates at 730 and were very quick about getting people in (they had every single turnstile open). The mad rush went straight for fastpass which required you to queue at the Carthay Circle Theater. I chose to avoid that and waited with the small 100 - 200 people who waited to just go straight to the ride. At 8 they played the new themed announcement for the park opening. It talked about Walt first arriving to California seeking adventure. Then they slowly walked everyone to RSR which already had a 90min wait thanks to magic morning. I hopped in Single Rider and waited 15 mins for my ride. I won't go into details, but the ride is fantastic. Every worry I had for it went out the door. The dark ride is extremely entertaining (there are no view issues even for smaller riders) and the race part feels much faster and thrilling than I expected. Afterwards I rode Screamin' and Mermaid which were basically walk-ons (Toy Story had a 30+ min wait) and headed to get a WoC Fastpass. I got a Blue section 1.5 hours after park opening which obviously means focus has shifted when it comes to early AM rushes. I wanted to check out Buena Vista Street some more so I headed back. My first stop was Starbucks which had a line out the door. A CM said it was between a 30 to 45 min wait. I decided to pass. The rest of BVS is beautiful. It's small, but so well made that it's easily my favorite Disney park entrance. I then headed over to the ghost town known as Disneyland (it got busier later on) and tried to ride Matterhorn, unfortunately it was down. I headed back to my hotel for a nap as I had just driven all night from the bay area. Headed back to DCA around 2 and met up with some friends. We rode Mater's Junkyard Jamboree which has got to be one of the most stupid fun flats I've ever ridden. Talk about a surprise. We skipped Luigi's 75 minute wait. Hopped in Single Rider for RSR again as it was a 10 min wait because the ride was coming back up for a lengthy downtime. Made it to the front of the line (only 2 people ahead of us) and the ride went down again for about 45 minutes. Guest were noticeably irritated, but thus is life with a new ride. You can run it empty as much as you want but throw in the human factor and stuffs going to happen. The staff was really cool and Maintenance was there within a minute or 2, and when I say maintenance I mean about 10 guys plus what looked like ops managers. I overheard a CM saying it was an issue with doors opening at Ramon's inside the ride. Stopped at Cove Bar for much needed alcohol. Rode TSMM and tore up my finger while scoring the high score. Headed back to DL and did Space, Matterhorn and watched Magical and Fantasmic. Matterhorn's new trains are cramped and still just a rough. The queue felt slightly faster but not anything to rave about. The biggest thing coming out of it is that I spent a ton of time at DCA and feel like I easily could have done another full day there to experience everything. I never ended up seeing WoC (This time) and never got on ToT, Goofy, Grizzly, or Soarin'. Never saw Pixar Play Parade or caught Aladdin. Didn't get to draw int he animation building or ride the smaller Paradise Pier rides. DCA is easily a full day park, or even a 2 day park if you want to experience all the entertainment (and amazing food) as well.

Wow, I never knew that about the Demon. CGA's was my first "big" coaster when I was little. I honestly don't remember feeling a difference when I rode SFGAm's a few years back, but those photos do show it's different. Of the Arrow Loopers I've been on I'd rank the smoothness as follows: *From smoothest to roughest* Corkscrew (CP) Loch Ness Monster (BGW) Canyon Blaster (Adventuredome) Demon (CGA) Viper (SFMM) Demon (SFGAm) Anaconda (KD) Vortex (KI) Obviously that isn't the biggest of selections but it gives you an idea based on what I've experienced. I'd say Viper is in the mid range. If it wasn't for the batwing/butterfly loop/boomerang(whatever Arrow calls it), it wouldn't be so bad. Also, Are we not considering Vortex a Mega Looper? I mean, yes it's 6 inversions and not 7 and has a bit more unique of a layout that the other 3, but I've always thrown it in that same category.

It's really just the ride that sets the schedule and everything else makes sure it's inline with that. I remember the day before we opened Tony Hawk, walking through the area thinking there is no way everything will be finished(non-ride things like the queue, landscaping, etc), but the crews stayed all night and the following morning the landscapers were finishing up planting the last plants about an hour before we opened. We'll see how it goes, but the park seems confident about the 29th. From what I've heard is the ride has been testing and runs just fine.

Oh wow, I was laughing hysterically at this just now. My co-workers don't get it, I tried to explain. Damn GP.

The Intamin Second Gen Drop Towers have 3 cables, but as we know from Kentucky, 2 can pull the car up just fine. Only problem with just 2 is you don't always get to the very top, you lose a foot or 2 (too soon)? I look at Boomerangs though, they only use one cable. It really depends on the size and strength of the cable, not necessarily the number of them. I would think a second or third cable is done as a back up, rather than necessity. Again, all assumptions/guesses.

Thanks guys! These updates were easily the best coverage I've seen of the events. I can't wait to get down there tomorrow and check it out myself.

I believe it is only going to have 2 cables. Those other 2 "connections" I think are bumpers since the catch cars usually jump a little when the cars are released. The bumpers likely pad that jump as it hits the top of the track. Everything I just said is a guess, please correct me if I'm wrong.

This park looks like it will be a premier European park someday, but I think I need some aloe vera cause just looking at the lack of shade caused me to get a sunburn. Doesn't change the fact that I would love to check this place out though. Why can't a US park(non disney/universal) have this kind of theming? *sigh*

So Far: Six Flags Discovery Kingdom California's Great America Gilroy Gardens Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Train Town Disneyland Disney California Adventure Universal Studios Hollywood Upcoming: Six Flags Magic Mountain SeaWorld San Diego Universal Studios Florida Islands of Adventure Epcot (and anything else I might be able to do in a day) Most of the parks I've already done, again.

This was probably the most entertaining TR I've read in a long time. I've driven past Elitch, never made an effort to stop though.

It's not cut and dry that it has to do X number cycles and it's good to go. But more it does have to meet certain criteria. Tony Hawk took almost no time at all to get ready once it started testing full force, the thing that took forever was the fine tuning to get it to a point where it could continuously run cycles. At least it isn't a major delay. Hope it doesn't make me have to choose between it and Lex's media day.

Bad news, just got an email, the ride's opening has been postponed. Media day is now on the 29th, and I assume the ride will either open later that day or on the 30th.

I know it's not the best comparison since they are different ride styles and manufacturers, but Superman at SFDK just started testing on Saturday, and they still expect to do a commercial shoot on Thursday and media on Friday. It's definitely cutting it close, but I'm still holding out hope. I also got work off for Media day and have a hotel booked down there, I'd rather not have to reschedule.