speedracer

^ Remeber CF doesn't do theming, if we're lucky hopefully it'll at least have some fun water effects like Rip Tide.

SFDK's is right across the walkway from Looney Tunes Seaport, which actually makes sense. TT doesn't really include enough for a stand alone kiddie area IMO, the location makes it kind of an extention/expansion of the existing kids area, probably the same idea behind SFMM's location. Honestly as much as I hate the Wiggles, these actually look like a much better more complete package/new themed area than what the TT areas are. Which are basically just a 5 minute kiddie train and 2 small kiddie flats wrapped in minimal theming. I wouldn't expect much more at SFMM.

CF doesn't own the overflow lot, The City owns the lot and all the land GA sits on, which is why CF has no say so whether a stadium goes there or not. Also why you see a hotel and office buildings in GA's parking lot. The City uses the overflow lot for the convention center too, GA only has use of it on a as needed basis.

Instead of a new coaster, I'd much rather SFMM focus on improving the overall park over the next few years, even if it means shedding off a few more coasters. The Busch parks are great examples of how to do a quality regional park with big thrill rides. With the multi-millions SF would spend for a new coaster, they could easily retheme or enhance existing areas around SFMM to be more heavily themed like BGE. Already sorta has an international theme, just need to plus and expand what's already there. Not all at once, but over a few years the new themed areas could include new themed flats and family rides, new quality dinning options, more landscaping, etc. People think the only way SFMM can compete in the SoCal market is to keep adding coasters and continue as just a thrill ride park. But just imagine if a BGE-level park was in Valencia, it would totally own USH and the mess CF has made of KBF, and even give The Mouse a run for their money for the local family market.

^^ No, the Demon in Gurnee is a Marriott classic. After KECO and Paramount had their way with our Demon, it's just a sad boring castrated outdated pathetic version of what a fun ride it used to be. But I totally agree about Grizzly, made no sense whatsoever.

Isn't it already pretty much known (like it was already well-known-before-any-official-announcement with the other 2 already removed GL coasters) Dominator will open next year at PKD? Personally I'd love to see Grizzly and the outdated/castrated Demon removed, all that cleared underutilized land would be more than enough for a new themed area that included both a huge new steel and new wood coasters. Or rip down the gutted pictorium building, combine with the old Whizzer site and viola! Huge plot of open land for even more rides.

Since SFMM is year round, maybe there's not as much hussle for announcements to pump up their Fall SP sales like at the other SF parks that only have a few weeks left to do so. Or maybe with the new GM, plans are still being finalized, who knows, probably not a big deal. If X does get the new trains, they spend more $$ sprucing up the rest of the place, and do end up with the Thomas retheming of the monorail, would be more than enough newness for me. Could care less if SFMM ever gets a new coaster, so many other areas of the park that need some TLC before they even think about putting more unnecessary coasters in. Been going to the park since 1975, would love to see SF bring back some of the family fun magic the mountain used to have.

After closer inspection, you might be right. I'm used to parks using V.I.P. for their rendering, Keith nails em every time! He always places them exactly as they will be in the park, may not be the case with whatever ghetto rendering co. they used for this one. I was going by it's location to Medusa, but then in another shot, it shows the station outside the park, which nulifies any actual placement reference. Oh well, would be cool but yeah, not so sure now.

^^ Yeah but watch them pull a Paramount and not maintain the sets and efx, indoor themed coasters can be costly too and need to be maintained otherwise the themed experience deteriorates until it's nothing more than just a coaster in a box. Hope SF's committed to doing so for the long haul.

^ I agree with everyone that a better name/theme would have worked for SFDK. But considering this will most likely turn out to be the only new rails on the West Coast for 08, happy we're getting a new coaster period. At least with the simplistic theming, can be easily removed/rethemed for when TH becomes redundant. Incase no one noticed, a unique feature will be the entry walkway and parking lot tram both running underneath and inbetween the ramp section/far turnaround. After years and years of walking/riding to the entrance past a SBNO Zonga, then a giant flat barren slab of concrete since it's removal, this will make a very cool kinetic feature to the new entry area of SFDK!

I agree, just imagine when the movie releases and all the hype and tie ins, the lines will be completely insane, guaranteed +2hr wait for a Mack mouse. With such long waits and all the hype, will have alot of pissed off people coming off what is basically a small compact carnival coaster. At the very least, they should add 2 side by side like this to keep the lines moving: http://www.rcdb.com/ig918.htm?picture=5

Great points, which is why Disney can get away with 3 or 4 sit down coasters in one park, it's the theming that makes the experience completely different. Does the GP care that Disneys all are basically the same kind of sit down family coasters, obviously not.

And they are Goliath on the fun factor scale! Still a huge strech, even Viper would have been a more appropriate name if all they were looking for was a cheap off the shelf SF coaster name.

When SFDK adds their Intamin Jr. Hyper (hey I can dream can't I!!), I already have the perfect name and theme: Leviathan!

Just curious how the latest announcements fit this, since the Dark Knight Mack Mouses will be costing $7 million vs. THBS's $6.5 million, not a big cost difference it the big scheme of things. TDKC's are not proven successes yet, but 3 are currently being added regardless. No one's agruing that THBS isn't a fun ride and a good addition to any park. Just for SFOT, seems as though something like TDKC would have been a better choice considering SFFT. That way, instead of just marketing to the D/FW area, they could have tied this into the movie release and marketed TDKC to the entire state, could have been an huge turnstyle spinning promotional opportunity for SFOT. Or at the very least theme THBS to TDK instead just for the sake of something unique/marketable to the state. They obviously have the rights to theme family coasters to such, just seems as though not much thought was put into this particluar decision IMO. For the record, I'm happy with THBS coming to my SFDK!

SFDK is rumoured to get a clone too for next season, so yeah, could very well be.

On the plus side, good to finally get a new mechanical ride in the park. A solid addition that, unlike the years of meager, operationally cost-saving additions to BB, isn't seasonal and can actually be enjoyed every operating hour of every operating day. And as others have said, without the loss of an exisiting ride, sure got tired of Paramount consistantly ripping out 1 or 2 rides every year they owned the park. Still no incentive for me to visit next season (don't like Top Spins), but I'll cut CF some slack for now. Being that this is the first year they've had the decision of what to add to GA, this is fine for a start. If CF has any mercy on us they'll burn the embarrasingly craptacular Grizzly to the ground next year and replace it with some wood that's actually rideable for 2009/10.

And here I was hoping Shapiro's visit to Europa Park would produce more Euro Mir/Sierra Sidewinders in the States instead of these. I agree the family aspect is a good business decision, just could have made a more original choice of hardware, like the stock Maurer Söhne layout or at the very least, a different theme.

^ My thoughts as well, except for the seating and launch, looks more like a compact family coaster. Not that that's a bad thing, but not really utilizing the motorbike concept to it's full potential.

Pardon if this has already been posted, from: http://www.trips-n-pics.com/tips/comingsoon/?lang=en&order=week&continent=1# Even Elissa said in the past this site is pretty reliable, so this is probably what it wiil be.

^ And Starfish was second-hand from SFDK. But hey, they did try added cornholing, and um, well . . .

From my understanding, Cedar Fair never owned the animals so technically it wasn't their decision to take the animals out. When Six Flags sold the park to Cedar Fair, the animals weren't included in the deal thus they were sent to other Six Flags parks. I just don't see how Kinzel can continue using this as a excuse for the park's failure since 1) it wasn't their decision to take them out and 2) attendance was already declining in 2002 and 2003 even with the animals. Don't quote me, but I also recall Kinzel stating CF wanted nothing to do with animals (notice no animals at ANY CF park?), and specifically stated they did not want them included as part of the sale agreement. Reason I remember, SFMW was the only option SF had for a new home for Shouka and the other sea critters. With SF in financial dumps, I hightly doubt at the time they would have insisted CF lower their bid and give up all the animals just to have to eat all the costs of relocating them across the country. If anything, I'm certain they tried to convince CF to keep em.

Exactly, this huge parcel of prime real estate should fetch a nice chunk of change for CF: http://bp2.blogger.com/_cVF2LlOx6Zc/RtVltkPVsgI/AAAAAAAABow/lYWhkIIUEFo/s1600-h/Geauga.JPG

Moving an 80+ year wooden roller coaster that's by far the most obsolete construction and design ever (excluding the "only enthusiasts care" historic value of the ride) is not a smart business move. If they're to take down the Big Dipper just to move it, they might as well just build Great America a brand new wooden roller coaster. Not only would it be more cost effective, it would be thrilling more thrilling and up-to-date. I've ridden the Big Dipper before and believe me, you DO NOT want that ride at your park, no matter how historical it is. No matter how well you market a ride as historically important to the industry, if the ride is sh*t, the general riding public could really give a rats a$$ about its history. Never rode it myself, but had always heard about the amazing airtime, guess I heard wrong. Could care less about the historical aspect, we're just dying for some decent airtime here in NorCal, thought this might be an easy cheap way. Just personally prefer old airtime machines built when designers weren't afraid of -G's, over another airless GCI/Roar, great fun ride but give me some airtime!!!

Very sad news to hear of a industry staple like GL going away. Like others have said, unfortunate that CF didn't take the effort to make GL work. It worked for over 100yrs, surely they could have found a way if they wanted to. Seems similiar to SF's Astroworld, with GL being CF's sacrificial lamb for their financial missteps. So I guess we now know where that rumored used flat for P/GA next year is coming from. They can move Big Dipper over here too, GA could use some decent wood.