JT325

This is a really enthusiast-y post for you Bert (LOL!) but I have to admit I thought the same. You wouldn't have been able to to say anything to her though, she has the "I'd like to speak to a manager" haircut. How about a simple "hey guys, I wanna get a quick shot of this sign right here..." People can be quite nice when approached in a kind way. Of course, there are always a few nastys but it's rare. Is it me or are people loosing basic communication skills? A quick example: I hear so many nervous "sorry"s instead of a simple "pardon me" or "excuse me." Perhaps I missed the context, and it's not directed at you guys. Just doing a reality check for myself.

^Sure thing. One of the biggest face palms for me (does anyone still use the term face palm?) is when people say "Cedar Point is out of space," interchanged with almost any park. It's commonly said with relation to huge parks (SFGAmerica, Magic Mountain, etc.) which makes it especially silly. And they don't have to be big to be world class rides

^I'm not sure... but perhaps most expensive? With the tunnel and all? I've only been up there once... 2 years ago and I was at the park for 2 days. Loved it! Can't wait to get back. Vortex was my favorite ride

Everyone at once: "THERE" "IS" "ALWAYS" "ENOUGH" "ROOM!" Check out Grona Lund, Indiana Beach, and a slew of other parks I'm too tired to think of. Knott's... etc. Heck, even the new Hersheypark watercoaster has some nice placing. If they want to put something in, they will make it work. Because they can. Why not? I'm not saying they are or should, but what would it matter? Cedar Fair likes big stuff.

I've always loved the paint job on Hometown Fun Machine, the name, the location (great views of Whizzer!). They keep it looking brand new, too!

It's like the un-official LGBT coaster. Yes indeed! This color scheme is great! I always liked the look of a 5 car Arrow train... too much RCT2 probably. I'm curious - do they run 2 trains on the coaster? They really keep it looking top shape!

Hey don't forget the awesome (now super-retro-late 80s/early 90s sounding) space-age sound effects. And the red lights shining up through the tracks. Good times!

^I hope Cedar Fair gets Marineland. Then again, I hope Cedar Fair gets every park Six Flags wants. Speaking of Marineland... I remember hearing years ago both companies (CF and SF) tried to buy it, but he wouldn't sell. It's similar to Magic Moutain - and awesome location, HUGE and mostly barren (to a less degree than MM of course). A little TLC, a few rides, good operations and some love would make it a world-class park. The same factors would make many Six Flags parks world-class... just my 2 cents. Waiting for the day the Holiday World folks start getting more parks. Man they run a tight ship!!

That rainbow Mickey hat is awesome. Has there ever been a Six Flags rainbow shirt? I'm not sure what rainbow easter eggs Cedar Point has, but several years ago there was a write-up about the park and it's glbt staff, which I thought was cool!

Just pulled into the parking lot and holy cow is it packed. I’ve heard a lot is shut down and everything else is one train. Deep breath. Good thing I love Demon. Yup it’s bigger. Not overly interested but I’d like to ride it once at night.

Screamscape says Avalanche is done for good. Such a shame if true. What a great ride!

^Me too, that coaster was one of my favorites just for the uniqueness and charm alone. I preferred it over it's bigger but younger brother, Boulderdash (which I always find overrated, anyhow). But I do feel horrible for that toddler that fell out. Couldn't they have just added seat belts or locking lap bars? How about the PTC trains that run on the other junior coasters? Seems extreme.

I've heard (but not seen a picture) that the new train has a front car of 2x2 but then 3 more 1x2, interesting. The real bummer is the person said the lap bars are ratcheting... I mean, if that is true, that really sucks. Wouldn't a standard PTC kiddie train (like Little Dipper at SFGAmerica or Comet at Waldameer) been sufficient as they have locking lap bars? Hoping this isn't true. To go from one of the most charming, throw-back coaster experience on the planet to those heavy overkill trains, ugh. Horrible the kid fell out (with minor injuries?) but the ride has been running those old-style trains for what, 7 decades? EDIT - I did a little looking and seems the toddler spent 2 months in the hospital for a head injury. I shouldn't have assumed it was minor injuries.

^Could you imagine the awesomeness!? The Lagoon Coaster would be in everyone's top 5.

GCI trains, I mean... the look good I guess. THESE are the trains you're looking for!

The same place the 3rd lap on Goliath at SFGAmerica is... "not enough space" per Six Flags The new Cyclone looks great. In 1990, the brand new GA Cyclone was one of the best coasters I ever rode. We didn't know how good we had it ... and that those coasters would be short lived (Timberwolf, TX Giant).

^Lots of good coaster names, but I'm digging your IG-88 tribute! Cool beans

Tidal Wave 25th anniversary documentary (2002):

Tidal Wave 25th anniversary documentary (2002):

But no where near as much fun as riding a Scrambler or Swinging Ship

I've had few experiences at SLCs that were actually fun... maybe it's from knowing (or taking a good guess) on how to position myself as a way to minimize pain. BUT back in 2015 I rode the one at Canada's Wonderland and holy crap. It beat the sh*! out of me so bad. If it wasn't so shocking and painful, it would have been funny. Up til that point I always said to my friends "nah... I like SLCs, and I prefer them to B&M." Well, not after that one! Maybe my good rides on them in the past were flukes, or after they had a tune-up or something.

The best experience I've had on an RMC was watching a friend desperately look for something to hold onto while freaking out... going up the lift of Goliath at Great America. I've been on 3 RMCs so far and looking forward to Steel Vengeance... but being restraint sensitive, I'm not a fan of their trains.

Mind Bender? Any chance I get to chime in on what is still my #1 steel coaster (since my first ride on it in spring 1990) and I'll take it! Mind Bender is like heaven with melted butter, sugar and cinnamon. Such simple perfection. sounds creepy huh...?

The new GreatAmericaParks.com site is up. It's loaded with awesome pictures, videos and stuff. It doesn't look like some of the stuff that was on his original site hasn't been uploaded yet (like the Tidal Wave commercial featuring Pat Ast of Reform School Girls, there's one for anyone around in the 80s), but the site looks great! He also has a facebook page that has featured pictures (like construction of Whizzer, Eagle... and everything else) that don't appear to be on the website. Awesome stuff! Here is exactly where the "magic happens" on the Gurnee Demon's drop. For anyone who has ridden the back car, you know this is where the snap airtime is. Both Demon's had this drop but the California model had it's drop "family-fied" sometime in the 90s. On that Demon, the drop now starts further back (directly after the curve) and has a more parabolic drop... also changed from the steeper 55 degrees we still enjoy in Gurnee to a more gentle 45 degrees.

Goodbye final set of Six Flags buzz bar trains. Bummer. GASM will get bumpier and bumpier with the heavier ratchet bar trains. Happens when any park switches thier buzzbars for ratchets. Then all the extra supports will be installed. OR topper track/RMC.