john10693
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Everything posted by john10693
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Six Flags does not own this property and is in a management and branding agreement with EPR properties. EPR is solely responsible for any and all capital investments or improvements to Darien Lake (as they are the owner) which is most likely why there was no Six Flags surveys done. It is my opinion that EPR is fulfilling it's obligations to whatever Six Flags expects in their contract with them, vice versa. I also have seen EPR consistently and albeit more slowly, start to maintain this park in a more Cedar Fair way (E.G., Michigans Adventure and similar parks), as they are bringing their old, more popular rides back to life, removing maintanence nightmare attractions like Grizzley run Ect. and not currently investing in new attractions. Even with one train operations , I now rarely wait more than 15 minutes for anything at the park and everything is open almost all the time which leads to a pleasurable experience. Good management and maintenance is key factor. With all that being said, I am sure EPR has some plans for the future as does Six Flags. This park also makes money on it's hotel, campgrounds, waterpark and the 20 or so concerts they host annually in their 20,000 person capacity amphitheater (all top touring bands). I could see after getting all their current ducks in a row that EPR (or Six Flags, if they choose to purchase it outright) would/should make a larger attraction investment, as it would then, IMO, be a smart return on investment. This park is no way a negative asset to either company and although it is taking a different path than the other 39 Six Flags parks, it is going in a good direction IMO, more than a lot of the parks in the collective chain right now. A survey is just not needed here, it wouldn't matter.
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It's been a little rough for a while now especially on the wheel seats. Could be a few things. The train being used now (not the new never used one on the transfer track) was bought in 2017 to replace the 2 original trains and the ride is pretty reliantly open, so wear and tear for one, as when the new train arrived in 2017 the ride was noticeably smoother. The ride has never been repainted, ever, so no new paint since 1999. A good sanding and new coat couldn't hurt smoothness. I am hoping that EPR will continue with small upgrades like with Predator and give this ride a little love. The ride has still been hauling for a oldie hyper this year and with a little luck (or hope) maybe fix the brakes for 2 train ops (If they could only snag that new one from SF America) and of course a track refresh and this ride will be fine for another decade.
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Canada's Wonderland Discussion Thread
john10693 replied to BDG's topic in Theme Parks, Roller Coasters, & Donkeys!
Fast lane is a must here. Even yesterday with rain all day the lines for the major coasters were 1-2 hours. I suggest hit alpen Fury early as the fast lane was still 30-45 minutes yesterday and on monday it was over a hour with fast lane. -
Canada's Wonderland Discussion Thread
john10693 replied to BDG's topic in Theme Parks, Roller Coasters, & Donkeys!
I have a opinion on Alpen fury that I would like to share, I have been able to get 8 rides on it and it is one of the better coasters I have ridden in memory. This thing really kicks A**.' I mean world class. I am not saying that lightly,. It is insane and smooth as ****. Other than the poor capacity this ride delivers more than even sirens curse or TT2 in excellence.. It is really that good. Up until now, maverick was the best at launches for me and that is hard for me say as as Maverick is my favorite launch coaster ( to be fair, I have not ridden velociioaster). I am attempting to put together a trip report of wonderland and Toronto in general as this park is grossly under appreciated. -
Yes, I would buy from a legacy Cedar fair park as they have a better web system and all the CF parks have online activation. Just be aware that free bring a friend and prestige pass vip parking and vip areas are only good in 2025 at your designated home park and good for all 2026 at parks that have the vip experience.. Again went to wonderland this morning and all good. They will not be denied entrance ay ANY SF or CF park.
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Ok, maybe I don't understand the question. I upgraded to a 2026 prestige pass from a 2025 gold pass, activated it online and worked immediatly. I am in toronto this week and went to wonderland yesterday (and will be going a couple days) and it worked just fine, . My daughters renewed gold pass, also activated online and it works. only the season fast pass and meal/drink plans are not active for legacy Six Flags parks if bought at a legacy Cedar Fair park and vice versa until 2026 . My fast lane, meals/drinks and 15% merch discount (need my shwag) worked fine at Wonderland. Prestige perks are only valid at your home park until 2026, I know, because I tried to use them at Darien Lake and Wonderland.
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yes, it is a smaller park, and to be fair it's my home park and I know it well, but half a day tops for all the coasters and a couple flats. In that 2 1/2 hours, without hurry, I rode ROS X2, Predator X3, and once each , boomerang, Motocoaster, Sky screamer, Viper, tantrum and mind eraser. No need to rush to get it all done quick. Have fun.
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Second trip to the park today and every ride was open. I can't remember the last time I have seen every ride open at this park. The park was also busy and the water park was slammed. Finally rode predator after a 10+ years and I could not be happier to say it is no longer on the bottom 5 absolute horrible coasters I've ridden list. That titan track is amazing. If they re-do the first drop (A little profiling would'nt hurt) it could add the needed speed needed for airtime on the first camelback. The layout is still just "ok" but could improve with a little more of that Titan track. The purple train was on and the other train was nowhere to be seen, the train seems to have ony been re- painted and cleaned, same old torn padding and trains. dispatch times were about 4-5 minutes, pretty good for Darien lake. Back row is the place to be here.. ROS has this pretty, Red, brand new train sitting on the transfer track collecting rain and dust. Dipping dot guy told me they had to replace the magnetic brakes to run both and they were still waiting for parts. Dispatches were 6-9 minutes (still ouch, but better). Back row is also the place to be if you want any airtime. Rode all the coasters and still got everything done in 2 1/2 hours. This park still has potential with a couple good flats and maybe one more coaster, it certainly gets the crowds to support it, this park was insanley busy the first time Six Flags ran it, so the potential is there.
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Canada's Wonderland Discussion Thread
john10693 replied to BDG's topic in Theme Parks, Roller Coasters, & Donkeys!
Border crossing off peak times are minimal at the Falls Bridge but can be a bear during rush hour, early Saturday and afternoon Sunday. It's been my experience that the best crossing is north at the Lewiston bridge. I am not a local but from western NY and Friday is your best bet crowd wise. Be forewarned however that this park is always crazy busy and fast lane is the only option for me. The park is relatively small compared to say Cedar point and only takes 15-20 minutes to cross the park. If you get fast lane I suggest hit wonder mountain's gaurdian first if you want to ride it as there is no fast lane. If not, I would hit up Leviathan area then head straight to the opposite side of the park where most of the better rides are (Yukon Striker, behemoth and some really good flats). If Alpen Fury is open I'd head back to the middle of the park and do Vortex and some of the flats over there. I do one day round trips and get there at about 10 and with fast lane can get everything in by mid day, without FL waits are easily 1+ hours on everything. Wonderland and kings Island are the best for fast lane as on non Saturdays waits are short compared to say Cedar Point. Also, avoid taking the 407 as the toll is about $45 each way US dollar and only saves about a half hour and yes, it's a major metro and traffic just sucks. Other than that, it's one of my favorite parks and have been going there since it opened , you will have a great time, enjoy. -
I also went today and against my better judgement rode Mind Eraser. It has been over 10 years since I rode a SLC, so I was very nervous to ride as I have learned to hate these things. The first ride was front row and I was in defensive mode the full ride expecting maybe just a little improvement. I am pleasantly surprised on how NOT painful it was and 0 headbanging. I did ride it again towards the back and found this was kinda a fun ride when there is no pain involved. So, good job, I did not think it possible. The new paint job does not hurt either. Tantrum was Tantrum. viper was running slow (not full trains). Purple Predator train looks great but as mentioned not running today, lots of new Titan track. Another ride I have not ridden in over 10 years but I will give it a try next visit. I have heard ROPS is getting a new train although the current train looks to be in very good condition and it was for some reason really hauling a** today. Ops on the other hand were typical opening day ops, clearly still Six Flags operated as ROS was delivering 6-8 minute dispatches, even with 1 train, ouch. Mind Eraser Same, ect., ect. Also, my pass is from Cedar Point and other than employees never seeing the Cedar Fair App before, they worked seemlessly, even on pass discounts throughout the park and parking. All in all, I have not been to my home park in a couple years and feel that there is now hope that they will at least continue to improve on what they have. Good job.
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Cedar Point (CP) Discussion Thread
john10693 replied to robbalvey's topic in Theme Parks, Roller Coasters, & Donkeys!
you can get FL at the breakers gift shop and it is open well before the park is with little to no wait. -
White lightning at fun spot has a 55 foot steel section of this new track and looks to be a seamless transition between wood track to steel track . This for one, is a main reason Six Flags will never be re-tracking Predator fully. If they can just get rid of the horrible parts (which I feel is 1/3 of the course) and make it tolerable for most (not me) they most surely will. White lightning was also built by the by the original manufacturer (GCI) and is much newer. Predator has a considerable amount of hopeless track and was made Buy Dinn, This thread will kill these facts and try to hope for more. my best hope is they just re-track the 540 and the the hill before and after.
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Kings Island (KI) Discussion Thread
john10693 replied to robbalvey's topic in Theme Parks, Roller Coasters, & Donkeys!
Don't do it! When we went last year we ingested on recommendation by our friends from Cincy who swear by Skyline chili, said it was a Cincy must and Said that it was great. So we went and ordered what we thought would be chili and were served what seemed to be some pre-digested, finely pureed meat product (With a hint of cumin) with some form of artificial cheese substance on top . I am very tolerant with food and can eat just about anything but this is just plain old awful food. Anyone who can say this stuff is good is palate deaf. I am amazed there are multiple locations that sell it and it is also sold in cans (similar to Alpo by the way) at your local supermarket. Eat at your own risk. -
What Was The Last Coaster You Rode?
john10693 replied to SharkTums's topic in Theme Parks, Roller Coasters, & Donkeys!
Nitro, last Wednesday. It was a walk on day at Great Adventure and my family and I finished the day with Nitro, Congo river, repeat twice more then Nitro. It was a hot day and we all new these were are last rides of the year most likely, so it was time to marathon away. -
The last new Coaster in your Count
john10693 replied to K1ngdaKa88's topic in Theme Parks, Roller Coasters, & Donkeys!
Joker, Great adventure last Monday.
