Movieguy

I personally just can't see how anyone can call MF overrated, Okinawaboy. I can't help but think that anyone who does just may be a little jaded... SD2000 basically looks like a taller version of Magnum to me, and to be honest, I've never really found the magnum all that impressive...hmmmm...so maybe I'm the jaded one after all.

Owwww, geez. They got thrown around as hard as my last trip on SFDL's Predator. By the way, I think I heard that the defunct Black Hole at Alton Towers used to have similar problems with guys getting thrown into each other on the final brake run, so they put up these "Hold tight" signs and such, along the way.

Definitely the B&M clamshells. I don't think I've ever come across anything more comfortable. Worst seat? That's a tough call, but in my experience, Arrow has created some of the more uncomfortable seats.

It's good to hear they're expanding this park. On the other hand, while I enjoyed the coasters at BGE when I visited in 2004, I also liked how there was soooooo much more to the park than thrill rides...when you live in an area that can only offer parks like SFDL, you grow to appreciate the appeal and worth of a well-rounded park. Especially one that has such great food! I hope Busch doesn't forget about this fact, as they prepare to slip another coaster onto their land.

Here's a little bonus photo, until I get my others developed... Was it worth the extra 5 bucks?...I think so.

You've got every right to feel relieved, believe me...I still get occasional stiffness in my shoulder from my last ride on Predator...

Ok, here's me on Superman: Ride of Steel...more photos coming, as soon as they're developed.

This is really trying my patience...I want to put this on-ride photo up, but every place i search for using the terms "image compression" take me to these big tutorials. Is there anyone here who can tell me how to reduce the file size of my picture, in english maybe? Update: Ok...I fixed it...I realized I was trying to change it the wrong way, lol.

Hmmmm...I can't seem to find anything on my computer that will do this "Compression" or "Quality" stuff...plus the HP photosmart software that came with my printer, seems incapable of locating any images that aren't .bmp files...

I usually use paint...what programs usually do this compression stuff, because I can't find it there, and I can't afford photoshop mind you, lol.

I have an on-ride photo of Superman that I just put through my new scanner, and converted into a JPEG file by changing the last part of the file name...unfortunately, to put the file size under 150 k, I have to the photo really small, like roughly the size of my palm...is there any way I can reduce the file size without making the picture really small?

The Kennywood Park Corporation? Really? That would be interesting...good luck getting that proposal through the NYS legislature though...you'll be lucky if you get a decision from those guys in 5 years.

Sad to say it, but it looks like the beginning of the end for old Darien Lake. I don't see any way this park can be saved at this point, and I know SF wants nothing to do with it anymore at this point. A park just can't work in New York State, I've decided...it's part of the reason I've been planning on leaving this area soon. People can't afford to come to them up here, cause there are no jobs, and the state legislature can't come to a decision on anything regarding new attractions. There's too much talk, and not enough action. As for the SF chain...I can think of one other factor that's hurting their business right now...high gas prices. people near the parks in less prosperous areas, like the Rochester/Buffalo region, are going to be less and less likely to make the trek, because it's just too pricey now. I don't know how it's affecting CF at the moment, but having all those parks in a time of energy inflation can probably only be a hinderance.

Well, yesterday I made my first ever solo trek to SFDL. I've been to the place twice before, once in 1990, when the Predator opened, and again in 1999 with a friend. Although the experience was a mixed bag, I still enjoyed myself, mainly because of one great coaster that made the trek worthwhile. I'm of course referring to Superman: Ride of Steel. A coaster that I had actually never ridden until yesterday...I ended up riding the thing 6 times, since they were actually doing a pretty good job running the thing with two trains, reducing the wait time. If it's true that the SFNE version of this coaster is better, then it must be phenomenal, because I enjoyed this version immensely. The first drop is perfect, great G's going through those turns, and wonderful airtime through a couple of hills. After hitting Superman the first two times, I headed over to the neighboring woodie, the Predator. Now, I can remember riding this the year it opened, and I loved it. I even liked it when I rode it back in 99...this time however...OUCH! I never did mind roughness on most woodies, but this one was just unbearably rough. God, what is it about modern woodies that makes them deteriorate so quickly? I even gave this thing a second chance later in the day...not smart! My right shoulder was stiff for the rest of the night thanks to that second ride. This was a mistake I made again when I rode on the Viper, another arrow steelie that I had fond memories of from 99. I swear, my head has never been bashed around so much on an arrow looper. And when I gave it a second chance, the thing gave me a lingering headache. The Mind Eraser, the resident Veklona SLC, was in a bad way when I got there...there was only one running train, but I still waited in line, so I could get the credit. It didn't really give me a headache, but it still threw my head around quite a bit. Good god, skip this one. The only other coaster that didn't beat me up, surprisingly, was the Veklona Boomerang. That one actually gave a fairly smooth ride. It did make me a bit dizzy though, the second time around, and a coaster's never done that to me. The only show I caught while I was there was the Batman Thrill Spectacular. Well, seeing as how this is Darien Lake, the show was hardly spectacular, but it was still a nice excuse to get away from the heat. I also took part in a Karaoke party on one small stage later on in the day. I sang "Lightning Crashes" by Live, for those who are curious. The park's food, though not outstanding, was pretty good, especially since they got a boost from Papa John's Pizza and all...Pizza Hut will always be the best chain in my opinion, but Papa John's is right up there with it. They also had some halfway decent fried chicken that I ate for lunch, and the Perry's Ice Cream stand is always a good stop. After all this, I got a Tazmanian devil plush for my sister, and headed to my motel for the night. Overall, I had a decent experience at what is probably considered the worst of all the Six Flags parks. I haven't been driving for too long (long story), so just the experience of doing all this by myself made the journey worth it. But I have one thing to say to Six Flags regarding Darien Lake: GIVE US A BEEMER, OR GIVE US DEATH!!!!

I really hope SFDL doesn't close. It would suck to leave Upstate NY without any major amusement park. But I'm sure the NYC-centric folks who run our state government wouldn't care either way. I'm glad that SF is looking to possibly unload this park, and I hope someone buys it who'll actually want to DO SOMETHING with the place. Doug "One lousy intamin hyper doesn't answer all the problems" Booth

Well, looks like the US blew it against Ghana, as the game's almost over now, and thus, any lingering american interest in soccer this year, will completely shrink away. But don't worry, we Americans have the perfect summer sport...a game where people hit things with a wooden bat. But hey...at least there's no ties in baseball!

I'm not sure which park I'd use it for yet, but I'd probably use "Breakaway" by the Basement Jaxx.

Currently, I hate any song they can't stop playing on the radio...I immediately change stations the moment I start hearing "Bad Day" or "You're beautiful". There are also other songs that radio stations JUST WON'T LET DIE!!!! "All-Star" by Smash Mouth. Ths song has beem a "hit" since about 1998. They overplayed it then, and they're overplaying it now. I almost walked out of the beginning of Shrek because of this song. "Believe" by Cher. If there was just one reason for people to hate radio, this song would be it. Why? Why will they not stop playing it? It absolutely boggles the mind. The first time i heard this one, I actually thought it was George Michael singing rather than Cher. "Hey Ya!" by Outkast Again, another song who's popularity I don't get at all. It's annoying, it's repetative, and it just sounds stupid! Then again, that's what makes a popular pop single these days.

I've never been to Hershey, so for now, I'll have to pick Kennywood. Lots of fun, in a park that you don't have to spend all day walking to get to the other side of. Great old rides, some nice modern ones, and the best damn fries I've ever tasted, period.

Again, more people saying Steel Phantom was rough, but I went on that thing many times, and I never once got my head bashed around. There must be something I'm missing here, because I can't recall ever having this sort of problem on an Arrow, ANY arrow. Is it because I'm only about 5'7 in height, or what? I can't really pick a worst Arrow, but I've never quite gotten the appeal of Magnum.

I'm not quite sure if this has been posted yet, but our British posters should especially have a look at this one. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-9-2MHCPeQY

This is a terrible thing that has happened, and the people involved need time to heal. Suing over this is a waste of time and money...lawsuits don't bring back dead children, and they only succeed in bringing about even more pain and hurt feelings from both sides. That's just my opinion. This is why I stay away from Ferris wheels. Something inside me just screams that those things are death traps every time, and I always trust my instincts. Right here around Syracuse, I can recall at least one serious injury or death that occurred on the double ferris wheel at the NYS Fair.

Definitely Paris Hilton...she's spoiled, she's dimmer than a dead bulb, and she gets all this undeserved fame, and even got a frickin movie role just for banging some guy with a night-vision camera. I don't really hate Oprah, but there are annoying things about her. Like when she stops talkling about important stuff, and wastes time kissing the ass of every celeb who comes in to promote their latest crappy movie, which she always loves of course. That and any makeover show...for someone as "socially conscious" as her, that whole thing just reeks of hypocritical superficiality, the kind of stuff she claims to oppose at times. And I have to add Robin Williams to the list...I loved this guy during the 90's, but his whole policy of sticking to the same old shtick is really wearing thin. To borrow a line from Family Guy: "Hey look, I'm Robin Williams! blah blah blah blah blah, black preacher voice, blah blah blah blah blah, gay Elmer Fudd!" I have hated Britney Spears with a passion since my college days. Another talentless pretty face, who has a laughably bad taste in men. I saw her break down and cry during that interview on the Today show, and I felt zero sympathy...in my mind, she's finally reaping what she's sowed. She's gonna continue to squeeze kids out in the coming years, and she'll blow up in size, thus losing the interest of the superficial media. She'll be like Shelley Winters, with much less talent. I have no interest in Jessica Simpson, and I detest Ashlee much more, who has clearly been riding her sister's coattails since day one...saying that Ashlee even has a career is probably only because her last name is Simpson is the understatement of a lifetime. I'm glad she screwed up on SNL, and people booed her at that halftime show, so that everyone can see what a fraud she is. Venting hate...it's so theraputic

Matt of X-entertainment.com recently took a trip to WDW, his first in many, many years, and he's been writing about all his favorite parts of the trip, complete with video clips. Part 2 has just been finished, with a 3rd part on the way. Check it all out: http://www.x-entertainment.com/

I'm really not sure what the big deal is about headbanging on restraints anyway. I've never really had that problem, though I guess my head has been thrown around a bit more than once. I guess I just have a head like a rock. I guess my vote would go to the B&M restraints.