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My point here is really that this is easy to nitpick to death. "Park operators must follow the manufacturer's guidelines" is the classic sort of old wives tale that becomes part of historical fact when it isn't. It isn't in ASTM guidelines. There are some states which indicate this in their bylaws (OH), others which don't (NJ), and some which have no regulation whatsoever (AZ, KS). I don't think this an old wives tale. It isn't in ASTM or a law in every state, but it is a best practice followed by the industry. Any SOP I've seen from a manufacturer is already crafted to either TUV or ASTM standards as it is. New Jersey law does say that the annual inspection will audit a rides operations to ensure it is being operated in accordance with the manufacturers SOP. I would be real interested to know of any park that would openly disregard manufacturer guidelines or modify a ride without their input (assuming the company is still in business. Obviously defunct manufacturers would require new engineering approval from a 3rd party). I've been around the industry a long time and know many people throughout, and not once have I ever heard that the manufacturer's word isn't the gospel to follow.

Don't quote me on this being fact, but the urban legend I always hear is that Disney always lists themselves as the manufacturer of their rides. If that's the case, they can make their own rules. Other parks are bound by what the manufacturers themselves say has to be done. If that were the case, then we'd see the same alterations across all rides instead of on a park-to-park or chain basis and the same exact safety procedures everywhere in the world. See also: Cedar Fair & Seat belts, European parks use of "self restraint check". Parks are still free to go above and beyond the manufacturers guidelines. If they want a modification, they'd still need manufacturer approval. But if you're a manufacturer and company tells you "hey, I want seatbelts too"---you're going to do it to keep them happy. Worldwide standards also vary (TUV in Europe, ASTM here). In the the case of Disney, my understanding is imaginerring takes on a lot more of the engineering work than a typical park, thus they call themselves the manufacturer and subcontract ride vendors to build their designs. To Robb's point, I prefer Disney's method too. Easier for ride ops and removes the awkwardness of a ride op reaching towards you.

Don't quote me on this being fact, but the urban legend I always hear is that Disney always lists themselves as the manufacturer of their rides. If that's the case, they can make their own rules. Other parks are bound by what the manufacturers themselves say has to be done.

Getting ready to compete with Universal Beijing?

The article in the OC Register announcing the new fire station hinted it will be in the red area. It was vague, but noted that it will face La Palma and require the re-location of the current exit from that lot onto La Palma. The main thing is it gives them control of the property that directly faces the park. If I were to guess, I could imagine them re-locating back of house facilities across the street to free up space within the boundaries of the park. The park itself will never cross the street due to the proximity to houses. This will be the rough location of the new fire station

They don't. But they now have all the park facing real estate they'd need for whatever they decided to do.

This is old news. Knott's swapped this parcel for another portion of that lot next to the elementary school, which will be the home of the replacement fire station. So probably not an actual net gain of land. However, it does give them the full parcel that is directly across from the park, which most certainly helps whatever future development plans they may have in mind.

You get what you pay for with minimum wage making teenagers... Operations will regress to the norm once early season excitement wears off.

Looks fantastic. I know nothing about the movie or the characters, but I think the theme of nature looking pretty fits in perfectly with Animal Kingdom.

The new stage shares back of house facilities with the Schultz theater (much better than the makeshift backstage the old one had). It also offers a larger viewing area for guests with less congestion. HIGHLY doubt moving it has anything to do with whatever this project becomes.

When's the last time Knotts built a substantial roller coaster? Expect this to get much, much worse. Right now we are just discussing the obvious (boomerang is being removed and construction walls are up). It's ridiculous and awesome at the same time. We can get excited when we see new footers.

This play by play of every little thing on the boardwalk is both disturbing and entertaining at the same time.

The amount of discussion about a boomerang is just slightly disturbing....

Windseeker's problems were not Mondial's fault. CalOSHA required a ladder on the outside of the structure that interfered with it's operation. It's now at CW sans ladder and is operating just fine, as are every other windseeker ride. That flaw was only discovered because of the ride being stuck at the top and what was supposed to be the backup option for getting guests down not working... Don't have any inside knowledge, but there are only two scenarios I see possible: 1. Cedar Fair already had a package deal with Mondial and this was part of it. 2. They *DID* get a sweet deal from Mondial as part of settling any dispute that may have come up over Windseeker.

Park models will get cycled WAY more than carnival versions will.

Knott's hasn't exactly had the best of luck with flat rides that flip. It makes perfect sense to me why they'd want to "break it in" so to speak...

Wouldn't be surprised Knott's has a history of prototypes like Xcelerator and Pony Express. That was under the leadership of Jack Falfas and old Cedar Fair corporate management. Different leadership now.

Part of that area includes the new boardwalk BBQ food venue/entertainment stage. So it's still TBD what area the ride will encompass. But even just Boomerang and Riptide space is enough for a good mid size/compact ride.

That was a later addition to the ride. So true classic would be no music.

Well, at least the Coaster was T-express.

Surprised they are still alive...that's a lot of Carnival food to consume!

I like how they refer to a ride modified in 2005 as "classic" now...

^So...next year?

The DCA/Paris versions were symbolic of the Eisner era: an E-ticket on the cheap. It's not that it is bad, it is just that they clearly wanted to adapt Florida's ToT without spending any money on the things that make it truly unique. I'll withhold judgement on this version until we see the final product.

Dubai looks amazing. Definitely at the top of my countries to visit list.