rcrider

I didn't hear back on any critique, so my first-round design is my final submission: rcrider_FinalSubmission.zip

Ok, here's my first-round contribution... Logo possibility, semi-vinyl/lacquer effect.... And the card design. Relation to the Website design/style: • Black and Gray background goodness! • Highlights of color (mostly gold/yellow) • Thin white outlines • Corners and edges! • Grid Structure, strong left alignment • Uses "Coaster Expedition" Video subtitle font throughout • Hatch pattern (nav links background at top of homepage) Elissa mentioned a possible back for the card. I put the website there, and random info as needed. Logo is also on back for branding and variety. Magnetic strip possibility... This is about to scale. Let me know if I missed anything. Ok, critique away...!

I voted no for the same reason I say no to retail stores asking if I'd like to sign up for their membership card... "I don't shop here enough." Sounds like a great option for those that do, though!

Ride layout looks great! Fast and twisty and mostly low to the ground. Beautiful trains, head choppers, tunnels and a station flythrough. Sweet! Name and campaign... not so great! A Terminator *woodie*? Seriously? "Superman: Ride of Wood" would make as much sense. And to the back of the line I go.....

Just quirky enough to tune in regularly, and their deadpan delivery reminds me of the Delicious Dish radio women way back on SNL. So you can make a coaster with just AutoCAD and MS Office? Who knew!

Cool. Liking the Bates thing come to life, although I hope the actor hs more to do than stuff a body in a trunk and slowly attack the tram 30 times a day. So is there a new backstory given with the revised skyline? Like instead of Marion Crane it's now one of his Whoville neighbors?

Bummer, does look more like a video shoot 'em up, compared to the more real-world Buzz Lightyear darkride. Hopefully there's more than what the online video shows. Mr. Potato Head looks great, so at least they've got that going for them.... I've been out of the loop, *is* the Disneyland ride pretty much the same as this one at Disneyworld?

Looks like the blue net/screen is staying, according to the ride simulation: But it's not a bad compromise. With the screen you're still getting the air, sound, and most visibility of speeding over the highway (and drivers seeing/hearing the coaster speed above). The screen sets it apart from the other enclosed tunnels, and even better that the same screen keeps drivers safe below, too. Just by looking at the simulation, this thing is action packed! Non-stop speed, quick directional changes, floating airtime, screaming tunnels, not to mention views of the lake, ravine, trees, and highway--that multi-sensory combination overload should add up to an impressive ride!

I'm doing a similar site revamp for work (it's going to take close to a year to complete since it is a massive project), so I can help out with design theory/details if you need that perspective. 1. What do you find most useful about the front page? Updates (with pictures). I've trained myself to look straight to the top-right column under "Park News, Trip Reports,etc", just because that's where most of the updates are. 2. What do you find least useful about the front page? If by least useful you mean something I've never clicked on, that would be the "Features" link. But everything's fairly useful, and I don't have a problem with the Features link staying. 3. Is anything on the front page confusing? Not really. There's a lot of content, so for a first time user it might be a little overwhelming. But for a regular visitor it's pretty straightforward. 4. How far do you scroll down the front page looking for updates? Not far. I'm looking mostly at the "Theme Park Review Updates" and "Park News, Trip Reports,etc" columns, so I stay in the top area of the screen and almost never scroll down. 5. How often do you look at the front page? Daily to a few times a week. The front page is all I look at, besides the content/forums it links to. 6. How often do you click on the "whatsnew" link? Never used it, and never knew it existed, and I must be going crazy because I can't seem to find it! 7. What would you like to see added to the front page to make your visits to TPR better? Content-wise I don't see any need for additions. As for design I'd say more spacing between the front page table cells, so they're easier to scan and content easier to separate. Right now they're a little tightly packed together for my taste. 8. Anything else you would like to mention? Like any thing else you would like to see us add/change/leave alone/etc Things I would emphasize keeping are the combo picture/text content for new front page articles. Gray background behind text is easy on the eyes. The content is already very well organized. As for improvements I would just suggest more overall open space so the eye has room to rest. I can give more detailed design suggestions on type, size, contrast, etc., but only if that's what you're looking for. Otherwise the site is very functional and useful.

Yeah...creepy, noisy, yet surprisingly light on its feet. Will it be going on a killing rampage before, or after, doing a soft shoe number?

Man, that's a beaut. Awesome update! Will definitely be checking it out next year.

That park just looks so...weird! Like something conjured up by a mad showman: "Let's make this ride REALLY bouncy. Bouncier, BOUNCIER I tell you!!!" "Swing? Why no, let's put a TRACK under it! ooOOooooh!" "Let's make this great log flume....for LITTLE CHILDREN!!!" "Hall of mirrors, let's close the exit!! ja-JA-ja-ja-ja-ja!!" So bizarre... like something out of a surreal carnival. Yet...why does it look like the best thing ever?

Now I'm REALLY kicking myself for not going (stupid flu, ooh i hate you so much!). I had a similar "magical" experience riding Tatsu at night a couple years ago, I can only imagine how much more spectacular it was to see the entire park lit up from atop the Sky Tower. Everywhere ERT, Pysclone boneyard, S&S's inside scoop...nice! Sounds like you guys were given the royal treatment, and the park is very quickly living up to its name again. Will definitely catch it next year and be sure to get all the sicky-ness out of the way. Talk about horrible timing... Looking forward to the TriP Report!

Gotta let out the Charlie Brown post-football "AAUGH!" First my "coaster convert" friends couldn't make it, which was still ok because it's an event worth going to even if solo, and now as of last night, with my ticket and registration in hand, BAM..... I have the FLU! Yes, the flu, complete with fever, chills, headaches, coughing, sneezing, and general grossness that comes with it (beware if someone you know has these symptoms!). Considering this would have been my first TPR event, it probably isn't a good idea I introduce myself as Sicky McCoughsalot, and spread the wealth. So I will, with great difficulty, have to pass on the bash. Of all weekends to get the flu it had to be this one! Robb/Elissa, any chance of still getting the T-shirt or something small for paying but missing the bash? Otherwise I suppose I'll wait until the next great TPR event for any perks to come along. I'd offer my ticket and registration to anyone interested but it's a little late and virus-ridden at the moment. Oh well, have fun guys. Will have to meet everyone next time. Drink lots of water, wash your hands often, get plenty of rest tonight (even with an hour lost), and try to stay healthy! And curse you, flu shot, for leading me on! (fist pounding in air) Phil

I like the similar color scheme. If anything it brings the coasters closer together like a little village (both built by Arrow, both in Baja Ridge, why not?). First views driving into the park now must be AMAZING, can't wait to see it in person at West Coast Bash. It's the little things...new paint...binoculars...the outdoor staff gathering meetings...that really add to the morale and appeal of the park. Looks like this place is getting back on the right track!

Man, Heiße Fahrt looks insane! Too bad they didn't finish the theming, the volcano would have been a signature shot for the park (and would have the ride make more sense--doesn't it translate to "hot ride" or something like that?) Yeah, the rider-as-lawnmower feature would not work here in the 'states, but everything else would. Hint to smaller parks...build more of these crazy little things!

The new trains do have a cool sexy look to them. They should hold up a lot better, too. The new chair support looks like it can hold up a small bridge, definitely stronger and more lightweight than the older set of prongs (sorry, "pickle forks"). But long term smoothness? I don't know, the nature of this ride and the cars hanging off either side of the track like diving boards, there's going to be a lot more wear than a traditional coaster car sitting directly on the track, as we've already seen. I really want to see this new type of coaster escape its prototype status (can you imagine the possibilities now with S&S-type launches?) but am just not sure. I guess time will tell for this next batch of trains. Do you know if there's polyurethane on those big wheels? It's kind of hard to tell even with the great closeups, unless maybe it's gray to blend in with the cast wheels. Somehow metal on metal would not seem like the best choice to keep a smooth ride, either. I see the wheels are contoured to the track, so that should at least make stronger contact with the track and keep things B&M-smooth, at least from the main chassis. Ok, end pseudo-engineering geek rant / analysis. But I really hope this new design does improve the ride experience. I remember riding it the year it opened (also waiting in the loooong lines) and thinking that it was the best thing ever, then a couple years ago experiencing one of the most violent, unholy rides ever. I think I could actually feel my brain bouncing around in my head, it was awful. I wouldn't mind giving the ride another try if iI know it's going to be more stable, and this new design is showing promise. Any mention too on the even sexier special effects tunnels? I mean, wow.

This looks like a really great event! I'm going to see if I can make it and get a few "coaster convert" friends to come along, too. By the way, I'm kind of new to the forum and event thing but have been a long time member / visitor of the site (hey everyone).

Ok I'll do my part..... My name's Phil and I am a graphic designer, and I also work for the government (don't worry, the good kind). I live in the SoCal area and sadly have not been on too many coasters besides the one in this area. Hopefully that will change, though, now that I've got the traveling bug.... Let's see, I've been a card carrying member of TPR since 2006. It's where I go for my daily dose of all things theme park, roller coaster, and donkey(?) related. Great site! Anyway (in Dr. Nick Riviera voice) hi everybody! ----- Oh and if you're wondering about the avatar, it's inspired from the show Mad Men. I'm in advertising (so to speak) and I like riding coasters.... So there you go, short and sweet.