haiderodes

B&M Flyers are unique. The lapbar portion of the harness locks into the armrest with a system similar to the Vekoma flyer lapbars. Additionally, there are sensors on each seat that identify if the harness is down far enough (hence all the rechecks all the time). This means that just because the harness has locked it doesn't necessarily mean its ok. Then as the seats rotate, a pin comes out near the top of the armrest near the first locking position. This works to prevent the harness from opening any further should something fail. This pin pretty ingenious as it is linked to the rotation of the seats so, in theory at least, you should never be able to open the harness when the seat is in the horizontal position. And of course the leg restraint which works in conjunction with the above. I just love watching the loading and dispatching process of B&M Flyers. Its pretty complex, but remarkably simple in execution. As for stand-ups. All the B&M versions got them after that incident on Shockwave at Kings Dominion. They serve the purpose to ensure the restraint is down far enough. Previously, at least on Riddler's Revenge, they required three clicks (the belts still allow for that).

^I rode it a few times January 31st and it wasn't all that bad to me. Not smooth, but def not as bad as some others out there.

This is good news, but I do have to wonder if they will re-align the station gates to match up. Thats my big pet peeve on Timberwolf at WOF...the gate-to-train alignment is sooo horrible.

That just reminded me of something. As far as I know, Knott's has a 69" maximum height restriction on Timberline Twister, but it is listed on the ERT schedule. Does this mean that they will not be enforcing this restriction during ERT, or will it only be for the shorter people? During morning ERT at Solace 2009, they were strictly enforcing the height limit on Timberline Twister. They turned away tons of people. I do, however, question the accuracy of their measurement line. Best of luck to the tall people though!

I think this ride would be the perfect addition for Adventuredome.

So I was at the park this weekend... On Saturday I stopped by to get my pass processed before heading up to Downtown LA for a show. Arrived just before 10a under cloudy threatening skies, but the rides were testing. The pass processing line had 9 people in front of me (on the outside of the building) and another 5 or 6 inside waiting for photos by the time I got inside. By the time I was up next another 15 to 20 people were behind me. I had purchased my platinum pass online and did the whole "save time, register online" thing, but of course that didnt matter. They still had me fill out the paper form because apparently their system wont be linked to the website until sometime in March...say what? So that right there is why it takes so damn long, because not only is everyone filling out the form, the person working then types in all that information. There are only two computers for that and then only two photo stations. Due to the popularity of that $60 season pass, they should really invest in reworking their processing. Good thing they let me skip the photo line because I was getting platinum or else it would have been an hour long ordeal. By the time I finished the rain came and seeing as how I really only had a couple of hours till I had to get to LA, I didnt even go in the park. Later on I drove by the park and saw a few rides running so it looks like they didnt completely shut down (even though the season pass employees were joking about how long it would stay open for the day). On Sunday, I went back to the park under mostly clear skies. Crowds were pretty minimal at first. They were getting set up for the Pinks grand opening stuff. Interesting that they set it all up right next to the exit area which meant it was a cluster trying to get outta there. When I left around 130p, the line for pass processing involved three switchbacks and a mass of people watching the Pink's hot dog stuff. Some interesting things I noticed while in the park... - Headed right for Silver Bullet when the rope dropped. One train went out and then as we loaded on the second train they shut the ride down because they smelled smoke. I thought it was from one of the restaurants or something, but they were being cautious which I suppose is a good thing. It smelled more of a wood burning smell than anything electrical, but whatever. Since I was at the head of the line, I just stayed and they reopened in about 10 min. -At some point between noon and 1p Xcelerator's purple train was moved to the holding area just before the station. The lapbars received new padding and they dont have those "level" gauges on them anymore (to see if its down far enough). It also looks like they redid the padding on the armrests, but alas the teal seat cushions themselves are still worn down and black in many places. I wonder if they now have sensors on the train similar to Superman at SFMM. - Jaguar and the Stagecoach were open despite being listed as closed on the sign. - Ghostrider is back to its usual rough self

Thanks for the info. I wonder what takes so long. This year's SFMM renewal it only took about 10 minutes for me...they had only had four stations open and a decent crowd. However, I think the express line for online purchases helped, but I don't think those people waiting in the regular line had much of a wait either.

Question for those of you who have been to the park on recent Saturdays... I am planning on getting my first Platinum pass processed this Saturday and I wanted to know what time does processing open. From the pics it seems that the line starts at the door next to the exit gate...is that correct? I'll have a few hours to kill before I head to downtown LA for a show, so I will be on somewhat of a time schedule. I hope to be able to hit a few rides before I have to leave. How early should I plan on getting there?

There is nothing at the midpoint to drop you off at....other than the veldt...which makes no sense to drop you off there. Besides the Stanleyville stop is close to it as well.... From what I understand, once upon a time, they used the middle station as an actual stop. They had something called the Treehouses or Treetops, which were thatch-roof huts on stilts were you could go up and look out over the animal area. Hence the random paths out in the area.

I coicidentally planned my Virgina/DC coaster trip over opening weekend and KD is the first park up on my itinerary. So I shall be there for I-305 opening. However, my flight doesnt land until 935a on the 2nd so I'm dismissing the idea of being able to get on the first day (unless I make it the last ride of the night or something like that). I am headed back to the park on my last day (Mon 4/5) so I hope to get the new ride in for sure that day.

^ The press release says "quick-service" which is simply another way of saying counter service/fast food.

Really? Really? That just seems like BS marketing and an excuse to charge more. I've had great pizza that doesn't have this magic water. I have heard that the type of water used has an effect on how bread turns out. In fact, last year I interviewed for a water filtration company that specializes in the food service industry. They have the ability to find the compounds in certain types of water and recreate them so that you can have that same taste/effect away from the source. So perhaps Patina is using some of this equiptment?

My top 5 night rides are... 5. Matterhorn...the caverns, the snowman, LOVE IT! 4. Big Thunder Mtn @ DL...in and out of the caverns just seems like so much more fun at night 3. Screamin' Eagle...the trees combined with the darkness really accentuate the speed 2. X2...especially when the winds let the mist in the trenches build, its like an explosion when you plow through it 1. Prowler...insane in the back row!

I've also noticed that (for a while now). I think it has been there ever since my first ride on Riddler's in June 08'...but I've never seen a photo booth for the ride. The photo booth is the gas station themed building near the exit. Last year I was at the park almost once a month up until October, and still I couldnt remember where the camera was. So it very well could have been in the same spot the whole time. I just think its interesting they have been maintaining that strobe light, while letting other lights and theming burn out in other areas of the park...the ride hasnt had an operating photo booth in years. Unless, of course, it has an extremely long-life light bulb.

I was at the park today (Sunday) from 11a till almost 4p. It was open the entire time I was there, not sure if they did a early close, but people were still coming in when I left. All the coasters were open save for Deja, X2 and Ninja. Superman was open when I arrived, but as soon as the rain started it closed. Surprisingly, even in the rain, all the coasters were running two trains except Viper, Revolution and Goldrusher. Tatsu was even using both stations! Although it got cold and rainy, the park wasnt exactly empty. They had parked most of the front lot and even a row of the next lot past the picnic area. They seemed to be doing a great job of moving people through lines. Some other observations of things that had changed since my last visit in October... - The lights were working in Riddler's station - They seem to have relocated the on-ride photo camera to the bottom of the first dive loop...or was it always there? Perhaps they are about to bring that back. - Ride ops now clap when you return to the station on the coasters...EVERY coaster, EVERY time - While they haven't painted Scream itself, they have hung new banners out front and applied paint to the blue and magenta walls at the entrance and leading up to the station. - Pass processing is back outside the park next to Hurricane Harbor's gates. The area they had been using next to Flashback was closed up. I was happy to see they had a dedicated online purchases line as well. - New asphalt on the entry roadways. - Lots of visible patchwork has been done on the park walkways. - One train on Batman has "sleeves" added to the upper portions of the harnesses. - The new preshow doors on Terminator seem to help keep people focused on the show and not continuing to talk as if they were still outdoors. Perhaps the most interesting new thing I saw was the Aquaman face character. He was hanging out near the Guest Necessities Center with Wonder Woman. In all the SFs I have been to, I have never seen him before.

Wow times have surely changed. During my program we only had one person that brought a computer. Looks like you guys have it hooked up! LOL at the covered palm trees.

I think DC has potential to be good. There's so much to DC that if they really got out of Dupont Circle, it could lead to some interesting activities. I have been watching since the beginning and my faves are Philadelphia, Denver, Chicago and Seattle. I do agree the show has changed focus, but the fact that already we see social/religious debates might be a nod to a return to the good ol days of the show. The seasons I didnt really watch were London, Paris and Sydney. Something about them being offshore kinda disconnected it for me. I also LOATHED Las Vegas because it should have been called Real World: Life at the Palms. I hated that they stayed in the damn hotel all day and night and didnt show more of the city...an inherent result when the "house" isnt a "house". When I was on my Disney College Program we joked they should have Real World: Vista Way...now that would be entertaining. I too agree that a return to NO should be interesting. I just wish they'd put at least one fat person and one asian person on the show. We need to mix it up.

2010 Toyota Matrix around $18k

I took my mom to see Cher back on Dec. 19th. It was my second time seeing it, but her first. Good show! This Saturday its Bette Midler

SFOG back in September... It was the day before the park flooded. There had been a light rain falling that day and I couldnt head out there until around 330p or so. Before I headed out the door, I called to verify they were still open...they were still open until 8p. Well I made it out there and as soon as I walked in around 4p they said the park was closing at 6p. WTF? Luckily the park was really empty, but I only got one ride on each of the coasters I was missing from my last super short trip. They cant really help the weather, but the closing early was annoying (especially when I had called 30 min before). I imagine if it wasnt for the Key Club conference in the park earlier in the day, they wouldn't have even opened.

1. I think its a good idea for those members who are heavily involved, always going to events, etc. 2. It looks like you have it all covered. 3. I am interested in the idea that site membership becomes a one-stop shop, providing "membership" for those events requiring it and the ability to do premium events seems intriguing. 4. My main concern would be the ability to take advantage of all the potential benefits. I live a good four hours from the closest major park, so I'm not sure I would benefit as much as others. 5. $40 compared to other memberships along proposed benefits isnt bad. HOWEVER, for a first year out, I would rather see a lower cost until it could prove itself. Perhaps scaling back a couple of the benefits to make an intial membership closer to $25 would be more attractive to me. Perhaps a t-shirt instead of the $15 store credit could help that.

^^I belive it is also void at the carts as well. So basically its good at any of the counter service & Mooseburger (except the BBQ place).

^no will you be drinking any eggnog this evening?

chicken katsu lunch plate at L&L Hawaiian BBQ...$7.30

"La Orilla" - RBD