parkjunkie

Wasn't there a similar story going around about Raging Bull being destined for St. Louis originally (with Freeze going to Gurnee) as well? With Goliath, especially considering how the course follows that narrow strip of land along the road after it hops the park's borders, I would have thought it was designed specifically for Georgia. Not specifically that exact layout, just a hyper in general... actually, the one they had planned wasn't much different than what Goliath ended up being in Georgia. The station and que house were supposed to be where American Thunder is, with the lift hill going west, the first drop along the north side of the entrance road, then the first air time hill over the entrance/ toll road with the majority of the layout out in the 3 pond area, then make its way back over the entrance/ toll road to the station house.

As a long time employee at the park for well over a decade now, and knowing the ins and outs about not only SFSTL, but many of the other parks as well, I can tell you this. As much of a B&M HYPER fan as I am, they are my favorite type of coaster, the odds of SFSTL getting one are so miniscule!! When Goliath opened at SFoG in 2006, many may not know this, but that was originally planned for SFSTL. After the plans had been made and it was almost a guarantee for SFTSL, last minute, the "genius" SF Corporate team of the early 2000's decided to give it to SFoG instead. I'm not saying a large coaster will never happen at SFSTL, all Im saying is probably not within the next 5 years, and probably not a B&M HYPER Also, for those who keep saying and thinking the park will expand east... IT WILL NEVER HAPPEN! I'm not saying they will not ever have a ride course go out that way, but I can tell you, you will NEVER see the park itself expanded east. Just to level land, put in utilities... electric, gas, optic, cable, water, sewer, and more... put in paths buildings, landscaping, lighting, and maybe even a little theming, that cost would be over $10 million... AND THATS WITHOUT RIDES!... If they wont spend any money on a good coaster, what makes you think they will spend twice as much just for a new section without rides? Trust me, I would love to see it happen just as much as anyone else, it just won't though. This conversation has been talked about many times with the higher ups and as much as they may beat around the bush about what they do and do not know, they will tell you straight forward it will never happen. Another reason this will not happen is because of what that land to the east may be worth. The land isn't technically "for sale", but trust me, if the right price is thrown their way, SF would sell the land to the east in the snap of a finger... and if you expanded the park in to the junk/ grave yard and south and the rest of the land was sold, they would have no extra land for storage, junk/ graveyard, Fright Fest or anything else they may need spare land for. IRON BOSS, sounds amazing to me, but I think if it were to happen, it would have by now. Not to say we couldnt be surprised in the next few years, but I highly doubt it. If they were to RMC Screamin Eagle, I WOULD QUIT WORKING AT SFSTL IMMEDIATELY! FIrst off, the Eagle doesnt have that great of a layout to convert, but it is just too great of a classic to mess with. Truthfully, Eagle is my favorite at the park. The airtime isn;t what it used to be, but the old girl still has some kick left to her. As I told management a few months back, Bald Eagles are protected, so should Screamin' Eagle The park has definitely improved over the years and still has a long way to go. They are definitely moving in the right direction with our park, its just going slower than most thought. Even though I work for SFTSL and love my park, I can't help but to side with almost everything Prozach626 says... I know that seems contradictory and wrong, but he's right in many ways... you will rarely hear me say it though due to being an employee. Anyway, I'm not saying you have to believe anything Ive said, I'm just hoping some of these things might sink in to a few people's minds so they won't be completely disappointed in a few years down the road when not much has happened.

^^^^^^ Actually it has been no where close to 20 years, more like around 8-9 years... It was moved around the time of the opening of S:ToP (06) or the year after.

At the end of each day, I go home and get stuck in traffic, but the traffic report says it's the end of the "RUSH", yet I'm still stuck in traffic and feel like I'm being put through a "LOOP". When I get home, all I want is a shot of "FIREBALL"

I would have agreed with you untill Screamscape posted these pictures It really is Brown Just noticed there's unpainted track on the left side of the pic. Wonder what that is. Also, what about the "bright green" track that was mentioned? Unpainted is Dive track, same as you see on the right. Green is for USJ, its been said a few times on here

To me, the track/ rails look to be the same width as other large dive coasters, but the spine looks much larger. As others have mentioned, Im wondering if this is for possibly using less supports... or even an overhaul to their large dive coasters.

We definitely had our busiest day of the year Saturday. The attendance was really big, but trust me, no where close to record breaking. It was definitely one of the higher numbers I have heard in the past few seasons, but there still have been bigger days in recent years. Not only was it bring a friend weekend, numbers were also higher than normal for this weekend due to low attendance and early closings due to a week and half of rain.... it all came together for a perfect storm.

My family and I have been going to the Dells for 30 years. Before Mt. Olympus was there, it was an old, run down, closed go cart track. It was then redeveloped using some of the old track and continued growing and switching ownerships. Finally Mt. Olympus came in and took it over. Nick Laskaris, owner of Mt. Olympus did very well with it the first few years, then continued buying up hotels around the park and continued expanding.... but all he saw was $$$$$. The park has turned into a giant carnival. Customer Service- they don't know the meaning. Safety Protocols and Standards - out the window. Workers that can at least speak a little basic English - good luck. Monopolization of an area turning it to crap - Right on target. I had been saying for years Mt. O was due for an unfortunate large incident, and unfortunately a couple of years back, it happened tragically. Its just a matter of time before something else tragic happens at this park. The horror stories you hear from this park is absolutely a shame.... heck, I had 2 pretty rough experiences of my own there... I even posted about the one a few years back. This park used to be somewhat decent and had such great potential. Nick Laskaris is all about squeezing every penny out of you as possible all while pinching every penny he can to put in his pocket, not willing to spend a cent on sprucing the place up, investing in quality customer service, a park designed with the guest in mind, hire quality workers that can speak english, or most importantly dumping a sh!t ton of cash into a solid safety program. Unfortunately, due to the size of his monopoly and his location, it will be hard for this park to go under. It will take a large tragic incident, or him going way overboard with buying up everything in the Dells for him to go under. Its so sad to see the Dells being transformed into this nightmare.

This makes you think twice about complaining about your home park www.yahoo.com/travel/dangerous-tasteless-dirty-the-worst-theme-parks-122198782147.html

Panda Express was previously themed as a racing restaurant when the park opened. The sports version of the Moon Cars were directly across from it. The Flag Stop or something like that. Thanks Jeff, but I'm looking for what it was right before Panda Express. But we can talk about that more Sunday at the meeting. Panda Express used to be Wok & Roll... just another Chinese restaurant

Thank you for the info on where to find coupons. This will actually be the first time Ive ever paid for admission to Holiday World since I used to get in free when I worked for Six Flags... I'm gonna miss those perks!

I'm going to apologize now because I'm sure someone has already asked and I just overlooked it, but where can you find the best Holiday World coupon deals?... is there a local restaurant, store, or hotel chain that has discount coupons? I get in free, but I have some friends coming with me.

These were around up in the Dells WAY before Mt. Olympus was there... back when it was Big Chief, then turned into Carts and Coasters, then was turned into Mt. Ocrapus. These are all over the U.S. and the norm in tourist trap areas... Branson, Pigeon Forge, WisDells just to name a few. I am really wondering in what regard they are calling this a "FIRST" of... a first of what?... A first at claiming they have the first of something that isn't the first?... (if that makes sense).

^Thank you, much appreciated

Does anyone know what Kroger's coupon price is?.... ^ Unfortunately not going to Cedar Point this year. We'll be heading to Holiday World, KK, then KI to finish it up. I am usually able to get free tickets to Holiday World and KK through people I know, so thats the main reason I'm doing this trip because its fairly cheap... mainly have to just pay for meals, gas, and cheap hotels.

A few quick questions. First one is about admission price and I'm sorry if its already been talked about, but I searched and couldn't find anything recently. Anyway, I haven't been to the park since Diamondback opened and I'm dying to ride Banshee. I'm thinking about doing a quick 3 park, 5 day trip soon and KI is the finale, but since this is kind of a last minute thing, I haven't really been saving for a park trip and have committed funds to other trips already booked, so funds are a tad tight. I saw on the website that M-Th admission is $41.99 online... is that the cheapest way to go or are there local businesses that would have coupons for a cheaper price? Other question is, we would be coming on Monday June 8th or Monday June 15th... will crowds be like any typical park for a Monday in June, slow with short wait times I'm hoping? Thanks to anyone that gives info

Say what??? you are getting our Parks crossed I'm pretty sure he was just joking.....

I would think overseas too, it just seems so early to start seeing finished track for a US park. On another note, lets just ignore the person making the absolutely ridiculous comments/ theories of a floorless cutting off legs. All I can to say to that is WHAT!!!??? Either the person is just trying to get a rise out of all of us, or they're just...... well I'll be nice and just shut up... But we can definitely put his comments in the "WEIRDEST THING THE 'GP' HAS SAID" thread...

I can say that I can see why certain parks have metal detectors. Mainly alot of Six Flags parks like SFoG, SFSTL, SFMM, SFGAd, are known to have some rough crowds from time to time. Yes they're ugly, yes they're a pain to have to go through, and yes, its a larger budget for security departments, but they're there for a reason. Six Flags corporate teams have wanted to remove the metal detectors from many of their parks... how they measure if they will or not for the following season is based on security incident reports, input from the security departments and local law enforcement, and the demographics and crime statistics for the metro area for the year. It is sad to see that parks have to have these, but after working in a certain unnamed park for over a decade and seeing some of the incidents that have happened, I'm very glad they had them and still do have them for that park. In the long run, its all about deterring and preventing to keep everyone safe. But back on topic with FURY... I hope to get out to Carowinds this year to ride this beauty. I know people are gonna think I'm crazy, but I love B&Ms, especially their hypers... Yes, some of their coasters are gonna slow and blah, but Out of the 39 I've ridden, I can honestly say I really like the majority of them. Just from the looks of it, IMO this looks like B&Ms finest creation yet, but the only way to know is to actually ride it... but I feel it won't let down.

I wouldn't expect to see full launches right off the bat. Im sure theyll start launches off light and increase them more and more.

SFSTL - Like stated in the first post, Super Smokers and Joe Boccardi's are both very good. Super Smokers is obviously barbeque, where you pick your sauces. Joe Boccardi's is Italian, great pizza. But another good place is POOR RICHARDS. Its about 1 1/2 - 2 miles east of the park on Fifth street in the Dickey Bubs Plaza behind White Castle. Its a local pub/ bar and they have great wings, big salads, huge juicy burgers, and a really good Philly cheese steak. Their prices are very reasonable. And on game nights when the STL Cardinals, Blues, and Mizzou Tigers play, $4 pints in a glass with the local teams logo where you get to keep the pint glass and refills are $2!!!

Seven Dwarfs Mine Train

Looks like the circuit should be complete in a few hours.... maybe 2 or 3 more pieces! I really cant believe how fast this beast went up

Thanks for the help guys, I did not know you only had to pay once for parking for all the parks. Someone had told me you had to pay at each park. So driving ourselves does sound easier.

Anyone that has tons of Orlando parks experience, your advise is needed. Heading to Orlando for the first time in 9 years and we are going for 3 days next week, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. We are hitting Universal Monday and Tuesday with the multipark pass, and then on Wednesday we plan on hitting up a few of the WDW parks with a park hopper. My first question is for Universal. Should we spend one day hitting all the Harry Potter stuff at both parks and then use the 2nd day for all other attractions, or would it be easier to hit 1 park each day. I was leaning towards a Harry Potter day and an everything else day. My 2nd question is for WDW. Since we scored free tickets with the park hopper and want to try and fit as much in as possible, this is what we had in mind.... mind you we are driving our own car to park...... So we want to park the car at Epcot around 830, take a bus to Animal Kingdom. AK from 9-12, then head to MK by bus from 12-6/7 then end the day at Epcot by taking the monorail, where we parked the car earlier that day. Does this sound somewhat logical, or would there be a better way? Any other input about this short but packed trip would be appreciated as well....