parkjunkie

^ I have 2 things to say... LMFAO whoever did this is either dumb as hell or is wishful thinking..... and GOD I HOPE NOT! HWFan..... is this your doings???????? LOL

^ I saw that, but that doesn't help the project. They have ample amount of opportunity to do something amazing.... hotel rooms are no the answer, especially during cooler or colder weather... when the weather gets too cold for the outdoor attractions and shops, they should have indoor things to keep business year round

This idea definitely has potential and for the most part is very well thought out. I just am weary of how successful it will be and how much draw it will actually have. Union Station is without a doubt a landmark in St. Louis, its just that everything they have tried to revitalize this beautiful landmark over the past 30 years usually fails. I think they are on the right track with getting Union Station back on the map, but the one thing I think they also need to focus on is the inside... the shops, the restaurants, the entertainment... so many shops and restaurants have closed shop and moved to other locations in downtown St. Louis already as it is and not many new shops or restaurants have filled those empty spaces. If they can come up with an idea to redo, retheme, or reconstruct the inside as well, I think they would be much better off and have a sure winner.

You guys kill me

^ HEY!!! Thats not very nice!!! You just made Santa's naughty list!!!!.... wait, you did that a long time ago ... I kid, I kid! But seriously, maybe if you're nice and take that bounty off my head, I will reveal myself sometime this upcoming season. HWFan, I think I need to get a group of us together and have an intervention with you, your clear admittance to addiction and causing pain and suffering to others for pleasure is a cry for help and we love you and want to see you better yourself

Hmmm, maybe, depends on what you want to know... remember, a lot of things get put on the back burner or are trade secrets so that others never pick up on an idea.

I've remained incognito for a very good reason... why do you think you don't see me post all that much on here. You know me pretty well I will say though. You say you haven't dropped hints, but you have... well at least from my perspective you have, but maybe thats because I too know what you're talking about sometimes. Dave leaving breaks my heart, I've known this brilliant and wonderful man for over a decade and I will miss him so much, but I've known this time was coming, I just never wanted to admit it or accept it. I know what you mean by him being a portal of info, but trust me, there's others you can go to too... trust me!!! Elizabeth is that way with a lot of people, especially those she knows are big enthusiasts like us. I love Elizabeth and what she does, but she gets a tad paranoid with some of this stuff, but I don't blame her one bit. I have a very good relationship with Elizabeth and would never betray her trust or anyone else's at the park for that matter. Elizabeth cracks me up though, she gets worked up so easily lol. I know this may sound mean, but I think its funny when she's Unit 10, things never seem to go right for the poor woman lol. You are a very lucky individual to have a friend and relationship with Paula, she is an absolutely amazing individual. I have been lucky enough to meet her..... Her and Dave are one of a kinds... or 2 of a kinds.... or whatever lol. She's a great mentor to have. In terms of what you know, I know, who else knows... it doesn't matter, all that matters is that we are privileged to know insider info and even be part of it on occasion. You know as well as I do that if even half of some of the ideas we've heard would come true or would have come true, people would be blown away.

Damn it HWFan, why do you have to tease them like this LOL I was hoping to get you to spill the beans... I mean, I too know what's going on, but like you, I don't want to say anything just yet LOL Sometimes, I just like to sit back and watch you do what you do and see people's responses and not say anything. In case anyone is wondering, there are a few of us on here that could tell you guys everything we hear, some of it not confidential or sensitive, but if we did, you might be let down over and over again, or we would be wrong because plans fall through so often... not just with rides, but with anything that affects the park. But I LOVE having HWFan bring you guys the news, updates, and teasers because he does just such a wonderful job with it... HWFan, you really do buddy! Just remember that HWFan maybe the master at dropping hints, puns, teasers, brain stumpers, riddles, headaches, anger, laughter, anxiety, depression, and the occasional need of a prescription of Xanax, but there are a few others on here that too have done the same and made SFSTL's page that much more fun..... I know I have on a couple of occasions. We love telling you guys as much as we can, and like stated, HWFan does this in a superb fashion. I wish sometimes we COULD tell you guys more, it just wouldn't be right to do all the time. P.S. Its fun "twisting" with everyone's minds. Watching everyone go through the "ups and downs" of emotions "brings tears to my eyes"... in "more ways than 1" even if you guys are completely confused and the answer is right in front of you and "you don't know which way is up". Either way, I always enjoy seeing SFSTL's page getting "flipped" through by so many people..... LOL

It could be a great location for a coaster, but the big question is, where would you place the station and que and get access from the park to that area. The only "expansion" or "room to grow" areas that I know have been talked about or considered is the field East of the Joker where the fireworks are shot off, south water park area, and a little bit of the area east of the Mine Train/ Tidal Wave area along the perimeter road. HWFan, any other word on this?

^Of course that was the case, but there was plenty of interest in this land, I believe it was back in 2008 or somewhere around there. Back around that time when there was the proposal to build that huge shopping complex across the highway (of course that fell through and the idea was moved to Washington, MO) there were developers that were very interested in that land as well. One developer in particular was VERY interested... and in the plans for this to happen, there was plans to revamp the exit road, the entrance road and toll plaza. Everyone knew the only downfall would be that some of SFSTL's more "interesting" guests would abuse these business's parking. Of course when the plans were moved to Washington, MO, the whole thing fell through.

I highly suggest sprinkling some salt on those words. It makes them much tastier. I think my problem is that when I hint at things, it's either too obvious or too sneaky and is never caught. I will say this, you guys haven't examined those screenshots (from the government website on pg. 672) closely enough. This has been the case in the past as well, just like the property out front... things fall through a lot. It was guaranteed to happen years ago on numerous occasions, but as you can see nothing as of yet, so I'll believe it when I see ground breaking.

Yes, that land has been owned by the park since the late 60's when all the property was bought. The land has been "for sale" for a long time and will never be developed.... ever! This discussion has been had quite a few times on here. If it does ever sell, they wouldn't sell all of it, but my guess is 75% to 80% of it. Someday when theres another housing boom, you will see this land sell quickly.

The Bat Mobile has been sitting outside unprotected for years, and unfortunately, sitting outside for so long has taken its toll. It has been sitting between the Boss and the Warehouse area. A few years back, there was talk to refurb it and somehow use it again, but it has obviously never happened.

These are some great photos... Viking86, I love that pic of the swings in the sunset... gorgeous!

A vertical 21-story drop, and then being flipped upside down over 150 feet into the air with another two inversions and an additional 100+ foot drop. Where else can you do that in your everyday life? That is indeed "insane" to anyone who doesn't live to ride coasters (99.9999% of the population & Cedar Point's target audience). I think that this ride is not really for the roller coaster enthusiast it is more the GP who will agree with Dummermattk. I have to agree with JonnyRCT3 this ride is going to a great ride. The issue most are having is this is NOT in line with Cedar Points tradition of being innovative, creative and different. CP would probably respond that it is the tallest, fastest and longest but it many hardcore roller coaster enthusiast wanted to see something different and this feels like lip service to Cedar Points traditions. Me personally I was disappointed that they did not at least add a new type of element. For example right next door Raptor was the first coaster with the cobra roll. Good news is that they have/had everything in the B&M catalog (Floorless, Standing, Winged, Vertical, Inverted) except for a Flying coaster, the sitting coaster which they won't do, and the hyper/giga b/c they already have both of those. So what ever coaster they build next won't be B&M. Cedar Point is in an interesting spot. It is hard to build a creative innovative ground breaking coaster with the capacity necessary for that park that can accommodate a family. Essentially what ever they do someone is going to be pissed, lol. I get what you're saying andmostly agree, but I just want to point out that Raptor was nowhere near being the first coaster with a cobra roll....

^ I second this. As much as everyone wants an Iron Boss, I think the way the layout is set up, you couldn't do as much with it as some of the other IRON refurbs... Just topper track with a few polished up areas and it would be perfect

Don't know if there has been a topic on this already or not, I searched and couldn't find one so if there is, sorry.... Like many others on here, when I'm at a park, I sometimes need 2 days just for the fact that I take so many pictures when I'm visiting one, especially if its my first visit. Over the the years, there have been so many trip reports here on TPR with amazing pictures, so I thought it would be fun to post your top 5 favorite pictures YOU have taken at parks. They can be of anything in a park, not just rides or coasters. Of course a lot of the pics we take, others have taken that exact same shot, but that doesn't mean you can't post it. I know there are some incredible, funny, and generally awesome pics that you guys have out there, so let's see what you have, show us your favorites. I've never had a fancy shmancy camera, so mine are nothing too incredible, but these are my 5 favorites, nothing special, just my favorites... Top of Screamin' Eagle second hill during a walk during the off season at SFSTL Diamondback KI Thunderbird sun silhouette at HW Pano of Maverick at CP Batman at SFSTL in the snow

Thanks, no problem.... Sorry I dont have any other pics from when it was still day light out, its just that I already have so many pics of the park from the day time.

So here's some of the pics I took at SDC this past Friday night. Sorry for the quality of some of the pics, some areas lighting was brighter than others and was messing with the ISO. Enjoy.....

So I finally made it back down to SDC. My family and I went to the park on Friday, and it couldn't have been a better day. Temps in the mid 60's, light crowds for the rides, and the park looked great. We got there at opening and headed straight to Outlaw Run. We walked right on and sat front row. I haven't been so amped up for a ride in a long time. I think this was the first time I was genuinely left in awe, everything about this coaster is just so awesome, but that first drop was amazing.... I can only IMAGINE what Lightning Rod will be like. After riding, I went right back around and walked right on again, this time sitting back row... OMG!!! that first drop was pure air even before cresting the top!!! We stayed all day, but we didn't ride many rides due to my father and sister having medical issues which doesn't allow them to ride almost any rides . Anyway, my mom and I did ride a few others... Powder Keg, Electro Spin, and The Giant Barn Swing, all walk ons, and then we all rode the Steam Train of course and that was about a 15 minute wait. We did a ton of shopping, ate at WagonWorks Grill even though I wanted to go to one of the buffets, and then we stayed for the parade and then walked the entire park once it was dark to see all the lights. Overall we had an amazing time and the weather made it that much better. I'll try to upload some photos of the lights and the parade later.

Thanks for the info, but unfortunately we're just going to SDC for 1 day.

Ive never seen them before either and didn't think they did, but you just never know, so I had to just double check.

The family and I are headed down to Branson next week... can't wait to FINALLY ride Outlaw Run. Anyway, the admission price is $60, but was wondering if anyone knows of any businesses or products that my have a discount coupon for SDC.

Here's my opinion on the matter and also some knowledge. First off, I would like to state that I absolutely HATE when people line jump/ skip, save places, and leave & come back. I feel once you leave a line, you start all over, and if your group is ahead of you, they can come back to you. I feel anyone who does this should be kicked out except in very rare and certain circumstances. Like many on here, I've worked at a park for many years, some of those years I worked in security. Yes all parks have in their code of conducts/ rule books that state line jumping, saving places, etc is strictly prohibited and is cause for removal from the park. Usually signs are posted and announcements are made as well. I will tell you from experience that its not always as easy as it sounds to rid the problem. First off, there is no way to man every larger attraction for line monitoring, its completely out of the question and would cost a fortune to man that much security personnel. Secondly, management wants every situation looked at differently and the circumstances (which in all cases but about 1% I feel you should be kicked out). In my daily experiences with this matter, if it was someone usually under the age of 16, they would be pulled from line and usually allowed to stay in the park, but in some cases, depending if it was more than one person, such as a large group of juveniles, their demeanor, how they jumped (ducked under railings, physically pushed their way through....), if there was more than one complainant, and if the line jumpers got into a verbal or physical altercation with anyone, they would sometimes be kicked out. 99% of the time if you were over 16 and line jumped, met your group, left and came back, etc, you were asked to leave usually for the remainder of the day, but in many cases 30 days, sometimes even the remainder of the year, but that's usually because the line jumpers decided they wanted to get mouthy with security or would be non compliant. There are many reasons why line jumpers should be kicked out immediately for their actions, and people usually don't think about it this way, but here's a really big reason why... Between 2007 and 2011 (5 seasons) at the park I worked at, approximately 80% of the physical altercations/ fights between guests were caused because of line jumping. People that line jump know they are doing wrong and if they get away with it, they get a big head and usually end up breaking other rules throughout the day as well. I will say that you should never allow line jumping. I'm not saying to take the matter into your own hands, but tell the ride operators or a worker (if possible) about the matter and request to talk to security, they can not deny calling security when requested to. Don't get into with the line jumpers, let them be the wrong ones in every way and so that nothing can come back on you... trust me, Ive had to kick out victims of line jumping too because they wanted to take matters into their own hands. If someone physically pushes their way past you, again request security, physically pushing past people, especially those who are holding their ground to not let you pass, is technically assault.