Jon Sabo

In response to the post about "trend", I was referring to the apparent amount of bad luck it has been this year. Essentially, I was stating that the recent rash of deaths and injuries has occured more frequently this year than in past seasons and I was merely stating that I hope it doesn't continue.

I have seen that same flyer regarding that same print and it was on there before about 2 or 3 yrs ago (if I stand corrected). All we know at this point is there is a ride rumored to go into the park and nothing has been confirmed as of yet. I don't think CF would cancel the project already (assuming it was a hyper), but as things have gone around the industry lately, just take it in stride until more proof comes along. We'll just have to sit and watch things develop and hope it could be a good-quality coaster.

It certainly is a visual orgasm for the eyes. I love that theming. Let's just hope the park is successful as an earlier poster mentioned.

Congrats to all the winners. And to all that participated, you already are winners for sharing your creativity with us. Thanks for the laughs. I am now eagerly anticipating the Goblet of Beer movie anytime now. Surely it has to be better than the Star Wars movies (latest trilogy-EP1-3).

That's no elf....that is Richard Simmons! (almost even looks like him too)

I love that background effect on the photo-op. Wonder if the BGE Griffon style will be similar..hmm Awesome photos and report!

More than I ever remember too. It is quite odd indeed. But, it no doubt will be Senator Markey's mission to "police" themeparks more aggressively and reintroduce his bills before Congress as he has done the past 3+ yrs. It really isn't the parks fault for these related deaths recently and who is to say that park managers can do anything about it if the conditions (as in the past 4 or 5 recent cases have stated/concluded) are undetectable. Next thing that will happen is that each guest will be required to show ID that we have a clean bill of health. There would be some major lawsuits coming then for sure (just look how dysfunctional our society is in suing people). Park managers have their hands tied no matter what happens. It's quite unfortunate from a park perspective (and a public relations).

Whoo! Awesome PTR- Almighty One. Can't wait to move back to VA and hop over to PKD before this year is out (didn't make it to PKD in June from all of that rain during the week). I remember when Smurf Mountain was there and the water/flume ride too. I even think I remember the spinning ride (and the floor dropped from under you-I can't recall the name off-hand. Do they stack-trains like they do at BGE>? Anyway, sounds like Grizzly and RY are still in good form. What about Hurler? I hurt several people saying it sucked, but never ridden that yet. If you thinking of a return trip to the Dominion-shack let me know. I'd hope to go sometime before end of September (if my job doesn't already start at the Gardens of Busch. Hey? Wasn't that guy (sitting on the fire truck) the Santa Clause that used to be at Patrick Henry Mall (oh-gawed, about 9 yrs ago?) *I actually love Anaconda (must be the Maui heat). I also love the 'new' paint-scheme much better than when it opened. Weren't they building a new go-cart track too (somewhere by Grizzly I thought)? Nice photos.

Ionia - A boy is dead following a trip to the Ionia County Fair. Blake Miller, an 8-year-old from Greenville, died after going on a ride Saturday night. The sheriff's department and family say it appears to be of natural causes, but it has had an impact on those running, and attending the fair. In the background is a swirling tower of amusement, a ride called the "Fireball." It's one of the most popular at the Ionia Fair. But in the foreground, a family that's trying to deal with the pain of losing a child, is staring at the one thing that reminds them most of their loss. Rest of story-Credit Link: http://www.wzzm13.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=58354

Is it the similar style as the Arrow prototype? Do you know the name of the ride or have the link to the rcdb site that shows any pics of it? (Thanks in advance). BGE was really considering in building that prototype ride (around the area where the old Rheinfeld bridge was-where the scrambler ride is now) when it was close to being finished-then Arrow pulled the plug on the project after too many issues and safety concerns *Since several of the posts are mentioning the 4D coaster-concepts and ideas, why not a 4D version of a flume ride? It would certainly be more exciting to develop that into an interesting design.

For some odd reason, that onride video appeared quite rough. I do like the head-chopper effect, but I doubt I can ride that thing more than a couple of times in a row before heading to the Tylenol cabinet; and I could ride the defunct DF/BGE for multiple times in a row I guess it could have been the video-quality as well, so I would have to actually ride it to gather a better opinion.

I actually love the design-layout of the ride. I would be curious if they add that lighting system around the supports as it shows in the artist concept drawings from the website. Does that center section have a 0-g rollover in it? It almost looks like it they way the track appears different (in the concept-drawing). *It just states 1-inversion on the rcdb site. Hmm. Perhaps its just the sketch that made it appear as if 2 inversions were present. Oh well.

^I am just curious about the economy of the state. Isn't the unemployment rate for WV fairly high? Perhaps the park can help create some good jobs for the area (in general) and perk-up the surrounding businesses and hotel markets.

Wow. Alot of incredible pictures shown on this thread. Curious on this one below: You sure there isn't a Krispy Kreme or Dunkin' Doughnuts across the street?

I thought the caption was going to read: Boob credit?.. Nice pics. We have alot of sea turtles in Hawaii. Huge fines for even going near them (around 20ft or less-I believe).

^This may help. Haupia/Pumpkin pie is quite delicious as well. Credit Link: http://www.ochef.com/112.htm

Now all of the old Drachen Fire (BGE) fans are going to be in an uproar after it had its surgery done. If that is the case, people will claim 2 seperate credits on DF now. 1-credit (with 6 inversions) and 1-credit (with 5 inversions). -perhaps those that survived either ride should be given 2 coaster credits for just being here today and talk about it.

^They are just media peeps. They are more focused on drama-events than grammar..

Jul. 22nd, 2006 -- China Hospitality News announced the largest park for mainland China, which will consist of 12 themed areas, is scheduled to open in 2007. Credit link: http://www.chinahospitalitynews.com/2006/07/17/anhui-home-to-largest-amusement-park-in-china/ *I performed a search on the site and could not find any information regarding this park/announcement (appologies in advance if there is another post on this one or perhaps this IS a new park that was not listed/discussed).

Jul. 23rd, 2006 -- A theme park bigger than Kennywood could be slated for development near Wheeling, W.Va. Sources close to the Ohio County Development Authority say that plans are in place with a major theme park operator to develop part of The Highlands, a 1000-acre area just outside of the Wheeling area. Source-link (rest of report): http://www.news-register.net/News/articles.asp?articleID=8723

Rest of story-credit link: http://www.local6.com/news/9561393/detail.html

I think the next set of clues is that statue(s) floating around the park. A friend from another forum-site took a photo of it around the Alpengeist area and now he visited the park today and it was at another location-along Trappers Smokehouseand not at Alpengeist. I wonder if marketing department is sending clues in moving the statue around.

Damn, it's really hard not to comment on this pic. Umm...ok I won't, so .....insert sick joke here........... Hey Chuck? Maybe they should put this sign over by the BGE-games area. They certainly can use it.

I don't know if it is old age kicking in or a bit of nostalgia, but I actually love Kumba@BGT as my 'overall' favorite ride. It virtually has about everything I desire in a good-quality coaster ride and plus its a B&M; including a helix & tunnel. That 'roar' also is something that I never get tired of and how the loop interlocks with the lift is just sweet. It certainly isn't the tallest, or the fastest coaster, but in terms of overall quality its hard to beat (in my book). Love the Dive-Loop and 0-g rollover. Pic source/credit: http://www.rcdb.com/ig94.htm?picture=9 Picture taken by: Photo: Joe Schwartz / Joyrides

^Haunted River was in the same "mountain" as smurf mountain wasn't it? Or, right next to it; before Paramount took over (when Kings Ent. still owned it I believe). That was a fun ride.