Jon Sabo

^LOL... The link was emailed to me. I did not research that. It was from a member off of another site. And to your comments, it is the latter. I am actually on the beach with my laptop watching the sunset-awaiting for our group to show up and go to dinner. The plane carriers in Hawaii (between the islands) have some unreliable schedules and I use this to kill time. So, grab a chair and order a Mai Tai..lol *not much walking along the beach to 'grab' a credit either..lol

The Gargouille? "- a dragon which rose from the waters of the Seine, the river in France. It spouted a tremendous blast of water from its mouth which flooded the countryside. It was called Gargouille or "gargler". The sign of the cross subdued it, and the people of France erected statues of the creature on the buildings to instill fear. The statues are known as gargoyles." Other names: Tiamat, Gryphon, Manticore Here is a website that would sound like an interesting name for the ride. Wonder if Busch studied the mythodology along these lines, because Loch Ness is also posted on here. You will also notice some names already on coasters opened in the past couple of years. Scroll down the page. http://www.greyglass.com/dragontypes.html#d16

Oh NO! Flashbacks. I click my heels 3 times, as Chuck requested, I find myself in that hotter-than-hell maintenance area green-tagging one of the trains for the next operational day. Or, perhaps the good ole jolly walk up the lift may lead me to think if those heaters were still installed, I could make my dinner by roasting marshmellows and some hot dogs (don't even ask why we did that). Then again, a stroll along the storage rack to replace a rollback dog makes for a bit***n day! Ahh, the memories and smell of molybdenum disulfide on the shelf-awaiting my tender care in lubing the axles...RIP-DF. I will surely miss you. (Clicks heels 3 more times)...what was the topic about?

While the incident is unfortunate, the park (quite possibly) performed in the parameters their guidelines state. Could their have been some miscommunication? Perhaps. But, as several posts on this thread stated, you need to read the fine-print when signing a contract. Corporate "buyouts" that use the park for the day certainly make more money than a group of 60+ guests (as noted by some of the posts). In some sense, we all must respect some religious aspect of who is using the park; in this case-the Muslim Fun Day. I would be curious how English Law represents scenarios regarding sex/gender, religion..etc. Do they have similar laws as in US?. Quote: "At the time they made the booking the only date available was Saturday, Sept 16. They were happy to accept it, believing that they and the 60 guests for whom they had booked 20 rooms would be able to enjoy the following day on the rides."<< Apparently A-T acted in good faith in booking the Muslim group. It also appeared that the park respected their religion and requests/wishes in granting those requests. It is always a fine-line when it comes to religion (especially in the US) and there are laws to help "protect" them/groups. I don't really see an issue and the park granted the request(s) from the corporate/group booking & was working with the couple. Also, the last line states: "An Alton Towers spokesman said staff would be discussing "the options available" with the couple. " I could imagine the CNN headlines if this scenario happened within the US (especially at a Disney or Six Flags park). I smell the fear of lawyers now and the media circus.

The Empire is now recruiting. From the producers of the hit show-COPS. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nWr6ec2zEyE Jimmy Fallon leaves SNL and is seduced by the "Dark Side" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L7x3e0E991w

Wow. That is my second favorite inversion (after the zero-g roll).

I would say "Arrow" vertical loops. ^Kumba's (BGE) loop is incredible. Especially as it goes through the lift.

^Exactly! I have seen some of the surveys from BGE and they were quite fair, but most of the surveys in general have some sort-of flaw in them, especially if a park is providing them. Problem is it becomes a he-said/she-said scenario, because unless the results are: 1. Unbiased platform (questionaire). 2. What were the parameters for each survey? 3. Was each survey (for each park) the same? 4. What was the minimum/maximum # of surveys conducted? 5. Was each survey collected and results from the park chain-in general or were the results independent from each park? 6. Who or what company came up with the survey? 7. Who actually performed the guest interviews (Delta or 6Fl-employees)?

^How about the one for Virginia. "Board of Housing and Community Development". http://www.dhcd.virginia.gov/BCAR/Virginia%20Amusement%20Device%20Regulations.htm Sorry for the double posts...... This would confirm another post in that the park paid to fix some problems with the structure in the past as well as lawsuits against its former contractors. Link: http://www.rideaccidents.com/

I believe there is a pattern here. The company has built several of the rides that is on the "bottom" of most people's list. Wonder how may projects these folks have been involved in...hmmm "Structural engineering for the giant wooden structure was performed by William H. Childress, P. E., Wood Structures, Inc. of Atlanta, Georgia" Link: http://www.rcca.com/RCCA/history.html

Rockstar-INXS was another show-winner created/produced by Mark Burnett and the band INXS apparently "found" their lead singer for the ressurection of its new album and tour following the suicide death of its former band member Michael H utchence. Starting its second season (as of last week), Rockstar-Supernova invites heavy-metal maniacs to begin its search for a lead singer for the band. Supernova combines the talents of some of rock-metal legends from Motley Crue (Tommy Lee), Guns-n-Roses, and Metallica. Any fans of the show out their? Did you agree with last weeks looser (booted off)? Who do you think will win it all? Comments (on the show)? Check local listing for times. In Hawaii, it starts at 7pm (Tuesdays) and 8pm (Wednesdays-elimination nite).

Let us hope this incident may happen again? "A fire scare shuts down a ride Sunday afternoon at Kings Island. Park officials say two guests reported a smell of smoke on the Son of Beast ride. There was no sign of fire.. but firefighters were called as a precaution. The ride was inspected, and no source of smoke was found.The ride was operational by 5:35 Sunday afternoon." http://www.themeparkreview.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=25677&highlight=son+beast

"They asked guests to rate every aspect of their park experience, from atmosphere, food, rides and cleanliness to broader questions such as "will you recommend the parks to a friend?", For example, this summer respondents that visited Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia, California, gave record ratings for the following categories: Are they SURE they visited MM?..lol

Well, so much for sexual harassment..lol I think that shows a perfect example of a good company, boss, owner and how to reward their employees for a job well-done! (Six Flags management-take note). I worked for a company in Hawaii that did a similar event every (and paid for our entire trip) year AND added bonus $$ for each employee. We even had options of what trip(s) to take-including parts of Canada. Sounds like an awesome time and looks like a great group to work with.

Sorry. I started another thread earlier today on this incident and then noticed this thread opened at the bottom of the page..lol It's only a matter of time before Disney will end up making yet another change(s) to the ride and perhaps place new signage at the ride entrance. Sounds like Disney has a real winner on MS in attracting more "thrill-seekers" to the park with the addition of the ride, but the recent history of incidents has to be taking its toll. Past Publicity: http://www.newsinferno.com/archives/1090 Disney-Corporate and their lawyers will be hiring "Exponent" to do a study on MS. I believe they will also address (again) this past release regarding brain injury and the Amusement Park safety record in their defense case(s). Exponent: http://exponent.com//about/news/archives/2003/02/index.html Six FLags article/release: http://www.emerson-associates.com/safety/

Delta Market Research releases figures conducted at Six Flags parks on its guest approval ratings. * "a nationally-recognized company which has researched all aspects of the theme park industry for companies including Disney." Highlights: "These results show that our guests are noticing -- and embracing -- the changes we've made this year. It's also a clear indication that our strategy of creating clean, safe and fun family entertainment destinations is working," said Mark Shapiro, Six Flags President and CEO" Credit Link: http://money.aol.com/news/articles/_a/six-flags-guest-approval-ratings-at-five/n20060710150309990014 Strange that this survey is showing up when some of its parks are on the proverbial "chopping block". A good way to boost its margin to get an sale increase. Interesting how Shapiro is taking credit also when management and the board just had a major shakeover within the past year. Good timing Mark. Are the results biased?

Bye Bye LeMans. Equipment already showing up at the park and inside the LMR track area. link 1: http://rctcompetition.com/coastershow/0710061123.jpg link 2: http://www.coasterworldnews.com/v2/?cat=media&page=player&address=JULY%2011TH%202006.wmv

^Awesome find & update. Curious of those trains have an annual tear-down and rebuild similar to BGE's coasters. Or, just the fact that the bolt may have been defective.

^Perhaps Hersheypark may like this design better anyway...lol

^Ut-Oh. You just put the jinx on the park now that you said that...lol Now the park will have a couple of accidents.

Both of those were stuck upside down Both of those had axle failures around the yoke area and the wheel carrier unit (backup safety bars engaged into the track). Shockwave (3rd loop) and O-E (1st loop). No one was on Shockwave when that happened, but there was passengers on the O-E during that incident (I believe it was around 89-91 that it happened). After those incidents there was a TSB for a modifcation on the axle area to inspect and on some Arrow chassis models (depending upon the certification #'s) parts had to be replaced. This also affected the LNM at BGE and we had to modify/upgrade a component that was within that TSB listing and it informed/stated the rides that it happened too. Afterburner update: **Apparently Afterburner had some previous issues with the ride. A report conducted identified a leak in the air cylinder (regulator) failed. In May, 7 issues/citations were noticed on the ride. Link (about 1/4 down the page): http://www.rideaccidents.com/

That was it! Thanks. That show was awesome and had some good actors in the show too, especially Tony-most think he was the best. He past away from cancer about 2 yrs ago. I wish they would bring that show back (E-L) as well as Questor with some updated theme(s). Those que-hallways were the best during those hot Va. summers because the a/c was on FULL blast. I don't ever recall Alpengeist having any mishap (collision) around that time. I know B&M were using several wheel-material combinations and the braking system was modified, but nothing exciting. I think I was on Nessie/BBW crew during that time. I know the gearbox on DF exploded about 3 days before its innagural opening (when Dana Carvey showed up "Could it be...>Satan?). A-C: one of the trains "froze" in the final brake run about 2 days before its innagural opening, but if I recall, that whole week was cold. In reference to the decline since 2000, I believe management has changed overall operations (streamlined) and MNI isn't even under contract with A-B anymore and that an inspector from the local gov't gives the final green-taggin on the rides. I never even seen any of my old maintenance buddies this past June and even the maintenance warehouse has completely changed. It's quite sad actually, but I believe it relates (somehow) why most of the coasters "stack" up during operation because management changed the loading/unloading procedures. *Chuck? Ask your friend from Alpie if they have a purpose for stacking the trains (just curious).

Was that from the same report from this page/link? http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/fn/4035254.html There is another article out with the same quote as stated earlier, but the article link states that it is "down for maintenance". It quoted something along the lines that the buyer is already talking to 6F about actually purchasing the site (a real-estate developer and he and his partners were in talks with the park chain). Sounds similar to the earlier quote, just a different author/paper. The Motley Fool is supposed to be releasing an article on the park chain and possible sale of its parks later this week, but I'm quite sure we all know what they will say about the state of the park chain. I think 6F will eventually unload the park, but whether other parks will be sold individually or as a package deal will remain to be seen. After July 16 we shall see if A-B is actually interested in the park (which I doubt it now) when they meet for their shareholders meeting/report.

If it bothers you that much, then why bother replying to the post?..lol I supplied the link(s) to support the fact(s) presented and you can interpret them anyway you wish. Many of the links provided above are in "real-time" images, but as I stated before, you either have to be a member or pay for a specific photo(s). The address was provided and if you read an earlier post awhile back, the steel factory is not any "random" factory I picked out of a hat. They are the actual fabricators to mfg. B&M track/supports. Perform a search and you will also find the link to the interview with the factory owner. Give it a break already.

If we are going by ride count only, then I would say... 53 between BGE and PKD. New ride credits-0 (so far).