Jon Sabo

Post of the year award!!!!

Good explanation of how the flywheel launch works! I hope I got this information correct. I thought I heard Paula say on the podcast that the most important clue was across the street from HW in that the park installed a substation for this season. I don't recall when/where/if the clue was posted in the 66 Days at sea website or if the clue was people attending the park to see if they got this as one of the hints. I thought it was pretty funny how she said that people missed perhaps the most important clue and it was across the street..lol So, I guess the park already planned for how they will power the launch.

I noticed the side of the station (during the launch) said "Will Power Steam Engine Company" nice tribute to Will Koch?

I'm sure Will Koch is smiling down upon HW right now. Well done for the park, it's employees and the Koch family! **Let the "I told you so" comments to begin in 3.......2........1.

I have a feeling that the SoCal politicians are salivating at this story right now

Sensory overload. Thanks for sharing That was cool!

I still think the new coaster is going up near Apollo's. In regards to the Drachen Fire area, I thought this was planned construction and utility work for the new train station and some final power/utility upgrades for that area.

Don't say that too loud. The Chinese knock-off companies may hear you and get ideas.

Similar to the New Texas Giant RMC track..."the wheels are going to hit those bolts...oh no!"

'Krakatoa' B&M Dive Machine. 220' Lift. 3 Inversions (including barrel-roll coming out of the station).

Having worked for BGE/BGW for many years, I cannot fathom the park installing a copy of a ride such as SUF. Now, having said that, it's not to say they could go with Premier rides for a new coaster with a different layout (and theme of course), but to have a clone like other parks is pretty much out of the question. Busch/Sea World parks usually incorporate a story-line with the ride concept and have been known to bring unique design elements (or firsts) for a new coaster idea. And I'm sure Larry Giles and the SW creative team with Brian at the helm will have a new idea coming that will make some headlines. I would be curious if the park does install another LSM-launched coaster. I worked in the Festa section when the themed area first opened and I must admit it is a bit dated. I'm glad they are making the investment to invirgorate the area. How about a 90' drop coaster with Aquatrax elements? One can only dream as I know it won't be an Intamin ride. I am excited to see what the park has in store for 2015. There is also a hint the park may add another flat-ride as well, but we will have to wait to see if that comes to fruition.

Thanks to Robb for posting the awesome video!!!! That light look pretty bright during the night video...lol The new restraints do not appear to have been an issue as some have posted. I love the color scheme of the ride and the theme was pretty cool around the que area. Oh, the Banshee scream at top of the lift was a nice touch as well

The park did an AMAZING job with Helix. I love the placement of the ride and I'm so glad they went with this layout. The POV was AWESOME and the ride appeared quite a bit longer than I thought (even with the marketing/promo POV videos). Time to book my next trip. Thank you Liseberg for an amazing ride!

Edit: Moderators-please feel free to move into correct forum if necessary. Movie Park Germany is set to open a new 4D dinosaur themed attraction in 2014. Guests are taken on a thrilling adventure deep beneath the park in a mysterious prehistoric world. Two expedition buses take visitors through the “immersive tunnel”, an elliptical, 23-meter-long canvas, which combines 4-D effects and a 360-degree screen. Managing Director of Movie Park Germany, Wouter Dekkers, estimates the recent investment in the park at around five million euros. Links: http://www.blooloop.com/news/movie-park-germany-opens-new-dinosaur-themed-4d-at/26625#.U01c8Feq9EN http://themepark.nl/ubb/ubbthreads.php/topics/2101385/Movie_Park_Rondleiding_The_Los.html (In German)

slightly off-topic.... Looks like the drama is still going on: Ohio Supreme Court hears argument between Cedar Point parent company, former employee By Kaylee Remington, The Morning Journal Posted: 04/13/14, 11:00 PM EDT | Updated: 1 hr ago 0 Comments TOLEDO — The Ohio Supreme Court last week listened to arguments on a legal dispute between Cedar Fair, the parent company that operates Cedar Point, and its former chief operating officer, and issued advisement. An arbitration panel found that Cedar Fair Entertainment Co. violated the terms of an employment contract with Jacob Falfas when it fired him. The panel ordered Cedar Fair to reinstate Falfas to his former position. Cedar Fair argued that the panel requiring the company to rehire Falfas is contrary to state law, which bars the forced reinstatement of a terminated employee. Richard Panza, Falfas’ attorney, argued that Cedar Fair was under the impression that Falfas had resigned, but allegedly he had not. He also noted the arbitrators found that Falfas contract was breached. “Mr. Falfas hasn’t received a nickel in termination pay for the last four years,” Panza said. Douglas Cole, attorney for Cedar Fair, said that the arbitrators exceeded their power in making that decision. The legal dispute goes back to June 10, 2010, when Falfas, then 59, had a brief telephone conversation with former Chief Executive Officer Richard Kinzel. Since then, the company and Falfas have disputed whether Falfas resigned or was terminated during the call. Falfas challenged the end of his employment with Cedar Fair and sought a ruling through an arbitrator, pursuant to his employment contract. In February 2011, an arbitration panel ruled that Falfas “was terminated for reasons other than cause” and “the facts fail to establish resignation,” according to court records. The arbitration panel ordered Falfas be reinstated with back pay and benefits. Cedar Fair officials appealed that decision by filing in Erie County Common Pleas Court. There, a judge ruled Cedar Fair owed back pay and benefits to Falfas, but that the law did not permit him to be reinstated, said Falfas’ then attorney, Richard Panza of Avon. Falfas appealed that ruling to the Sixth District Court of Appeals in Toledo. Judges Arlene Singer, Thomas J. Osowik and Stephen A. Yarbruogh ruled Falfas was entitled to back pay, benefits and reinstatement, Panza said. Cedar Fair asked the state Supreme Court to review that decision by the appellate court. The company argued the Sixth District Court of Appeals’ ruling countered Ohio’s “long-settled rule” that courts may not order specific performance of employment contracts. ' Link: http://www.morningjournal.com/general-news/20140413/ohio-supreme-court-hears-argument-between-cedar-point-parent-company-former-employee

In my best J. Wellington Wimpy voice: Dear Mr. Andersen , "I'll gladly pay you Tuesday for a ride on Helix today!" *Super jealous* But, I know the wait to ride it will be worth the trip!

I can imagine the views on Wildfire are going to be amazing!! Especially coming off that lift into the turnaround before the drop. If the park is going to keep as many trees as possible, this will provide some good surroundings for the ride. Side note: Some people already complaining. I was reading a post on another site where the reader was 'complaining' about the angle of the drop and 'it sucks it isn't 90'" Are you freaking kidding me? The angle of the first drop is only a difference of 7'....you really going to point that out? lol

A baby roar. Rawrrrrrrrr.

KK is going to have a winner with this coaster. I love the color scheme!

Snow Biest B&M Hyper. Lift: 222' Speed: 73mph. Length: 5233ft.

Cue the Imperial March music in 3..........2...............1...... Disney to offer new Star Wars-themed dining experiences LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. —Walt Disney World Resort is adding more excitement to this year’s Star Wars Weekends by including two new dining experiences at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Mark Hamill to attend Star Wars Weeekends For the first time in history, the actor who played the infamous Luke Skywalker will appear at Star Wars Weekends. More Guests will be able to choose between having breakfast with Darth Vader and other Star Wars characters or eating dinner with Mickey and his pals dressed up in the popular Star Wars attire. Hollywood Studios’ Sci-Fi Dine-in Theater will host the “Star Wars Dine-in Galactic Breakfast,” where scenes from the Star Wars movies will play on the big screen while guests encounter Star Wars characters. The price of the breakfast experience is $47.99 for adults and $29.99 for children. The dinner buffet experience with Mickey and his pals will be at Hollywood & Vine where the characters will visit guests’ tables while Star Wars music plays. The price of dinner is $55.99 for adults and $33.99 for children. Link: Read more: http://www.wesh.com/themeparks/disney/disney-to-offer-new-star-warsthemed-dining-experiences/25246414#ixzz2xw0dAzuH

Some of you have now received your wish.... Dells roller coaster to be dismantled April 02, 2014 11:40 am • Capital Newspapers staff (0) Comments Mt. Olympus will permanently close and dismantle an indoor roller coaster that injured a 63-year-old man March 6, according to a statement from the company. In a report released Tuesday, the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services found several violations related to defective and worn parts on the Opa! Rollercoaster, which was under scrutiny after Fremont resident Anthony Theisen was thrown from the ride and fell 17 feet. Theisen had been in a coma and on a respirator at the University of Wisconsin Hospital in Madison, according to the family’s attorney, Todd Korb of the Milwaukee law firm of Hupy and Abraham. Korb said Theisen came out of the coma on Monday, but that the long-term effects of his brain injury are not known. In the report, DSPS investigators noted that mechanical parts on the ride were worn and prevented the lap bar from locking into proper position during operation. They also discovered that the weight limit of 660 pounds per car on the ride was exceeded, as the group's total weight at the time of the incident was estimated to be 720 pounds. In a statement, Mt. Olympus says the state’s findings about the lap bars are inconsistent with its internal investigation, but says the amusement park will permanently close the ride. "Mt. Olympus has cooperated fully with State Department of Safety and Professional Services investigators in an effort to determine the root cause of the March 6 incident,” the company said in a statement. “Our engineers and safety experts concur with the state’s conclusion that Mt. Olympus properly assembled and installed the lap bar on the ride. However, other findings regarding weight limitations, bulletins and the inspection of lap bars are inconsistent with what our internal investigators found.” The statement adds the accident was the first serious incident of this type in the theme park’s history. "Mt. Olympus is a family-owned business that prides itself on providing high-quality family recreation and entertainment in a safe environment … Guest safety is a paramount goal at Mt. Olympus. We conduct strict daily inspections and regular maintenance of our rides, and all employees operating rides complete extensive operator training." In addition to improving its maintenance practices, DSPS ordered Mt. Olympus to change its training procedures, including maintaining staff training records. The Mt. Olympus statement says its internal investigation contradicts the state’s findings that the weight limit for the ride had been exceeded. Link: http://www.wiscnews.com/baraboonewsrepublic/news/local/article_59383834-be87-5c47-86be-ad460cc662d5.html

Until the park 100% confirms something take it as rumours but here's the full article: http://mypaper.sg/top-stories/battlestar-galactica-may-have-heard-its-last-whoop-20140402 Makes it sound more like a retheme of the current roller-coasters with maybe a few modifications or track/train changes to fix the problems than a complete tear-down like that yahoo article seems to suggest, I think a re-theme would probably be good to give it a fresh start as a new theme after all the closures and incidents reported. As myself in my Tr and a few others have said this roller-coaster always seemed quite empty even when other rides had pretty long lines. Also lines up with dejiki's last TR (http://dejiki.com/2014/03/uss-update-2014mar/) but again until the park confirms anything 100% take it all as just rumors for now. I'd love to see a alliance/browncoats theme with Firefly to keep it sci-fi but I think i'll be forever dreaming on that one ^It may be officially called 'Firefly'. I think I seen them sign the official document in the roommate agreement. Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2jAePQzdXGg

A lot of celebrities and rock stars LOVE rollercoasters. Here is a video clip of Eric Friedman (Creed) and Eddie Van Halen and his son, Wolfgang, about to ride X2.

^Love the photo's. WCUSA is going to have another record attendance with the addition of Colossal Curl! On that note, I'd like to say HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Apollo's Chariot!!!! 15 yrs old on Sunday March 30th.