Jon Sabo

YEAH! Brake calipers, pneumatics and wheel carriers. That made my day!..lol I think the shipping company made a major error in its destination. They were supposed to ship all of that track and related components to Hawaii. My backyard is still empty. Good job on the pics. I love the color-scheme (sending a note/pics to CP-to take note that other colors DO exist besides red..lol).

Can anyone tell from that video if you can count 14 inversions? I think I only counted around 10 or 11 total. The video had a small size, but perhaps someone else that had seen it counted more inversions(?).

It may be one of those (long) summers for accidents/injuries again. Sometimes these things appear in cycles and it may be another coincidence for a series of issues (which is unfortunate). Last time was around 2003 I believe when it almost was every other week for a couple of months (string of accidents). But, this is going to become another ploy for Sen. Markey and others to start "aggressively" introducing a bill for strict enforcement over the industry. Hopefully, the IAAPA can forge ahead with a counter-attack against the government from stepping in.

I believe I posted this earlier in the topic, but I will say it again. I would be curious on PKD policy on wearing glasses (in a response from a Tatsu thread on wearing glasses on-ride). But, assuming the rider could have been wearing some sort-of wire frame glasses, that could have easily caused those injuries either from the rollback (and vibrations) and/or the possibility that if sparks were reported; if any debris was coming from the braking system or upper-portion of the chassis and just happen to fall in near his eye-causing the laceration(s). Another note is-the park may honestly not know his condition, because the paramedic team may have placed bandages over the entire eye as a precautionary measure so other contaminants or infection could occur-until they were transported to the hospital.

If Robb and Elissa are going to plan the SFMM-Sale party, does that mean that everyone are going to hold hands from East-to-West coast (similar to the movie Grinch Who Stole Christmas) and sing songs?....(insert tune here)..... "Yaa yeee yoooo...See ya Tragic Mountain (it blows)..la di da".....

I forgot that this post was still up. I believe I made a post on this thread already, but in case I forgot- BE SURE TO GET YOUR WORK REGISTERED & PATENTS/TRADEMARKS... Before showing this artwork/design-concept to ANYONE. I learned my lesson the hard-way on some issues in BBW/LNM/DF @ BGE. All of the upgrades at BGE were in fact implemented and if I had those ideas registered, Arrow-would have compensated me as well as any other vendor/mfg. for submitting the idea/concept. So, be sure you take steps in getting your (incredible) work registered for trademark/patents!

This may or may not be a related issue, but the trend(s) from these figures could very well contribute to the past incidents at Disney and their cost-cutting measures to generate more profit(s) and reduce budgets. Around 2000-2002, Disney's management team were trying to cut-back on some operational costs (which were skyrocketing). The Eisner regime came up with a plan to cut these costs and implemented them. The figures are not accurate to the $/%, but fairly close. 1. Park maintenance (operational costs/budget)-reduced by 14-16%. That is MASSIVE cuts. Since those cuts took place, there were roughly an increase of ride-related incidents/accidents of over 30+%!. Ride downtimes increased by (approx) 18%. 2. Staff and Training budget-costs were reduced by 12-14% (althought could have been higher). With a lack of "qualified" training personell and safety-officers to be "full-time" employees, the increase of incidents has risen over 24%. Some examples of maintenance and operational (lack of training) issues "directly" related are: 1. Big Thunder Mountain RR-coaster. Not 1, but on 3 occasions (including the rider that was killed-from a coaster train derailment)- CA-OSHA cited specific instances where Disney was at fault and in violation of general codes, operational conduct/codes, and violations related to the ride function/maintenance, and operation according to mfg. guidelines. 2. It's a small World (death)..Disney cited for same issue. Time period between 2002-2004. PDF-file released by OSHA. There were about 12-14 other ride-related incidents that were in violation of these guidelines. *Source: Several PDF-release reports from CA-OSHA and from several "insiders" that worked for Disney that written books on the park. *1 of the book titled "Disney Wars". The source(s) are from several reports that were also published and released from CA/FL gov't. *The local, state governments cited Disney on approx. (265 seperate incident in relation to ride incidents that injuries and/or operational procedures were deficient). That number was as of 2003 (which I am quite sure it is higher in 2006). *As a general rule, parks do not cut-back on training or maintenance-related (operational) costs and I am not sure who is in charge of that operation now, but the previous manager/executive was terminated (forgot the name, but will look for it in the report). So, it is quite possible with all of the cut-backs in training, safety, and maintenance budgets-some of these incidents could be related (perhaps even MS- 2 deaths-even though those were health-related). Ever since Iger took over as CEO of the company, most of those safety/ride-training and maintenance budgets have been increased (dramatically) to even higher levels than when Eisner was at the helm.

From the posts I have read so far, apparently the coasters in Japan are not worthy of even acquiring a top ten? I know I haven't been able to ride any of the coasters in Japan, but here would be a "small" list that I believe could place on the list: 1. Bandit 2. that's it. In reference to X and X-2 (Japan), I believe S&S actually made quite a bit of changes to the axles on the newer version (hopefully these will pan out in providing smoothness). In fact, I have read a report that about 1,100 lbs. in weight has been saved due to some changes in design/materials. One fault I have seen on X was the wheel carrier units and the way the coupling unit (bogey) rotates. That would surely explain most of the "roughness" on X (SFMM). I believe S&S addressed this and those changes have been made, but cannot confirm that until a closeup of the new trains have been photographed. Another explanation was the wheel material. S&S either found another vendor to mfg. those wheels now (or actually do them in-house). Typical on most-Arrow coasters. When the wheels start to break-in, the roughness begins. The only exception would be BBW (BGE). When I worked maintenance on BBW, we changed the wheel material (notice they are red-color now) and the formula has worked somewhat (especially for a ride 22yrs old). Also, I believe S&S adjusted a "camber-type" element on the axle travel and has more of a "floating-type" motion whichb] should[/b] enable the train-travel alot smoother, but time will tell after 4 months.

Screamscape has apparently found several photo's of the P-A new ride for 07. I believe these photo's were available before, but I couldn't find them (or apparently were taken down from the source-newspaper), but Screamscape (Lance) has apparently located them. The ride appears to have a figure-8 layout (hope it is more intense than the photo's show). Credit link: http://www.screamscape.com/html/portaventura.htm

CP-take note. There ARE other colors in the spectrum of paint codes..lol Looks good, love the yellow!..

I would build a medium-sized park and all of the revenue generated would go back into the park (reinvest). But, the main focus of the park would be something similar to the Make-a-Wish Foundation & the Victory Junction Camp http://www.wish.org/ www.victoryjunction.org The premise of the park is to have children/adults from all over the US (diagnosed with terminal illness/diseases) and have them spend a week at the park and the events that are sponsored (concerts, misc.). It would be a way to give back to the community, but be able to put a smile on someone's face (similar to programs that Disney offers)

I am still researching the (founder's) name, but I believe the owner of Hallmark is quite wealthy and can financially purchase at least one (or several of the parks). Avg. annual revenue for Hallmark? $3.699 Billion The website to log in is currently down for maintenance, but here is the link: http://www.hoovers.com/hallmark/--ID__40196--/free-co-factsheet.xhtml?cm_ven=PAID&cm_cat=BUS&cm_pla=CO1&cm_ite=Hallmark_Cards_Inc

Poor birdie. It just received its eviction notice and will have to find a new que-house to live in. I hear there is an opening for a 7,500 sq. foot "house" coming on the market by 07...lol

Yes. I know..lol I didn't want to post the entire quote, but at least refer to the person who wrote it. Oh well.

One thing that make themeparks and waterparks great is the visual experience from the theming and architectural beauty that designers put into these experiences. Post your favorite themed park section, ride, or architecture from any amusement park, FEC, themepark, or waterpark. Why did you choose your favorite(s)? My top 3: 1. Lost Continent-Poseidon's Fury@ IOA; The entire architecture/theme is incredible and the attention to detail is excellent. You almost feel as if you are living in that time period or dream. 2. Dueling Dragons entry (IOA) & Disney's-Jungle Cruise; It was hard to decide on a winner, because the design of both dragons are simply amazing. But, Disney really pioneered theming when designing J-C and incorporated the AA's into the storyline. Walt was a true visionary before our time and inspired many artists/designers to follow that vision today. 3. Black Mamba in Phantasialand. I would venture a guess (or debate) that the park really paid attention to detail on this attraction and would state that it is on par with a Disney-esque type of theming.

I dont think it supposed to be eggs. I think it is a toilet full of pee and some pee stains on the seat. Nice Drawing ^Was that from eating donkey-flavored lentil-soup and cornbread? Because I will be eating at a Crackel Barrel Restaurant next month..lol *I'm upset that I didn't receive a gold star for 'guessing' in the first place..lol Unless it (Wes drawing-interpretation) was a replica of managements brain after they took on Paramount Parks debt-load?! Hmm...points to ponder.

Looks like a mother's child between the two. *Those with sensitive "virgin" ears may want to turn down the sound though (language)..lol

BGE has officially announced that the LeMans Raceway attraction will "officially" close on July 5, in preparation for a new attraction slated for 2007. Credit Link: http://www.4adventure.com/bgw/ftp_press_releases_details.aspx?ID=33 Farewell LMR! I worked maintenance on this ride for about 6 months (mostly offseason checks/rebuilds) and it is one of a dying-breed of classic rides for the entire family. Anyone ever have a waterballon fight w/managers on the ride? *guilty as charged here*..lol Anyone care to share some fun/interesting stories on the historic ride? Attn Mods: I had posted the message on the BGW "next attraction forum". But, I also posted this message on a new thread, because the announcement was made official and essentially not-related to the proposed ride for BGE-07 (and someone else will eventually begin a new thread anyway). If it is deemed necessary to merge the two threads, by all means you are free to make a judgement call

I can't remember which one "specifically" was first (because both were in same year), but here are mine. I remember both scared the crap out of me when I was a kid and perhaps the first time I was on a coaster. I'll have to dig out some old photo's from memory-lane to confirm the date/year..lol *(OR)GASM-SFOG. **Colossus-SFMM.

BGE has officially announced that the LeMans Raceway attraction will "officially" close on July 5, in preparation for a new attraction slated for 2007. Credit Link: http://www.4adventure.com/bgw/ftp_press_releases_details.aspx?ID=33 Farewell LMR! I worked maintenance on this ride for about 6 months (mostly offseason checks/rebuilds) and it is one of a dying-breed of classic rides for the entire family. Anyone ever have a waterballon fight w/managers on the ride? *guilty as charged here*..lol

In a span of less than 3 weeks, another Ferris wheel incident occured. A 4-yr. old girl was "thrown" from a Ferris wheel, while a 7-yr. old boy fell on top of one of the gondola's. Further information can be read: http://www.wtov9.com/news/9427795/detail.html

To get rid of the curse, do as we do in Hawaii. Take some (preferably Hawaiian) salt and you throw it over your right shoulder-after you have said a prayer. Hawaiian salt is also available at most health-related/Vitamin stores. Don't ask me to ship them, because I don't want the curse to revert back to me if you (peeps) perform the wrong ritual and do a "rain dance"..lol

I'm suprised this thread is still going..lol Well, here is another one that I REALLY love. Titan @ SFOG and/or Goliath @ SFMM The brake calipers at the MCBR & ride end (and the rollback from the lift-sweeeet!). Vid link: http://www.themeparkreview.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=9

^Coasterjunkie*** No. Not a stunt (in my opinion). I have read the article from the screamscape site, but some of his information really couldn't be back up by facts. Of course, it is his site and he pondered upon an opinion from his perspective (which was interesting). Most people may (or may not) know that the Staubach company (owned by former Dallas Cowboys QB-Roger Staubach) recently did a complete analysis of all of the parks. In fact, Snyder (per the request of Shapiro) hired Staubach Co. to perform the corporate analysis of all logistics/operation of the park chain. All of the information ranged from: 1. Lease issues (current and expiring dates). 2. Land ownership and value. 3. Pending sponsorships (expiration dates). 4. Land value (each park). 5. Overall assets. 6. Current business model...and so on. The 'preliminary' report was done just in time before the next 6F shareholders meeting. After that conference call/meeting, a decision was apparently made. Hence, the Shapiro announcement regarding the 'strategic (exploratory) plans' on putting the listed parks on the chopping (selling) block. The banks, the accumulated-debt (payback by end of 2008) and current shareholders and so on have apparently received enough information from the Staubach Co. that the decision was made to release the information that exists today. Six Flags Corp. has retained his (Staubach) services to further review the potential yield of selling some of its assets and park(s) to reduce its debt-load and payback some of the creditors. The park-chains credit rating has also dropped within the past week as well and shares are plummeting. Therefore, the information is based on "fact" and not rumors that are still floating around. To back up the claim/information, here is a credit link: http://roger.staubach.com/about.php I still think the sale of most, if not all, of the parks(listed) is a healthy thing for the overall success of the park-chain; especially if they wish to remain in business as a corporate (and public) entity. MM may indeed fetch the largest $$ buyer and the business model of Shapiro's vision of a "family-themepark' really makes sense in unloading some of the "thrill parks" that do not fit into its current vision or business model. **Tiburon 503-has also posted some interesting viewpoints also (p. 17). **note- I find it quite ironic that (I am a Cowboys fan) Snyder (owner-Redskins) and Staubach (former Cowboys player & HOF) are actually working together; especially considering the rivalry among the two NFL teams and passion for "winning"***