Jon Sabo

I'd be curious on the ride reports when the ride opens assuming if S&S made the adjustments to fine-tune the kinks out of the ride (as opposed to X). Are the trains on-site also? Wonder how they modified the chassis and if they made it lighter.

Isn't the Legoland chain under new management? I thought the original owners sold it to another vendor. I think this area would/could be a good location for a park of this type (even a Sesame Place park as well). I couldn't open the link that was provided, so I'm not quite sure on the size of the park, but it sounds like it's close to being official. I wonder if they can have it open around the holiday-seasons as well? I bet the area gets alot of snow, but perhaps they can do something similar to DW or other parks that do 'holiday' openings.

I was thinking of having Santa ship it here to Hawaii and put in my backyard (how about near the cliff, overlooking the ocean?..lol). I think the ride that may replace that area would be that "Survivor" disk-ride (forgot name of park at the moment). Doesn't that park have a height restriction? I'm not sure if Shapiro/management would add a coaster their for a couple of seasons yet.

That could be a fun way! They could add just six inversions (go forward and backwards) and then break the inversion record in about a 40 second timeframe..wheee lol

The only way I found this article (posted yesterday even) was because the proposed developers were here in Hawaii regarding a proposed park in the islands...lol I'm currently on a development committee in proposing a themepark here in Hawaii as well as a transportation committee in bringing a mass-rail system (Disney-type) monorail for Oahu & Maui. I actually was doing some research on the Fl. parks and somehow came across that article. Go figure..lol

While I haven't been on the FT Rattler woodie, I can imagine that ride is a spine-beater (no matter what seat you ride..lol). I've seen the POV posted of that ride and its amazing how the structure flexes. I think this ride had more facelifts than Joan Rivers!

A local newspaper reports that a possible new 'animal' themepark may enter the Florida market. Jim Fowler (from the Wild Kingdom shows-Mutual of Omaha is reportedly with the planning/development behind this project. Here is the link: http://www.wmbb.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=WMBB/MGArticle/MBB_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1137836278274&path Strange as this seems, he (Fowler) has also been linked to a project here in Hawaii regarding a possible themepark (Oahu or Kauai). Steven Speilberg has been linked (in the past) on building a Jurassic Park-theme on the island of Kaua'i, but may have plans now for it to be located on Oahu (near HWAP-Kapolei). Also, the music-theme park is in planning stages around the Florida location (but haven't heard anything recent because an issue with zoning and financial backing). Any local FL. resident heard anything else?

Wheee! I see a hyper-coaster passing inside/outside of its new hotel located in that lot..lol

^ I certainly have a right to express my opinion here as anyone else does. Perhaps you misread the comments yourself. Let the moderators challenge a comment that may be in question. If you have to make comments like this, then perhaps you should look at your own post and provide a response in a manner that reflects the discussion (even if it is a joke).

I'm sure most all of us here probably never experienced this, but I would add Crystal Beach Cyclone (Traver?) The drop, the ride layout, the nurse at the unloading platform. The reports of people having severe neck injuries, passing out and so on must have been a site to see. I believe many people went to the park just to "LOOK" at the ride, rather than ride it..lol I have seen some videos from National Geographic and other publications and those trains going around the course just shouted "Ouch"!

I would only comment on B&M "rough" rides in that it actually can depend on several factors. 1. Upkeep-maintenance (daily). 2. Train/chassis overhaul (seasonal/hours of operation). 3. Track inspections. 4. Operational issues/budgets. While some have noted several B&M coasters have recently been quite "rough" in their age, it is to assume that the maintenance departments have not performed (annual or other timeline) overhaul on its train/chassis inspections. For example, Kraken (SW-F) has an annual tear-down and re-assembly on an annual basis. While the mfg. can list the specific parameters based on (train) hours, months, season(s), a park generally determines the timeline when it actually takes a train, or entire ride out of service. I recall when working at BG that our average tear down was during the winter-months. We completeley disassemble the train/chassis and re-install new bearings, c-clips, hinge connectors, bolts, etc. Wheel carriers by themself can add new life with a simple tear-down and re-fit with new bearings/grease and wheels (if required). So, while a current ride (B&M or other product) may be rough now, inquire about is annual maintenance teardown and then ride again and see the improvement. **SPecial note: I am curious that some people stated that Dueling Dragons was becoming rough in its age. I know it has recently begun its track painting program and I wonder if the park has timed its maintenance (train) tear-down inspection as well. If that is the case, let us know. Try riding a coaster in beginning of the season, then the middle, then near the end of its season. Notice that as time passses, the bearings have more play in them, the wheel carriers need more inspection/care, and the wheels themselves start having more "blowouts" (wheel material lining chipping/seal broken). Also, it really can depend on the actual parks maintenance program as well (especially parks that open year-round).

Several threads and opinion polls briefly mentioned the parks charging parking fees as guests enter the park(ing lot). While most of us, if not ALL, here more than likely disagree with this move by park management, lets ponder a couple of (potential) theories I have recently researched for an upcoming project I am working on. **First, I would state for the record that I personally do NOT believe management should be charging parking fees, no matter the price. This really is a just another creative way management has devised a way to actually perform a "cover-charge" to its guests even BEFORE they reach the front gate. Not only does this not make any sense, but think of the view if we all get to the front gate and find out that some, if not most, of our favorite attractions are: CLOSED FOR THE DAY!. DOGH! What a kick in the A**! What is YOUR opinion/theory? Cover-charging customers have been popping up at your local nite-club and entertainment venues for the past 10yrs or so. It is a creative way for management to cover the cost of goods/services if the assumption that a consumer WON'T spend any more on food, drinks, special service. Now, from a management/park operations perspective, let us ponder a real theory for this common occurance now. 1. Some parks now have Union-employees/vendors working for the operators (aka-Disney). As old contracts expire, Union reps/members are increasing their stake/share in gaining increased benefits packages and salaries (retirement/health insurance/bonuses, etc). It is commonplace among the national level ranging from the airline industry, amusement parks, to manufacuring and factories. 2. In order to remain competitive and to acquire the best-qualified employees, parks (even non-union) are upping-the-ante to beat out the competition. Have you looked at the salaries for the park CEO's!??? Park management is starting to struggle with increasing demands within ANY market as cost of goods and services are on the rise. This is also a reason why companies (such as Dell/HP/Ford, etc) are subletting their customer services to overseas markets/vendors. When was the last time you spoke to customer care and the "person" actually had an ENGLISH accent? In order to offset some of the (increasing) operational costs, park operators, or any business for that matter, are devising creative ways to help pass the cost(s) onto its consumers. Hence, the advent of parking fees. If a park can generate $1-5 million in sales from parking fees, this helps the bottom line in controlling its operational budget. While I am not underlying or defending union employees, it IS a fact that the very fabric of our society is driving up the cost of goods, services as employee demands for higher standards of living increase. We are not even factoring the cost-of-living increases, but that does play a role in benefit/salary increases. Meanwhile, CEO/Executive management continue to (GENEROUSLY) increase their pay/bonuses by an average of 4-7% annually. There is little room for performanced-based management salaries anymore, it is now a monopoly of the board members to pay top level management no matter the parks revenue, profits or losses. *** Lets just propose a simple scenario on the affects of this move. Assume a park (peak season) charges just $10.00 parking fees and the average attendance per day is 15,000. Add in this scenario for an average of 3 months (peak summer months) and what is the total cost $$? **Let us assume that 31 days for the time period for the 3 months** What is YOUR opinion/Theory?! (State specifics).

I just noticed an earlier post I have missed. WHY?!!! on earth would a park try to "stage" and event such as this to get hype? Not only is this a rediculous assumption, but if (any) park ever perfomed such an act (regardless of using 'stunt-actors') the CPSC, OSHA, Fed-Regulatory Commerce Commission put such a heavy fine on the park(s), they actually would be forced to close down (for an extended period of time) and I would likely bet that entire operations management would be fire & face criminal acts. No park would ever stage an act such as this. I cannot even fathom such an act. The general public would take note of this and the participating park would loose a whole lot more than just "gain advertising gimmick".

This is a difficult choice to choose just one..lol here are my fav's: 1. Immelman 2. Dive Loop 3. 0-g roll 4. Drachen Fire's first corkscrew (after lift). I had to walk this track everymorning to inspect for track-welds-what a view! 5. A steep Traver-drop.whee! 6. Bunny-hops

If we are going SOLEY on color scheme (and not actual ride quality) then here are my top 5 coaster colors: 1. Mantis 2. Talon 3. A/C @BGE 4. Raptor/Hydra 5. Drachen Fire-RIP

Here is a post I found from a local paper: "As the six-car coaster was braking at the end of its run, the last car somehow uncoupled from the car in front of it. To do that, a load-carrying bar that connects the chassis of the two cars had to fail, as did two safety chains that connect the fifth and sixth cars." Credit Link: http://www.twincities.com/mld/twincities/news/state/minnesota/14643657.htm The load carrier bar he is referring to is the one as shown in the previous two pictures posted on this thread. Hope this may help in my explanation on previous postings..lol Ciao

Past worker here for BG, I HATED (dealing with and seeing) line jumpers. I've actually witnessed perhaps 20 something fights over the 14 or so years because of this incident alone. And when I say fights, I do NOT mean 2 women screamin and smacking like WWF. I mean brutal fists and JCC police coming and so on. Hmmm, come to think about it, it was ONE way to clear out the BBW (lower) que before closing time..lol Sorry, I just had to add that! One thing I did not see on the list and I may be in the minority here, but the WORST idea EVER is... CHARGING PARKING FEES! I don't like them, don't believe in them, and having customers pay for them. Even BEFORE they enter the park for crying out loud. WORST MGMT DECISION EVER!

Does the Colossus ride (England or Europe?) ten inversions? I now may change my idea (from Aquatrax) towards another ride similar to Colossus now. It may/may not break the inversion record, but I assume that CP may have a new wrinkle up their sleeve as Intamin may have added a new inversion element to there arsenal. (Serious Sidewindin')

Sorry for the double post, but could someone get those two female jungle hotties to come to Maui for a week on my birthday? lol

AWESOME PHOTO'S!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm bookin' a flight to Germany as we speak...lol I think this ride is a preview of a Disney-esque (B&M) ride if Mickey Mouse ever had the guts to install one..lol Ok....now awaiting the ride reviews (and vid) and then...LET THE COMPARISON BEGIN! Wheeeeee hmm.. Nemesis or Black Mamba??? (BM by B&M)..lol Again, AWESOME posting of photos!

Thanks to both peeps that posted those recent photos!!!!! (TDMAMBA & Warlord 694) I can see two issues that can acutally be a (potential) cause. Look at the previous photo from TDMAMBA (train departing from the station). Notice the guide wheel assembly and the guide pin/spindle that supports it. If you look just above that to where the track rail is, you notice a small "bar" protruding out of the axle (protruding to the left of the pic). You can see that similar "bar" on BOTH sides of the axle on the pic Warload posted. This is part of a back-up system (similar to Arrow chassis). If, by chance, a wheel assembly or spindle failure shears off or a road wheel has a problem (in that the axle will shift and tilt-lower) this rod actually "digs" into the track acting as a braking mechanism to (hopefully) stop the train. If by chance the cotter pin (used to secure the nut on that pin holding the guide wheel) came loose, sheared away, or fatigue, this can cause the whole axle assembly to collapse and actually completely disengage the body bolts and shear the coach off its holding (on the axle). For example, look at the pics of the derailed coach and how the axle assembly is further up along the brake run. If this scenario happened, the body bolts couldn't handle the stress level of the axle engaging or "digging" into the track rail and guaging by the potential speed, the coach body bolts just sheared off and therefore the coach just came loose off the wheel carrier assembly. ***One note from the first pic-----Look how rusted that bolt/cotter pin/and threading is! At BG (especially Nessie and BBW) we used a small amount of Lithium grease to coat that area to help aid against oxidation/rust; especially during rainy days. On a personal note, I am quite surprised how small (diameter) those uplift wheels are. Especially for the speeds this thing can encounter. I really thought they would have a larger size/diameter wheel. I can assume they replace those things often..lol I still believe, from looking at the news photos and accident photos others posted on this thread, that a mis-aligned brake/knife blade actually caused the derailment. As I stated on an earlier post, these brake blade can warp (fairly easily) over time and just a small mis-alignment issue out of spec. can cause all of this damage. I'm not saying its a common (everyday) event, but on Arrow inspections I believe it was Mandatory to inspect the guiding/aligment of the brake blade every day/nite. These blades are hardened steel (and quite heavy) and generate ALOT of heat/cool down/heat/cool down on each run. In most cases, the Arrow and Morgan "caliper" brake runs more than likely use Brass for the braking pads (easy to reduce wear/heat/re-use). THanks again for the pics guys! I could be wrong of the whole scenario, and I'm just going off past experiences I seen/witnessed off of Arrow coasters, but the pics are pretty close to damning evidence of possible brake blade issues OR even the brake unit itself.

Only time will tell! I think that will be the best way to describe this transaction. I guess I'm one of the very few who doesn't like this move, but I hope management doesn't destroy any of the current parks in place to the point to which they will struggle to make a profit. I can/do see PKI perhaps adding a series of hotel(s) around the east of the park. *One more note. NO PARKING LOT COASTERS! lol

Awesome pics. I'm hoping to go to Japan end of this year to visit the Toyota/Lexus factories and hit up on some amusement parks. I cannot find my r/c database thing, but I think Japan has quite a number of coasters (variety and quantity) as well as quite a few parks. In your opinion, what would be...say, the top 5 parks (including top coasters, quality rides, etc.)? Not too much time to spend on my trip there, but have some friends/engineers at Toyota factory that love amusement parks. I really enjoyed some of the videos on this site of coasters in Japan. What about Bandit-is that any good?

One additional comment I would like to add to the previous post I made. If anyone has some pics of the actual Axle/wheel carrier assembly on ANY Morgan coasters, please post them here. I know that when Steve Okamoto left Arrow to go to Morgan, he made some modifications on the Morgan trains (versus Arrow bogey's). One particular point is that the back-up cable (safety) system is no longer in place on Morgan trains. I could be wrong, but would need some photo's to varify. This is only assumption based on why the last car was so far "away" from the rest of the train and how the derailed axle assembly is in the "middle" of the last car of the (complete) train and the last car on the (end) of track.

Phew here we go! LOL First, my previous comments on the CF-PKI thread can be seen here: http://www.themeparkreview.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=25179 Secondly, WHO THE H*LL is advising CF?!! Omg- George Busch's dog? or ITPS?! *shaking head* Let's ponder some insight on the near future. 1. Kinzel retires end of year. Who is in charge of the (sinking) boat for the future of CF, Ltd? We don't even know the new management team (oveall) and what THEIR vision is yet. I see a train wreck coming. I hope the transition can be a smooth ride (both Kinzel's new mgmt team AND the Paramount transfer to CF). Too much on both plates and the new team better be able to adapt or there will be hell to pay with CF shareholders. 2. Combined revenue of BOTH CF & Paramount parks will be 'projected' of $1+ billion. SO WHAT!. The re-branding, re-management, and other (local parks) issues regarding the Paramount-brand parks NEED to be addressed and fixed! Some observers here are not looking at this from a management, asset, fiscal $, and operational issue. Someone better look at the weather forecasts/projections for each CF aquisition before making bold statements on revenue. (Search Amusement Business past trends/attendance as well as CF/Paramount Shareholder reports on revenue). Past trends in both attendance figures/revenue/in-park spending/weather patterns, etc are NOT on CF's side in terms of total portfolio revenue. I feel that both park chains have some issues (management and operational) to resolve and now they are going to have a big headache on their hands in re-branding all of their parks into CF. We shouldn't EVEN start mentioning things like: Hypercoasters until ALL of the basic fundamental issues are addressed. Each park has several critical issues and management MUST identify them and correct them quickly in order to remain profitable. Just adding rides in WON'T fix the problems. Although I am skeptical on Six Flags future, Mark Shapiro and his management team has a good VISION of rebranding the themepark chain. Does CF possess that same vision? Hmm. Quality management and quality-control (fiscal control) will. I believe there are some quality managers on both Paramount and CF side, but if CF "cleans-house" and not be able to identify and retain the quality mgrs from Paramount, there will be a major shakeup in CF's debt structure in the near and long-term assets. *Point to watch for? Who cares on the acres one park has and so on, watch for some of that land (depending on location) to be sold in order to get the total debt down. Case in point: Disney (sells massive acres in Fl.) & Universal does a similar move to reduce debt. Don't believe that B.S. they "not need the land". Management is trying hard to recoup the sale of the land for the highest premium price-market is presenting. This enables the parks to re-invest within the park(s) as well as reduce massive debt. 3. Someone did not notify CF-management team of the Premier parks-Six Flags acquisition AND the European purchase fest. Look what has happened to Six Flags now...can we say..."2+ billion debt?!" 4. If CF truly wants to benefit from these recent events, they had better take a CLOSE look at 6-Flags failures and learn from those mistakes, because right now, I will predict CF in major fiscal trouble within the next 3-4 yrs. Sorry CP/Paramount fans, this does NOT look good in the near term. Only time will TRULY tell, but I feel the industry is going through another identity crisis (not since the 1st Gulf War-ending).