robeclay

IM SO THERE!

It's snowing like crazy here in DFW today. The engineers probably won't be working on the Giant today. Blizzard for our standards. Stuck at work though, Equinox doesn't close ever. Hopefully someone can get down to the park to take pics of the Giant in the snow. Would look really pretty today. Everything is white.

I'm going to drive out there tomorrow to get some updated pics from outside the park. Last I drove by, it looked like they had filled in all the gaps on the track. Doesnt take long for them to fix these things. Can't wait til testing starts so we can actually see if this thing runs. Maybe soon enough. It's going to be weird now that the Chapparel cars entry is moving out of the official Texas section. Been riding that as long as I can remember. Well hopefully this is the beginning of good changes to come to SFOT.

I know it's still in the process, but the revamp of Caifornia Adventure is a huge achievement for Disney. Especially Midway Mania with it's real-time interactive 3D effects. Attaway to not be so cheap.

It may be a new policy set in place. My buddy is the lead Ride-Op for the Titan. He says people give him major grief about the policy when they purchase a Flash Pass Platinum. The platinum flash pass allows riders 2 consecutive rides on every ride, except Titan. They have to cycle another train through before allowing the riders back into the train. Maybe there is another reason behind the policy, but that's what his supervisor's inform the park guests whenever the issue arrises. Back onto the Giant, it would be another great ride for Bert to "conquer" with all it's firsts. I can't wait for opening day to conquer it myself, already renewed my season pass. Now we play the waiting game.

I actually got to participate in filming for Bert the conquerer today. They invited all employees to bring a friend and ride Titan today. Everyone had to sign video-release forms for the show. They just cycled train after train of employees and friends. We will return tomorrow morning for the filming of Mr. Freeze. It's awesome because we get to ride during off season. It would have been really cool if they had waited until next season for the Texas Giant. One thing I would like to see Bert Conquer, ride Titan 5 times back to back. If you come back to the station after 5 times without blacking out or some bodily damage, I'd be impressed. Six Flags management actually won't allow back to back rides because it is too stressful on the GP's bodies. If nobody is in the station, you still have to walk around through the queue again.

We saw someone even scarier at Six Flags last weekend but I couldnt get the camera on my phone open fast enough. You literally could not see her knees her belly was so big. ROFL. I love the ACEr's and their electric scooters!

The best woodie under 75 feet tall is the Judge Roy Scream. The ride tops out at 71 feet with a 65 foot drop. It's a small classic out-and-back coaster, but it packs a punch throughout its many hills. If you want a smooth ride, sit in the front row of course. Sit in the back and expect a nice pop of airtime on every hill after the second drop.

^That is true. I didnt even ever look to see if that was fact. LOL, my bad. I still think Six Flags should really take advantage of their roots and enhance each and every park's theming to a higher standard. The Texas Giant could be the first in a new wave of enhancements at the park... Whatever happens, I'm gonna be stoked to ride the Giant opening day!

Well if Six Flags want to continue with a crappy reputation in every aspect but their coasters, then they can keep the current standard up. I grew up in Dallas visiting SFOT monthly. It has now become a weekly outing with my friends. The theming throughout this park used to be fantastic, but they have let it slip in recent years. Everyone should do some research on SFOT to see their original roots. Angus G Wynne wanted to create the "Texas Disneyland." Some claim Disney actually got inspiration for the Jungle Cruise from the LaSalle's River Adventure (no longer there). Theming as well as high intensity thrills is the future of the industry IMO.

Also, I was hoping for some kind of Texas theming throughout the queue. The line has a straightaway that sits directly under the brake-run at the end of the ride. Enclosing that portion of the line and adding Texas memorabilia would really enhance the ride IMO. It would enforce the Texas theme of the ride. Everyone I've ever met absolutely abhors waiting in line. After visiting Disney growing up and finally Universal this year, theming the lines is a just and necessary expense. We waited in line for Forbidden Journey for 2 hours, but it felt like 30 minutes tops. Indiana Jone's queue always flies by as well.

If it sounds anything like the old Giant, you'll be able to hear it throughout the park... I was hoping for onride audio with a sort of Western-Techno Mash Up. High energy from the electronica plus Texas feel from the country...

Theming may not affect my initial decision to visit a park, but I think the theming probably counts for 50% of my reason for a return trip to a park. If we took a park with tons of coasters like six flags and added intense visual theming like Disney or IOA, I think they would blow any competition out of the water.

The park looks gorgeous with all the snow. You would NEVER catch me on a rollercoaster in the snow. I'm used to my 110 degree days at Six Flags Over Texas.

^^^Last night was a mad house... We got there first thing when they opened at 2pm and there was no lines for about an hour. We walked on El Sombrero, La Vibora, Titan, Chapparelle Cars, and Frosty's Snow Hill. After that, the park got packed. The overflow lot was completely filled when we left at 7pm. With the increase in attendance, hopefully the park will start working on redeveloping infrastructure. Most of the paths in the park need to be repaved, and all the facades in the park could use some paint touch-ups. I also wanna see a few more dark rides in the park. A Scooby Doo shooter by Sally would be fantastic. Or a Sally shooter with a Wild West theme in Texas would be fantastic. Also, with the drop of Tony Hawk's name on Big Spin, they should integrate Taz from Looney Tunes into the ride. They could expand Looney Tunes USA into the Modern/USA section and enhance the themeing. I would also like to see a Ferris Wheel over off the lake next to the Judge Roy Scream. That would create great atmosphere around the entry of the park.

Here is another video of the Dancing Lights.

Here is the video of the Dancing Lights in the Johnson Creek area of the park. They are located directly outside Yosemite Sam's Gold River Adventure. The Ebinezer Scrooge show takes place right here as well.

Ebinezer Scrooge puppet show video. Sorry for the fuzzy sound. I was using my phone cam...

Here is the Santaland Express video link

A couple friends and I went to check out Holiday in the Park at Six Flags Over Texas yesterday 12/11/10. I'll start with a couple pics of the new Texas Giant. The onto lots of light photos. I also got a video of the Scrooge puppet show and dancing lights. I'll post links to youtube later. The Giant's First Drop of Course. Love the Holiday Tree on top of the Giant Part of the Giant's new flying carpet Another section of the Giant's flying carpet finale Me and Elizabeth on the Crazy Legs Ricky behind us on Crazy Legs Taking a picture with Dasher. Inside Santaland, it's explained she's the most beautiful of Santa's Reindeer. She won the North Pole Beauty Pageant. The rest of the reindeer walking around in their corral at Santaland We went inside Santa's Workshop and saw Ms. Clause. The Snow Queen and Santa were also there, but personal photography was not allowed after this point. Over in Looney Tunes USA, they had a holiday train display set up. They also had holiday karaoke and "build a gingerbread man" stations in this area for kids. I found the where the Speelunker's are hiding in the train set. In the Star Mall (entry) they had a giant Christmas Tree made out of many smaller trees. The lights danced to music throughout the night. Feliz Navidad from Mexico The Indian Trading Post was lit up and filled with many holiday souvenirs. Walking through the Old South land at night. More Old South Johnson Creek School in the Old South Saloon on the edge of the Old South 2nd National Bank and Tombstone Epitaph The Rodeo (crazy dance) with all its fantastically themed glory Holiday Lights in the Johnson Creek section of the Park. Later at night, the lights in the trees are choreographed to the music and dance in between Scrooge appearances. Scrooge appears here to joke with visitors and wish everyone Bah! Humbug! The Undertaker's Carriage in Johnson Creek Elizabeth chilling in the Johnson Creek Cemetary trying to watch the dancing lights. She was very surprised I took her photo... The Six Flags Railroad is transformed into the Santaland Express during Holiday in the Park. The narrator we got was one of Santa's Daughter's. She sang Christmas Carols to the passengers as we rode around the park. Underneath the Giant Christmas Tree at the Parachute Tower Santaland outside at night Lights along the creek behind Aquaman Splash. During the day, you can actually walk down this path and see the old Big Bend footers still sitting in the creek. More lights along the Big Bend path Here is a gorgeous pic of the Judge Roy Scream and Giant Christmas Tree at night. The Judge was my first wooden coasters and always holds a strong place in my life. Ride it on EVERY visit. On the way out of the park, they were selling popcorn in 2008 souvenir buckets. They were at a discounted rate of 2 dollars a piece. They were going like crazy at that price. Great way to dispose of old merchandise and still make a profit. My car happened to be parked next to the Log Flume boats. Had to take a photo. More logs sitting in all their Wintery glory.

The park was packed today. When we arrived, the park only had about 500 people in the gate. I stopped and asked a Jimmy in park services how many people were in the park around 7pm, they boasted about 19,000. Considering Gotham City, Flashback, all water rides, the oil derreck, and Texas Giant are all closed, plus next week is finals week at most of the local schools, that's a pretty phenominal turnout. The crowds haven't been this heavy in years. Looks like good things might be coming to SFOT. Hopefully they put as much effort into the rest of the park as they have on HITP. Posted a Holiday in the Park TR in the Theme Parks, Rollercoasters, Sheesh section in the Forum. Check it out to see the great holiday lights around SFOT this year.

I got some pictures of "that which we dont speak of" from Frosty's Snow Hill next to the music mill amphitheatre. And a couple from a friend on the structure itself...

I don't wanna argue, but the valleying comment comes from a VERY CREDIBLE source at SFOT. The same issue comes up on Mr. Freeze all the time. The tower may be almost 250 feet, but that overbanked turn, combined with the weight of the train causes Mr. Freeze to valley multiple times a year. I am not claiming to be a professional at designing coasters, but my friend certainly is. He's the one working on the coasters at SFOT year after year, not the people who argue on the site... I was just relaying what I heard from a professional in the industry. End of story!

I visit the park on a weekly basis. I've talked to one of the mechanics building the Giant right now. He says they are currently installing the brakes and drive wheels for the final break run and station. They also are planning on starting testing by the first week of January, but he said do NOT count on it being during park hours or while the GP are in the park. There are concerns of the trains valleying also because the Gerstlauer trains are heavier than expected. Hopefully RMC and Gerstlauer worked together to make this project run cohesively and smoothly. On another note, the park has outdone themselves for HitP this year. There is a fantastic Dancing christmas lights show in the trees outside Yosemite Sam's Gold River Adventure. At night, the whole area flickers like a christmas themed dance club. Hopefully next year we'll get some sort of Christmas parade and fake snow more widespread around the park instead of just Santa's Village.

I live 30 minutes from NRH2O. I'm going to check out the Python next summer. SOOO EXCITED!