jamesdillaman

^ To be fair, you are probably too young to remember the old Beast, back when they had the lake under it and the log flume by it, when there WAS some air time on the out course, and even on the first drop in the back, because there wasn't trims down the drop... -James Dillaman

I worked at the Beast for 2 years, and rode it every day during those seasons many times, over 1000 rides (lost count) and sitting in the second seat of the train (directly behind the front seat) is the smoothest seat on the train. Also, I can confirm the Beast used to be an amazing ride. The ending was simply mind-blowing, especially at night. All the trims (especially all the magnetic ones, which cannot be turned off!) really tamed down the ride. -James Dillaman

^ For Scat II being new for 2008, I seem to remember riding that last season... Glad to hear Rumbler is still running well. What a great ride. -James Dillaman

^ Those bastards!!! I wish they would leave woodies alone, like with Hercules... oh wait! -James Dillaman

^ That ride just looks wrong for some reason, but I can't put my finger on it... -James Dillaman

That has got to be the cleanest construction site I've ever seen!

To be honest I liked Superman: Krypton Coaster at SFFT and B:TDK at SFNE better. Although I've only ridden it when it was at GL. If they did any trackwork it may be better now, but was quite rough (for a B&M, at least) the last couple times I rode it. -James Dillaman

Sorry for the late comment, Zach, but great Pictures!!! Really awesome shots. Makes me wish I lugged my camera out on my trip, but it's so bulky and only 3 Megapixels, so it wasn't really worth it for me. Glad you had fun. -James Dillaman

^ The only problem with KD is the KI problem all over again: They don't have a standout coaster. Volcano is pretty good, but no ride that really makes you can't wait to get back there. BGE looks great (although I can't comment fairly because I haven't been), but SFNE's Superman: ROS is worth the trip out there. You could also stop by Brooklyn's Coney Island on your way to SFGAdv from SFNE. -James Dillaman

I just returned from SFNE amongst some other parks (Darien Lake, Martins Fantasy Land, Marineland, and Waldameer), and Superman is really a great ride. SFA has nothing that even comes close to it. That is all. -James Dillaman

It IS indeed a B&M Hyper. So I was thinking about the glance I got of the plans, and I remembered ( ) the name on the bottom of them. Now this isn't set in stone, because I know for a fact some rides have changed names after they've been designed, but I've heard "Mustang" and saw it around a few things. The one thing you can be sure of is it will have nothing to do with the Beast (No Father of the Beast or anything like that) and WILL have similar theming to the Rivertown area just as Maverick is themed at Cedar Point. -James Dillaman

Yeah, you'll definitely want to, especially if you read the entire thread... -James "Sorry I have no more information, but I've been on a whirlwind trip out east, and am currently in Boston" Dillaman

Glad to see a couple pictures. I'm shocked nobody from the site was able to keep us up to date with pictures now that the park is open. As for the ride, I will be one of the few who does not pass judgement until riding it. -James Dillaman

^I wish I knew! That's the trouble with knowing people in the Maintenence and Ride management instead of the public relations and park management! My sources are just as in the dark as the rest of us on when the information will be released. -James Dillaman

As if there was a doubt, haha, I also told you about the lights a couple months ago being put on the Crypt. Glad to see them going through with plans. As for the splashdown, since you broke the story (and not me, so they can't be mad!!!) there IS a splashdown in the ride. JZ is right on this point. All signs also point to track arriving nearby in the next month... although there is some talk amongst a few of my sources that it might be stored offsite until vertical construction starts. I'm not sure about that, though, as others have said it will be stored onsite. Someone's either heard wrong or is purposely misleading me to get me off their backs! -James Dillaman

^ You didn't set it, did you? j/k, don't incriminate yourself, the Constitution protects you!! Good to hear more praise for the simpsons ride. I was worried it wouldn't be executed well. -James Dillaman

NINCUB, Have you seen the hidden NIN logo at KI? It's above what I think is a Starbucks now, across from the International Showplace. -James Dillaman

^ Guess it would be too much to ask for a putt putt to go IN PLACE of SoB... - James Dillaman

^ The requirement at KI when I worked there (03-04) was to watch the ride at ALL times when it is in motion. The ride operator CANNOT ever answer a phone, or make a phone call while the ride is in motion. If there is ANYTHING out of the ordinary during a ride cycle (which is easy, because you hear the same sounds and see the same things thousands of times a summer during normal operations) the stressed course of action is Hit the E-Stop and only THEN can you get on a phone to call in a problem. This accident was caused by a faulty or misinspected cable, but could have been a much milder incident (not still being talked about a season later) if the ride operator had been doing her job correctly. -James Dillaman

It's an opposite-banked 90 degree curve, like an airtime hill sideways. -James "Was mentioned in the press release" Dillaman

^ yeah, I'd feel worse for her if the ride op wasn't ON THE PHONE while the ride was operating! I know that was grounds for immediate termination at King's Island when I worked there. This is highly unsafe and I think a rule enforced at almost all major themeparks. The ride operator should only be focusing on the ride itself when the ride is in motion! Also when people around are screaming "Stop the Ride!", you should probably err on the side of caution. -James Dillaman

Look at all the publicity they're getting for free.... How much would it have cost them to get their park talked about in every major news source around? This is a marketing tactic. A Guerrilla Markiting Strategy, and it seems to be working for them. That's all I'm saying. -James Dillaamn

^ That's what I was afraid of. That girl has to live with that the rest of her life, her lack of immediate action caused a girl to get severely hurt. -James Dillaman

^ You haven't riden Voyage, yet, though, which only strengthens my point What's going on with the construction? I would imagine after the land clearing is done they should start some work on the electrical, etc. -James Dillaman

^ Yeah, I understand, but I maintain that people who have this ride in their top ten wooden coasters need to ride more wooden coasters, or at least take a trip through Indiana, Kentucky, and Tennessee, because I can think of many coasters that have much more layout wise to offer: Thunder Run (SFKK) Kentucky Rumbler (Beech Bend) Thunderhead (Dollywood) Voyage (HW) Raven (HW) Legend (HW) Cornball Express (Indiana Beach) Heck even the Hoosier Hurricane goes over the water... Making it infinitely more interesting than SoB. If you like a big drop, ride Voyage. I know everyone is entitled to his or her own opinion, but if someone can honestly say they like the first drop on SoB more than Voyage's drop, I'd be surprised. -James Dillaman