jamesdillaman

Very, very true. That's why I like IB more. They have more of a balance. HW has a really nice water park, but it's always insanely crowded. Second this. Indiana Beach is one of my favorite amusement parks in terms of setting and overall "fun" factor. They have a decent woodie (Cornball Express) and more variety of rides than HW does. I have never had a bad day at IB. Rumbler is great, but I'd rather spend a day at Indiana Beach than at Beech Bend hadns down. -James "And skip Kings Island all together until they build something new" Dillaman

They had that same setup at King's Island all last summer. Again, I think it's only bias against six flags. It doesn't bother me any, it isn't like there are people talking to you about time shares with high pressure sales techniques while you're waiting in line. THAT would be stepping over the line and taking it too far if you ask me. Every business needs to make revenue, and any place where you put thousands of people is going to be prime advertising space. Look at all major sporting events: ads everywhere. Every NASCAR race now is the "insert company here" 500 etc. Every college bowl game is sponsored. You can't escape advertising in our culture, so why would you expect a park to be any different. They don't need to advertise their own rides, etc. They already HAVE your business. -James Dillaman

Two words of advice: 1: SFFT is actually one of my favorite six flags parks, and Krypton Coaster is one of the best floorless coasters out there. Poltergeist is fun if you've never been on a spaghetti bowl with out the building around it. As far as Sea World goes, it does have a couple great rides, but I actually enjoyed SFFT better. You might also consider stopping at Schlitterbahn either on your way in or out, as it is hands down one of the best waterparks in the nation. If you do go, stay away from the weekends there, as crowds can be appalling. 2. Don't piss on the Alamo. -James Dillaman

About the mine beneath the beast: The beast station and the first turn used to be above a lake. It connected with the old log flume next to it. The "mine" you saw actually housed a pump which cascaded water down those rocks and into the lake. There are also pipes to the left of the ramp as you go up towards the station. Water used to cascade down the wooden structure in this part, too. I wish I could find some old pictures, but I can't locate any. Take my word, though, it used to be a lot cooler looking than it is now. -James Dillaman

Any updates on this ride? I love this park, but it's 4 hours away from me ----> a little too far to drive just for some possible construction pictures. -James Dillaman

Nicely done, chuck.

^ From my understanding the euro-fighter is a relatively cheap installation when compared to other coasters. Especially if you consider thrills for your money. Plus it requires a smaller footprint than most wooden coasters, which need more support structure (i.e. bents) than a steel ride does. -James Dillaman

I like the euro-fighters. I'd be fine with every theme park having one, much like the arrow corkscrew coasters of the 80's and 90's. -James Dillaman

Crowded = revenue for the park, which it desperately needs after building several new rides and structures and plopping down the cash to re-brand the entire park. The more crowded parks get, the more likely they are to add more attractions. If you're worried about it, wait and go on a weekday in April. -James Dillaman

The video on the Graivty Group website makes it look better for me. It looks like this should be a wild ride reminiscient of Hades. One thing struck me though: (On an unrelated note) the website has a concept called Splinter, and in the video they just show Lost Coaster of Superstition Mountain, yet they claim it's unique and never been done, blah blah blah. I realize that GG came from the remnants of CCI, who did LoCoSuMo, but it's still odd they don't give the ride name during the video. Ravine Flyer II, however, definitely looks like a winner. I may have to go to Pennsylvania this summer. -James Dillaman

My fav's (in no particular order): CraigMC (check out craigmc.org if you want to hear him, or on myspace!) Ben Folds Cake Maroon 5 Sara Bareilles Ingrid Michelson Beulah Belle & Sebastien Sugarplastic Wir Sind Helden (German group) American Football Elliott Smith (RIP) Eric Clapton David Crowder Band (Any group that actually uses a Guitar Hero controller as a musical instrument is tops in my book!) Modest Mouse Postal Service (If you don't have it, get their album "Give Up" right now!) -James "A lot of bands nobody else has posted, yet. maybe I just have odd tastes?" Dillaman

Two Different rides. Viper has what, 7 inversions? and Sidewinder has 1 ^ Vortex at King's Island has been 48" for a long time, and it has 6 inversions.

^ Lots of people park in garages here in Cincy for the Bengals games. There is a few tailgating spots, but there are also many people that just go to the games. -James Dillaman

God bless you and your sense of humor. That is hilarious. Who cares if people get offended, they need to learn to laugh at themselves...

^ The old flume at KI had the bunny hop, and never had any lapbars. -James Dillaman

This wasn't unexpected, but it's still sad to see Top Gun go to Flight Deck. Why not "Jet Coaster" or anything that describes movement, not stationary as in flight deck. Sounds like a boat ride on a carrier, not a plane ride. Whatever, I'll pass on the season pass this year and wait until next year. Hope they have a good season. -James Dillaman

^ It looks like an S&S Double shot, if you ask me. -James Dillaman

That truly is a good-looking ride. Very nicely designed. Hope for everyone who gets to ride it that it delivers a ride as good as it looks. -James Dillaman

Not to mention how much are the drinks if the food is so expensive... I like this rule and think every themepark should have one "No Kids Allowed" dining experience. Maybe even a place that serves decent food, not fried this and that on a bun. -James Dillaman

This has always been one of my favorite amusement parks. However, I do not want the crew from the Galaxy to operate this ride. My fiance and I managed to hold on to our lives when you sent us with the lapbars up last time, but please not on this ride! -James Dillaman

I'm going December 8th. Hopefully it stays above 30 degrees, or they close Rumbler down, I was told by a member of the staff when I called to ask. -James Dillaman

In the Beast's Helix, you're usually okay if you put your hands straight up, but I've seen people come back with seriously injured hands from sticking their arms out sideways, there's much less clearance that way. So be careful, and obey the "Keep Hands and Arms inside the car" signs. -James Dillaman

the real question is is it true 2007 was the last year for backwards racer? A maintenence person close to me alluded to this, that they were both going to b run forwards. -James Dillaman

PKI Man, Having walked the Beast woods many times when I was on Beast crew, I can tell you there is quite a drop from the station/lift hill area to the back part of the ride (after the second/third underground tunnel approaching quick dip, the area before the second lift, and the lowest part of the ride. It is of no surprise to me they would use that elevation change, the same way it was used on Beast and Top Gun. -James Dillaman

3.5 to 4 hours, Zach. Done it a couple times. -James "A lot depends on the traffice through louisville" Dillaman