jamesdillaman

Et tu, Chuck? I thought we were friends! -James "And a sobbing Julia" Dillaman

I still can't believe that anybody on this forum doesn't think this is a great idea. It seems to me that CF is trying their best to save the coaster from being torn down, a la Hercules, so you that haven't riden it can ride the world's only wooden hypercoaster, and the tallest and fastest woodie to boot. So be happy that they're trying to save the record-holder, as opposed to tearing it down, which history shows they have no quams about doing. -James Dillaman

^ Except the layouts are completely different. Believe me, nobody will say it's the same as the Beast. The beast is through the woods, underground, through tunnels, and about half as tall. SoB is built in the valley by top gun, all helices, no trees near the track, no tunnels (unless they put one where the loop was ), and MUCH faster. -James Dillaman

Did I miss a taller and faster woodie built? I don't remember one beating it.

I will ride it with the loop gone, and I hated it with the loop, even though the loop WAS the best part. It was just too rough, and the main complaint I heard when I worked there? "Get rid of those uncomfortable TRAINS!" A lot of people don't understand exactly what is going on here, the roughness of the track can be better dealt with while in a normal lapbar, as woodies are supposed to have. Your example doesn't hold u anyway, as wooden coasters and steel coasters are completely different, as are the properties of the two materials. I'm not trying to be mean, so please don't take it that way, but I have riden this ride a lot, as well as other rough woodies, that don't even come close. My only wish is that they don't put morgan trains on it. -James Dillaman

A shuttle coaster without the loop would be basically a small version of S:TE wouldn't it? -James Dillaman

Okay, many people are missing the obvious: The trains are heavier not only to negotiate the loop, per se, but to accomodate the primier looping coaster restraint system. The wierd "lap"bar that actually crosses your chest, with foot restraints thrown in to boot. They can go to simple lapbars without an inversion. Also, if you remember the accident, the most serious injury was a broken chestbone. Anyone who's riden SoB (I have, many times unfortunately) will not be surprised that they broke a chestbone. The pressure on my chest while riding was sometimes so great it made it hard to breathe. CF, IMO, is doing their best to SAVE a record, not getting rid of one, as some on here have stated. They want to save the world's tallest and fastest wooden coaster if they can, but they can't save it in its present form, obviously. This is the cheapest and quickest way to get it "fixed" by next season. Time will tell, but I will bet that the ride will be much improved. I can enjoy a 200+ foot drop when I can actually breathe. -James Dillaman

That was priceless. Thank you. -James Dillaman

A couple car rental agencies WILL rent a car to 18-21 year olds for a much higher price, but only a couple and they vary from city to city. The closest airport/easiest to fly in to would probably be Cleveland, as many more airlines fly there, with more flights than Toledo. Detroit is a much longer drive, as you can't drive over Lake Erie... About the weather, check the forecast paying close attention to the winds. Cedar Point closes many of their rides down due to high winds, which can happen frequently coming off the lake. I like staying at Breaker's Express, which is on the causeway. Their rates are fairly reasonable, especially during the week, and you can take advantage of the early ride time (a good way to get a short wait on MF or TTD is go in and just wait for them to open). I'm not guranteeing anything, as everyone is different, but when I flew out to California a fellow TPR member agreed to pick me up from the airport and take me to SFMM. Everyone's different, but there are a lot of people on these boards, and if you're serious about seeing the park, a local season pass-holder is also a great asset to have on your side. Who knows, you might even be able to split a hotel bill. Hope these ideas help you out some. -James Dillaman

I love the theming on the rides, especially the water rides. If I'm ever in South Africa, I'll be sure to check their parks out. -James "wishful thinking" Dillaman

The safety information is at the exit, because that is the entrance for whatever they want to be called now, handicapped, disabled, impaired... I can't keep track, sorry if any of those isn't politically correct. Look at many themeparks and you'll find it there, too. I know King's Island has all the exits posted with the ride information. Notice how it says that you need to transfer from the powered wheelchair to the hand-pushed wheelchair, also? It's directed at the handicapped. -james dillaman

I like Tatsu's Pretzel loop... -James Dillaman

^ I agree, as long as it's a fun ride, I don't care where any poll ranks it. -james dillaman

Don I bow down to the master. -James

I'm just mad that Son of Beast didn't come in dead last. Come on!! Recount!!! how many trains of riders did Psyclone and Grizzly send to the hospital? None? Well SoB has them beat, then. -James "worst coaster ever" Dillaman

^ Cool, I call the Intamin Wing, with the Intamin Looping Junior coaster... -James Dillaman

^ Thanks, I guess they can mail it or something. I just didn't want to drive up to CP to get a parking pass. And Joe, I didn't have a season pass last year, so wasn't offered parking with my Maxx Pass. It was only for renewing passholders. I was told there wasn't going to be any parking passes at all issued for next year except for renewers. now it seems they DO have just a PKI parking pass sticker, for $35, or the all-ohio for $75. That's 4 visits difference to GL and CP, and you're probably right, I won't go that often. Thanks, and let me know when we're whoring the boa squeeze -James

^ Is it just me, or would that post seem to back up X-Flight going there, as it costs much less to move a coaster than it does to buy a new one? There is a huge untapped market at MiA, and the only reason it doesn't get the kind of attendance it deserves is it doesn't have a signature attraction. Anyone who lives in western michigan can tell you how many tourists come up to the shores of Lake Michigan every summer, and how much money they're willing to drop for a good time. The problem is right now the park (MiA) doesn't have any ride as thrilling as sailing on the lake, so why would people bother with it? Many, MANY locals go to their waterpark during the summer, and every day I've gone their, it's been packed. Mostly season pass holders who don't spend long enough at the park to spend much money, though, as there just isn't enough to do. I think if CF developed it, you'd be surprised at the numbers. Muskegon, Holland, Grand Rapids: just those three cities alone would have a huge draw if there was a "new" steel coaster built. Anyone who hasn't been there, and more importantly hasn't LIVED in western michigan can't judge the amount of market there. It just isn't tapped by half a decent themepark, which is MiA right now. -James Dillaman

^ Yeah, I read that, too. But "Yes" doesn't tell me where to buy it, if my local park doesn't seem to offer it. -James

That's exactly what I was thinking when I read this, Chuck. I understand that some things will have to come out or be moved, but the darkride is one of those park anchors that everyone can ride, and I would hate to see it go at ANY park, even if it means not getting a new coaster. I'd rather see another coaster go out of a park than a darkride ("Points" to a little park up north from here in Sandusky and wags his finger!) Either way, Julz and I have long sought credits up in Minnesota and Wisconsin. With a stop off in Chicago, I think this may be our major trip with new parks for next summer. -James Dillaman

I didn't see this posted, before, if it is, sorry (I searched but a LOT of threads came up) Cedar Fair has an All-Ohio parking pass for $75.00. However I've only seen it mentioned on the Cedar Point website. I was told it's good for all Cedar Fair Maxx Passes (i purchased mine from Kings Island) but haven't heard anything from PKI about this yet. Anyone have any information?

A *free* thing I've always enjoyed doing is walking the Brooklyn Bridge. Bring a camera and if you want, South Street Seaport isn't far from the Manhattan side so if you want there's some good shopping there. It also isn't far from Battery Park, which has some good views of the Statue of Liberty, as well as the old fort. Ground Zero (The WTC site) is also a free thing to go see, and the financial district isn't too far from Southstreet Seaport, either. If you do go to ground zero, I'd love to see some photos of the construction going on there. -James "Love walking the brooklyn bridge, it's such a brilliant piece of history!" Dillaman My friend Zach and I on the walkway, above the traffic, and between the cables...

"Sadly, Bozo became addicted to painkillers and ATV arcade games..."

^^^ Whatever you can capture in pictures would be great, Jeff. I dislike how hard it is to keep track of new ride construction during the offseason. -James Dillaman

^ but keep it "PG" -James Dillaman