coasternut

This ride looks really interesting! I've been watching it being built both in person and online. I was worried about the "new Intamin trademark" quick direction change with the trains (a la Maverick) on this one, but it seems much smoother. I know these are slower speeds for testing, but the transitions look comfortable. I can't wait.

Late Night M.M. Update: Tatsu: They finally managed to get 2 trains running on the left side of Tatsu. I observed this at closing today. Road Runner Express: After closer observation tonight, all the track work is complete. The remaining part is building the station. It appears like it will have it's own new station.

Tatsu Update: Today they tried to run 2 trains. The first train of the day dispatched, and they queued up the second on the left (same) side. They couldn't unlock it, so they had the first train return to the right side of the station, and we all had to move down the steps to the other side. Not sure if they ever got the second train running. The line was a mess, so I moved on after 1 ride to bigger and better. They also did something very unusual today. They opened the gates at 10:21 for everyone instead of 10:30. I was in the Discover line and got screwed today.

I'm in total agreement with your statement. All the Cedar Fair parks have fallen way behind (in all aspects) during the past several years.

Anyone is better than "Big Dick." He's past his prime and needs to go - NOW. I feel Shapiro breathed life into the 6 Flags parks. Yes, they entered bankruptcy during his rein, but they were on that path long before he headed the 6 Flags chain.

Roadrunner construction report... I was at the mountain this evening. I left when some strange fluid was falling out of the sky on us. I'd guess at least 70% of the track is complete now on Road Runner. I haven't been to the park since Sunday. A lot of work has been completed since then. This one will definitely be done way before Green Lantern, unless it's missing parts or trains.

The speakers on "pocky" have been removed nearly a year ago, so no sound. We broke it at 2010 WCB!

I'll be at TG Bash. I hate the stapling!

Yes, I was at the Mountain again today - Sunday. The black and white supports for Road Runner Express are going up. That just happened since Saturday afternoon. I'm guessing today. I did go to JB's BBQ and was very unimpressed. I said yesterday that it didn't smell as good outside at the actual BBQ. The food wasn't good either. You get kettle chips with your meal and already, mine were stale! They just opened yesterday, how can that be? My pulled pork was marginal at best, but even that can be made much better by some GOOD BBQ SAUCE. No on that one too. I can say I enjoyed my Diet Coke. I won't be back that those 6 Flags prices.

I was at Knotts on Friday too and noticed the paint work starting. What a bunch of idiots! The ride was down for maintenance for almost 3 weeks, that would be the time to paint. They must be painting in the morning and or evening I guess.

I was at the Mountain today. No vertical construction yet / still. They were working on the fake building fronts today?? BJ BBQ is open finally. It smelled okay, but not as good as the place there last year. The prices are typical for 6 Flags (read: expensive). They even offer Tri-tip dinners. I wonder the wisdom of having dinner at 6 Flags and riding. That especially true of their new "spin & puke" - Green Lantern. I'll try the pulled pork sandwich (no wise cracks about pulled pork) tomorrow when I'm there again and report in. Some of the track for the family coaster was being moved to outside Colossus. It's behind the fence so you can't see it from the parking lot. I guess that's good news that at least some new coaster is being worked on. Even with no construction on Green Lantern, I'm sure it will go up fast.

Doesn't platinum allow 2 consecutive rides???

Good news!!! They're finally starting work on BJ's BBQ outside of the entrance to Riddler. They were taking down the Edwardo's sign when I was there. I miss the old BBQ place that was there last season. Still no work on Green Lantern yet - nothing vertical.

You're right about the lack of long lines for Superman. If the ride was running more reliably, there would be no line at all. Not sure why the G.P. hasn't taken to it. They've done enough advertising out here. I feel they've done a great job, reinventing an old marginal ride. I love the change!

One additional item to add to the Magic Mountain critique by others. There was an incident on Riddler around 6PM today Sunday. A guest decided to jump the low fence where Freefall was to retrieve a hat (like most idiots). They had to hit the "e-stop" and "upset the apple cart." How stupid can the GP be??? I'm sure soon you'll see a taller fence in that area to slow down these idiots.

Personally, I like the B&M version better. Those trims bother me too, but for some reason not as much. I guess I was expecting more out of 305. We'll see what happens this year when I visit. I guess my personal beef is with the new Intamin "signature element" lately. They seem to like the quick direction changes (Maverick, 305, Cheetah Hunt, etc). I like to ride with my hands up and let my body be tossed to really experience the ride. I can't do that with the first 2 rides I mentioned (especially Maverick with the hard restraints), and we'll see with the new Cheetah Hunt. Looking at the construction and final pictures I'm guessing Cheetah will be on my list too. Fahrenheit at Hershey has some mild direction changes that I don't have a problem with. I'm hoping Cheetah will be the same.

You got that right Steve... This seems to be the current 6 Flags mindset. $$$

As I said that's too bad. That's the only Kingda Ka I liked.

I was referring to the trims on the first hill @ the KD version.

Did I understand you correctly, that all the live tigers are gone?? I guess in more ways than one Kingda Ka is gone!!

Good report. I can't wait until I return to Virginia. I guess I can stop calling it In-Trim-Adator now.

Kind of an odd question, but can I ask what you do that you drop-in (and hangout) in SoCal as much as you do (considering you live in FL)? I've long wondered about the one guy who always posts about "possibly going there this weekend" all the time -- but you I find especially interesting. Obviously I have no right to expect an answer, I was just curious! Not a problem, I'll answer. You're right I live 2500 miles away from "the Mountain." That's one he11 of a drive every morning. It is my home 6 Flags park, and my favorite park anywhere. My job allows me to travel all over the U.S. I've been working a lot in the LA area this year. I've been to Magic Mountain 15 days this year already. That is a record for me. I even vacation out here too. I'll be back for 2 more days this week. As far as ride maintenance goes, all rides need periodic work. As other folks have said this park is open year round, so it's noticed more by the general public (GP). One ride that was only running 1 train for a long while was Riddler. It's been back to 2 train (full strength) operation for sometime now. This time early in the year is their "slow season." When summer comes most all rides will be at capacity.

I had a worse PP situation earlier this year. I renewed my PP pass (Carowinds) in Oct 2010 online. I got to Knotts Berry Farm (Jan 2011) and tried to get in (even parking) and that computer said my pass was expired. I paid for parking, and kept my receipt then went to guest relations. I told them I renewed on the internet back in October. The lady checked her computer and it too said my pass was expired. She was going to try to call Carowinds, but they're closed in January with snow on the ground. I said I was coming back to Knotts in a few weeks again, and didn't want to have this problem repeat itself. She called a supervisor who had a better computer, and she verified I did pay. The permanent resolution was; I surrendered my Carowinds PP and received a Knotts PP in return. Everything has been fine since then. The moral is keep some record of payment (even if online) as proof until your home park is open if they need to check your status. Thanks,

Mountain Update: All coasters are now running. Deja Vu opened today, and I rode it this morning. Typical busy Saturday. I'll return later today since they're open until 9. Quite chilly this morning. Superman - Operations very sporadic Tatsu - 1 train "Pocky" - 1 train

I was at Knotts today (Friday afternoon), and here is my report. Xcelerator was running 2 trains this afternoon. The catch car was very slow returning to the station so dispatches were very slow. At 6:20 the ride went down hard. I left at 7:05 (no dispatches with people on) since I was getting cold and bored. Silver Bullet is running 2 trains again.