DiSab

I couldn't have said it better myself.

OK..... It really hasn't been that bad this year at all.

Interesting. Reading about all this stuff is definitely making me want to join the Scare Team next year at KI. We'll see where it goes, though.

Yes but either way, would love to see Pepsi in the park next season.

Well then, in that case, I stand corrected. I guess these trims just aren't as noticeable as those on, say, some of the hills and the brake shed - at least to me. If I can go back and revise myself... If they "Mean Streak" the first drop, I really don't think that the ride would be the same at all. Whether or not it's smoother or lessens that maintenance costs, I just don't think it'll be the same as it has been in the past.

It was a great day to go to the park. Not too hot, not too cold. Perfect. There were five of us total - myself, Jimmy (with whom I had come here a few months ago), Leah (who had never been to a park this large - she's from a small town in Iowa), Sarah, and her brother Andy. I had meet Sarah and Andy here once over the summer, but they had yet to be here since school started. We had planned on getting to the park earlier, like around 4-ish, but that didn’t happen. We were delayed a little getting off campus, so we left close to 4:30 instead. We picked up Andy in Centerville, and got to the park a little before 5:30. It was a perfect time to arrive. We walked up through security and the front gates with no line at all. First thing to ride was Son of Beast. Jimmy and I had been on this when we came last, and it was (according to him) the most painful thing he had ever been on. Of course, he's from Long Island, so he's been to SFGAdv plenty of times, and was probably spoiled from El Toro. The wait wasn't too bad, only about 30 minutes for front row. While I waited for the front with Andy, the other three rode in the middle of the train, and got on a few trains before we did. They all enjoyed it, and Jimmy said it felt a lot better than the last time. That made me excited - if the middle of the train was smoother, then I couldn't wait to see what the front row was like, which I have heard was smooth since the re-opening. I wasn't disappointed. It was most likely the smoothest ride I have every experienced on the Son of Beast. It was actually enjoyable! Feeling good after Sonny, we headed toward Face/Off, only to find the line out the queue gates. Since it goes slow enough already, we decided to skip it and ride something else. We walked toward Coney Maul, and saw that Racer didn't have a long line. We rode the recaR in the back row (which would be the front had it been running forward :wink: ) with a 20-minute wait. I was surprised. This had more air than I remembered, especially the ejector air over the first drop and the hills going to the turnaround. Nothing like The Voyage's ejector, but still good air. We decided to check out Firehawk next, but the line was full in all the cutbacks and out the queue entrance. It looked to be close to 2 hours long. We skipped it, and got in line for Flight of Fear instead. We thought it would be long, since the line was out the building and into the outside queue. But it was a pleasant surprise to find out that the UFO room was being completely bypassed, which means the wait was only about 30 minutes. I rode in row 3-2, Leah and Jimmy in 3-1, and Sarah and Andy in 2-2. This was my fifth time on FoF, Jimmy and Sarah's 2nd, and Leah and Andy's 1st. It also happened to be Leah's first coaster with inversions, so she was a little nervous. But she really enjoyed it when she go off. I have always loved the ride (remember, I never rode it with the OTSRs), and this was no different. There seemed to be more lights on in the bowl than previously, but it was still a good ride. It was dinner time after this, so we headed for the Festhaus for some LaRosa's pizza. We ate it and hung out in the AC for a bit before heading back out. We decided to take it easy and let our food digest, so we went for the Eiffel Tower, only to find it closed. Since it was getting close to 8, and the fear zones would be starting, we decided to check one of them out. We say CornStalkers had people in line, and they were letting them through. So we jumped in line before it got long. We only waited about 20 minutes for it, but it turned out not to be worth it. We didn't get many good scares, and it was fairly easy to see the scare-actors ahead of time. But we did get one or two good ones, from the paneled boxes toward the middle and end of the zone. Other than that, we all thought it was weak, and the worst of the ones we went through that night. Final verdict - 2.5 out of 5 Since we were already in Rivertown at the end of CornStalkers, we decided to try The Beast. However, the line was out the entrance, and it looked like all the cutbacks were open. It was probably a 1.5 - 2 hour wait. We skipped it, and headed back through Rivertown. Both Tombstone Terror-tory and Red Beard's Revenge lines in excess of 1 hour, so we skipped them. We continued toward Nick Universe, and came across CarnEvil. The line didn't look too bad, so we got in. We were right - we were through in probably about 45 minutes. It was really enjoyable. The fluorescent 3-D paint was done perfectly, and several of the rooms gave us good jumps. The trick wall panels with scare-actors got us pretty much every time, so that was good. The room with the "jumping" mannequins was a nice touch, as was the polka-dot room. But the best part was the last hall - the spinning tunnel. I don't think I have ever been so disoriented in my entire life. That made the whole house worth it. Final verdict - 4.5 out of 5 Next we walked back toward International Street and the Eiffel Tower, and decided to go through The Cemetery. The wait wasn't bad either, only about 30 minutes. We got in line, Sarah and Leah went to get everyone drinks, and made our way through the scare zone. This was probably the best one we went through all night. The atmosphere was perfect. The old Paramount Story is the perfect setting for a cemetery. The fog was thick and creepy, and there were plenty of scare-actors around. We got plenty of good scares throughout, and it was a lot of fun. We even got lost once, and one of the zombies kept telling us to go the other way. we weren't sure if she was screwing with us or not, but we eventually turned around. This was everyone's favorite at the end of the night. Final verdict - 5 out of 5 Since The Cemetery exited on Coney Maul, we decided to head back toward the Action Zone for Club Blood. When we went past Adventure Express, though, we made a detour to ride it, as it didn't look to have a very long line at all. The wait ended up being about 20 minutes, but this ride still leaves me empty afterward. I will say that it is better at night than during the day, but I still feel like there is something missing afterward. Next up was wat I had been waiting for all night - Club Blood. The wait looked really long, but it only ended up being about 45 minutes. It was totally worth it. From the minute to enter, you know this is like no oter haunted house or maze. The atmosphere, the music, and the lighting make it what it is. There are some really good scares right off The Bat. The motorcycle at the front got everyone really good. We definitely were not expecting that one. The room of the girls dancing in the cages was quite different. The best scare, though, had to be the one kid running up and slamming against the Plexiglas window. That got everyone really nicely. But my favorite part had to have been the room with the hanging bodies. There was a pair of girls in front of us, and I was leading my group - they let me lead them through the body room and the rest of the maze. 8) I actually expected one of the bodies to try to grab at us, but no. Either way, though, it was a good effect. And the scare-actors coming out from behind the corners was very nicely done. Final verdict - 4 out of 5 One more ride on Sonny was needed - this time at night. We waited about 20 minutes for the front row, and rode in the blue train. Again, it was me and Andy in the front, while the other three rode in the middle. Therefore, they got on a few trains before again, and they liked it even more. I must say, front row at night was awesome. It did seem that the blue train was slightly rougher than the red, but it was still extremely smooth. Very enjoyable overall. Andy and I wanted to give The Beast a try at night, but the other three didn’t feel up to it. So, we split up. They rode Delirium while the two of us headed back to Rivertown for one last ride. We waited about 20 minutes, then it was just our luck - it broke down. We decided to wait a while longer and see if tey would get it back up before the end of the night. A lot of people left, and we were able to get up near the gates. However, they eventually told us that they wouldn't be able to open it up the rest of the night. That was a little disappointing, but understandable. We headed back to the front of the park, met up with everyone else, and headed back home for the night. Final Counts: Son of Beast - 2 (1 @ night) recaR - 1 Flight of Fear - 1 CornStalkers - 1 CarnEvil - 1 The Cemetery - 1 Adventure Express - 1 Club Blood - 1 While I still wasn't able to get my night ride on The Beast, we all had a great time. The weather was perfect and unbelievable for this late in the year. We decided that we needed to come back, so I think we're going to try to get back once or twice more before the end of the season, probably on a Friday night when the crowds should be thinner. We didn't get a whole lot in, but it was good for a Saturday with those kinds of lines. I would do it again in a heartbeat. Overall -- 4 out of 5 And now for the best part - PICTURES!!! The Club Blood sign in Sonny's crate. Red train coming back to the station. A pan-shot of the Action Zone, called the Waste Land. Alien pods hanging from the Waste Land water tower. The Coney Maul entrance banner. These skeletons must still be in college. Cincinnatus, you might want to get that check out soon... A CornStalker that I stealthily snapped a shot of. A juggling, freakishly tall zombie outside of CarnEvil. The CarnEvil sign (albeit a little washed out). The Cemetery entrance gate. Close-up of the sign over the gate. Club Blood building facade. Club Blood signage.

Agreed. If they put trims of the first drop, I would never forgive them.

At least they're going to keep the holding brake on the back spike. I think I'm gonna got to Dorney next season. I wanted to go there this year, but that didn't happen. Hopefully I'll get there next year.

I just have to say it. Did they play "We're not going to take it" when the band found out about the name and wasn't getting any compensation for likeness rights? :lol: :lol: I wouldn't be surprised.

I don't know. It must be larger than expected, because RCDB only has 3 or 4 (depending on how you look at it) B&Ms for 2008. One is, obviously, Behemoth. Another is Led Zeppelin for Hard Rock Park. Those are the two sure-openings for '08. The Batman invert from SF New Orleans is being relocated to Fiesta Texas as Goliath, but since its a relocation I don't think B&M would be involved much, if at all. The last one listed is a Dive Machine at some park in China. RCDB isn't even sure if its opening in 2008 - they are just assuming its going to be ready for the Chinese New Year. So I'm not sure why its taking so long. Maybe they are concentrating on Led Zeppelin. Or you could be right - it might just be a huge project.

I haven't been to GL, so take this for what it's worth - SV is a no-go. Dorney will be putting that in for 2008 as Voodoo. Big Dipper would be nice, but it's really hard to move an 80+ year old wooden coaster. Not saying it's impossible, but improbable. Villain looks OK. If they do decide to relocate it, I guess KI wouldn't be a bad place, but again its not very probable. We just got X-Flight/Firehawk for this season, and other parks are in more need of a new coaster. The first park that comes to mind is Great America. They only have 1 woodie, and that's from '86. Another is Worlds of Fun, as they have 1 woodie too. However, they just got Patriot for '06, so that might be something to consider. If I were a betting man (which I'm not - I'm underage ), my money would be on Great America to get Villain if a relocation is in order.

Thunderhawk will most likely end up at Michigan's Adventure, while I've heard Dominator will go to Kings Dominion.

I can see a flat or two coming in from GL, most likely going in to beef up X-Base (and possibly giving it it's own area of the park). I am also really sensing a BB addition, especially is DUT bites the dust. I stated this in another topic, but I'd like to see a MammothBowl replace it. And in all honesty, I can;t see a new coaster next year. And for the next one, I'd really like to see a custom build, preferably Intamin of, even better, a B&M multi-looper. but we could all be surprised once the press release comes out.

Yeah, and the same one stating it's a fact that Vortex is sinking.

From everything I've read and heard, CP is getting Texas Twister for the 2008 season. It makes sense, as it is (as I've heard) a well-run and very fun Top Spin (unlike TR:TR - goodbye manhood ). It'll be interesting to see what other parks get the various flats, though. I would like to see KI get the ferris wheel, so long as it's not a Chance wheel. Anyone know if it is or not, because I have no idea.

I just can't say that I really enjoy the Ron "What's A Transition" Toomer-designed Arrow loopers. Sure, they're fun and unique, but a little too rough for my liking. But I still try to ride Vortex once or twice a visit. Also, does anyone else think the train goes through the double-loop part a little too fast for comfort, or is it just me?

Yeah, I think the rides in most need of a new paint job would be Top Gun and Delirium.

Yeah, my guess is more add-ons for Thanksgiving. Honestly, though, there really isn't much I can think of that can be done with a Thanksgiving theme. But then again I could be wrong. Also, Bakuli is a hell of a lot of fun. I was over there last weekend, and got through the entire water park in a few hours, most stuff done several times. I think its best going to the water park late in the year when there are no lines what-so-ever. Now I see why Bakuli won that award.

Interesting. I haven't heard about Head Spin yet, nor about Skyscraper being scrapped. I heard about Texas Twister once, but I'm not sure what to think about it. The only Top Spin I've been on is TR:TR, and that hurt like hell. But from what I've read and heard, the GL one is a lot better run and whatnot. It'll be interesting to see what comes of it all.

KCKC is mine. I love me some log flume goodness.

Yeah, I'm also really liking the Invert Bat idea. It doesn't have to have The Bat name necessarily, but a B&M invert would fit really nicely in X-Base. Or they could put it out past Racer's turnaround. Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe the park still owns a good amount of land back there...

I don't know how other people feel about this, but I think the trains should have been painted red and yellow, instead of blue. It's just looking too much like The Racer now. Plus, it would be using the original train colors from both SoB and Beast. To me, blue just doesn't seem like a SoB color at all...

^Interesting, very interesting... Monday can't get here soon enough - I want to decide if I'm going up to CW next season! But either way, I'd like to get there no matter what they're putting in.

I'm not sure if anyone has mentioned this yet or not somewhere here, but I think DoT should be replaced with a Huss Jump 2. I haven't been on one yet, but they look like a lot of fun, and it would fit in a whole lot better with the Action Zone theme than DoT.

That's just nasty... I have never personally barfed on a ride, but a few weeks ago at CP, we were delayed in Raptor's station for about 15 minutes while they cleaned up someone's mess. They started cycling the train empty for a few runs, but right before we were about to get on, it went down for weather. But we still waited it out and got on after it cleared up, which wasn't more than 30 minutes later. Thank you lake-effect weather!