Rustbucket

It made much more sense for them to put White Lightning at Fun Spot Orlando. Smaller wooden coaster there. AF1 was too ambitious.

One main problem is that Fun Spot Atlanta does not have many things to do besides Arie Force One. I only spend about an hour at the park to ride Arie Force One but nothing else. I have been buying season passes since the coaster opening 3 years ago. This would not have happened without Arie Force One. Also, the park is located in rather remote area. ATL is not far away but the park is not close to other notable attractions in Atlanta area.

Since we moved down to SC from Cincinnati area, we visit SFoG, Dollywood, and Carowinds in rotating basis. We were last here during July 4 weekend. One thing I noticed right away was the number of coaster shirts people were wearing. The obvious reason was that many people were at SFoG after visiting Fun Spot Atlanta for Arie Force One for the last time (probably first as well). I actually thought that there were more enthusiasts here than normal coaster events. I ran into enthusiasts from all over the US including a guy was from Oregon. (More later on this guy.) I met a person, Randy, from Texas. He was wearing a Tormenta shirt, and we started to talk about Tormenta and my planned visit to SFoT in September. He has home park is SFoT and visiting SFoG for the first time. He also visited Fun Spot on Saturday to ride AF1. We decided to ride together since he was not familiar with the park. Twisted Cyclone opens 20 to 30 minutes prior to actual opening of the park. It was delayed somewhat but got to ride this retrofit RMC before the park opened. Many people call this mini Steel Vengeance with very similar elements. This is much short duration and not as tall but has similar elements. Goliath is my favorite here. Only problem is the rattling. The layout is quite different from other B&M "hypers" thus rather unique. We rode this twice. Batman the Ride here is by far the most intense Batman clone. I have no idea why so. SeaWorld SA, SFFT, SFStL, SFMM, SFGAm, and SFGAd do not come close to the intensity of this one. We rode this twice as well. Mine Eraser is a Schwartzkopf coaster that is well maintained and very reliable. (Do not blame me if I just cursed this coaster. 🤣) Monster Mansion is a must ride at SFoG even though this is not a coaster. This reminds me of old Disney Rides. Nice themed and relaxing. Both Dare Devil coaster and Georgia Goldrusher were closed. Too bad about Goldrusher. This is much better cosster than what I expected at first. What is happening with Intamin now? This coaster opening was delayed for a year and still having all these issues after a decent operation last year. With SF having issues with Intamin recently and CF issues with Intamin in the past, we may not see SF doing any future business with them in the near future. Blue Hawk is a revamped Viper coaster with better restraint system. Viper was the biggest head banger in my coaster riding experience. This is much improved but still not very enjoyable. Great American Scream Machine is one of my favorite here even if the ride is getting rough again. I do like this woodie. For obvious reasons, this ride feels like Racer. Superman the Ultimate Flight is a B&M flying coaster. I liked flying Dutchman model better than this one. This one is enjoyable enough. Do not expect Tatsu or Manta experiences. The guy from Oregon, Bao, was a solo rider who rode with us on this. He told me he needs to leave the park by 2:30 pm at the latest to catch his flight at 5 pm. I alway do Justice League at least once. Also, all the effects in this shooter work. 146100 was my score. We rode Dahlonega Mine Train before leaving the park. Randy wanted to stay longer so that he can ride Georgia Scorcher and Dare Devil coaster (if this opens back up. This is our regular route going through this park. This park does not have a good reputation as far as operations go but have improved since CF SF merger. The park is also looking better, too. It has a long ways to go but improving nevertheless. Randy even mentioned that the park operation was better than he expected. We left the park around 2:50. Well, Bao (the Oregon guy) was running toward the parking lot when we were exiting the park. Hopefully, he made to his flight. He was cutting it rather close. 😆

Saturday in July...

Well, I did not get to ride Kumba when I was there in March 2024, July 2024, March 2025, September 2025 and February 2026. It was always closed. I guess no last ride for me for Kumba. This was nice B&M looper although I prefer Wildfire at Silver Dollar City.

I really like FoF. Actually, I like FoF after they removed over the shoulder restraints. Very nice theming as well as funny queue video. I once had a rollback on KI FoF.

I am not sure if SFoG would be an option with Twisted Cyclone there. AF1 is much better coaster but so similar. My guess is that parks with RMC would not consider this. Only difference being AF1 being a ground up RMC so that there is a uniqueness about it. Other retrofit RMCs are very similar to each other.

One place that may have some flat space is Carowinds. Other Funspot parks do not have space, I think. Orlando location does not have space. Maybe Kissimmee location back parking lot could be an option. SeaWorld? I am not sure if BGT can do this.

Arie Force One is located on nearly flat ground. I am not sure if there are any location at KI that can accommodate this coaster except for parking lot.

I believe the rule is lightning strike within 10 miles. They are closed for 30 minutes. The time resets after each lightning strike within 10 miles.

Son of Beast was arguably the most picturesque coaster in history. I miss seeing SoB looking down from Drop Tower.

With KI no longer being my home park when we moved away in 2017, I cannot ride Orion like I did like Drop Tower (10,665), Diamondback (7,500+) and The Beast (2,000+). I am at 250 on Orion now.

This feels so long ago.

This coaster is well on the way. These are pictures from 1/1/2023.

Tracks behind Dragonflier. This coaster foot print is extremely large. Many footings are placed. These pictures are from 10/26/2022.