RailRider

Maybe Gaylord could takeover and just turn it in to a mall.

I am still amazed at how poorly HRP was launched, opperated, and marketed. The business plan was either poorly done, poorly followed or just completely wrong... I lean towards all 3. Should be interesting to see how the pieces are picked up, because it could be a great attraction for the millions of visitors to the Grand Strand.

Avatar, great trip report. Really sounds like the entire family had a great time and that you were still able to create some magical memories with Miss Rae. Also sounds like you have a budding coaster enthusiast on your hands, what more could you ask for? I really enjoyed the slide show you put together using the Hawaian Roller Coaster Ride song, I think thats from Lilo and Stitch, what program did you use to make that slide show? Really enjoyed it and the music fit perfectly. I also must admit that when you were giving your final acount of leaving Magic Kingdom and what Miss Rae said, I got a little misty because it reminded me of the first time we took Zoe to KI and how it was just the perfect trip and I didn't want the day to ever end. Like you said it is very bitter sweet, but definately a memory you will hold forever, thank you for sharing that with us. After reading your trip report and the comments from others we have decided that a Disney vacation is in our future sooner than we thought. We want to start creating those magical memories with our daughter and Avatar you have shown there is no better place than Disney. Thanks for sharing the memories and the photos of your beautiful family... ps. Have you ever considered the Disney Vacation Club? Looks interesting for a time share

Wow, are you generraly in a bad mood when you visit this site or do you just like to be negative 95% of the time, and Im being generous with 95%. ^ Just because you like them so much...

Well honestly I will take a B&M Hyper over other hypers or Gigas any day of the week. The constant speed and massive amounts of air they produce are excelent. Not to mention the smoothness. Although I wouldn't mind seeing a few more Giovanola's pop up here and there.

^ Gordon Im right there with you, I dont know how you can judge a coasters popularity by its line size. Simple question, which ride at Cedar Point had a bigger line for the 2007 seasson? A. Maverick B. Iron Dragon C. Disaster Transport D. Corkscrew Simple answer, Maverick had insane lines. So rightly by your judgement it would have the higher riddership than the other rides and it was the most popular out of the 4 I mentioned. Here are the facts. Iron Dragon had the highest ridership of the 4 with 1,434,393 riders in 2007 Corkscrew with 937,816 Maverick with 916,414 Disaster Transport with 844,707. Now I would expect you to make the arguement that Mavericks capcity was hurt because it was a brand new coaster so there were some bugs to work out. Still its only a drop in the bucket for this kind of number difference. We are talking a difference of over 500,000 riders between Maverick and Iron Dragon. Oh and if you want substitute Mavericks numbers with those of Top Thrill Dragster for 2007, its ridership was 1,082,218.

Wow somebody just blew the TOS out of the water. Take it somewhere else. The Freedom Concerts are a great event and its even better that it is for a great cause. Looks like it will be a great line up as well for the show next year.

I certainly hope you don't believe that. How many times has that been rebutted on here in the past? I certainly hope you can detect sarcasm. It has been rebutted more times than I can shake a stick at, therefor I great the mention of Vortex removal with sarcasm. But Magnum XL is really sinking, just ask CoastersRZ

Please pay us because we ran what could have been a great park in to the ground... Golden parachutes are a wonderful thing.

^ ^ Where to start on this one Elmer. King Cobra was taken down because the steel was of poor quality and beggining to rot away. Shockwave at KD is still running just fine. Vortex replacement parts are very easy to come by, seeing as S&S acquired Arrow and still manufactures and supports former Arrow rides. There is nothing wrong with Vortex and it is not going anywhere, well that is if they can keep the footers from sinking every year. That is really the only problem the ride faces, but the steel and parts are just fine.

The Freedom Concert series, is a concert series hosted by conservative talk/radio host Sean Hannity. A portion of all ticket proceeds will be donated to the Freedom Alliance Foundation Scholarship fund for college scholarship for those dependents of veterans who have been killed in action or are 100% disabled as a result of war injuries.

Two reassons Diamondback seems short. 1. The minamilist support structure that B&M use. There is no latice work like on a wooden or Arrow. 2. There is no point of refrence to compare the lift to. Diamondback sits in area of the park where there are no other attractions close by. Therefore you have nothing to compare the size of the lift too. Now if DB was nestled up against SoB, Beast or even Racer it would put the size of the hill in to perspective. Once you see a train loaded with riders at the top the size will become more evident.

Looks like a flag to me or Charlie Brown left his tree up there

The use of the pine tree is a company by company thing. Adena who is erecting Diamondback also did the steel work on Maverick. So the lack of a pine tree at the top of Diamondback is not a shock. There are quite a few companies that carry on the tradition that has its roots in scandinavian tradition. So it really just depends on who erects the coaster.

See the wiki link posted above about the topping with a pine tree.

I was hopping for a lovely pine tree at the top, but I guess not. Ohwell.

Slave Labor is a beautiful thing and it will solve those problems, Avatar.

Nerves of steel to do what those guys do.

I have seen the Hydrogen BMW 7 series and it was the same way. Very impressive technology.

80 to 90% climate controled, that is insane. Dubailand, Making the Insane, Possible.

The kids side of the story. This could have turned out so much worse. KCBD

Very interesting article regarding Busch Entertainment and how they incorporate green stratigies in to their parks. Hint its more than recycling. PR Newswire

What a pretty sight... Although I vote to rename Casper/StayPuft to Marty the Zebra...

Ahh, but bigger is not always better. See SoB for the perfect example. I think DB will be quite impressive and may be at the top of a few lists.