PKI Punk

Here are the links for GCII's webpage and Gravity Groups webpage. Great Coasters International The Gravity Group

I would have to say that I have a few favorites. The First Drop on Kentucky Rumbler-> It takes you back to a simple time. You have speed, plus you have insane lat's and who doesn't love that classic Aero Plane drop? The JoJo Roll on Hydra-> It is so slow, yet so awesome. The Immelman on Talon-> I just LOVE immelmans and I think that Talon has the best. The Floater hills on Millennium Force-> Who doesn't like a crap ton of air time? But the winner has to be... The First, 310ft drop on Millennium Force-> What can I say, it speaks for itself. It is just unbelievable

I have only recently heard the X-flight rumor, and I hope KI does not get it. It is a really crappy ride.

Well, not necessarily. If you work in the wood coaster industry, then you find out pretty much everything about the wood coaster industry. Don't expect GCI input on SoB right anow, it could be another wood coaster company.

I am not at liberty to say. Just expect "changes". Several of them actually.

You all should expect a VERY different SOB when the park opens. Sure, everyone can be like; WTF are you talking about, but just wait.

First, let me start by saying that this was my first time at IAAPA and my first time flying. I had no idea of the scale of the place until I got there. WOW! The convention floor is hugh, and not only is there one floor, but there are two. Any way, I arrived on Friday via cab in front of the convention center in Atlanta. I walked in got my badge holder and checked what bags I had. I then went downstairs to the convention floor. The first thing I did was try to find GCI because that is who I was there with. I figured I could just stroll around and find them, but boy was I wrong. I looked for like a half hour and then realized that I need a floor map. I finally got to the GCI booth. I saw Jeff Pike talking with Jeff Seibert and a designer from Morgan. As I waited to talk to Jeff Pike, I strolled around the GCI booth. They had a model of the Ozarc Wildcat and a Millenium Flyer car. They finally finished talking and I met up with Clair Hain, Chris Gray, Jeff Pike, and Pete (I don't remember Pete's last name). After talking to them for a good long while, I decided to start my trec of the floor. The first booth that I decided to look at was Maurer Sohne. They had four really cool models at their booth. As I was looking at the models, on of the Civil Engineers came over and started talking to me. We talked for about a half hour about the diferent rides and things their company does. He was a really nice guy. Anyway, before I left his booth, I was given a DVD and a bunch of brochures. After Maurer Shone, I walked down to Premier and B&M. Premeir really didnt have anything exciting, but B&M had a car from Goliath at SFoG and a flying coaster seat. They cars for Goliath are AMAZING, lilerally a peice of art. Perfect in every way. I then walked over to a foam manufacturer that does molds for restraint systems and PTC. I went to these companies because Chris told me that both companies have done work for GCI and it would be good to know the guys who work there. The rest of the day consisted of me walking around and collect about 10 lbs of brochures from all different companies. Oh yeah, I walked over to the Gravity Group and talked to Chad MIller and Mike Graham, the funny thing was, I had a name tag that said I was with GCI. They really didn't care though, we actually joked around about it for a while. The second day, the other GCI co-op, Evan arrived and I got to do a lot more ride exploring. There were several rides at the show. Zamperla had three new rides, a "Kang-a-bounce" prototype ride, a frog jump ride, and a bike ride that height was controlled by the rider. S&S had a portable Screamin' Swing and Moser had a ride that was going to Wild West World. I rode the Kang-a-bounce and Screamin Swing several times this day. Basically, I got to check out the second convention floor on the second day too. The second floor consisted of air filled bouces and theming primarily. This day seemed to go by a lot faster, probably because I had someone to talk to the whole time. After the show ended, I headed out to eat with the whole GCI group, Clair, Chris, Jeff, Joe, Pete, and Tony. We ate at a really high end Brazilian Steakhouse. Let me just say that the guys at GCI are HILARIOUS, I think I laughed the whole time we were out eating. By the third day, I had pretty much explored the whole floor and was extremely tired. I walked around with Pete and Chris from GCI for the majority of my time there on day 3. All in all, I am very glad that I went. I would HIGHLY recommend this convention to anyone who loves the amusement industry or really wants to work in the amusement industry. It is a GREAT place to network dispite what everyone says. As long as you are patient and understand that the companies do business before talking to anyone, then it is great for networking.

I just returned from IAAPA tonight, but really am not up for writing a TR right now. I will however, write one tomorrow. The short version though, it was absolutely awesome and would recomend going to anyone interested in the amusement industry. Especially those that would like to work in the amusement industry.

I wil definately submit a TR on Sunday after I get back.

I will be there with GCII from Thursday to Saturday.

Actually it is Top Gun from Great America in California. Top Gun

Thanks a lot PKIBeast. I agree, hopefully a long road in the coaster industry awaits. On a side note, I would like to say something motivating to everyone on here. A few years ago, I was searching on some coaster sites and forums and came across something (either on coasterbuzz or some other site *not this one) that mentioned jobs in the industry and people going to school to get in. There were a few posts that mentioned it being impossible to get in the industry and that hope should be given up if you are in school with the intentions of getting in. Well I would like to be the first to say that it is very much possible; hard, but possible. It requires hard work, dedication, and contacts in the industry. Now if you are following this path, don't for one second think it will be easy (believe me, it is not). But if you keep at it and stay motivated, things will work out. Don't expect to work in the industry right away. I mean for my first co-op, I worked at a distillery in Frankfort. But just remember to keep at it. No matter what you want to do in life, you can accomplish it with hard work and determination. Just remember that from living proof.

Yeah, I believe this will be like the ball coaster at Port Adventure in the fact that the seats will not spin 360 degrees.

I know as a fact that Valleyfair was/is having permit trouble due to the fact that renegade is being built on a flood plain. Wood and equipment are already at the park and all they are waiting for is the permit.

Yes, it will utilize millenium flyers, two of them actually. And the new GCI at Toverland in the Neitherlands will utilize one millenium flyer. Three trains to be built during the off season.

This is my first job in the industry, and hopefully not my last. I am in school so that I can be in this industry. It has taken a lot of hard work and dedication. And yes, I do feel very fortunate to have come across an opportunity like this.

Actually it was Jeff Pike who graduated from Louisville and got me the job, but Chris is who I will be working for in PA.

Do you all want to hear something really cool? I will be helping Chris Grey from Great Coasters build the trains for this coaster. I have been fortunate enough to aquire a co-op at Great Coasters Intl. through much hard work. I know some of you are not going to believe me, and that's fine, but I know that starting in January, I will be in Sunbury working at Great Coasters.

Can you say proto-type kids?

I am curious as to the smoothness. Is it as smooth as a GCI with millenium flyers car? GCI coasters are the smoothest wooden coasters I have ever ridden. I mean Thunderhead, KY Rumbler, and Lightning Racer are amazing. If you have never ridden a GCI you owe it to yourself to ride one. Voyage is good, but has a very low rerideability. I mean you cannot ride it several times in a row. It is too intense. IMO it was OVER engineered. Yeah, that's right I said it.

And again I return to my point, it is never a good idea for a huge corporation to run an amusment park. When they do, they become so money hungry that they don't give a darn. IJST, WORST...IDEA...EVER!

^ But consider this, Cedar Fair did get rid of the halloween event at Geauga Lake this year. So really anything can happen, but I still think we will have. Just remember, anything can, and will happen.

^ Bull crap, I was there the beginning of June and I got the HELL beat out of me. It is a horrible ride, but it looks cool.

Definately get at least one front seat ride, and don't forget to pray for a roll back everytime you ride, they are unbelievable. You cannot comprehend how amazing a rollback is until you have experienced one. Also, you really need to ride dragster at least twice to realize how good of a ride it is. Once is not enough.

I was recently creating a list of parks that I have been to and how many different coasters I have ridden. I was just curious how many different coaster that everyone out there has ridden. And I am talking different coasters, not number of rides on say one coaster in particular. Personally I am at around 105/110 coasters and 20/21 parks. Also sorry if this is an old topic, I just didn't feel like searching for it. Sorry, I am really lazy today. Hell, while we are at it, what is your coaster top five list?