Browntggrr

I did understand what you were getting at, I just don't understand why you would suggest re-opening a closed wound. Comparing TG and SoB is apples and oranges. TG, at one time, was one of the most popular wood coasters. It also has not had the negative issues SoB has had. The amusement park industry is a copy cat industry. If the wooden looping coaster concept was feasible, someone else surely would have learned from SoB's mistakes, and built one themselves. It speaks volumes that not only has another park not tried out an improved concept, KI is having difficulty finding a firm to solve SoB's engineering issues or be able to purchase newer model trains. Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. -Albert Einstein Suggesting that KI re-invent SoB does have the potential of putting KI on the map, but that map has a very small percentage of leading the park in the right direction.

http://www.sixflags....TexasGiant.aspx Where is the looping part?

Wood coaster with steel track?

When did KI ever fall off the map?

The truthful comments about SoB makes things worse? You really believe that?

I am completely shocked anyone would rate DB as a "miss" for any reason. Not only did the ride fill a hole in KI's coaster line-up, it also brought: a B & M to the park, smooth ride, fast ride, airtime, fast line, etc. All that with no inversions & no gimmicks. Reading back through numerous threads, this was the exact type of ride most wanted to see. Two things are certain: everyone is entitled to their opinion & you can't please everybody.

I personally have nothing against the ride, just the location.

I also believe a "miss" would be the location of IJ. IMO, the removal of: trees, rides, and aesthetic areas is acceptable, provided the addition is worth-while.

There were numerous attempts to keep the water circulating, but due to the constant garbage, the pumps were always clogged.

You gave two choices, and I took the second choice. If you don't like the answer, you really shouldn't give choices. Where did I ever mention Disney was a better park? Guests spend money to enter the park and enjoy the rides. If rides are continuously removed for these games, the park has less to offer. Only a fool would spend money to enter the park, then spend more money just to show off "skills" and not enjoy the rides offered. Kudos to your friend and his success. The story sounds like a Hallmark made-for-TV movie. KI was made popular not by the carnival-type games you and your friend have the obvious skill for, but for the rides and attractions it provides. If KI were to remove all the rides for the carnival games you covet, I really don't see how it would be a draw for people to enjoy. And from a financial standpoint, that would be stupid.

If another incident, even if it's not a park/ design issue (i.e. pre-existing medical condition, some moron looking for a payday claiming an injury etc.), would absolutely kill the "rehab" effort thus the ROI would be totally lost and the park would suffer another black eye in terms of safety. TG, at one time, was considered one of the better wood coasters. The same cannot be said for SoB (although some will vehemently disagree with me). As was mentioned, the bugs caused from the stagnant water were terrible as was the smell from all the garbage people would throw in the water. Disney, for instance, does not have the carnival-type games- and the park is much better off for it. So to answer your question: I would rather have something that costs money to operate as I paid money to enjoy the rides.

I would be surprised if the $500,000 donation was not already planned in the CF budget. Donations like this keep everyone happy, and also keep investors encouraged that the planned direction is still moving forward. If the debt(s) CF has were not being paid, donations like this would not happen.

SoB looks to be a fantastic ride?

The park has rebounded nicely since the aquisition. Customer service is better, as is the overall park atmosphere. The rides & cleanliness are also certainly MUCH better. Now they need to work on some of the little things, especially pricing- but every entertainment venue needs to do that.

Provided from the same source: Added for emphasis.

Wow. This is where the back & forth bickering starts. Information has been provided from an extremely legitimate source completely eliminating your theory, and for some strange reason, you ignore it.

I wonder if Disney is using GWL as a promotion for their own employees....

This is an excellent example of why many internet forums have done away with the number of posts being so visible.

Please refer to an earlier post:

I've been holding my tounge about this off-topic/ topic since I am in no way innocent of back & forth bickering, but there were some comments about the discussions back in the day that got me thinking. What has changed from when I first became a member in 2003 vs. today? Perhaps my answer/ idea is all wrong, but, the biggest change is the ownership change from Paramount to CF. Now most of the "younger" members do not know KI other than under the Paramount tag so they will be more passionate to the way it was before CF, just like I am more passionate to KI prior to Paramount's ownership. This same theory can be attribute to how some feel about SoB (being their first coaster), or KI vs. CP (since KI is their "home" park) etc. Being passionate about something leads to personal feelings. When someone does not agree with something that I feel to have a personal connection with I am more apt to have a closed mind. Those same feelings will sometimes carry over to numerous discussions and inflate a petty issue into a heated exchange. But we all also have to understand, this is an internet discussion forum- disagreeing is nature of The Beast. We all have many opinions, and some of us are more vocal about them than others (except me ). Some of the back & forth activity does bring out the best of information as each party will bring up evidence supporting their claim. That "evidence" can open many doors to information that is normally not discussed. The one thing that is certain: we all love KI, and have nothing but the best intentions for the future of the park. And in the spirit of staying on trend with this topic: I'll wait to form an opinion on the paint job until I can see it in person.

^ I'm too old to hold my breath.

No, it is not my suggestion that many, many pieces fell onto the track. The items appear to be pieces of safety glasses that fell off a previous rider and were then hit by the next train. A train that heavy going that speed is not going to slow down or shudder when hitting a piece of plastic, paper or any other light material. The train would have ceratinly broken the glasses into many pieces, which does appear to happen. And speaking of laws of physics, it is intresting & amazing what can be balanced given the right conditions: If the objects were metal pieces, the train would have slowed and shuddered as you suggested, which in the video, clearly did not happen. Also, the ride would have been shut down as a safety precaution if there were metal pieces, or sharp pieces, breaking off the train or track. The ride is still in operation and has not been shut down. Sometimes the easist answer is the actual answer. Not everything needs to have a dramatic spin to it.

And what about the previous riders that could have had items fall out? Many people, including myself, have complained about the limitation bringing items on rides (and thus charging an arm and a leg for lockers). This video could be the poster-boy of why the parks have initiated these rules.

I always have marshmallows fall out of my pocket when I go to parks.

I am willing to bet this is on Intamin's dime. A change this drastic, this fast, has been in the works for sometime. The "greying out" forces upon the guest are probably higher than Intamin anticipated for and higher than KD wanted. This sounds very similar to the heartline roll issue on Maverick. Computers do an amazing job with engineering rides like this, but they lack reality & human element, thus, changes have to be made. Simply put: a vendor sold a product to a customer that was inconsistant with the selling contract. Chances are, it will be a win/ win as the ride will actually be more enjoyable for more people and include less trims. This is also the reason why no information will be released until the ride can be tested & approved. There is no 100% way of knowing the changes will work, or if more modifications to this change are coming in the future. And with a change like this, the ride will have to go through all the same tests as if it were brand new.