IBEW_Sparky

Of course, they will just paint over the word "T3" and replace it with "Landscaping".... the park doing their part, recycling ya know.

I wrote out a 5 Star, Gold Medal quality rant about what I saw in that photo, but I then realized that this whole thing just isnt worth it to me anymore. It seems that its all just a game now of "do anything to save money and pay some PR ***** to spin it to make it sound like its something we are all going to LOVE". Im not stupid, I know its always been that way, but its just becoming so much more prevalent and blatantly obvious now, to where they really dont even try to hide it (at least thats how I see it). All I can say, is this is why I am so pro-RMC. I WANT a roller coaster that is going to make me breathless and totally out of sorts when I return to the station, and it seems that those are the only ones I dont have to be in constant fear of some bean-counter coming in and trying to change it to make it do less of what a roller coaster is supposed to do! It seems that every single hobby I enjoy, and every group/community is changing in ways that just honestly make me sad.

Understood, my thought behind what I was saying was that I could certainly see a non US park having more of a "like it or lump it" stance on something of that nature... much like chugh said.

OK, looking at it in that capacity, I can certainly see it as feasible. I know Adventureland in Altoona, IA is taking over the Central Iowa Make a Wish Foundation's "Jolly Holiday Lights" festivities, and I could see KI doing something similar in the respect of setting up light displays and a guided tour of them around the park. Good points you made, all of them.

Which is precisely why I clearly stated "wild card", and listed my reasons for such.

All of what he said, plus two.... rare-gotten night rides on Thunderbird and Voyage. That alone, kills the competition, the pure and total darkness (with the exception of any possible moonlight) on the back 2/3 of Voyage is just..... words fail to describe. I know some really dont like the ride, and in 2011-2014 I didnt either, but last year it totally redeemed itself to me.

OK, this is one area where I have to say NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO to automation. First, look at how many people cant seem to grasp the "Insert card magnetic strip down" instructions on an ATM machine. Second, that is the absolute last place we would want one of the automated machines to malfunction/fail. Can you imagine the congestion/road rage/disaster that could result from that?? I am a big, big proponent of self-checkout lanes at stores, but a busy parking lot toll gate..... no.

I looked at the full list of CF parks, and to be absolutely as realistic as possible concerning a Winterfest, the non-California parks that I see possibly doing it are Carowinds and KD, with a wild card going to Cedar Point or Valleyfair. Now, my reasons for this are as follows..... Of all of the non-California parks, Carowinds and KD have the best chance of POSSIBLY being able to operate some of the rides while following Manufacturer recommendations, and the two wild cards are populated with a demographic that is accustomed to cold and snowy weather. That would allow for putting in a temporary ice skating rink, and (if the midways are snow covered) even possible sleigh rides around the park. I simply have a hard time seeing the viability/profitability of holding a Winterfest at a park where all of the rides are closed due to cold weather and/or little else to keep people occupied. Since I was not around during Winterfest at KI, did the park ever use the pool where International Fountains are for ice skating?

Hmmmmm, a tilt-a-whirl with the cars painted like wood barrels would look GREAT there! Hey, a guy can hope, cant he??

But, Terp, does that question apply in the UK? Does the UK have a law similar to the ADA in the US, and if so, what constitutes "reasonable accommodation" in the UK?

This is a great article, and something Im really happy to see. When I first opened the page, the kid in me admittedly looked at the illustration and said to myself "SWEET, they are releasing a Cedar Point pop-up book" .... fooled again!!! I actually only laughed at one paragraph (season passholders stoping by for a meal, really??), and I am quite pleased with what they are doing as far as market research. My only fear, with Worlds of Fun being my adopted home park that hasnt had a major ride installation since Prowler in 2009 (that ridiculous WindSeeker relocation doesnt count), is that by the time the marketing team gets to the "less crucial" parks it may be too late. Id at least like to see that park get SOME Love, even if its retracking/reconfiguring Timber Wolf. Id actually be ecstatic with that!!!

Yeah, sounds like spin for "We are neutering the ride to reduce maintenance costs, since the other idea didnt work out as planned". Im definitely looking forward to riding RF II this summer for the first time, because I have heard a ton of really good reviews.

Im not even going to go near the subject of the Timberliners... nope, not with a 10 foot pole. I know good and well all about that, and my question was what it was.... if they were unhappy with them when Voyage opened, what changes (if any) were made to the later/current PTCs that changed that feeling on the parks part. I know Terp, and maybe chugh, will know. As for Voyage, I personally Loved that ride last year, I personally have not felt that ride in that good of form since the first time I rode it in 2010.

OK, so that lends the question.... what changed? What quelled the parks dissatisfaction with said PTCs on Voyage?

What is on it now? Edited to remove my silly thought that it had Flyers on it.

As someone who is used to frequenting racing forums where the Mods carry heavy and fast ban-hammers (and have far looser censors) I find myself having to quick-scroll here often. As for Dominator, I Love the ride so much that I didnt really take into account that difference in point of entry, until you brought it up. Dang, and now thinking about it, you are SO right, that was a really cool point of entry that I rather took for granted! EDIT: Back to the KI 2016 topic, I am really, really looking forward to seeing the park, and riding Banshee and Beast for the first time in 2 years. I never thought, after hearing about Banshee on its reveal night, Id actually ever say I was looking forward to riding it, but the Gatekeeper style restraints made it an invert I can be comfortable in and really enjoy.

For someone like me who is a sheer speed and G force junky, I will definitely agree with the shortcomings of Millie... its got the speed, but not the Gs (with the exception of the RIDICULOUS positive Gs you get on the overbank while riding in 5-1, 5-2, or 6-1). That is also why I will happily re-ride I-305 over and over until my body absolutely forces me to take a break, and why I am most definitely looking forward to riding Fury at some time. With that said, that is also why... if i were ever inclined to return to an Ohio park after we move... Id like to see the compact to mid-sized woodie with a ton of positive lateral Gs. I just am too afraid of seeing a KI giga turning out like Diamondback 300+.

For some, coming back for a park is feasible and mentally justifiable.... for others, not.

I will be on the southeastern corner of the US by park open 2017, so all of this will be 100% moot to me, Im just looking at the different angles.

I definitely wish Dominator still had its lakeside view/placement, but it honestly doesnt keep me from enjoying the ride. Now, as for topic at hand, Im still looking at realistic installations for 2017, in other words a small to mid-sized wood coaster, one or two new flat rides, or (less realistic but moreso than the G word) a Maverick style coaster. What holds me from latching on to that idea is.... Intamin. Edit: Another possibility that I feel would fit in well at the park, is a Eurofighter like Mystery Mine (obviously without the themeing) or an S&S like Steel Hawg.

I see it, it definitely looks as if the simple pre-cast concrete wall with a square-cut passageway from the past has been upgraded with a brick/stone facade with an archway. It looks good!

Thank you very much, Oldschool, for saving me the trip to the Batavia plant next weekend to take a similar pic for the same reason, when I come down to process my Pass.

Maybe I should claim tax exempt non-profit, and show the Govt my bank statement as evidence LOL

Just tell the Officer, that you are trying to increase throughput on His/Her Highway :D I know... if done in an obviously joking and Respectful way... if I were told that when I was an Officer, it would have garnered a smile and chuckle from Me, and if I ran your DL and it came back clean without a laundry list of prior speeding offenses, it would result in a verbal warning. I had a pretty good sense of humor then, and things like that helped to ease the tension of the Profession.

But..but.... what about the big land clearing behind Banshee? Sparky, who just HAD to