silver2005

It'd probably have a longer drop than the height with the kind of terrain available, at least where I think it'll go (behind Banshee/AE/FoF, the rest of the SOB area not in use by Banshee). Probably a drop approaching 90 degrees, I'd like to see a non-inverting loop on a hyper/giga at some point (see Hollywood Rip Ride and Rockit) or some element with a high banked curve on the way up, an elevated s-curve at 200+ ft, and a sharp and highly banked drop. 5-7 camelbacks, probably a helix, an over-banked hill thrown in, some low high speed elements to make use of the train going 75-90 mph, no MCBR. Maybe some interaction with Banshee (like threading the inversions or something). Absolutely no messing with anything around Adventure Express in respect for the 11th Commandment. Also not red or anything resembling red. Specifically, colors similar to Talon or Behemoth, something bright. I'd like to see it start in X-Base behind Firehawk/Flight of Fear, maybe in the DA! area if they are on their way out, so something of a theme resembling that area. Also an excuse to put restrooms in X-Base (kind of an ulterior motive for its location if you will ). With that inclusion to X-Base, I would get the paths to loop around from what is now X-Base to the Dinosaurs Alive entrance and make that a continuous path back there. The location would be also good to make the park's skyline look a bit more symmetric what with the giga on one side of the Eiffel Tower and Diamondback on the other.

So how is Thunder Run with the new train?

I would want Vortex to keep its restraints as I wouldn't want too much of those lateral forces whipping my head around, especially the Ron Toomer transitions littered through the 2nd hill, the pre-brake run turn, and corkscrews. I'd rather get head banged then get whiplash along my neck. Also, adding Vekoma restraints might mess with the height restrictions. Having a looper that's only 48" is a rarity now-a-days, which is why I want a Mack in its place when it bites the dust.

'Timbers' is the new 'Hawk' of CF.

Judging by the angles of the supports, it looks to be getting an inverted drop a la Storm Chaser. And that's a very good thing.

^Its that way for non-FL people as well. Some employees let a few cycles at each gate (on coasters), some leave only a single cycle's worth of people at the gates sans the front seat line, some allow for people to pick rows, some don't. Mystic Timbers and Backlot also have inconsistencies between pairing up riders and not. And that lack of consistency feels unique to Kings Island, at least going by my experiences at MIA and CP by comparison.

^S&S Power absorbed what remained of Arrow and still make replacement parts as well.

Most of the parks are dropping hints on Facebook now- Carowinds looks like it'll be Planet Snoopy related, KD and CP are obvious, Knott's and CGA are likely getting new things, nothing from KI or Canada or much from the smaller parks though.

Here's proof that the brakes are in the same spot.

^And even then, the brakes were replaced from the skids to the magnetic brakes through Paramount, not CF. The Beast had an accident in the station due to wet skid brakes in 2003 and had them replaced the following off-season.

There's a line separator at the top which you can tell them of your issue and they'll work it out.

One big reason why Intamin is frowned upon is a statement they made after an accident on one of their rides (I believe it was a statement in response to the ejection on Man of Steel at Darien Lake) saying that deaths are an acceptable part of the overall safety experience (I can't find the article since I think its well expired), and while a good PR crew on a coaster designing firm would say zero, Intamin didn't, which is a big no-no in the amusement park industry where safety is paramount. This is on Intamin more than CF. I have heard that for each new ride CF has built from B&M, Intamin did indeed send proposals but were turned down. That's not on CF. That's on Intamin for slacking off on their standards and not matching up to the impeccable safety standards of your B&M's and Macks. Even SIX is steering clear of Intamin. Just look at CF's track record with Intamin- KBF- cable snap on Xcellerator and death due to bad restraints on Perilous Plunge CP- cable snap on MF, TTD's downtime issues, Maverick's original roll having to be re-designed (not a cheap process), a support re-design on Wicked Twister, and a under-designed log flume which detached from the anti-roll backs and capsized (how do you screw up a log flume?!) KD- an extensive redesign of I-305's first turn, had to have trims down the entire first drop during a large portion of it's first season, also massive opening delays for Volcano CGA- boy falling to death on Drop Zone KI and KD- under designed restraints on Flight Commander (KD had a similar ride) And this is just within CF. Problems with Intamin extend outside CF as well, and I now ask- what would incentivize parks to go with Intamin with that kind of record and detriment to the ROI? B&M's have none of that, even with prototypes. Recently, Intamin has just been building the same flawed rides overseas with zero effort to show they've changed away from technology that has shown to be prone to problems. They may push the envelope, but at what cost to the park? You gotta draw the line somewhere and most parks have now with Intamin (at least here in the States at least).

Ugh...of course this happens the season I'm going to Hersheypark. I don't think I could squeeze in 2 days at HP as much as I want to go for a extra half day for their water park. C'mon DP and NJFTP, don't let me down!

There is a legit question on who would build the giga since the Busch/Sea World parks have shown they're still not afraid to go to Intamin for new rides.

Banshee has a line with several switchbacks open (as seen on the webcam). That should all you need to know about the crowds today.

^I'm guessing the part of Coney Mall near the Gardens?

^Ok, none that popped up in my head immediately at least.

^Well, there are none in the US, and no international park is going to call them out on their bluff, so they'll probably get away with it.

This is an honest question for those against repaving the parking lot- would you wait until the parking lot is actual gravel? Also, why? It's gonna get done eventually. Re-lining the parking lot is also in dire need as I feel the way traffic flows from the new entrance isn't quite efficient.

^At least CGA is one of CF's smaller parks though. SFFT isn't a slouch.

Stuff like this is also a reason I like how CF is much more thorough and does their research into new ride technology before implementing it.

Between this and the S&S Free Fly's, SIX has been building a lot of new coasters with below par capacity for the crowds they see. I'm guessing its to sell more Flash Passes. Seriously, the last B&M they've built in the whole chain was X-Flight at SFGAm. RMC's have decent capacity I suppose, and I get the need for variety, especially at a park like SFMM where they practically have every type of coaster, but I think their choice in new rides could be better capacity wise.

I do want to give a big thank you to everyone who helped me out with planning these two trips and to malem for being my T-bolt partner. I'd be lost a few times without you guys.

^At least MLB has way better weather policies than Kennywood.

Pittsburgh turned out to be an easier city to navigate than I thought. Got in a garage right across the river from PNC Park. Just cruising around until game time.