silver2005

If you go on a weekend Storm Chaser, Lightning Run, and T3 will most likely be doing 2 train op. However since Thunder Run doesn't have a transfer track there is no way there will be 2 trains on the track. Which is a shame since Thunder Run is so re-ridable. I hated that it had single train operation.

GCI also designed those first few coasters around using PTC's and just happened to run out the MF's on the SFDK Roar (their first coaster was in 1996 so they're pretty young compared to other firms). Lightning Racer was their first true coaster to design around the MF's and it's awesomeness is a result. They really hit their stride when they got to Thunderhead IMO. EDIT: I maintain the belief that Wildcat at HP was better with the PTC's.

Huh...is the shed over the track as well?

Just out of curiosity, is there any similar type of poll/awards that's more accurate to what guests want and are clamoring for more of or are all these type of things rigged in some way based off the green stuff? Its kind of disheartening to not have something more 'honest' (for lack of a better word) available to see what's really going on.

What's the difference? I thought all Millennium Flyer trains were created equal.

I think they would only really need a crane for the first 2 hills. Most of the remaining layout is pretty close to the ground.

I'll try to scour the web more when I have time (posting this in between classes at UCBA), but I have yet to find a GCI construction photo where a large crane was involved. SOB did use a large crane, but it was also massive and construction of the loop required a crane as well. Now, I could see a crane lifting up piles of wood so its easier to access, but since its not a prefab woodie like an Intamin or a RMC, it'll be put together one piece at a time. This will especially true once they're done with the first 2 drops since there aren't a lot of major drops in the layout (maybe the turn around).

I'd love to see what kinds of methods parks use to gather data pertaining to the sociological and psychological aspects that influence people coming and going to the park and so forth, especially at such a large scale. I hope I get to do something of that sort as I gear up towards a psychology degree. I love to follow that kind of stuff about amusement parks. I'd especially like to see polling data from guests reactions for new attractions differentiating from their reactions as they're announced to after the season is over, and especially between different parks/chains. So much good stuff to be picked from an amusement park.

This is the same park that makes announcements at midnight during the middle of the week, in fall. We're not talking about the brightest PR people here. Actually, Storm Chaser was announced in June, not the fall.Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk But when KK was coming back in 2014, the announcement, particularly for Lightning Run and season pass sales, was made at the time I described.

Sometimes it's not about function. Sometimes it just needs to look cool, which is the impression that I get.

This is the same park that makes announcements at midnight during the middle of the week, in fall. We're not talking about the brightest PR people here.

I also see that DC is being more involved in the naming of attractions in trying to get their name out there in conjunction with the DCCU.

I knew at least one park would get an S&S Freespin, but 3? A little bit out of left field from what I was expecting. The water coaster going to SFFT looks cool. Also, did anyone else zone out when John was speaking?

I want to volunteer as I have 6 year moderating experience from the previous site I was active on (granted, it had a much younger member base than here), but I'm just way too busy with work and school right now.

I wonder how many of the other footings they've poured already. I find it surprising that they are just now pouring the footings for the lift (currently happening on the webcam as I post this). Have they poured footings further back in the layout already? For those keeping track of construction progression, it'll be hard to do so unless you actually visit the park as the camera only shows the lift and the following hill. Also, judging by the area they have to work with, this looks like it'll have a pretty steep first drop. As seen on the camera, the bents just to the right of DB's track looks like its for track that's lower to the ground and as you look left, the bents stack up more and the lateral bracing angles up more. It looks like from that point of view, it'll be right in line with DB's hill going up to the left. I'm guessing the crest will be right at the edge of the tree line, which isn't a lot of space for a 97+ ft drop, thus my guess of a steep drop. If its anything similar to Banshee's first drop, I'll be pretty happy. I'm guessing the animations don't reflect exactly how the shaping of the track will actually be, so I'm expecting a few surprises in how the track actually comes out.

Think we've seen the last of the SIX RMC conversions?

I'll admit, I haven't ridden a lot of dedicated air time coasters out there so I could very well be surprised by something. Watching POV's and riding the actual coasters are very different and I love being surprised by something I didn't expect. My views of Thunder Run are a good example of that. I didn't expect a lot going in, but it instantly shot up to being one of my favorite wooden coasters after my first ride. I find that very true of wooden coasters since there are a lot of different factors that go in to how they ride vs steel coasters. I did have the very good fortune of having my first rides on Thunder Run as well as Thunderhead after a good soaking rain where they ran fantastically.

These guys are essentially in charge of SIX- Link

I think you guys mean John Duffey. Dan Snyder and Mark Shapiro have been gone a while.

I believe SFMM and SFoG have had plans leaked that they're getting Justice League rides (I forget what my source was). Same goes for what I heard of SFGAm possibly getting a S&S Freespin. I'm crossing my fingers hard that RMC doesn't touch Boss.

Deep Water Dive sits approximately where Chang's lift crested, which was at 154 ft.

Going off on a tangent here, but in the 2nd concept picture, it shows Mean Streak still around in the background (I see MS's first fan turns, its not Gemini). Mistake or not?

That picture doesn't look like it has the layout quite to scale. It has the station is out on the midway. I'm pretty sure the entire layout is within the railroad tracks.

I think I may like RMC's coasters that are more focused on bigger elements like Goliath or New Texas Giant, but I'm not a fan of how they try to cram so many elements in such short lengths of track much like the layout of Storm Chaser after the 2nd roll. I imagine I wouldn't like Wicked Cyclone, Iron Rattler or Twisted Colossus quite as much, but I'm willing to let the rides speak for themselves if/when I get around to them. I prefer sustained moments of air time over a bunch of little pops and I don't really like being pinned to the lap bar where my thighs take a pounding. Magnum is about as strong as I'll like. Lightning Run kind of has that, but I found it was more consistent through its layout with the forces. Storm Chaser felt like 2 distinct halves which the layout before the roll was much better than after it. GCI's sort of do those pops, but it doesn't feel as jarring like RMC designs things.

Valleyfair getting a Star Flyer might be the best bit of irony this announcement season.