silver2005

So apparently, I have to wait to reserve a date for Dollywood since they only go a month or so. Carowinds I can reserve anytime. Kinda sucks with the former since, with me being in the area 3 days, I would like some flexibility due to weather (I understand why I can't though). Glad I'm likely going in the middle of the week at least. At least I'm finding decent hotels in my price range on the G-burg strip.

To me, coasters are a form of art that, as previously stated, is subjective, like music, movies, paintings and sculptures. It's an art form that involves the sense of touch and our nervous systems are all wired differently. Enthusiasts need to heed that when learning of others' perspective when giving opinions and need to know the difference between opinions and facts. It's a lovely community when that comes together. Unfortunately, the more obnoxious ones such as the Intamin fanboys ruin conversations. As I've said on another thread, I've yet to meet a huge fan of Intamin who wasn't obnoxious and they always use the same talking points. It's a weird cycle.

@coaster sally you don't speak for all GP or enthusiasts, so quit pretending you're an authority of how people think of B&Ms and Intamins. You may have your own opinion, but don't project it as some unanimous opinion.

I think the noise of a ride can add a bit to the experience as well, which is why I like that tell-tale GCI growl that you get on everything GCI re-tracks (true on Legend as well).

The park is closing at 3 pm today. Glad I went yesterday. Hopefully next Sunday has better weather. https://www.facebook.com/visitkingsisland/photos/a.226729858367/10160776366743368/

^I recall him referring to Wicked Twister's spikes as twisty French fries.

There was an ennthusiast in line for DB trying to explain enthusiast language to the GP and it was hilarious, glazed look from the GP and he just kept going.

Racer radio is more awesome for sure. Edit- welcome back to awesomeness Racer! Gonna be great once the track breaks in.

Go further, define 'filler coaster'. A random 'example' isn't enough. Both of those were expensive record breaking coasters. And why is Orion one and why should anyone care? I legitimately don't know what that even means.

What is a 'filler coaster' and why do people care so much if Orion is or isn't one?

I think he did that to rule out KI as the likely candidate, which, I agree with. It ain't coming to Mason.

I'm thinking I'll be booking everything soon, especially with both Carowinds and Dollywood requiring reservations (more concerned with the later).

I think KI is also due for a decent flat, something on par with Delirium.

So most of my visits to the park in 2004 were post-cicada invasion so I'm not privy on riding things with them. Anyone who remembers that year have any tips on riding with bugs hurling by at 50-90 mph? 'Not riding' is not a valid tip.

^No one here is asking you to reveal if you did or not.

And if you're confusing HIPAA with ADA, the ADA doesn't cover that either unless there's a bigger disability in play.

Racer used to have chaser lights all the way down to the turn arounds.

My idea of a minimum wage should be a wage you can live off of and only work 1 full time job to do it. It should also be tied to inflation. Shouldn't matter where you work. Tying people's alleged value to where they work needs to be a concept that needs to be reframed. The concept of work and wages needs to be drastically changed. Also, countries with higher minimum wages aren't devoid of small businesses. This'll be the last post I make on the matter to not get too political and whatnot.

^The countries with $15 minimum wage and higher would like to disagree. They make it work fine, can't see why the US can't. There's also little if any correlation between prices of things and higher minimum wages.

I was mostly thinking it with on-ride policies. I'm prepared to keep wearing my mask on rides, especially if they're going back to full loading capacity. I'm not high risk anymore, but I live with people who still are, even with the vaccine.

Will CF parks allow people that want to wear masks to continue to do so? I'm not ready to go mask free quite yet, even with what the CF parks are implying.

I remember this being one of those smaller rides that enthusiasts and the industry had big hopes for. Now, not so much. SFDK didn't even have it for 2 years yet.

B&M for me is Mantis when it was still a stand up. Rougarou mostly improved that from my experiences and is one of my favorite steel coasters now. I always rode Vortex in the very front or back because anywhere in the middle that wasn't 5-1 or back was pretty rough. Son of Beast for anything wooden (and ever) by a mile, particularly post 2007 'refurb'. Even as bad as Mean Streak could be, it had some decent moments here and there. The roughest steel coaster I've been on was Viper at SFGAdv. A Togo sit down looping coaster which boasted the first ever inline roll and a wicked bad inclined dive loop to boot. Restraints were awful and made worse and claustrophobic by the support ring design.

Yeah, I'll be going cheap in Charlotte since its only 2 nights. I may go a bit nicer for a hotel in TN. This isn't a terribly expensive trip if I go super cheap, so I have room to splurge on things including nicer hotels and even go FLP at Carowinds if I want to go nuts. Most of the Gatlinburg/PF stuff I want to do is on the cheap side or even free, I have Platinum from 2020 for Carowinds. Dollywood is the only big expense outside hotels. Would like suggestions for a good Carolina style BBQ joint in Charlotte (outside of Carowinds). May venture downtown depending on what time I get there. The target week I have in mind is July 18th-23rd.

The one thing I need to do early at Carowinds is Vortex, mainly as stand ups turn my legs to Jell-O if I ride them later in the day.