TombRaiderFTW
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Posts posted by TombRaiderFTW
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I've always imagined that maintenance costs played a big part in that.
Kentucky Rumbler is the worst maintained GCI of the ones I've ridden*. There are 12 cars to a train on that ride; when I rode a few years ago, maybe half of them had all of their ornamental pieces still attached. I wouldn't accuse that ride of being rough. It opened in 2006.
Meanwhile, Voyage frequently has extensive retracking (or even redesigning of supports, like in 2012) that the park actively promotes alongside any additions or renovations to the park. Steve Gorman has said at enthusiast events that Ravine Flyer II has two layers of steel on the insides of the track to try to keep it firm and resistant to damage (which causes roughness.) Boardwalk Bullet is probably second to only Son of Beast in terms of how rough it can be. All opened the same year as Kentucky Rumbler or later.
I love both companies, but I get the impression that one costs more longer-term.
*Not including the ones that originally operated with PTC trains. Those ones are in a class of terribleness all on their own. I'm just talking about the ones that have always operated with Millennium Flyers.
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Does anything ever come out of B&M vs. Intamin debates besides flames? Not trying to police what y'all talk about, but it seems like we hit up this subject every six months around here and never get anywhere constructive with it.
Not to mention that in recent years, manufacturers like S&S and RMC have opened more rides in America than either B&M or Intamin... But that's just my two cents.
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1 hour ago, jtro223 said:
the trains have been replaced with Gerstlaur trains
And then you wake up in a cold sweat.
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Ooh! I know this one!
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^ I own the book. It's essentially a college textbook on the amusement industry (except, to my knowledge, no college uses it in class.) I don't think there are a huge number of copies since it's kind of a niche publication--kind of like the books ACE has published over the years. I hate to say it, but you actually might not be able to find it outside of Amazon.
That being said, I have to second LoadAndGo's review. It's a great book, if a bit dry sometimes. If you're seriously passionate about the amusement industry and have an opportunity to read through it, I can't recommend it enough.
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It's been said before, but my vote is for the Antique Cars. I like Backlot quite a bit, but it's not something I would have made the centerpiece of the park. I would argue that the cars were a much more family-friendly ride that gave families more opportunity to experience the rest of the park outside the kids' area. And the trees, of course, are dearly missed. (I feel like post-Firehawk Kings Island has been very eager to take out trees without planting replacements, and to me, that's a shame. Parks that blend well with nature just have some extra charm to me that I can't quite describe. It's one of the reasons I prefer Kings Dominion.)
Of course, I LOVED Tomb Raider: The Ride, but I honestly don't feel like the park was prepared for its operating costs and complexity when they got it. It was literally a Universal-quality ride dropped into a seasonal park operating on a seasonal park budget. I'd just about kill to experience its early years again, but I don't think you could objectively accuse the park of making a mistake by removing it. Still never not going to miss it, though.
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I voted for Time Traveler, but it's a tie between it and Steel Vengeance. I have a friend who works for Silver Dollar City, and his excitement has been really contagious. But, I'm also super hyped to finally have an RMC in Ohio.
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Between reading TRs over the years and experiencing CP's opening day myself a couple times, it seems like there are always a ton of ride breakdowns, regardless of weather. No idea why. I've never experienced that phenomenon at any other park.
I wouldn't change plans because of it, but it does seem to happen that way more years than not. I'd probably go for it, but bring some patience with you, too.
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^ If I'm not mistaken, they have the same buy-out days they usually have: the first Sunday in the season, the two weekends in September, and the first Haunt Saturday till 7pm.
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^ Well, except for April 15...
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This article does a decent job of chronicling Tomb Raider's life and includes video: https://www.themeparktourist.com/features/20160207/31467/tomb-raider-how-one-americas-best-ever-themed-rides-was-buried-good
And no, I didn't write it.
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Cedar Point is not what I'd call a well-rounded park. Flat ride additions seem to somewhat have a back seat to coaster additions, and there isn't a dark ride in sight. Prior to the Gemini midway makeover, what was their last dry flat ride addition? Maybe Skyhawk in 2006? Or the inherited kiddie rides from Geauga Lake in 2008?
I'd argue that Canada's Wonderland or even Carowinds are a much better example of a well-rounded park that hasn't sold its soul to the coaster craze the way Cedar Point or Magic Mountain have.
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2 hours ago, malem said:
For anyone else looking to get away this winter, the Spirit air tickets are even cheaper with their promotion this weekend. The dates we booked would be $101RT, down from the $131RT we paid.
Oh my gosh, that is incredibly tempting. I've been dying to go to Disneyland but could never find flights for less than $250-$300. If only I didn't have trips planned in the spring that I need to save money for!
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28 minutes ago, RITA, THE QUEEN OF SPEED said:
But a forum should allow users to express their opinions freely, not be restricted to use euphemism to make a point because people can't handle the queen's candor. But again, the amusement park industry pulls the captivity of people who ironically has light stomachs and can't handle the weight of someone else's candor. I have to be more euphemistic when addressing my concerns on this forum for that exact reason.
[in a monotone] No, please, keep going. You've almost got me convinced that I want to talk roller coasters with you.
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I've never totally understood the love a lot of people have for Alpengeist. To me, it headbangs enough that it ruins the ride (especially in the cobra roll and the turn into the MCBR.) If I want to ride something that goes upside down at BGW, I'd so much rather get on Loch Ness Monster or Griffon.
But, that's me!
I do really like its theme, though.
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Why would they do something? It's a term that a fraction of a fraction of their guests would recognize. I can't imagine it being a priority.
Consider also how the park typically teases new coasters. It doesn't usually involve writing out what it is coming anywhere, let alone in snow. And it involves hints that regular guests can recognize as hints. I don't think an industry term written in the snow necessarily qualifies as that.
I'm telling you from experience that ride operators sometimes get access to those kinds of visible-but-not-guest-accessible areas. A good number of ride ops are enthusiasts themselves (or at least heavily interested in the industry, but not enthusiasts in the traditional sense.) That it's an industry term written in that kind of location--especially one visible by the webcam, which enthusiasts are prone to watching closely--says to me that a ride op was just being mischievous.
All of us, including myself, love looking for hints of new rides to come... I just don't think this is one of those times.
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If we're just talking CF B&M inverts...
1. Talon
2. Banshee
3. Patriot
If we're talking all B&M inverts...
1. Montu
2. Talon
3. Great Bear
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So does this mean the original Flying Eagles are going to Sandusky now?
In all seriousness, this is great! Tim has a good amount of industry experience, including some years at Paramount Parks. It's really nice to see Cedar Fair making progress like this... So different from the Kinzel years.
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I really like Dorney, but Stinger very much felt like an afterthought to me. I didn't get around to riding it during my one Dorney visit.
I feel like, if GCI is ever going to actually replicate the Rye Aeroplane, Dorney is the place to do it at. Especially if they gave it retro/art deco architecture and signage. It matches the vibe I get from that park, and I feel like a GCI would hold its own in their lineup. I dunno that their Dinosaurs Alive and/or Stinger's footprint leaves enough space for such a thing; it was just a thought.
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I feel like that's meant to be Mystic Timbers, but that's not where Mystic Timbers is located. Then again, that's not the correct layout for Mystic Timbers, the train, White Water Canyon, the surrounding buildings, etc.
I wouldn't be shocked if it's just an inaccuracy that isn't on the park's radar since it's not a guest-accessible area. Then again, that would probably be super misleading if a guest was trying to use the app to find Mystic Timbers... I dunno!
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On 12/3/2017 at 9:26 PM, matt112986 said:
I heard the ET theme on IS the first night. Having been to Universal in the middle of November helped my memory.
Yep, this is the Universal song, for sure. I've never actually seen ET (I know, I know), so most of the times I've heard that song have been at UOR.
Still looking for the other one...
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I'm about 95% sure I've heard music from the video game Guild Wars and a song I *know* I've heard somewhere at Universal Orlando before, but I haven't found the exact tracks yet. It's going to drive me up a wall. I'll update y'all when I find them.
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Haven't ridden Mystic Timbers during Winterfest, so help me understand... Is the park allowing groups in the single rider line to ride together? Or do you just not like that groups are getting in the single rider line at all?
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^ You're right about B&M, but Vekoma has done hydraulic launches before: https://rcdb.com/2747.htm
The Giga Speculation Thread
in Rumors
Posted
I mean, *I* think it is, but I'm also not as giga-crazy as you.
I thought Leviathan was pretty forgettable, and not because it's a B&M--Fury is one of my favorites.
For me, the draw for Wonderland is Vortex, Wild Beast, Thunder Run, and the unique flat rides, foods, and live entertainment. (And Wonder Mountain's Guardian, but I think I'm alone on that one.) It's a really well-rounded park that unfortunately just doesn't seem to have a singular star coaster. It's worth at least one visit, if nothing else.