KI Kevin

Apparently they changed the name from Banshee to Mantis because of all the negative connotations with the word, "Banshee." I just don't see how that logo fits in with the name.

Ah, the first stop of my 3-park trip. We arrived to Allentown around 3 PM.... to that! I couldn't believe how impressive the skyline was...heck it looked tons better than Kings Dominion's did last year. Pulling up to the parking gate, we asked the attendant what crowds were like. He replied, "pretty crowded for a weekday." By then we were worried. A picture I took from the parking lot. Simple, but I like it. Ticket sales and greeting tower. My KI Platinum Pass scanned without problem. Believe it or not, that's Dorney Park! Looks a little familiar to a park up north huh? I'm sure you see my point. Talon absolutely dominates the front of the park (I'm just having too much fun with these puns ) First up was Steel Force! Getting closer.... The sign/logo for Steel Force. Believe it or not, that was actually the old Mantis logo when it was still called Banshee. I like how the queue has a sign with all the stats of the ride on it. Fortunately or unfortunately, I didn't get to read it because there was no line for the coaster, or really any other coaster for that matter. A view from the exit stairs. That little double up attempt is kind of a fail. I was very impressed with Steel Force! The coaster is as smooth as glass and provides some good air. The turnaround is forceful also. Overall I think I'd have to rate it above Magnum for the smoothness of the ride and the good but not painful bunny hills at the end. After SF (not Six Flags, Steel Force) we went on a credit spree- up next was Dragon Coaster. It's an odd coaster. I couldn't figure out what powered it. It didn't have a chain or any friction wheels attached to the track, just an anti-rollback looking think on the entire coaster. Though it did look like there was an LIM looking strip on the track in the station but I couldn't spot a plate on the train where it would go. Unfortunately, right as we were about to board Possessed, an IntaFAIL occurred. We got to ride it later though. It was basically the same as Wicked Twister except of course, the back tower doesn't spiral. However on the second climb up the back tower, a brake holds you looking straight down for a second or two. This was cool but IMO it should hold it for 5 seconds or so like Griffon. Just an idea of what lines were like that day... I wish KI would have signs like these . Unfortunately over the whole trip we encountered 15 or so linejumpers...once when we were in line for Talon we got linejumped by 5 people at the same time! The nerve of some people... Gotta admit, we laughed pretty darn hard at the name of this store right across from Possessed. Thunderhawk- the classic woodie which used to be named, "Coaster," was next. Sadly it was only running one train. Gotta say I was not a big fan of this coaster. Didn't have any WOW moments. It was boring. Seeing Demon Drop again was refreshing. I'm pleased to say that the ride is running just the same as it was last year- very well. Adam had told me that the lift was slower but I didn't notice a difference. The transition from lying down to ground level is still quite rough. My third Woodstock's Express coaster- KI, CP and now Dorney. It was the worst of the three. Next was Hydra: The Revenge, the twisted B&M Floorless coaster. Zero-G rolls are always fun. That cobra roll is INSANELY twisted! Contrary to popular opinion, I actually liked the jojo roll. Overall I thought Hydra was pretty good. Better than Dominator, not quite as good as Scream! It's smoother than both, but it's kinda short (in height, length, and time). Now for coaster #100...drumroll please... Talon! My 6th Beemer Invert! Talon is a VERY intense coaster. The immelman is my favorite inversion, maybe besides the zero-g roll on floorless and sit down B&Ms. I think it was the best choice at Dorney for my #100 coaster and I LOVED it. Every park on this trip has a wild mouse coaster and this one was probably the worst and most rough. BUT, the cars had cool designs on them. Now on to the few other flats we rode. Do they still have the kiddie-whip at KI? I liked this one a lot. It gave strong laterals on the turnarounds. Apollo's a fun little ride that I'd trade in place of Monster, Scrambler, or Shake, Rattle and Roll any day. After a few rerides on Hydra, Steel Force, and Talon, we left the park around 8 PM. Park notes: I was very suprised with this park. They have less than 10 coasters yet 4 of them are very good. The overall atmosphere of the park is very charming and even on a "relatively crowded" day the park was still empty. IMO of the three parks of the trip I would take Dorney as a home park. It's not overly crowded constantly to the point that you have to wait an hour for the good coasters but it's also not too small. The park is photogenic and very pretty. It's not as hilly as SFMM, but still pretty hilly. I wish CP could maintain some of the charm and atmosphere that Dorney has. Alright that's it for Dorney. SFGAdv will hopefully be up tomorrow. Stay tuned!

Actually, the train after me was either the millionth train...or contained the millionth rider of the year....probably the former because we saw people in the park wearing plain T's that said Nitro on the front and "Millionth Riders Club" or something on the back.

At least Six Flags appears to give a darn about theming...Cedar Fair needs to learn how it's done! Terminator and Dark Knight for example. While I liked Diamondback more than Nitro, Nito's last few hills PWNED Diamondback's...also the helix on Nitro would probably measure up to be more intense than both of Diamondback's combined.

Ya but I can still brag about SFAmerica, SFGAmerica, Michigan's Adventure, and Lego Land lolz PSHHHHHHH If you have that much to brag about then band class is going to suck.

I really liked Dorney too. The overall atmosphere of the park was charming and they had some great coasters. I also got my 100th coaster there: Talon.

Alexis, I absolutely LOVED Great Adventure. El Toro is also no doubt my favorite roller coaster overall. It's tough to put it over Voyage but in the front it's just incredible. Superman was also closed on Friday when I was there. I'm going to have to disagree with you about Six Flags though. After visiting GAdv I have to say I definitely like Six Flags over Cedar Fair. I like the atmosphere much more. Their coasters are pretty good too ^BTW, I liked Nitro but not quite as much as Diamondback.

I find it pretty humorous that I went to GAdv on Friday and Hershey on Saturday while you did the opposite! Hershey was a disappointment for me, Fahrenheit being forceless and a big letdown, and both GCIs being kinda boring. Great Bear was decent as far as Beemer Inverts go. The layout is probably the worst of any park I've been to. However Storm Runner was great and Comet was a complete pleasant suprise! Two less parks you get to brag to me about.

I know that. But what was it designed for? Yeah, yeah, "nonstop speed," whatever. The coaster just seems extremely uneventful in my eyes.

I'm just saying, high speed banked turns don't make a coaster for me.

No, I agree. CP's coasters are overrated. I know people will bash me for this anyway so I'll just say it: IMO, Millennium Force is the most overrated coaster I've ridden. It seems like everyone is completely obsessed with it. Why? I personally don't like the drops on Intamins as much as B&M's. It just seems like Diamondback's drop has a much better curve and shape to it, so I like it more. But anyway, the Millennium Island part is the worst. I NEVER get any airtime on the two hills, and I feel like the high speed turns don't really have any force due to how drawn out they are. Maverick, on the other hand, is epic. SO many different forces being thrown at you. The airtime is probably the strongest single hill I have been on (El Toro here I come). I love the elements where it feels like it's gonna throw you upside down but doesn't. I really can't say enough. I love it. My top 3 at CP are Maverick, Magnum, Raptor. Just my two cents.

...which is not a bad thing at all...this means cheaper, yet equally thrilling coasters. aka I think we'll be seeing a lot more GCIs and Gravity Group coasters in the future.

"Potato/ potato, tomato/ tomato." (as I said that to a fellow member of this site, that quote is fairly less effective in a non-verbal setting....

What? What he means is, "IT WAS REALLY GOOD."

I agree, Maverick is AMAZING. Best coaster at CP, IMO. Really nothing there even comes close. It's my #1/ 2 steel coaster, back and forth with Griffon.

Alright. We'll probably have to go to the Giant Food Store before the park opens.

^aHA! Thanks very much sir. How close is that Giant food store?

BUMP Alright...anyone have a plan of attack for Hershey? We'll be there on a Saturday, so....well you can see the problem there. Help?

^Adam, that's kinda personal and I doubt they woulda wanted you to say that.....

1. Actually the opposite happened....Vekoma attempted the invert after B&M had made the great models, but they are highly regarded as awful rides, or "hang and bangs". However, they sold well because of their low cost, less amount of time needed (pre-designed models) and smaller footprint. 2. Inverts are and have always been B&M's most popular model....if I'm not mistaken they've had one installed every year since 1992 (bar 2005 and 2009) and more than one most years. 3. Hypers were hardly every secluded to a certain few years. Sure, there was the CF trio in '08-'10, but in 1999-2002, four hypers were built. So it wasn't really a fad, as much as say, standups or floorless coasters. Now on to the original topic. Yes, you are correct, the park had announced that the coaster would be a B&M. Looks like a pretty neat coaster. I'd be anxious to see if B&M takes a shot at the 4D concept with flipping seats. They would probably have to control the flipping with a computer program, or else they'd have to put another set of rails like X.

From what I've heard, BGT is getting an Intamin Wing Rider. Don't quote me on that, I haven't been exactly in the loop when it comes to that coaster.

Well Intamin has a similar design called the Wing Rider. One example is Furius Baco at PortAventura and one is thought to be going in at Busch Gardens Tampa.

What's this mean? Could it mean that the GCI rumors aren't true or is Kinzel pulling our legs on this one?

GAdv will be on a Friday. And when I went to SFMM I got the Platinum FP, which was not even CLOSE to as expensive as the ones at GAdv....though it is extremely helpful. I'm sure you'll find it worth the steep price.

Some additional notes: I have admission to both Great Adventure and Dorney. However we have found decent discount tickets to Hershey. I believe that it's $11 off at Giant Food stores. Does anyone know of more discount tickets?