homestar92

I know that, I wasn't really referring specifically to a Vekoma retrofit, more to retrofitting trains in general. Probably should have been clearer, my bad. Now I think about it, I guess Son of Beast could be added to that list, too.

*I will add that while I don't WANT any changes, if it got to a Point where our choices were this, or "Vortex's Revenge" (a la Kennywood's Steel Phantom/Phantom's Revenge), I'd prefer new trains.

I have a random question that I was thinking of. I love my Vortex. And I mean LOVE it. I've ridden over 50 coasters, and it's my #1 overall, wood or steel. But a lot of my friends don't like riding it because they think it's rough (and refuse to believe that 5-1 alleviates any issues). Despite my love for all things Arrow, I See der Point, and was wondering if this is a problem that can be solved and bring new life to the ride. I think the new Vekoma trains (as seen on the Carolina Cobra) could solve this. The problems people cite always seem to be restraint-related. Having ridden the Carolina Cobra, I gotta say, those trains make a boomerang glass smooth, which is quite a feat. I know the trains are compatible, as the Carolina Cobra originally operated at Geauga Lake with trains identical to those seen today on Vortex and many other Arrow Loopers. So basically, I want to know how you all feel about this, or about the idea of retrofitting rides with a new train style. It was done on Steel Dragon 2000, the Carolina Cobra, and probably many others. Why Not Vortex? For those unfamiliar with these trains, they can be seen in action here: *Photo originates from Theme Park Review

I have an intel-based Windows 8 tablet, effectively rendering my laptop useless. Depending on where I am, I'm either on my iPhone, my tablet, or my gaming PC. Very rarely, and only when taking my lunch break, I will use my work PC to access KICentral, but even then, I've only done that once, and it was to keep tabs on the Soap opera that was the 2014 thread.

The problem with going alone, for me, is that I tend to have A.D.D. moments. You know, like when I'll get off Flight Deck, and think "hmm... I'd like to ride The Beast." Then I'll get off The Beast and decide I could really go for a ride on Delirium. You see the issue with this, I'm sure

If I am not mistaken, GK has a specific row for larger guests. It does. Still didn't work for him. Yet Corkscrew did. So regular Arrow restraints are more fluffy-friendly than the larger B&M ones.

Yeah, I have difficulty riding Disaster Transport now too. Wow haha, I just pulled that all off their website, they messed up Also, it makes no mention of Gatekeeper. And my father, who fit many of the rides in the list, wasn't even close on Gatekeeper.

Well the... incredibly... reliable(?) "Save Son of Beast" Facebook page is reporting that green supports are currently sitting near the construction fence close to the AZ Bathrooms. Take that with a grain of salt. Or a couple bags of it.

Generally this time of year, at 12:15 AM, the WHOLE parking lot SHOULD be closed off...

I'm 6'3" and at the time, was about 280, with most of my fat distribution in my stomach area. I have naturally broad shoulders, which doesn't help on rides with shoulder harnesses. With naturally broad shoulders combined with a fat stomach, it caused all kinds of issues, specifically on Drop Tower at that time. I have a little fat on my stomach but my problem is more my legs than anything else they are pretty long and create very odd angles that sometimes don't work under lap bars. I used to have a little problem on Vortex but I've since lost weight and it's a non-issue. I will say that I won't even attempt to ride Delirium, and Invertigo because of the posted height restrictions that i'm close to be too tall for so I just don't ride them and I accept that wish others would do the same instead of making a scene, ya know? Delirium has a test seat you could try, if I remember correctly. I'm about an inch from being too tall, yet I fit in the restraints on Delirium quite comfortably.

If you do believe in an afterlife, and it appears that you do, I'm certain your best friend is looking down on you and smiling....and he walks with you everyday. You'd be surprised of the little reminders of his presence that will appear to you. One day you will be reminded of a situation, or a joke, or smell and he'll be right there with you....always and forever! Don't worry, every time I take a ride on Vortex, he's always there enjoying it with me. Now, to refrain from taking us too far off topic, have any other Six Flags rides been temporarily shut down? I would think they MAY close the Iron Rattler, but I haven't found anything to indicate as such.

Additionally, when my best friend passed, I placed a Crunchwrap Supreme at his grave. He loved Taco Bell. I know many living people would love that Crunchwrap. But it made his mother smile, which hadn't happened for a long time. So I see what you're saying, but I think placing things like that at a memorial can have its benefits.

Well first you need a lookout, and then a diversion to occupy security. lol. Don't worry, you'll soon learn that The Interpreter is a master of Diversions!

Not to be that guy but, the Keyhole Photo people no longer exist. But there are people at the front of the park who will help you to make some Photo Memories!

Assuming such a glitch is true, you would first have to convince the people at the parking gate to try scanning it. Also, aren't the former Paramount parks still on the Paramount computer systems?

I knew that one, I was referring to the opening number when the show starts, not pre-show. The one Ed starts out singing.

Well, there is little to no likelihood that I can make it to an event in September. However, I hope that you all have a blast!

Regular rides? The ride previously known as Drop Zone. If upcharges count, then it would be the ride originally known as Drop Zone.

Finding Nemo is a heartwarming movie, and is to be shown in Soak City in just a couple of weeks. The heartwarming announcement could be something as simple as that. Though I suppose since we already know that, and have for quite a while, you may not be able to call it an announcement...

Could anyone possibly tell the names of the songs used in Ed Alonzo's Psycho Circus this year? I really liked the opening number last year (A Nightmare to Remember by Dream Theater) and this year's opening number is a good song too. It sounds like Muse to me, though I don't know for certain... I tried to Terp-proof the wording of my question, but somehow, I suspect I failed...

Interesting, you happen to have circled all of the parts of Vortex that I think are thrilling, fun, and just generally amazing. In fact, I seem to be in a very small minority in that the only way I think Vortex could actually be made better is to give it Vekoma's new trains like you find on the Carolina Cobra. Coincidentally, this is the first, and possibly last time you will ever see me offer praise to Vekoma for anything.

All the hate for my beloved Vortex... As for least favorite, it is without a shard of doubt, the Tower of Terror at Disney MGM (er, Hollywood) Studios. I rode that when I was 12, and it traumatized me to a point that anything that vaguely resembles a Drop Tower just about gives me a panic attack. I tried later riding our Drop Tower at KI. Never again. The Scream Machine at Coney is about my limit when it comes to freefall rides. And yet, Strata coasters don't bother me in the least. Which tells me that it is not height-related, nor speed-related, but is likely directly tied to my perceived trauma on Tower of Terror as a young'un. Also, to those who dislike Mean Streak but haven't ridden it recently, ride it again, in the front of the brown train. Smoothest ride on a wooden coaster I've ever experienced. I kid you not.

I'm not sure, but that seems a reasonable guess. I kinda wondered what they do when their coasters need maintenance, particularly the trains. I didn't see a maintenance shed, but I'm assuming they do some maintenance/repairs from time to time.

The Pirate ship looked ready to go, but a lot of rides look like they should be functional when they usually aren't *coughFirehawkcough*. I didn't know it had been down for a while. There was a small crane near Tornado's turnaround headed from the station to the lift that I can only assume was being used for the Pirate Ship somehow. On another note, I just think it's so cool how they've crammed so many great rides into a midway that is probably no bigger than the X-base midway, maybe smaller. And even KI, a high dollar park with lots of money at their disposal, only managed to fit one good ride in that amount of space! And Stricker's even has bathrooms! (Though that may not be fair in this analogy, as the bathrooms at Stricker's are on the clear opposite side of the property from the midway that houses the rides...) And yes, I did use my own Stricker's Grove trip report to subtlely bash a ride in X-Base.... BUT WHICH ONE!?!?!?

I will provide links rather than embedding the pictures so that the bandwidth-conscious needn't worry. I feel you, I have a smartphone with a finite data plan. I came home from work yesterday and realized that it was one of the few times Stricker's Grove is open to the public. Having never been there, I decided that it was high time. After a slight miscue with my ATM insisting that my PIN was wrong (even though I typed the PIN I've used since the day I opened the card...), and needing to drive back home to get some cash from my parents (who thankfully are cool enough to loan me money in these sorts of occassions) I finally was able to get it sorted out and get to the park around 6:30. The bear out front told me they were open! https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/993023_628853687132282_854425368_n.jpg I went straight for the ride ticket booth of course, and the lady in the window (noticing my snazzy Vortex T-Shirt) asked me if I was a Roller Coaster enthusiast. I told her that you could say that, and she asked where I was from. She was quite surprised to hear that I was from Fairfield and had never been there before. She also informed me that at least one enthusiast had come all the way from Washington, D.C. (Terpy? Is that you? ). Wristband in hand, I headed straight for the smaller of their coasters, the Teddy Bear. https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/1047990_628854230465561_1456575082_o.jpg https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/1053339_628855137132137_157991151_o.jpg In addition to being an adorable coaster (I just LOVE the sign, and the decoration on the front car), it is also a clone of a Coney Island classic, the Teddy Bear coaster from 1935! It is really a great coaster that everyone can ride! The size makes it great for kids, and the lack of seatbelts, headrests, and if I'm not mistaken, upstops, make it a wild experience despite its size. The Buzz bar helps, too, lol. Having upped my coaster count by one, I decided to do it again and headed for the famous Tornado roller coaster. I, much like someone from a certain... other site that reviews Theme Parks, can appreciate a "rare coaster." (Aren't all coasters rare if they don't have existing clones in large numbers?) At any rate, it was truly a remarkable coaster, and though this one unfortunately has seatbelts and upstops, it's still a pretty wild ride. There's one little pop of airtime that is truly remarkable for a coaster of its size. https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/1048114_628854733798844_131664068_o.jpg Obviously, the flying scooters are next. Because Flying Scooters <3<3<3<3<3 https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/883430_628855203798797_991785129_o.jpg I decided to head for the Round-Up (Or the Electric Rainbow. Whichever you prefer) and boy, was that an experience. It was the only time a ride has ever made me feel nauseous, and I've even ridden a few Enterprises. But that's not to say I wouldn't do it again. https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/1040815_628855277132123_470383269_o.jpg Those were the highlights of my day. I then went and rode the rest of the flats. The biggest treat was the ferris wheel. I'd never ridden a "normal" ferris wheel before. In fact, the only other I've ridden is the one at Cedar Point. https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/883424_628853943798923_1259479540_o.jpg I also enjoyed the Tip Top, especially when I realized that it was one of those rides that you spin yourself. My goal was to spin it fast enough to dislodge from the ride like in that video on Youtube (with the Duck-themed spinny ride). I failed, but I succeeded in making the ride operator laugh and making it very difficult to walk off the ride properly, and in the end, I call that a success. https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/1071163_628855430465441_460624221_o.jpg I went back to ride the coasters a few more times each (eventually riding both of them in every seat) and got some food. It's not fair to compare the food to a park like KI or CP, as the clientele and the market is totally different, but the prices were fair and the food was fantastic, two things which are rarely ever BOTH true at a larger amusement park. Skipping some details, (I rode every ride except the pirate ship, which was closed) around 9:00 I decided to leave and head home. But I got a few midway shots before I left (shots down the midway are some of my favorite amusement park photos) https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/242604_628855303798787_632657289_o.jpg https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/1064523_628855910465393_602776720_o.jpg I can't state well enough what a fun little park Stricker's Grove is. It has a charm that a park from FUN or SIX (or any other large parks for that matter) could never match. I look forward to my next trip, though I don't know if that will be this year. That whole thing where they only open four days a year plus the 4-H festival kinda throws planning off. But regardless, it is truly a top-notch park. The 4-H festival is going on all this week, and rides open at 5:30 PM every night until Saturday. If you live in the area, I HIGHLY recommend a visit. Admission, a ride wristband, and something to eat will only cost you a hair over $20. Not a bad deal!