KIBeast

If it is decided that SOB will be dismantled, then I will consider myself lucky to have rode it. I wouldn't be happy about it, but, CF must decide what is best for everyone.

^You got me good on that one. Twas a good laugh.

Well, here's my .02 on that subject. 15 years ago, I had back surgery due to an extreme curvature of my spine. I have two titanium rods in my back that keep me straight. This also kept me from riding coasters for about five years, much to my chagrin. Anywho, I CAN read the signs and I don't assume I know better nor do I think that nothing will happen to me. What I do is strap in, hold on, and pray that nothing will happen to me. Could I injure my back? Certainly. Will I stop riding? Not until something actually causes me pain.

No, according to some in the other SOB accident thread, it's far more important for the news agencies to not use the word suspended or get confused and say the big drop before the loop than the people who were injured. I am personally glad that there were no fatalities.

Some people on here kill me. Does it really matter if it wasn't the initial big drop into the loop? Why do you care that much? All of you who are planning on writing the news agencies and telling them to report correctly...well...you're wasting your time. Not to mention that there are more important things like the injured riders. Like Ryan said, this IS a big deal. Here's more. I mean really, the word suspended doesn't necessarily mean hanging. It means it was just stopped on the lift hill.

Yeah, I know the changes came from the ride manufacturer. But, at about a million dollars per train, how likely do you think it would be that they would spend that kind of money? It would not be guaranteed that a new train would mean more ridership or necessarily a better ride.

I agree that this is going to be a great new addition for Dollywood. I am liking their most recent additions...the Mystery Mine Ride, Timber Tower, and Thunderhead. I am definitely going to Dollywood next year combined with a stop at Six Flags Over Georgia.

On the other hand, I don't think that they are going to tear down SOB on the advice of some coaster enthusiasts either. I doubt that they woule replace the trains either. Look at Millennium Force at CP as an example. After the accident on Superman:Ride of Steel, the policy on the seat belts were changed. The result was that many people who had rode it before can no longer do so. I've seen many people complain on message boards about the policy. Fast forward to today and I don't see Cedar Point ordering new trains for MF to accomodate those who cannot ride any more.

Boddah, if Cedar Fair drops the Paramount part of the name, can my name be changed to KIBeast without the P?

^Thanks. Jubilee Odyssey at Fantasy Island looks pretty cool.

I have a question about SLC's. Are they all the same design? Seems like I've seen a few pictured and they all look identical to me.

Interpreter, I didn't know about the glasses deal at Knott's. You would think that CF's rules would be the same across the chain, with maybe hours of operation being the exception.

I voted for KICentral. Seems to be more like pkicentral. It really wouldn't matter to me. Just as long as this great community keeps going.

It's not bullcrap. I rode it about 4-5 times without any banging. Let's just say that we've had two different experiences. Jzarley, the only reason I asked if you had ridden it was because many people form their opinions based off what others have said instead of experiencing it for themselves. To me, that's like not going to see a movie because someone said it was bad. I'll make that determination for myself.

I guess I was missing the point too. It is very true that The Bat would be tame compared to today's mega coasters. It now would be considered in the same category as Iron Dragon...a intermediate coaster. Also, I remember the Cabbage Patch craze too. Everyone had to have one. I remember one christmas, I was at this huge toy store and I literally saw grown women fighting over the Cabbage Patch Kids dolls.

That is true enough, Shaggy. It is not a fair comparison. The circuit for The Bat was pretty crazy with many wild turns which swung the cars out very violently and quickly. This is what made The Bat exciting, not the speed. I think that is what makes Top Gun fun. The banks and the swinging...not the speed of the ride. Not only that, IJ:ST isn't exactly fast by any stretch of the imagination.

The 4 year old boy who died on Mission Space had been checked only a few months before his death and the doctor at the time did not find the defect. As far as the parents knew he was healthy. The 49 year old German woman had VERY high blood pressure. I can't remember if she knew or not but I think she did. The death on Rock n Roller coaster is still under investigation. I suspect it will be similar to the boy on Mission Space and will be linked to an undiagnosed heart condition. Kenban, there has been a test that proves that there was some kind of congenital heart defect. I think there is still an autopsy to be done, but they do know there was a heart problem for sure.

^Have you been on Thunderhawk? It does not bang at all. It's a pretty intense little coaster. Nice pics, Kenban.

I didn't think that it was painful. Just not very exciting.

You mean unknown heart problems. The Mission:Space and Rock-n-Rollerocaster deaths were unknown heart problems, not known.

HA! Shows how much you know.... The pictures were actually taken after everyone got off and were then ushered into another room to sit in rows and smile to make it look like they actually enjoyed the ride. ROFL!

Are we talking newsletters that are mailed out or e-mailed? If it's e-mailed, then I do believe that most CF parks have some sort of newsletter. I know for sure that CP and GL both have electronic newsletters.

Even though I have been on Face/Off many times, the part that really frightens me most is the backwards lift up the hill. Reclaimer is right, though. If for some reason the restraint fails, there's the seatbelt to keep you from falling out. I promise you that you will enjoy F/O. I didn't think that a coaster that compact could be much of a thrill. Boy, was I ever wrong!

^But they have 68 rides, 16 killer coasters, and top notch, award-winning shows. What else can they do? Other than a parade? I admit, they do need to work on their kids' areas as they are terrible.

So, wooferbear, what do you suggest Cedar Fair do? Turn CP into a more family friendly park like KI (which they already own)and have a clone further up north? Or, are you referring to all CF parks? You don't want KI and CP to be too much alike or you will have two parks competing for the exact same business. Not smart.