Magenta Lizard

After I mentioned earlier in the thread about the uneven division of the lines (the line for the second half of the alphabet was much shorter than the other line) and slowness of check in, Don Helbig contacted me, and I don't think he'd mind if I shared what he said. One of the biggest things that slowed down check-in in previous years was people who didn't do the second half of the registration process, where you fill in all your info on the web form. When someone who didn't register got to the front, the associate at the window needed to take down all that info and go try to find a t-shirt in the right size, etc (rather than just check the membership card and hand over the premade packet with the t-shirt, credentials, etc). So, he said, this year not only are they not splitting the line alphabetically (possibly across more associates too, although he didn't say for sure), if someone hasn't registered, they will be asked to step aside until everyone who did register has been taken care of. This will make things MUCH quicker for those of us who register. So be sure to go back and register after buying your tickets!

Yeah, I really enjoyed that meal because I happened to stop and talk to some KICers who were already eating, before I went to get in line myself. I just didn't grab any ribs. I think it was when we had little cups of blue ice cream for dessert, even. The BBQ pulled pork they had last year instead of the ribs was quite yummy. I can't remember which time I was in Picnic Grove this last year (I don't think it was Coasterstock, but later in the season) when they had potato chips. Every time I get the baked beans at KI, I think "I really want potato chips with these." Somebody else must have thought the same thing So, I personally hope for potato chips (if there are baked beans) and blue ice cream to be on the menu at at least one of the meals this year!

^ you visited this year already? (I miss Terpy)

^31st unless you didn't go one year

My life would have gone a lot different if I had those opportunities I think.

I think 27 or 28. I'm not 100% certain my parents took me as a newborn after I was born in July '76, but I have to assume every year between then and '98, the end of which I moved to California. I went twice (2005 season I think) after I moved back, then not again until one visit in 2013. I've had passes (and totaled way more visits than in all the years before) since 2014. I really regret the almost-decade-long stretch when I lived a half-hour from the park and barely visited.

The type of foam ear plugs usually used in factories actually allow human speech frequencies through better than ambient noise, so it may make it /easier/ to hear spoilers I've pretty much given up on the notion I may be able to go into the shed without already knowing what is in there. Unless I happen to get invited to media day, which is a vanishingly small chance. I'm very excited for the ride itself, and much less so whatever is in the shed. I'm sure whatever it is will be interesting to me, but will also disappoint some others. I plan to remember the root of the word "enthusiast" and have fun regardless.

That is normal. I do wish it would send an email that includes what you submitted for the various fields. And yes, bring those things. Last year I got to the park and realized I forgot my Coaster Crew membership card and had to go right back home. At least I'm only a half hour drive away

For some reason now I'm imaging a bunch of these lined on either side of the track.

Also from FOX19 Now, Don Helbig gave an update on where construction is at the moment. The lift hill and first drop, and going into the first part of the ride are done, but coming around the train house, over WWC and back to the station still needs to be completed. It is still on course to be finished by opening day, tho.

During his spot on FOX19 Now this morning, Don Helbig mentioned something interesting about the shed experience. He was asked about how Mystic Timbers will be different at night: "Yeah, very much again like The Beast: two different experiences, totally different animal at night. Then you have also that tantalizing mystery with this ride of what's in the shed, and that's going to be different as well too, you know. So there's going to be some light that comes in the shed during the day, not at night, so again two different experiences." I've mentioned before that I think what is in the shed is screens. It makes me wonder if he was alluding to more of a difference than it being darker in there at night, like maybe a different video experience. Only 93 days (possibly less) until we should know!

If I win tonight's Ohio lottery I'll buy the Jennie K and bring her home to Ohio.

I wish I had realized earlier that I could just go to the park alone rather than dragging people along who weren't really into it. Both would end up frustrated, them because they'd feel pressure to ride things they might not like, and me because I didn't feel like I was getting to ride as much as I'd like. This was even before I moved out to California to be with my husband: neither of my long-term boyfriends or any of my family members are what one might call enthusiasts. When I went with my family as a kid I often headed off on my own (and really enjoyed it) but I didn't want to do that with a boyfriend or my husband. I'm angry with myself that it took me 15 years of barely going to parks to realize I could just go by myself. Refusing to go alone prevented me from going to any of the parks while I lived in Cali (outside of a single Disneyland visit, which was a lot of fun). When we moved back about ten years ago, my husband and I got passes to KI one summer and visited a grand total of two times and rode, I think, one ride over both visits. Neither of us were happy. I have enjoyed myself so much since I realized it was ok to go alone, and ride everything I want to my heart's content. It's made me a lot more bearable when I do go to the park with someone, because I can just enjoy being there and being with the person. I am happy to ride as much or little as they want, because I know I can go alone another time and ride whatever. Me going alone has made it so much nicer when my husband and I go together, paradoxically, that we got him a pass again last season and went a handful of times together, and renewed for 2017. Since he doesn't feel pressured anymore, he feels more free to try new things at his own pace, and has even found a couple coasters he truly enjoys, and thinks about wanting to ride when between visits. If I had realized this back in 2005, I could have rode SoB and TR:TR which are my other regrets.

I can also vouch for Coaster Crew as a nice coaster club. I only joined them two years ago so I could go to Coasterstock but I've come to appreciate them outside of it too. There shouldn't be any problem getting your cards by Coasterstock if you join a club. It's more than 4 months away, I'm sure none of the approved clubs have a turn-around that slow Speaking for Coaster Crew, I'm fairly sure Tim Holloran would put a rush job in to make sure someone joining fairly close to the date would still be able to attend. As others have mentioned it is definitely possible to check in after the listed time (there's just no longer dedicated associates for it). The check-in packet includes a schedule, so you will be able to see what the next "event" is and where to find it. Chances are you'll run into a smaller group of enthusiasts before that if you know many of us.

I'd move the gliders to Coney Mall (but only if we were allowed to snap them).

I really like its scenic new location. It would make me happy if the one at KI was relocated.

I wasn't much of a force to be reckoned with last year during the scavenger hunt, I was merely persistent about finding the absolutely correct footing after it was already over. I'm fairly fast but terrible with time limits. I freeze up the moment there is a ticking clock on me. I was kind of hoping the one this year would be more of a slow burn we could complete over the full course of Coasterstock but it was also kind of exciting running around KI like a chicken with its head cut off for an hour or so! Got my ticket and registered. 2:00 Beast tour. Wonder if Mr. T will be included some on either that or the DB/train tour. Hope so. Looking forward to the lights on Haunt tours. I'm happy for myself that it has been moved to Friday because I can come whenever I want, and I prefer the less busy days. But I'm sad it may prevent some people from being able to come. I did like it better last year when the Friday evening check-in made the whole process spread out and a little more low-key because of it. For the beginning of the alphabet's sake, I hope they do a better job of splitting the check in (or don't split it by name at all and add a couple windows/associates to make things faster), although for me, it was nice to be in the line that was half the length of the other one.

I decided yesterday since there were 99 days until park open that I wanted to do my own version of "99 bottles" by tweeting my way through the pics I took throughout last season related to the speculation and construction of "Project 2017" Mystic Timbers. If you've been following this thread there won't be a lot new to you, but I'm finding it fun to go back to the beginning and relive when we really had no idea what was to come. My first tweet (from yesterday) is here: I leave it to you to "find" today's tweet and follow along if you're interested

Was the "mark read" and "first new" icons thing set up the same way on the old mobile layout (which is what I used most of the time)? If so I have no idea why I've been having so much trouble since the change. I can't remember for sure how it worked before tho. I seem to vaguely remember having had this same problem some time back when they tried to change the forum layout but they ended up reverting after a few days to the old version. Or maybe I was able to switch back to mobile? My memory problems can sometimes be a real pain

Today I was finally able to log in using Tapatalk, so I think what you fixed worked for me. Is anyone else experiencing frustration that to go to the new posts on a thread, you click the little icon to the left, but to go to the new posts in a forum you click on the text? I keep accidentally either marking a forum read when I want to see its posts, or going to the first post of a thread because I clicked on the title rather than the icon. Can't seem to keep it straight.

That's my thought too but it seems to me the teaser video stopped outside the first building and asked #whatsintheshed. Which is not to say that wasn't just done for visual effect and/or that the shed could be after the building the video stopped at. I've been wondering about which one was "the shed" ever since they released the layout drawings that showed two buildings before the station.

Never mind

^^ I complained a lot about "having" to ride the train this year (because I usually rode it at least once a visit to get updated pics of construction for those who couldn't be there every week like me) but actually I enjoy it quite a bit too.

Just being there. I find it energizing to be around so many people having fun. There's so many different things I love, but it has never failed to improve my mood just to be in the park even if all I'm doing is walking around soaking in the atmosphere.

If the photo booth is at the station then what is the diversion off the wavy entrance queue? I assumed that was it. I'm not so sure that the exit is into the station or if that is only the handicapped access to the ride. I think it is possible that the regular exit is back down the stairs on the same side of the station as the entrance. I guess we'll know soon enough tho!