Jasper's Opening Day TR

[Jasper]

Left the house here in Richmond with fighting31irish at about 5:30-6 got to the park about 7:40. First train on Diamondback and got a couple rides in on Invertigo, other than the rest it was a normal day, got rides in on everything but Firehawk.

Here is a couple things I noticed.

Racer fence half removed in the station.

Vortex has new Fast Lane entrance that RCT styles over the first drop out of the station.

Crypt is blocked by a photo booth and two planters.

Invertigo paint chips everywhere.

Flight of Fear had some new theming added to it it seemed, or maybe it just had a revamp.

New merchandise in the shops, all of which did not look bad at all.

I would love to see more things geared toward The Vortex as well as it turns 25.

Some of the Fast Lane entrances were kind of skewing the queue lines making it more confusing.

There was a goose taking refuge in Coney Mall.

Most coasters were down a train in operation after the rain that went through.

Last of all, does anyone have any idea when the Freestyle Coke Machines will be in the park, I did not find any today anywhere and was kind of bummed.

[bkroz]

I think the word on the street was that the Freestyle Coke Machine could be in the Rivertown Junction, which was closed today... I could be wrong.

[Jasper]

I think the word on the street was that the Freestyle Coke Machine could be in the Rivertown Junction, which was closed today... I could be wrong.

I noticed a bobcat in there doing some work. I had heard that it was where the old Coke Oasis was but I didn't see anything that looked like it could be coming there. I was really bummed, ever since I saw video at IAPPA of them I want to try one out.

[Jasper]

Also WindSeeker was down all day. No idea what is going on there, the jig lift type thing is back beside the tower inside the fence.

[standbyme]

Invertigo paint chips everywhere.

So did you pick any up?!

[LongLiveTheSmurfRide]

And do they taste like blue ice cream?

[Delirium13]

What was new in Flight of Fear? Just trying to figure out if it's the same things that were added during Haunt last year (which I'd be extremely happy with still being there, especially the lights in the launch tunnel) or if other things have been added.

[beastrider97]

What was new in Flight of Fear? Just trying to figure out if it's the same things that were added during Haunt last year (which I'd be extremely happy with still being there, especially the lights in the launch tunnel) or if other things have been added.

The lights in the launch tunnel were kept, they look just as good as at Haunt.

[jcgoble3]

Thanks for the report!

[Delirium13]

What was new in Flight of Fear? Just trying to figure out if it's the same things that were added during Haunt last year (which I'd be extremely happy with still being there, especially the lights in the launch tunnel) or if other things have been added.

The lights in the launch tunnel were kept, they look just as good as at Haunt.

Awesome, Thank you! I loved that effect, such a small thing that added a whole lot in my opinion.

[Jasper]

Invertigo paint chips everywhere.

So did you pick any up?!

No but I about caught some in the mouth and to the face, so I did almost find out if they indeed do taste like blue ice cream.

What was new in Flight of Fear? Just trying to figure out if it's the same things that were added during Haunt last year (which I'd be extremely happy with still being there, especially the lights in the launch tunnel) or if other things have been added.

I did not get a chance to ride FoF during haunt last year so I assume these are the same lights you are talking about. They also seemed to have cleaned up in the hangar and fixed some of the lights on the saucer and on the scaffolding to make it look a lot better inside.

[Diamondbacker]

From other TR's, the new Coke Freestyle machines won't be in until later this season.

[trevor75]

I guess if you really want to try out one of the freestyle machines, in central Indiana they have them in Burger Kings

[Bennett]

Much better opening effort this year from the KI staff. Everything running smoothly.

The Bobcat in the dining hall made my daughter and I laugh for quite a while. Figured they might use it to scoop taters.

Completely bummed that they didn't paint The Racer for it's 40th birthday. Red car seemed much, much slower, an extra brake in there before the turn around. Ride looks 40 years old, but nothing that a coat of paint couldn't fix.

[MarketingExpress]

Completely bummed that they didn't paint The Racer for it's 40th birthday. Red car seemed much, much slower, an extra brake in there before the turn around. Ride looks 40 years old, but nothing that a coat of paint couldn't fix.

If you are referring to the trim just as you enter the turnaround, it has been there for a while.

[Oldiesmann]

Last of all, does anyone have any idea when the Freestyle Coke Machines will be in the park, I did not find any today anywhere and was kind of bummed.

I believe they will be in the Coca-Cola Marketplace outside Coney Mall. There is a column on either side of the drink freezers which each had a random metal door on them a few feet off the ground. Considering that LCD displays don't work too well in cooler weather (if you saw what happened to the TVs in the DB queue later in the day, this is what I'm talking about), I'm guessing they weren't open due to the weather.

[rotag]

anyone else notice that Invertigo's sign is still red & yellow instead of the two-tone blue?

[Diamondbacker]

That signage choice for the red and yellow is quite awkward.

[The Interpreter]

Perhaps it's Nostalgia.

[Dieseltech20]

I believe the problem with RJ is Sewer related because WOW did it stink, up close.

[The Interpreter]

And again, it isn't the first time.

Also, that area of the park frequently seems to have foul odors of that ilk, as does the Diamondback plaza area in general.