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So I have a slight obsession with roller coasters and theme parks. I attribute this to growing up in Northeast Ohio and having America's Roller Coast (ie: Cedar Point) only an hour or so away. I also worked at Disney as an Imagineer for six months during my Architecture education. So, needless to say, I really like them.

Who else loves coasters and/or theme parks? Which ones and why? Do you try and hit up parks when you travel or travel just to hit up parks? (I do both!)

I have to say, my favorite wooden coaster (even though the purists say it's not a true woodie) is El Toro at Six Flags Great Adventure. My second favorite would be Lightning Racer at Hershey Park.

My favorite steel coaster is a tie between Millennium Force at Cedar Point and Nemesis at Alton Towers (in England). Top Thrill Dragster, Tatsu and Nitro would be next.

How about everyone else?

...currently my favorite is CP's maverick... i hate that i live like 9 hours away from this park ahaa... there are lots of neat elements in this fast coaster and its prolly best you don't know what's comin' at ya.

...top thrill dragster, while not as fast or as high as Kingda Ka, is my preference over these two only 'cuz its dragster interpretation works soo much better than KK's whatever jungle theme. Also, the grandstand makes for great photo ops hahaaa...



LMAO!

my favorite park btw is Six Flags at Great Adventure only 'cuz i'm close to it.

Millennium Force in the rain, pelting me in the face is probably one of the most intense experiences of my life. Plus, I was the only one smart enough to move my hands away from in front of my face for the picture ;)

Six Flags Great Adventure, ride of choice is the Nitro!

I love roller coasters but only if I am in the front seat with someone with a sense of humor.

sup halltd?? I MUST say El Toro is one of the best "Wooden" roller coasters i've ever been on..... about 14 or 15 times, no joke! Gotta Luv Six Flags & Disney... haven't been to Disney in about a year, but I'm dyin to go! "Gotta luv those good old wooden coasters!!!"

Once upon a time, before a time somewhere around 3 years ago, I was horrified of the thought of even riding a rollercoaster any size any where, but after a trip to Universal Studios and a ride on The Mummy I was hooked immediately. Of course always being an adrenaline junkie while on the job or racing on my bike to wherever, it came naturally. My favorite and the most intense and fun rollercoaster I've ever been on has been The Hulk, and can't wait to do it again! Oh and funnel cake and ice cream after riding all the coasters, and then beers =)

Used to love rollercoasters, but on June 30th I went to Canada's Wonderland, and only got on three rides in 3 1/2 hours. The combination of hunger, fatigue and standing in line so line made my experience not so enjoyable. I felt sick and had a headache at the end of it. I might be getting to old for them now.

Six Flags Kingda Ka is an Orgasmic Experience. The thrill is a kin to skydiving in my opinion. 0-120. 3 seconds. 400 feet high...better than sex.

Kingda Ka is fun... but it ain't better than sex LOL!

I've heard Kingda Ka is wicked rough this season. That is still the only coaster that physically scares me. After the accident it had opening season, it just really doesn't give me a good feeling about their maintenance department.

I'll take Top Thrill Dragster over Kingda Ka any day.

I enjoyed all the coasters at Canada Wonderland; they had a great variety (wooden, suspended, one where you ride standing, another you ride both forward and backward). But my fave is the coaster in West Edmonton Mall. There's something extra nerve-wracking about riding a coaster on which people have died. And I blacked out every time I came out of the second loop (sixteen times in a row).

As for theme parks in general, I love them as long as I'm with other people who like to go on rides and the lines are not too long.

I've grown to like the newer metal roller coasters. They're more interesting, thrilling and unexpected in the sensations. Wooden roller coasters just seem to be painful. The last one I was on wasn't particularly thrilling but at the end, I'd probably have had as much fun if I sat on a park bench while a bunch of people hit me with sledge hammers.

halltd saidI've heard Kingda Ka is wicked rough this season. That is still the only coaster that physically scares me. After the accident it had opening season, it just really doesn't give me a good feeling about their maintenance department.

I'll take Top Thrill Dragster over Kingda Ka any day.

... someone told me that when they initially tested kingda ka with dummies they all came back decapitated ahahaa... and yes i'd take TTD over kingda ka anyday...

bgcat57 saidI've grown to like the newer metal roller coasters. They're more interesting, thrilling and unexpected in the sensations. Wooden roller coasters just seem to be painful. The last one I was on wasn't particularly thrilling but at the end, I'd probably have had as much fun if I sat on a park bench while a bunch of people hit me with sledge hammers.

LMAOOOOO... the older coasters do tend to beat you up (even the older steel coasters imo).

bgcat57 saidThe last one I was on wasn't particularly thrilling but at the end, I'd probably have had as much fun if I sat on a park bench while a bunch of people hit me with sledge hammers.

That's why I don't care for woodies too much either. But, the new pre-fab technology Intamin used on El Toro at Great Adventure makes the completely wooden coaster FEEL just like a steel one. It's AMAZING.

But, there are some newer traditional woodies that aren't rough. Coasters made by one company in particular are quite amazing - Great Coasters International or GCI. They've made winners like Lightning Racer, Renegade and Thunderhead. The Gravity Group also makes some awesome smooth woodies like The Voyage, Ravine Flyer II and Hades.

I'm the biggest baby when it comes to rollercoasters. I absolutely will not get on one unless it's inside like The Matahorn or Space Mountain at Disneyland...and don't even try to get me on a Ferris Wheel -- scare me to death! Needless to say I won't be jumping out of a plane in a parachute or scaling Mount Everest in THIS lifetime! :-)

Well, since the other part of the poster's original comment had to do with "theme parks", I have to tell you that I pine for the days in which rides actually had a story to tell, were exciting, and transported you to another world, in terms of imagination.

Yes, that's Pirates of the Caribbean, the Haunted Mansion, the Indiana Jones ride at Disneyland. It turns out those are the most expensive to create, and become obsolete the quickest.

Don't get me wrong. I do like good coasters. But, a coaster compared to a well-thought out, imaginative theme ride is comparing apples to oranges to me.

I like Disneyland for that reason.

Roller coaster's rock! Busch Gardens in Tampa has 9 (I think). I spent an entire day just going from one to the next and back again!

Lost my voice on California Screamin' two days ago, freaky coster that it is. Got used to it after the second time.

CuriousJockAZ saidI'm the biggest baby when it comes to rollercoasters. I absolutely will not get on one unless it's inside like The Matahorn or Space Mountain at Disneyland...and don't even try to get me on a Ferris Wheel -- scare me to death! Needless to say I won't be jumping out of a plane in a parachute or scaling Mount Everest in THIS lifetime! :-)

lots of my friends share your sentiment about roller coasters. i actually go to amusement parks by myself 'cuz of this and i'm with you regarding the ferris wheel... it freaks me out too LOL, that and the sky lifts ... not that i won't go on either of them

fastprof said...I have to tell you that I pine for the days in which rides actually had a story to tell, were exciting, and transported you to another world, in terms of imagination.

Yes, that's Pirates of the Caribbean, the Haunted Mansion, the Indiana Jones ride at Disneyland. It turns out those are the most expensive to create, and become obsolete the quickest.

That's why I love Disney too. No one can tell a story in an attraction like they can. The Haunted Mansion is one of my favorites - especially after the new refurb (at WDW). "We find it delightfully unlivable here. Every room comes with wall to wall creeps...and hot and cold running chills!" ha ha ha! I love it.

I wish they'd make more story-immersive rides like this. But, it seems the new generation of park guests just want ride-through video games like the new Toy Story Mania ride. It's unfortunate really.

Chalk me up as another one who is terrified of Ferris Wheels though. The Wonder Wheel (Coney Island) and it's cousin The Sun Wheel at Disney's California Adventure both freak me out since the cars swing back and forth on that track.

Felt sick after 6 coasters at Six Flags/magic mountain - I think Deja Vu was the final straw but loved "X"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=thSK4tb8siY

I love the wooden coasters. Thunderbolt at Kennywood is still my absolute favorite, though the ones at Cedar Point are awesome.

1. Stratosphere Big Shot in Vegas...at night, is pretty intense.
2. Superman Ride of Steel in Agawam, MA voted best coaster in the world numerous times.
3. Space Mountain DisneyWorld is more tame but always fun.

LOVE UM.

Ditto on Six Flags Agawam SUPERMAN
Six Flags Magic Mountain X
Disney SPACE MOUNTAIN (of course.) + CALIFORNIA DREAMIN' (in CA)

Caslon5000 saidI love roller coasters but only if I am in the front seat with someone with a sense of humor.

copy that on the passenger comment... I love a train filled with screaming passengers... but the ride experience varies depending on where you sit on the train. usually the first seat is the best, but neva discount the last train. you get whipped around more back there and while you can't always see the track in front of you (which can also add to the excitement), the view of the forward cars is always a sight to behold.

from the last row on Nitro...



meanstreak...

kew1 saidFelt sick after 6 coasters at Six Flags/magic mountain - I think Deja Vu was the final straw but loved "X"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=thSK4tb8siY

wow, i need to go west. that ride looks seriously disorienting and the dude who recorded it sounds like he was gettin' raped... and likin' it.

Check out the new "X2" then. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=get9SEqKmxM

It has music, a new paint job and FLAME THROWERS!!

I agree with the back seat comment. I normally only sit in the front seat on suspended coasters (like Batman, Raptor, Wicked Twister, etc...). Otherwise, it's usually last row for me because that means more airtime!!

halltd saidCheck out the new "X2" then. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=get9SEqKmxM

It has music, a new paint job and FLAME THROWERS!!

I agree with the back seat comment. I normally only sit in the front seat on suspended coasters (like Batman, Raptor, Wicked Twister, etc...). Otherwise, it's usually last row for me because that means more airtime!!

ok so... the track remains the same but new trains were installed... right?

... and good point about the suspended coasters... forgot 'bout that... you don't see shit but the back rest of the row in front of you.

I'll try any roller coaster once...twice if I like it...forever if I love it.

yomamali said
ok so... the track remains the same but new trains were installed... right?

yes - that's what they did. Newly designed trains that weigh way less and supposedly offer a smoother ride.

HighVoltageGuy saidI'll try any roller coaster once...twice if I like it...forever if I love it.

... now that's what i'm talkin' about

Coasters are great. I grew up in northwest Ohio and the family made two trips to Cedar Point every season. I made more once I had a driver's license. Haven't been there in ages, like maybe '92. I found a substitute--skydiving.

Nothing beats swingin' your feet out of the plane, movin' your hands on the wing support so you can get far enough out to hang and await your instructor to give the command to let go. There are those couple of seconds when your eyes are locked on the instructor and all you can hear is the roar of the engine. You feel the rush of air over your face and the sensation of your heart pounding against your chest. As you fall you can see the plane moving away but the sound is all gone. Only the pounding remains until your chute opens and tugs and jerks your body into the correct position. You have those couple of minutes as you discend where you control the ride and what you get to see before it's time to position for a landing. Men, you have to try it.

tailgaytor... you're a bigger man than me... one day i'll grow a pair and do it

I enjoy a day at Cedar Point or Kings Island. Both are relatively close by.
The millenium Force has the strange affect of popping my eyelids inside out if I don't squint. I had the opportunity to ride the Maverick for the first time at Gay Day at CP last month, it's a lot of fun.
One other fine attribute Cedar Point has is that Sandusky has two fabulous gay bars in town, and the lake (Erie). Sandusky also has the largest indoor waterpark in the world, the "Khalihari".

John43620 saidSandusky also has the largest indoor waterpark in the world, the "Khalihari".

I hate to be a stickler, but Kalahari is the largest indoor water park in the US (at 173,000 sf), but not the world. That title would go to Tropical Islands in Brand, Germany. It's in an old blimp hanger and is something like 700,000 under one roof. I like facts.

halltd knows that I'm obsessed with roller coasters. I've traveled to CA, TX, PA and NJ just to ride them.
My partner and I dock our boat at Cedar Point! Best of both worlds...boating and roller coasters.

I'm a huge Busch Gardens Europe fan. Beautiful park with great rides.

I took a trip to visit Dorney Park and Six Flags Great Adventure a few years ago. Fun trip! I got to ride coasters that were completely new to me. My Los Angeles trips were fun...hit Magic Mountain and Knotts. Not a big Disney fan so I skipped that. Also spent some time on Santa Monica Pier and drove up the coast for a while.

I once flew in to Houston, rented a car, visited Astroworld (before it closed) drove up to Dallas and went to Six Flags Over Texas, then drove down to San Antonio to visit Sea World and Six Flags Fiesta Texas.

My next trip is Carowinds, Six Flags Over Georgia, Dollywood, Holidayworld and Kings Island (another regular for me.

Anyways...I'm babbling. =)

Oh, here's the view from our dock! Gotta love it! =)

i love the theme park part...rollercoasters are fine, as long as they don't do loops and go upside down and all those crazy ways. nausea and vomiting afterward are not fun

however! places i've liked: Disneyland, Knotts Berry Farm, Universal Studios.

So, when I was a little kid I was SHIT scared of them, now I LOVE them!!!!

Here are videos of a few of my favorites.

Maverick at Cedar Point. I love that beyond vertical 95 degree first drop. =) And they're short little 3 car trains. So it moves like a bat out of hell.




Millennium Force. This video is actually a morning test run. So, it's running really slow. If it is mufflehead or Canadian soldier season...do NOT ride in the front. Or you'll have a meal.=) Kenny and I will go in with the resort guests / early entry guests in the mornings and ride this before our cup of coffee...the perfect wake up! =) When you hit the brakes in the video you can see our docking pier.



Top Thrill Dragster. It's like a huge penis sticking up into the sky. The first time I went on this I tried to close my eyes a little and my eyelids started flapping. Similar to Kingda Ka but no hill at the end and a maint. department that doesn't terrify me.

I love roller coasters, and every summer I drive my happy ass 3 hours with some friends to go to Cedar Point. Once a month, from the time they open, until they close. I could see myself moving to Ohio just so I can live closer.
The best ride, for me anyways, is the Dragster or Millennium force at Cedar Point.

... so has anyone heard of ring racer for 2009... from the rumor mill, this beauty will dethrone Kingda Ka as the world's fastest roller coaster... but everything that i've heard so far has been that it'll have a racetrack layout so most likely no loops or dives but...

~135mph in 2secs... *gulp*

ScottCLE saidTop Thrill Dragster. It's like a huge penis sticking up into the sky.

LMAOOOO

I grew up a few minutes from Kings Island, so I got a season's pass for Christmas every year from the time I was 9-16years old. I used to love to eat acid at Kings Island and ride the roller coasters, in fact I've easily been there more often on it than not....

Riding the last coaster of Beast late in the season when it's dark is awesome. I love how it shakes you and goes through the woods....and the going through the tunnels is awesome. I also loved the King Cobra before they closed it (stand-up roller coaster). Not sure what new things they have these days.

Kings Island isn't as good since it sold out to Paramount. They put TVs everywhere in the lines so its really quiet and no one talks to each other.


I'm embarrassed to say I've never been to Cedar Point. Those roller coasters seem epic, maybe when I take a trip back to the midwest I'll get there......


...maybe I'll relive my HS days..

yomamali said... so has anyone heard of ring racer for 2009... from the rumor mill, this beauty will dethrone Kingda Ka as the world's fastest roller coaster... but everything that i've heard so far has been that it'll have a racetrack layout so most likely no loops or dives but...

~135mph in 2secs... *gulp*

Yeah...isn't that a race car and racing themed park that is being built in Germany? I haven't heard a whole lot...but it sounds crazy. =)

atlnvmasc said
Riding the last coaster of Beast late in the season when it's dark is awesome. I love how it shakes you and goes through the woods....and the going through the tunnels is awesome.

Not sure what new things they have these days.

Kings Island isn't as good since it sold out to Paramount. They put TVs everywhere in the lines so its really quiet and no one talks to each other.

If you're lucky enough to go in the early spring, ride very early in the day or really late at night you may bet to experience fog in the woods. You have no idea where in the heck you're going.

They are currently building a 200'+ coaster there for next year. It's going to go out into the woods next too the Beast. It is rumored to be called "Mustang" and will have a splashdown feature at the end.

KI was best when run by Taft Broadcasting. Paramount kind of messed it up. But, Cedar Fair (owners of Cedar Point) purchased it a couple of years ago. Hopefully that will help.

I'm impressed that you're so up on the current happenings in the coaster world, Scott. The new B&M hyper at KI looks pretty awesome. I wonder when Son of Beast will accidentally burn down?

CEDAR POINT bought Kings Island? Great news.


I always seem to end up there on P&B Day, as so many of my friends parents work for P&G so we get free tickets.

The bennies are no crowds/lines, nice toilet paper and towels in the bathrooms, they scale down everything so its not a full-on onslaught.

The downfall is that it smells like TIDE everywhere...weird

Technically Cedar FAIR bought King's Island. (Cedar Point is also owned by Cedar Fair.) They actually bought ALL of the former Paramount Parks a couple years ago. They now own Canada's Wonderland, King's Dominion, California's Great America and Carowinds too.

You can see all of their properties here. [url]http://www.cedarfair.com//url]

If you own a Platinum Pass to any of their parks, it's good at ALL of their parks. Plus, you get free parking at every park for the entire year. So, for people in Ohio it's a pretty good deal.

halltd saidI'm impressed that you're so up on the current happenings in the coaster world, Scott. The new B&M hyper at KI looks pretty awesome. I wonder when Son of Beast will accidentally burn down?

When I was a kid I used to know every US park, it's roller coasters and each roller coaster's statistics. I can't even imagine doing that now =)

There is an amusement park rumor / info site called "screamscape.com" that will list all kinds of stuff. Not always accurate. But it's fun.

Son of Beast is just boring...and rough. It had a lot of potential...just a really bad layout. They took the loop out. It was a great novelty for a wooden coaster. Of course it was the best part of the ride.

The new KI hyper (200'+ tall)is not going to be long...only about 4000 ft long so they say. One of the shortest B&M hypers. But, they need one bad! It may also have the new split seat trains.

atlnvmasc said
The bennies are no crowds/lines...

If you like Kings Island and like very short lines...go to the pride night event. It's from 6 to midnight on Friday August 29th. It's pretty much just gay people running around the park, super short lines and just fun. I've gone MANY times. It's my usual KI visit each year.

It's an event that's benefit ticket and closed to the public. There is a link below.

http://www.pridenight.com/

I love Cedar Pointe.. haven't been in about 10 years though.. last place I rode coasters at was Vegas, did the Manhattan Express at NYNY also did the Big Shot on top of the Stratosphere.. I can't remember which other ones we hit (it was Vegas and we were pretty much drunk the entire week)

I do have a love for those cheesy mobile carnival rides.. maybe it's because they are dismantled and reassembled every weekat a different location.. the extra shakiness makes them a bit more fun.
One by me a couple weeks ago had a double ferris wheel (which you NEVER see)it was so shaky and creaky..fun fun fun

ScottCLE said

... what ride is this?? pretty interesting seating arrangement...

That would be Behemoth (http://behemoth.canadaswonderland.com/), a B&M hyper at Canada's Wonderland - new for 2008 - the first of its kind to have staggered seating like this. Like Scott said, the new B&M at King's Island will also have the same train layout as shown by the ride blueprints.


Scott, that 4000 measurement you quoted was incorrect on the Dayton Daily News' part. They actually measured the coaster from the plans - meaning they measure the track a if it were laying flat on the ground. So, they didn't take into account going up and down the hills or going into the ravine back in the woods. With that said, the coaster is supposed to be around 5200 or 5300 which is more along the lines of a B&M hyper. A guesstimate of what the ride will look like is here.

ScottCLE said

atlnvmasc said
The bennies are no crowds/lines...

If you like Kings Island and like very short lines...go to the pride night event. It's from 6 to midnight on Friday August 29th. It's pretty much just gay people running around the park, super short lines and just fun. I've gone MANY times. It's my usual KI visit each year.

It's an event that's benefit ticket and closed to the public. There is a link below.

http://www.pridenight.com/

I'd love to, but

1) That's right in the midst of Burning Man
2) It is currently costing $500 to fly back to the midwest

OMG - I can't believe I haven't commented in this thread yet. I love roller coasters.

I live in Louisville, KY - we have a Six Flags (probably pretty famous now considering last years tragic accident) and we're close to KI and Holiday World.

I grew up spending the summers in Michigan though and remember CP fondly - the Demon Drop was my favorite back then. Went back up there the year Millennium Force opened. I remember, I was in the second seat and as we went down the first hill, my contact flew right out of my eye - I was half-blind the rest of the day. HAHA!

Holiday World rocks. The Koch's are the nicest family you could ever ask to run a park. Plus, their coasters are really labor of love for them. We went there last summer and had the absolute best time. You're lucky to be so close.

I could do without Kentucky Kingdom though, especially since the state proved their maintenance department doesn't do their job. I wouldn't wish what happened to that girl on anyone.

My partner and I love Roller Coasters. We love rides in general. We become two big kids. Our favorite so far has been Cedar point in Sandusky Ohio. We are going to gay day at Great Adventure in PA in September.

Cedar Point, Hell yeah!! By far one of the best things about growing up in North-East Ohio. My favorite coasters are the Mantis and the Millennium Force. I make it a point to get a few friends together and go there at least twice during the summer. Sadly, it has not been the case this summer,thus far.

I'm confused. wasn't the ride, when it came out anyway, called High Speed Dragster? and wasn't it the tallest roller coaster in the world at the time? tell me it hasn't been dethroned!
my brother and I made a roadtrip up the there in 2004 from virginia beach just to ride it. and it was down for maintenance. :-(
so I've still never ridden it.
wasn't it something like 420 feet high?

tailgaytor, you describe skydiving perfectly. Reading your description brought back memories. It has been years since I did it. I still remember looking up at the instructor smiling but wanting to scream from fear an excitement. It was awesome.

halltd saidHoliday World rocks. The Koch's are the nicest family you could ever ask to run a park. Plus, their coasters are really labor of love for them. We went there last summer and had the absolute best time. You're lucky to be so close.

I could do without Kentucky Kingdom though, especially since the state proved their maintenance department doesn't do their job. I wouldn't wish what happened to that girl on anyone.

Their [HW] wooden coasters are great - even won a few awards in their time. And free unlimited sodas, are you kidding me?!

Yea, I could do without KK too - it's all tailerpark trash now anyway - that park has been falling apart for a while. Very tragic, horrible. We couldn't believe it. A buddy of mine was first response out there and he couldn't believe what he saw. Terrible. They have kids running those things now... unbelievable.

halltd saidSo I have a slight obsession with roller coasters and theme parks. I attribute this to growing up in Northeast Ohio and having America's Roller Coast (ie: Cedar Point) only an hour or so away. I also worked at Disney as an Imagineer for six months during my Architecture education. So, needless to say, I really like them.

Who else loves coasters and/or theme parks? Which ones and why? Do you try and hit up parks when you travel or travel just to hit up parks? (I do both!)

I have to say, my favorite wooden coaster (even though the purists say it's not a true woodie) is El Toro at Six Flags Great Adventure. My second favorite would be Lightning Racer at Hershey Park.

My favorite steel coaster is a tie between Millennium Force at Cedar Point and Nemesis at Alton Towers (in England). Top Thrill Dragster, Tatsu and Nitro would be next.

How about everyone else?

I've been on everyone of the rides you just said expect the one in England. I am definitely a rollercoaster fan.

Not necessarily a rollercoaster, but Mission Space in Disney World is pretty amazing. I think it has actually killed a few people.

youngaugust saidI'm confused. wasn't the ride, when it came out anyway, called High Speed Dragster? and wasn't it the tallest roller coaster in the world at the time? tell me it hasn't been dethroned!
my brother and I made a roadtrip up the there in 2004 from virginia beach just to ride it. and it was down for maintenance. :-(
so I've still never ridden it.
wasn't it something like 420 feet high?

It currently is and has been Top Thrill Dragster. Yep...420 ft and 120 mph. I loved it when it had the engine blocks and huge wheels on the back. Theya're gone now.

Kingda Ka at Six Flags Great Adventure built something similar only about 40 feet higher and 8 mph faster...I think. =) It has a nice hill at the end, too. Honestly...going at those speeds and those heights you can NOT tell the difference.

Most Six Flags parks make me nervous. They tend to put maintaining their rides on the back burner. The whole Superman Tower of Power incident at Kentucky Kingdom is a horrible example.

halltd saidScott, that 4000 measurement you quoted was incorrect on the Dayton Daily News' part.

That makes me feel much much better. =)

I hope that Cedar Fair doesn't neuter all of the rides and replace the trees with concrete like many of their parks. Well...they're getting better about that I suppose.

I'm sorry, but I'm not riding anything that has someone with less pubic hair than I have in my ear, at the controls.

Exactly! I'm sorry...if they don't have enough driving experience to be on the road on their own what gives Six Flags the idea that they can control a multi-million dollar ride and be responsible to human lives.

I blame that accident on the ride manufacturer too though. In no way should a ride operator at a theme park (18 or 25) be responsible for life or death decisions. The ride should have been outfitted with a sensor that e-stopped the ride automatically (like all the newer towers have).

What a lot of people don't realize is that the same brand of tower in Spain had a cable snap in exactly the same fashion as at SFKK just the other month. The ride e-stopped itself and no one was injured. Had that sensor been in place in Kentucky, that girl would still have feet. What's even more astonishing to me is the park was only fined $1,000 for the accident.

On a happier note, has anyone heard anything about what CP might be up to for 2009? I'm dying to find out.

Is anyone going to gay days at Great adventure in NJ this year? It is in September.

LOVE Roller Coasters!
Millenium Force RULES!!!
Cedar Point is America's Roller Coast!

Great thing is I grew up in NE Ohio, and we had choices of Cedar Point, Geauga Lake, Kings Island, Kennywood, Idora, Meyers Lake, Chippawa Lake and any number of other smaller amusement parks within a few hours drive.
They all had some great old wood or newer steel coasters. Loved some of the water coaster rides too...
The Blue Streak, The Comet, the Cork Screw, The Beast, Son of Beast, The Screaming Eagle, Vortex, Mean Streak, Greased Lightning, etc......CLASSICS! What a blast from the past!
I say we have an "RJ COASTER DAY" get together at CEDAR POINT some weekend in August. We could get rooms at the Breakers or at one of the other places inland from the causeway and stay a couple to a room for the weekend....That would be GREAT FUN!

http://www.cedarpoint.com/

halltd saidhas anyone heard anything about what CP might be up to for 2009? I'm dying to find out.

There, evidently, are paint markings in the parking lot nest in front of Disaster Transport. I haven't seen them so I'm not sure what they're like.

With Demon Drop getting removed and Disaster Transport bobsled being more difficult to maintain (I think that the only one of it's kind left besides DT is La Vibora at SFoTexas)that would make a great area for a nice L shaped wooden coaster. Cedar Fair is installing two of them. CA's Great America was approved for one and Worlds of Fun is getting one next year. Especially now with steel being so expensive it would be a smart move.

The dolphin/diving stadium (Oceana) is now drained and is a bmx bike show. I give it a couple more seasons max. That would be a great spot for a new flat ride.

Anyways...just a wild guess. =)

Yeah i remember i used to ride this roller coaster in Phoenix AZ.

that blows that demon drop is scheduled for removal. i loved free fall in Great Adventure (which was taken down at the end of the 06 season) and when i was at CP earlier this year i rode demon drop at least half a dozen times just for nostalgia's sake (lol, no one goes on this ride anymore). but i guess with these new dive machines comin' around, these old rides don't compare. o well... can't wait to see what they replace it with.

Demon Drop is still only rumored to be axed. It's been for sale for several years now with no takers. It is also the last standing first generation Intamin freefall still operating in the US. So, that could be good or bad for its fate.

Although I'd love to see a GOOD woodie get installed at the Point, I'd hate to see Demon Drop and Disaster Transport go away. I actually like the toboggan coasters. I guess there's always King's Dominion and Avalanche.

I guess no one has had a good experience at my place of work since no one mentioned it. Kennywood America's Finest Traditional Amusement Park.

Unfortunately I've never been to Kennywood. But, I have friends in the Akron area that SWEAR by Kennywood. Hopefully I'll get there someday. I also hope the new Spanish company that owns it won't destroy the nostalgia and family-owned vibe.

halltd saidUnfortunately I've never been to Kennywood. But, I have friends in the Akron area that SWEAR by Kennywood. Hopefully I'll get there someday. I also hope the new Spanish company that owns it won't destroy the nostalgia and family-owned vibe.

The employees pray for that as well. I mean for Pittsburgh Kennywood isn't to bad. We're happy to see out of state cars in our parking lots with gas prices as well. Can't forget our sister parks, Sandcastle Waterpark, Idlewild and Soak Zone, and Lake Compounce.

Signboy07 saidI guess no one has had a good experience at my place of work since no one mentioned it. Kennywood America's Finest Traditional Amusement Park.

I've been to Kennywood and had a great time! Lines weren't bad and the price was OK.... and one of the coasters was great....a big wood classic gravity coaster that uses the natural topography to make its hills, etc....fun! Just too much competition from Cedar Point and Kings Island being so relatively close.....still, K-wood is different from those two mega parks and is worth the trip.

Signboy07 saidI guess no one has had a good experience at my place of work since no one mentioned it. Kennywood America's Finest Traditional Amusement Park.

Actually Kennywood is one of my favorite parks! I've been there quite a few times. It's like stepping back in time in some areas. Gotta love the deep fried Oreos and french fries with gravy! Mmmmm. And that second drop on Phantom is incredible! Nothing like going off "edge of a cliff." =)

Cedar Point has the best coasters to choose from.

Millemium Force is the best coaster there. Since I live in Florida I don't get up there that often.
We have a couple of great coasters in the south like The Hulk and Dueling Dragons at Islands of Adventures. Kraken at Seaworld and I can't forget about Busch Gardens in Tampa has a couple of great coasters as well.

I hope Cedar Point doesn't cut all their trees either, but; in my opinion the Cottenwoods can go.

My trip to CP was in late June this year and it was like it was snowing in the park. I've never been when the Cottonwoods were "shedding" like that. So I agree, they can go. ha ha!!

John43620 saidI hope Cedar Point doesn't cut all their trees either, but; in my opinion the Cottenwoods can go.

I agree! The fuzzies clog up the icemakers in our boats. Nothing worse than warm adult beverages!! =)

It really gets gross on the water too. Lots of slimy piles of goo...pretty stinky too.

Yay 2 People know of my employment. ScottCle I will agree with you on the fries, though I'm not a fan of our deep fried oreos. Gotta have my Funnel Cake. And Sproty g we have 3 wooden coasters. The Thunder Bolt, which I now work on, The Jack Rabbit and the Racers.

I didn't want to start a new thread, so I'll put this here.

King's Island announced their new ride for 2009 today - Diamondback. It looks stunning to say the least.

http://www.kidiamondback.com/