Matt Kaiser

Here's my theory on coaster rating: I don't like rating anything, especially assigning things a concrete value when it's all subjective. So many factors affect a coaster, from what time of year you ride, to how long ago you rode. They'll certainly be different experiences - especially if you're ranking based on only a few times you've ridden the coaster. There's a ton of bias involved. (Home parks, expectations that a certain coaster should be ranked highly) I'd rather not try to give values to every coaster I've ridden. What really makes one better than another? I don't maintain a traditional top 10. I know there are certain coasters I really like, some that are okay, some that are absolutely horrible, etc. If someone asks me what my favorite coaster is, I usually just randomly say one of my favorites. However, I would agree that Mitch's poll was superior. I don't think GTA releases how their results are calculated, but the best part of Mitch's poll is that it's very well done from a Math/Statistics perspective. It assigned scores based on what coasters the voter actually rode. It was not just a popularity contest over which coaster had the most riders. Sidenote, I saw someone commenting on Facebook who claimed he was one of the voters for GTA. He said he refused to vote for Carowinds because they were wrong for taking out Thunder Road. That should NOT be a consideration for rating a coaster.

Thanks everyone! I just noticed the woman in the back row is sporting a new unique ride style. I'll call it the "I want to put my hands up but still want to hold on" technique.

During FF last year they brought in a company to handle the parking lot traffic. They set up their own cones and had tons of people directing cars.

Thanks! I've started a personal tour count now to keep track of how many times I've toured each ride! Also, here's a pic from my phone I forgot to include: They took out the Temple Waters game near Kingdom Gyro.

Riding of the Bull was great this year - probably one of the best I've been to. (I attended Tres, Cinco, Seis, and now Siete) Due to Coaster Con being at Great Adventure this year, RotB lost a lot of out-of-state attendees, so there were only 204 people at the event. This was much better for the ERT compared to previous years. In addition, everyone got to sign up for TWO tours! I remember back at RotB Tres where only a small group of attendees who were randomly chosen got to go on a tour. There were even some tour tickets left over, so I got to attend all 3. (I waited for someone to claim the extra tickets after they were announced. No one else wanted them, so Mark gave them to me) Pictures! The weather was rather gloomy, so unfortunately there's a gloomy white/gray cloudy sky in all of the pictures. Tour 1: Houdini, Superman, Green Lantern Entering Houdini's basement. I believe these hoses come from the pump room (right) and head up into the gondola. Spoilers! Houdini's drum Next up, Superman. Some wheels n' stuff inside Superman's maintenance shed Kingda Ka, from the access road near Green Lantern Tour 2: Congo Rapids, Batman, & Nitro We started the tour near the lighthouse in Seaport, so we walked around where they're setting up the terror trail. More terror trail stuff More terror trail stuff An interesting view of Prospertown Lake from the access road near Congo Rapids View of Nitro from the backside of Congo The retired wave machine Congo's lift crane and maintenance area The pumps! Inside Batman's maintenance shed, the storage track Batman is still Backwards! RotB Lunch - Mark, Bret, and Dave making announcements Again during lunch, with the addition of Dennis from catering and Dory from Special Events. Tour 3: Ka, Zu, Bizarro Getting that teal train ready! Our friend, Kyle, riding Ka (row 4, hands up) Going up! Bizarro entering the shields The new sign directing guests to the Voodoo Island trail. Spoooooky (The eyes light up at night) Of course, the awesome new Pumpkin King standing guard in the fountain. All the fire goblets are set up.

Didn't they just decide day-of? Like, "hey, there's a ton of people here, let's stay open until midnight and not tell anyone."

I think this is a misprint. Usually the scare pass is good all season. If you click "Buy" and go to see info, it doesn't mention anything about it being for one visit - it's described more like it used to be. (a sticker on your season pass good until the end of FF)

Six Flags said in an interview/news article (I think it was Corporate Engineer Larry Chickola) that they wanted S&S to come up with a low-cost experience similar to their 4D model that can be easily replicated across their parks. I think it was an LA Times article, but I don't remember.

It was nice meeting you, Brian! I didn't realize you were a member on GAH too.

The Six Flags bubble was in full effect. Towns around us got pouring rain. We got a little drizzle every few hours.

Riding of the Bull is in a few hours. See some of you there!

^ I assume he means to go to the 9/14 to get the details But, the previous meeting minutes should become available at that meeting as well. http://www.jacksontwpnj.net/documents/agendas/planning/2015/09-14-15.pdf

My assumption is that they'll run 1 train in order to seamlessly do the switch again with Over Georgia.

I went once and Harry was there too

I assume they use it for boats?

I think the common reason is that both are in good operating condition (as far as we can tell). They're not going to take out a multi-million dollar ride that works perfectly without at least relocating it to another park. Almost every park has a Batman clone, so there's really no place they can put it, unless they sell it.

I think that would be pretty cool. My idea would be after the camel hump, have it fly over the path into some banked turns and small airtime hills in Rolling Thunder's unoccupied area.

I've always assumed the high price is also a technique to discourage people from buying a bunch of drinks and getting drunk.

I don't ever buy beer anywhere, but isn't that roughly on the same scale as other parks and concerts/festivals?

They switched to using 3 trains for a number of reasons. 1. At the time (pre-Zumanjaro), it was actually faster with 3 trains on 1 side than 4 trains on 2 sides. During a winter tour, they reassured us that they would reverse the decision if it wasn't faster. I believe the switch tracks were a big issue for them. 2. It allows them to have 1 train sitting out every year for complete rehabilitation. Right now, I think the teal train is out, although they could probably just put whatever color body they want on the train. The teal coverings are on the side of the station that faces the parking lot. You can probably see them through the parking lot fence. 3. It saves money by only having to staff 1 station, instead of 2.

Went to the park this morning with my girlfriend, Lauren, to process our 2016 passes. We got there early, a little before 10, and waited until 10:15am when the gates opened. Lauren got a completely new season pass. I renewed my season pass and put the 2016 onto my 2015 card. We both also got dining. Both of us were able to process right at the entrance gate with 2 easy scans--the ticket voucher and the card. Once inside, we decided to pick up our 2016 Blue cups from G.A. cafe. Despite the door being locked, we managed to be let inside. Lauren got her cup, no problem. Some issue came up trying redeem my cup, but it seems that they're working on it, since they had me sign a logbook of people who received the cup. Next, we visited Grandstand & Fort Independence. Not much has happened since Harry's last visit. It seems like they don't work on weekends, and obviously not on Labor day. I'm getting tired, so I'm not going to put much detail into the rest, but we then rode the Big Wheel, ate at Macho Nacho (me) & Kickin' Chicken (Lauren), rode the Skyway, had an ice cream, then left around 2pm. Pictures! Granny's roof. Not really sure what they're doing up there? (based on the dumpster from previous trip reports) Nitro + Namtab Who said GA has no landscaping?

The operator has to press the button each time for the speakers, so they usually miss it a lot.

And the vast majority of park guests won't know the difference.

Behind the candelabra!

Interesting. Is that just how salt water is filtrated?