KK456

Bizarro started it all though. Bizarro in 1999, Nitro in 2001, S:UF in 2003, Kingda Ka in 2005, and El Toro in 2006. In 7 year we got 5 coasters, which is unreal; Combined, I estimate a cost of over $100 million (I could be way off though) . We were really spoiled back then, and I don't feel bad about it

^That's definitely true. But that could also be because Nitro is a capacity MONSTER, so it almost never has long lines. I do agree, no matter how short the other lines are Kingda Ka is always a wait, it's become something you can't leave without riding (especially for people out of the state).

Guys, I need a second opinion. Based on this weekend's forecast, should I go to the park on Saturday or Sunday? (Both days will have rain, at slightly different times though)

I think Kingda Ka is viewed as the park's scariest coaster that one would have to conquer (as most Intamins tend to be), while Nitro is viewed as the parks funnest coaster that will have you laughing hysterically at the brake run wanting more (the reputation of most B&M's). Although Nitro and Kingda Ka were great investments, I think El Toro was ultimately the best decision the park ever made. It cost less than Nitro and Kingda Ka, I believe (the park doesn't reveal costs, so these are educated guesses) and it was the ride that put Gadv on the radar, especially the enthusiast radar. It gave the people exactly what they wanted and everyone was happy, plus it doesn't have as many maintenance issues as Kingda Ka.

^True that! I may have bumped into a lot of you guys and never even knew it!

Hmm... it seems that there are a lot of possibilities for 2016

^Agreed, it's a nice touch!

Unfortunately I can't make it to the Pass Previews, even though I have a gold pass because of school and being busy. But I'll be there Saturday on opening day to try this out! Expect a detailed review soon! ^^Also, nice pic Railer, that was a great and unique camera angle! Not sure if that was just a coincidence or deliberate though, probably a coincidence

^That's interesting. I wonder what the future looks like for that area

^^I believe CP provided "Rougabrew" at their new coaster's event, and I think more parks will start selling alcoholic beverages. Your right though, if we have the security it won't be out of control.

Speaking of park hotels, CP's refurbed Hotel Breakers looks great. I hope in the distant future we can get a resort/hotel in the park when it's recovered completely

^Your took the words out of my mouth. I completely agree. Six Flags Gadv isn't meant to have a real cohesive theme anymore, it's turned to a place that teens mostly go. With the exception of the Golden Kingdom and Plaza Del Carnival, Six Flags Gadv doesn't have anymore great themed areas.

Someone pointed this out on another forum, but that strip of land is narrow and straight, and a BT:TR (SFFT) would fit in that area

It's not the chain that's the problem, B&M has solved that issue. It's how expensive it would be to support a lift hill alone, plus the rest of the layout. Kingda Ka is just a tophat and hill and that cost 25 million! If B&M were to make a 400 ft coaster with an actual layout it would be tremendously expensive. But I do think they will go past 350 ft, I'm not sure which park though.

^I doubt it. They only went to 325ft because the park asked for it. The only practical way to reach 400 ft is with a launch, and even if B&M decided to use a launch their LSM launches don't accelerate nearly as fast as hydraulic launches; meaning, the launch track would have to be at least twice as long as Kingda Ka's, which no park could really fit realistically. For now, since Intamin patented the hydraulic launch, if a park wants to break the 400ft barrier it's going to be with them. (Or a polercoaster if they have the money)

^I remember breathing a huge sigh of relief when I heard the announcement. Our record is safe...for now.

^^I've heard that too (forgot where), but I'm not sure if that's likely or not.

You know, I have a source telling me that there are solar panel contractors in the park. Maybe that's what the action in Old Country is for?

Even the more recent launched coasters have had issues. Formula Rossa had major issues with the hydraulic system before it opened, and it took them a very long time to get it running at top speed. Ring Racer was a disaster. Yes, launch technology has become much more refined, but many launch coasters still have issues. They simply aren't as reliable and consistent, with most launch (especially coasters with much more complex systems like air-pressure systems or hydraulics) coasters break down much more frequently than chain lifted coasters, which is a problem.

I think SF did a fantastic job integrating this ride into the park. I'm glad they didn't just plop it down and call it a day, but they actually took their time and made it fit. I'm certainly going to ride it when it opens!

I'm well aware that Intrasys supplied the launch components, but the configuration and the specifics were arranged by B&M. Also, I said almost all launched coasters, not all. Kingda Ka, TTD, Maverick, Xcelerator, Chiller, etc. have all experienced lots of downtime throughout the years. LIM's are still unreliable and take up a lot of electricity (the LIM system on Chiller was an enormous issue), hence the switch to LSM's, which are much, much more reliable and energy efficient. Even Premier no longer uses LIM's. But nowadays yes, breakdowns are much less common, but launched coasters have been and perhaps always will be less reliable than their chain-powered counterparts. Either way, all of this started because Chiller's station is simply wide enough for wingrider trains. There is absolutely no concrete evidence that a wingrider, let alone a coaster is in the works, and we are simply stating what is possible for 2016. I'm done debating for now, but once there is solid evidence of a coaster for 2016 I'm all up for discussion. ^By the way, Kingda Ka doesn't use LIMs. The magnetic fins are their own category.

^There have definitely been positive reception to the ride's layout. Sure, the theming is well executed and the placement is fantastic, but the ride itself was incredibly designed and makes the most of it's layout. It has a nice mix of forces, with snappy transitions, pops of airtime in certain elements, and lots of sustained g's; I know several people who have either blacked out or greyed out several times on the ride. Much of Thunderbird's reputation is built because of the park, but the ride itself is equally as well praised. As for your first point, true that no technology on the ride was new, but the amazing thing is that you have a launch and the intensity with B&M's level of engineering. Almost all launch coasters have had major mechanical issues (our launched coaster included), but B&M is capable of creating systems so reliable they seldom break down for long. I guarantee that Thunderbird will never be plagued with the issues that most launched coasters have. I completely agree with the second point. RMC's have been such a win-win for the parks it's unbelievable. They only have to spend 10-15 million dollars, and they get a world-class ride out of it. It brings new life to older attractions as well, bringing old woodies to the elite class of some parks. It's also good for enthusiasts and even the GP too.

Sure, they likely knew it was possible, but then again there was no proof of concept. Most rides that are prototypes have problems, and 11 times out of 10 they are surpassed in every statistic. I don't think they thought a launched wingrider was necessary at all for any of their parks, but Thunderbird's tremendous success (so far) will certainly change things in the future.

Now that I look at the whole launched wingrider thing, I realize something. A coaster takes about 2 years on average to plan. Theoretically, that would mean that whatever we're getting was in the making since 2013, and Holiday started planning Thunderbird around 2012. Before Thunderbird, a launched wingrider, let alone a LAUNCHED B&M WINGRIDER was completely and entirely out of the realm of discussion. I don't think SF even knew about this concept when they started planning for 2016 in 2013, so perhaps we can eliminate a launched wingrider. They would have to have started planning in 2014 (when Thunderbird was announced), and hypothetically we would get one of these in 2017, which does not fit the puzzle.

That sign is enormous! It looks really cool! In other news, this happened today: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IltvZaSpkuk