Mechanics wrestle with Top Thrill Dragster at Cedar Point

Jeff, about the trip reports with X and getting on everything else, I did that 3 weeks ago. Did all the other rides within 4 hours, and waited 2 hours for X.

One significant difference--

Dragster was open on Opening Day.

Wicked Twister was open on Opening Day.

Clearly neither ride was complete, but both were operational.

Of course, I wonder how much of the current trouble with Dragster is related to the decisions that got the ride running in time for Opening Day instead of a few weeks late...

Oh, and as for Delayja-Vu...have I just been lucky? Both times that I've taken full-day visits to Great America I've managed to ride it. The first time it was scheduled to operate (according to the sign at the park entrance) from 12nn-4:00pm. I rode it just after 10:00pm. So I can't complain about that one! :)

--Dave Althoff, Jr.

Hey Moosh, read through the thread again, I think you missed the point. Your question was answered in a round-about way. Six Flags doesn't get the benefit of any doubts with ride problems because of the general poor operations of the chain. In other words, yes there *is* a double standard and a handling of CF with kid gloves, and people feel perfectly justified in it because Six Flags as a whole, "sucks".

Not nessesarily the way I feel, but that's the way it will continue to be. The chain has angered so many people, that *any* way to get some sort of vindication against them feels justified, including slamming them for things they have no control over.

Imagine you are a teacher. One of your students is particularly troublesome and he's always doing things he shouldn't. He makes you quite mad sometimes and you punish him appropriately. One day, another student does something bad. He is usually a pretty good student with a good attitude and doesn't need to be scolded. He feels terrible for what he did and apologized profusely. Will you punish this kid identically as the bad kid, or will you give a less harsh punishment than you'd give the bad kid?

-seth

p.s. couldv'e gone with the Boy Who Cried Wolf defense.

"Maddie - I never said my list was complete, hence "I'm sure there are others." Sure, add Mr Freeze and Chiller. I'll also add California Screaming and Tomb Raider to the list."

Oh, I know. I just thought I'd make an effort at making a coaster-related contribution for a change. :)

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--Maddie--
What do I Listen-To?
May the Schwarz be with you.

Moosh... No one gets why you're questioning a double standard because you yourself have given the reason for having it! Why shouldn't there be a double standard if, as you say, the park deserves it?

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Jeff - Webmaster/Admin - CoasterBuzz.com - Sillynonsense.com
DELETED! What time does the water show start?

Why does everyone have to get so upset? If you don't like said chain or said park, don't go. If you go to a park and don't get to ride the big ride you wanted to, oh well, big deal, get over it. Heck I didnt get to ride the Chiller two years ago when I went to Great Adventure, did I get all bent out of shape, no. I went back this summer and at least got on Robin, so all is good. Does anyone try to look for the good in a park as opposed to the bad all the time? This whole Six Flags sucks, and Cedar Fair sucks is getting a little old isn't it? How about this, Holiday World sucks. Each to his own boys, I likes mine...raw.

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After a recount, Superman: Ride of Steel (New England) - 200th coaster.

I agree with you,Moosh.If Six Flag's CEO were to publicly bash a coaster manufacturer,we'd never hear the end of it.;)

As far as getting over the main attraction at a park, I don't think so. Sure, if you live nearby and can go next week it is easy to do. I am travelling 1200 miles (from Nova Scotia) to go to CP. I booked my tickets and vacation in May based on their ads. Should I just shrug off $2000? I have already been to CP and have ridden all the other rides. I booked this trip to ride TTD.

My only wish is that would be forthcoming with the facts of how often it is running. One run a day does not make it an operating day. I would like to see the number of rides given each day. You know they have that information from the turnstiles. But yet, that is confidential. Why?

This is the first time I have ever had a complaint with CP.

The last time I went to SFoG there were metal detectors, two fights I witnessed, and 6 cop cars at the exit. The staff was letting their friends cut the line and could only manage a 3min turnaround on the Scorcher.

The last time I went to SFWoA I had to kick trash out of the way, stand in line for X in a paved parking lot with no cover when it was 93 degrees.

That's why CP deserves the benefit of the doubt.

DBCOOP

I agree with the statement that CF operates their parks better than SF but I think it's important to note that SF has a LOT of parks.

They have so many coasters that numbers alone will tell you that they will have more reported problems than any other chain. The fact that all their parks start with the name Six Flags doesn't help either. If you see a problem at CP it's easier to separate the experience from one at Knott's. Some people don't even know the same company owns them.

That's why a lot of companies don't like just one brand name for all of their products so clearly.

It's true that SF has a lot of parks. BUT, I have only been to one on any given day.

Georgia has turned into a gang hangout and WoA seems like the staff could care less.

The highest rating I can give is to SFKK. Right, Kentucky Kingdom. Their staff was much nicer and maybe because it is a smaller park it was much cleaner. Not to mention the most under-rated coaster in the world, CHANG. The second longest, fastest, and tallest stand-up. The T2 is pretty good too. If you have a SF season pass it is worth the trip. You can ride til you're ill but only on 2 good rides.

Coop

Maybe Six Flags needs to school itself and its employees on People Skills. I'd have to say that of all of the parks I've been to I was the most dissapointed in SFMM's workers and ability to open rides.

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158 coasters and counting...last parks:BGW,PKD,SFA,Hershey,Disney Ca Adventure, KBF,SFMM, Lakemont

What kind of idiot wrestles with a 420 foot tall mass of steel?

You knew it was coming. ;)

--Ryan

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"I don't like anyone's balls to roll..." - Koaster King

I agree with the difference in the way the two chains are being treated. I treat others the way they treat me. Six Flags does not treat their guests with respect. Why should we show them any? The metal detectors are a ploy to say that safety is their number one priority. Money is clearly number one, while customer satisfaction falls on the bottom of the list. Have you ever noticed that all the upcharge attractions and gift shops and such never seem to have staffing issues, but they will cut or delay operations on coasters or flats? This is no mistake. Once you're in the gate, they have your money and no reason to care if you ride 4 rides per hour or one ride in four hours. For a fee on top of entry however, they are willing to shorten your wait time.

CP on the other hand, respects their guests, and deserves respect in return. They are willing to take the next step in the industry, and that does not come problem-free. They know that it upsets people when things are down, but for the most part, you can count on consistent, fast, and friendly operations unlike the hit or usually miss operations of most SF parks.

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Jim Hansen
Number of coasters ridden: 293

Double standard, I have never been to a SF park where every coaster has been running, On the other hand I go to CP quite often and have yet to see anything other than TTD closed all day, yeah a few times Raptor or manits were down a good part of the day but they did open, and magnum went down a few times but opened back up. The arguement isn't SF vs CF, the arguement is CP's rides are alost always running except TTD, as for most SF's parks its hard to visit and ride every coaster, not because time is an issue but because there not running period. Its not like saying its just one SF park and an isolated incident, it is a constant an ongoing problem. Its like comparing an A student vs a C student, not to say there not both capable of the same, but one just really doesn't seen to give a damn and the one that doesn't give a damn is going to recieve more flak and once if ever CP seems to not give a damn they'll be treated with the same flak.

Exactly, Snap has a point. I went to Cedar Point 2 days ago and everything was working great. The lines weren't too bad. And when I got there I saw a sign saying that TTD is closed but may re-open during the day and the best part is that i got on it. CP is constantly trying to keep their rides open and so that they can give people what they want. Even though when i was in line for TTD it was doing great for the first 40 mins and then it started to constantly break down. But i waited for about 3 hours and 40 mins and I got on it. But the point is that Cedar Point is doing a much better job then any Six Flags park out there.

I was just there thursday and was lucky enough to ride the ride. I thought that it was one of the best coasters i have ever been on in my life, but when waiting for 2 hours and having it break down while in line, that was a pain. Also when they did fix it you would have to hold your breath everytime a cart when because they would barely make it over the top everytime. Also i noticed through out the day that the coaster would break down every 2-3 hours. So all in all i dont think that this coaster was woth 25million doallars because of braking down all the time and making a lot of people upset.

I don't think ive heard a new argument in the CF vs SF argument in a month. Stop talking about it. None of you are saying anything that hasn't been said. Just do a search and read the other threads on the topic and stop wasting my time by talking about how CF cares and SF doesn't.

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As Mitch always said, "A severed foot is the ultimate stocking stuffer."
WORD

-Tomas!¿?

People are merely corroborating with anecdotal evidence. It's as much a waste of time for you to take these people to task as it is for them repeat the same information multiple times. If it's a waste of time to read what people write, don't read it.

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Harry Baer IV

"Do you think it was a bear?"
"A bear? Bears are sweet! Besides, you ever seen a bear with 40 foot feet?"

What kind of idiot wrestles with a 420 foot tall mass of steel?
You knew it was coming.

Hey Legend, who won and how did they win? Was it pinfall or countout?

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Skol Vikings