How The GP Perceives Coasters

Sometimes I feel like I enjoy coasters less now than I used to. Very rarely do I ride a new coaster that I don't know the whole layout, etc. There's no surprises anymore. I remember being absolutely terrified of The Beast when I was younger, and waiting for 2 hours to ride it just made it scarier! Now I have a more casual attitude about things, I don't like waiting for coasters, etc. I'd give anything to go back to being 12 years old and being in complete awe of Magnum, so much so that I couldn't even ride it. The "GP" doesn't know just how good they've got it ;)

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Doesn't it seem as though morons always have the caps lock on?

Wow...many of the posts here are really sad. It is possible to be a coaster enthusiast and not be jaded about the hobby. Its all a matter of perspective.

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2002 - the year of LoCoSuMo!!

Mark W. Baruth: I found the same thing. The solution: Don't study the layouts of the new coasters during the offseason. If you analyze every twist and turn of a new coaster, then you already know exactly what it's going to feel like when you hop on.

Re: Loops

I think bigkirby hit it right on the head. I'm surprised at how few people know of the hypercoaster idea i.e. that airtime and intensity and speed is as much fun as inversions.

Something I noticed (brought up by Steel Force/Nitro) is that people tend to act like they know what they're talking about when they don't (which isn't to say that I know what I'm talking about). Why do people feel the need to make things up while in line for a rollercoaster? Impress their friends? Impress random people who they'll never see again? (At SFGAdv. I heard people saying Steel Force was the tallest in the world until Nitro etc. etc. etc.).

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The legend lives!

You mentioned the correct word Mamoosh, "hobby". It's nothing more or less than that, no matter how important some enthusiasts try to appear. All my supposed "coaster knowledge" goes right out the window when I'm at a park. I'm basically a kid again, running form coaster to coaster, laughing with people in line, and most of the time I don't even let on that I know anymore than anybody else.

How boring it must get for people who throw their *massive* knowledge of coasters around like anybody actually cares, refusing to wait in long lines because they "get ERT", saying they hate this coaster and that coaster because "there are not enough bunny hops" or it's not B&M or Intamin, complaining every year because they're not happy with their home parks choice of rides.

Yeah, that would get boring REAL quick...

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Have you ever considered that maybe it's not the park that's the problem, but YOU?

*** This post was edited by DWeaver on 3/13/2002. ***

Gang, if you think we're all that bad, you ain't seen nothing. If you want to see overblown egos, immense trivia spouters, anal retentives, and generally socially maladjusted people, just go to ANY car enthusiast gathering. Whether it be a cruise night, an auto show, or a club event, NOBODY gets their panties in a bunch like a car guy (or girl). I've seen near-fist fights develop over a Camaro vs. Mustang debate, an owner have a apoplectic fit when you just lean over his car, or even folks that will vandalize your ride, just because of it's brand.
Yeah, we can get a little geeky at times, but I'm of the mind that as long as we acknowledge our "geekiness" and don't let it get in the way of our relating to others, all power to us.

I consider myself GP, enthusiast, coaster geek, obsessed, average Joe, whatever......

Just give me the rides, baby!!!

Later,
EV
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"Just remember, wherever you go, there you are." - Buckaroo Banzai

DW & EV - good to see some other people who "get it." I'm in my mid-30s...I wonder if that comes with age?

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2002 - the year of LoCoSuMo!!

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EchoVictor said:

I consider myself GP, enthusiast, coaster geek, obsessed, average Joe, whatever......

Just give me the rides, baby!!!

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To me, that's the difference between being AT a park, and being "chained" to my computer wishing I was at a park. Riding is WAAAAY better than typing, and I never fail to have FUN at the park...I save "analysis" for home AND office...

BTW, when does mid-30s hit...I'm 34, and I still go by "early 30s" when I can get away with it...

*** This post was edited by rollergator on 3/13/2002. ***

LOL Rollergator, your times almost up! ;)

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Have you ever considered that maybe it's not the park that's the problem, but YOU?

Gator - I'll be 37 in June, so "mid-30's" lasts until at least then...probably longer...LOL!

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2002 - the year of LoCoSuMo!!

In that case, I'm in my "early" twenties...being 24 and all ;)

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Doesn't it seem as though morons always have the caps lock on?

So am I still in my mid-twenties?

chris - Hitting the big 3-0 this summer, but hopefully feeling like a big azz kid at Knoebel's. :)

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"you're better off talkin bout your wack puma sneakers." -KRS ONE

Dweaver you are absolutly correct I sometimes forget that a Vekoma can be as fun as a b&m. You just have to stop thinking like an enthusist.

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Touch The Sky

Agreed. When I'm actually at a park, I'm not thinking "This is a B&M built in 1999. It stands 165 feet tall, features seven inversions...blah blah blah". Instead I'm usually thinking something along the lines of "Yes! Only 2 more trains then I get on!!!"

For the record I can say I'm in my late 20's for another 13 months. :)

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www.coasterimage.com

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B&R-The Chiller said:
Well dont you think that the GP are afraid of "Loops". Whenever they see a coaster they go does this have "loops"? Personally when I didnt know much about coasters I thought height was more scary then inversion or maybe its just me?

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Touch The Sky

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Well, I guess it's the idea that people have that it's the loops that makes them dizzy, which makes them barf.

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rollergator said:
"To me, that's the difference between being AT a park, and being "chained" to my computer wishing I was at a park. Riding is WAAAAY better than typing, and I never fail to have FUN at the park...I save "analysis" for home AND office..."

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Oh, bite me warm-weather boy! ;-)
(Yes, I'm jealous!)

Later,
EV
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"Just remember, wherever you go, there you are." - Buckaroo Banzai

Another thing that my non-enthusiast friends have said is that they won't go on looping coasters becuase they are afraid of being stuck upside down.

This was their excuse for not going on Montezooma's Revenge.

They said the same thing regarding Boomerang, referring to the cobra roll. I will give them that one, even though it isn't stuck upside down.

I just think that when people who don't understand coasters read in the newspaper (articles written by those that don't understand coasters) about accidents on coasters, they freak out, and only half comphrehend the meaning of the accident.

By the way a picture in the OC Register after the death on Monte featured a big picture (stop action) of the train upside down at the top of the loop. Considering the article that went with it, its not hard to explain how people get confused.

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Xcelerator-
0-82 in 2.3 seconds! =Wow!

thanks EV, I gotta enjoy it while I can, since summertime coasting generally involves hassling with airports, rental cars, hotels, and that whole thing...Glad to hear our friends in TX are "back up and riding"...a trip to their fine state is certainly in the offing!

But LG, I usually save the big "YES" for when I'm on the NEXT train....lol.

Hehe, rollergator. I guess I'm just premature!

The "next" train usually involves some sort of happy dance in which I embarass anyone and everyone who's with me. ;)

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www.coasterimage.com

Alot of my friends at school, who are the GP think that Superman at Darien Lake is like the most technically advanced ride out there our something...like the reason SFDL hasn't gotten a coaster in so long is cause there's nothing to match up to the last one...heheheh, if only they knew.

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"you give me the most gorgeous sleep that i've ever had and when it's really bad i guess it's not that bad" Underneath it all- no doubt