Predator @ SFDL... one word, AMAZING!
...the first time I have ever even THOUGHT about saying it, but I am. The predator HAS changed, for the better. I am talking about a BIG change, and this ride has turned into an amazing one...
Let me tell you, not only is it VERY smooth now (maybe just a bit "too" smooth)... but you go FLYING around the track... FLYING!! I am talking AIRTIME on the last 3-4 hills on the straightaway airtime! I have never once (out of the more than 500 times ive been on it) ever get ANY airtime on ANY of those hills, but my ride yesterday on predator was AMAZING!
....if you disliked Predator before, go ride it... you will see what I mean.
I'll have a full review soon enough on my site :)
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SFDLnet: The Ultimate Darien Lake Guide.
http://sfdl.coasterbuzz.com - SNEAK PREVIEW
Let me tell you, not only is it VERY smooth now (maybe just a bit "too" smooth)... but you go FLYING around the track... FLYING!! I am talking AIRTIME on the last 3-4 hills on the straightaway airtime! I have never once (out of the more than 500 times ive been on it) ever get ANY airtime on ANY of those hills, but my ride yesterday on predator was AMAZING!
....if you disliked Predator before, go ride it... you will see what I mean.
I'll have a full review soon enough on my site :)
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SFDLnet: The Ultimate Darien Lake Guide.
http://sfdl.coasterbuzz.com - SNEAK PREVIEW
Well, I just got back from my trip to Darien Lake (one of many!)...
And my personal opinion was that there was STILL some choppiness, but that I guess is to be expected.
I didn't feel any air-time (however, I only rode once, and in the 3rd car)... which was kind of heart-breaking because over the winter, I am really looking for a local coaster with good air-time!!!
Anyway, whatever they did... it kind of seemed like it was rough, yet I didn't really feel it.
They had shock-absorbers or something done to the trains where it felt like it was shaking during some transitions, but you couldn't feel it all that much. Plus they must have gotten some kind of new backs on the cars because those head rests are extremely comfortable (though, I don't lean back on them at all... but if it was jerky, it'd be something nice to lean against).
Maybe it was the time-of-day or the weather, but it wasn't airy with lift... but overall MUCH MUCH MUCH MUCH more enjoyable than the years in the past. I'd definately re-ride that coaster, and will by trying every seat to find out which one is the smoothest, fastest, and funnest (is that a word?).
If you have doubts about Darien Lake that you never visited it... just do it!
I never give it the credit it deserves because it's my home park and I'll critize it until the day it dies... but it's really a nice little Six Flags park. Just watch out for the severely cloned Mind Eraser Vekoma suspended. It's the roughest coaster there, and should be replaced with a B&M suspended. Vekoma suspended coasters really just blow the overall experience of fun.
Otherwise, you can have a lot of fun there.
If you are from out of town and are thinking about re-visiting the park from either last year or the year before... no real changes, and not worth it unless you use the campground! (it's still a nice park, however).
And my personal opinion was that there was STILL some choppiness, but that I guess is to be expected.
I didn't feel any air-time (however, I only rode once, and in the 3rd car)... which was kind of heart-breaking because over the winter, I am really looking for a local coaster with good air-time!!!
Anyway, whatever they did... it kind of seemed like it was rough, yet I didn't really feel it.
They had shock-absorbers or something done to the trains where it felt like it was shaking during some transitions, but you couldn't feel it all that much. Plus they must have gotten some kind of new backs on the cars because those head rests are extremely comfortable (though, I don't lean back on them at all... but if it was jerky, it'd be something nice to lean against).
Maybe it was the time-of-day or the weather, but it wasn't airy with lift... but overall MUCH MUCH MUCH MUCH more enjoyable than the years in the past. I'd definately re-ride that coaster, and will by trying every seat to find out which one is the smoothest, fastest, and funnest (is that a word?).
If you have doubts about Darien Lake that you never visited it... just do it!
I never give it the credit it deserves because it's my home park and I'll critize it until the day it dies... but it's really a nice little Six Flags park. Just watch out for the severely cloned Mind Eraser Vekoma suspended. It's the roughest coaster there, and should be replaced with a B&M suspended. Vekoma suspended coasters really just blow the overall experience of fun.
Otherwise, you can have a lot of fun there.
If you are from out of town and are thinking about re-visiting the park from either last year or the year before... no real changes, and not worth it unless you use the campground! (it's still a nice park, however).
I'm gonna beat RideMan to the punch here. Predator and Raging Wolf Bobs @ SFWoA suffer from the same ailment: PTC trailerd trains. Does anyone know if the trains have been addressed?
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Scott W. Short
scott@midwestcoastercentral.com
http://www.midwestcoastercentral.com
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Scott W. Short
scott@midwestcoastercentral.com
http://www.midwestcoastercentral.com
The trains are still the same old PTC's but the one train has been missing since last year. Maybe they are doing something to it. As far as all those who say Predator is smooth and running great, they must be into pain. I rode opening weekend. There was no lift on any hill and we came ccrraawwlliinngg into the brake. The ride has been in bad shape and continues to stay that way. I rode it the first two years of it's life when it was a great ride. If you think it's good now then if they ever do make it run like it did you will be speechless.
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