Big lines? You bet! SFMM 8/25
Associated parks:
None
Arrival was delayed thanks to our own lack of get-up-and-go. The plan was to arrive before opening then run with the bulls to X. We got there at about 10:30, just missed it, oh well. I got Uncle Chuck in with my Free Friend Admission, so he decided to treat us all to a round of Fastlane Tix. I had never used SFMM's Fastlane before because I was too damn cheap. But, this was on Chuck's dime, so I figured "Why the hell not?" After getting those AND a much too long stop at the restrooms we finaly made our way to X!
I knew this would be a long wait, but the horror stores of 4-7 hour lines were really making me sweat. But we had Fastlane! "X is not accepting Fastlane passes today. Sorry for the inconvenience." As it turns out, they had a rather efficiant 2 train operation all day, and no breakdowns that I noticed. I think they were running this as well as this ride can be operated, at this point. The line was a solid 2 hours, but I was expecting at least 3, so I was happy. We opted for front row, right side. Now, I have ridden X seven times before the last round of downtime, and let me say that it is even better now. I think the trims on the bottom of the drop were off, because this sucker hauled ass through the entire course. Insane! Wild! Crazy! Cannot say enough good things about X. The backflip camelback can only be described as art. GET ON THIS RIDE!!!
After that, we were ready for a shorter line, and Viper had a full queue. But we had Fastlane! This time, it worked like a charm. Chances are you have an Arrow looper in a park near you. If you happen to live near one of the mega-loopers, you probably have given up on it and are willing to let it rust away, OR you have learned where the worst spots are and have taken up a "defensive riding" posture. I choose the defence method and can enjoy the sheer intensity and mind warping power that is Viper. Find a more powerful set of loops, I DARE you! They don't exist, there, I said it!
By now it was hot. Really hot. Like, Africa hot. I didn't think it was going to be this hot. I mean HOT! So what better way to cool off than getting mucky theme park trough-water all over you? I had not been on Roaring Rapids for a LONG time, mostly because its line is longest when the weather is hottest. (duh) But we had Fastlane! We were on, got soaked, and were outta there inside 15 minutes. Thanks Chuck! Did I mention how hot it was?
Over to Deja Vu... 2 hour plus wait. And no Fastlane. We skipped it and would come back later.
Over to Riddler's Revenge. Another full queue, another Fastlane pass. Even with Fastlane the wait was 30 minutes. I love me that there Riddler, but it has a really poorly designed station. This is another ride I am proud to have near me. The perfect combination of sweeping inversions in the first half, and (thanks to a trimless mid course) a powerful ending. The last corkscrew is really good. Anyone who says Riddler has no G's went on a different ride.
Time for lunch, and herein lies the dilema. SFMM has a pretty poor selection of food, IMO. The only place I enjoy there is Mooseburger Lodge, and the service can be PAINFULLY slow at times. But we had Fastlane! Oh wait... Actually we were seated right away and the food came quickly. Nice!
What better way to let the food settle than a 255' drop followed by a massive twisted layout? Nothing, I say. The line was REALLY SHORT! I was amazed. We were on and off inside 20 minutes without using Fastlane. Sweet! Goliath is a great ride, and it had been so long since my last ride, I was really ready for her. Is Big G the perfect Hyper? No. But what it does have is damn good. Fast, smooth, one great airtime hill, and the best helix around. This is one coaster I would like to try a marathon on. Love it, love it, love it.
Now for the best ride of the day, The Orient Express. If you don't know what this ride does, I ain't telling you. Let's just say it takes the Mountain out of Magic Mountain.
Ninja was... a near walk-on! Cha-ching! This is one non-stop suspended. I like it much more now than I did 5 years ago and I don't know why.
Up next, Superman:TE. The sign said 1 hour 45 minutes?!? But we had Fast... you know. Sadly, Supes was not accepting Fastlane today. Sorry for the inconvenience. We skipped it.
Down the hill to Deja Vu, and it had a slightly shorter line than before, and Chuck really wanted to ride it, so we waited. And waited. And waited. Actually the wait was less than what we waited for X. About 80 or 90 minutes, but it felt long due to the PATHETIC (and very consistent) 6 minute load time on this ride. Its like they were trying to hit that 6 minute mark on every load. That's 10 rides/hour at 32 per train, or 320 pph?!? Awuful! With that off my chest, I LOVE DEJA VU!!! The ride itself is awesome, forget the loading platform. Some people say DV sucks, anyone who says that has one of these three things happening...
A. They have not been on it,
B. They have not been on it, or...
C. They have not been on it.
I know, I know... personal preference & tastes. I say this ride has it all. Great speed, big inversions, and the vertical towers are just perfect. Also, it's easily the smoothest Vekoma ever.
Nobody wanted to go to the chiropractor the next day, so we skipped Psyclone. I was actually willing to give it "another chance, " but nobody would go with.
After the long wait for DV, Gold Rusher was a walk-on. Why not? Great helix ending and cool mountainside setting. What more can you expect ftom a mine ride?
Batman was another short wait. Where did everyone go? 10 minute wait here. I saw an overflowing trash can, but guess what? It DID NOT ruin my day! I just passed by it and got the ride! Bats was going faster and crazier than I ever remember. Such an intense ride. But it's just a clone. So the hell what? Its cloned because its so damn good.
We still had one Fastlane left, so we hit up Colossus, thanks Chuck! Not a bad wooden coaster, just not a really good wooden coaster either. Some good drops and some boaring turns. It also seemed a little smoother than normal, red side. I can't wait for Fright Fest for Colossus Backwards. Now THAT is how to ride this coaster.
And that's it. It was 8:30 and our dogs were collectively barking. We all had fun and vowed to never let 7 months go by again without hitting The Mountain.
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Nothing... NOTHING... can prepare you for... the Fourth Dimension!
*** This post was edited by Soggy on 8/26/2002. ***
"I think the trims on the bottom of the drop were off"
I thought those trims were magnetic? And they have trims there now? Nooooo! I just hope if I get to ride X again next year, it remains at my #1 spot. I know that Goliath dropped from my #1 to out of my top 5 just because they cranked those brakes up (and I rode MF soon after that) :). Sigh. At least I hear X is running smoother. I can't wait for another back seat ride on the left side.
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I was asked to describe X in one word. The word? -- OhmygoshwhathaveIgottenmyselfintothisisthescariest
thingintheworldhelpmeIamgoingtodieAHHHH!!!
There has always been a set of brakes at the bottom of X's first drop. They are NOT - I repeat, NOT - ever used to trim speed from the train. They are there to stop a valleyed train in the event that happens. There is also a set of brakes at the low point just before the second Raven turn. Those are also in case of a valleyed train.
This is not an unusual pratice. Many B&M coasters also have brakes installed at low points for the same reason.
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"I am so smart! I am so smart! S-M-R-T! I mean S-M-A-R-T!" - Homer Simpson
I can show you more intense loops than Viper -- Shockwave at SFGAm. Insane intensity.
Actually, they're probably the same. But overall Viper is better-designed, and Shockwave, hence, is rougher and more intense.
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SFGAm: 1)DV 2)V2 3)AE Blue 4)Viper 5)Bull
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This contest can not be decided by our knowledge of the force but by our skills with a lightsaber.
Count dooku episode II
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Nothing... NOTHING... can prepare you for... the Fourth Dimension!
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"I am so smart! I am so smart! S-M-R-T! I mean S-M-A-R-T!" - Homer Simpson
I remember watching the ride testing last Fall, I did hear those brakes on the bottom of the drop grabbing . I must admit that I cannot remember actually feeling anything on any of my rides, pre or post rehab. I'm just glad its open again!
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Nothing... NOTHING... can prepare you for... the Fourth Dimension!
Soggy - no worries, I was just making sure you didn't take offense.
In addition to being [feeling] faster, how was the rotation? I recall that it was smooth during preview last December but that by March it had gotten considerable rougher - or perhaps more "agressive" would be a better adjective. How is it now?
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"I am so smart! I am so smart! S-M-R-T! I mean S-M-A-R-T!" - Homer Simpson
Soggy, you've got some screwed up priorities, man. I mean, is riding and posting great trip reports on CoasterBuzz less important than getting married? I think not!
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Jeff - Webmaster/Admin - CoasterBuzz.com, Sillynonsense.com
"Let's stop saying 'don't quote me,' because if no one quotes you, you probably haven't said a thing worth saying." - Dogma, KMFDM
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Total number of V2 laps (SFMW-post mods) = 27
Total number of V2 laps (SFMW pre-mod) = 12
Next Trip = SFMM 08-24-2002
Jeff, you're just jealous 'cause I'm going to Hawaii. 6 and a half weeks and counting. Tick-tock tick-tock!
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Nothing... NOTHING... can prepare you for... the Fourth Dimension!
Bastard!
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Jeff - Webmaster/Admin - CoasterBuzz.com, Sillynonsense.com
"Let's stop saying 'don't quote me,' because if no one quotes you, you probably haven't said a thing worth saying." - Dogma, KMFDM
" I saw an overflowing trash can, but guess what? It DID NOT ruin my day"!
What!!! You mean to tell me you didn't have your park inspection badge with you, what kind of enthusiast are you? Didn't you know that garbage can jump out at anytime and drown the guests? And on top of that you DARED have a good time anyway? You suck! ;)
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"Escuse me, can you tell me where the heck the Mystery Lodge is"?
Outkast - But at least he noiced it! :)
Soggy - Nice TR, and (more importantly) congratulations!
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"The perfect machine, you seemed to be, when I built you up in my mind..." - Reverend Jon Autry
*** This post was edited by chris on 8/27/2002. ***
I saw an overflowing trash can, but guess what? It DID NOT ruin my day!
*Rubs Eyes* You serious? That goes against the morals of most every enthusiast!
Thank You for challenging TOS: The Ride. We hope you enjoy the rest of your day, here at Coasterbuzz.
*** This post was edited by BullGuy on 8/27/2002. ***
Wow... I'm sort of surprised MM's guests use trash cans... :)
X must be the ride that's caused the most stir among the public since Millennium Force. Though, X could be the operation problems too.
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"Well, I'm sure I'd feel much worse if I weren't under such heavy sedation." - David St. Hubbins, Spinal Tap
http://www.loopscrew.com
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