SFGAm(7-14) The V2 Curse Continues
Associated parks:
None
Well, this weekend being the weekend of my birthday (7-13), my wife planned out a weekend free from my two biggest vices; the computer and coasters. Anyways the weekend is going great and on Sunday my wife plans to go to the Bristol Rennaisance Faire which is a mere stones throw from SFGAm. Anyways both of us had a sucky time at the Rennaisance Faire and I suggest we leave early. My wife rolls her eyes when I say, "Dear, Great America is 75 cents in tolls and 10 dollars in parking away. Lets go there!"
After a near argument, I finally win and we are on our way to SFGAm. My Impulse curse continues with the sign up front saying that V2 is the only ride that will not be running today. I apologize to anyone that was at the park today. It is my fault that V2 was not running today. You see it was the mere act of me walking in the park that caused it to be shut down. I am truly becoming convinced of it.
I decided that a birthday trip to Great America would be best spent power riding my two favorites: Viper and Raging Bull.
To those of you that say that this park is always busy, go on a Sunday. This is the second Sunday I visited the park and both days the lines were very resonable. Nothing much more than a half hour that I saw, though I would say it was busier this Sunday than the other Sunday I went. We are getting into July now so it makes sense.
Now for the skinny on Viper. I am absolutely falling head over heals for this coaster. I rode four times in 1.3 and got two or three click rides everytime. I was getting POWERFUL ejector air everytime out to the point that I was standing, yes standing, on the last hill. (Before I get the comments, I wasnt really standing, it was just that I was thrown that far out of my seat that it seemed like I was standing).
Anyways, I think my path to becoming an airtime whore is complete. There was a time not long ago that I would never ride a coaster with a two click ride. I stapled MYSELF into every coaster I rode for fear that I would fall out. Not so anymore.
For some reason, this coaster just keeps getting better and better everytime I ride it and I honestly can say that this is one of the best coasters I have ever riden. It took me many rides to warm up to it and even more to fall in love with it but I finally see the greatness of this coaster.
The other coaster that got a power riding was Raging Bull. Back seat everytime. Great airtime. This ride was everything I remember it was last year. It didnt quite deliver on my last visit, but today it was cookin big time. That roughness that 2Hostyl mentioned was no where to be found and I did ride every train. A huge thumbs up to the crew on this ride for pumping out a 3 train operation with little stacking. They are still measuring kids in the station which is the only thing that causes stacking but otherwise this crew was quick, motivated, and putting in some great effort. Then again, the clamshell restraints arent all that hard to check.
The only other coaster I rode during our four hour visit was American Eagle backwards. I just wanted to relive this one again. I rode in 1.2 which gave some excellent visuals and something I havent had on this ride forever, airtime. Even on my last visit riding backwards I got no air. Today, tons. The brakes in the helix were on very light as well so we were flying down the helix. Great ride, crappy loading procedures and a very unmotivated crew. It all added up to the shortest line of the day and the longest wait.
All in all a GREAT four hour visit. I have to do this more often, just concentrating on a few coasters that I really love instead of trying to hit em all in a day.
By the way, to all people that are going to be at Cedar Point on 7-23 and 7-24 and all the people that will be at Great America on 7-26, I will be at those parks those days so if you wish to ride those parks impulse coasters those days, I suggest you visit another day. Wicked Twister and V2 will be closed on those respective days. I will be bring the curse with me to Ohio, so watch out.
-----------------
Bob Hansen
A proud CoasterBuzz Member
"We are not responsible for anything the Demon takes or breaks"
What's wrong with V2 these days? I've heard reports of it being down several different times.
At least you don't have the Deja Vu curse -- a more powerful and frequently recurring one for many. But then again -- you don't seem to want to ride that one.
So which is better --Viper or Bull? I have a tough time deciding these days.
-----------------
SFGAm: 1)DV 2)V2 3)AE Blue 4)Viper 5)Bull
Bull Fan - I havent riden Deja Vu because the lines have been very long for it and my wife doesnt have the patience to wait. The one day I get to the park at opening and it is open I will ride it. BTW it was down for half the time I was at the park today.
As for the Viper/Bull debate, if you would have asked me two months ago I would have told you hands down Raging Bull. Now I am not so sure anymore.
-----------------
Bob Hansen
A proud CoasterBuzz Member
"We are not responsible for anything the Demon takes or breaks"
-----------------
SFGAm: 1)DV 2)V2 3)AE Blue 4)Viper 5)Bull
Nice TR, Kick The Sky.
I'd like to add my 2 cents worth on your little Bull/Viper debate. As you can tell from my sig I prefer Viper. To me, this is the way coasters should be. And 1:3 is the best seat. I like the way the airtime increases hill after hill until that last hill that puts you on your feet. It's pure fun.
-----------------
Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former." - Albert Einstein
Favorite Wood: Viper(SFGAm), Legend (HW)
Favorite Steel: MF (CP), Mamba (WoF)
Thanks alot Kick The Sky. I didnt get to ride V2 today because not only did you enter the gate, but the mere thought crossed your mind that you wanted to visit the park that caused its closure. ;)
Just kidding bud.
-----------------
Ric Flair was hitting on the female host, he told her - "Space Mountain may be the oldest ride in the park, but it has the longest line." WOOOOO!
Oh and dont put all that "roughness" off on the Hostyl One. Y'all KNOW I am the last to complain about rougness (recall my fetish for Sonny and Herc). But after thinking about it, there was a *little* vibration, but hardly enough to detract from the ride.
As for Viper v Bull, two years ago, I'd have given only the slightest of edge to Bull. But now, after my Viper ride on 7-5-02, I can CLEARLY say Bull is the best. While sitting in 1.2 (I let my bro and sis sit in 1.3), I got a little airtime, but FAR from the normal ejection. Also, there seemed to be almost no laterals on the entry to the turnarounds, at least not as strong as Texas Cyclone in the front. It was just an all around whimpy ride compared with my memories. Perhaps I've just been riding too many "brutal" woodies lately (Herc, The Legend, Raven, Thunderhawk, Hershey Wildcat...). Even though I had gotten a good ride in 1.2 two years ago, I think I'll go back to the "old days" and head for the back of the train. The ONE saving grace that kept me from booting the ride completely off my favorites list was the very last drop. I got GREAT standing air on that one :)
Raging Bull, OTOH, it was the first time I had ridden in the last row and will likely be the only place I'll ride it again. There was just SOOO much "outta your seat" time on EVERY drop (even that curved/banked piece of garbage after the first camelback). I felt all the trims grab the train, but that didnt take any bit of enjoyment of the ride from me. The drop off the midcourse was almost as thrilling as the first drop and I had TOTALLY forgotten about the ensuing camelback (with major floatage). I've always though the ride had a killer layout (which is what made it my #1), but the actual *ride* had "suspect" moments. But now, I *really* feel that it kicks every other steel coaster right in the ding-ding (save Millie in the front seat which I have no words to adequetly describe).
Okay, I'm sorry, this isnt a jeremy TR....
lata,
moi
-------------
"To get inside this head of mine, would take a monkey-wrench, and a lot of wine" Res How I Do
Oh Hostyl one :)
You and I must have ridden different Viper's. The Viper I have ridden the last two visits to the park was ejector air heaven. The second turnaround laterals were also really good. I admit the first turnaround laterals are not what they used to be. I am not, however, a lateral fan. I am an airtime fan and I got tons of it. To each their own. If I had to pick out a flaw for this ride it would be the enormously underwhelming first drop. After that it is party time!
I am totally with you on your comments about Raging Bull being the best steel out there. MF just wasnt as good as Bull for me, but then again I still havent gotten a front seat ride. Maybe this year.
-----------------
Bob Hansen
A proud CoasterBuzz Member
"So you think your'e really brave, gonna see the DEMONS cave.
You silly dude, your'e only food, for the DEMON"
Yes, Kick, I rode Viper twice on Saturday, once in 3.3 and the other in 3.1, and I thought it was running the best I can remember. It just seems to get better and better. You're right about that last hill, too. You feel like you're going to be ejected it's so strong.
I think that opening drop on Raging Bull is UNBELIEVABLE in the back. The way the lift hill gives that little bit of speed before taking the big drop so that you just FLY down...YES!
-----------------
35 parks and 158 coasters in 2002!
Grumble, I wish SFMM's was as good as yours!
-------------
Nothing... NOTHING... can prepare you for... the Fourth Dimension!
Soggy said:
I keep hearing about how great Viper is, and that makes me mad. I'm upset because SFGrAm's Viper has a CI Cyclone layout, and so does SFMM's Psyclone. But Viper sounds awesome and Psyclone is one of the worst coasters out there.
It's funny you should mention this, Soggy. When my wife and I reached the top of the lift hill on our one-and-only Psyclone ride last week, we were amazed at how much it reminded us of Viper - until we went down the first drop. After that it was pathetic to say the best.
-----------------
Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former." - Albert Einstein
Favorite Wood: Viper(SFGAm), Legend (HW)
Favorite Steel: MF (CP), Mamba (WoF)
-----------------
Top 5: 1)MF, 2)Goliath, 3)Magnum XL 200, 4)Medusa(West), 5)Raptor
You must be logged in to post
