The end of the Season Thread

Okay, I know some of you have perpetual coastering in your neck of the woods (Shut up Mike, Matt and Bill!), and, granted, I have one other trip planned before Solace...

But what are your over all thoughts on this season? Favorite new/new to you coaster, park or attraction?

Whats the biggest suprise you received from the Amusment Industry this year?

What are you most looking forward to next year?

Personally, I was most shocked at:
CF buying GL
The announcement that TTD is getting Topped
SFI blaming weather on poor attendance(okay, maybe that was a stretch)
And finally Gemini. Best Coaster At the Po!nt. Period!

I almost doubled my small coaster count this year. I should be at 100 before my annual May trip to PCar.

Favorite New this year coaster so far was BORG (but then its the only new this year I've ridden till December).

Favorite New(to me) coaster this year has got to be Gemini. Followed closely by Steel Venom, Villian, and Thunder Run.

My favorite new(to me) attractions are Tomb Raider and Delirium @ PKI. Drop Zone kicked major bootay as well as Power Tower and Sling Shot Drop Zone.

Best Park experiences this year for me were Geauga and my few days in Myrtle Beach (Unbraked Mice and Swamp Fox!).

But the best thing about the year was meeting 2 of the nicest, funnest, sexiest(? Okay, maybe not that far;)) guys on here: =Danny(;)) and ApolloAndy.

Can't wait till March. Actually, I can't wait till the official Season closer in Dollywood in a couple weeks.

Best park for me this year-(actually every year) Mt. Olympus Theme Park-Best wooden coasters anywhere

Best new coaster-Top Thrill Dragster(no biggie)

Woodie I'm looking foward to-Hades, Mt. Olympus Theme Park

Best steel coaster-Millenium Force(still best on planet Earth!)

Best wooden coaster-Can't tell(top seceret, I want to keep this ride to myself)

Steel I'm looking foward to-Sheikra

Sad to see go-Shackwave at SFGAm(such a waste of good track)

That's my Coaster season highlight post.

I guess I could hang myself upside down by a high tech string made out of guano and particle board. It still won't be the same as Raging Bull or Corkscrew(I'll let you decide which one).

Till next season.....

Let's just hope I ate enough fish and berries to get me through my hibernation cycle.

Guess I'm not the only one on here at 4 am. ;)

I would have to say that the biggest surprise I received this year was all the deaths in the industry due to rides. A close second is CF buying GL.

I am looking forward to hopefully getting to ride Kingda Ka, and The Italian Job. I also might be returning to Orlando next December for Sheikra, and if not possibly a California trip?

All the waterparks going up for the season will be good for the industry too. Because they are a cheap way to bring in business.

In the future of the Amusement Park Industry, I definitely see smaller parks asking themselves "How do we individualize our parks so they stand out from Cedar Point and Disney World?" I see the bigger corporate parks, investing their money in other attractions besides 420 ft. roller coasters for example. I see them looking at simpler concepts like Pandora's Box for example. In the next few years the key word for the industry will be diversity, not "Bigger is better."

As I look back on this season, I see a lot of reality. Coasters killing people and people killing themselves on coasters. I think this season opened enthusiast eyes to what could happen if we don't follow the rules. A lot of good things happened this season too, even though Six Flags still seems to be under the weather. ;) I really liked this season though. It was fun, and I can't wait for Universal in 3 weeks!

So, in conclusion, the 2004 Roller Coaster Season wasn't one of the most productive. Just one of those seasons you enjoy, because you got to share some "memorable" experiences with family and friends. :)

P.S. If you read my trip reports, you would know what I mean when I say "memorable." ;)

it's 3:00 am-ish in Wisconsin

I'm still wide awake yet, but my hibernation will start any minute..................zzz zzz zzz zzz HUH?!

Yeah, yeah, yeah I'm up!

Please don't judge me from this post, I mean It is 3:00am.

Actually, Kyle, its 5am now here in WV;).

But I have a reason, I have a nite job here @ the hospital. Guess this week is your week of for Thanksgiving?

Well, my biggest shock from 2004 was how much more I enjoyed the re-vamped V2 at SFMW than the regular versions of this ride. Someone's gotta install more of these!
Next year I'm looking forward to the west coast finally getting a spinning coaster! Oh, wait. I just woke up. Nevermind. :(
I can't believe I'm finally going to make PPP next October. Then again, I've said that for four years running now.
The best surprise of 2004 was Bonfante Gardens. I've never spent a happier day than strolling through that eclectic mix of "Willy Wonka", "Yellow Submarine", and the board game Candyland. Beyond belief.:)

Nope goin to school in 15 minutes! It's around 7:15ish now. ;)

They don't give us a week off anymore, we were really dissapointed about that.:)

Shocker for me: CF buying GL
Best New Coaster: Storm Runner
Best New to Me Coaster: A toss between Montu and Alpengeist

Best New to Me Park: BGT
Eagerly Awaiting: Sheikra
Biggest Disappointment: RCT3 Bugs

Shocker: CF/GL Deal
Miracle Strip Closing
Flyers Transfer from PKI

Best New Coaster: (Tie) Steel Dragon (Waldameer),
Whirlwind (Seabreeze)
(I did'nt get down to Dollywood yet this year)

Best new coaster to me:
Wood: Starliner
Steel: Stormrunner

Worst New Coaster: Tomb Raider

Best new to me park: Miracle Strip, Dutch wonderland

Eagerly waiting: Dollywoods expansion

Biggest Dissappointments:
Flyers removal from PKI
Shockwave destruction
Miracle Strip Closing
SFNO Operations

Best "Great News": Dukes of Hazzard on DVD
Camden Park removing Th. Ex.

2005 Plans.. Attend more smaller parks
Take better advantage of season passes

[W]hat are your over all thoughts on this season?

I'm pretty satisfied with my coastering season. After getting married in May and moving into a new house a month later, I didn't think I'd be able to afford too many trips, but I was wrong in my assumption. Aside from two trips to my home park, all the parks I visited were in Pennsylvania, and I was finally able to hit several small, family-owned parks. All in all, I visited Kings Dominion (twice), Hersheypark, Dorney Park, Williams Grove, Lakemont Park, DelGrosso's, and Knoebels.

Of note, Liz made it to 100, and I made it to 150, both on the same day and at the same park:

Liz's #100: High Speed Thrill Coaster
My #150: Phoenix

Favorite new/new to you coaster, park or attraction?

The two new-to-me coasters that blew me away this season were the classic Schmeck-designed Thunderhawk and Phoenix, taking my number one and two spots in my wooden rankings, respectively.

I rode three new-in-'04 coasters this year: Storm Runner, and DelGrosso's Crazy Mouse and Wacky Worm. There is no contest as to which is my favorite: Storm Runner.

Whats the biggest suprise you received from the Amusment Industry this year?

Cedar Fair's purchase of Geauga Lake, definitely.

What are you most looking forward to next year?

I'm looking forward to some of the new coasters like Hydra: The Revenge, SheiKra, and even Kingda Ka, but I'm more excited about taking Liz to Cedar Point for the first time, as well as Kings Island--hopefully for BeastBuzz.

*** Edited 11/22/2004 2:39:30 PM UTC by Vater***

Best Park: DollyWood (which surprised me)
Best New Coaster: ThunderHead.
Best new to me: TTD...
Smoothest Corkscrew Coaster: Tennessee Tornado.

What are your over all thoughts on this season?

I'm pretty satisfied with my coastering season. After getting married in August and moving into a new apartment the same month , I didn't think I'd be able to afford too many trips, but I was wrong in my assumption. I was able to make it to Cb Con in Chicago, the Dells for the 1st honeymoon and just got back from LV for the 2nd honeymoon. I added at least 25 new coasters this year including my 50th.

Favorite new/new to you coaster, park or attraction?

I would have to go with X or Superman UE as this was my first flying coaster. That was too cool and can't wait to get on more next year. Also X-Scream at the Stratosphere, that ride was nuts as will be the new Insanity.

Whats the biggest suprise you received from the Amusment Industry this year?

Cedar Fair's purchase of Geauga Lake, definitely or that the Mexico Superman is finally open (not that I would ever get there though)

What are you most looking forward to next year?

Going to the NE to tackle Kennywood, SFGA, Hersheypark, etc. Going back to Vegas to pick up my High Roller credit and ride Insanity.

Adding to the questions : Which coaster were you most disappointed with? Ghostrider at Knott's, it was the worst coaster I have ever been on, I was very disappointed as I know lots of CB'ers love this ride but I thought it was terrible.

Hmmmm.........

Biggest Surprises: SFGAdv to steal TTD's thunder, death on SROS

Best coaster of 2004: Storm Runner. No question.

Best new to me coasters: Texas Giant and Titan

Best new to me park: SFFT

Best memories: Going with my dad on a tour of the 3 SF parks in Texas, as well as nabbing that 18 ride marathon to commemorate my 18th birthday (did it on SFA's Roar after failing twice on PKD's Anaconda, with 9 continuous laps, and SFOT's Batman-The Ride, with 10). I also am proud to say that I conquered my fears of drop rides, culminating in the nirvana that is Superman-Tower of Power. I'd ride any coaster, but drop rides scared the daylights out of me. Oh yeah, and experiencing my first skycoaster.

Well, I suppose riding CP's coasters in 40 degree weather was a fond memory, too. After all, I did get alot of front-seat rides.

Looking forward to in 2005: Going to SFGAdv and hopefully making a return trip to SFOT to get more rides in Texas Giant and Titan, as well as picking up the Shock Wave, which was closed due to damage from the floods.

Without a doubt, 2004 was the best coaster season I've ever had, besting 2002.

I'm going to sue crazyforcoasters for plagiarism. ;)

This year was a Disney year for us. I'm definitely looking forward to getting a Knott's pass this next year.

Coolest part of the year was meeting Matt and Scott....first social meeting with fellow enthusiasts ever. And although they were both emgees, at least they didn't reek of cheeseburgers.

Now if only I can get out and actually go to a park with them this year... :)

Vater said:
I'm going to sue crazyforcoasters for plagiarism.

hehe too funny, hey at least I didn't have to type all that out.

Okay, I'll bite...

what are your over all thoughts on this season?

Overall it was a pretty good season. I got to go to Beastbuzz for the first time, and consequently PKI for the first time this year. Believe it or not, but that is really my only new park this year, unless you count Timber Falls with the addition of Avalance. Then again, I've been to Timber Falls a ton of times before Avanlance. You really can't find better mini-golf in the Dells. Much better than Pirate's cove, IMHO. But, I digress...

I did get a chance to go out to Knott's this year again for my second visit. I had a choice of going during Haunt or waiting until Silver Bullet was finished. In a way, I'm glad I did it this way. Silver Bullet will be there next time I visit, which should be next year, and Haunt really turned out to be one of my best amusement park experiences despite the rain and the crowds and lack of riding any coasters that evening. That and I got to meet a lot of cool SoCal buzzers. Big bonus!

Favorite new/new to you coaster, park or attraction?

Favorite new park, well, there was only one, but even if there was more, I think PKI would have still been at the top. A great park with some great staff and they put on an awesome event. As far as favorite new coaster, I'm gonna have to split this up into wood and steel. Wood, and definately best new coaster overall this year for me, was Avalanche at the Wisconsin Dells. There is just no way I can see a more perfect wood coaster than this one. It may be short, it may have small trains, but it really books through the course and has loads and loads of ejector airtime. Steel, I have to go with Top Thrill Dragster. That said, I have to quantify that I didn't ride all that much new steel this year and TTD definately is no where near the top of my list.

Whats the biggest suprise you received from the Amusment Industry this year?

Defanately the Geauga Lake buyout. That is the one single post I have seen this year on Coasterbuzz that I thought was a definate troll post and turned out to be true.

What are you most looking forward to next year?

Haven't made any concrete plans for next year. I am looking forward to CoasterCon coming out to my neck of the woods next year. I'm looking forward to getting out to Knott's again next year. I also think I might try doing either Pennsylvania or Virginia next year.

Biting as well...

What are your over all thoughts on this season?

For me, it was a season of quality vs. quantity. I travelled much less this year and made only three trips over long weekends. In fact I had to bow out of a trip to Salt Lake City and Denver this summer. But the three trips I made were all fantastic in their own way.

Trip #1 - Arnolds Park, Wisconsin Dells area, Little A-Merrick-A, and SFGAm.

Trip #2 - Knoebels, Del Grosso's, Lakemont, Conneaut, Kennywood, Williams Grove, and Dorney.

Trip #2 - Knoebels again, for PPP.

I'd have to say Trip #1 is my favorite of the three as it was during that trip that Scott [Zingo!] and I fell for each other [all together now: "Ahhhhhh...!"].

Favorite new/new to you coaster, park or attraction?

Arnold Park and their Legend wooden coaster. F'in amazing woodie and nice, quaint little park. Its a shame the park is so out of the way.

Whats the biggest suprise you received from the Amusement Industry this year?

I hate to sounds jaded but nothing really surprises me anymore. But if forced to pick something it would be the pre-lift inversion on Hydra...I hate being wrong! LOL!

What are you most looking forward to next year?

Our trip to SFOG, Dollywood, and Lake Winnie.

*** Edited 11/22/2004 7:09:42 PM UTC by Mamoosh***

You wrong Moosh? I would've never thought that to be possible.;) *** Edited 11/22/2004 8:33:17 PM UTC by Kyle Fobe***

"Chomp"

What are your over all thoughts on this season?

I rather mellowed out with my coastering this year. I barely made double-digit visits to Cedar Point this year, and only got to Kennywood twice. I spent a couple of days at parks just wandering and not riding anything and still had a great time - or went and was bored after a couple of hours and left. But, there were still some insane days - hitting all of CP's, GL's and KW's coasters in 48 hours (74 total rides if I remember right), getting in the Hershey/Dorney/SFGAdv loop again all in three day's time, and being at PKD for opening day. I think I'm starting to slow down though and don't enjoy coastercoastercoaster as much.

Favorite new/new to you coaster, park or attraction?

Storm Runner all the way. It quickly knocked off almost every other coaster I've ever ridden and took over my shared title of "favorite coaster". To me, this ride just has everything - quick launch, exciting pre-launch sequence, great pops of air, great floater air, huge drops, great surroundings, great laterals, out of control feeling, and ends leaving me wanting more not ready to move on. The runaway hit of the season for me.

Whats the biggest suprise you received from the Amusement Industry this year?

The Cedar Fair buyout probably. Although, I'm not as much of an "industry" follower as some of you - I just like riding a lot and knowing what's up for next year.

What are you most looking forward to next year?

Everything's up in the air for next year. Possibilities include an insider's tour of PKD, a weekend in Indiana with my girlfriend, BGT/IoA for some vertical drop coaster goodness and Dueling Dragons, and the good old Hershey/Dorney/SFGAdv trip again. And, hanging out at WWK on the cheap will be nice too.