What are your feelings on Flashback?
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I figured since Flashback has reopened, and I'm going to ride it in a few weeks, for the first time, I'd like to hear what people think about it, since I haven't really heard anything, positive or negative.
Only thing I've heard about it is: "Goliath or Flashback???.......Flashback!!!!!"
Robb Alvey's Coaster Season 2001
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A day is a drop of water in the ocean of eternity. A week is seven drops.
Flashback is the coaster I've SEEN more than any other coaster I've never been able to ride....EVEN including kiddie coasters. SFoG, SFMM, this thing could sit in my back yard and I'd never be able to ride it....argh!
My feelings....disappointment. I've been told MANY times how I'm not missing anything...easy for those who've RIDDEN it to say that...:(
I've never understood all the complaining about the roughness of this coaster since it's been at SFMM. I rode it many times when it was first installed at SFGAm as Z-Force and thought it was a lot of fun. It must have aged very poorly as it was not rough when it was new. FYI, I believe Z-Force/Flashback was the first coaster to feature 4-across seating.
Mike
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Laugh your troubles away at Riverview, the world's largest amusement park.
I've ridden it two years ago and i have to say that it was not half that bad as i've read before i went. It was hard and rough but not so much that it hurts. And the hairpin-dives were fun too.
It wasn't the worst coaster i've ridden at SFMM. I have to say that i enjoyed it way more than Psyclone and as much as i did enjoy Revolution.
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I guess I am one of the few people to ride Flashback lately. I was on my way out of the park December 28 when I saw it running. I went over and it was a walk on. I was really surprised at the rust spots and horrible paint job. Guess that's because of its proximity to the water park.
Anyway, once I sat down and the overhead restraint was pressed down into my chest I had nowhere for my arm to go except on the outside of the car itself (I was sitting on the outside to the right...last row). The ride op ran over and told me my arm had to be inside the car. I couldn't force my arm between the restraint and the side of the car so one op asked the other for a wrench which he used to release the restraint and my arm could go underneath..very uncomfortable! I'm 6'2 and a muscular 245 so this might not happen to you.
So the ride begins and it's actually kind of cool with the immediate turnaround at the top of the lift hill and long, slow straightaway which gives a great view of the area. The hairpin drops are unique but not that thrilling. The helix at the end was much better than expected.
All in all, I'm glad I got a chance to ride but would have been disappointed if I'd stood in line more than 15-30 minutes for it. Also, the trains are so unique (especially being from Intamin) they add a fun dimension to the ride.
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- "I used to be in the audio/visual club, but I was kicked out because of my views on Vietnam........and I was stealing projectors" - Homer Simpson
Flashback, the coaster that only runs during the "off-season". I got a chance to ride it, while I didn't find it to be as bad as it is made out to be, it wasn't exactly a pleasant ride experience either. It's just quirky and unusual. That's what makes it worthwhile to ride.
IIRC, that coaster was supposed to be marketed as a portbale coaster, I wonder why SFMM can't port it to another part of their mega-park where the supposed noise conflicts would not be an issue.
Also, I like the transfer system on Flashback.
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David Bowers
Mayor, Coasterville
I can easily say I won't be riding it any time soon without some big time persuasion by lots of friends. The last time I rode it I felt so bashed up, I took painkillers. Good thing I take them with me to parks.
Personally, I don't like the ride. It's rough. Very rough, but if you really brace yourself, you might be able to take it. I remember that after I rode it, I was willing to hop back in line. That was before the headache hit me. If you want to ride it, go right ahead. I'd only do it for the count or knowing how tough I am that I can live through it.
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It wasn't nearly as painful as I was led to believe. I rode it immediately after riding Revolution and can comfortably said that Revolution was more painful. There was only one spot that was *really* bad on it...you do one of the hairpin drops, come flying back up from it, then the track quickly goes from a right banked turn into a left banked turn, and the transition is anything but smooth. Thankfully, I could tell it was going to hurt and braced myself accordingly.
As Mike E said, though, it's in dire need of at least a paint job. The entire track was rusted, pain peeling off, and it really looked like it'd been sitting there for 30+ years with no attention at all. The poor thing looked ready to collapse. The trains were in a bit better condition, but man, someone at least throw a fresh coat of paint on there!
It's a fun ride, but nothing I'd go out of the way for. I'm glad that I finally got to ride it though!
Peabody said:
They should open it or move it. The only time I was able to ride it was in 1990!-----------------
- "I used to be in the audio/visual club, but I was kicked out because of my views on Vietnam........and I was stealing projectors" - Homer Simpson
That's funny. Flashback opened at Magic Mountain in 1992.
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Coming in 2003-The Spawn Of Magnum!
Ode to the offseason:
Offseason Offseason what shall I do? Who cares the sun is still shining the sky is still blue! GET A LIFE!
kRaXLeRidAh said:
That's funny. Flashback opened at Magic Mountain in 1992.
That's the point. It's only been open for me in Georgia, never in CA.
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- "I used to be in the audio/visual club, but I was kicked out because of my views on Vietnam........and I was stealing projectors" - Homer Simpson
From what i remember, it is a loud beast. I was able to ride it a few times as the Z-force a long long time ago. It was great when I finally made it out to SFMM about 7 yrs ago or so that I was able to be re-united with that ride.
For me, the ride is somewhat boring. I like the hairpin drops, but the straight parts and brakes in between just kill it. The final drop (which Tom Servo mentions as the painful one), imo, is one of the best do to the lack of braking for the final elements.
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The top 3 all time cobrarolls.
1)Raptor's
2)Deja Vu's (times 3)
3)Batman Knight Flight's
If it ain't broken, don't fix it.
...Am I the only person that thinks that if they took the time to refurbish the track a bit and enclosed it, it'd make a pretty decent ride?
I mean, it could only be rougher in the dark, but if they put some new rolling stock on it, and maybe, just maybe, got rid of the OTSRs (thanks, Premier!) it'd be a servicable experience.
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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
Riverview Mike said:
I've never understood all the complaining about the roughness of this coaster since it's been at SFMM. I rode it many times when it was first installed at SFGAm as Z-Force and thought it was a lot of fun. It must have aged very poorly as it was not rough when it was new. FYI, I believe Z-Force/Flashback was the first coaster to feature 4-across seating.
Mike
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Laugh your troubles away at Riverview, the world's largest amusement park.
I too got to ride Flashback when it was Z-Force at SFGam. I loved it. At the time, it was my favorite coaster at the park, and was quite disappointed when it was removed (Keep in mind; this is waaaay before the addition of magnificent rides like Raging Bull & V2… it even predates Shockwave). Iron Wolf now stands in it's former location, and although I enjoy "Wolfie", I'd have to say that I preferred Z-Force. It was, and still is, a unique experience.
As for the roughness complaints, both Iron Wolf & Z-Force provided equal amounts of head banging. In the case of Z-Force, this was easily remedied by pressing your feet firmly on the floor and your head against the headrest.
I imagine that if Flashback ever gets new trains with clamshell or similar restraints as opposed to its current bulky OSRTs, fewer people would complain about this coaster.
It's definitely worth checking out, just brace yourself for the dives and you'll be fine.
*** This post was edited by djgreghaus on 1/6/2003. ***
I'll go on record as being one of the two people that like the ride...the way it is....;)
It's a guilty pleasure for sure, but I really enjoy that little portable torture chamber. In fact, the more "ouches" and "whoas" I hear coming from the ride, the more I think the ride is a sick little masterpiece. I guess I get a kick out of seeing some annoying park-goers getting the crap kicked out of them. Yeah I'm a sick puppy, cause I also love the hairpin drops, they make me feel all warm inside. ;)
And please, tell me you've never built the most extreme piece of crap on RCT just to see the peeps complain and hurl all over the place! lol
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Superman:The Escape(1997-2002) May he one day fly again.
*** This post was edited by DWeaver on 1/6/2003. ***
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