On Sunday June 7th I began my trek on what I called the Southern Rock Tour. I would take advantage of the fact I felt lucky to get another chance to see Hard Rock Park now opened as Freestyle Music Park. Even if my vacation just consisted of going to that park I would be happy. A couple years ago when we learned the sad news the Pavilion in Myrtle Beach, SC would close then out of the ashes came the news that Hard Rock Park would rise in town. A long time my sister has been collecting location pins for Hard Rock Cafe. In my travels I started to get into the hobby as well to collect them for her and my mother at least. I felt the perfect combination of two hobbies of mine combine with that park, a park just for me. With the demise of Hard Rock Park, I felt very lucky to hear that Freestyle Music Park would open on Memorial Day this year. My car was not ready for my trip so I went to the Philadelphia International Airport to rent a car for my journey Sunday morning. I projected I would be in Florence, SC in the early evening if I just drove through. The Phillies would at least be on ESPN Sunday Night. I thought with those extra few hours I could cover a park(s) on the way down where I missed the credits fully or some, which would be Ocean City, MD or BGE. I failed to get discount tickets for BGE off my uncle so I thought about making my first time visit to OCMD. Taking advice from James I arrived at Baja Amusements on the outskirts of town by about noon. This go cart track had a Wacky Worm which would be my first of three of the day. Trimpers and Jolly Roger at the Pier would open by 1 so after taking a couple attraction pictures I left for the boardwalk. At 1pm Trimpers didn't look quite ready so I got the Looping Star on the pier. It's like a Wildcat coaster with a loop. I wasn't too impressed except for the water pool filled with water to weigh down the ride. It was really misty at the beach that day. After my cycle I had time to kill until the Jolly Roger Amusement Park uptown opened at 2 so I rode their dark ride. Next I left the pier to go to Trimpers. I took my time indoors to take pics of the attractions like the boat ride with a small pool of water. They have an indoor carousel just like Casino Pier in Seaside, NJ. Finally I made my way outside to guess what? A Wacky Worm. I think even by this second one I was sick of the mild ride. The most intense part was of course the right turn after the gentle drop with the trim brake. Following I went right to Tidal Wave. It had an old fashioned Vekoma bright orange train. I realized this would be the first of several boomerangs on the trip. I would next see the boomerang at Carowinds with the new train to compare this ride to. This boomerang had some good chug to it through the elements. For a white coaster at the beach it doesn't look bad. Finally at Trimpers I went on my first ever Chance Toboggan coaster with its complete vertical lift in a tube and what seemed to be endless turning into a few very small looking but very intense hills before coming to an end. No wonder there was ceiling mats in the very tiny prisoner like car with mesh cage. After photographing the rest of the park I made my way uptown to the Jolly Roger Amusement Park. I started off my trip with 293 credits. I didn't realize I'd hit 300 at this park. I thought that would be at Freestyle Music Park. There was hardly anyone at opening at 2 at Jolly Roger. To my surprise I found the 3rd Wacky Worm. I forgot about the last one and was already disgusted with the kind of ride by then. I think the Jolly Roger one may have been the fastest of the three. If not that one it was the Trimper's one. After riding their Musik Express ride I finally rode their Wildcat coaster. At first I had to find another couple to ride. The operator would not let me ride alone. At that moment I didn't realize until that evening that it would be my 300th coaster. The girls in my car were cool. By the time I left OCMD it was approaching 3:30. I was still in Maryland. I knew I had to cover a lot of ground still. My new goal on the road was to try to reach the Chesapeake Bay Tunnel Bridge by 5pm. I just missed that deadline. I believe by about 6 I was in North Carolina. My new goal became to get to Florence, SC to the hotel before the end of the Phillies game. Luckily enough I was able to get their station 1210AM on the car I rented with the volume really high up. Near the Nash County border of NC before the Weight Station on 95 South I saw a billboard for Hard Rock Park! I wish I had time to get my camera out to photo it. I think it said "Ultimate Thrill Park." They forgot to take that one down. Finally I got to Florence, SC by about 10:45. I was able to watch the last two innings of the Phils game and get a win. I was tired and had to get ready for Freestyle Music Park. I was surprised it would finally be the next day and I would finally meet Wes from this site.

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Thrillnetwork Moderator - Sophomore Original sn: CHILLERLC1
2008 & 2009 TN Coaster Draft Champion
You knew I wanted the other repeat too

6/8: Finally the day to go to Freestyle Music Park arrived. I couldn't believe it was here. I woke up pretty early in Florence, SC. With just a hour and a half to get to the park for a 11am morning I realized that I could go to nearby Darlington to start my day. I've never been to a NASCAR race but I knew Darlington was one of their tracks. By 9 I was at the track and took photos from various points outside the place. Finally I began my trip to MB. Wes reached me by phone in the 10am hour. I passed by many billboards for Myrtle Beach attractions. Only a few were for Freestyle Music Park. It was somewhat hard to pick up the park logo with the squirling colored background. Finally 2 miles or so before Hard Rock Parkway the billboards picked up in appearance. It became a shock to finally be in the vicinity of the park. The traffic patterns and the appearance of the former vacant outlet shops seemed a bit surprising. I think Freestyle really needs a billboard on the outlet stores parking lot with a huge arrow pointing which exit to get off 501. Amid outlet buildings you all of a sudden see a big white B&M, Time Machine. Passing the park administration buildings on Hard Rock Parkway I was surprised to see in the whole complex the Medieval Times. That was a sign of hope that if they could make it there the park would have a chance. At the parking booths I could make out weeds along lots that weren't used before. Seeing the two church amplitheaters I could see how the whole complex was something else before. This Hard Rock Park was an attempt at redevelopment. Pulling into the parking lot I could see about 10-15 cars. Wes who arrived minutes before me recalled how there were just 6 when he came. Finally as I got out of the car I realized this would be a moment of where the internet would become reality. Interesting TN license plate holder you have there Wes. I met Wes and he already got us the park tickets.

The first sign of arriving I wanted to get was a very of the HRP's iconic front gate. With the Freestyle Music Park logo now affixed I felt a moment of success and arrival seeing the fashionable gates with my own eyes. As soon as I walked in already I was analyzing the new park compared to the old like the missing Nirvana quote and missing archway murals. Having done all that driving the night before I let Wes do all the directing. There it was: the iconic giant Gibson guitar, formerly with the Hard Rock Park name. I'll take it anyway I can get it. The front plaza there has a neat giant guitar shaped into the walkway. With Wes leading he directed us towards the Time Machine. This would have been #300 had I not miscounted. Myrtle's Beach had hut like, Tiki like stands. It looked like a work in progress before coming to the Adrenaline Show Stadium. I knew that arena was a hold over from the redeveloped entertainment center. The childrens water play structure on the other side looked really cool. There she stood: The Time Machine. What a beauty with the white and blue paint, the palm trees, the landscaping. Walking in the giant first floor queue line was empty. Walking up the stairs we made it a room with 5 doors with 5 different decades: 60's, 70's,80's,90's, and '00's. The attendants would assign us a decade and general seating position. Finally the doors opened and we walked through. The passage through to the loading section was cool with the decade's music greeting you. The structure of the Zeppelin wrapping the station looked awesome. The rings reminded me of Hulk's tunnel. Finally onboard I got a greeting from the Time Traveler narrator. The audio was not blaring loud but just right. It happened to be just right. At the lift we would learn out decade. It just happened to be the 60's. The lift was really quick, with changing tunes. I was impressed with the selections and how they were cut. Before we knew it we were ready to drop. Whoooaaa! Floating first drop. The music was great. I liked the intensity of the ride through the cobra loop. I think the ride moved at a really fast clip. In the valleys it seemed to shake almost like a B&M Hyper. The G-roll delivered like Bizarro's and most other standard B&M ones. Even the turnaround after the second loop the train moved really quick through. After the MCBR it was a little puzzling how the train shook through the beginning of it. The corkscrew is even taken at a decent amount of speed and a decent amount of force. The second half of the Time Machine seemed a lot like the length and pace of the Incredible Hulk. In fact I felt the entire ride was not that far off from the Incredible Hulk in design and layout. The helixes in the second half over the final brake run reminded me of that coaster. The Time Machine is a strong B&M entry just like Bizarro, except it's unfortunate it has some shakes still. It's better than Hydra at least I thought as I came off. Actually most B&M coasters can beat Hydra.

Next off Wes and I went to Across the Pond. He lacked the Roundabout credit and we knew about that ride's downtime and unavailability last summer. If there was an urgency to get any coaster in the park it would be that coaster with the world's first ferris wheel lift. Watching it run as we walked across the bridge seemed like a great sign. Just like Time Machine the ride was a walk on. I began to notice on this ride the covered plaques with the new Freestyle Music Park logo. I later learned HRP had quotes on this signs. I also believed I read this ride had a in queue karoake contest with quite some girls hosting. It's too bad it's gone now. It was cool to see an open stretch Mini coaster car available to me. Wes and I were able to load on the world's first ferris wheel lift coaster. It's quite a quiet operating lift. There was no music for us! The first drop was pretty cool being steep. There was a fake radar speed sign down below. 143mph we were going. After a few swinging turns we came to a MCBR. Unfortunately most of the ride was already over. On the return under the ferris wheel lift I felt that there was enough speed for an inline twist, at least a 270 that would end in the final left turn to the brakes before the car wash scrubbers. I came off wondering if people would choose and be more thrilled with what i heard to be 29 second Roundabout or what I knew to be the 28 second former SFGADV VIPER.

I looked most forward to walking through the Across the Pond section of the park. Wes went into the London Underground store while I looked at the Taxi Cabs, my most anticipated flat ride in the park. Wes agreed to come on. I think it was one of the more fun Breakdance rides I've been on. I love the theme. The operator even called it by its old name "London Cabs." I looked right past the new park models, uninspiring carousel and at the Monstars of Rock: the moment of truth. I knew Wes was on the Moody Blues ride so I was not looking forward to this comparison. In the queue I instantaneously felt lost. It was too dark. How can it be too dark I thought? i was kind of dizzy but finally made my way to a ride car. I felt the cutouts were alright. I knew the time the park had and I joked in my head maybe they assigned a freshman college art class a semester project. Freestyle had to pull something quick to get this ride together. Towards the end of the ride I figured out that all the monstars were meeting at the beginning and at the end they all assembled to play as a band. I would read later that Wes did not like this ride. I was ok with it given the circumstances. I wonder if it would change in the future. Getting off I was curious in the old outlet building this attraction and arcade was. The ball pit house next door seemed cool. It was the first time I ever stepped foot into one of those attractions and shot balls through air cannons. Next we made it across to the Penny Lane restaurant/cafeteria. The interior of it seemed to share characteristics of a cafeteriarized Hard Rock Cafe. The lava lamp posts seemed pretty cool.

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Thrillnetwork Moderator - Sophomore Original sn: CHILLERLC1
2008 & 2009 TN Coaster Draft Champion
You knew I wanted the other repeat too

I was somewhat dissapointed with the buildings in Across the Pond that had the inflatable attractions inside.

Next Wes and I entered Kids in America. That section seemed to have games. The giant stage with Five Live show loomed ahead with the zippo less Statue of Liberty. This section of the former Hard Rock Park I was not too familiar with. Around the corner we would find Hang Ten. I remarked the Norman Rockwell rollercoaster mural was no longer there. The family/kiddie coaster seemed fun. The five new kiddie Zamperla flats all seemed ready to go. Of note we saw an excavator arm over the fence by the Five Live stage. That would be a great site for a splash down boat I thought. Across the walkway Soak'd was testing and seemed ready to take us. The ropes course overhead for children seemed pretty cool. I wish I was younger to do that and not have sandals. The operators at Soak'd saw us checking out the ride and told us to come on. After securing my items, I boarded. This would be my first elevator lift coaster. I couldn't ride one in Korea and I ditched the one that once stood at Kings Island. I got somewhat wet. The pass through a wall of water was fun. I think Rollersoaker at Hershey would have probably been more thorough but I don't want to test that. Once getting any aqua coaster I usually don't want to return. Maybe for Soak'd.

Right after Soak'd Wes and I went right for Iron Horse, the anticipated mine train with the two lifts. The layout for thie mine train interested me. I later figured out more of the first half winds in and out like a wild mouse. There should be a tunnel somewhere in this course. It's the second half where I really have fun. The music selections on this coaster are great. The flamethrower at the end of the ride is HOT. It seems even closer than the ones on Bizarro. The second half has a helix that wraps closer to the lift. It doesn't seem shorter than the first. I liked the ride alot. There tends to be one cycle where music is not played.

Finally afterwards Wes and I took some rest. We had a bite to eat. I was bobbing back and forth between the Mexican place or the BBQ by the Texas Swing. We finally got the BBQ grill. I liked my burger. Unfortunately there was no indoor seating but we did have an outdoor canopy. I agree it would be harder later on a hot humid day to have a meal. I liked it. Afterwards we stepped onto the Swamp Buggies. I liked the detail of the cars. I just didn't like a cycle. From what I learned from James this is a lighter family model from Huss of the Apollo 2000 ride at Dorney. The cycle was so bearable. I could have taken more intensity. After this flat ride, Wes and I had the whole loop done. I believe it was close to 1pm and time for the Adrenaline Show. We made our way to the Adrenaline Show after a lap on Time Machine. Inside the arena I could see people from all over the park approach the show. That seemed encouraging. The stunt show with bikers, skateboarders, and inline skaters seemed fun. They didn't really use the small pool. Wes said this show was more fun than the Malibu Beach show last year. By the end of the show I was somewhat tired. I understand the use of the shows now. They give me a chance to catch myself. The next Ice Show was at 3pm. Both Wes and I knew this was the must see show of the park. We would get a few more rounds on Ironhorse before going into the Ice theater. I could tell that was a reuse of the previous development's facilities. I thought the rink would be more a hockey rink. This show was pretty cool. I knew I saw a blond performer in Myrtle's Beach prior. The performers were great and I only wished them larger crowds to share their skill and talent with. Afterwards Wes and I made our way to the exit. I had to get the basic Freestyle Music Park shirt as a souvenir as a milemarker to compare to my HRP shirt. We would be back later for the fireworks. There was a Swamp Fox callling!

Going downtown Wes and I were able to visit the blank lot that was known as the Pavilion. What a waste. He pointed out the parking deck that's still next door that's basically used for nothing. The scene driving down to Family Kingdom looks different. There are taller buildings near the beach. Wes was able to get us a sweet hookup to the park. Thank you Family Kingdom. Walking in I could sense a totally different vibe. This was not like the Pavilion. It did have neat lemon shaped lemonade stands. One of them had a cute Russian girl working there. Walking up to Swamp Fox I read the weird "Ranked #8 in the World." By whom? The paint on the ride looks awesome though. For an older ride this ride has some punch. The old n back is intense. I think it would be an interesting comparison to put it up against the Coney Island Cyclone since I believe Wes asked about it. At least you don't feel through the cushions the train swaying with the track. Going into the last turn you can feel how ferocious the ride is. Its comes back to the station with steam. Wes told me the Fiesta Mouse version of Wacky Worm was not obtainable by adults so we took the park train around the park. We later walked around the passing creek in the park to an interesting dark ride by Sally with cars that exited and loaded outdoors. Getting off it looked like the ride was an old side street business they acquired and renovated. Interesting model. It wasn't like the old side street Molly's inn where Wes said I could probably get a room next door. The drop tower next to the dark ride was probably the worst one I've ever been on. I don't think it drops at the speed of gravity. It's way too slow.

Next Wes and I decided to go to Broadway at the Beach to check out the Pavilion Nostalgia Park. There I pointed out what a real IMAX theater looked like. We also walked into the Hard Rock Cafe. The pirate ship was the one distinct ride I remember from the Pavilion. Being a young kid the last time I was in Myrtle Beach I never rode any of the rides of the Pavilion but I walked through it. Wes and I bought tickets to ride the ship. It was mild. After Broadway at the Beach we checked into our hotel next to the ballpark, ate dinner and went back to Freestyle Music Park.

Towards sunset Wes and I went back to The Time Machine to get a couple more runs in. After the evening Adrenaline Stunt Show we now got full trains on the coaster. As it was becoming dark we made our way over Across the Pond. Faerie Glenn was the last Huss flat I needed. It was a pretty fun ride. The music and the blacklights to highlight the butterflies on the ride were a nice touch. Wes and I then got on last ride on Roundabout. On our way out of the station he noticed through the transfer track maintenance shed open views through the windows of Minis being worked on. It was getting really close to the fireworks so we made our way to the front of the park. I was looking most forward to the guitar lighting up. I have to say I was pretty impressed with the music and their fireworks display: Kiss the Sky. I wish I could see the Hard Rock Park logo light up in the neon. The neon guitar looked awesome. After the show I saw about 30 cars in the parking. Of course I wish there were more. I had a really fun time on the park's coasters. My dream day at the park came through. I really wish the park would advertise more on 501. I suggest to guests to have sunglasses as the walkways are very bright witht that Carolina sun.

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Thrillnetwork Moderator - Sophomore Original sn: CHILLERLC1
2008 & 2009 TN Coaster Draft Champion
You knew I wanted the other repeat too

You got to go to Darlington? I wish I could get to more tracks, other than Atlanta.

I meant to ask you if you ever got to ride the Georgia Scorcher and Monster Mansion on your trip to SFOG after I left.

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Oops I just saw this... did you upload your pictures?

And funny thing about my TN plate holder, when Steve met me the first time he had taken a pic of my bug with my TN sticker (that's gone now to keep the window clean) and didn't even realize it was my car. lol

Or maybe you were admiring my Carolina Panthers plate and want to convert from the Eagles?

EDIT:

One note about the first show, they do use the pool when the guy jumps off the diving board on fire. Otherwise I don't think they use it.

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Intimidator Coming in 2010 to Carowinds!

I recall talking about CP - Carolina Panthers/ Cedar Point dually of those initials on the plate. At FMP you're right that they use the pool once in the Adrenaline show for the fire dive. Otherwise they don't use that one rail to slide over the middle of the pool.

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Leaving Myrtle Beach Wes and I made good progress except for an accident on 501. A lot of truck tires would be blowing out that day. I almost forgot about stopping at South of the Border until Wes reminded me about it. I passed it on a rare occasion going down because I wanted to catch the rest of the Phils game Sunday night. Wes pulled right into the Pedroland part of the SOB property. We pulled right in on probably the most action the park has seen in years. The Sombrero flat ride was being removed! Cars were being loading unto a flat bed. Somehow the rest of the park is across a parking lot. Wes pointed out the lack of cars on the ferris wheel which he said was a good thing. Pedro's amazing Reality ride was right there; a shuttered building. The big trucks ride looked pretty cool having a bridge. The bumper cars looked like a German fair portable set. The real candy of the property sat far in the back on asphalt: the wild mouse with Pedro cars. Walking past the "best golf course" in the world we found the SBNO ride. Thanks to our "Guess the Coaster" game I first learned of the mouse. If it wasn't for Wes I would have forgot about it. This SBNO park counted toward my park credits. Being a bare metal support model this looked like the least expensive of beach boardwalk type mouse rides. Wes was right that the chain and general ride was in horrible shape. I didn't even stop in the shops to get a neon SOB sticker. We had to get to Charlotte.

With a quick stop at the Wes Estate and after a wholesome old fashioned lunch Wes and i carpooled to Carowinds. We would use the much talked about 485 loop to get there. It just seemed in no time we were right off the Interstate and in the driveway of the park. Much sooner than I thought. Finally the Google satellite pictures of the entry parkway made sense. We arrived around 2. The first twist and drop of Nighthawk and the observation tower were the first things you would see of the Carowinds skyline. As you walked into the entry place of the park it was no wonder they painted Nighthawk the blue and yellow. For Wes' lead, no questions were asked because I was kind of tired from the road lag and he's the master of his local park. He directed us to the observation tower immediately for our required intake of new coaster porn: the site of the old Thornberries flume, the plot of dirt for Carowinds' new hyper coaster. Utilizing the 360 spinning I took panorama pics of the park. Funny how I continued to forget Thunder Road existed. It's amazing just how quick out of the entry plaza and bridge over the service road the new rollercoaster entry plaza will be. It will be quite easy to run in and get out once the ride opens next year.

Vortex's corkscrew was right within my view. We would continue to our first coaster of the park: Nighthawk. According to Wes we were very lucky to have such a short line and get on the ride within 20 minutes. Two trains were running. Waiting in line I could see were the rails for the old boat ride was located. Wes pointed out where that ride went under the Carolina Goldrusher. I could see how this Flying Dutchman prototype could work for fitting into Carowinds. The extra helix of Batwing/Firehawk would not have made it with Goldrusher right there. Laying on my back I felt blinded by the sun. Flipping over it was back to that familiar first twist/drop fun. The loop is kind of heavy but I've never been a fan of riding on my back through it all. Next we would go through what I thought was the weirdest part of the ride/weirdest corkscrews I've ever down. My body would sway with the cable reinforced restraint just like I noticed on Batwing. I think my path of travel or sight of travel was among the most abbreviated I ever saw in a corksrew with my body swaying into the corners of the restraint. I guess it wouldn't have made a difference if those were inline twists after that set so they did that with the installs afterwards. Laying under the canopy at the final brake run was a decent comfort for the ride. My guess is as good as mine why there was extra framing on the final track pieces to the station for possible utilities. It was a prototype after all. Nighthawk was done and sure not to be revisited because of possible wait.

As a good host would Wes took me to my most anticipated ride in the park: Afterburn. It was enough of ride that I bought a Top Gun: Wingman shirt a couple years ago specially for that ride, not the movie. i wore the Top Gun shirt to the park. Going up to the ride I realized that this park had some topography and some nice scenary like the cover bridge. The entrance of the ride weirdly seemed abbreviated for such a caliber ride. In the station we met a ride attendant that posts on another site. I believe we had a back seat ride first. I used to watch the povs of this ride on the Tube but finally this ride would genuinely be mine. Up the lift we went and dangling over the parking lot away we went! In the subterranean valley there was hardly any mist. Through B&M goodness we were rolling through. The "G-roll!" delivered as usual but it was the next section that really delivered. I really noticed in this section the train would really snap into the transition with real aggressiveness Wow, what a pull the train suddenly generates. This feeling would also happen in the Immelmann or corkscrew. The turn after the corkscrew strangely would still be quite overhead the Country Fair section. Going into the brake run I conquered this invert coaster B&M coaster, the original Top Gun: The Jet Coaster. Wes and I got a repeat ride. On the way off he pointed out the TG initials that still somewhere appeared on the ride. There would still be plenty of park to go.

Down in Country Fair Wes and I would get plenty of water to drink. It was quite hot the week but I managed just fine every day staying hydrated. I would continously find all week my shorts would be wet from the water rides/sweat. I saw the Southern Star that resurrected from the bone yard and how it was relocated from another area to accomodate the waterpark. Thunder Road was just running one side. It was good to see the effect of new wood on the coaster. It was not Swamp Fox crazy but a decent ride throughout. I was not bummed I missed out on the other side since it was closed.

Next Wes and I would go back towards Reptar's. Wes sat out and sipped on Coke as I rode on the not quite Hang n Bang Jr. It makes the same slight rattles, noises of the other family suspended coasters. It was not more memorable than the others. It was an alright cycle. Moving along through the Nick section Wes pointed out that Fairly Odd Coaster would be my #310th coaster. The junior woodie I prized since I learned how the others and the Columbus Zoo Sea Dragon were all clones. Wes told me how they extended the final brake run on this coaster than have the additional hill - Boooo. I just happened to explore around the other corner of the Nick section to study the new coaster site when we saw the Hey Arnold Taxi Chase coaster. I would not have thought to ride this model since it's usually a fail at KD but after Wes' prodding to try to ask didn't hurt. i got the credit! Walking around the other side of Fairy Odd Coaster we made our way to study the Dora train site. Then we walked over to the Carolina Goldrusher to keep our day moving. It's a true mine train of the 70s with basic turns before the first lift, multiple lifts. This ride is better than the Youtube clips make it out to be. There is speed in the subterranean tunnels and the last major headchopper helix. It's too bad a Vortex lift support lies over Goldrusher. The ride was a walk on and we got two straight rides.

After Goldrusher, the Carolina Cobra laid right before me. I tried to make out the concrete work that generally outlined about the same area for the old Super Saturator. I told Wes I would not count this ride as a new credit since I got it at Geauga Lake but the big talk for this ride was trains. The OTSR was mostly just a lap bar that comes down over you with a B&M flyer bib for additional upper body support. The interesting feature Wes pointed out was the seat belt strap ends attach to the bib you can see on the back of cars. In affecting the ride you don't feel headbanging. It's just the chug of the wheels on the track you feel through the transitions. Was this the first Boomerang I ever saw with a onride camera pole?

Finally we walked our way over through the Carolina section. The seaside style building seemed pretty cool. There she was: Carowinds classic ride entry: the Carolina Cyclone. It was an old school arrow with a great black and blue paint scheme. It makes CP's Corkscrew look sheepish. I like how the loops were pretty strong. The helix was neat. I think I enjoyed this version more than Steamin' Demon at GE.

Just as i thought Ricochet was next I realized it was just closed down for a breakdown. I would see that a maintenance man would be working on a brake run for the rest of the time I was there. I thought that Carowinds would be on the short end of the stick with their Wild Mouse versus the extended one at Kings Dominion but they decorated this one nicely. I was quite lucky that if I was going to miss any coaster it would be a Wild Mouse.

__________________
Thrillnetwork Moderator - Sophomore Original sn: CHILLERLC1
2008 & 2009 TN Coaster Draft Champion
You knew I wanted the other repeat too

Hurler would be my next coaster. I looked at Drop Tower in the distance and realized I didn't care for a 2nd Generation Intamin. Wes was careful about those towers after the SFKK accident. I didn't need it. Hurler looked like it was in the flatest section of the park. I wanted to see how much it could compare to the KD version. The ride was just ok. As usual I like the quick bold banked turn to the right. The first hill was just a mild spot of airtime. There was a slight chug/rumble of the train through the rest of the course. Hurler truly lived up to its name when walking down the exit the girl behind me hurled and I felt back splash on my leg! I didn't see any liquid on my leg but I sure felt it. It seemed like a moment out of RCT. Where was giant tweezers for Carowinds to drop in a cleaning man with a broom? Just like the other Hurler I didn't like the open movie set station. Next we would make our way over to Vortex, the early B&M small standup coaster. Wes wouldn't ride it. I wouldn't blame him as a seasoned park goer. It was the first standup of my trip and I found it uncomfortable to have to work to lower and raise the harness to my appropriate height. My first cycle was quite unfair to throw me around. There was no way I could leave the park unless I got another cycle to really understand this ride. My second cycle I enjoyed and endured the ride. It's not a Chang and I felt its primitive state that I felt it shared with CGA's Vortex. Now I wonder how Iron Wolf would compare to these two. I realized I would be in for a real awakening later in the trip.

Since I had now completed all but one Carowinds coaster Wes asked if I wanted to go on the rapids ride. It was broke down for a good 20 minutes at least and we had to listen to teens-preteens scream and such. I'm joked how their raft would go down the forbidden path later when we got onto the ride finally. It was a fun Intamin sized ride. I bet it took part of the train course Wes explained the park had when it opened. Wes pointed out how at the arena next door he would see Toby Mac perform the next week. On the way out I mentioned I wanted to go back to the Nighthawk area to photo Vortex's corkscrew again. Since we were in that area we inspected the construction zone much closer to the fence. That was some fine coaster dirt porn we've seen through the fence and standing on ledges. The Thornberries ride warning sign was still up. Finally our Carowinds trip would conclude. I am looking forward to return to the park once again. Mission Accomplished for getting the highly anticipated Afterburn Inverted coaster. Carowinds is really not that small. It has some topography and some themeing. Landscaping is nice. It's not a grungy Astroworld setting. I too notice of Wes' mention of Anthony at the Flyers being the best, nicest employee in the park. From then on I decided to really take notice of the operations and kindness of people and workers in the South. On the way out Wes was nice enough to take me to an area to get better shots of Hurler and Thunder Road. We went out Wild Wings Cafe and on the way out back to the Westate he took me through Downtown Charlotte. I highly anticipated the drive by Bank of America Stadium. It's one of the nicer NFL venues in my opinion. I really hope they get that Cat on the 50 yard line soon unless they're superstitious about a Black Cat crossing your path. The Charlotte skyline looks quite young. It's getting there in mass. Thank you Wes.

The next day I left Wes' for Atlanta, the ATL for Six Flags over Georgia! It was a highly anticipated visit to the second Six Flags park ever built, one of the gems in the Six Flags chain. In planning this trip I expected to be with Wes and later with my sister but to my surprise I got a message from Racer. He works at the park and offered he would switch to work the day I would visit. I just asked him if he could come visit the park instead on his day off. I was lucky coming into the ATL to avoid a lot of the heavy traffic. Even what I perceived as some higher volume was do-able by New Jersey standards. I arrived at the park around 10:45. I couldn't help but be camera photo happy before entered with already 5 coasters in front of you walking in. I think I had a pretty solid plan to attack Superman: Ultimate Flight first since I dislike the waits on the SFGADV one. On the way there I saw wild E. Coyote right there. Since it was on my way I decided to get that family/kiddie coaster first. It's a quite unique ride. I like the helix dive through the buildings. It's a solid custom ride.

Next up I finally made it to Superman: Ultimate Flight. For my first cycle I had no more than a 15 minute wait. This turned out to be my favorite Superman flying coaster. It actually fits its terrain quite well. That terrain makes the elements that much bearable and more interactive. The little tunnel was cool. The burrowed runs seemed amplified with the ground being right there. The pretzel loop was pretty heavy as usual. When I got off I went for the Great American Scream Machine, the original one. This namesake was borrowed for our Arrow Megalooper at SFGADV. The original GASM was just alright. It had visible airtime where on SFGADV's Rolling Thunder it's very hard to find. My problem was the shaking in the valleys. It could be a much better ride with more TLC. Right when I got off I realized I got a call from Racer. We met up in front of GASM and to my surprise he brought his brother, B-rad, on this site. We went right for S:UF once again so they could start their day. Racer told me I was quite lucky for the wait on S:UF. We began talking about the Coaster Draft and I began to give him some secrets. I learned about his work on RCT. Racer didn't like that SUF wasn't running two stations. I think I understood why they cut them on ours at SFGADV. I could see how it was cost more for staff to have the second one running.

Next up Racer and I went to Ninja. Ninja would be a special credit for me because it once stood at Hunts Pier as Kamikaze in Wildwood, NJ. I think that general layout would return in the Great Nor'Easter at Morey's years later. My theory was that this sitdown was a general prototype for the eventual SLC design. I've heard of the horror stories of this ride but judging by Racer's study of the train the ride train was refurbished and improved. The restraints he said looked less bulky. While we rode I can't believe how terrible the coaster transitions through inversions. The train seemed to clank through the loop transitions. I've never said that til now. I didn't get boxed up too much. I tolerated the ride just fine and I didn't feel it moved too slow at all. I survived Ninja and apparently I was saved from a much worse experience seen in the past. My special ride with a Jersey connection was conquered.

Racer and B-rad next took me down to Lickskillet. This was one of those park names I admired in the whole scheme of the Six Flags parks created. We saw the closing moments of a Western show there. I noticed the Big Wheelie Enterprise ride there. I did not ride it but I missed my Spinmeister at SFGADV. I was curious about Thomas Town down there so I led Racer and B-rad through there. Sir Topham Hat walked out of the section. He seemed to be a freaky looking costumed character. It seemed this area was new to them. Racer I took never visited the Thomas the Tank Engine train before. I could understand with Racer and B-rad's age but I think they were still hurt about Deja Vu's removal. I think the best tribute I could give Deja Vu since I was never going to ride SFOG's anyway was to at least ride the new ride over the former's footprint. The train ride was a slow one. I took the chance to just chill. The layout and scenary installed is cool. I think it could have helped those two guys through the process. I was not aware til then that the main entrance to their Deja Vu was at the two tower ends. That's sounded pretty wild. I don't think a rear tower would be the main entrance for a regular boomerang. Walking out I noticed the Thomas Town play structure but could not understand at all the other two pieces. Were those for posing with characters for pictures? I can understand the Thomas Town criticisms.

Next Racer and B-rad let me to the skyride. I helped them identify their model as a Von Roll ride, pretty much the brand I would see at a ski slope. At the top of the park I knew they were hungry but we decided to ride Acrophobia! and Cyclone before getting some eats. Acrophobia was pretty cool with that tilting action. I didn't think B-rad believed that happened but I knew it did. That's a pretty cool effect to lean forward and somewhat kind of stand. I can't wait to get a freefall tower again at SFGADV. Racer is local enough that he pointed out from the top of the freefall tower Deja Vu was still on SFOG property in storage.

Cyclone I notice would be the first Six Flags install for me of that true name. I went on Psyclone before at SFMM. I'm sorry to say there was a parallel with the ride just going too slow for me for those banks. I think the trims hurt that and it shakes quite a bit. I had a moment of realization I would not be able to get the Texas Cyclone. It was the other out right named Cyclone ride for Six Flags. I only visited Astroworld as a blank lot. Now I just need VIPER at SFGAM.

Off to the USA section we stopped at the Diner themed cafeteria at Goliath's first drop. The onion rings and fries combo turned out to be an incredible value. Usually you would want to recoup the value of dishing out big bucks spent on Six Flags food, a rarity for me but this was a great basket. I can't believe I had to throw some fries away. I don't like doing that but I just couldn't stuff myself.

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Thrillnetwork Moderator - Sophomore Original sn: CHILLERLC1
2008 & 2009 TN Coaster Draft Champion
You knew I wanted the other repeat too

lol, you went through my hometown.......Darlington.
A very small town with a big tourist attraction....the race track lol, me and my family tend to leave when the race comes :-)

There wasn't a better way to spend my day off. I had a good time. SFOG is almost like my second home.

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Wasn't B-rad at Carowinds the week of the race? I think I saw him with Carowinds 73-03.

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Intimidator Coming in 2010 to Carowinds!

...Next up Racer asked if I wanted to ride Shake, Rattle, and Roll, an indoor scrambler ride. He explained it was a former 360 cinema and houses the former SFGADV Scrambler. Hey, That's My ride!!!! That was the first I heard of that relocation. That was a reliable ride at SFGADV with its NASA theming. I thought it was still sitting in the SFGADV boneyard waiting for relocation back in the park. In its new supposed setting the scrambler was just ok. By then I was really itching to get to my most anticipated ride in the whole park: Mindbender! I was antsy because the sky looked gray. I felt there was a chance for a thunderstorm. Down the hill we went, underneath the train trestle. There it was!!! Mindbender. The sign looked awesome. Racer would join me on my first circuit. The ride was really themed to the Riddler since I noticed a sign with his mind altering machine from the Batman Forever movie. I always wanted to do a Batman Forever ride. The train is slighty different from what I recalled from pictures. I believe there was a Six Flags logo cut into the seat backs. Looking forward at the lift I sensed my redemption. Since riding Laser and Sooperdooperlooper I sensed seeking the great Schwarzkopfs that existed. That included Shockwave at SFOT, the more elaborate looking Revolution, and this ride. Since Revolution is so overshadowed by those OTSR's this ride became the crown jewel of US Schwarzkopfs. Like on the videos getting over the crest of the lift was slow but the first drop and loop were pretty intense. It reminded me of Laser's loop. I knew the glory that lied ahead. Finally I made it: to the dive into the waterfall of green water. I know like all the enthusiasts it's an inclined helix. After the turnaround the recessed loop just completes the whole look of coolness for the ride. The little tunnel is just a blip but reaching the end of Mindbender you get great satisfaction to score an iconic coaster as such. The meeting of the supports on balled joint ends is really cool as Racer pointed out. Either before Mindbender or after we got on the Crimewave swings.

Next we rode Batman: The Ride. Walking through the queue I realized that this installation was special. Perhaps it was partly to make up for recycling VIPER as a launched coaster, debuting it as a new ride? The lower queue goes deeply back, much farther than I've seen for most Batman the Rides. Underneath signs and slope of the land it was difficult to see the 2nd half of the ride from the Gothan City Park. The coaster was a walk on. After the crazy intensity of Batman The Ride on the return back to the station Racer pointed out the red lights in the floor by the raising platform and how they used to emit fog.

After Batman the Ride we all knew the beast of the park must be slained. It was time for Goliath! It was the original Goliath of the 2006 duo, the one the really cool new logo was made for. I did the La Ronde Goliath the first year that opened in 2006 but with the Superman colors the new Goliath logo didn't seem as natural of a fit. I had my stats wrong. I thought the lift was just 175 but the lift is 200 with a 175 ft drop. Within just 15 minutes or so we were on the coaster. The lift is pretty quick. Remembering Wes' Goliath shirt there is plenty of blue, orange, and gray but no chrome. The first drop I knew would be slightly shorter than NITRO but overall it has the same cool feeling. There were some slight shakes in the valleys. I didn't even notice from being up above that the train leaped over the Georgia Scorcher. i eagerly awaited my first drop on a steel coaster over an active, open roadway. This was going to be my Silver Star moment. I felt some NITRO floater air on the hill right before the cool helix turnaround. I'm glad for a change I would start a helix from the top and drop right through it. It's much cooler than Apollo's mid course twisted hill/helix that brings down that ride for me in my rankings. I didn't feel a gray out but the maneuvers are cool. The mini hammerhead like turn back over the roadway is still cool. Goliath really shines and resembles NITRO with the return hills back towards the station. The little joke of a last hill before the MCBR that I felt was totally lame and un-necessary on the La Ronde Goliath was a little larger and more pronounced before SFOG Goliath's brake run. That one gets my approval. Goliath was really cool and totally worthy of the cool logo tee shirt. As if Racer and Wes weren't peer pressure enough with their shirts. Thank God they don't smoke.

With some time left in the day I would have been cool just riding coasters but thanks to B-rad's influence and Racer's suggestion we got on the river rapids ride. The bamboo in that line was huge. It's really cool the queue and ride is set in the mature woods. Racer explained the bamboo was from the previous river adventure version of the ride before it converted to an all out full sized rapids ride. The circuit was much better/elaborate than SFGADV's Congo Rapids. The three of us got soaked. While riding it started to rain on us. I sensed that my window to get Georgia Scorcher and the mine train would be tightening. Racer and B-rad had to go after the river rapids. Racer explained before he left that the Dahlonega Mine Train would still run in the rain.

The Georgia Scorcher would be more important and closer to where I was so I checked in at that coaster first. In the rain the operation would be suspended. Remembering Racer's advice I thought I would shoot for the mine train and Monster Mansion.

Dahlonega Mine Train is a little hard to see from the main path. It's station sits a little downhill. Bascically I could only see the entry signs and the station. The station roof reminded me of a Hooters. The mine train may have looked crude but it delivered a fun ride. I was tricked into thinking it would be boring but it was fun with its little quirks. The ride is even waterproofed by the Splashdown ride. It was still lightly raining when I got off so I waited in line for Monster Mansion. I had no clue this ride ever existed until they talked about the removal of Monster Plantation. I only waited about 15 minutes to get on the boat ride. The front of building looked like a manor. Racer told me from the skyride the attraction has a huge AC unit that he designed in RCT. I was in for a shock watching the scenes of a flooded mansion room that gave way to a world of monsters. The puppets were all very bright in color, the lights all updated to include modern LEDs, even lasers I believe. I think the horn Racer was talking about was right before the entering the bad area. I was really impressed that SFOG had such a caliber ride outside of Disney World. Getting off I decided to read in the store across the path about the history of the attraction and the conversion.

Finally I thought after these two attractions that possibly enough time had passed for the rain storm that possibly I could check Georgia Scorcher to see if it reopened. It was open. Within a cycle I was on a train. I didn't care which row. I admired this coaster in pictures for years for having so much punch in a layout in such a tiny space. WOW. This ride was no where near the brutal Vortex. It turned out to be a micro-Medusa since they debuted the same year. There was no issue whatsoever of annoying vibrations people talk about on Mantis or the other coasters. With Medusa gracefulness the train went through all the very tight inversions and turns. It was not rough at all just real impressive for how quick the ride transitioned in a very small space. Did someone of the B&M team retire after the Medusa, Georgia Scorcher designs since we were left with the subpar Batman: The Dark Knight and Hydra? I went on at least two Scorcher cycles, had to. I then went for one last spin on Mindbender and Goliath, this time with sandals aside, not sitting on them so I could actually no worry and be truly free. Goliath is an awesome ride given the setting, layout. I made my Goliath my last ride in the park. I bought a Goliath shirt and hat combo so I somewhat match Wes and Racer now. Is my shirt a youth large cause it's really form fitting? I really wanted a basic SFOG park logo shirt such as the 45th Anniversary shirts but I could not find them. FAIL. The SFA shirt I bought with the flags across the front and back is a fail. I don't like the design. I would fail again just like SFNE to get the basic logo shirt. At least I had a Goliath one. Goliath would rank under NITRO on my list of B&M hypers.

When I left the park I hung around the lake on the exit road to photo Goliath. I finally went to Marietta to check into my hotel. At 9:30 I then went downtown to buy lapel pins at Hard Rock Cafe. I was able to drive by Olympic Park, Coke World, the Georgia Aquarium, CNN building, Philips Arena, the Georgia Dome. Going to bed I had to decide whether to go to American Adventures the next day and then Lake Winnie or Alabama Adventures and then up to Lake Winnie.

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Thrillnetwork Moderator - Sophomore Original sn: CHILLERLC1
2008 & 2009 TN Coaster Draft Champion
You knew I wanted the other repeat too

Sounds like you had fun, but you will be missing out quite a bit if you don't add Colossus the Fire Dragon to your list of Schwarzkopfs that are great. It is actually 2 years older, has the same name Laser used to have, and is the closest roller coaster in the world to LAser you will ever find. Plus it is the most rare version with an extra helix which is absolutly insane. Sadly, if you want to get that one you would have to come out to Farmington, Utah to my home park Lagoon. But if you do that, Wicked! is one of the best.

But seeing as to how that probably won't happen and getting back on track to your trip report, it sounds like you has a great time and I hope that I can make it to SFOG someday! First I have settle out my first Six Flags park tomorrow, SFMM!

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Let's never say never man. It's rather going to take some time.

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Thrillnetwork Moderator - Sophomore Original sn: CHILLERLC1
2008 & 2009 TN Coaster Draft Champion
You knew I wanted the other repeat too

Did the loud horn at the end of Monster Mansion catch you off guard like it did us?
Don't forget that we spotted Deja Vu in the back of the employee parking lot from the top of Acrophobia.

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They need to sell it to Carowinds so we can have 3 used Vekomas for 2011.

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Intimidator Coming in 2010 to Carowinds!

Hey, Wes, all three of us have Goliath shirts. We should get together. Invasion of the Goliath shirts!

I actually have two Goliath shirts and might get another one soon.

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On Thursday morning I woke up and rationalized my chances to get back to Birmingham would be slim. Atlanta and Charlotte are major cities of the South and I would have a better chance to get there again so I decided to go to Alabama Adventures. I wanted to get to the park by the 10:30 opening so I hit the road. When I got to the state line I was shocked to see a sign that would be moving into Central Time. I didn't account that I would make it that close to the time line. That meant I made it the the first rest stop in Alabama by 7:30 CST. When I saw that there was a pic of a S&S Power tower car for the US Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville I knew I would need to make a stop there. My two college friends participated in a lunar rover competition there during college. I wanted to visit the site that I remembered from their photos. On Interstate 20 I got off and drove by the Talladega Super Speedway.

Going down to Birmingham I stopped in Alabama Adventures' hometown of Beseemer to drive by an operating US Pipe Foundry site. The NJ site in my town actually ceased production in 2008. I and several other cars made it to AA even before the front main road gates were unlocked. Looking at the maps and pictures of the coasters I thought the place looked dinghy. Actually walking around the park it looked like they were starting to take care of the place. Rides and the front gate were repainted I read on another site. In person things looked fresh. My opinion of the place changed for the better. Finally inside the park I walked through the main street, down through the games section and up through to Rampage. The flat rides leading up to Rampage looked really fresh with their new paint. Being amongst the first riders of the day I found an enthusiast and his son. He had a Hulk coaster shirt on: pretty obvious. i talked to his son and found out he rode over 200 coasters in his young age. I thought Rampage looked odd with a first drop through a hill. It turned out to give an awesome ride. I loved the cool turn at the bottom of the first drop. The pace and layout turned out to be pretty good. Now I am used to the little dips in the high turns. Silver Comet got me used to that. Villain i wasn't really a fan of. I liked that there was plenty of travel within the support structure of the ride; I like that kind of tunnel effect. In videos I thought the trip from the final brake run to the station looked weird but riding the coaster I got over all those little things. Rampage was on a roll. I think it would turn out to be my favorite wooden coaster of the trip.

Next up I walked through the Marvel City area on my way towards the Zoomerang and the drop tower. Marvel Mania was the kiddie coaster I rode next. It looked really bright. I learned later that was painted as well. I had a whole two cycles almost to myself. Finally I would walk up the hill to Zoomerang. I thought it was weird a boomerang would be on a hill. The trains looked really nice. I heard they were repainted as well. It had an 80's rockstar look. The former Australian boomerang came quite a distance to come here. It turned out to deliver one of the smoothest cycles I've ever been on. I still rank it just a bit lower than the SFFT Boomerang but higher than Carolina Cobra, even with the new train.

Next I went to the Big Shot. It used to be a combo but due to money issues the other side was removed. I heard the other tower was at Lake Compounce, which I rode. The ride pad didn't look as bad as I thought it could. It was a fun cycle. I then decided to cap my time at the park with a few more rides on Rampage. It was looking gray outside. I think at almost 1:30 CST I got out of the park. I really had to get moving.

I next traveled north to Huntsville, AL, the US Space and Rocket Center. As I said before my friends went to a competition there. Since they were there they built a new museum with a S&S Space Shot and simulator installed. I wasn't going to pay $24.95 to get a freefall and watch "Fly Me to the Moon." I already saw that film at SFGADV. Walking inside the lobby counts as a park visit in my opinion. lol. I decided after about 15 minutes to high tail it to Lake Winnie!

I got to the Chattanooga, TN area close to 5pm. I must have drove through the back entrance of the park. What a cool view of the lake with the paddle boats and the sky cars. I parked right near Cannonball and walked in. I went straight for the Cannonball. It looks really nice with the white paint. The state flags were a nice touch going up the lift. The first drop was pretty cool and for an out n back it provided a good ride. Better than SFOG's GASM and Cyclone's because it was smoother. It wasn't fierce but it was fun. Next up I rode the Wild Lightning wild mouse ride. It somewhat resembled Pedro's Mouse with the unpainted metal supports. The ride cars looked pretty cool. It wasn't an intense mouse: good for me.

Finally walked towards the rest of the park I got a great grip of what this park is about. This was where I could see what Lake Winnie was all about. The carousel sitting over water looked pretty cool. I did the dark ride next door first. Walking around it I passed the Scrambler and rode their Wacky Worm. I was hoping that would be the last Wacky Worm of the trip.

Walking by the lake I really liked the games midway located there. That really set the charm of the park. The little stand built to look like a paddle boat looked pretty cool. On the other side of the lake I walked through looking at the families ride the flats. One ride I knew I had to get was the flume ride. The boats looked really odd like old fashioned torpedo boats. Now I understand the ride op's joke. I rode this ride alone and it was one of the most eerie ride experiences I've ever had. The boat goes through complete darkness for at least a good 3-4 minutes. It would make a good Tunnel of Love. I didn't even see those red exit signs that nowadays still the fantasy portion of rides. I was starting to get a little freaked out when before you know it the boat engaged the lift and took the plunge. Cool ride, a true throwback. After buying a park sticker I made my way back towards Cannonball. I took one last goodbye ride. The family of enthusiasts I saw at AA were also there. I wonder if they were going to continue north like I would. I didn't ask.

I next made my way north towards Nashville. Along the highway I noticed traffic going to Bonnaroo. I forgot to check the lineup and see if I wanted to go. I made it into Nashville near sundown. There was no time to go visit the remains of Opryland. Downtown I went to Hard Rock. There were all kinds of girls walking around in cowboy hats. I heard there was the CMA Music Festival at LP Field. Pretty cool. I kinda liked the Oilers and Titans before so it was cool to see the stadium across the river. Downtown Nashville has a good vibe. I had to get to Bowling Green, KY so I hit the road once again.

Going north I ran into a heavy pocket of rain across northern TN/southern KY. Around 10 pm I made it to my hotel in Bowling Green, KY.

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Thrillnetwork Moderator - Sophomore Original sn: CHILLERLC1
2008 & 2009 TN Coaster Draft Champion
You knew I wanted the other repeat too

^^ Racer we can all sit on the front row for our B&M Hyper next at Carowinds. LOL
I've got the first ones they came out with "Bad to the chrome" on it.

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Intimidator Coming in 2010 to Carowinds!

^My first one is like that too. I got it before Goliath even opened.

My second one is the stat shirt.

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I regret not getting the red or blue NITRO logo shirt when it was out. Now they have stat shirt without the official logo and Premier looking track. I would shoot them if it was Arrow track.

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Thrillnetwork Moderator - Sophomore Original sn: CHILLERLC1
2008 & 2009 TN Coaster Draft Champion
You knew I wanted the other repeat too

I regret not getting a Deja Vu shirt when I had the chance. Maybe I'll find one lying around. SFOG had tons of Viper stuff years after it was removed.

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We had a rare Deja Vu hat at a store @ SFGADV. I guess it got lost in shipping?

As an employee it doesn't hurt to call merchandise. You have a shot.

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Thrillnetwork Moderator - Sophomore Original sn: CHILLERLC1
2008 & 2009 TN Coaster Draft Champion
You knew I wanted the other repeat too

The next morning I woke up with the realization with Beech Bend opening at 10:30 CST I would have the extra hour in the morning but then would lose it in the evening. That would really blow. At 9 am CST I decided though to go the National Corvette Museum. I spent a nice hour there looking at Corvettes. I was not surprised when I looked across the street at the GM Corvette Plant to find the plant idle. A drive by the plant entrance revealed a sign saying plant tours were cancelled for the time being. A good hour at the musuem I then left for Beech Bend. At opening I would be disappointed to find a sign that Kentucky Rumbler would reopen at a later time. I would miss the park's signature coaster! I held onto some hope during my visit. I heard that it rained at least 5 inches the night before, that same system that I drove through in Southern KY/Northern TN. I heard about the storm on the nightly news the night before. The coaster would need some time to dry off. I also heard the Rumbler was also recently struck by lighting when I asked the operator on the Wild Mouse. The first ride I rode was the Wild Mouse. It was one of the spinners. I then went to the back of the park and rode the dark ride and Dragon kiddie coaster. Near the freefall tower I was able to see the small racetrack nearby. The tower was pretty cool, better than the one at Family Kingdom definitely.

After the Dragon coaster I rode Looping Star. It's the most gritty Looping Star I've been on. It had a couple rough moments. I never really cared for that Pinifari model and I've been on three of them at least. The pool to weigh down the helixes of the ride looked cool. The trains seen better days.

After taking many Kentucky Rumbler pictures of the ride sitting idle, sigh, I walked around the corner to ride Sea Dragon! This was the park model that was bought at an auction of Michael Jackson's Neverland Ranch rides. I carefully tried to listen for Michael Jackson tunes I heard the ride would be playing. I found the speakers are close to the operator's panel. After listening to a song I finally got in line and rode the Sea Dragon. It actually looked really good. I later heard that it got new paint. Understanding how special the ride was I later took a pic of its nameplate. I later heard "Black and White" and "Bad" play. I recorded a cycle of the ride while "Bad" played.

After taking a few more pictures I felt I stayed at the park as much as I could. I had as much positive hope as I could get Rumbler would open for me but it would not. I still had to get to Holiday World, Louisville, SFKK, and Columbus in the day, even losing a hour later going back into Eastern time. In the 11 am hour I left Beech Bend, Bowling Green and drove northwest towards Indiana!

After a Sonic break I drove over the bridge into Indiana near Ewansville, KY. Boy does it get desolate out there! Driving on detours down country roads I finally made it to the land with large Holiday World Water Tower, Santa Claus, IN. I finally arrived at the park that has generated such a buzz in the theme park world. From the parking lot I could see Raven operating. I scratched my head thinking "How could it get 3 or so Golden Tickets?" I would later realize the timing of them. Boulder Dash came out in 2000 so Raven was really up against Wildcat at Hersheypark and the other woodies of the late 90s. I could understand it's popularity then and how international visitors would help prolong the length of the title. It worked then but now after Boulder Dash I don't think Raven is as great as an experience. I would definitely take Raven over HP's Wildcat though. The hills by the water are cool.

Entering the park I took the popular shot of the Santa Claus statue. Afterwards I realized the experience would be all downhill from there - literally. I got my first Raven run ever, then I walked down past the Enterprise. Things did not look good when I saw The Legend was not open then. Just as soon as I passed The Legend I could already see the waterpark and the big grand daddy waiting to put me to the test, to really give me the appropriate answer of what was the true #1 wooden coaster in United States: The Voyage. Finally I came to ride the measuring stick in my wooden coaster rankings. All these people raved about The Voyage and I could not give a true answer until I rode it. El Toro was my #1 with The Phoenix being my #2. Would the Voyage find its way into my rankings? When I was in Charlotte Wes told me to look out for The Voyage's crazy triple down. I knew about the multiple 90 degree instances on the Voyage's track.

After about a 15-20 minute break I got a second row seat on The Voyage. On the steel hybrid woodie finally I was on a train going up the hill. The first drop was ok into the first hill. Going into the woods at the back end of the ride I found the scenery to look pretty cool. I'm looking forward to seeing the woods fill back in over the years. This turned out to be my favorite part of the park. Going towards the MCBR I thought the first 90 degree bank came just too soon. The tunnels were I started to really formulate my opinion of the ride. I was not really impressed with the triple down. I'm sorry Wes. I wasn't impressed with Boulder Dash's new triple down either. I would rather take a slower double down on Jack Rabbit at Kennywood. After reaching the MCBR and going back towards the station when the coaster crossed under its lift I felt the ride hit a finish line verdict. I knew then that "El Toro is the #1 wooden coaster in the United States!" I thought there would be more side to side turns like on El Toro but there was not. I didn't see what the buzz about the Voyage was. I'm disappointed I didn't even wear my El Toro shirt I brought on the trip to avenge all those Voyage fans wearing their Voyage shirts when they came to ride El Toro its debut year.

After my Voyage cycle I decided to check out Pilgrim Plunge. It was closed though! It was still cycling boats but the park wasn't allowing new riders one. The waves at the bottom of the drop didn't seem too high. I decided to go back on the Voyage. My opinion of the ride didn't really change but I did notice the large cowherding size rolling gates for the station exits and the super busy but super nice station attendants. I couldn't understand how they could be so nice while working so efficiently. I knew when I worked really quick on CHILLER I got more authoritative the more machine like busy I got in loading.

It was coming upon 3 pm. I knew I had to keep moving. It looked like The Legend was still not open so i decided to move to the front of the park to find the kiddie coaster: Howler. Howler was a standard small family coaster with the crude single helix. After a cycle I trucked it over to The Legend. It was open! After about a 10-15 minute break I was on. I think The Legend would turn out to be my favorite Holiday World coaster. It was pretty cool to interact with the terrain and roll through tunnels. The one tunnel was like a clockwise turning Beast tunnel. I really wish I had the time for a second ride because I can not honestly tell you where below El Toro and the Phoenix where this wooden coaster belongs on my list of favorites. It's an Unsolved Mystery for now. I need to make a return to find out.

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Thrillnetwork Moderator - Sophomore Original sn: CHILLERLC1
2008 & 2009 TN Coaster Draft Champion
You knew I wanted the other repeat too

A little past 5 pm I made my way into Louisville. I went through the northern part of town by the river, a new way for me. I would stop by Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom to get the Roadrunner Express credit I brushed off in 2003 to get more cycles on Greased Lightnin' and Chang. Walking into the park I took notice of the lack of Superman Tower of Power in the front of the park but I did realize the use of color around the front. The park gave me a better vibe than my first time visit. Walking straight ahead I waited in line for Roadrunner. This coaster on the site of the former Vampire coaster I believe. I've been on that model since at Six Flags New England. I liked this mouse model. It wasn't too extreme at all. I felt lucky that I was able to get back and correct for my sins. From this coaster I could see Greased Lightning was closed and being worked on. I decided to walk around the pirate ship and the sky coaster area because I quickly breezed by this area in the past. I decided I was going to try to take a little more of the park in this time than just fly through it. From the bridge I could see the expanse of the water park that just keeps getting added onto. I'm more comfortable with this park addition than the Boardwalk at Hersheypark. I actually prefer not to have the two kind of parks together.

I would approach Chang next. After a couple photos of its running train through its course I got in line. It's the same boring minimal urban jungle that queue line. Anything station, line, queue line, neighboring lots to this ride have been very bare and urban. A Cedar Fair looking attempt would probably have more bright colors but it's right up that alley: very boring queue. I was disappointed that there was only one train running for the coaster. It's still the same colors - haha. Chang delivered an impressive ride though. It doesn't really vibrate too badly. It delivered a better ride than Mantis once again definitely.

Walking towards the bridge I took notice of the arena to the right and the Bugs Bunny Land. I didn't notice the Enterprise there before. When I was taking pics of the antique cars some random girls came up and wanted to take a pic for me. Thanks for randomness there jailbait. I continued on to the other side and recalled how huge the ferris wheel was as DHollon had said. Well that gets put to good use during the Kentucky State Fair I bet.

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Thrillnetwork Moderator - Sophomore Original sn: CHILLERLC1
2008 & 2009 TN Coaster Draft Champion
You knew I wanted the other repeat too

TL;DR.

Where's the pictures?

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SWOOSH - MidwestInfoGuide.COM

I know, I want pics too as I'm in a few of them.

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Intimidator Coming in 2010 to Carowinds!

Wes they're featured on my 'Book page. I think I only loaded up through our excursions so far. Not finished that either.

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Thrillnetwork Moderator - Sophomore Original sn: CHILLERLC1
2008 & 2009 TN Coaster Draft Champion
You knew I wanted the other repeat too