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Bob K Mertz
Posts
114
Comments
148
Joined
2 yr. ago
  • Yea, it sucks over here in the US..... we have no privacy protections at all and..... looks around and sighs

  • RollerCoasters @lemm.ee
    Bob K Mertz @lemm.ee

    Herschend is purchasing all of the Palace Entertainment parks

    In a surprise but maybe not completely shocking turn it appears that Kennywood and the other Palace parks in the US will be purchased by Herschend (owners of Dollywood, Silver Dollar City, and Kentucky Kingdom). This will be interesting to watch.

    RollerCoasters @lemm.ee
    Bob K Mertz @lemm.ee

    Steel Curtain won't open with the park this year

    The extensive modification project is ongoing on they are expecting that testing will take place during the first part of the operating season.

  • I completely agree. I understand that the coaster was costly to operate but I think this was short sighted and was fueled by the lack of competition that the merger created. Above all it's incredibly aggregating that they intentionally didn't let on that Ka was going away solely so that it wouldn't affect season pass sales.

    As for Zum I would agree with what you said about the views but I still think that was one of the weaker drop towers I'd been on (solely on the basis of the drop).

    I'm concerned about the new Six Flags. I really hope that I'm wrong and the chain actually does some amazing things but I'm not in a position where I would put money on it.

  • One day this thing might even run too 😂

  • RollerCoasters @lemm.ee
    Bob K Mertz @lemm.ee

    Kennywood retires Thomas Town

    Thomas Town at Kennywood is being rethemed for next year.

    RollerCoasters @lemm.ee
    Bob K Mertz @lemm.ee

    Carowinds is the latest Six Flags park to get attractions axed

    In the continuing saga of Cedar Fair (now Six Flags) waiting for everyone to get their 2025 season passes and then slowly start announcing numerous rides that will NOT open in 2025 we now add Carowinds to the list. Nighthawk, the drop tower, and the enterprise will be removed before the season begins. There are no opportunities for last rides.

  • I don't like the new Six Flags... Cedar Fair just seems to have used the Six Flags name as a mustache to twirl.

  • RollerCoasters @lemm.ee
    Bob K Mertz @lemm.ee

    KD announces new name for Intimidator 305

    Intimidator 305 at Kings Dominion, which was called Project 305 this year, will be known as Pantherian next year as it will be joining the Jungle X theming.

  • In the case of the impulse coasters with the holding brake that's an example of the thrill but I think the distinguishing factor is that your adrenaline is already going by time you hit that point..... With a tilt coaster you're going to mix the suspense of a dive coaster with the 90 degree hold of the brake on the 2 impulse coasters that have/had them.

  • I've never been on a full 90 degree tilt coaster but even the slightly sloped one I've been on actually gave me more of a thrill than any holding brake on a B&M dive coaster (like Valravn). Being held at 90 degrees and then suddenly being dropped is going to be something unlike anything you've experienced on a coaster..... This will be on the level of a drop tower. One of these has existed overseas for decades and I've been dreaming of riding it.... I seriously can't wait.

  • RollerCoasters @lemm.ee
    Bob K Mertz @lemm.ee

    Cedar Point announces Vekoma tilt coaster for 2025

    Out of nowhere Cedar Point has announced that a new coaster will open next year, named "Sirens Curse"

    RollerCoasters @lemm.ee
    Bob K Mertz @lemm.ee

    Coaster Maintenance via ropes at Kings Dominion

    This video came up in a conversation on our podcast and I had forgot about it but after watching it again I thought it was well worth sharing. This is an outside firm that is performing in depth maintenance on coasters and accessing the bolts that you can't just walk to by ropes. It's truly fascinating to watch. It's also clearly an old video with Volcano making an appearance.

  • Here's the point that I was done with any passes from SeaWorld/United Parks:

    Prior to 2020 everyone with a Platinum pass had their own parking lot and could use the employee entrance to access it (and avoid the line at the main gates). When Covid arrived they told us they had to remove that benefit temporarily because the alternate access impeded screening.... That was reasonable. Two weeks later that lot reopened as the premium parking option at the main gate and all of us pass holders were welcomed to purchase parking tickets to use that lot... The same lot that our current membership gave us free access to. It also confirmed that they used Covid as a false excuse to take this benefit away and by giving the same thing to purchasing customers they clearly showed there was NO legitimate reason for them to remove that benefit from us.

    Following that they later changed tiers in the middle of pass ownership taking many other benefits away and then they kept enticing us to renew our passes so we could ride Pantheon when it opens in 2021.... 2022.....

    And I was done. They did send me the free ticket so I could ride Pantheon when it opened.... I paid my $40 parking fee and went straight to pantheon which was down and not declared as being down on the board at the entrance to the park. That day every single coaster was down at some point with many being down all day. I talked to guest services who took my information and said they would send me another ticket.... That never happened.

    They have a really long walk to get me to even consider a pass again. The truth is, I just don't have much interest in going there at all. I've had so many horrible experiences in the last 5 years that being in the park has just been associated with misery.

    I hope they can turn it around though.... The parks have so much potential.

  • BGW really just stopped maintaining stuff. The theming in that park was just a little below Disney but after the holdings company took over they just stopped fixing things when it broke and that has led to a subtle but yet very noticeable difference. Then you look at rides like Verbolten which has degraded a ton solely because they didn't maintain the theme elements in the building leaving the dark forest not so dark.

  • I'm really hoping they actually follow through with theming this thing.... It's going to make or break it. They dropped the ball with Pantheon but at least it is a fun coaster but DarKoaster is just a complete failure without the full theming.

  • Honestly pretty much everything looks that good

  • Oh that's a good answer. Epic Universe has existed in a "coming in the future" state for so long I didn't even comprehend that those are 2025 coasters. Stardust racers also looks like it could be insanely good.

  • RollerCoasters @lemm.ee
    Bob K Mertz @lemm.ee

    What coaster are you looking forward to in 2025

    With all the recent announcements for coasters coming in 2025 I'm curious what everyone is looking forward to the most? Personally I think AlpenFury looks amazing and may be the biggest hit of the year.

    RollerCoasters @lemm.ee
    Bob K Mertz @lemm.ee

    Six Flags Great America announces a new dive coaster

    Built by B&M the coaster will be called "Rakshasa" and have a 171ft drop with a beyond vertical 96 degree slope and reach speeds of 67mph

    RollerCoasters @lemm.ee
    Bob K Mertz @lemm.ee

    AlpenFury announced for 2025 at Canada's Wonderland

    Being built by Premier Rides this launch coaster will reach 115km/h (71mph) and blast you through the mountain (is this sounding familiar yet). It will take you through 9 inversions that seem to be mostly rolls (sounding more familiar) and all flow together. Clearly the real Volcano replacement went to another country 😂

  • Couldn't agree more

  • RollerCoasters @lemm.ee
    Bob K Mertz @lemm.ee

    Rapterra announced at Kings Dominion

    Kings Dominion has announced their new coaster for 2025

  • This entire story made me laugh. In a lot of ways this is the same way that many old houses are supported with the main difference being the house takes up less square footage. Racer has been like this for years (probably it's whole life) and was just waiting for the right person to come along and make a big deal out of it.

    Now wait until they learn how much coasters start leaning and flexing 😂

  • RollerCoasters @lemm.ee
    Bob K Mertz @lemm.ee

    Jack Morey of Morey's Piers has passed away

    Morey served as the executive vice president and chief creative officer of the company, which has been family owned and operated since 1969.

    RollerCoasters @lemm.ee
    Bob K Mertz @lemm.ee

    This doesn't mean a strike will happen but it does mean that employees are willing to strike if negotiations don't go well.

    RollerCoasters @lemm.ee
    Bob K Mertz @lemm.ee

    Tipping at Sea World (United Parks being scummy)

    bgwfans.com Tipping Comes to United Parks Quick Service Dining – BGWFans

    Busch Gardens Williamsburg’s parent company, United Parks (formerly SeaWorld Parks), rolled out a new tipping system at their flagship property, SeaWorld Orlando, last month. United Parks properties with table service restaurants and/or full-service bars have long offered tipping for waitstaff (as i...

    This is honestly one of the most upsetting stories I've read in a while. I've really been losing more and more respect for United Parks (Sea World and Busch Gardens) but this may be one of their shadiest stunts yet. In short they've started prompting you to tip at counter service transactions which isn't ideal but something we're seeing at a lot of places anymore but, in this case, the money you tip actually first offsets Sea World's payroll before giving some to the employees (if there is enough).

    The way this works is they are functionally reducing their employees pay rate to minimum wage but continuing to pay whatever their existing pay was as a guaranteed rate. This is creating a loophole where they can take the tip money and use it to pay part of the employee's wages. The only point where extra money would be given to any employees is if the tips exceed the amount of difference between everyone's minimum wage rate and their guaranteed rate.

  • I rode all 3 of the Paramount stand ups (all Togo's) and loved them all. I only was on SkyRider once or twice in a single visit but the other 2 (King Cobra and Shockwave) I rode numerous times. They all were great and put B&M's stand ups to shame (save possibly Pipeline) mainly because of the restraints.

  • I've got quite a few but here's my top 20:

    #1 - Volcano - King's Dominion

    #2 - Riverside Cyclone (Pre-2001) - Riverside Park

    #3 - Top Thrill Dragster - Cedar Point

    #4 - Blue Streak - Conneaut Lake Park

    #5 - Son of Beast - King's Island

    #6 - Big Dipper - Geauga Lake

    #7 - Batman and Robin: The Chiller - Six Flags Great Adventure

    #8 - Rolling Thunder - Six Flags Great Adventure

    #9 - The Villain - Geauga Lake

    #10 - Disaster Transport - Cedar Point

    #11 - Raging Wolf Bobs - Geauga Lake

    #12 - Laser Loop - Kennywood

    #13 - Wildcat - Hersheypark

    #14 - T3 - Kentucky Kingdom

    #15 - Mad Mouse - Lakemont Park

    #16 - Vortex - King's Island

    #17 - King Cobra - King's Island

    #18 - Firehawk - King's Island

    #19 - Skyrider - Canada's Wonderland

    #20 - Mean Streak - Cedar Point

  • Agreed. I thought it was important to add the entering the restricted area when I made the post. Their headline isn't as egregious as most media coverage but certainly leaves out important context.

  • RollerCoasters @lemm.ee
    Bob K Mertz @lemm.ee

    Man entered restricted area and critically injured after being struck by Banshee at Kings Island

    The guest ignored the direction of staff and various restricted area signs and entered the ride area to retrieve items he lost and was struck by either the train or a rider on the train. Entering this area likely required climbing over an 8ft tall fence.

    RollerCoasters @lemm.ee
    Bob K Mertz @lemm.ee

    Hyperia is closed for the 3rd time

    They have been trying but it just doesn't seem to stick. Hyperia broke down again today.

    RollerCoasters @lemm.ee
    Bob K Mertz @lemm.ee

    Epic Universe Development District is now 2,000 acres

    Universal isn't commenting on what they are planning to do with the additional land and the zoning will adapt as Universal's plans change. Sunrail will be expanding into the area as well.

    RollerCoasters @lemm.ee
    Bob K Mertz @lemm.ee

    Mayflies gone wild

    Anyone that's been to Cedar Point knows the hell that mayflies bring but this last weekend they seemed to step up their game

  • Yes the low quality wood is a point of contention and I don't think we have a clear picture of who did it. Paramount paid for higher quality wood and it seems like the lumber company gave RCCA the low quality wood. Rumor was that RCCA tried to sue the lumber company but the lumber company had gone out of business before the lawsuit was filed. Paramount then sued RCCA over the ride but regardless the bottom line was the coaster was just not going to survive without essentially a rebuild and after the accidents that happened cedar fair (who inherited the mess) just had to cut their losses. There is a really good Defunctland about SoB that is well worth the watch. I don't think it goes too deep into the lumber issue but it covers A LOT.

  • RollerCoasters @lemm.ee
    Bob K Mertz @lemm.ee

    The Oasis in the Ozarks begins construction on rides including at least one coaster

    Looks like another new park really is coming to the US. The track looks like it could be Vekoma but the supports in the pictures are confusing (maybe they are for another ride).

    RollerCoasters @lemm.ee
    Bob K Mertz @lemm.ee

    Woman calls 911 when her daughter's seat belt wouldn't unlatch at Beech Bend

    Apparently a rider's seat belt wouldn't unlatch on a ride a Beech Bend and the rider's mother called 911. Fire department responded to find that -- no one was trapped because the issue was already resolved.