HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: stickman@spam.megatek.uucp (James Hsieh)
Subject: Re: The SFGAm --> SFGAd connection
Reply-To: megatek!stickman@uunet.uu.net
Organization: Megatek Corporation, San Diego, California
Date: Thu, 13 Aug 1992 18:27:25 GMT

In article <46401@shamash.cdc.com> scott@svl.cdc.com (Scott Gerken) writes:
>buck@cavlry.enet.dec.com writes:
>
>>MY QUESTION -- Is this a trend I see with Six Flags??  Is the
>>BATMAN ride going in next year at SFGAd going to be an exact
>>track layout of the ride in IL?  Will a 3rd clone appear at
>>SFMM in 1994??
>
>
>>What do others think?
>
>If as stated from several sources are true that Great America, 
>Santa Clara is getting a unthemed version of Batman next year
>I'd be surprised if Magic Mountain gets a themed one in 1994.
>I say this because even though they are 450+ miles apart I would
>think that they would be to close together for identical rides.

Well, don't forget that SFMM has "Freefall" and Great America has "The
Edge" which are the same rides.  Though admittedly, they're probably not
in the same class with "Batman -- The Ride".

But it does seem to be a trend among the Six Flags parks that clones
of major coasters appear in other parks as soon as they appear in one
park.  I think the "Freefall" ride started it all...


-- 
[ James "stickman" Hsieh      O        email:  stickman%megatek.uucp@ucsd.edu ]
[ Megatek Corporation       --+--           ...!{uunet,ucsd}!megatek!stickman ]
[ 9645 Scranton Road          |        Disclaimer:   Just a programmer with a ]
[ San Diego, CA  92121       / \         one-bit brain and a parity error.... ]
Newsgroups: rec.roller-coaster
From: palmer@hsi.com (Mike Palmer)
Subject: More Lake Compounce
Organization: 3M Health Information Systems, Wallingford CT
Distribution: na
Date: Fri, 14 Aug 1992 13:05:33 GMT

In today's Hartford Courant:

Coumpounce to open briefly as legal wrangling continue.

As legal arguments continue to lead the partners for Lake Compounce
Festival Park on a roller coaster of trouble, a Bristol man with
family ties to the park is gearing up for a Labor Day opening.
"Fine.  Let them fight," J. Hartwood "Stretch" Norton Jr. said Thursday.
"Nobody's stopping me."
Norton has been working day and night to continue the 262-acre park's
record of consecutive seasons of operation since 1846.  He expects to
open the park Sept. 4 through Sept. 7, offering a few amusement rides,
swimming and use of the park's beach and some concessions.

the article continues to discuse the problems between the limited and
general partners.  They are trying to get the park open for more then
just Labor day weekend.

Norton's family sold the park in 1986 (I think).

-- 
======= Mike Palmer			     {uunet,yale}!hsi!palmer =======
======= 3M Health Information Systems	              palmer@hsi.com =======
======= Wallingford, Connecticut  06492                 203 949-6454 =======
From: wjf@controls.ccd.harris.com (Bill Figie)
Newsgroups: rec.roller-coaster
Subject: Fiesta Texas season?
Date: 13 Aug 92 13:57:53 GMT
Organization: Harris Controls
Originator: wjf@rs2



I just got an e-mail message from a W. David Higgins.  He noticed my post about
how I just got back from Fiesta Texas and wanted to know if the park would be
open in the fall because he might be able to get a trip to the park.  I really
don't know.   I suspect it will be open on weekends into the fall like other deep
south parks, but not all year long.  Not many parks are open 365 days a year. 
Does anyone out there have any information on Fiesta Texas's operating season??

			Thanks,

				Bill Figie
Newsgroups: rec.roller-coaster
From: wjf@controls.ccd.harris.com (Bill Figie)
Subject: Re: Fiesta San Antonio
Originator: wjf@rs2
Organization: Harris Controls
Date: Fri, 14 Aug 1992 12:42:30 GMT


Buck,
   From what I heard from Allen Ambrosini (who I met by accident at the Park) and
an old ACE member, Albert Arcola (who I also met by accident at the park), it is
breaking in nicely.  Allen said that the helix section was really a dog when it
first opened.  Albert, who has ridden it over 820 times since it opened, said it
was getting better also.  Albert, who has ridden every seat on the coaster many
times each, said avoid seat 6.  He said it had something to do with being in the
very middle and over the wheels.  It was the roughest.  Then wouldn't you know,
the had an opening for 2 people and they put us in seat 6.  It wasn't a bad ride
experience but it was rough.  When I say rough, what I mean is the track seemed
in good shape.  Not that up and down vibrations you get on warn track (cupping of
the track) like I experienced on the Beast the last time I rode the back seat. 
That was so jiggley that not only did my wifes boobs hurt after the ride but so
did mine.  The Rattler didn't experience anything like that.  It was just the
quick transitions from curved track to straight track that kind of snapped my
neck a little more then I like it.  The front seat of each car did not do that
and seemed to give just as good a ride as the back seats.  Being in my mid 40's
now, and having a mild backache all the time (not because of coasters but because
of my bed, my couch, my work, etc) I kind of like them a little smoother.  I
still like them wild and wooly but with a little bit of sophistication. 
Backaches, neck aches, headaches, etc. do not rate high on my list of fun things.
Coasters such as the Texas Giant, Beast, Rattler, for me need that little bit of
edge taken off.  Also, the Rattler was tracking real good.  Not like other
coasters (mainly Dinn/Summer coasters) that seem to have a lot of slop between
the tracks.
   Funny, I just got an e-mail letter from Meg Keehan and she reported that two
people who were here from England, Niel Bransford and his wife, just visited
FT  and were disappointed in the park and the Rattler.  I am not sure why.  It is
a very nice park, the people seemed real nice, and the coaster is very good.

			Bill "I wish Central Florida had a woodie" Figie
From: rhino@cruzio.santa-cruz.ca.us
Newsgroups: rec.roller-coaster
Subject: Good news, good news.
Keywords: SCBB, Hurricane, Great America (west).
Date: 12 Aug 92 02:58:42 GMT
Reply-To: rhino@cruzio.santa-cruz.ca.us


    The Hurricane started running two trains for the first time since the
accident last week.  The delay was not safety related, it was waiting for
the front car of the red train to come back from its nose job.

     They added the second train about noon today which should cut the wait
time.  There were some people in line for an hour this past weekend.
Sadly, i have yet to ride it since the retracking.  Maybe sometime next week...

   The other news is that for the first time in three years (Easter Week
 In Hell '90) I'm going to get a chance to ride a different coaster.  Not
that I don't mind riding the Dipper over and over, but the change will
do me good.  The company is running a trip over the hill to Great America
(west) tomorrow, and I"ve got a seat.  I'm keyed for this.  I'll get a shot
at the Vortex and also get to spent extreme streches of time on my #2
over all and #1 steel coaster the Tidal Wave.

   Here's a rumor for you... and this is from a "highly placed scorce",
Popeye might be on his way out at the Beach/Boardwalk.  The contract
with King Features is up soon and we're casting around for some new
cartoon animals.  Ren and Stempy seems to be the popular choice with the
people I've talked to, but I wouldn't hold my breath for them to show
up...

  I'll give a review of GA(w) when I get back.

-Jim Jensen
rhino@cruzio.santa-cruz.ca.us
The Santa Cruz Seaside Company pays me to wax floors, scrub toilets and set up
a wedding reception for 500 people in two hours.  They do not pay me to 
think.
From: pszymans@moliere.helios.nd.edu (peter szymanski)
Subject: Re: Please Help
Reply-To: pszymans@moliere.helios.nd.edu (peter szymanski)
Organization: Univ. of Notre Dame
Date: Thu, 20 Aug 1992 13:12:36 GMT

In article <1592@sousa.ltn.dec.com>, buck@cavlry.enet.dec.com writes:
|> Sheila Wallace writes:
|> 
|> >Once you get to Cedar Point, you could also take Greyhound to Kings Island, 
|> >about 2-3 hours south of Cedar Point. This would cover two of the best 
|> >parks in the U.S.
|>

Just as a side note from a Buckeye (Ohioan), it's probably more like a 3-4+ hour
trip to Cincinnati.  The trip is DEFINITELY worth it, although I prefer CP much
more than KI

Peter Szymanski
pszymans@bach.helios.nd.edu
Newsgroups: rec.roller-coaster
From: shla@spf.trw.com (Sheila Wallace)
Subject: Re: Please Help
Organization: TRW Data Systems Center, Redondo Beach, CA
Date: Wed, 19 Aug 92 17:48:13 GMT

In article <1992Aug15.150817.22754@csd.brispoly.ac.uk> m_beavis@csd.bristol-poly.ac.uk writes:
>Hi all
>
>I am a coaster fan in the uk.  I have done a fair few coasters over here (much
>to my bank
>managers stress). and now I am saving my pennies to got to US for a coaster
>holiday.
>This has got to be one of the most FAQ's in this group but what i need is for
>some kind
>soul to mail me or post information on the best to ride or even a plan of action
>they have
>used and found sucessful.
>
>I am VERY poor so I don't want to waste what little money I have.  Sorry if this
>has been
>asked for before but I only dicovered this group last week (kicking myself as i
>type).
>
As someone else suggested, Cedar Point is a great choice.  If you're
looking for cheap transportation, you could fly to New York (more
carriers fly there, so rates are cheaper), then take Amtrak (the train)
to Cleveland, or Greyhound (the bus) to Sandusky.  I would think that
this would be cheaper than flying directly to Cleveland; the only drawback 
is the extra time spent traveling.  But you should be able to reach 
Sandusky in a day or two, even on Greyhound. Both Amtrak and Greyhound 
have advertised cheap rates in the past, although I haven't kept up 
with all the deals.

Once you get to Cedar Point, you could also take Greyhound to Kings Island, 
about 2-3 hours south of Cedar Point. This would cover two of the best 
parks in the U.S.

Lodging is cheaper in Ohio than, say, California, plus the cost to get
to the west coast would be high.  I don't think it would be worth it
when you consider the quality of parks on the west coast vs. the midwest.

-- 
Sheila Wallace		(shla@spf.trw.com)
TRW, One Space Park, R2/2162, Redondo Beach, CA 90278
From: dmk@noho.Eng.Sun.COM (David Kahn)
Newsgroups: rec.roller-coaster
Subject: Re: Silverwood Theme Park, Athol, Idaho
Date: 19 Aug 92 08:00:12 GMT
Organization: Sun Microsystems, Mt. View, Ca.
NNTP-Posting-Host: noho


OK, I'll bite, can somebody please describe Sky Diver?

-David
Newsgroups: rec.roller-coaster
From: maglione@media.mit.edu (Tom Maglione)
Subject: Re: Kings Island Info needed...
Summary: What I know about KI.
Organization: MIT Media Laboratory
Date: Thu, 20 Aug 1992 00:45:17 GMT

In article <1992Aug19.235339.8334@sei.cmu.edu> mapike@sei.cmu.edu (Mary Ann Pike) writes:
>I just got my first issue of the ACE newsletter, and it mentioned that
>previous issues had described ACE benefits given by certain parks, including
>Kings Island. I don't have the earlier issues since I am a new member, and
>I am going to Cincinnati this weekend. Could someone tell me what Kings
>Island does for ACE members, and how to get the benefit?

For Mary Ann and others, the only benefit to ACE members provided by Kings
Island that I am aware of is the first ride on the Beast. The way this works,
you show up early in the morning (I think it's about 9 or 9:30 AM), which is
after the park opens the front gates, but before they let anyone out of the
fountains area to the back rides areas (I think that's about 10 AM). You
then meet at the glass shop (to the right after you go thru the entrance).
At about 9:30, you are met by a KI marketing representative who leads you
and your fellow early-rising ACE members (be sure to bring your ACE
membership card and a photo ID to prove your membership) through normally-
closed employee areas to the queue line for the Beast coaster. As a result,
you are the first people in line to ride the Beast, and the first ride of
the day is usually the fastest, due to the release of trim-brakes for the
first few rides to let the monster break-in for the day. I tried this last
year, it worked just fine, and I got the best rides I've ever had on the
Beast during this time; the only better time for Beast riding is late at
night in the dark. Enjoy!

Tom Maglione, Photo Editor, RollerCoaster! magazine.
From: oliver_t@jhunix.hcf.jhu.edu (Todd E Oliver)
Newsgroups: rec.roller-coaster
Subject: Re: Darien Lakes Roller Coasters?
Summary: Darien Lake -- Worth the time!
Keywords: Coasters, Viper, H2O Slides, 5 Years...
Date: 20 Aug 92 15:05:00 GMT
Organization: Entropy Unlimited, Unincorporated.  Baltimore, MD

In article <mmaccorm.26@fox.nstn.ns.ca> mmaccorm@fox.nstn.ns.ca (Mike Mac Cormack) writes:
>I am leaving on Sunday to attend a music festival (Kingdom Bound 92) at 
>Darien Lakes (New York) and I am wondering about the roller coasters at 
>Darien Lake.  The only coasters I have been on are the one's at Canada's 
>Wonderland.  I just finished reading the post on roller coaster record 
>holders and I noticed that the Predator (Darien Lake) ranked 8th, while the 
>Vortex (Wonderland) was way down there (I can't recall the exact 
>position).  What about the other roler coasters at Darien Lake?  How many 
>are there and what are they like?  Thanks in advance.
>

Well, I haven't been to Darien Lake (halfway between Rochester and
Buffalo) in over 5 years, but I can say without a doubt that it is one of
the nicest parks in the northeast (my experience has been limited to the
Northern part of the eastern seaboard, as far west as Ohio, and Disneyland).
It is not very large, but the last time I was there, the Viper was loads
of fun, and the water slides were actually quite good too.  For a nice
relaxing day, I definitely recommend Darien Lake.  BTW, if you're into
mini-golf, make sure to get caught on the course there in a rainstorm.  It
was a lot of fun, since we really couldn't do much of anything with the
course, we just started throwing the balls around to each other... :)  I
haven't been on the Predator, but if it's anything like the Viper, it's
worth the trip!  ENJOY!

-Todd "I love roller coasters!" Oliver
Newsgroups: rec.roller-coaster
From: brims@bnkl01.astro.ucla.edu (George Brims)
Subject: Re: SFMM Times
Organization: UCLA Dept of Astronomy
Date: 20 Aug 92 11:33:19 PDT

If you really like the place, an annual pass costs around 2.5-3 times a day pass!! I blew this year's tax rebate on a house move so I don't have one this year but the last one was very good value (I can drive there in 45 minutes if the traffic isn't too bad). I still haven't tried the new coaster (Flashback), does anyone have comments on it?

George Brims
From: kristy@dssdev.enet.dec.com (Kristy S. Gleason (Woobie))
Newsgroups: rec.roller-coaster
Subject: Re: Any good roller-coasters around Minneapolis?
Date: 12 Aug 92 17:32:44 GMT
Reply-To: kristy@dssdev.enet.dec.com (Kristy S. Gleason (Woobie))
Distribution: usa
Organization: Digital Equipment Corporation


Buckmeister...

I was hoping there would be a good coaster out there... someone sent me mail 
yesterday asking if I wanted to partake in a group trip out there to ride the 
rides.... Too bad it's not a thriller coaster.... *sigh*

I'll check out the note you suggested...

*grin*

-- Kristy
From: buck@cavlry.enet.dec.com
Newsgroups: rec.roller-coaster
Subject: Re: Fiesta San Antonio
Date: 12 Aug 92 18:09:28 GMT
Reply-To: buck@cavlry.enet.dec.com ()
Organization: Digital Equipment Corporation

Bill Figie,

I wonder if the RATTLER is breaking in a bit?!?  i rode
every seat on that coaster (my fav being the VERY back!),
and I didn't find ANY of them rough or uncomfortable!

???


Buck a roo
From: buck@cavlry.enet.dec.com
Newsgroups: rec.roller-coaster
Subject: Re: Any good roller-coasters around Minneapolis?
Date: 12 Aug 92 16:43:35 GMT
Reply-To: buck@cavlry.enet.dec.com ()
Distribution: usa
Organization: Digital Equipment Corporation

Woobie writes:

>I don't know if the coasters are good, but isn't there a *HUGE* mall that just 
>opened in the Twin Cities yesterday?  There are supposedly a bunch of rides and
>such.... the article I read in the newspaper didn't mention any names of any of
>the rides, but it did say that there were coasters....

There *is* a small steel coaster at the Mall of America in  Bloominton,
MN.  It's a kiddie ride, and along the lines of those Zamperla DRAGON
coaster things (electric powered, etc.).  Probably interesting for a 
fling or two, but nothing intense.

FYI Woobie, see the note in ::COASTERS on the Knott's Camp Snoopy!!
8^)

PS -- Welcome to REC.ROLLER-COASTER!!



RE: Original Poster

There *is* Valleyfair! in Shakopee, MN.  They have  4 coasters there,
including a non-looping steelie, a wooden out-and-backer, an Arrow
std corkscrew coaster, and an Arrow mine train.



Cheers,
Buck
Newsgroups: rec.roller-coaster
From: rhb@ucs.usl.edu (Bird Rendell H.)
Subject: Best Laid Schemes (was : Playland (Rye,  NY)
Organization: Univ. of Southwestern La., Lafayette
Date: Wed, 12 Aug 1992 14:18:25 GMT

(Tom Maglione) writes:
>Be forewarned that Rye Playland, which is owned and operated by the county
>of Westchester, has instituted new policies to reduce costs this year.
>Translated, this means that they close typically an hour earlier than they
>used to. I found this out the hard way earlier this year in June when we
>showed up at Rye at 10 PM on a Sunday night; previously they used to be
>open until 11 PM, but the park police were in the process of kicking
>everyone out of the park just as we arrived at 10 PM.


I had an experience much like once -- but it was a definite case of "Best
Laid Schemes Aft Gang Agley".


My friend and I had planned our trip to Kentucky Kingdom perfectly. We
would get to the park with two hours to ride all their coasters, and
then re-ride the ones we really liked.  He was driving, I was trying to
sleep.  About halfway across Indiana, I sat bolt-upright in my seat:

"We are about the cross into the Eastern Time Zone!!" I yelled.

"So?", said my friend.

"That means we won't get to the park into ONE hours before closing time", I
answered.

<<long pause>>

"Darn.", he said.


We barely had time to ride each coaster once, plus, we paid full-price 
admission.


Rendell


p.s. Still, to ride Thunder Run again, I would gladly pay full-price!!  ;-)
Newsgroups: rec.roller-coaster
From: maglione@media.mit.edu (Tom Maglione)
Subject: Re: ACE Subscription/Address
Summary: ACE address, again.
Organization: MIT Media Laboratory
Date: Sun, 23 Aug 1992 02:04:20 GMT

In article <1992Aug22.022731.20067@news.ysu.edu> ae002@yfn.ysu.edu (Glenn Ward) writes:
>I bet this is probably a FAQ, but here it is anyway...
>How do I contact ACE? What are the fees?
>You can leave a post here, or email the info to me, it doesn't matter.

Once again, for Glenn and anyone else interested, ACE membership for single
members is $50.00 and runs from September 1 to the next September 1. The
address for info is:
American Coaster Enthusiasts (ACE)
P.O.Box 8226
Chicago, Illinois 60680
You should write and request a membership application form.
Good luck, see you in line!
Tom Maglione, Photo Editor, RollerCoaster! magazine



Newsgroups: rec.roller-coaster
From: wjf@controls.ccd.harris.com (Bill Figie)
Subject: Re: Park sizes
Originator: wjf@rs2
Organization: Harris Controls
Date: Thu, 13 Aug 1992 19:04:33 GMT


In article <1992Aug9.124409.20775@usl.edu>, rhb@ucs.usl.edu (Bird Rendell H.) writes:
|> 
|> 
|> Since I have previously written about the size of Astroworld, it makes me
|> wonder about the size of other parks.  

Having been to Blackpool Pleasure Beach several times, I can tell you it is
probably not half as big as Astroworld.  But, as you probably know, they probably
have the most number of rides, except for Cedar Point, as any park in the world. 
They have taken to layering their rides.  For example, they have a log flume ride
that is under the Big Dipper coaster which has a monarail running over it (the
log flume lake) that has a boat ride going around in it, with all sorts of other
rides on the edge, ...  It is quite impressive.  From one spot in the park you
probably can see the whole park.  This, and considering they have, I think 9 or
10 coasters, with 3 (4?) woodies (that is if you count the Grand National as 1 or
2.  It is quite some place.  
  I will try and remember to look it up tonight and see if I can come up with a
figure.  I just wanted to send something off about it.  By the way, Knotts Berry
Farms is a relatively small park that has a lot of shops and rides in a small
space.  Too bad they don't have much room for growth.  I would love to see them
put a woodie in the park but where would they put it?

				Bill "make mine wood" Figie
From: buck@cavlry.enet.dec.com
Newsgroups: rec.roller-coaster
Subject: Re: The SFGAm --> SFGAd connection
Date: 13 Aug 92 12:58:35 GMT
Reply-To: buck@cavlry.enet.dec.com ()
Organization: Digital Equipment Corporation

Scott Gerken writes:

>If as stated from several sources are true that Great America, 
>Santa Clara is getting a unthemed version of Batman next year
>I'd be surprised if Magic Mountain gets a themed one in 1994.
>I say this because even though they are 450+ miles apart I would
>think that they would be to close together for identical rides.

Well, SFGAd is definitely getting one, and Dorney Park, about
a 100 miles away, is also looking at installing one in 1993.
Howz that for "close"?!


Buck, who sez "yeah, it's one HOT ride!!"
From: vibrad@os2dce06.austin.ibm.com
Newsgroups: rec.roller-coaster
Subject: ACE membership
Date: 20 Aug 92 20:19:08 GMT
Organization: IBM, Austin

I want to join ACE.
I tried to join ACE (around march sometime I send in the request for the
application.)
I still haven't heard anything (I realize it is all voluntary and it does take
time but I would have thought I would have heard something by July 4th.)
 
Could somebody post the application so that I (and others) can fill it in and
send it in (to the proper address).  I sure would appreciate it.
 
Thanks

Brad
From: buck@cavlry.enet.dec.com
Newsgroups: rec.roller-coaster
Subject: Re: Darien Lakes Roller Coasters?
Date: 18 Aug 92 14:57:14 GMT
Reply-To: buck@cavlry.enet.dec.com ()
Organization: Digital Equipment Corporation

>I am leaving on Sunday to attend a music festival (Kingdom Bound 92) at 
>Darien Lakes (New York) and I am wondering about the roller coasters at 
>Darien Lake.  The only coasters I have been on are the one's at Canada's 
>Wonderland.  I just finished reading the post on roller coaster record 
>holders and I noticed that the Predator (Darien Lake) ranked 8th, while the 
>Vortex (Wonderland) was way down there (I can't recall the exact 
>position).  What about the other roler coasters at Darien Lake?  How many 
>are there and what are they like?  Thanks in advance.

Darien has two coasters ... a wooden coaster (Predator) and a 
steel 5-looper (Viper).

Now, while Predator ranked 8th in 1991, I think you'll see this
coaster drop WAY down in the ratings for 1992, which will be
published next month!!  It's running very rough this year, and
I, along with a lot of other people, have changed their opinions
of this coaster (changed for the worse).

I'm sure you'll have a good time at Darien, but it's certainly no
coaster heaven.

B.
From: buck@cavlry.enet.dec.com
Newsgroups: rec.roller-coaster
Subject: HELP SAVE THE CRYSTAL BEACH COMET
Date: 14 Aug 92 17:46:42 GMT
Reply-To: buck@cavlry.enet.dec.com ()
Organization: Digital Equipment Corporation

Hi everybody...


This month's ACE News has a message from Denise Dinn-Larrick
of CCI (Custom Coasters, Inc.).  Apparently, she knows of two
clients interested in re-building the CB Comet at their park!

Denice asks that enthusiasts send the answers to the following
3 survey questions to her, so she can prove to her clients who
wildly popular the coaster is:


1) Do we need to restore the Crystal Beach COMET?

2) How much would you pay to ride the COMET again?

3) What would you change on the COMET, if anything?


Survey answers can be sent to Denise at:

	Custom Coasters, Inc.
	Crystal Beach COMET Survey	
	8461 Cincinnati-Columbus Road
	West Chester, OH  45069