Reminder: Get nominations in for best dead ride

April 30, 2008 at 9:01 PM · Kansas City Fans Unite!

Don't forget about the ORIENT EXPRESS at Worlds of Fun. Truly one of the best steel coasters of the 80's...and one that was dismantled way too early!

Click HERE to see pictures of the late, great Orient Express!

April 30, 2008 at 9:42 PM · What? No PeopleMover or Rocket Rods?

April 30, 2008 at 9:44 PM · James I submitted that one as well. Unfortunately I doubt we'll have enough votes to get it seeded. I would have voted for Zinger as well, but since its still operating in Columbia it doesn't really fit with the rules.

May 1, 2008 at 4:41 AM · What do you think, Bradley...time to pack up the wife/girlfriend and take a road trip to South America to ride the Zinger? Man, that was a great "date" coaster!!

Incidentally, I picked Orient over Zambezi because the Orient had several fairly distinctive moments like the pre-drop "kicker", the batwing loops (which they called the Kamikaze Curve back then), and the interlocking loops (only Loch Ness at BGE had interlocking loops at the time).

I would gladly give up the Patriot, Boomerang, Spinning Dragons, Joe Cool's BBQ, the "refurbished" shooting gallery, Panda Express, and Cinnabon to get the Orient back!!

May 1, 2008 at 5:11 AM · Are Body Wars and Cranium Command officially done? I thought they were just waiting behind closed doors (and a flower show!!) and could one day re-emerge when the Epcot Life Pavilion found a new sponsor?

May 1, 2008 at 7:33 AM · James, the Whizzer at Six Flags Great America is very similar to Zinger. It was designed by the same person and has similar specifications such as an electric spiral lift.

As to the Orient, as much as I liked it I don't think I could trade it for the Patriot. They are both even in my book with Patriot having a small lead since B&M is synonymous with smooth ride.

May 1, 2008 at 8:03 AM · I totally forgot about the Orient Express. It has my nomination as well. I'll also nominate the Texas Cyclone from Six Flags Astroworld.

I'm staying away from nominating all of the Disney attractions, because I figure they don't need my help. I'm trying to expand the horizons beyond Florida and California.

May 1, 2008 at 8:09 AM · <>

Yes, because Disney isn't a big enough sponsor for a pavilion in Epcot. ::rolls eyes::

May 1, 2008 at 9:15 AM · We should nominate Superstar Limo at DCA!!! [Yes, I'm completely joking!!]

May 1, 2008 at 10:25 AM · Drachen Fire may be the most popular defunct coaster of all time.

May 1, 2008 at 1:05 PM · The Texas Cyclone was a sweet coaster. A bit painful, too, but in a good way. For the longest time, it was my favorite wooden coaster. I hated when they closed that park down, just because it meant no more Cyclone. Incidentally, I read somewhere that the Cyclone was not built to "standards", and if it were rebuilt today it would have to be quite a bit different! How is that for playing with fire!!!

As for Great America, Bradley, the only one I ever visited was the one in Santa Clara, California, when it was owned by Marriott (now owned by Cedar Fair, I think). The DEMON and TIDAL WAVE were the hot coasters. If I ever get to Illinois, however, I will check out Six Flags Great America and ride their version of the Zambezi Zinger!

May 1, 2008 at 3:31 PM · Oh man, this is gonna be great... I think it'll go to Kongfrontation or Alien Encounter.

20,000 Leagues Under the Sea and Mr.Toad's Wild Ride are two other honorable mentions...

May 1, 2008 at 8:07 PM · My suggestions for the graveyard:

The Bat (King's Island)
Shockwave (Six Flags Great America)
Orient Express (Worlds of Fun)
Ragin' Wolf Bobs (Geauga Lake)
Big Dipper (Geauga Lake)

Also I worked up an idea for a logo (banner) but didn't know how to send it to you. I threw it on my public space on my iDisk on .mac - but wasn't sure if a better way existed to provide you my submission. You can get to it at:

http://idisk.mac.com/roller.coaster-Public?view=web

The file name is ktpg.jpg (King of the Theme Park Graveyard.jpg)

Oh - and to James - I'm not sure I'd give up Spinning Dragons for Orient (Dragons with a lopsided load is a great ride) but I would give up Patriot (except for the front row with the ground-hugging ride I'm greatly disappointed) and Boomerang (since it is generic) to bring back Orient.

ToddAllyn

May 1, 2008 at 8:16 PM · Yeah, I like SD a lot too. It is about the only family coaster in the park. Heck about the only family ride at all.

So, dump Boomerang, move Spinning Dragons there (rename it Zambezi 2), dump the Ripcord, Rock Climb, and Grand Prix (I hate all "pay extra rides"), move Patriot to where the Grand Prix is now (which is really the Americana section), blow up the Joe Cool Tent...now you have plenty of room for the Orient Express.

I am not asking for much am I?

May 1, 2008 at 8:49 PM · Honestly there is still plenty of room over there for another coaster in the future, and they could probably still use the old Orient building for the loading station. I took pictures from the open field next to Patriot a month or so back and there is easily enough room for another large coaster. Of course most folks know that the next location for a coaster is probably going to be here.

Todd - I agree a lopsided load on SD is fun, but it doesn't always work. My last ride was almost as tame as a standard Wild Mouse.

May 1, 2008 at 9:51 PM · Yeah, where's the Peoplemover???

May 2, 2008 at 10:42 AM · Here are few not mentioned:

Lightning Loops (Six Flags Great Adventure)
Mr Toads Wild Ride (Magic Kingdom, FL)
Hitcock Movie Magic (Universal, FL)

Skyway at the Magic Kingdom should win!!!
It was the best way to see the park, avoid the parade route and impress your date with your kissing skills while passing the Castle in the air.

May 3, 2008 at 10:38 AM · Living in Memphis, we lost our theme park that was Elvis Presley's favorite, Liberty Land. Along with that we lost his favorite coaster, the Zippin Pippin. It was a great wooden coaster that had fun dips. And being three hours away from Nashville, we also lost Opryland. My family and friends used to go there often and of course we lost one of my favorite coasters, the Hangman. It is so sad to lose not only rides that you love but whole theme parks as well.

May 5, 2008 at 10:02 AM · Carnium Command gone???? Please say it isn't so! Body Wars and Star Tours are similar enough that we don't need the duplication (whatever happened to the simulator at Sea World - is that still active?) but CC was one of a kind.