Recent content by StevenX

This is looking pretty good - if it's half as good as Velocicoaster we're in for a treat! I'm actually heading to Madrid in September/October and thinking about a visit. I didn't go last time as there's not much there of interest - although I did enjoy Deja Vu at SFMM when it was there, so I'd...

More short than sweet, I'd say. The view from the top is beautiful - but honestly, would anyone wait more than 5 minutes for this? It's all of 15 seconds long after the lift hill!

Mummy - it's a great mix of dark ride and coaster and just loads of fun. Everest is good, but somehow feels less than the sum of its parts - a bit of an identikit "Disney mountain".

Blue Fire. It's not even close. Of course, if Helix was included, that's even more of a no-brainer.

I'm not sure I'd say it increased their reputation per se, but it definitely solidified and reinforced it at least. I also think Universal have come through the last couple of years - maybe longer - a lot stronger than Disney. They've continued to invest and expand while Disney has slowed down...

Universal Studios Florida. It's just the most fully formed and pleasant of those parks to be in, particularly as an adult. It has the best range of attractions and best environment to relax in. I spent Christmas and New Year dipping in and out of both Universal parks, sometimes going into the...

I think even with those things it's difficult to fill a day. I had lunch, did multiple re-rides on the coasters and went on all the attractions other than the kids' things and was done by early afternoon. It's a good little park, but in my opinion it's neither world class (outside of the record...

I'm not sure I'd go as far as to say it sucks, but I definitely think it's very overrated in theme park circles and I can see why it wouldn't be to some people's tastes. I went before Lightning Rod, but was quite underwhelmed by my day there and wouldn't rush back.

Ah, yes - I always forget about USJ, maybe because DisneySEA seems to get top billing in Japan. But you're right, it definitely belongs up there!

When I went I think most rides were open - but never at the same time. The only one I remember never opening was V2. However, operations were super intermittent and we only got on most things due to luck and being in the right part of the park at the right time. There are also absolutely no...

And yet Thunder Dolphin doesn't feel like a short ride, really - although part of that is because it's slow as hell in parts, admittedly...

I don't see Wicker Man as a particularly short ride, moreso when compared with the other Alton coasters. I've not looked up the stats but it feels like the most complete and longest ride in the park other than The Smiler. I mean, it's surely longer than at least Rita and Oblivion, and probably...

SFDK is shockingly bad. I've only been one time but it was far and away the worst Six Flags park I've been to.

I'm not sure I'd agree with that take. Formula Rossa is a great experience as a world record holder but the other two wouldn't trouble my top 50. People seem to like Flying Aces but I wasn't so keen, and GT Challenge is extremely average. There's also very little in the way of flat, dark or...

30 years sounds reasonable. Most engineered steel structures are designed for 30 to 50 years depending on the environment. Any more than 30ish years and you'd need specialist coatings or a much more rigorous maintenance regime - but it's not at all unachievable. I'm a structural engineer and...