A Goon's Guide to Vegas://The Complete Edition Days 1-6

[Jarrett]

So my awesome cousin and her awesome husband invited me to fly out to Las Vegas to visit them for a week this summer. While Las Vegas wouldn't normally be my first choice of place to spend frequent flyer miles, there I would have a place to stay and transportation (not old enough to rent a car) and somebody else to go with, so I decided to book it and hit up the city of lights! We also decided to make the 4-hour drive to LA to hit up Six Flags Magic Mountain while we were out there, so I was totally up for it!

Me about to brave my fear of flying in the Dayton Airport listening to the 80's music in the terminals...that conveniently includes the Top Gun soundtrack.

Dayton Airport's old and new control towers.

You can imagine the look on my face when I looked out the window and saw that I would be flying to my connection in Cleveland in this city bus-sized plane! I'm claustrophobic, no thanks!

...my window WOULD be near the wing and the propeller!

Flying over the Ohio landscape to the sound of the awful drone of the propeller...this trip wasn't off to a fun start!

Landed in Cleveland-Hopkins and I got an urge to photograph the second I saw this...

Me being artsy.

Gah, don't build nice installations like this around me!

Got my Great Lakes Brewing Company cred waiting for the next flight!

I was looking at the menu (and ended up ordering a Mountain Dew and a sandwich for the plane) but this caught my eye. Yes, a BLT Bloody Mary with bacon in it. -_- Bacon in a drink...WHY???

Time to go!

Taking off I got this beautiful shot of the sun setting over Lake Erie.

The grilled chicken sandwich from Great Lakes was the bomb! Good flavoring on the chicken and chips, and the spiced mayo wasn't half bad either. Definitely something I recommend for this airport.

Just another nice shot.

Flew over the snowy peaks of the Rockies, so that was kind of cool.

Wanna go skiing?

We flew for a few more hours and then all of a sudden there's this giant field of light on the horizon...and I knew it couldn't possibly be anything else!

Hours upon hours of flying and I was finally here!

Got lost in the airport but I found my cousin!

After getting picked up we went to Longhorn Casino, one of the local casinos on the outskirts, for dinner. Couldn't gamble but I have to admit, seeing all of those slot machines in one room was a tad overwhelming.

Steak & Lobster dinner for $9.99, viva Las Vegas!

After that we went to my cousin Brittany's sister Haley's place to see if she wanted to go to The Linq with us to ride High Roller. She declined...but I got to see Prince, her kitten!

And from there we hit the strip!

Now HERE'S where it gets fun! Finally at The Linq!

Yes...a cupcake ATM.

I was pleased to see the fountain lights synced to the lights on High Roller.

High Roller looks small from afar, but as you get closer, you realize just how absolutely massive it is.

Cute mural in the ticket building.

I have my ticket! World's tallest observation wheel, here we come!

Into the queue we go!

The final cattlepen was really cool. They had cool designs flashing on the TV screens and rave music playing.

Brittany and I pretty much had to book it through the cattlepen because there was a group of very loud drunk people discussing some pretty crazy things they planned to do that cabin...the same cabin in which we did NOT want to be trapped for 30 minutes.

Our chariot awaits!

Brittany and I's first time on High Roller! Let's do this!

It goes really slowly so it's more like a Space Needle that you can't get off of than an actual ride.

So massive!

Ride to the top is a tad boring, but once you crest the first quarter of the wheel it becomes breathtaking.

Pretty nice view of part of the strip.

Just hangin' out 400 feet in the air...and I'm somewhat nervous.

I'm really proud of this shot!

There's The Mirage!

Having watched The Hangover on the way over and seeing Caesar's Palace around town was awesome.

Flamingo and Caesar's

This is the fifth Eiffel Tower I've seen...with Flamingo off to the side.

This is The Cromwell, a new casino opening downtown where my cousin was hired.

Flamingo and Bellagio!

I have conquered High Roller!

I really love the LED system. I thought it was just to enhance the view of the wheel from outside but it adds a dimension to the ride itself.

Even nearing the station it's still really high.

Returning to The Linq!

We are now officially High Roller veterans!

Just a nice shot I got on the exit ramp...

What a fun ride! Definitely do this when you're in Vegas, I loved it! Beautiful view of the strip, it goes so high up and provides such a nice view! Seeing that sea of lights span over the horizon on one side and the lights of the strip on the other side really make this a must-do in the city of lights!

TOMORROW: Circus Circus Adventuredome for El Loco and Canyon Blaster and New York New York for Manhattan Express (technically it's called The Roller Coaster but that's like naming your dog Dog so I refuse to call it that)

 

[Intricks]

Re: A Goon's Goes to Vegas://Flyin' and High Rollin' Day 1

Glad to see you are enjoying Vegas! Also glad to see some of the construction sites being finalized from my trip there last year.

My only tip for you is pray that you get a full train for Manhattan Express. Makes it a bit smoother.

Also, are you driving out to Primm to nab Desperado?

 

[Hyde]

Re: A Goon's Goes to Vegas://Flyin' and High Rollin' Day 1

^ Don't get me started on Desperado. Stopped by that damn casino three times to always have the coaster closed.

And if you think Great Lakes' chicken sandwich is good - just wait until you try their beer. :roll:

 

[Intricks]

Re: A Goon's Goes to Vegas://Flyin' and High Rollin' Day 1

^ Yeah, you aren't really missing much. The ride is kinda boring, the bunny hops at the end aren't enjoyable and it is easily the roughest steel out there as it tried to re-arrange my spinal column.

 

[Jarrett]

Re: A Goon's Goes to Vegas://Flyin' and High Rollin' Day 1

Glad to see you are enjoying Vegas! Also glad to see some of the construction sites being finalized from my trip there last year.

My only tip for you is pray that you get a full train for Manhattan Express. Makes it a bit smoother.

Also, are you driving out to Primm to nab Desperado?

Which seat would you recommend to minimize the deep fried **** on a stick that Manhattan Express supposedly dishes out?

It was part of the original draft of the trip but I won't be here on the days it operates so no.

^ Don't get me started on Desperado. Stopped by that damn casino three times to always have the coaster closed.

And if you think Great Lakes' chicken sandwich is good - just wait until you try their beer. :roll:

I won't be able to do it (checked the website for operating days) but it didn't look that great. Did break the height record the year I was born, though, so it would be kind of cool.

I know what good beer smells like from Mexico and I have to admit, it smelled really good in there. Can't wait to do this all again in a year so I can grab a beer before the flight! But the chicken in the sandwich had been marinated in the beer, so that's a good indicator that the beer itself is probably awesome.

^ Yeah, you aren't really missing much. The ride is kinda boring, the bunny hops at the end aren't enjoyable and it is easily the roughest steel out there as it tried to re-arrange my spinal column.

You're talking to the guy that lived an hour from Son of Beast... :wink:

 

[Intricks]

Re: A Goon's Goes to Vegas://Flyin' and High Rollin' Day 1

In all honesty, if you hit the middle of the train (while its full), the roughest part will be the transition from the half a barrel roll into the half loop down. If you stand across from it and listen, you can hear the cars thwack somewhat. If it isnt full, well, you are more or less ****, so sit wherever!

Yeah, I have a couple friends that would prefer SoB to Desperado. Sucks/feel blessed that you cant ride it. Its a +1 in my book, and something I only plan to ever ride once again with my friends.

 

[Jarrett]

Re: A Goon's Goes to Vegas://Flyin' and High Rollin' Day 1

In all honesty, if you hit the middle of the train (while its full), the roughest part will be the transition from the half a barrel roll into the half loop down. If you stand across from it and listen, you can hear the cars thwack somewhat. If it isnt full, well, you are more or less ****, so sit wherever!

Yeah, I have a couple friends that would prefer SoB to Desperado. Sucks/feel blessed that you cant ride it. Its a +1 in my book, and something I only plan to ever ride once again with my friends.

Thanks! We'll shoot for a middle seat.

Well we had a bit of a scheduling issue in the form of "let's stay open later in the earlier months" and we can't go to Adventuredome tonight, but Manhattan Express is still a go. El Loco and Canyon Blaster will be with my cousin and her roommate tomorrow and Manhattan Express will be with my cousin's husband tonight. SFMM will be Wednesday and we'll be doing Knott's on Thursday.

 

[Intricks]

Re: A Goon's Guide to Vegas://Flyin' and High Rollin' Day 1

My suggestion for SFMM is getting there ASAP. Im not sure if that is a Bring-a-Friend day or not, but if it is be ready to shell out cash for the flash pass. I do hope you have a better first experience than I did (1 train ops on all but 4 coasters...the 4 that I got onto).

 

[tomahawk]

Re: A Goon's Guide to Vegas://Flyin' and High Rollin' Day 1

SFMM SHOULD be dead. All schools are still going (for another month) so the only people who will be there are the degenerates who skip schools, so actually it will be pretty full. I've shared how to do SFMM already.

 

[BBH]

Re: A Goon's Guide to Vegas://Flyin' and High Rollin' Day 1

Jarrett, you're brilliant. I love the change in expression at the top of High Roller. Have fun and I can't wait to read about the rest of your trip!


Posted while reading your mind.

 

[Jarrett]

Re: A Goon's Guide to Vegas://Flyin' and High Rollin' Day 1

First, I thought I'd share with you the fabulous High Roller shirt I got yesterday.

My suggestion for SFMM is getting there ASAP. Im not sure if that is a Bring-a-Friend day or not, but if it is be ready to shell out cash for the flash pass. I do hope you have a better first experience than I did (1 train ops on all but 4 coasters...the 4 that I got onto).

We intend to get a Flash Pass to do the entire park. Thanks!

SFMM SHOULD be dead. All schools are still going (for another month) so the only people who will be there are the degenerates who skip schools, so actually it will be pretty full. I've shared how to do SFMM already.

We'll get a flash pass regardless but thanks! We'll keep it in mind!

Jarrett, you're brilliant. I love the change in expression at the top of High Roller. Have fun and I can't wait to read about the rest of your trip!

Thanks! Glad you like seeing the living daylights scared out of me 400 feet in the air. You'll get to read about both Manhattan Express AND Adventuredome today!

Alright, Day 2!

Started the day at Fremont Street, in the REAL Las Vegas city limits. The TV screens overhead weren't on because it was daytime but it was still cool to see...and I saw the Bearded Bride I had heard about!

Just an artsy shot I got of it.

You can zipline off of the world's tallest slot machine! I didn't but seeing people zipping over you was kind of cool.

Slenderman!

It makes for some good artsy shots...but Fremont Street as a whole was so weird! Saw so many things that scarred me for life!

After this we went to Sam's Town outside of the strip for Cinco de Mayo. My grandpa on my cousin's side (who passed away from lung cancer in 2006) loved going to the Sam's Town in Tunica, Mississippi. The Mexican place there was inside of a natural lit food court designed to look like an outdoor forest.

I love this shot!

Willie & Jose's was so good! Had a HUMONGOUS seafood enchilada!

I got up waiting for our food to call my parents when I saw it was 11 pm Ohio time and I wanted to speak to them before they went to bed when I hear all this music and water start. I wrapped up our call and went over to the waterfall setup to see that they did a laser and water show on it...and I got some great long exposure shots!

I'm sorry, but this one is absolutely gorgeous.

It wrapped up after a while and we finished eating...off to the strip for my first +1 of the trip!

Hello fake New York Cityyyyy!!!

I actually gooned out a bit seeing a crappy Togo because while I knew it belonged in one of those medieval torture museums, it looked great up on that building like that.

It was dark so I couldn't get a lot of good pictures of it.

Here we go! Jarrett's first Togo, coming right up!

You have to drive under it to park.

The actual coaster doesn't have a big height difference, but the lift is enormous.

I hate that they stopped calling it Manhattan Express but the new logo is kind of cool.

The queue was somewhat nicely themed but the former theatre geek in me wished they played Broadway music in the cattlepen. NYC from Annie or Manhattan from My Favorite Year (which I was in my junior year) would fit perfectly, among many other Broadway showtunes written about New York.

Let's go ride! But first...let me take a selfie!

Me trying to smile for the camera through the shear pain.

Ouch! Can somebody please tell me what the point of those little half-OTSRs is other than to have something with which to hit your head when you go through some of those elements? I watched the POV before we left and I was sitting there trying to make a mental note of which transitions looked bad, and I found all the bad ones, but they were WORSE in person! That first high turn out of the drop is gross, the dive loop is awful, and that turn into the helix felt like somebody hit fast forward on one of those no heartlining Arrow transitions. However, I have to say, I've ridden much worse. Ninja at SFOG makes this feel like Millennium Force, and riding it at night on the FREAKING VEGAS STRIP was sick! And that loop and helix! Not a top tenner for me but I had some degree of painful fun on it!

Somebody get me this wall trim NOW!!!!!

After a decent pummeling we headed down the strip for Bellagio Fountain. Everybody HAS to do something crazy in Vegas, so this is when I did my crazy Vegas thing. Those "clappers" I had heard about from people when I was planning my trip? I not only took a card from one of them but got a selfie with him! I need to edit the card he held up out of the picture but I got a selfie with him!

Paris and Planet Hollywood

Welcome to the Bellagio!

Hello, Bellagio Fountain! You're my cousin's favorite spot in Vegas!

The show was not only spectacular but also easy to photograph. They did Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds, Billy Jean, and All That Jazz.

Sinusoidal wave pattern...somewhat!

YES!!! LOVE this shot!

The cousin and I at The Bellagio!

Neat shot from the Billy Jean show.

While I am a good photographer and somewhat knew what I was doing when I took these, no picture can do this justice. This is something that has to be experienced in person.

I love how a picture can capture the hidden instantanous effects in these shows that being there can't, though.

Dancing jets!

These things could FLY. Those water jets could shoot over ten stories up in the air and unfortunately, I can't say I ever saw them shoot it insanely high. It's somewhat underutilized technology in my opinion.

Moved towards the center near Paris to watch the last show we were planning to see.

A nice shot from "All That Jazz."

I had photographing the jets down to a science by the time the night was over.

The ones that lack height actually photograph really well.

Got some good use of texture in this one.

Yet another nice one.

Goodnight, Bellagio!

Walking back through New York New York to get to the car, I noticed that Manhattan Express's brake run and turn go right through the building.

The gooniest arcade ever!

Goodnight, Manhattan Express!

That's a prime spot for a coaster and it's a beautiful casino, but the coaster is just so vile! I wish they could maybe bulldoze Manhattan and put something else there. Maybe Gerstlauer could use their experience making traveling structures for Eurofighters like Iron Shark to get a Karacho/Smiler style infinity coaster up there?

Sorry this took so long, we had internet problems last night, but I have this part done and Day 3 is done, I just need to make the TR for it. So enjoy this because Day 3 (if you were worried, I got spited on nothing at Adventuredome) is coming really soon!

Edit - Fixed BBH's quote for you. :wink: ECG

 

[Hyde]

Re: A Goon's Guide to Vegas://The Real LV and The Fake NYC D

Manhattan Express - the crappiest roller coaster fine money can buy. It's like showing up to a fine restaurant and ordering a crunchwrap supreme.

Hope you're able to make it to the north side of The Strip to take in the Stratosphere and Adventuredome. Canyon Blaster is one of the smoothest Arrows on the planet, and arguably the most underrated.

 

[PeskyTrimBrake]

Re: A Goon's Guide to Vegas://The Real LV and The Fake NYC D

Great Report so far Jarrett! Can't wait for more! Those poor saps waiting to ride the New York New York Roller Coaster don't know what they are about to ride. :lol:

 

[Jarrett]

Re: A Goon's Guide to Vegas://The Real LV and The Fake NYC D

Manhattan Express - the crappiest roller coaster fine money can buy. It's like showing up to a fine restaurant and ordering a crunchwrap supreme.

Hope you're able to make it to the north side of The Strip to take in the Stratosphere and Adventuredome. Canyon Blaster is one of the smoothest Arrows on the planet, and arguably the most underrated.

Walking back to our car after it had closed there was a gaggle of drunk people crushed that they couldn't ride it...probably for the better! Can't do Stratosphere but I'm doing it when I come back next year when I'm 21 so I can have a drink or two before getting on Insanity if it would be allowed, plus we're out of time. As for Canyon Blaster, well, you'll have to read and see, but I totally agree!

Great Report so far Jarrett! Can't wait for more! Those poor saps waiting to ride the New York New York Roller Coaster don't know what they are about to ride. :lol:

Thanks! As I told Hyde, there was a gaggle of drunk people that showed up after it closed trying to ride it and they were sad that they couldn't. :lol: I at least knew what I was walking into, at the top of the lift hill I was yelling "BRACE!!!! BRACE!!!! BRACE!!!!" knowing I was about to be in a world of pain, and I was! That transition out of the high turn is nasty!

-x-

Day 3!

Today was our last day of the trip in Vegas and Brittany and I made the best of it at Circus Circus Adventuredome...during a desert zombie apocalypse.

El Loco was the ride I was most excited about and I FLIPPED when I saw this in the elevator!

Can I get this mural on my wall?

Seeing these signs together was awesome...

The first thing I noticed upon getting in was the source of that rosy tint that all pictures of Circus Circus seem to have. I always thought that the windows were clear...they're actually pink! That being said, Canyon Blaster looks fabulous snaking around the rock like that upon getting in.

I see you, El Loco!

They were still testing El Loco when we got there so we rode Canyon Blaster first. As Hyde said, it's incredibly smooth and I experienced almost zero headbanging. The interaction with the rest of Adventuredome is incredible and feels like a roller coaster tour of the complex! We rode it in the front and it has officially surpassed Corkscrew as my favorite Arrow Looper. And the end after the corkscrews in the dark is incredibly aggressive. Definitely ride this one if you get the chance. Such a fun coaster!

Onto El Loco!

But first...let me take a selfie!

They were still testing it long after the park opened so a small line (by that I mean <15 people) had formed. I did find it cool to watch them test it at least.

Testing 1 2 3...

Okay, El Loco is sick! The lift is nice and fast and gets you up to the top of the glass dome, the first turn is nice and snappy, and the drop was absolutely bonkers! I wasn't expecting just a small, straight drop to have that much power! I couldn't help but grab the bar. From the drop it's back up into the first MCBR through this nice twisty climb. After that is the outward banked turn which is absolutely nuts and feels like you're about to be dumped out simply because of how unnatural that feeling is. From there it's an inward banked turn into the world's screwiest dive loop. It hangs you upside down, turns to the side (no painful kink like pictures suggest though, somewhat of a pleasant surprise) and then you just get slammed into your seat. From there it's a turn, another climb, a pullout full of airtime, and a turn into the second MCBR. From there is the grand finale. It banks to the side, but I'll warn you, this isn't the playful twisty trick track you'd find on Big Thunder Mountain that wiggles the train a bit, this suspends you sideways slowly. From there you bank back around counterclockwise into the final dive loop roll...and your butt leaves the seat! I felt myself being dangled by just the restraint with nothing else in contact with my body, it was terrifying! This was my first and hopefully not last S&S El Loco and I'd definitely advise riding this one if you ever get the chance as well as Canyon Blaster! In my book, it's the best coaster in Vegas!

And we rode it again, this time in the back. Not much of a difference to be honest and I like the front row better.

Canyon Blaster in the back was next...and we were the only ones on it!

Whoosh!

Next up was Sling Shot, possibly the most vile tower ride ever. First off, Brittany and I got seated on opposite sides of the tower to balance the weight out so it seemed a tad sketchy that having all the weight on one side was a problem. And I have to admit, it was GROSS. I was cool riding it because it was a shorter tower ride but it was just such a painful launch! The view from the top was nice, though. :?

And we went back to do El Loco again...and it was a walk-on! A new for 2014 ride was a walk on!

The Adventuredome ride ops were really nice, and the El Loco team was even nice enough to get Brittany and I's picture having El Loco to ourselves!

Meanwhile I DID get spited on Chaos. They had a dremmel out and were either sanding or cutting something, and sparks were flying. I had never seen them fix a ride where it required cutting.

And then we left. Nobody at the park, but it was so small that we were able to do everything we wanted in an hour.

Spot the El Loco car!

As dated as it is, Adventuredome is a really nice park. You can't look at this and deny that it looks fabulous.

I wanted a Circus Circus souvenir so we walked through the casino...they were advertising El Loco EVERYWHERE.

This is opposite the escalator to the bottom level.

My grandmother on my dad's side (same side where my cousin and the grandpa mentioned in the Sam's Town portion of yesterday's TR) passed away a few weeks ago last year. This was her favorite slot machine.

You can gamble EVERYWHERE in Vegas. I'm making Korean Barbecue for dinner tonight and we went to get the stuff...they have virtual poker at the grocery store!

Been there done that!

Me chilling out back at my cousin's apartment complex...on fake grass because there isn't grass in Las Vegas.

Well, Vegas, it's been real. Can't wait to do SFMM and KBF in the coming days!

 

[Hutch]

Re: A Goon's Guide to Vegas://Zombie Apocalypse El Loco Day

Fantastic Jarrett. Loving the all the goon in this. Can't wait for SFMM and Knott's.

 

[Intricks]

Re: A Goon's Guide to Vegas://Zombie Apocalypse El Loco Day

Glad to hear you enjoyed Canyon blaster! While I disagree with your Ninja sentiment (it ran glass smooth my handful of rides I nabbed on it), Manhattan Express is an odd one. Ive ridden in 5 times now, and 3 of them were rough, and the other 2 were pretty ok. Ive sat all over it and still havent a clue on why 2 of them were smoother-ish. If only Speed was still up and running, then you would have ridden the best coaster in Vegas

Really enjoyed reading this and it makes me excited to get back out there! Do enjoy KBF and SFMM!

 

[Jarrett]

Re: A Goon's Guide to Vegas://Zombie Apocalypse El Loco Day

Fantastic Jarrett. Loving the all the goon in this. Can't wait for SFMM and Knott's.

Thanks! Part of the wait is almost over!

Glad to hear you enjoyed Canyon blaster! While I disagree with your Ninja sentiment (it ran glass smooth my handful of rides I nabbed on it), Manhattan Express is an odd one. Ive ridden in 5 times now, and 3 of them were rough, and the other 2 were pretty ok. Ive sat all over it and still havent a clue on why 2 of them were smoother-ish. If only Speed was still up and running, then you would have ridden the best coaster in Vegas

Really enjoyed reading this and it makes me excited to get back out there! Do enjoy KBF and SFMM!

Canyon Blaster is so underrated! And Ninja was the most headbangy coaster I've ridden. Manhattan Express was just somewhat painful, I'll admit, but the instances where it was were horrible (i.e. the dive loop). And I personally think it'll be hard for Speed to top El Loco.

Six Flags is done and you'll see everything today, KBF may happen, may not, but it is probable.

-x-

Day 3

First stop on our 4-hour journey to the West Coast was Dunkin' Donuts. Nabbed a selfie here because Dayton don't run on Dunkin'.

The desert landscape is cool for the first two hours and then just gets boring.

Jarrett, stop, you're gooning up the desert!

Yeep, it's starting! :shock:

Desperado was closed when we were there. Spite #1...

I need to know the origin of this street name...

And we're here!

Hello, thrill capital of the world!

First ride of the day was YOLOcoaster. There was some dispute over ride lineup because my cousin refused to knock out all of the big rides first in fear that it would make the rest of them look lame. It was weird because I thought they would operate like enthusiasts when visiting a park and they didn't, but I just went with it. I did want to do YOLO first, though, as it was right at the front and seemed like a good warmup ride...and it TOTALLY blew my expectations away! The launch is relatively strong, the hangtime at the top of that gargantuan loop is terrifying, the turn is somewhat intense, the dive loop is awesome, and the tunnel is cool-looking. But it's the second half of the ride that makes it. It shoots you backwards, you come out of your seat suspended on the dive loop, and roll back through only to be launched into the loop, get some airtime, fall back to your seat, only to be pulled back out at a pretty steep angle before the brakes. This ride is awesome! I had my hands up the whole time bar the inside of the loop screaming in amusement.

Orient Express was next to get to Tatsu and Ninja. It seemed pretty dated but it saved us a backbreaking walk up the mountain. If they could renovate it and maybe add some air conditioning it would make it much better.

Next was Ninja, which is now my favorite Arrow Suspended. It rode like The Bat and Iron Dragon had a baby, soaring at high speeds through intense turns and transitions through the trees.

After Ninja was, as the ride op called it, Tat-SOOOOO!!! I'm still a tad scared of being held at vertical angles so I was nervous, but I was still excited.

What a fun ride! I liked Full Throttle better but this was fun soaring around the mountain, and that pretzel loop! <3

It's photogenic, too...

Goliath was next. Like the rest of the dead park, everything, including Goliath was a walk-on, but ZI put a mile or two on my feet just walking through the queue. The ride was worth it, though. I rode in the back and the end was so intense, I thought I would grey out.

DC Comics Universe was next. I went to Green Lantern only for the stabilizing mechanism to break while I was in line. That being said, this was the first time I noticed just how friggin' stupid the clientelle of this park could be. It was rocking the train back and forth and instead of saying, "hey, something's wrong here," he was yelling inappropriate words at the top of his lungs. After that, I went to Batman to brave it backwards. Got one ride in in the back and I have to admit, it was awesome. Such an intense coaster, and even though I've recreated it in RCT3, I still had no idea what was coming!

I went back to Green Lantern and its horrible operations. All I can say, WOW!!!!! This is such an intense coaster! I only flipped once on it but falling face-first and then being yanked back up into your restraint was absolutely nuts and I hit the brakes out of breath.

Colossus and Scream were next. Colossus was fun because I was in the front, but the ejector with those tiny Morgan lapbars was SOOO painful! Put mini B&M clamshells on it and it could be one of the best woodies out there. The texture was smooth, the restraints were painful. After that I met my cousin and we did Scream, and personally, I was disappointed. It's by far the ugliest coaster ever built, and it was full of headbanging. If Dominator is anything like it I'm glad I was spited on it.

Speaking of spited, S:EFK was down. I heard them run it a few times that day but it didn't ever fully open. Spite #2

On the subject of spites, Revolution was down too... #3

\
But X2 was not only open, but a walk-on! OMG!!!! One of the most insane things I've ridden. That thing is so psychological, and that drop holding you face-first with just that vest is horrifying! I would have to say my favorite part was the half zero-g roll, but I loved all of it! Best ride there!

Next was Viper. I personally found it to be the best Arrow megalooper made (much better than Vortex) but my cousin had other opinions. She was so small she kept getting jostled around in the seat...and her facial expression is awesome!

Apocalypse was next, and while it wasn't better than Thunderhead, I still really liked it. It just lacked the insane and unpredictable element Thunderhead had. I at least liked the queue theming.

My final cred (97) was Riddler's Revenge. I honestly couldn't stand the bad operations they were using (ran one train even when there was a good line) but I liked the station theming.

For what it was, I loved it! I don't typically like how standups suck all the blood to your feet and hurt your ankles, but this was pretty fun! I think I've mastered the art of riding a standup without pain, too!

We went to check on S:EFK only to find them operating it on and off. There was no way we were getting on it, but hey, it provides a good viewing point for Full Throttle!

Such a great view...

Final ride of the day was YOLO! #stationselfie

Hangtime!

Whoosh!

We all agreed that this plaza was a little too much...

Gift shopping at Six Flags!

Sleeveless Full Throttle shirts? Really?

It was a good day...

After the park we did the LA thing and got IN-N-Out Burger. It was my first time having it and I thought it was just okay. Nothing bad but nothing amazing, I'm still a Smashburger guy.

But with my level of hunger, I'd have taken anything!

Good night, Six Flags!

And I really liked our hotel for some reason...

Music Video coming ASAP, I'm a bit pressed for time so I have it made but not uploaded.

 

[tomahawk]

Re: A Goon's Guide to Vegas://Zombie Apocalypse El Loco Day

GET THE **** OUT!

Saying Smashburger better than In-N-Out? That's just blasphemy.

For all the times I've been to SFMM (over 100) I have NEVER gotten walk on X/2. Consider yourself extremely lucky. Also the clientele is truly awful, just be happy you didn't go on a weekend. And they never run enough trains, **** operations.

 

[ATTACKHAMMER]

Re: A Goon's Guide to Vegas://Zombie Apocalypse El Loco Day

Great report Jarrett! Also great Cheetah Hunt tshirt, we are tshirt buddies! :--D

 

[TilenB]

Re: A Goon's Guide to Vegas://Six Flags Moronic Mountain Day

Great report so far Jarett!
Superman and Revolution aren't much to miss. In my opinion, these two are the worst coasters in the said park. So, considering that the park was pretty much dead the day you went, you shouldn't be to stressed about missing on any of them (be glad that nothing else, e.g. better ides, was down )