- March 30th, 2006, 10:07 pm
#16811
Today was the big day. Six Flags had its media/preview day for Goliath. After being stuck on jury duty all week listening to this mega boring case, I was ready for the big event. After leaving the big metropolis of Earl a little after 5:30am and stopping at a Hardees near Spartanburg, I was finally on my way to Hotlanta. I was about 30 minutes outside the city when I looked down at my cell and saw that I had a missed call from Dave. He was calling to let me know about the horrendous traffic situation.
Traffic is one reason I could not live down there or even visit more often than what I do. The traffic this morning was just unreal. Usually I go 85 to 285. Not today. Traffic was backed up for miles because of a wreck on the loop. So, I decided to continue down 85 and hit 20 for a beeline to the park. Hitting 20, I was happy as hell. No traffic and I was blowing everybody off the road. I had the windows down and the Cher cranked. It was a great day to do some coaster riding. I finally made it to the park about 10 minutes til 10.
Waiting for me was Scott and Natividad. I asked them if they were at the right park. After saying hello to everybody that was outside the front gate, we were on our way to the staging area. Let me just say this, Goliath just dwarfs everything in the area. I was really leery of the placement of it when it was first announced. But, it works. I love how the Scorcher is dwarfed by it. SFOG now has the best skyline going into its park. Goliath, Scorcher, Cyclone, Batman, Mindbender, and the big green lawn ornamnet all just look so incredible from the road.
The station house is very open like the Borg station. The queue line looks to be a very long nightmare like the Batman warehouse line. Imagine the Batman warehouse line but broken in half but a tad bigger. I would not want to be in that line if it was going to be a long wait. At least its covered.
While watching the freakshow that was part of the opening activities, Natividad vanished. Later she came back and shoved something in our hands. Next thing I know, we're on our way to the station house to get in line to ride Goliath. You can look at the pics to see what it was
As we leave the station for the "first official ride", a confetti bomb goes off as the train starts up the lift hill. At the top of the hill, the train starts over the top...we're off.
Even though its a 170 ft drop, it seems longer. It'll make your stomach get all wound up in knots. My stomach wasn't that tied up since last night's American Idol results show. Over the second hill with that curving drop over the water is the next section of the ride. This baby really moved. It moved more faster than 5 episodes of "24." Finally, up into the helix. This is probably the best part of the ride. I know some others thought it was pretty intense. I thought it packed a punch but not as intense as that Mindbender ride later on in the day. Coming out of the helix is yet another airtime filled hill and the hammerhead element. I'd call it the horseshoe. Then, the bunny hops back into the park just toss you out of your seat. I haven't had that much fun on a coaster in a long time.
So, what did I think about Goliath? It kicks arse. Its got loads of airtime. Some great visuals. The helix is a total blast. The hammerhead is just as fun. They got a coaster that they've needed and has the "x factor" that Simon Cowell mentions on American Idol, something that everybody will like about it. The trim coming out of the helix was barely on and didn't affect the ride. We kept bouncing back between the 3rd and 8th rows for our rides. There wasn't a bad seat to be had at all. I really enjoy the openness of the B&M hyper trains.
I can't wait for this coaster to really break in as the season goes. Even though it had some air now, its going to really have it later. This coaster is going to be a big hit.
As for the rest of the day, we rode Goliath some more. Then, when the front area of the park opened up for us, we got to ride Mindbender (and checked out exactly what Green Lantern had on) and yes, the reports are true. This coaster is its old self. The first loop had two major G spots in it and you could feel them. In fact, the whole coaster was intense. I don't think I could have rode it many times in a row without taking a break.In fact, I hung on, which is a rarity for me. I'm one of those guys who likes to ride with the hands up in the air. Batman was almost the same way. To me, Batman is relentless. Its nonstop. Top Gun is a Sunday drive compared to this thing.
After a mini marathon on Goliath, it was time to head back to the Carolinas. Get down to ride Goliath as soon as you can (especially if it gets braked anytime soon.) Those of you going to Spring Fling, you're going to be flung out of your seats.
Pictures can be found at <a href='http://photos.yahoo.com/maxservo65' target='_blank'>Goliath photos</a> There's some BBconstruction photos too. They'll be up shortly. I'm uploading a crap load of pics. Roller, there's some geese pics for you in there (the Goliath photos). I know you've got a goose fetish.
Traffic is one reason I could not live down there or even visit more often than what I do. The traffic this morning was just unreal. Usually I go 85 to 285. Not today. Traffic was backed up for miles because of a wreck on the loop. So, I decided to continue down 85 and hit 20 for a beeline to the park. Hitting 20, I was happy as hell. No traffic and I was blowing everybody off the road. I had the windows down and the Cher cranked. It was a great day to do some coaster riding. I finally made it to the park about 10 minutes til 10.
Waiting for me was Scott and Natividad. I asked them if they were at the right park. After saying hello to everybody that was outside the front gate, we were on our way to the staging area. Let me just say this, Goliath just dwarfs everything in the area. I was really leery of the placement of it when it was first announced. But, it works. I love how the Scorcher is dwarfed by it. SFOG now has the best skyline going into its park. Goliath, Scorcher, Cyclone, Batman, Mindbender, and the big green lawn ornamnet all just look so incredible from the road.
The station house is very open like the Borg station. The queue line looks to be a very long nightmare like the Batman warehouse line. Imagine the Batman warehouse line but broken in half but a tad bigger. I would not want to be in that line if it was going to be a long wait. At least its covered.
While watching the freakshow that was part of the opening activities, Natividad vanished. Later she came back and shoved something in our hands. Next thing I know, we're on our way to the station house to get in line to ride Goliath. You can look at the pics to see what it was
As we leave the station for the "first official ride", a confetti bomb goes off as the train starts up the lift hill. At the top of the hill, the train starts over the top...we're off.Even though its a 170 ft drop, it seems longer. It'll make your stomach get all wound up in knots. My stomach wasn't that tied up since last night's American Idol results show. Over the second hill with that curving drop over the water is the next section of the ride. This baby really moved. It moved more faster than 5 episodes of "24." Finally, up into the helix. This is probably the best part of the ride. I know some others thought it was pretty intense. I thought it packed a punch but not as intense as that Mindbender ride later on in the day. Coming out of the helix is yet another airtime filled hill and the hammerhead element. I'd call it the horseshoe. Then, the bunny hops back into the park just toss you out of your seat. I haven't had that much fun on a coaster in a long time.
So, what did I think about Goliath? It kicks arse. Its got loads of airtime. Some great visuals. The helix is a total blast. The hammerhead is just as fun. They got a coaster that they've needed and has the "x factor" that Simon Cowell mentions on American Idol, something that everybody will like about it. The trim coming out of the helix was barely on and didn't affect the ride. We kept bouncing back between the 3rd and 8th rows for our rides. There wasn't a bad seat to be had at all. I really enjoy the openness of the B&M hyper trains.
I can't wait for this coaster to really break in as the season goes. Even though it had some air now, its going to really have it later. This coaster is going to be a big hit.
As for the rest of the day, we rode Goliath some more. Then, when the front area of the park opened up for us, we got to ride Mindbender (and checked out exactly what Green Lantern had on) and yes, the reports are true. This coaster is its old self. The first loop had two major G spots in it and you could feel them. In fact, the whole coaster was intense. I don't think I could have rode it many times in a row without taking a break.In fact, I hung on, which is a rarity for me. I'm one of those guys who likes to ride with the hands up in the air. Batman was almost the same way. To me, Batman is relentless. Its nonstop. Top Gun is a Sunday drive compared to this thing.
After a mini marathon on Goliath, it was time to head back to the Carolinas. Get down to ride Goliath as soon as you can (especially if it gets braked anytime soon.) Those of you going to Spring Fling, you're going to be flung out of your seats.
Pictures can be found at <a href='http://photos.yahoo.com/maxservo65' target='_blank'>Goliath photos</a> There's some BBconstruction photos too. They'll be up shortly. I'm uploading a crap load of pics. Roller, there's some geese pics for you in there (the Goliath photos). I know you've got a goose fetish.
The Bitch is Back.
the old curmudgeon of carowinds connection
"It rubs the lotion on its skin or else it gets the hose again."
facebook/twitter: maxservo65
the old curmudgeon of carowinds connection
"It rubs the lotion on its skin or else it gets the hose again."
facebook/twitter: maxservo65
