Noxegon

The next chapter has finally been posted: Merimbula! http://pirouettes.org/?p=1757

The Europa one doesn't have a chin strap.

Apologies if this has been mentioned already – I've not read the entire thread... This is the park that told me I couldn't wear strap-secured glasses because it was a safety risk. Now they're saying I can wear a big heavy headset. Yay consistency.

Most of the recent Giga Coasters have been far too short. Case in point Leviathan, whose brake run is over 100 feet in the air. I'd rather see something smaller that makes full use of its potential energy. If the rumours I'm hearing are true I might be buying some flights...

I disagree. I've ridden a fair few simulators showing coaster videos with fans blowing in my face. The experience is completely and utterly different.

It's incredible to me how many people seem to be willing to argue against a technology they've not experienced for themselves. This seems to be a running theme on enthusiast forums, and it's really quite silly. I've ridden the up-charge VR at Europa Park, and it's seriously impressive technology that turns an understated powered coaster into a brilliant ride. Capacity is a major issue of course, but I suspect that will be solved in time.

Megan has just posted her thoughts on Luna Park Sydney from our trip in February 2015 – http://pirouettes.org/?p=1642

It's also crap. Those 4D coasters are thrilling but they're horribly violent and not a good fit for your parks IMHO. I don't think people will be disappointed when the final announcement is made.

I loved the one at the Ginger Factory.

Nice idea, but given the park's attitude to loose objects it won't fly. Or rather it might, if they let you wear it.

Yes, that's when we travelled to Australia. I've updated that link.

Yeah, that's really bloody stupid. I mean seriously. You insist that I put everything in a locker, then make me exit through a gift shop? Who thinks up these genius ideas?

Megan has posted her latest chapter -- Scenic World: http://pirouettes.org/?p=1538

I don't have the data to give you a full answer on that, but anecdotally I'd say no. But then in other countries it's permissible to carry a tissue in a zipped pocket...

Or because there's no incentive for operators to do better? Olympia Looping runs five seven-car trains at Oktoberfest, with a dispatch every twenty-two seconds. Every additional passenger represents additional income. This is obviously an extreme example - but if they can manage that, and they do - then there's absolutely no excuse for permanent parks not keeping two trains running on their big coasters without stacking.

This. I like the Gold Coast parks, but the operational policies are dreadful. On my most recent visit to Warner Bros, the speed of operation on Green Lantern quadrupled after the park closed and they were clearing the queue. If they can do it when it's time to go home then they can do it all day. Reference -- http://www.bannister.org/coasters/trips/2015/0216.htm.

I like the theming on Storm. I do not like the pointless and gross over-the-shoulder seat belt - which when I rode was already dripping wet and smelling of swimming pool. None of the other Mack water coasters have this. And yes, I've heard the party line about Australia having tougher safety standards, but mine fell off on its own mid-ride, which doesn't aid safety in any way

It'll be a few years before I get back to Australia to try the refactored Hot Wheels. However, those trains worked absolute wonders for Magic Mountain at Gardaland – turning it from a fairly horrible ride into something that is, if not stunning, at least fun. It's good to see this being done.

I'm going to have a go at giving a useful response to this question... What sort of things are you interested in doing with your family? If you're only after Theme Parks then there are probably better places to base yourself – Kentucky Kingdom is there and Holiday World and Kings Island are within driving distance, but I'd suggest that you might be better to put yourself somewhere like Cincinnati instead. Tell us more and I can try to help...

They are pricey, yes – but I do feel that experiencing them has enriched my life If you can afford it go for it!

After almost four months of break, Megan has posted her next chapter from Australia – TreeTop Adventure Park. http://pirouettes.org/?p=1507 Enjoy!

So just a brief note... Megan has posted the first report from Italy: http://pirouettes.org/ She's promised that the next post will be more of Australia.

When there are lots of places you want to see in limited time and you can't make up your mind what your priorities are? My general approach is to sort parks into two categories; the ones that I definitely want to do and the ones that I'd like to do. I'll then plan my days out, and the ones in the "like" column are put in as optional hits at the end of a day if I'm finished with the primary park. I've been travelling the same way for ~15 years now and my method works around 95% of the time

I've ridden five of the six El Locos, and the one in WBMW is by far the best – it's far smoother than the rest, and the added soundtrack constitutes icing on the cake. I just wish the operations weren't so slow, but that's another debate...

Arkham Asylum is a heap of manure. The coasters in Australia I'd rate as being worth travelling for are: - Superman - Scooby Doo (when all the theming is working...) - Green Lantern - Jet Rescue - Abyss - The two wooden mice And yes, I have deliberately left out the Melbourne Scenic (which is horrid, an accident waiting to happen) and everything at Dreamworld.