Beastmaster's End Of Season Awards..2012 Edition!
The wait is over. The BAFAPARCS have arrived. For the uninitiated, that's Beastmaster's Awards For Amusement Parks And Roller Coasters.
Sandy has left her mark, but she's moved on..good riddance. My power came back right after I arrived home from work tonight. I still don't have gas..well, maybe that depends on which kind we're talking about...
So let's not waste any more of anyone's time and get right to this year's BAFAPARC's!
Best New But Old To Me Ride Award---Black Diamond at Knoebels. The original Gold Nugget in Wildwood was one of my earliest coasters, although I don't have specific memories of it. I enjoyed the heck out of its new incarnation. Great theming, and love the glowing tunnel efect.
Best New Flat Ride Award..Black Widow at Kennywood. Maybe the best Frisbee-type ride ever. Height and airtime up the wazoo. Theming leaves a bit to be desired.
Best New-To-Me Experience Award...Alpine Mountain Coaster at Mountain Creek.
Remind Me Again Why I Do This Award...Riding Dominator at KD with Paul in 35 degree temps in pelting, freezing rain with no gloves. I felt my hands again slightly after we finished our post-park meal at Captain D's.
Is It 5pm Yet? Award..73 laps on Steel Force at Dorney at Coasting For Kids, topping last year's 66.
Worst Senior Moment(s) Award...forgetting my insulin..to say nothing of Noah's Ark..at Kennywood in September.
Best Flat Ride Award...Bayern Kurve at Kennywood. Was there ever a doubt?
"But I've Ridden It Before" Award...being unable to ride Wicked Twister and Top Thrill Dragster at Cedar Point. More so the latter, as the former doesn't do much for me.
"We Recycle" Award...Stinger at Dorney (of course. Where ELSE would it be?)
I Can't Believe I Ate the Whole Thing Award..finishing a VERY large plate of Orange Chicken and white rice at CP's Panda Express.
Blast From The Past Award...riding the new Bumper Cars and Scrambler at GAdv.
My Tower Is Better Than Your Tower Award...SkyScreamer is soooo much better than Windseeker. Proves that size may NOT matter after all.
Can't Get Through The Season Without SOME Sort Of Injury Award...2nd worst sunburn ever and severely blistered feet at Dorney's waterpark on the 4th of July. It was a month before I was walking even CLOSE to normal.
King Of Pain Award...ThighCrush.
Why Can't More Parks Do This? Award..Fresh brewed unsweetened iced tea at HersheyPark.
Best New-To-Me Coaster Award...SkyRocket. This one surprised me. I was expecting much less. Pre-conceived notions and all that jazz...
My Old Kentucky Home Award..Green Lantern 10/20, front seat with Jen. Best run since Chang moved North.
Thin Line Between Dumb And Stupid Award...."Dumb" was heading South to GAdv for Closing Day as Hurricane Sandy made her way North. "Stupid" would have been staying longer than I did.
Cool People Ride Roller Coasters Award (multiple winners)...Jen Q,Paul H, Kyle T,Gary D, Dave H, Ken G, Hayley G, Hayden G, Hunter G, Summer, Zach G, Ellen H, Fran R. Thanks for the rides and company, guys and gals!
Desert Oasis Award..Freestyle Coke joint at GAdv.
Iron Eyes Cody Shed A Tear Award..Star Jet bobbing in the Atlantic off the Seaside beach.
It was a pretty good season, although I didn't take an extended trip. I only had one less day at a park than last year (21 vs. 22.)
May April (March?) get here quickly!
Mike
Kids are huddled on the beach in a mist...

Nice write up except for all the "D" word profanity! Glad you got your power back - good luck with the gas (both kinds), having the same problem up here.
Jen


chitlins73 said:
So you are having gas problems also Jen???
Only the kind that goes in the car, LOL!
Jen

GoYanks34 said:
chitlins73 said:
So you are having gas problems also Jen???Only the kind that goes in the car, LOL!
Jen
I'm only having the car version. I got on three lines last night and this morning, and all three ran out when I was still at least two blocks away. I'm on fumes.
Mike
Kids are huddled on the beach in a mist...

beastmaster said:
GoYanks34 said:
chitlins73 said:
So you are having gas problems also Jen???Only the kind that goes in the car, LOL!
Jen
I'm only having the car version. I got on three lines last night and this morning, and all three ran out when I was still at least two blocks away. I'm on fumes.
Mike
I wish you had enough to get up here - the Coastal on 46/rte 5 junction is open with a 15 min wait - mom just filled up so my gas problem is solved and I get to go home to my bunnies and much more comfy bed!
Jen

GoYanks34 said:
beastmaster said:
GoYanks34 said:
chitlins73 said:
So you are having gas problems also Jen???Only the kind that goes in the car, LOL!
Jen
I'm only having the car version. I got on three lines last night and this morning, and all three ran out when I was still at least two blocks away. I'm on fumes.
Mike
I wish you had enough to get up here - the Coastal on 46/rte 5 junction is open with a 15 min wait - mom just filled up so my gas problem is solved and I get to go home to my bunnies and much more comfy bed!
Jen
You may recall my friend Ellen lives out that way. She invited me to come overlast night to take a hot shower, eat a hot meal, and crash. If I had known I could get gas, I might have chanced it..but running so low, I couldn't. Your Mom doesn't have a gas can you could fill and bring to Bayonne, could you? :)
Kids are huddled on the beach in a mist...

beastmaster said:
You may recall my friend Ellen lives out that way. She invited me to come overlast night to take a hot shower, eat a hot meal, and crash. If I had known I could get gas, I might have chanced it..but running so low, I couldn't. Your Mom doesn't have a gas can you could fill and bring to Bayonne, could you? :)
No, we don't have a can and the Coastal is not filling cans - cars only to keep the line moving fast. If I had one I would meet you when I was on my way home later since I'd be passing by :-(
Jen
* This post was modified at 11/3/12 10:55:07 AM *
I distinctively remember saying "are you SURE you want to do this now?" as we left the nice warm insides of FOF to ride I-305 in that freezing downpour. So much for "getting wisdom from you elders," lol. It was fun (and as dreadful as I had imagined it would be since I would have never had done it on my own!!)
Paul

alpengeistno3 said:
Hopefully it will all right itself very soon so you don't have to hitchhike to work next week.
Paul
I found a bus. Hopefully it's running. I can take a bus from here to Jersey City, then another into Newark, about 6 (loooong) blocks from my office.
Mike
Kids are huddled on the beach in a mist...

Best park that was new to me:
Win: Nickelodeon Universe
Place: Valleyfair
Show: Camden Park
Best wooden coaster that was new to me:
Win: Prowler-Worlds of Fun
Place: American Thunder-SF St. Louis
Show: Renegade-Valleyfair
Honorable Mention: High Roller-Valleyfair
Best steel coaster that was new to me:
Win:Skyrush-Hershey
Place: Griffon-Busch Gardens Europe
Show: X Flight-SF Great America
Honorable Mention: Verbolten-BG Europe
Best flat ride that was new to me:
Win: Excalibur-SF St.Louis
Place: Black Widow-Kennywood
Show: Jimmy Neutron's Atomic Collider-Nick Universe
Honorable Mention: Brain Surge-Nick Universe
Best dark ride that was new to me:
Win: Haunted House-Camden Park
Place: Reeses Extreme Cup Challenge-Hershey
Show: Ghost Blasters-Nick Universe
Best coaster ride of the year:
Win: Intimadator 305- back seat
Place: Skyrush- front seat
Show: Voyage- back seat
Honorable Mention: Superman ROS- back seat
Coasters aging like fine wine:
Win: Wild One- SF America
Place: Screamin Eagle- SF St. Louis
Show: Rebel Yell- Kings Dominion
Honorable Mention: Jack Rabbit- Kennywood
Revisits long overdue:
Win: SF America-12 years
Place: SF Great America- 11 years
Show: Worlds of Fun- 11 years
Honorable Mention: SF St. Louis- 11 years
Longest lines of the year: SF Great America
Shortest lines of the year: Worlds of Fun
Most fun at a park this year: Busch Gardens Europe
Best photo of the year: My kids in ACE news riding their 100th coaster.
That's all I really can come up with now, maybe I'll add to this later on.

We will have to check out some other parks next year mike! I did end up making it to Dollywood, SFOG, Kings Island, abd Busch Gardens Tampa in September! I still need to do a full write up on it, and I will be sure to pose it here for all to read/see.
157 Coasters -- Favorite Coaster -- Nitro (SFGAdv)
117 Steel -- 40 Wood -- Home Park: SFGADv

- Pat-O

frontrow said:
Here are my award winners:
Best steel coaster that was new to me:
Win:Skyrush-Hershey
Place: Griffon-Busch Gardens Europe
Show: X Flight-SF Great America
Honorable Mention: Verbolten-BG Europe
Skyrush over Griffon??!! I think you need to schedule an appointment with a neurologist asap since it appears you suffered a brain injury with all the violent jostling on Skyrush! :-)
Jen

GoYanks34 said:
frontrow said:
Here are my award winners:
Best steel coaster that was new to me:
Win:Skyrush-Hershey
Place: Griffon-Busch Gardens Europe
Show: X Flight-SF Great America
Honorable Mention: Verbolten-BG EuropeSkyrush over Griffon??!! I think you need to schedule an appointment with a neurologist asap since it appears you suffered a brain injury with all the violent jostling on Skyrush! :-)
Jen
LOL! I know I'm one of the very few who loved Skyrush. I was very impressed with Griffon. I have it in my top 15 steel coasters. I would love to see more of these dive coasters built in the US.


chitlins73 said:
I am with ya on Skyrush Ken.It was one of the most intense coasters I was ever on.Top 5 steel for me!!! I hope they don't ruin things this off season!!
If by "ruin" you mean make the damn thing rideable/enjoyable, then I hope they DO ruin it...
Mike
Kids are huddled on the beach in a mist...

beastmaster said:
chitlins73 said:
I am with ya on Skyrush Ken.It was one of the most intense coasters I was ever on.Top 5 steel for me!!! I hope they don't ruin things this off season!!If by "ruin" you mean make the damn thing rideable/enjoyable, then I hope they DO ruin it...
Mike
Ditto....
Jen
"End of Roller Coaster Season awards"
...or ERiCS for short :-)

d_n_s_u said:
Lovin' the awards thread Mike..but I reckon the awards should be renamed to something like...
"End of Roller Coaster Season awards"...or ERiCS for short :-)
Don't you mean "EORCS?" Every letter in the acronym MUST be accounted for. Your screen name shows you know that, Gary...;)
But, credit where it's due...that was pretty clever.
Mike
* This post was modified at 11/8/12 2:19:03 PM *
Kids are huddled on the beach in a mist...

Best wooden coaster that was new to me: Phoenix at Knoebels
Best steel coaster that was new to me: Leviathan
Best revisited park: Dorney
Best revisited wooden coaster: Thunderhead
Best revisited steel coaster: Steel Force
Biggest disappointing steel coaster: Skyrush
Biggest disappointing wooden coaster: Predator
Biggest surprise steel coaster: SkyRocket
Biggest surprise wooden coaster: Ravine Flyer II
Best new style of ride that opened in 2012: Wild Eagle
Worst Senior Moment: driving around on a road I had never been on in the dark in Tennessee thinking that I will never make it to the interstate before I run out of gas
Best meal in a park: chicken with peppers and unions on flat bread at Dollywood
Friendliest theme park workers: Dollywood
________________________________________________
* This post was modified at 11/10/12 5:54:38 AM *

drachen's submission for the 2012 BAFAPARCS...
New to Me Park of the Year
Nominees:
Great Escape
Martin's Fantasy Island
Darien Lake
Seabreeze
Kings Island
Winner: Kings Island
I loved pretty much everything about it. Great park. I don't know why it took me so long to get there.
New to Me Steel Coaster of the Year
Nominees:
Skyrush - Hersheypark
Verbolten - BGW
X-Flight - SFGAm
Ride of Steel - Darien Lake
Diamondback - Kings Island
Vortex - Kings Island
Winner: Diamondback, Kings Island
No other coaster reached my top 10 this year. Diamondback landed there, ahead of the rest of his B&M megacoaster brothers.
New to Me Wooden Coaster of the Year
Nominees:
Beast - Kings Island
Comet - Great Escape
Silver Comet - Martin's Fantasy Island
Predator - Darien Lake
American Eagle, Blue - Six Flags Great America
Winner: Comet, Great Escape
I give Comet a razor-thin edge over the Beast, simply because it is a slightly more enjoyable roller coaster, in their current states. Sans trims, Beast may be my number one overall.
New for 2012 Coaster of the Year
Nominees:
Verbolten - Busch Gardens Williamsburg
X-Flight - Six Flags Great America
Skyrush - Hersheypark
Apocalypse - Six Flags America
Winner: X-Flight, Six Flags Great America
There was nothing that I didn't like about X-Flight, and there was a lot that I absolutely loved. I can't say the same for the other three.
Best New to Me Non-Coaster Ride
Nominees:
WindSeeker - Kings Island
Sky Screamer - Six Flags Great Adventure
Mind Warp - Martin's Fantasy Island
Delirium - Kings Island
Drop Tower - Kings Island
Winner: Sky Screamer
What a great ride and with minimal restraints/seats. I found both swing rides to be very relaxing, actually. I liked both, but I like the Six Flags version better.
Worst New to Me Non-Coaster Ride
No need for nominees - there is one clear winner...
Mach Tower - Busch Gardens Williamsburg
What a piece of junk.
Quirky But Fun Coaster
Nominees:
Moto-Coaster - Daien Lake
Bobleds - Seabreeze
Back Lot Stunt Coaster - Kings Island
Adventure Express - Kings Island
Winner: Bobsleds - Seabreeze
What an awesome, fun, and awesomely-fun attraction. I loved it. You won't find another one anywhere.
Best Day Spent at a Park
Nominees:
Kings Island, August by myself (mostly)
Hersheypark, August with my 4 year-old daughter
Winner: (obviously) Hersheypark with my daughter
This was the first time she and I went to a park on our own. I've never had more fun at a park, EVER. No Skyrush, no Great Bear, no Wildcat, no Storm Runner, no Fahrenheit, no Lightning Racer - no need.
We rode pretty much everything we could together, including her first rides on Roller Soaker (which is why we chose Hersheypark), sooperdooperLooper, Flying Falcon, and Comet. It was just an absolute blast.
Worst Day Spent at a Park
No nominees, just the winner -
Six Flags Great America in late August.
We gave up after 6 hours. I got three coaster rides in. Understaffed, massive crowds, rain. It was easily the worst, most frustrating day I've ever spent in a park.
Best Coaster Ride of the Year
Nominees:
The Beast - at night (twice)
X-Flight - front seat, left side
sooperdooperLooper, my daughter's first ride
Winner: (again) sooperdooperLooper with my daughter.
It was my first upside-down experience too, but I was 8 years old. During the offseason, I suspected that she'd break the 42" mark to ride it. So, we drew a line on her wall and labeled it "sooperdooperLooper". She would measure herself almost every night before bed.
So, it all came to fruition one September evening. She was very nervous, but hopped aboard - front row. I watched her the entire time. She actually liked it - a lot. Very few times have I felt so proud. My eyes welled up - just a bit...
My Girl, with her pint-sized "I Survived" shirt.
Letdown Coaster of the Year
Nominees:
Skyrush - Hersheypark (trains)
Ride of Steel - Darien Lake
American Eagle, Blue - Six Flags Great America
Racer - Kings Island
Beast - Kings Island
Winner: American Eagle, Blue, Six Flags Great America
It's not that I didn't like any of the nominees. It's just that they didn't meet my expectations in some form or another. I really like American Eagle. Having ridden the red side in 2010, I was expecting more of the same from the blue side this year. The red side is significantly better.
Why Did I Do This To Myself? Award
My three parks/one day trip to Darien, Martin's, and Seabreeze. Don't get me wrong - I'm so glad I did it. But, man that was taxing...
I left home at 5:30 in the morning and got home at 11:30 PM. Out of those 18 hours, 11 were spent on the road, over 770 miles. 6 were spent between the three parks. Never again...
Better Than Everyone Said It Was...
Verbolten - Busch Gardens Williamsburg
What a fun ride - a perfect addition to the park. It earns high marks from me.
I Actually Met Some URC Users This Year
For the first time ever, I actually met some of you. It wasn't so bad either!
It was nice meeting d-lo775, gad198, and alpengeistno3.
Local Food Joint of the Year
They advertise the world's best cheeseburger, and they were close... Bill Gray's, down the hill from Seabreeze. The burger was delicious. I will be back.
Important-to-Me Achievement of the Year
Riding Viper at Darien Lake, and Vortex at Kings Island to finish off my collection of the existing major Arrow Dynamics loopers.
In fact, the only one I never rode is Shockwave. I now have Drachen Fire, Scream Machine, Viper (DL), Viper (MM), Anaconda, and Vortex on my list. I'm very happy to say that, as an Arrow fan.
Odd Achievement of the Year
I rode four of the country's five B&M mega coasters within a two month period - unintentionally, I might add.
Between Diamondback and Raging Bull in August, Apollo in September, and Nitro in October, I only left out Intimidator. Granted, it was a cold October day when I rode Nitro, but based on how they rode during that period, I would rank them as such:
1) Diamondback
2) Apollo's Chariot
3) Raging Bull (which is underrated by many)
4) Nitro
Most Improved Coaster from 2011
Great White - Morey's Piers.
The re-tracking in the off season was very effective. The re-done portions are very, very smooth. Trains were rebuilt in 2011. The first half of the coaster was re-done this past off season. I believe the second half is being done this year. It will ride like new in 2013.
Water Slide of the Year
Wipe Out mat racers at Morey's
Truth be told, it was the only water park I went to this year. But this ride is a very good one, and a very good addition to the park.
Infuriating Moment of the Year
Dealing with my budding Aris, the mid-line attendant a Great America.
Arrogant, controlling jerk. After a hour wait to get to him, and a 25 minute rain delay on top of that, he decides to let EVERY Flash Pass holder through, and no one from the main queue. After the Flash Passers stopped coming, he refused to let us in, because a few people complained to him. "I'll let you in when I'm ready" he said to us.
Renewed Affection Award
Kingda Ka - Six Flags Great Adventure
I waited 90 minutes for it with a first-time rider. I hadn't ridden it since 2010, I think. It was a blast, but I will never wait 90 minutes for it again, or even half of that...
Rest In Peace Award
Son of Beast - Kings Island
I'm glad I at least got to see you in person. What a shame. It seems that you were doomed to be short-lived from the start.
Made Me Giggle Award
The constant and consistent use of the phrase "crotch-strap" on Sky Screamer at Great Adventure. I laughed every time I heard it.
2013 Announcement of the Year
Nominees:
Hades 360 - Mt. Olympus
GateKeeper - Cedar Point
Outlaw Run - Silver Dollar City
Iron Rattler - Six Flags Fiesta Texas
Winner: Outlaw Run
They beat Hades to the punch, and I'm just so intrigued by this thing. Plans to get there next year may have fallen through. But I should be there by 2014.
In Summation...
All told, 2012 was good year for me. I got to a lot of parks, five of which were first time visits (bold):
Morey's Piers
Hersheypark
Great Escape
Dutch Wonderland
Darien Lake
Martin's Fantasy Island
SeaBreeze
Knoebels
Kings Island
Six Flags America
Six Flags Great America
Busch Gardens Williamsburg
Six Flags Great Adventure
I rode 32 new-to-me roller coasters, 9 of which were wooden rides. 2013 doesn't look quite as promising right now, but we shall see.
Thanks for reading...
* This post was modified at 11/21/12 9:26:11 AM *
Coaster to Park Ratio: 4.94 / Steel to Wooden Ratio: 2.56 / Wooden Coaster Percentage: 28%
Facebook: Search Park Connoisseur

drachen said:
drachen's submission for the 2012 BAFAPARCS...
But...but...don't you mean DAFAPARCS???
Or are you changing your screen name to "Brachen?"
Thanks for posting. You had a good season, but it sounds like your day with your daughter was a real highlight. Nice picture. I'm sometimes amazed by the number of people for whom Sooper was their first looper..yours truly included, on a seventh-grade class trip in 1977 with a girl I had a severe crush on and later dated. She didn't let go of me the entire ride. Niiiice...
I wish I had gone to Bill Gray's when I was at Seabreeze in 2010. And I share your feelings on their bobsleds.
I hope to join the club of URC'ers who have met Drachen one of these fine days.
Beastmaster (not "Deastmaster)
Kids are huddled on the beach in a mist...

Jen

beastmaster said:
But...but...don't you mean DAFAPARCS???Or are you changing your screen name to "Brachen?"
Does 'brachen' mean something in German? I think it means "candy corn"...
I would never even think about changing the name of such a prestigious award program. It's all yours, Mike!
beastmaster said:
Thanks for posting. You had a good season, but it sounds like your day with your daughter was a real highlight. Nice picture. I'm sometimes amazed by the number of people for whom Sooper was their first looper..yours truly included, on a seventh-grade class trip in 1977 with a girl I had a severe crush on and later dated. She didn't let go of me the entire ride. Niiiice...
Very nicely played...
You're right, it seems that there are many of us in the Northeast that got their first inversion on sooperdooperLooper.
It was a very important ride out this way. Next looping coaster to open was Nessie (all of this is before my time). But it makes sense that with Looper being the first one to do it, many people came to Hersheypark to give it a try.
beastmaster said:
I wish I had gone to Bill Gray's when I was at Seabreeze in 2010. And I share your feelings on their bobsleds.
It was really good. I can't say if it's truly the "World's Greatest Cheeseburger", but it's close. I'll definitely head back, maybe as soon as next year.
beastmaster said:
I hope to join the club of URC'ers who have met Drachen one of these fine days.Beastmaster (not "Deastmaster)
Thanks Mike. I'd like to get to Great Adventure at some point with some URCers, but I keep a funny schedule. Keep posting your plans here and one of these days, I'll show up too.
GoYanks34 said:
Drachen: Great post and your daughter is absolutely adorable! :-)Jen
Thanks Jen - I think she is too... I attribute to that fact that she has a gorgeous mom. I certainly had nothing to do with it...
Coaster to Park Ratio: 4.94 / Steel to Wooden Ratio: 2.56 / Wooden Coaster Percentage: 28%
Facebook: Search Park Connoisseur

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone. I'll be spending part of it with my friend Jen. Noooo, not THAT one! Her name's Jennie-O, and she's in the freezer (for now.)
Mike
Kids are huddled on the beach in a mist...

I don't know if I gave a Summation of 20012 on a different thread, but I'll follow drachen's lead and give one here. All together, I went to 17 places. Some were new parks (****) while others just gave me a few new credits (++). There were 44 new rides; 36 were steel and 8 were wooden.
Busch Gardens Tampa
SeaWorld Orlando
Legoland Florida ****
Magic Kingdom
Disney's Animal Kingdom
Disney's Hollywood Studios
Epcot
Hersheypark ++
Dorney Park ++
Six Flags Great Adventure ++
Knoebels ****
Kennywood ++
Waldameer ****
Seabreeze ****
Darien Lake ****
Canada's Wonderland ****
Dollywood ++