DannyBoy

For those flying in, you may want to check for flights to Buffalo or Hamilton (Ontario). These typically have cheaper fares than flying in to Toronto. The only catch is that Buffalo is almost a 3 hour drive from the park and Hamilton is about an hour and a half drive away. Just putting that out there. And if you live in/near Washington DC, Boston, Chicago, NYC, Burlington VT, or Myrtle Beach, Windsor ON, or larger Canadian cities you should definitely check http://www.flyporter.com. This is a smaller airline that typically is used by business people that lands at the smaller Toronto island airport rather than the international airport. Psyched! D

I'm all in!

Yes, yes, 1000 times yes! ....to a bash, that is.

I'm not calling them idiots, just unknowing on this subject. They don't analyze rides to the level we do. The majority just go to the park, ride the rides, eat some funnel cake and go home happy. I've showed several local non-enthusiasts friends of mine Raptor (CP) and, without fail, the first thing they say is "Oh, that's like Top Gun (CW SLC)." Remember, this is the Toronto area GP. I have no doubt that the Ohio, SoCal and Florida GP, who are a stone's throw from 3 or 4 major parks, are more educated in the coaster realm. Weird because Ive had the opposite experience. But even if they "thought" it was the same thing, they would STILL go to the park, ride it and be like OMFG thats not the same. Your point doesnt include the fact that new rides still draw people in, especially locals who probably make it at least once a year trip. So while from a video it may look the same, they arent going to not go just because of that. Its a new ride, people go to ride new rides. Correct. That exact thing has happened. The same people have come to CP with me, rode Raptor and basically said "that destroys Top Gun". New rides do draw people in, except a new type of ride may have a better effect. Granted, Leviathan is quite similar to Behemoth. In my opinion, CF just went with bigger and faster (or were forced to, if Robb's hunch is correct) in this case rather than radically different in order to avoid too-much-too-soon in this market. CW is doing gangbusters as far as attendance goes. My belief is that we'll see a couple of different styles of coasters hit CW over the next 10 years.

Very well put, Erik. You're exactly right in that die-hard customers will provide the best feedback. What can I say, I'm a "glass half full" guy

I'm not calling them idiots, just unknowing on this subject. They don't analyze rides to the level we do. The majority just go to the park, ride the rides, eat some funnel cake and go home happy. I've showed several local non-enthusiasts friends of mine Raptor (CP) and, without fail, the first thing they say is "Oh, that's like Top Gun (CW SLC)." Remember, this is the Toronto area GP. I have no doubt that the Ohio, SoCal and Florida GP, who are a stone's throw from 3 or 4 major parks, are more educated in the coaster realm.

I'll come out of the wood work to say this looks like a pretty great new coaster. It will be a huge hit with the GP in the Toronto area. Here, the GP only really knows Canada's Wonderland. A handful know of Darien Lake and if you mention Cedar Point, most people think you're talking about a camp ground. As for this being too similar to Behemoth....again the GP here has a very limited scope as far as coaster knowledge. If they put in a B&M flyer, they'd think it was the same as the terrible Tomb Raider/Time Warp. If they put in a B&M invert they'd think it was the same as the terrible Top Gun/Flight Deck. This is a group that happily queues for an hour for a boomerang or SLC. 99% have never been exposed to a launched Intamin coaster or a dive machine. CF is avoiding blowing their wad with the Toronto market by giving them taller and faster before heading in to coasters that do more tricks (floorless, dive, launch, wingrider, etc.). Mention the word Intamin at Canada's Wonderland and people think you're talking about cookies. In a nutshell, CF is still keeping it simple for a customer base that doesn't know better. The only people that this announcement has disappointed is a few spoiled coaster enthusiasts. I would have loved for the park to get something launched, an Intamin pre fab woodie or a wing rider, but Canada's Wonderland isn't worried about the local enthusiasts. We'll go to the park for the new credit, no matter what it is. Count me as pretty thrilled. Pockets of the world are in dire straits and we still get $30 million toys built for us. Bring on Leviathan!

Ditto on the "best video" comments. Is there any chance of drunkpiersreview.com existing any time soon? I'd like to become a charter member of Club DPR.

Definitely a park that's on my to-do list. Thanks for posting the TR Robb and shooting the Master Blaster POV Joey. I've always been curious how they compare to the ones at Typhoon Lagoon. D

That's some pretty fascinating stuff! Thanks a lot for posting this TR. Very unique!

I had no reason to ever go to St Louis until I saw the mayhem that is the City Museum. You guys are starting to make a habit of putting random, amazing, theme park free days in the middle of trips.

Hey Davon! Thanks a bunch for taking the time and effort to put this TR together. You managed to get photos of some cool things I didn't even see. The football bumper cars at Europa Park in particular. For the record, I slept in the horsey bed in our room. I'm grateful for the tail, since I was sure it would keep me from taking a long spill to the floor (yes, it has happened). I didn't leave the beer tent at the fair, so thanks for detailing the rides like you have. I like how Germans seem to perceive America. Hans definitely helped create an unforgettable bus ride. Later, I recall randomly waking up to the looping EuroMir theme over and over. It was a very Twilight-zone like time. Looking forward to the rest! D

First of all, I have to completely agree with Brian's (STR8EDGE) post a few pages back - well put, my friend. I 110% appreciate all of the effort that Elissa, Robb, and others put in to making sure people have a great time. I knew about some of the on-the-fly changes that had to be made, but getting the real inside scoop just makes it that much more impressive. I have no complaints whatsoever and I'm still telling people about what a great time I had and all of the people I met. To keep this short, I'll just say that this was the most fun week I ever remember having in my life, and there's some pretty heavy competition for that. A million "thank you's". Fingers crossed that I can make it to Japan, Dan

My girlfriend (Jana) and I will be there! I've managed to cram my first two TPR events in to a time span of less than two months Noobs, have no worries. R & E put on a great time and newcomers are made to feel welcome in the group. Anyone else looking to hit up BGE on the Saturday?

High quality content as always, Hanno. Thanks for making the effort to get to those hard to reach places to get the unique photos that you have.