Jeremy Thompson
@rollercoasterphilosophy.com
LA-based writer & themed experience creative. 1000+ coasters. Seeking the sublime in the ridiculous and the ridiculous in the sublime. rollercoasterphilosophy.com
Legacy Six Flags Diamond Elite membership benefits at legacy Cedar Fair parks is the way to go. 50% off everything and 4 skip the lines, which due to IT issues turned into several more after stopping at guest services. Gotta enjoy the good along with the bad as part of this merger.
I was very happy to talk to Todd for this article about Monty's legacy, including its potty humor!
Todd Martens@toddmartens.bsky.social · yesterdayKnott’s Montezooma’s Revenge was revolutionary — with a launch that ‘kicked you in the face’ www.latimes.com/travel/newsl...
Trying for round two. Really hope the single rider line is open!
I really hate all these unexpected closures for historic rides you can't find anywhere else. Iowa was near the top of my list of places I need to visit, and even looked at it for this summer, but once again I was too slow. I think the one in Wisconsin is all that remains.
American Coaster Enthusiasts@ridewithace.bsky.social · 7d agoMad Mouse at Arnolds Park has taken its final ride. Originally opening at Bell's Amusement Park in Oklahoma in 1959, the Allan Herschell classic later thrilled guests at Joyland Amusement Park in Texas from 1976 to 2018 before finding a new home at Arnolds Park in Iowa in 2019
The review: Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift. A reminder that theme parks are where we go to imagine the impossible. www.latimes.com/travel/newsl...
Universal's 'Fast & Furious' coaster vaunts to the top of SoCal thrill rides
Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift has soft-opened at Universal Studios Hollywood. The ride makes an instant impression and prioritizes fun over terror.
latimes.com
My First Impression Review of Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift. Today I waited two hours to get one ride in the front row (Dodge Charger) during technical rehearsals. It's hard for me to judge a coaster after only one ride, but I can capture some first impressions that may change later. (THREAD)
A last minute meeting cancellation opened up my afternoon to try this! Just missed the 1:00pm opening, and expecting I'll be here for a while...
Can't say there's another coaster even remotely like this anywhere in the world. That's the biggest win here. Whether or not Bakunawa is a superior ride to its predecessor, Kingda Ka always had the shadow of being a derivative creation. Not the case any more.
American Coaster Enthusiasts@ridewithace.bsky.social · last wk.BAKUNAWA, the new MACK record-breaking coaster is coming to Six Flags Great Adventure in 2027!
Lots of whiplash this month on the question of which long-awaited SoCal coaster will open first. No, I wasn't able to make it to Hollywood today. Hopefully very soon.
The last theme park projects I got to play a role on has made the first part of its debut, and I'm quite impressed by what the teams accomplished! www.youtube.com/watch?v=i4Z0...
Have They Just Built the World's BEST Themed Flat Ride?
YouTube video by Lift Hills and Thrills
youtube.com
We've had an EV for nearly five years without at home charging, and despite the promise of an expanding and improving charging network, it seems to have all gone into pricey high-speed chargers near highways. It's a good thing we don't commute daily, otherwise an EV would not be practical for us.
Some thoughts on THE ODYSSEY: boxd.it/fmSsup
A ★★★★½ review of The Odyssey (2026)
The Odyssey made perfect sense as the next Chris Nolan feature, even if the auteur had never before directed a pre-modern or fantasy-based film before. Odysseus as the ambitious, conflicted hero match...
boxd.it
Jeremy Thompson@rollercoasterphilosophy.com · 2w agoWould you believe this has been difficult to get tickets for?
Good thing Universal is clean slating this land while popular interest in ancient Greek mythology is at an all time low and certainly has no connection to their own studio anymore.
bioreconstruct@bioreconstruct.bsky.social · 3w agoOne of the tall statue feet was demolished today at Poseidon's Fury. Second photo 3 days ago.
Would you believe this has been difficult to get tickets for?
Definitely looks like Six Flags is resorting to AI slop for their theming efforts now.
Nathan Firesheets@acoasterstory.bsky.social · 3w agoIs this AI? Because the more I look at this, the less sense any of it makes, especially with the real vehicles right behind it.
Feels like half the amusement industry is going to close for good before SoCal can get any of its long-awaited new rides open.
I was excited for a potential soft opening of Montezooma very soon, but am now hearing that it may be delayed a bit longer...
Was printing a document at home and I noticed the first page had a dark splotch on the bottom. Printer error? Then a small insect leg at the top. Page two had an entire cockroach crushed and smeared along the length of paper. Just one of the problems if you don't use your printer often enough.
We are deeply saddened to share the news that Richard “Dick” Knoebel, an industry icon, president of Knoebels for nearly 40 years and longtime ACE member, has passed away. Our thoughts are with the entire Knoebel family and everyone mourning the loss of our dear friend.
In 2012 I got to walk the trough of the in-progress Flying Turns and hear from Dick about the process of bringing the design back to life with the engineering team. He's largely responsible for why Knoebels remains one of my favorite parks on earth. RIP.
ThrillGeek@thrillgeek.bsky.social · 3w agoKnoebels Amusement Resort just announced the passing of President Emeritus Richard “Dick” Knoebel. A pivotal figure in the park’s long-standing success, Knoebel is remembered for his dedication to the park’s operations and the guest experience.
If they want another bobsled coaster for Nateland, I guess the most recent supplier option would be to call up Knoebels for their Flying Turns plans.
Aahs n Oohs@aahs-n-oohs.bsky.social · 3w ago“THE SCREAMIN' DELTA DEMON” was filed in a trademark application by Storyland Studios for several good and services including “Entertainment in the nature of an amusement park ride”. * The Screamin' Delta Demon was formerly an Intamin Swiss Bob at Opryland USA
My review from fourteen years ago in honor of Kumba. Still my pick for the best B&M coaster in North America.
If I were to hazard a guess, this sounds like a track replacement project like Hulk or Nemesis that the park is trying to spin into a "new" attraction to justify the expense. Sure hope that's the case, Kumba is perfect as it already is. I couldn't imagine those interlocking corkscrews leaving BGT.
ThrillGeek@thrillgeek.bsky.social · 3w agoBREAKING - After 33 years, Kumba is set to take its final roar on August 2nd. 🎢 The legend isn’t over, though! Busch Gardens is thrilled to announce Kumba’s Revenge—a brand-new adventure coming as part of a $100M investment to elevate the park’s thrill experience.
Was not anticipating this, but I just scored a new coaster credit in LA tonight!
Looking increasingly certain that I'll get my first ride on Monty before my first ride on Hollywood Drift.
Theme Park Insider@themeparkinsider.com · 4w agoWe have several new coaster announcements for theme park fans today, including news from Knott's Berry Farm, Six Flags Great Adventure, and Silver Dollar City. www.themeparkinsider.com/flume/202607...
Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass at the Hollywood Bowl. Pretty good lungs for 91 years old!
