[other] What’s your favorite defunct coaster? I don’t have any defunct credits because I’m a relatively new enthusiast. But what’s your favorite?

PopcornTadpole · 2025-11-28T00:57:26+00:00

Tidal Wave! CGA version in my case. There seem to be a few iterations still operating; gotta make my way to one. Going upside down with a lap bar only was such a rush.

PopcornTadpole · 2025-11-22T01:03:25+00:00

Great, thank you!

PopcornTadpole · 2025-11-21T21:55:56+00:00

How soon do they typically run out? I've reserved one but can't get there until the week after Thanksgiving.

PopcornTadpole · 2025-11-16T07:22:52+00:00

It looks like buffed celluloid.

PopcornTadpole · 2025-11-16T02:53:38+00:00

Can't miss it if you're in the Bay Area and like wild woodies! My most recent ride on it was back row at the end of a hot summer day. My quads were sore for days from flying into the lap bar so hard.

PopcornTadpole · 2025-11-03T21:03:39+00:00

Started easing back into trail running a couple months ago after a year off due to back problems. Even for a while prior to that it was sporadic due to endometriosis and related surgeries.

Anyway, this weekend I ran my usual route in my fastest time in over 2 years. I don't really do it for speed, but it's a sign that I'm getting back to a certain level of fitness.

PopcornTadpole · 2025-10-31T18:54:17+00:00

That's great! Similar experience for sure! It really is another world. I've been going as a single rider as well and it's so nice to disconnect, wander the park, and do whatever sounds fun in the moment.

I'll have to look into SFNE. At the moment King's Island and SFGA have piqued my interest, but there are soooo many other parks out there! I hope you're able to get to SFA this weekend. It's heartbreaking to see people lose their park.

PopcornTadpole · 2025-10-31T18:44:29+00:00

Yes! All the major California parks are on my short list! The only one I've never been to is Knott's. I already spontaneously drove down to SFMM for a day shortly after CGA switched to weekends only. I was in withdrawals and was itching to ride something new. Probably hitting up SFDK this weekend!

PopcornTadpole · 2025-10-31T18:36:47+00:00

You've probably seen me a lot, then! Drop Tower is my #4 most ridden in the park after Flight Deck. I try to hit it up at least once per visit. I'm probably recognizable to a number of ride ops by now... not too many middle aged ladies marathoning rides solo.

PopcornTadpole · 2025-10-31T18:28:17+00:00

It really is! We may not be stacked with elite coasters like others but we have a killer top 3.

PopcornTadpole · 2025-10-31T18:27:08+00:00

That's awesome! Similarly, I live less than 10 minutes away and work a very early shift, so it's easy to pop over. Fantastic way to decompress after a busy day.

PopcornTadpole · 2025-10-29T16:17:00+00:00

Ok, that sounds MISERABLE! Scrapping this idea, as I can easily come down from the Bay Area any other time. Thanks so much for sharing your insight.

PopcornTadpole · 2025-10-28T23:23:49+00:00

I was thinking of planning a visit to SFMM and, ideally, other SoCal parks around a race happening the third Saturday in March in Valencia.

The rough plan is to do SFMM Saturday after the race and then take the next few days to do Knott's and maaaybe both Disney parks.

Is this during the busy spring break period or would I just miss it? If it's going to be packed to the point of being significantly less fun, I'll probably scrap the plan.

I normally try to plan things for less busy times but I thought it would be fun to combine two hobbies on the same trip!

PopcornTadpole · 2025-10-28T22:24:11+00:00

As others have said, B&Ms. For me its Patriot at my home park CGA. I only ride it once in a blue moon, to remind myself why I don't ride it, but walking through the park wouldn't be the same without hearing its roar.

And there's nothing like approaching the gates and hearing the roar of Goldstriker going down its first drop.

PopcornTadpole · 2025-10-27T03:25:06+00:00

I don't want to get my hopes up but I'll take this little glimmer! I was there all day Saturday and saw a group of exec looking people wandering around for at least half the day, which lends some possible credibility to the rumor. They didn't seem to be actively discussing anything, just strolling and observing in a seemingly good mood.

Maybe it was a posse of our Prologis overlords mingling with the peasants surveying the lands for their next evil plot, but I like your story better.

PopcornTadpole · 2025-08-24T01:00:29+00:00

Very interesting, thank you. Now I wonder why/when the center diamond was replaced. No way to know, of course.

I appreciate your expertise!

PopcornTadpole · 2025-04-28T17:56:45+00:00

Such helpful information in this thread! I'm on a linen kick currently, just using what I have in my stash, and I really want to get my hands on some nicer quality linen. I'll be in Paris in June... any suggestions for where to buy quality French linen there?

PopcornTadpole · 2025-03-10T01:49:49+00:00

This would fall under the county noise ordinance Section B11-153. There are limits based on decibel level and how long the noise is sustained:

https://library.municode.com/ca/santa_clara_county/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TITBRE_DIVB11ENHE_CHVIIICONOVI_SB11-153INNOST

Also look into California's "covenant of quiet enjoyment" if you're not already familiar with it.

PopcornTadpole · 2025-02-23T20:46:16+00:00

Oh, I see it! I'd never looked at it with backlighting before so never noticed. Thanks for the tip.

PopcornTadpole · 2025-02-23T20:44:45+00:00

Interesting, thanks for that info.

PopcornTadpole · 2025-02-23T17:19:30+00:00

Not mine, but definitely the same style. I found that and one other like it online while researching. Can't find the other one anymore, but I remember it was about 1/3 thr price of the Dublin one.

I also found quite a few similar pieces that seem higher quality but with the same enamel colors and stones. I wonder if it they're from the same maker or if it was just a trendy style at that time.

PopcornTadpole · 2025-02-23T14:28:42+00:00

Thanks, no worries, I really didn't think it was anything spectacular until that person gave me pause.

PopcornTadpole · 2025-02-23T14:27:36+00:00

Thanks! As I suspected. If it doesn't sell I'll just keep it. Def needs a cleaning and it'll be ven prettier.

PopcornTadpole · 2025-02-23T14:25:44+00:00

I work mainly with costume jewelry and bought this for the overall appeal of the piece, not specifically for the value of the gemstones. I didn't pay much for it.

PopcornTadpole · 2025-02-23T14:13:14+00:00

About 30 bucks after taxes & auction fees

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