I'm headed to the Island, expect photo updates at about 1.

Don't they open at 7pm?

Don't they open at 7pm?

It opens at 11:00 AM Saturday and they close at 1:00 AM Sunday. Halloween Haunt begins at 7:00, but I never go to Halloween Haunt.

OMG, that seems like one of the best days to go, if you don't have a pass! How many hours is it open today compared to others?

OMG, that seems like one of the best days to go, if you don't have a pass! How many hours is it open today compared to others?

Most days in the Summer It's open 12 hours, today, 14 hours. And usually it's pretty amandoned untill about an hour before HH.

While your there, try to take some construction photos from the Eiffel Tower.

Sorry this is so late:

This is an interesting one. Don Helbig sent me this phone. It's of the site that we now know of as the Diamondback construction site from exactly one year ago today.

What a difference a year makes....

And just imagine a year from today....

Thank you so much for the wonderful photos!!! Some of the best I have seen yet!!

The lift looks incredibly steep from the Eiffel Tower shot!!

Can't wait to ride!

This is an interesting one. Don Helbig sent me this phone. It's of the site that we now know of as the Diamondback construction site from exactly one year ago today.

That's a little sad. It's a very pretty picture.

I'd take a B&M Hyper over a mosquito-infested lake any day. It was pretty, though.

I almost forgot what it used to look like there.

From the Diamondback Blog:

Did you know?

October 11, 2008

Construction of Diamondback began one year ago today when workmen removed a tree on the far side of Swan Lake near the International Showplace Theater.

- Don Helbig

I'd take a B&M Hyper over a mosquito-infested lake any day. It was pretty, though.

But a mosquito-infested lake has character that a B&M hyper could never build.

I'd take a B&M Hyper over a mosquito-infested lake any day. It was pretty, though.

But a mosquito-infested lake has character that a B&M hyper could never build.

Like what? Tolerence to Pain?

Yea, I guess your right, getting bit by mosquitos is such a better way to spend your time then riding a smooth, fast B&M Hyper.

Beast1879, I didn't think your pictures could get any better!

I went to Haunt yesterday and finally got to see DB after a month or so. I'm really impressed. It's just huge. The pictures don't do it justice. Most of all I'm shocked by the size of the size of the hill after the splash down. This is going to be great!

Most of all I'm shocked by the size of the size of the hill after the splash down. This is going to be great!

Yea, the last drop into the splashdown is a little over 100 feet tall. While it is pretty impressive sounding, from an engineering and design standpoint, it just shows how much more B&M could have done w/ the design of Diamondback. Don't get me wrong, I am extremely excited about Diamondback, but w/ the site's topography, B&M could have designed something truly spectacular and unique - not just a Behemoth/Nitro lovechild.

Just? Just?

Sigh.

Only perhaps the grandest steel coaster to be constructed in North America in the past 30 years, and you are disappointed?

My head hurts...

Just? Just?

Sigh.

Only perhaps the grandest steel coaster to be constructed in North America in the past 30 years, and you are disappointed?

My head hurts...

Did I say I was disappointed in Diamondback? No. I said I was disappointed in the route B&M took in designing Diamondback. For instance, while I firmly believe the 2008 BMW M3 is one of the greatest pieces of automotive engineering and driving available, there are still several aspects of the car that I believe can be improved. When it comes to design and engineering, there is ALWAYS room for improvement.

While I think it's going to be an amazing ride, Diamondback could have been hands-down the top steel coaster in the world with that parcel of land KI has. Most parks have wet dreams about that type of site for a new coaster.

Now if only KI went with Intamin's proposed design before CF bought them...

Companies take into account parks' desires, budget and local regulatory environments, among many other things. Given Cedar Fair's financial situation, the general economic environment and the park's history of investments, the fact Diamondback is being built at all is a major miracle, as park investments go. There are a myriad of reasons that Cedar Fair may prefer doing business with B & M to INTAMIN at this time...some of which involve Knott's and a ride there, along with coasters similar to but not the same as Millennium Force at another park chain that currently numbers its flags. And before someone speaks up about maverick things...I seem to remember some issue there that might have well proven misgivings some in the chain may have had with dealing with that company...

Companies take into account parks' desires, budget and local regulatory environments, among many other things. Given Cedar Fair's financial situation, the general economic environment and the park's history of investments, the fact Diamondback is being built at all is a major miracle, as park investments go. There are a myriad of reasons that Cedar Fair may prefer doing business with B & M to INTAMIN at this time...some of which involve Knott's and a ride there, along with coasters similar to but not the same as Millennium Force at another park chain that currently numbers its flags. And before someone speaks up about maverick things...I seem to remember some issue there that might have well proven misgivings some in the chain may have had with dealing with that company...

I agree with you 100%. Money is always an issue, and is the primary reason corners are cut in coaster design. That was obviously the case with Diamondback. Don't get me wrong Interpreter, I am stoked about Diamondback, I'm just dreaming about what could have been.

Let's get back on topic, please.

Ryan, do you care to explain how talking about Diamondback's design is 'off-topic' and people messing up BEAST1979's name for an entire page isn't?

Let's get back on topic, please.

Ryan, do you care to explain how talking about Diamondback's design is 'off-topic' and people messing up BEAST1979's name for an entire page isn't?

I had a lot of cleaning up to do... but it's finished now.

So i have never rode a coaster with a splashdown do people on the coaster get wet or just the people watching.

I dont think you will get wet.

Misted? Maybe. Wet? No.

Well darn. Oh well who wants to be wet on a coaster anyways. Psssshhhh!

I hope the queue gets a good mist!

Or at least has some mist fans in it. More than one or two like Firehawk, those fans taunt me especially when i get stopped in the line right where the fan doesnt hit.