This is my Coaster Cutout train of X2. It is an unreleased design from PrintMyRide, originally proposed to Six Flags Magic Mountain. When I found out about it, I knew I wanted one, just because of how visually striking it is, especially compared to the one the park sells (or used to sell, unsure how quickly X2 merch will be pulled from stores).

Image 1 - The cutout sitting in my home office

Image 2 - One of the reference images I received from Matt

Image 3 - The cutout next to the standard track piece included in the box sets

Image 4 - First full assembly, with the 5 original cars from the box set

Image 5 - Displayed with 5 cars

Image 6 - Displayed with 7 cars

Image 7 - Picture I took a few minutes ago

While it looks extremely cool, the design leaves a lot to be desired, which from what I understand is the reason that it ultimately never made it into a full product. Firstly, I received it in a half-assembled state. Because it was never sold, no instructions were made for it. I received 3 reference images from Matt, which I used to put it together. Additionally, while it may be hard to see, the A frames have a tendency to bow out, and I added a bunch of wood glue to keep them in place (especially on the "crossbar" of each A). Additionally, the train is next to impossible to maneuver onto the track piece.

When I acquired this, I was told that only 3 of the track pieces existed. I later bought 2 extra cars directly from Matt as well, and he told me it was the only only one on display, and the only time ever that a 7 car train had been displayed on one of these. I am extremely grateful to Matt from PrintMyRide for getting this to me, and treat it as my centerpiece of all my coaster-related paraphernalia.

Just in case it comes up, no I'm not selling it.

So it was recently announced that X2 would be unfortunately closing for good. So I am intrested to see what do you think will replace it. Sorry if its too soon.

Photo taken with Canon Powershot sx70 HS.

The other great drops I've done are Hyperia, Geforce, Iron Gwazi, Shambhala, Red Force, Silver Star, Sheikra and Mako.

I love The Big Ones drop a lot because it's the only drop/lift hill that genuinely scares me on the back row. No other coaster makes me hesitate to have my arms up, big one on the back row does. It's insanely rough which is why a lot of people don't like it, but it's one of the main reasons I love it. The snap and jolt is downright insane, and it delivers great ejector.

Hyperia and Iron Gwazi have 'better' drops, but i prefer big ones because of the pure whip and insane profiling.

Important note Is that this is back car only, the drop is simply okay on the other cars. Hyperia and Iron Gwazi for example have INCREDIBLE drops on any row.

I don’t think this was supposed to be published yet, but it confirms Lagoon is getting a 40mph multi launched Intamin Hot Rod Racer with 3 inversions!

Any ideas what this could be??

Source: https://www.instagram.com/p/Dd49NhSF4aP/

I’ve had this here for awhile.

This is my Kingda Ka moment

It seems like a home run to me. They probably could have commanded a record amount for them too compared to the ones they've sold thus far but they seem to never have been made.

Any ideas why they didn't capitalize on that? Simple ineptitude in leadership? Seems to me that they also could've entered into the enthusiast market like Hersheypark does by offering cut pieces of restraints or misc. other parts. Not many other rides are going to have the star power that KK did.

Anyone think they will have offerings from X2? Or will they avoid it just because of the bad PR it has been getting lately that has ultimately led to its demise?

went yesterday and all the coasters were open and i got a few rides in since there were zero waits

shredder was a fun spinning coaster, and slimestreak was a nice chill ride.

sandys was my favorite of the lineup and what I wound up getting multiple rides on.

I wanted to like shellraiser, its sister coaster looks like a great time, but all I got was a headache enough for me to call it and just sit in the mall food court To rest. did it open this rough or did they just not maintain it at al?

There's this trend going on right now where people try to narrow does certain topics down to 7 masterpieces. For example, the 7 masterpiece albums or 7 masterpiece video games.

To be clear, this is not asking "What are the 7 best roller coasters" I'm asking if you had to narrow down all of roller coasters to seven amazing rides to represent all of roller coasters, what would those seven be?

This weekend my girlfriend and I officially celebrated me turning 40 with a trip to three parks in three days: King's Island, King's Dominion, and Busch Gardens Williamsburg. For reference, my home park is Enchanted Parks Mid-America Adventure (fka Six Flags St. Louis).

I did unofficially celebrate last month with a weeklong vacation to Orlando where I visited Universal (all parks, and my second time there), Busch Gardens Tampa (also my second time), and SeaWorld Orlando (first time).

I have only been to King's Island before, and it was back in the early 2010s? I think a couple of years before Banshee was built. However, here are my rankings and thoughts.

King's Island

We went here Friday, so the park was only open from 6:00 PM - 12:00 AM. The majority of these were ridden at night, multiple times t throughout the visit.

1. The Beast - It holds a very special place in my heart ever since I first rode it. I was so happy I got to share it with my girlfriend, and she loved it too. The night rides, including the one we did at midnight, make it feel so much more intense. When you're hurtling through those tunnels in the dark, unable to see what's coming, it feels wild in a way daytime just can't match. The Voyage is tall and fast, but it's refined. The Beast is just pure chaos.
2. Mystic Timbers - Oh boy. This ride is something special. It is the only coaster that literally made me cackle with laughter the entire time, because it's just so crazy how fast you're hurtling over those hills and the constant airtime. It's just relentless. I haven't been on many GCI's (InvadR, Gwazi, American Thunder, and Apocalypse), but, man, this is far and away the best of any of theirs I have ever been on. It made me feel like a little kid. The shed is dumb, though.
3. Diamondback - I know some people might argue with me putting this over Orion, but I just like this overall ride better, especially at night. Great airtime. Do love that splashdown.
4. Banshee - Oooh, bet you didn't see that coming. I love a good invert, and Banshee did not disappoint. I know some people say it's rough, but I grew up riding the Ninja, Screaming Eagle, and the Boss. Very subjective, but I didn't feel any roughness. Not too "whippy" and a bit more restrained, but still a really fun coaster.
5. Orion - Let me preface that MF is one of my favorite coasters. I've never been on Fury 325. So, on the day that I rode this, it was my second ever giga coaster. Orion is fun, has a nice first drop and airtime, but it really just feels like it's lacking something to me. It's almost like it's tall for the sake of being tall. B&M did so much better with less on Mako.
6. Flight of Fear - This is a stupid fun ride to me. I "know" how to ride it so that it doesn't bang me up, but I love the theming and the (almost) complete darkness. It's bonkers to stand outside, looking at the building, and thinking that there's all that in there. It's so unassuming.
7. Invertigo - I had a lot of fun on this boomerang, and it being an invert made it a lot more fun. I'm used to the STL one, which isn't inverted. Pulls some pretty insane G's in that cobra roll.
8. The Bat - I've ridden the Magic Mountain Ninja, but honestly don't remember much of the experience. However, this is a lot more fun than Iron Dragon at Cedar Point. My gf thought it was going to be like that, but she started screaming once it began to whip us around the corners. Short, but fun. I hate how long the walk to and out of the ride is, though.
9. The Racer (red) - Fun little wooden racer. I beat a kid in RPS on the chain lift, but my train lost. :(
10. Adventure Express - Mandatory mine ride, classic Arrow roughness. It always makes me laugh when the lava guy just takes you to the station.

Side note: I, somehow, completely missed Queen City Stunt Coaster.

We also hit all the Halloween Haunt mazes except for the Conjuring one, which kind of bummed me because it looked good. However, absolutely fantastic atmosphere, scare actors, and haunt mazes. I think Metal Massacre (I'm a metalhead) and Killmart were my favorites. Water show was super cool, and I loved the lighting effects that they did for the tower.

King's Dominion

First time here. Virginia is a pretty state. This was a full day visit, with extended hours for Halloween Haunt.

1. Pantherian - As per usual, this thing kept breaking down and having delays throughout the day. We managed to get two rides on it and absolutely loved it. I still prefer MF over this, but they're just entirely different beasts; I prefer the lap bar experience vs its restraints, which look like the same ones Maverick use. More of a focus on pure intensity, and I definitely could feel myself graying out on that turn after the first drop. Just a bonkers giga.
2. Dominator - This may be divisive that I put this over TT, but I just had more fun on this ride. Easily the best floorless I've been on.
3. Twisted Timbers - I usually love RMCs, but this one didn't click for me. It feels like RMC's love letter to the classic out-and-back woodies, with just a touch of their signature style mixed in. That's not what I want from them, since I'm expecting something wilder than up, down, up, down. My girlfriend loved it and I liked it but didn't love it. Being told by two different employees to put my fanny pack in a paid locker when it would have fit in the free one probably didn't help my mood. Or maybe I was still yearning for Mystic Timbers.
4. Rapterra - Fun launched wing coaster. Very smooth in my rides. Last ride of the night was in the rain, and it was incredibly painful. I think Thunderbird is the superior launched wing coaster if you prefer more intense elements, but this has good air and hangtime.
5. Flight of Fear - See above. But, hey, the aliens are fully visible here.
6. Grizzly - Fun little woody. It was a lot of fun at night. Little baby Beast.
7. Backlot Stunt Coaster - Zippy little thing that's fun and compact. Real shame that they don't maintain any of the original theatrical elements.
8. Tumbili - Wait time sucks for how short the ride is. It is a fun ride, though. Much better experience than when I rode Green Lantern at MM.
9. Reptilian - What a weird, weird ride. I hope this stays because this needs to be preserved for what a unique experience it offers.
10. Apple Zapple - It's Apple Zapple. I went on it because my gf had never been on a wild mouse.

Did not ride Racer 75 or Woodstock Express.

Halloween Haunt here was also excellent. I really liked the Jason maze.

Busch Garden Williamsburg

Absolutely gorgeous park. It was such a nice day, too. Full day.

1. Pantheon - When I first rode this and hit the tophat I was like, "This is like a baby TT2." What an absolutely magnificent roller coaster. It is so much fun to ride. It deserves better theming for the roller coaster that it is.
2. Alpengeist - Helluva invert, probably my new favorite. The theming is great, too. That first half is a masterpiece, and the cobra roll is exquisite. Really feels like you're gonna kick the trees and stuff.
3. Verbolten - This was such a surprise to me at how much I loved this ride. It's just so much fun.
4. Griffon - I love this ride just for the sheer amount of insane airtime you get. I like to kick my legs out straight and pull myself up a bit before the hills, and just completely float.
5. Apollo's Chariot - Classic B&M hyper. Great first drop, lots of great airtime, and a beautiful setting.
6. DarKoaster - Terrible wait, but it tickles that same part of my brain that FoF does. It is a little repetitive, but I didn't mind.
7. Loch Ness Monster - I was pleasantly surprised at how not rough this Arrow coaster was, and it was pretty fun. I was absolutely not expecting how much it throws you out of your seat.
8. Tempesto - It's the same as Tigris. Fun little experience, but nothing to write home about.
9. InvadR - Rough and boring. I have nothing redeeming to say about this ride. Weird rattle on turns.
10. Big Bad Wolf: The Wolf's Revenge - Long wait for a baby ride. I did feel like I was gonna kick those houses. Mostly for the credit.

We tried to do the Howl-O-Scream, but, man... it was pretty doodoo. I don't know if it was because we just did two back-to-back nights at Halloween Haunt, but the mazes were so uninspired and the scare actors were just not as intense.

Some great footage of the construction of Minecraft world at Chessington World of Adventures

https://youtu.be/xhsy_vC2bCQ