When you sit yourself down in that roller coaster car and pull the lap bar into place, what's going through your mind? All of the work at school or the office? That guy who cut you off on the highway? Actually, you're probably mulling over the fact that you're about to get blasted like a cannonball at 128 miles an hour with the wind trying to rip your face apart as you rocket straight up 456 feet.
Now when you sit yourself down in that computer chair and log onto COASTER-net, we want a similar thrill to be rushing through your brain - the thrill of knowing that you're about to experience the biggest, most diverse, most comprehensive resource for thrill rides and thrill parks out there!
We invite you to join the nearly 100,000 other people who take the most intense thrill ride online every month and experience your guide to ride on the wild side - COASTER-net!
> Star of LOST and Matrix talks theme parks with us
Harold Perrineau: The star of shows and movies like LOST and the Matrix is also becoming known for his musical talent, as displayed here at Universal Studios Hollywood's CityWalk.
We had the opportunity to sit down and talk with one of the stars of the show LOST and the Matrix trilogy recently at Universal Studios Hollywood, and our interview with him has just been released!
Harold Perrineau talked with us about his experiences on the show -- why enemies were made friends, what it's like to be the first major traitor from a hit show, how it feels acting in the middle of shark-infested waters -- and the stuff the COASTER-net community loves: what he'd like to see in a LOST theme park, what other roles he's had that he'd like to see turned into theme park attractions, what a ride named after him would be like, and more!
Thanks to our Facebook followers and forum members for submitting questions to be used in this interview!
It’s that time again…the first of the month means a new Coaster Quiz is up, ready to put your roller coaster knowledge to the ultimate test.
COASTER-net would also like to take this opportunity to extend its congratulations to the winner of our Anniversary Edition (August) Coaster Quiz, and winner of a brand new COASTER-net Calendar, sixflagscoasters. We would also like to extend our congratulations to our second place runner-up, Tom.
Our new September Edition of the Coaster Quiz is now up, and the winner of this month will receive a PRIZE of $5.00 in store credit at the C-net store, which can be used to purchase or as a discount on some really cool gear (see the quiz for "Eligibility Details"). Have fun, and best of luck to all!
For the past month or so, we've been working hard to update our Ride Gallery, adding new entries, editing outdated ones, and putting in all sorts of new content just for you. Well now its time for us to show off a bit of what we've been doing. Its time for the first of our Weekly Ride Gallery Updates!
So what's new you ask? We've got all sorts of recently added entries. Everything from Batman the Ride clones, to one of a kind thrills like Furious Baco. Want the info on new rides? Check on the pages on Manta, I305, and Prowler. More in it for the history? We're adding all sort of historic rides such as Blackpool's Steeplechase and the recently restored Little Dipper.
And that's just the tip of the iceberg from the past month of updates. But the best news is, there's many more to come! Our writers are working tirelessly to add more articles every week, and I'll be sure to keep you up to speed with what's new in the galleries. So go check 'em out! And see what we've been up to.
Congratulations to I305-Guy as the winner of our RCT3 Summer Challenge Contest! He came out on top after four intense rounds of coaster and park building action. I305-Guy made a gutsy comeback by winning the two final rounds after TexCyclone8612 took the first two. The final round, which was worth two points ended up being the round that decided the contest.
A congrats also goes out to TexCyclone8612 for taking the first two rounds with a wonderful B&M hyper and Arrow looper. If you missed out on this contest there is no need to worry since here at Coaster-net another contest is always just around the corner. Watch the contest thread and front page for details about future contests!
It’s party time here at COASTER-net as we celebrate 12 years of the coolest coaster site around! That’s right, over a decade ago, Devin Olson and some friends started this site to share their love of all things related to theme parks. A lot has changed since then as the site has grown and improved but the goal has never changed: to offer enthusiasts a fun, safe place to discuss their hobby, passion, and obsession with roller coasters.
And in honor of that legacy, we are bringing out some amazing new updates on this August 1st. To start off with, we have a very special Anniversary Edition of the Coaster Quiz. The winner of this month’s coaster quiz will receive one free copy of our brand new COASTER-net Calendar! That’s right, we are once again glad to offer you a 12 month calendar with some of the best pictures from photographers across the site.
But where can you purchase such a calendar? Well after many months of preparation, we are officially re-opening the C-net Gear store with all new items such as the above mentioned calendars. Also new to the store are Coaster Posters! We have an ever growing database of HD photographs of some of your favorite rides to choose from. And frankly what would be cooler than a room totally decked out in roller coaster? Also keep your eyes out for new mouse pads to become available in the near future. Want to be a part of future store additions? Check out our Gear Suggestion thread.
But that’s not all the new stuff coming your way this month. COASTER-net is proud to announce that we now have our own YouTube channel! If you have an account, please subscribe, and buckle up as your favorite coaster site jumps into digital media in a whole new way. And what’s even better is that you can now link directly to our YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter pages from the left hand navigation bar.
Probably the most noticeable addition though, isn’t really an addition at all. You’ve probably noticed that the forums look a little different. Ok, very different. We have totally restructured our forums to offer you a more efficient, user-friendly, and all together better posting experience. We hope that you take some time to really explore all of the changes around the site, and feel free to suggest more in the Site Issues, Improvements, and Discussion forum.
After a lengthy deliberation, the staff has delivered a verdict and the grand prize winner of this summer's Official COASTER-net Photography Contest is Jeremie for his "layout" shot of Shivering Timbers. Jeremie's picture will be featured on the cover of COASTER-net's 2011 calendar.
The other finalist in this contest, CoasterCrazy, will also have one of his pictures featured within the 12 month calendar. The calendar will be available for purchase beginning in August as we celebrate the site's 12th Anniversary, as well as a brand new line of HD posters.
Its July 1st and that means that this month's brand new Coaster Quiz is up and ready to scramble your brain. This months quiz is super hard so be forewarned. But, to spice things up a bit, we are also offering $5.00 in credit to the C-net Gear store for those who can actually get it all right. So come test your coaster knowledge and see if you have what it takes to be the July CQ Champion!
That's right, its time for a Roller Coaster Tycoon 3 contest here at Coaster-net. This means that all of you who missed out on the RCT 2 contest back in May because you only have RCT 3 or some other reasons will now have your chance to shine and show us your skills. There is no limit to the number of entrants, but the deadline for signing up for the contest will be next TUESDAY, JULY 5th at MIDNIGHT EST. This gives you a little extra time to sign up if you went out of town for the weekend. That being said, don't wait to sign up!
This contest will be broken up into 4 rounds. Each of the first 3 rounds will be a coaster challenge that lasts 1 week with 1 point being awarded the winner (as decided by a majority vote of myself and 2 other judges). The 4th and final round will go for two weeks and be a mini-park challenge. The winner of this round will receive 2 points. The final point tally at the end will determine the winner of the contest and receive $10 in store credit to the C-net Gear Store. There will be no eliminations so you can all keep playing. Yep, this contest will have the same exact rules as the RCT 2 challenge.
This is how the contest will go: The details of each round will be announced at Noon EST on Sunday and will end at Midnight EST on the following Saturday. Late entries will not be accepted. Also, the use of custom scenery is not allowed. This will truly challenge your RCT 3 skills. All of the expansion packs are allowed. In game cheats and hacks are allowed, and encouraged, since they are still part of the game.
The first round will run a bit differently, since I know that a lot of you will be gone for the 4th of July and that whole weekend. More details about this are in the thread in the forums.
So, if you are interested just leave your name in the forum thread! If you are not a member and would like to join, then just head over the the forums and create an account to sign up. Now is the time to show off your RCT 3 skills for the whole site to see. Also, with the Golden Loop Awards coming this fall its also a great opportunity to make a name for yourself and get a chance at winning a GLA this fall!
Its picture time, and no that does not mean start posing. It means start shooting. For the next week we are holding sign-ups for our very first coaster photography contest, and the winner will get their work published!
We all love to bring our cameras out the amusement parks and capture memories of our favorite scream machines and now is a great chance to earn something for that. The winner of this contest will be featured on the cover of COASTER-net’s upcoming calendar! And everyone who participates is eligible to have their pic(s) used on the pages therein. So this contest is extra fantastic because there isn’t really just one winner.
Pictures should be submitted into one of three categories: Layout, Action, or Element. These will be explained later. In the mean time, this next week is to give you all time to sign up (there is not maximum number of participants) and look through, organize, and gather what you believe to be your very pest coaster photographs. The actually contest will start on Monday, June 21.
... And his name is The Beastfan! After four intense rounds of competition in the realm of Roller Coaster Tycoon 2, and hurdling many challenges, The Beastfan has emerged victorious after winning the final two rounds. As a reward for his talent, endurance, and bravery, he shall be awarded $10 is credit to our C-net Gear store.
Also applying himself to the task at hand and putting up a valiant effort was TwiDragon, who also won two of the rounds. Kddanny placed in third. Didn't do so hot in this contest or just didn't get a chance to participate? Don't worry because we have all sorts of contests coming your way this summer. And keep an especially sharp eye out for our RCT3 Summer Challenge that will be starting in just a few weeks.
> COASTER-net Uncut: Cedar Fair Exec Interview Released
Since 1978, Cedar Fair Entertainment Company has become one of the single-largest players on the amusement park scene.
Today, we have an unabridged interview with one of its core executives, the man behind the planning and design of the new attractions you see popping up every year at Cedar Fair parks across North America.
In this interview in front of the new Intimidator 305 at Kings Dominion, Rob Decker gives his perspective on everything from the planning process to trim brakes.
Just click below to watch the interview, and stay tuned for more of COASTER-net, Uncut!
School’s out (for most of us...) and we are bringing you lots of Official COASTER-net Contests this summer. You’ve been waiting since November for a coaster draft, so here it is! I now present to you: Summer Coaster Draft 2010!
There is no limit to the number of signups. Signups start today and will last until Friday, June 11th, at midnight. Hurry and grab a spot now! Play will start on Saturday, June 12th, at noon.
The rules are as follows. The order of play will be randomly generated. Each contestant must post a POV and RCDB link for their chosen ride for each of the 10 rounds. After each pick, the next contestant in the order will have 24 hours to make their pick. At the end of the 10 rounds, contestants will be given 1 week to do a write up about their park. After that, the COASTER-net community will vote on who has the best overall park. If a contestant misses a pick, they will just have one less coaster. If a contestant misses 3 picks, they are disqualified. See the draft thread for more information.
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