From Mike West on May 22, 2008 at 4:40 PM
I can't wait!
As I've said before, X was at one time too much for me. But I've learned to take max G forces much better than I used to.
(Gosh I remember all those years ago passing out on my first freefall ride). So Robert Im dyin to know, was it faster, smoother, better or worst with the new train?

From Robert Niles on May 22, 2008 at 4:49 PM
The ride seemed smoother to me, but, to be fair, it has been so long since I'd ridden the old version that it is tough for me to draw a fair comparison. The very end of the ride knocked me around a bit, but that's partly because I forgot the last twist and relaxed like the ride was over too soon.

I didn't feel like the ride pulled that many G's. (I'll have to look up the specs.) It's more a frenetic, than intense, experience, if that makes any sense.

From Bradley Robertson on May 22, 2008 at 5:07 PM
I never rode X and this the first time I have seen on ride video of X2. I didn't realize that you are basically backwards the entire ride. I always figured it was like a flying coaster that also did flips. After seeing that I'm not sure I would be able to ride it since I have found that on inverted B&Ms I have to ride in front to avoid getting sick. I'm afraid the same thing would happen to me on this regardless of the row. I guess I will hopefully find out next year.

From Deidre Dennis on May 22, 2008 at 5:28 PM
I remember the one and only time I wrote X... last Summer. It was the last ride of the night for us, had to be around 9:45 or 10pm. I don't know if it was because it was night time but this seemed so intense. The very first time you are flipped is something else. I was so scared that I couldn't even scream! At any rate, I'm looking forward to going back this Summer with some relatives who have never been on coasters but are excited to. Hopefully no one will pass out.

From Ryan R on May 22, 2008 at 7:09 PM
Woot! I get to go on Wednesday!!!

From James Rao on May 22, 2008 at 7:40 PM
Wow...that was an impressive looking ride. I did not notice much of the vaunted on-ride effects (it sounds like some of them were off anyway), but I am not sure the ride needs them.

Impressive. Thanks for the report, Robert.

From Marc Ricketts on May 22, 2008 at 9:40 PM
Getting the capacity up is the only thing that needed fixin', so the rest is just bonus fun. Nearly 13 years into his life, this remains the only ride that has ever made my son scream. Can't wait to smugly use my SFDK (cheaper than MM's) pass to ride later this year.

From Joshua Counsil on May 22, 2008 at 11:46 PM
Great report, Rob.
Did anyone find that the seats rotated rather jerkily at parts?
I hope Six Flags has nothing but success with this revamp. Seems the new park manager is very passionate, and this park needs some lovin'.

From Robert Niles on May 23, 2008 at 8:43 AM
Watching the ride from the ground, the seat flips did not look as abrupt as they did on the old X. And until the second raven turn, the ride felt like butter to me. The transition before the second raven was where there was a nasty jerk on the old X, which I didn't feel this time. But, like I said, I relaxed too early and got slammed around at the very end. (You can see it on the tape.) That's what I get for being cocky and thinking that I had the ride memorized. Lesson learned.

From Robert Niles on May 23, 2008 at 11:25 AM
Brady McDonald at the Los Angeles Times website e-mailed me links to his review of X2, as well as Knott's Pony Express, which also debuted yesterday.

FWIW, Knott's didn't send TPI a press invite, so that's why I wasn't at their event yesterday. (I'll get to Pony Express when I visit Knott's as a regular visitor within the next couple weeks.)

From Franki Brock on May 23, 2008 at 11:44 AM
Great report Robert! Thanks!!

From Donna Tolliver-Walker on May 23, 2008 at 4:28 PM
Looks intense! I hope the renovation results in greater reliability, because I'd love for this type of coaster to get popular enough to have one close to me!