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Everything posted by bkroz
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^ I hope you're right! The Crypt we have today is still a unique and unusual experience. I would kill to get an indoor suspended top spin with Kings Dominion's music & effects to replace it, but I don't think it's at the point yet where it must be completely removed... If it's still soaking up some people and shortening lines for other rides, why get rid of it?
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Oh God... Crypt is closed? Does this mean another "Let's retire it early for the end of the season to give it a break?" Or is it another "Let's close it and try to re-program it before winter?" Or another "We'll close it, and then once the season's over, announce that it's not coming back?" Either way, I don't have a good feeling about that... Has it been open at all this month? Or is it flat-out closed?
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Drop Zone, opened in 2001? Awesome clip, though!
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Other than tiny errors (like "whats" instead of "what's" and WindSeeker being uncapitalized in the second sentence of the page) it looks so cool! I, too, will be checking back!
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And one could spend days spotting old Paramount stars throughout the park & parking lot... Little pieces of the park's history are alive everywhere, and it's always fun to find them. I would love very much to visit the prop graveyard, or whatever the devil Kings Island calls it. Last time I saw a photo from above, the Tomb Raider: The Ride sign was clearly visible. I would literally pay big money for that... Perhaps they ought to have a garage sale! I mean, worst-case-scenario, if Son of Beast is demolished, some here would pay a pretty penny for a car from it! And really, it's not like they could be re-sold, since they're specially designed for the ride's wider track...
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Q Funding wants Kinzel to separate his power.
bkroz replied to Carowinds2005's topic in Other Amusement Parks & Industry News
A "country club" feel is probably the best way I've ever heard it described. -
SFMM adding 3 new coasters for 2011
bkroz replied to DaveStroem's topic in Other Amusement Parks & Industry News
No matter which park you're a "fanboi" of, you must admit, the diversity and uniqueness of that park's coasters is astounding... Again, Cedar Point's collection may be commonly accepted as being better, but Magic Mountain's variation is out of this world. Think about it. Just off the top of my head: B&M Flying Coaster Intamin ZacSpin GCI Woodie Arrow 5th Dimension B&M Invert Arrow Suspended Intamin Reverse Freefall Vekoma Giant Inverted Boomerang ... And what, ten more? Impressed. -
I remember it existing... They were for purchase in a trailer parked outside the entrance, right where the exit spills out into that plaza. It must not have lasted more than a year or so, though, since it definitely wasn't there as Backlot Stunt Coaster... Where on the ride was the photo taken? In the tunnel?
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Ah, and so the confusion begins already. For the persistant among us, there is a petition that was started just a few hours ago (naturally) to have the name changed. http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/cheetaka 99.99%, these things are useless. If anyone might listen to the public and re-name a ride for the guests, it would be SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, though... Concept art was "leaked" with the Cheetaka name, so it wouldn't be too much work to transition back and market it as the first time (eh hem) that guests have chosen a ride's name. After all, www.cheetahhunt.com was literally registered three days ago on October 11th (while www.cheetaka.com was registered in April), and no logo for Cheetah Hunt has been seen (while a logo for Cheetaka was "leaked" a month or so ago). All in all, it appears to be a very, very last minute choice. Perhaps legal boundaries? But really, even given a week, I could think of something better than "Cheetah Hunt" that maintains the exotic, tribal sound of the rest of the park's ride names.
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The Kings Dominion people have been rallying for the beginning for their Backlot Stunt Coaster to get a "safari" makeover since their ride is in the Congo area (which it really isn't, but that's a debate for later, as is why they think that Cedar Fair cares what part of the park it's located in, much less how they could re-theme it to a safari). I imagine that, if it did did a re-theme, it might be called "Cheetah Hunt" or "Safari Blast Coaster." Both are pretty much equally generic. As I said, I simply expected more from Busch Gardens; that at least that the ride's name would be in line with the rest of the park's rides. And it's not even as if people were clueless about what it should be called, and everyone was just so lost about what a proper name for it might be... The name "Cheetaka" was all but confirmed in the enthusiast community. One would think that even if that weren't the name that the park had originally conceived, they would have picked up on the great idea of the fan community and run with it. No matter how it was conceived, it would've been the perfect name to add to the collection. Kumba. Gwazi. SheiKra. Montu. Cheetaka. Cheetah Hunt. It would've been an epic lineup of names! And you think people confuse Son of Beast & The Beast, or Millennium and Magnum? Wait for Cheetah Hunt and Cheetah Chase to be in the same park... Let's hope the directional signs in the takes-forever-to-navigate-if-you-end-up-at-the-wrong-ride park are very, very clear as to which is which.
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This is going to be a fantastic ride! But with the name... Really...? One of the things I love is just to list off the Busch Gardens Tampa's major coasters, because their names are all so exotic and clever. So now, that list will be: Gwazi, ShieKra, Montu, Kumba, and... Cheetah Hunt? Cheetaka would have been a perfect name, too... But now the park has Cheetah Chase and Cheetah Hunt roller coasters? So for me, that's sort of a little bit of a let-down, as lame as that sounds. But it still looks like an incredible ride. What's in a name, I suppose. But still... *Walks away mumbling "Cheetah Hunt" in disbelief.*
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Great information, Gordon! Thanks! I live for posts like those, echoing a time that I don't quite recall. I agree with the repaint (though I would also be happy with it's original silver & red). Perhaps "Son of Bat" would be a fitting name, pending the removal / renovation of the hyper coaster next door? Or "Spawn of Bat."
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Video #5 seems to confirm that this will be a Blitz Coaster (as if there was much speculation) as the trains are nearly identical to Maverick's.
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Should KI and Cedar Fair Discontinue Halloween Haunt?
bkroz replied to RaptorGuy's topic in Kings Island
If you ask me, one of the chief problems within the enthusiast community with Kings Island's Halloween Haunt is that it's called Halloween Haunt. Why it was changed from Fearfest, I don't know - it may have been contractual obligations during the sale, or maybe it really is just as simple as Cedar Fair wanting to borrow the name of their beloved Southern Californian event to stir up sentimentality. But Kings Island's Haunt is knott related to its more famous sister. You can have too much of a good thing. If there were three or four clones of Millennium Force, it wouldn't be as sought after. Having a dozen or so "Halloween Haunts" doesn't make sense to me, either. And yes, it's strictly from an enthusiast standpoint (because the general public doesn't know or care that there are other Halloween Haunts), but it's another example of strange, unnecessary (in my opinion) unification of the parks - they must all have Snoopy, and Flight Deck, and Haunt, and Boo Blasters. No room for individualization there. But things like having the same soft drink, season pass divisions, the same in-park pricing tiers, passholder privilages, etc. But things that would actually save money that could trickle down to savings for the customer, remain varied from park-to-park. I know it's nit-picky, but why can't some parks keep Fearfest, or one just be Knott's Scary Farm, and one be Valleyscare? The unification under the Haunt banner either draws unrealistic comparisons to the Knott's event at most, and is a useless, generic re-name of Fearfest at least. Again, nit-picky, but just something that's been on my mind. As for me, I long for the day that Universal's Kings Island premiers Halloween Horror Nights, where the fountains run red with blood, and the terrifying Queen and her Black Guard have overrun the once peaceful Kingdom, turning each part of the park into a twisted version of its daytime self. Imagine if Action Zone becomes a horror movie backlot with Freddy, Jason, & The Director. Coney Mall becomes a twisted, old-fashioned, clown-ridden carnival with real, life performers and "freakshows." Rivertown becomes an inescapable forest full of twisted beasts and The Skool... All of these houses and scarezones are doable right here, right now, and would create a separate, worthwhile identity for Kings Island's event that didn't leech off of it's sisters popularity. -
SFNE Fright Fest Fire
bkroz replied to The Interpreter's topic in Other Amusement Parks & Industry News
As do Dizzy Lizzy's at Idlewild, and HEX at Alton Towers... That's four I can think of off the top of my head. -
But both of those would also be the case if the ride's fate hasn't been the decided, if the ride is going to be reopened, or if it's going to be torn down during the off-season once the public is out of earshot... That's the problem with any signs or hints at Son of Beast's future - they're just not all that significant in the long run.
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Knott`s Berry Coaster Accident
bkroz replied to Colonel_SoB_fan's topic in Other Amusement Parks & Industry News
Except, of course, Son of Beast, which featured only a lap bar when it used to have a loop... And honestly, thank God... Imagine it with over-the-shoulder restraints... Yikes. And of course, Flight of Fear, which only has lap bars, despite going upside down four times (though in all fairness to your point, none of those times are vertical loops). But that being said, I definitely understand what you mean. I don't understand why over-the-shoulder restraints are deemed necessary for 95% of looping coasters. If I had my way, my first change would be to find a way to have inverted coasters feature only a lap bar by some monstrous device that came down from above to cinch you in. Having a well-designed lap bar restraint instead of an over-the-shoulder one clearly doesn't compromise safety because if it did, Premier wouldn't have overseen the change in their trains for Flight of Fear. Not to mention I feel pretty sure that of all people, Cedar Fair certainly wouldn't run anything with questionable safety... Right? -
Knott`s Berry Coaster Accident
bkroz replied to Colonel_SoB_fan's topic in Other Amusement Parks & Industry News
What more they could do to limit park operations, I don't know... No glasses, one train in the rain, no carry-ons, $2.00 mandated lockers... I suppose maybe every single ride in the park could run only one train, maybe with only one rider on at a time? And the rider must wear a helmet and knee pads. -
My thought is, if it takes til 2015 to ensure the safety, comfort, and enjoyment of a majority of riders on Son of Beast, then let it wait until 2015. If it's reasonably and realistically determined that there is simply no way to make a repair pay for itself, or to improve rider experience from a reasonable financial angle, then so be it. I personally didn't hate Son of Beast the way that it was. However, I would still love to see it re-done, re-tracked, re-angled, re-profiled, and re-looped (wishful thinking!) with Iron Horse track or otherwise. But if the price of that proposed re-do would cost $15 million+, I'd happily settle for a demolished ride and a GCI woodie. And that's coming from the mouth (er, fingers?) of a fan of the ride as it was. Even if you liked the "old" Son of Beast (as I did), there comes a point where you must realistically say that the best solution for it from all angles is replacement. Not saying we're there yet, because I don't know... Something to think about, though.
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Knott`s Berry Coaster Accident
bkroz replied to Colonel_SoB_fan's topic in Other Amusement Parks & Industry News
From what I've gathered and observed (this may be completely wrong, so feel free to correct), the roll-back system is engaged when the launch is. On the Backlot Stunt Coaster, for example, it's the brakes that you can hear and see opening just before the launch. First the one right in front of the launch area opens, then each successive one opens all the way down the launch track. Once all are open, the train proceeds forward and launches, and each one closes after the train passes, sort of giving the illusion of the brakes "chasing" after the car. According to what others have said, it's those brakes that would cause friction during a roll-back, and bring the train to a (probably rapid) stop. On Top Thrill Dragster, it's the same idea, but instead of opening-and-closing friction brakes, it's magnetic brakes - the black fins along the launch track. Basically with those, they do the same thing. They all lower into the track at once before a launch and then rise up after the train, again chasing it down the launch track. But since those are magnetic brakes, I imagine that what happens is that if the train rolls back, it is gradually, carefully slowed by the brake fins until it arrives back at the launch zone, where a friction brake or some other form of contacting brake can bring it to a full stop. After having seen the complex, at-least-fifty-button control panel for Top Thrill Dragster, I was told that roll-backs on that particular ride are what operators fear most, because they require that almost every single button be pushed or switched in one way or another just to then bring the train back to the station. Don't know how true it is, but it sounds about right to me... Perhaps not having a roll-back device is a Zamperla thing, as every roller coaster I've ever seen has one form or another, including Premier, B&M, Intamin, etc... Do their spiral-lift flying coasters have an anti-rollback? I don't think so... Kind of scary when you think about it... Maybe this accident will prompt change in that. -
Knott`s Berry Coaster Accident
bkroz replied to Colonel_SoB_fan's topic in Other Amusement Parks & Industry News
Sources are saying that two trains collided on Pony Express, and that some of the guests are being transported to the hospital. Doesn't sound too serious, but much remains to be seen... EDIT: More: http://www.themeparkinsider.com/flume/201010/2140/ According to Theme Park Insider, one train failed to launch quickly enough, and experienced a roll-back into the station where another train was already placed. The site also claims (and I have no idea) that [this particular?] Zamperla Motocoaster did not have an antirollback device in case of incorrect launches. I can't imagine that being the case... Why would anyone manufacture a ride in such a way? Regardless, I think it's safe to say we're all hoping for the best... -
Yes! There are people behind you, and people who are very, very thankful for what you're sacrificing for this project. Think of it this way - you certainly are getting attention from this mess. Don't let it get you down. You made the right choice, you did what you felt, you followed your heart, and fantastic things will come your way (including many of us here, who will do all we can whenever you need us)! GYK, so grateful beyond belief for not having purchased that TPR membership earlier this year, as I'd be asking for a refund. For what it's worth, I tweeted the following: Naturally, it was quickly re-tweeted by Theme Park Review as a way to mock me. So be it. There's at least one less person who will be paying for their business in the future (and hopefully, many more besides me). I never 100% understood why The Interpreter said he would sooner leave this place then have it resemble Theme Park Review. Now, I do indeed see the light.
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It's honestly a shame was Robb and them are doing... Imagine how disheartened the leaders of the real movement feel at how they're being mocked / laughed at / parodied / whatever you want to call it. There's laughing with someone, and laughing at them, and it's really awful what they're doing. And based on Robb's reactions in the thread on TPR, he's much more of a jerk than I ever thought... Like, his "parody" and the way others on that site are treating it is so rude, and is not funny at all. The leaders of the real relocation effort put so much on the line to support something they obviously believe in, and I don't think it's right how they're being mocked. What a shame... It makes me think a lot differently about Robb. I used to consider him just a fun-loving, world-traveling nerd like all of us. But his parody site is immature. He looks like an ass, frankly. And now I see that he's one of those guys who, the more you straightforwardly tell him that you disapprove and how it makes you feel, the more he soaks it up and posts "FAIL" pictures and immature responses... It just sucks, because I can imagine what Kat is feeling when reading the things he says. But at least she stands for something good...
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This sort of looks like Top Thrill Dragster... And that was the challenge, after all.