Diamondback Construction Thread (Updated 3-19-09)

[Beast1979]

Didn't Don say on the podcast that DB was supposed to be finished by Jan. 4th??

Don said several times that they wanted most all of the trackwork done by about new years.

[coaster_junky]

only four more supports to go on final helix.

[fryler87]

Didn't Don say on the podcast that DB was supposed to be finished by Jan. 4th??

Last summer, Mr. Gramke stated that track erection was scheduled to be finished around Christmas/New Years. I would say that for a project of this scope, even if the prediction was a week or two off, that's still pretty good.

[coaster_junky]

so when Diamondback is finished will Kings Island hold the record for most rides with splash downs in a single park, or is there a park with more than 4?

[Beast1979]

4?

I count BLSC and D-Back, am I missing something?

[Beast1979]

Second Helix Status for those to lazy to go to http://www.kiDiamondback.com/public/downloads/webcam.cfm :

And I thought this was just to amazing for words:

[The Interpreter]

4?

I count BLSC and D-Back, am I missing something?

I suspect coaster_junky is counting Wild Thornberrys River Adventure and Congo Falls.

[Beast1979]

Well those don't count IMO. Water Ride Splashes are almost necessary, and almost every park has a water ride.

[The Interpreter]

Normally, I'd agree, but flumes and shoot the chutes are being removed left and right, not unlike classic dark rides. See, for instance, Cedar Point as to flume removal, Six Flags Great Adventure and Kings Dominion for shoot the chutes removals...and there are many other examples. In any event, I doubt many would be impressed if Kings Island were (which I doubt that it is) the park with the most splashdowns on rides...

[Beast1979]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but won't Diamondback make Kings Island the park with the most coasters over a mile long? Beast SoB and D-Back?

[The Interpreter]

I believe you are right about that one!

[Beast1979]

They'll advertise the fact that for the most part it's a pretty standard B&M Hyper, but won't broadcast that?

Hmm....

[coaster_junky]

4?

I count BLSC and D-Back, am I missing something?

I suspect coaster_junky is counting Wild Thornberrys River Adventure and Congo Falls.

you are correct terpy

[JAHill]

Wouldn't another splashdown at KI be the splash into the sea of pain on SOB?

[coolhandluke]

Which Goliath? Do you mean the one in California? Most people around here have not had that experience. Goliath at Six Flags Over Georgia is a B and M. Titan and Goliath in California are both from Giovanola, but they are NOT clones. They aren't identical, or even close to it. To begin with, the Texas coaster is about 800 feet longer, ten feet taller, etc. The Texas version also seemed more intense to me than the California one:

Sorry to dig this up, but just to comment. Titan and Goliath are almost clones, with just two differences. Titan goes up higher, but the two drops (and thus, the heights/dimensions/layout) are the same following. The other difference is the "bonus helix" found on Titan, just after the airtime hill, leading into the MCBR. This adds the extra length to Titan's stats, and also those additional crushing Gs that Goliath lacked on your rides. So experience-wise, they are certainly not clones, even though their layouts are in fact nearly identical.

And to add to something a bit more recent, Carowinds has jumped the bandwagon and announced the removal of their log flume, further showing how fortunate KI is to have more than one splashing water ride.

Wait, does the Coca-Cola Oasis count as a perpetually splashing attraction?

[firehawkboy]

And KI is the ONLY park in the world to have both, a hyper woodie(SOB) AND a hyper steel(DB).

I think that was mentioned before, but for new members, there you go.

[BoddaH1994]

They'll advertise the fact that for the most part it's a pretty standard B&M Hyper, but won't broadcast that?

Hmm....

With the exception of the handful of people who are really into coasters, no one cares if it's a standard B&M... nor do they really care that it is a B&M. Most people care that it'll be a fun and safe ride... which it will be.

[The Interpreter]

...Wait, does the Coca-Cola Oasis count as a perpetually splashing attraction?{emphasis added}

Not if Pepsico has anything to say about it in the future.

Terpy, who just HAD to

[ZosoBeast]

Correct me if I am wrong, but I am pretty sure they removed the "Splashdown" part of BLSC. The drop is still there obviously, but the waterworks have been removed.

[Beast1979]

I havn't seen it run with it's audio or effects since mid-2007, and even then it only worked occasionally.

[Thrill_Biscuit]

[in my fake British accent]

Righto, but it seems BLSC's 'splashdown' isn't a proper splash-down at all, but something of a fountain that squirts a bit of water about when the carriage passes over it?

[Beast1979]

Agreed.

Jackson, Avoiding a One-Word Post by adding this, to which it is now a 19 word post!

[Thrill_Biscuit]

[in my fake Japanese accent]

^Ingenious! I see you have mastered the way of the one-word post, ha!

[back in Ohioan accent, and on-topic]

Once, only the Eiffel Tower and Drop Zone dominated the tree line above Western Row. This morning, Diamondback resembles something of a spaghetti bowl in front of the tower. It is looking quite impressive, and Clifford will soon be bringing another peak into view.

[Jazzman91]

Which Goliath? Do you mean the one in California? Most people around here have not had that experience. Goliath at Six Flags Over Georgia is a B and M. Titan and Goliath in California are both from Giovanola, but they are NOT clones. They aren't identical, or even close to it. To begin with, the Texas coaster is about 800 feet longer, ten feet taller, etc. The Texas version also seemed more intense to me than the California one:

Sorry to dig this up, but just to comment. Titan and Goliath are almost clones, with just two differences. Titan goes up higher, but the two drops (and thus, the heights/dimensions/layout) are the same following. The other difference is the "bonus helix" found on Titan, just after the airtime hill, leading into the MCBR. This adds the extra length to Titan's stats, and also those additional crushing Gs that Goliath lacked on your rides. So experience-wise, they are certainly not clones, even though their layouts are in fact nearly identical.

And to add to something a bit more recent, Carowinds has jumped the bandwagon and announced the removal of their log flume, further showing how fortunate KI is to have more than one splashing water ride.

Wait, does the Coca-Cola Oasis count as a perpetually splashing attraction?

And for 2010 Carowinds is rumored to also get a B&M hyper... but lightning never strikes twice...

[RailRider]

Sorry to dig this up, but just to comment. Titan and Goliath are almost clones, with just two differences. Titan goes up higher, but the two drops (and thus, the heights/dimensions/layout) are the same following. The other difference is the "bonus helix" found on Titan, just after the airtime hill, leading into the MCBR. This adds the extra length to Titan's stats, and also those additional crushing Gs that Goliath lacked on your rides. So experience-wise, they are certainly not clones, even though their layouts are in fact nearly identical.

And it is that extra helix that IMO makes Titan an excelent Hyper coaster. Also the bonus helix is what I and other refer to as the centerfuge, because of the high g's you pull and the blackout or tunnel vision sensation it causes for a high percentage of riders.

Once, only the Eiffel Tower and Drop Zone dominated the tree line above Western Row. This morning, Diamondback resembles something of a spaghetti bowl in front of the tower. It is looking quite impressive, and Clifford will soon be bringing another peak into view.

I am amazed at how much of DB sticks out of the tree lines. I thought you might see the 1st, 2nd and possibly 3rd, but much much more is visible. Truley a new skyline for KI.

[Beast1979]

And for 2010 Carowinds is rumored to also get a B&M hyper... but lightning never strikes twice...

In my 4 years of reserching the Amusement Park industry, I have learned at least one thing.

You never, ever, know anything, for sure.

[RailRider]

True, but I could easily see Cedar Fair signing an agreement for 3 B&M Hypers and Carowinds would be a perfect fit for the 3rd. I would imagine 2010 will also be the year that Great America gets their woodie finally.

[Beast1979]

Didn't Busch make a similar contract with the Divers?

[RailRider]

Yes, but theirs was an exclusive contract stating there would be no other Divers in North America for a certain amount of time. I believe that it has or will expire shortly.

Park management and builders usually make these contracts becasue it garners them exclusivity of either a certain ride type or technology for a stated time frame and also there is a slight discount for buying in bulk. Kind of like going to Sams Club, but on a much bigger scale.

[coaster_junky]

And KI is the ONLY park in the world to have both, a hyper woodie(SOB) AND a hyper steel(DB).

I think that was mentioned before, but for new members, there you go.

ki is the only park in the world that has a hyper woodie.