aero11 Posted April 28, 2003 Share Posted April 28, 2003 I was at the park on Saturday and when I was standing in line for Top Gun I noticed something. You know the room that had the navigation map, controls, and the window that looked out at the sunset? The metal door that has been closed down over it for the past 4 years or so was lifted up and you could see all of it agian. Does anyone now if they are planing on opening that part of the line up again? I would think so why else would it be open? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shedevilonsob Posted April 28, 2003 Share Posted April 28, 2003 What you saw was the old line but there has been no talk of them allowing us to work under the old entrance because of the fact that they don't have the money to re-open it! but if they do that would be great place to work! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaggy Posted April 28, 2003 Share Posted April 28, 2003 It's not a money issue. If it is re-opened, it creates another crew position. Shaggy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aero11 Posted April 28, 2003 Author Share Posted April 28, 2003 I know all of that already, but does an one know why the metal door was mysteriously open after being shut for the past 4 years or so? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teenageninja Posted April 28, 2003 Share Posted April 28, 2003 Not to correct you Shaggy, but wouldn't another position be a money issue . I think people felt a little uncomfortable on that platform, I know I did, and no one really paid attention. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PKIguy14 Posted April 28, 2003 Share Posted April 28, 2003 What are you all talking about working under the old entrance? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FOF Posted April 28, 2003 Share Posted April 28, 2003 What are you all talking about working under the old entrance? Back in 1999 and earlier, the line use to go under that station, over some wood bridges, and through a themed effects room, which is now closed off, due to needing an additional person down there while it was open. Now the line cuts off to the right before where it use to, adn straight up the steps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaggy Posted April 28, 2003 Share Posted April 28, 2003 Actually, when it comes to staffing, I don't think money is a factor at all. PKI pays it's rides associates pretty well, but adding a staff member hardly breaks their bank or disrupts their budget. I think the problem is that they have a hard enough time keeping positions filled, resulting in minimal crews. This is evidenced quite easily by observing how many crew members that the attractions have at the start of the year as opposed to mid or late season. Once the park opens for daily operations, that thins their staff. Not only because they are spread out through a wole week, but also because there is a big turnover in employees. When the underside of Top Gun's station queue was in use, it required that a crew member be staffed in that area to guard guests who tried to hop rails or do silly things. As someone stated, it is very high off the ground and the railings and gratings essentially required supervision. Also, that is where "munchkins" were measured. That is the term PKI uses for guests who challenge the required height. Obviously the area was mainly used to help set up the story-line and allow guests to walk through various themeing elements. However guests got little from it. And after a while, it just became obsolete. I personally wish PKI would invest in bringing back the banners and various decorations that hung off the railings and throughout the stations, as well as bring back the fog element. I would rather they do that than consider investing time an energy to re-openeing the que below. Shaggy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FOF Posted April 28, 2003 Share Posted April 28, 2003 I think the theming on that ride was pretty cool, with the fog on when the train came into the station. Also remember the airplane drawings on the wall under the SOB exit bridge? They painted over it and put an American Flag. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CoasterKrazy Posted April 28, 2003 Share Posted April 28, 2003 I remember the themeing under the station, and that fog was used, but was there actaully fog used in the station? I don't remember that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FOF Posted April 28, 2003 Share Posted April 28, 2003 The Fog use to blow up from under the station towards the back of the station. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CoasterKrazy Posted April 28, 2003 Share Posted April 28, 2003 I didn't know that. Sounds pretty cool! I hope that Paramount's Kings Island will continue to "improve" their themeing. As far as I'm concerned, a 1 or 2 year break from rides could be taken just for overall park improvements. Anyway, did Flight of Fear ( then Outer Limits: Flight of Fear ) ever have fog at the beginning of its launch? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Picard Posted April 28, 2003 Share Posted April 28, 2003 here is a site about tg http://www.exlinedesign.com/portfolio/ente...ride/topgun.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mars1825 Posted April 28, 2003 Share Posted April 28, 2003 I liked walking through the queue. It made it better than just watching the stupid QTV. What I really loved was the fog. It felt much more like you were in a hangar when the fog was used. Now all that is down there is dirt and garbage. I think now that it would be pretty hard to open the underside of TG's station and use the fog again because I think most of it is just ruined. Since 99 PKI hasn't done anything with it so I doubt they would do something now. I would really like it though if PKI did reopen the queue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StXBomber Posted April 28, 2003 Share Posted April 28, 2003 I actually don't remember the fog! I really wish there was a pic of that!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aero11 Posted April 29, 2003 Author Share Posted April 29, 2003 From what I could see, all of the themeing looked like it was still in good shape. The missals still looked good and the control room just needed a dusting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shadow2k3 Posted April 29, 2003 Share Posted April 29, 2003 From what I saw when I rode TG recently, some of the theming in the que lines needed some improvements (The satiellite, missles, etc.). But that's about all I saw that needed improvements. Although it would be cool if they went back to the original paint scheme. The paint scheme that they have on it now just makes it look really bland. It would also be nice if they actually did reopen the rest of the line que with all of that theming. Then again the ride is a walkon, so why bother? ~Shadow~ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaggy Posted April 29, 2003 Share Posted April 29, 2003 (edited) True story.... Back in winter 1998/1999, Tim Fisher, PKI's GM until last season, ordered Top Gun painted for the Action Zone remodel. He took a walk out to the ride as painting progressed and remarked on how good the primer was looking and he couldn't wait to see the final outcome. He was met with the response: "That's not the primer... that's the paint." Needless to say, he was unhappy. After that, the park GM and other Marketing/Managerial staff at the park instituted a "hands on" approach to ride color choices. Delirium itself had it's own unique color history. The original ride was slated to be entirely grey. However Marketing took one look at it, disapproved and required that the designers at PPD&E (Paramount Parks Design and Entertainment) go back to the drawing board. And so, Delirium ended up with the over-the-top bue/yellow/red/orange and grey color scheme. If you pay attention, PKI uses photos that show Top Gun's previous paint job.... red track/grey supports. Also, for years has used old pictures of Vortex simply because the paint had faded so badly and recent photos of the ride looked bad. It was re-painted for last season and I understand has been re-photographed for marketing purposes. Advertising a ride or a park requires that the attractions "pop" visually from the page or on television. Obviously color choices affect how a guest percieves a ride, so that plays a big part as well. But bottom line, when the day comes for Top Gun to get re-painted (which will most likely be a while... the paint is holding up rather nicely) I expect it to return to red/grey to be more visually appealing in print, on air and in person. Shaggy Edited January 1, 1970 by Shaggy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fyrfyter Posted April 29, 2003 Share Posted April 29, 2003 I hope you are right. i think the grey supports and the red track looked much better than the grey/silver combo it has right now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CoasterKrazy Posted April 29, 2003 Share Posted April 29, 2003 All grey Delerium? What were they thinking? Why was the themeing on Top Gun closed off in the first place? Staffing? Money? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coasterdime Posted April 29, 2003 Share Posted April 29, 2003 I very much preferred the old color scheme, too. In the ride's first years, it had an incredible presence... the red track really stuck out against the landscape, especially in Spring and Fall. The ride, as we all know, is still incredible. It is like getting a shot of adrenaline. For me, it is well worth the walk back there, and with two train operation again,this ride is usually the shortest wait in AZ. The first and last Arrow suspendeds call/called PKI home, and is still one of my favorite coaster genres. James Moreland Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Losing Streak Posted April 30, 2003 Share Posted April 30, 2003 But bottom line, when the day comes for Top Gun to get re-painted (which will most likely be a while... the paint is holding up rather nicely) Maybe i'm just delirious or something, but I thought the paint looked like crap the last time I saw it, back on the weekend before the park opened... It was peeling and rusted and stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PKICoasterFreek Posted April 30, 2003 Share Posted April 30, 2003 Top Gun is running two trains now, correct? I remember hearing that a little while ago but wasn'y quiet sure. Does anyone know? I believe that Top Gun is running two trains now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Inraider Posted April 30, 2003 Share Posted April 30, 2003 I wsih they would put back the F/X fog and special lighting, that would make the ride awesome! and reopen the themed qeue line. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matt3224 Posted April 30, 2003 Share Posted April 30, 2003 I loved the themeing of TopGun... I remember back when they had it and there was a really long wait for it, you could just chill and watch the scenes from the movie and then walk past the little window that made it look like you were flying. I like the little stuff like that! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beastfreak Posted April 30, 2003 Share Posted April 30, 2003 Yes, Top Gun is definetly back up to two trains. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shedevilonsob Posted April 30, 2003 Share Posted April 30, 2003 Well as you have heard top gun is up to two trains. It really does feel weird working there with two trains again and you can tell which cars are the new ones though. I really feel that they should have painted that old cars to make them look like the new ones so that way the all look fresh. I hope that eventually they do repianted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HelixSpiral Posted May 1, 2003 Share Posted May 1, 2003 I actually think the silver/gray paint scheme looks much more like an aircraft carrier than the red/gray scheme did. And an aircraft carrier is what the entire station/ride is supposed to be. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elder Panther Posted May 1, 2003 Share Posted May 1, 2003 The ride itself isn't supposed to be an aircraft carrier, just the station. The lift hill is like the jet taking off of the aircraft carrier, and the rest of the ride is supposed to simulate flight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fyrfyter Posted May 1, 2003 Share Posted May 1, 2003 I actually think the silver/gray paint scheme looks much more like an aircraft carrier than the red/gray scheme did. And an aircraft carrier is what the entire station/ride is supposed to be. What?!?!? You gotta be kidding me. Who in their right mind would want to just get a ride on an aircraft carrier? if that was the case, why would they name it Top Gun? Aircraft Carriers aren't exactly loaded with guns. The station is supposed to be built and themed to an Aircraft Carrier, while the coaster itself is supposed to "simulate" riding in an aircraft, such as a military aircraft, like an F-14, since there were a bunch of them in the movie Top Gun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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