China is going 4D

[Go Browns]

LOGAN, Utah - (February 15, 2010) – Long recognized as the company that designed the 4th Dimension coaster, arguably the most technologically advanced coaster on the planet, S&S Worldwide, Inc. is pleased to announce plans for yet another 4th Dimension coaster. Known as X2” at Six Flags California and as “Eejanaika” at Fujikyu Highlands in Japan, the next 4th Dimension coaster will amaze and thrill the people of China when it opens there in 2011.

Unlike traditional coasters where trains only parallel the track, the 4th Dimension sends riders screaming around its 3,600-foot maze of steel track aboard massive wing-shaped trains. The seats extend off of the track to the sides of the vehicle, allowing the passengers to be independently rotated head over heels and forward and backward.

The 4th Dimension’s large vehicles seat 24 passengers, two abreast in twelve individual cars, six positioned on each side of the train, with a state-of-the-art restraint system that adjusts to each rider’s size and safely secures the individual for the duration of the ride. The ride’s 360-degree rotating seats move the passengers independently, creating head-first, face-down drops, and unique “don’t know what to expect next” excitement.

The passengers actually face backward as the train leaves the station, rounds a turn, and begins its 250-foot (76-meter) ascent to the crest of the lift hill. The passengers get an impressive sweeping view of the surrounding area and are not afforded the comfort of seeing what’s to come.

Before plunging off the near vertical first drop, the seats suddenly flip forward, placing the riders in a totally unique and thrilling position facing the ground. The steep first drop is insane, reaching a breathtaking speed of nearly 80 mph (129 kph). As the passengers soar through the exciting elements of the ride experience, including raven turns, dives, and half-twists, the smooth rotation of the seats creates a surprise with every turn or drop, some beautiful air time, and an intensity that never lets off.

“This amazing coaster takes riders on a journey to an unchartered dimension of extreme that only

the 4th Dimension can deliver,” said Kevin Rohwer, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for S&S.

“We appreciate yet another opportunity to build and install this incredible coaster, and we anticipate that the amusement industry will be very excited about its upcoming installation.

Dinosaur Park (Changzhou, China) is already counting down the days until this great attraction will open to the people of China.”

Even though this looks to be a clone of Eejanaika I'm really glad to see another one of these being built because they just look so cool. I've never ridden a 4D but most of the reviews I've read and videos I've seen make them look incredible. My first thought after hearing that another of these being built was that it means that we could see another in the states but I just don't think its going to happen any time soon. These are loud, require a massive footprint (lookin at you CP), a massive amount of steel, and as we all know a lot of maintenance headaches. As far as 4Ds in the states go, I think it's likely we will see an Intamin Zacspin before another S&S and so far Intamins best efforts at 4D hardly look comparable.

[Delirium_Guy]

Even though this looks to be a clone of Eejanaika I'm really glad to see another one of these being built because they just look so cool. I've never ridden a 4D but most of the reviews I've read and videos I've seen make them look incredible. My first thought after hearing that another of these being built was that it means that we could see another in the states but I just don't think its going to happen any time soon. These are loud, require a massive footprint (lookin at you CP), a massive amount of steel, and as we all know a lot of maintenance headaches. As far as 4Ds in the states go, I think it's likely we will see an Intamin Zacspin before another S&S and so far Intamins best efforts at 4D hardly look comparable.

The jury is out for me whether I am excited to see another 4D or not. I had the pleasure / displeasure of riding X2 back in October. I will say that the first drop / raven turn combo was possibly the most unsettled I've ever felt on any ride I've been on. It REALLY freaked me out, in a good way though :-) Not a lot of rides, if any, do that to me the first time I ride them. Unfortunately, the last 1/3 of the ride was without question the most painful ride I've ever been on....so much that my calves had bruises on them from being bounced back and forth so much. By that point, I don't think I've ever wanted off a ride more! Before anyone wants to suggest that the reason is simply maintanance by Six Flags, from I've read Eejanaika suffers from the same thing but only worse! If they could find a way to make the ride experience more comfortable, I'd be all about seeing some more built. However, my one ride on X2 is likely to be the only ride I ever bother to take on it for the reason listed above.

- Todd

[gad198]

The jury is out for me whether I am excited to see another 4D or not.

Anytime you get another one of these installed you're going to be intrigued simply because there are so few of them. However, as much as I enjoyed what X/X2 brought to the table, there's no way I'd install one of these if I were operating a park. There's too much downtime, capacity is terrible (this and Firehawk have about the same capacity) and the ride itself is extremely short (except for the lift that takes FOREVER to climb). It's a ride that doesn't have any peers from a ride experience standpoint, but I'd rather ride a lot of other coasters before this one.

[Go Browns]

I agree with all of your points and appreciate your real life experience. The reason I get excited about another one of these built is that hopefully it means S&S is still working on improving them and making them more realistic for a park that I might actually make it to.

[74Gibson]

It's exactly the same thing for me. I can't help but see one at the front of CP. It goes near the beach and curves inland into the DD spot. Although, after going to Hershey, I think I'd rather see a nice twisty GCI there.