AZ Kinda Guy Posted February 26, 2004 Share Posted February 26, 2004 Ok so I'm reading these posts over on the roughest coaster thread and I noticed alot of Vortex votes. I really don't see why people think it's so rough. I am by no means a tall person (around 5'11) so it's not like my head sticks above the restraints. Now if you've never rode the thing I can see why but all of us should be seasoned veterans on it. I have found that if you follow the course with your head and neck and anticipate the track turns, it's not bad at all. Give it a try and I'm almost positive you'll have a more enjoyable ride on it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pkidude03 Posted February 26, 2004 Share Posted February 26, 2004 I've tried that.. & I agree it does help the ride out. I rode it one way with my head against the head rest the whole time.. PAINFULL!! My head was constantly banged against the restraint. Then I rode it again with my head kind of sticking forward & following the turns & it made a big difference! I think the roughest part of the ride is where it kind of slams to the right after the first big turn if you know what i'm talking about. After that the ride isn't so bad. I guess some people hate it.. others don't.. I like The Vortex. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m@ilman Posted February 26, 2004 Share Posted February 26, 2004 Yeah, Boddah and I had a nice long discussion at PKI-C day about how The Vortex is rough. I agree, after that first turn, going into the first loops, its rough if you dont expect it. BUT, if you ride any other Arrow sit down, its going to be the same way. with all of the arrow coasters i have ever ridden, if you dont follow the track, you will be in for a rough time. IMO and to some others, Arrow makes rough track. They make an awesome ride...i love arrow, but the track could be a little more streamlined. m@ilman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maestro Posted February 26, 2004 Share Posted February 26, 2004 I personally don't think Vortex is that bad. It's a 17 year old steel coaster (and an Arrow one at that) so you have to expect it to be a little bumpy. I think it has aged much better than some of its' counterparts, mainly due to the excellent job of PKI's maintenance department. Could it use the new-style Arrow trains - probably, and that would help a little. But I don't think that would fix the problem. As with most other Arrow loopers, it seems to be that the transitions are the issue - there are definitely several points on the ride where you feel the train "jolt" (someone mentioned the turnaround before the first vertical loop). I agree with Sparky - the ride can be very enjoyable if you ride defensively and anticipate where your head needs to go next. I'm 6'1" and while that keeps the majority of my head above the OTSR, I can still get a swift hit to the jaw if I'm not paying attention. There are so many unique qualities about Vortex however (the first drop when sitting in the back car, the sheer height of the corkscrew, the boomerang element down in the "ravine") that make it well worth it for me. Give me Vortex over some of those other steel loopers (Viper at SFMM, Manhattan Express in Vegas, etc...) any day of the week! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoddaH1994 Posted February 26, 2004 Share Posted February 26, 2004 I totally agree with all of you. If you lean into the turns (especially in the corkscrews) it really doesn't bump you around too much. I think it's one of the best rides in the park, but I can totally see where it's showing its age. Regardless, I'll ride The Vortex day in and day out until they make the poor decision of dismantling it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PKI Homey Posted February 26, 2004 Share Posted February 26, 2004 It is a fairly rough coaster if you compare it to Intamin or B&M. Otherwise, I don't think it is that rough at all. The only point I remember being jarred on is the little drop before the corkscrews. IMO, people are being spoiled by Intamin and B&M and expect every coaster they ride to be that smooth. I can't believe Vortex is 17 years old. It still gives great rides. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fryler87 Posted February 26, 2004 Share Posted February 26, 2004 I do not think Vortex is rough, rather it is quite jerky. The way Arrow made their track, the transition from a piece of curved track (the track DOES come in pieces) to straight track is very abrupt, unlike B&M's or Intamin's (at least on their quad-rail coasters). When you go from a curve to a straight part on an Arrow, you do get snapped. It's easy for at least me to notice this snapping on Adventure Express. All in all, like I said...Vortex is more jerky to me than rough - and those two things are VERY different. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crosscountry4891 Posted February 26, 2004 Share Posted February 26, 2004 I do not think Vortex is rough, rather it is quite jerky. The way Arrow made their track, the transition from a piece of curved track (the track DOES come in pieces) to straight track is very abrupt, unlike B&M's or Intamin's (at least on their quad-rail coasters). When you go from a curve to a straight part on an Arrow, you do get snapped. It's easy for at least me to notice this snapping on Adventure Express. All in all, like I said...Vortex is more jerky to me than rough - and those two things are VERY different. I totally agree. When it goes from the banked curve to straight before the decline before the loops it really snaps right back to straight. I have also noticed that Adventure Express is jerky as well. Even though it doesn't have much speed, going from banked to straight can be painful even though it only has lap bars instead of OTSRs. Arrow's new trains might help because they are higher above the track than their old ones. But I think Vortex is pretty good for being 17 years old. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
derbeast Posted February 26, 2004 Share Posted February 26, 2004 I used to think it was rough when I was a younger but that was probably because I didn't know how to hold myself on a coaster back then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bignathan4403 Posted February 26, 2004 Share Posted February 26, 2004 I have found that if you follow the course with your head and neck and anticipate the track turns, it's not bad at all. Give it a try and I'm almost positive you'll have a more enjoyable ride on it. I totally agree, Vortex is not rough at all anymore. If you just move your head along with the ride you hardly ever hit your head against the restraint. Vortex is another great night ride... Why do all the rides seem to run faster at night? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
derbeast Posted February 26, 2004 Share Posted February 26, 2004 Part of it is your imagination, part of it is because the track and wheels have warmed up from a days worth of use. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StXBomber Posted February 26, 2004 Share Posted February 26, 2004 It's like TRTR, it can be painful if you don't position yourself properly (guys know what I'm talking about). I like Vortex alot. I think if you ride it alot, you learn how to ride it properly, just as the others have said. I haven't had a painful ride on Vortex in a long time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coasterbilly Posted February 27, 2004 Share Posted February 27, 2004 i thought Vortex was one of the best Arrow loopers i have ridden. Probably had one of the best layout as well. It also wasn't that rough, as people said, you just have to into a good and comfortable position. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoObKiNoS Posted March 1, 2004 Share Posted March 1, 2004 I have also noticed that Adventure Express is jerky as well. Even though it doesn't have much speed, going from banked to straight can be painful even though it only has lap bars instead of OTSRs. Adventure Express is not supposed to be smooth. You are on a runaway mine cart. Haven't you ever seen indiana jones, and the mine cart chase seen. Do you think they had a smooth ride? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AZ Kinda Guy Posted March 1, 2004 Author Share Posted March 1, 2004 Actually Drew, Express is supposed to be smooth; and it is smooth. Now if they could just give us some more space in the trains and some comfortable seats then you wouldn't hear about it being "rough" or "jerky". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoObKiNoS Posted March 1, 2004 Share Posted March 1, 2004 Actually Drew, Express is supposed to be smooth; and it is smooth. Now if they could just give us some more space in the trains and some comfortable seats then you wouldn't hear about it being "rough" or "jerky". I dissagree. With nothing to back up my statements, it is my personal belief, and the belief of the general population of the crews i served on that the ride is supposed to not necissarily be rough, but somewhat jerky - going along with the whole runaway mine train theme. I do not think that it is smooth at all...the thing throws you around quite a bit. You can even hear the grinding of the wheels before the helix when it hits that high point as it goes over the finale tunnel. As the back whips around you hear the strain on the wheels. I also would have to respectfully disagree with the space in the trains. I think they're some of the most spacious trains in PKI. Especially but not limited to the front of a car, you have an immense amount of leg room. Comfortable?? i personally think they are but i guess thats a matter of opinion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CYoung2003 Posted March 1, 2004 Share Posted March 1, 2004 I agree. Everytime I ride, I always get jerked around, but never banged up. Also I think the seats are pretty comfortable and have alot of space. But like Drew said, thats just my opinion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adbort Posted March 1, 2004 Share Posted March 1, 2004 This is one of those coasters, where some people believe that it's rough, well others believe it's not. In my opinion Vortex is not a rough coaster, never thought it was. I first rode back in 1987 and even though it's not new anymore, it's still a very enjoyable ride. Some people say that if you sit upabove the wheels, seat 1-2, 2-2, etc....then it can give a rough ride. Back in 7-2 you can feel the back of the train whip around the loops, it feels weird. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PKI Homey Posted March 2, 2004 Share Posted March 2, 2004 Funny thing is, when I rode The Vortex when it first opened, I couldn't believe how smooth it was. Now that Intamin and B&M are around, suddenly, all Arrow coasters are considered rough. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coasterrz Posted March 2, 2004 Share Posted March 2, 2004 That has to do with technology. When The Vortex opened, it was state of the art, the first coaster to sport six inversions. Even though it was slightly rough in some of the transitions, it was smooth as far as coaster went in 1987. But since the development of more sophisicated computer design programs, designers have perfected the transitions and trains to create a smoother ride. However, even the smoothest designed rides can become rough if they are not properly maintained. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarketingExpress Posted March 2, 2004 Share Posted March 2, 2004 I have also noticed that Adventure Express is jerky as well. Even though it doesn't have much speed, going from banked to straight can be painful even though it only has lap bars instead of OTSRs. Adventure Express is not supposed to be smooth. You are on a runaway mine cart. Haven't you ever seen indiana jones, and the mine cart chase seen. Do you think they had a smooth ride? Once again I am going to have to agree with Drew about the beloved Express, but I can also see where Sparky is coming from also. Yes Express is a very smooth ride, but at the same time it is suppossed to have that out of control feeling that Mine Train Coasters are suppossed to have. It does toss you around a lot yes but most of it is predictable because you can see it coming with the exception of the sharp turn in the volcano tunnel. I hate to bring it up but look at Disney's Big Thunder Mountain. This ride also has that runaway feeling, however it doesn't toss you around as much making it much more tame. This is why AE is so unique because it applies this out of control feeling along with what feels like a rough ride, but in reality it is a smooth ride with a great track layout. Its Good to be back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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