I guess the evac thing is better than nothing but it does seem it would take a long time to evac a full ride. So much time that the previous method could be of comparable timing. On a windy day it seems they would have to catch the seats in order to get them inside the cage I imagine they wouldn't use this method in windy conditions though.

Maybe it's a "pay extra" option to ride this while on WindSeeker?. You never know with Cedar Fair. WAIT - I forgot - there's new management.

Sorry.

(Geez - I hope they don't read this or it will become reality!)

Just feel this is crazy that they had to do this to keep the ride going:

Less of a line for everyone who enjoys the ride.

I guess the evac thing is better than nothing but it does seem it would take a long time to evac a full ride. So much time that the previous method could be of comparable timing. On a windy day it seems they would have to catch the seats in order to get them inside the cage I imagine they wouldn't use this method in windy conditions though.

An evac is going to take at least 2 hours if not more or major attractions. Having been trained on evacuation proceedures and doing so once, it takes a while. Especially if it is at any extreme height. To evacuate 2 of the coaster trains out of the 3 total, is rough. Starting at the front car of a train, releasing restraints manually then assisting guests out of their seats, waiting for all guests of that car to be off of the train, get them strapped into the safety evac system (harness and tied onto the rope/rail), walking them slowly down the stairs (whether it's from the lift, midcourse, etc.), get their info in case they need to be contacted or they contact the park, then walk back up the stairs and repeat the process. Can take a long time.

So I can only imagine the WindSeeker evac, with what looks to be a evac of 4 total riders (two rows on opposite sides of the gondola) at a time.

Great way for Kinzle to go out in style.

All I can say is I will never ride it again. Just didn't like the feel of the ride. I would be the one flipping out if stuck up there. lol

I'll still ride, but the evacuation method is a little sketchy.

This takes the cake,count me out. It was a nice,relaxing ride but if you cant manually lower me to the ground,then I dont trust it and im not waiting all day 300ft in the air for some contraption to be put together to come get me and my family to safety.Besides,I dont want to be up there listening to everyone freaking out for hours,been there done that.

If we're lucky, the evacuation vehicle will have on "ride" music as well...

Some calming music, of course... Wouldn't that be a treat at 300 ft.

^ Not this, then?

After seeing the caged seats, I'm thinking, heck, just charge a few bucks and make the cage the thrill ride, like the slingshot.

^ Tanna - didn't you read my post?

^ Tanna - didn't you read my post?

Evidently I did not. At least now I know someone who will ride with me when the Cage of Terror opens in the WindSeeker's former location.

Still not liking the evac plan, imagine the first time they had to use it, fix the real problems, or move on.

If the State of California approves this system, in particular, you can be assured this is the real fix.

What did you expect?

Terp, who likes to ask questions.

While I realize its safe I would much rather see a way to lower the entire gondla down at once. You don't see this issues on Drop Towers.

Did you read the entire thread? See what type of system is used, if needed, for Drop Tower.

Did you read the entire thread? See what type of system is used, if needed, for Drop Tower.

I'm curious, but lazy tonight, and I couldn't find it on a quick Ctrl+F search for "Drop Tower" on each page. Link, please?

From a mobile phone, can't do. There are pictures of Drop Tower's similar system.

EDIT: Never mind. That's Knott's colorful WindSeeker tower. Carry on....

I figure it takes WS a minute to get to the top under normal power, my guess is 5 minutes per cycle(up to 4 riders) times doing it 16 times. Thats already over an hour and that doesnt factor in setting up the rig, and all the other factors to get to the actual point of an evac. My guess is it will still take around 2 hours to evac WS. Having this theory, I will still ride WS.

I guess if I could see the new evac system in action and I knew how long on average it takes,I would ride WindSeeker again.I just would hate to be sitting up there all day.Imagine working at the park and getting to test it out,that would be pretty fun.

According to the Pointbuzz offseason tour, Cedar Point's WindSeeker will have the same evacuation contraption as Knotts does. They expect it to open with the park in May.

I'm going to assume Kings Island will get the same thing, but I have no idea if it will be ready or not by opening day.

If you think about it, without the evacuation system, WindSeeker is a Tower of Terror.....

Great to see the improvements coming to a few confirmed parks, I hope it comes to more.

I'm going to guess that all 5 WindSeekers will have this before they reopen.

I'm going to guess that all 5 WindSeekers will have this before they reopen.

What about the sixth one?

I meant 6 mybad. I missed a count somewhere lol. 4 opened in 2011, and 2 in 2012, that would be 6. lol.

FWIW, WindSeeker at KI was sitting about half way up this morning around 10:00 am. I'd assume going thru testing in anticipation of opening day or perhaps a later opening at some point this season.

I drove by KI yesterday on my way to Columbus. i was hoping to see some sign of life, especially WindSeeker...unfortunately the park was quiet.

Cedar Point's WindSeeker was at the top today.