pkiridesmaint Posted October 29, 2019 Share Posted October 29, 2019 8 minutes ago, Ben43065 said: Maybe I’m incompetent at math but the ride opened in 1987. Wouldn’t that mean it’s had 32 years of “thrills” and not 33? 33 seasons, 32 years. 87 was the first season so that begins on day one not like an anniversary... by the time it’s 1 year anniversary rolls around it’s season 2... 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fyrfyter Posted October 29, 2019 Share Posted October 29, 2019 Yeah, he actually mentioned that. Between the fact that it was one of the biggest arrow loopers so it had more strain and the weather conditions it makes sense. He said they started thinking the end was near in 2012, but kept getting lucky until now. It could have gone at any time, even at the same time as Firehawk. And they really didn't know Vortex was going to close until after labor day. Otherwise everyone would have been given a more advanced notice. I wonder which metalurgist/engineer got to brighten someone’s day with that news? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seven58o Posted October 29, 2019 Share Posted October 29, 2019 Just wanted to say hi (new here). Very sad to see Vortex leaving. Anyway, see you all around the forum! 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IndyGuy4KI Posted October 29, 2019 Share Posted October 29, 2019 2 minutes ago, stuckey937 said: Just wanted to say hi (new here). Very sad to see Vortex leaving. Anyway, see you all around the forum! Welcome to KIC Stuckey! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gforce1994 Posted October 29, 2019 Share Posted October 29, 2019 Just now, IndyGuy4KI said: Welcome to KIC Stuckey! Welcome! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CorkscrewMcPuke Posted October 29, 2019 Share Posted October 29, 2019 I know it's probably been asked before, but I wonder how likely it would be for the park to try and sell the coaster disassembled. I do recall Paramount trying to sell off King Cobra for $10,000 with no luck at one point. I'm guessing Vortex would be a difficult one for somebody to set up given the terrain it was built for. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheRickster Posted October 29, 2019 Share Posted October 29, 2019 Also sounds like there isn't a good shot at reassembly. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CorkscrewMcPuke Posted October 29, 2019 Share Posted October 29, 2019 3 minutes ago, TheRickster said: Also sounds like there isn't a good shot at reassembly. Given the questionable structural integrity of the metal, it'd take an absolute madman to even attempt to do anything with it. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pkiridesmaint Posted October 29, 2019 Share Posted October 29, 2019 48 minutes ago, CorkscrewMcPuke said: I know it's probably been asked before, but I wonder how likely it would be for the park to try and sell the coaster disassembled. I do recall Paramount trying to sell off King Cobra for $10,000 with no luck at one point. I'm guessing Vortex would be a difficult one for somebody to set up given the terrain it was built for. It’s heading for the scrap yard, there’s no chance of relocation. You’ll soon see Vortex on the razor blade aisle... 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silver2005 Posted October 29, 2019 Share Posted October 29, 2019 In addition to the terrain issue, Vortex was all welded together, possibly with some last minute adjustments done on site when it was constructed. Cutting it apart would be pretty meticulous. Most of the only Arrows that have been relocated are the smaller ones. Even if Vortex were in working condition enough to sell like that, it's never been done on an Arrow of that size. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pkiridesmaint Posted October 29, 2019 Share Posted October 29, 2019 2 hours ago, Bdd127 said: Yeah, he actually mentioned that. Between the fact that it was one of the biggest arrow loopers so it had more strain and the weather conditions it makes sense. He said they started thinking the end was near in 2012, but kept getting lucky until now. It could have gone at any time, even at the same time as Firehawk. And they really didn't know Vortex was going to close until after labor day. Otherwise everyone would have been given a more advanced notice. I’m fairly certain that if this conversation took place that he didn’t tell you the whole story, from working in the engineering department at King’s Island I can tell you that more than likely the determination was made around the off season that the time had come to either rehab at costly expense, example: DH Morgan treatment of Steel phantom at Kennywood or to tear down. if I was a betting man I would place my bet that the final nail in the coffin for Vortex could be blamed on Volcano at King’s Dominion... rumor has it that anaconda was on the chopping block until Volcano had its demise, since KI was already receiving Orion we would only be at a net loss of 1 coaster versus a loss of 2 at KD since no replacement has been announced for Volcano. parks don’t just pick up the phone and order a major coaster for the next season, these are planned many years in advance and KD would have had a major void for years... I wouldn’t doubt it that if the same company that is erecting Orion is being used to dismantle Vortex will be taking their time add will be saving some sections of good track to possibly be a donor to Anaconda if needed to extend its life in the short term. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pkiridesmaint Posted October 29, 2019 Share Posted October 29, 2019 1 hour ago, CorkscrewMcPuke said: I know it's probably been asked before, but I wonder how likely it would be for the park to try and sell the coaster disassembled. I do recall Paramount trying to sell off King Cobra for $10,000 with no luck at one point. I'm guessing Vortex would be a difficult one for somebody to set up given the terrain it was built for. It was for sale for much more than 10k, they had it listed on Ital international for 1.1 million 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeltaFlyer Posted October 29, 2019 Share Posted October 29, 2019 1 hour ago, CorkscrewMcPuke said: Given the questionable structural integrity of the metal, it'd take an absolute madman to even attempt to do anything with it. You are describing me..... 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoddaH1994 Posted October 29, 2019 Share Posted October 29, 2019 1 hour ago, pkiridesmaint said: I’m fairly certain that if this conversation took place that he didn’t tell you the whole story, from working in the engineering department at King’s Island I can tell you that more than likely the determination was made around the off season that the time had come to either rehab at costly expense, example: DH Morgan treatment of Steel phantom at Kennywood or to tear down. if I was a betting man I would place my bet that the final nail in the coffin for Vortex could be blamed on Volcano at King’s Dominion... rumor has it that anaconda was on the chopping block until Volcano had its demise, since KI was already receiving Orion we would only be at a net loss of 1 coaster versus a loss of 2 at KD since no replacement has been announced for Volcano. parks don’t just pick up the phone and order a major coaster for the next season, these are planned many years in advance and KD would have had a major void for years... I wouldn’t doubt it that if the same company that is erecting Orion is being used to dismantle Vortex will be taking their time add will be saving some sections of good track to possibly be a donor to Anaconda if needed to extend its life in the short term. I doubt any of it will become donor sections of track for Anaconda. They’re all custom so just imagine how lucky they’d be for a piece to fit. I could see the trains becoming donors though. Also, likely O’Rourke will do the demolition like they did Vortex. It’s another company doing the steel erection for Orion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VortexBFForever Posted October 29, 2019 Share Posted October 29, 2019 Well...yesterday was fun. And bittersweet. So many things happened that number too many to list in a reply. A day like yesterday deserves a full-fledged photo trip report. And as mentioned earlier, yes, I did get to ride on the final public train with the original crew. 12 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pkiridesmaint Posted October 29, 2019 Share Posted October 29, 2019 20 minutes ago, BoddaH1994 said: I doubt any of it will become donor sections of track for Anaconda. They’re all custom so just imagine how lucky they’d be for a piece to fit. I could see the trains becoming donors though. Also, likely O’Rourke will do the demolition like they did Vortex. It’s another company doing the steel erection for Orion. While my theory on donor parts is not likely, I do stick by my theory that anaconda was spared over Vortex because of volcano Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SnakePlissken Posted October 29, 2019 Share Posted October 29, 2019 I don't understand what Anaconda or Volcano has to do with Vortex being removed. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoddaH1994 Posted October 29, 2019 Share Posted October 29, 2019 7 minutes ago, pkiridesmaint said: While my theory on donor parts is not likely, I do stick by my theory that anaconda was spared over Vortex because of volcano I’ve wondered about that myself. It seems like a lot of dominos would need to call into place for that to happen. So theoretically speaking if Vortex needed major renovations and Anaconda was on the chopping block then we could assume that Anaconda is in as bad or worse shape, so we would have to assume that Anaconda would be seeing some sort of major renovation... and soon... if this were true. I suppose time will tell. Would make for an interesting sequence of events. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pkiridesmaint Posted October 29, 2019 Share Posted October 29, 2019 18 minutes ago, SnakePlissken said: I don't understand what Anaconda or Volcano has to do with Vortex being removed. I explained earlier, rumor has it that anaconda was set to be retired this season but because of the unexpected removal of Volcano that would’ve left King’s Dominion with 2 less coasters, by retiring Vortex first that leaves both parks balanced with a net loss of 1, volcano will receive its replacement next then Anaconda will be retired around the time Vortex will be seeing its replacement. It’s all about shifting capital investments to each of the parks, you hardly ever see multiple substantial capital expenditures the same year... 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bdd127 Posted October 29, 2019 Share Posted October 29, 2019 5 hours ago, pkiridesmaint said: I explained earlier, rumor has it that anaconda was set to be retired this season but because of the unexpected removal of Volcano that would’ve left King’s Dominion with 2 less coasters, by retiring Vortex first that leaves both parks balanced with a net loss of 1, volcano will receive its replacement next then Anaconda will be retired around the time Vortex will be seeing its replacement. It’s all about shifting capital investments to each of the parks, you hardly ever see multiple substantial capital expenditures the same year... I did hear this rumor also and it does make a lot of sense whether what Don told me was true or not who knows. It really stinks though because Vortex is much superior to Anaconda and I would much rather have gotten a few more years out of it than Anaconda. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Browntggrr Posted October 29, 2019 Share Posted October 29, 2019 Vortex's removal is part of the long term plan for KI. This can be confirmed with knowing the same firm that is assembling Orion will be disassembling Vortex. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KIghostguy Posted October 29, 2019 Share Posted October 29, 2019 1 hour ago, Browntggrr said: This can be confirmed with knowing the same firm that is assembling Orion will be disassembling Vortex. Do you have a reliable source for this? Orion's erection is being done by SkyHigh Coasters LLC, which specializes in coaster erection. I would assume that Vortex's demolition will be done by O'Rourke Wrecking Company, as they did both Son of Beast and Firehawk. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fyrfyter Posted October 29, 2019 Share Posted October 29, 2019 It’s heading for the scrap yard, there’s no chance of relocation. You’ll soon see Vortex on the razor blade aisle... Probably not. Scrap is down to $40 a ton. That’s the reason most of the scrappers have disappeared. It was $80/ton before the tariff kicked in. It will probably sit for a while, wherever it lands. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CoasterOhio Posted October 29, 2019 Share Posted October 29, 2019 8 hours ago, BoddaH1994 said: I doubt any of it will become donor sections of track for Anaconda. They’re all custom so just imagine how lucky they’d be for a piece to fit. I could see the trains becoming donors though Actually, I'd like to discuss Donor parts. Every loop on an Arrow is the exact same with the exception being Tennessee Tornado due to it being designed by a computer. Arrow had perfected the math for the Loop, Corkscrew, Batwing, or anything of that nature. For example, a Loop on Vortex could become the loop on Corkscrew at Cedar Point. Or in this case Anaconda. They fit the exact same. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fyrfyter Posted October 29, 2019 Share Posted October 29, 2019 I want to hear about this as well. In this case, dismantling the ride by a coaster construction company would make more sense, since they could cannibalize certain parts of the ride as donor parts for other rides. That thought cannot be completely tossed, no matter how much we dislike that idea. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Browntggrr Posted October 29, 2019 Share Posted October 29, 2019 35 minutes ago, KIghostguy said: Do you have a reliable source for this? Orion's erection is being done by SkyHigh Coasters LLC, which specializes in coaster erection. I would assume that Vortex's demolition will be done by O'Rourke Wrecking Company, as they did both Son of Beast and Firehawk. 21 hours ago, Shaggy said: It will be dismantled after Orion's assembly is complete. Its my understanding the company assembling Orion was awarded the bid to both assemble the new coaster, and to deconstruct Vortex. There is a Viagra joke in here somewhere...... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joshua Posted October 29, 2019 Share Posted October 29, 2019 I'd like to see the park could keep a piece of the ride to commemorate its history at the park. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Klabergian Empire Posted October 29, 2019 Share Posted October 29, 2019 1 minute ago, Joshua said: I'd like to see the park could keep a piece of the ride to commemorate its history at the park. Yeah, I agree. At least the station, lift hill, the loops..... heck, why not keep the whole ride standing??? 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KIghostguy Posted October 29, 2019 Share Posted October 29, 2019 28 minutes ago, Browntggrr said: There is a Viagra joke in here somewhere...... That makes no sense to have an company that has only done construction demolish a coaster. Who/what is his source on this claim? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joshua Posted October 29, 2019 Share Posted October 29, 2019 Just now, Klabergian Empire said: Yeah, I agree. At least the station, lift hill, the loops..... heck, why not keep the whole ride standing??? If only..... However, I would like to see the station re-used. Its victorian facade is perfection. Unfortunately, as Shaggy said, there is the issue of wheelchair access. But that isn't to say they couldn't redesign it. I was also thinking maybe one of the cars could be displayed somewhere in the park. 2 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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