Messages

31

Construction/Rumors / Re: SDC's 2018 Project(s) and Park Developments

« on: March 15, 2018, 11:57:18 AM »

I have yet to ride TT, but my favorite part of the ride is something no one is talking about right now – the reduced wait times we're sure to find on all the other coasters. The addition of another major coaster and more importantly, its placement, has brought some long overdue ride balance to SDC.

32

Construction/Rumors / Re: SDC's 2018 Project(s) and Park Developments

« on: October 15, 2017, 12:02:07 AM »

^^^
Obviously a long way to go before March 2018, but man I sure hope a sufficient update to the area in front of and around TNT & TT is still part of the overall development plan for the addition. That area is going to be an absolute nightmare to traverse if they do not address it.

Additionally, I know it's been mentioned that it appears an observation deck will NOT be a part of TT. Can anyone tell me why the PTB would not see value in allowing non-riding patrons or those on the fence about riding their largest ride investment to date the opportunity to watch the ride on action first – especially given the already growing concerns about the presumed intensity of a spinning launched and inverted coaster? Just doesn't make an ounce of sense to me. Also seems like a miss given its location where a view from the front of the load station seems to almost overlook the majority of the circuit.

33

Construction/Rumors / Re: SDC's 2018 Project(s) and Park Developments

« on: August 20, 2017, 12:57:42 AM »

Off topic a bit, I will chime in and say there apparently will be big changes to the SDC classics over the next 5 years from what me and Shave heard while at the media event. One being major changes to Flooded Mine come next year as more of the structure is coming down. People might or might not be happy with the coming changes.

More to be elaborated on in the future development thread later on.

As for the coaster reactions and publicity I am loving some of the ones I have been seeing on social media from the GP. Some of the best ones can be found on KY3's Facebook page. They are downright hilarious.

Well that's a juicy little nugget. Not a shock, but definitely great for continuing the discussion that's been swirling around this very topic here for quite some time. I'm definitely a very big fan of the classics, but wouldn't necessarily mind scrapping any of them IF the intent was to recreate a similar ride experience with new and more reliable technology. FITH will always hold a special place in my heart as it was the first "coaster" I ever rode. And as much as I love coasters, it's such a shame that parks these days tend to overlook the inherent value in the simplicity of well done rides that most of the masses can enjoy, e.g., a well done flume, or dark ride.

There is plenty of truth to addition by subtraction. Just hope whatever we would potentially lose might make way for the creation of something even better that could cement itself as a SDC classic for generations to come. 

34

Construction/Rumors / Re: SDC's 2018 Project(s) and Park Developments

« on: August 20, 2017, 12:46:19 AM »

Helix
$30 million
Height – 135 ft.
Length – 4,531 ft.
Speed – 62mph
Inversions – 7
LSM's – Two

Time Traveler
$26 million
Height - 100 ft.
Length – 3020
Speed – 50.3
Inversions –3
LSM's – 2
 

Helix has escalators to get to the queue building for gosh sake. In the grand scheme of things, they're about equal.

  Doubt it. If that proves to be the case, then the folks at Liseberg paid a few million bucks for a couple escalators.

35

Construction/Rumors / Re: SDC's 2018 Project(s) and Park Developments

« on: August 18, 2017, 10:55:44 AM »

Josh, Shave or Swoosh, from your site tour experience and having seen the loading station and current queue, can you tell us if there will be any observation areas similar to WF? With their desire to promote ridership, I would think they would want to give patrons a great view of the experience. Even with a strong opposition to the spinning concept, I still won't make my final judgement, or decision on whether or not to ride until I'm able to see it in action with my own eyes first. 

I will say it's painfully obvious that a sizable chunk of SDC's $26 million investment was eroded due to the work it simply took to place a coaster in this location. As others have echoed, I'm also a bit underwhelmed and confused at the lack of adding any thematic elements beyond the station. Even a simple building over a portion of portions of the ride would add greatly to it.

Beyond the drop out of the station, the spinning element looks to be the only thing remotely unique about it. Compare the ride statistics to that of Mack's Helix coaster and it's clear the majority of the budget for TT was simply spent on excavation, concrete and developing the magnetic control mechanism for the trains.

Call it presumptuous and/or subjective, but when all is said and done, I would bet the farm that Helix is a far superior ride experience. Just wish they wouldn't have relied on what appears to be a gimmick in an effort to drive sales. A coaster as simple as PK continues to proven that a thoughtful design simply utilizing the nature around SDC can provide a lasting experience that demands repeat visitors and ridership. 

Helix
$30 million
Height – 135 ft.
Length – 4,531 ft.
Speed – 62mph
Inversions – 7
LSM's – Two

Time Traveler
$26 million
Height - 100 ft.
Length – 3020
Speed – 50.3
Inversions –3
LSM's – 2
 

36

Construction/Rumors / Re: SDC's 2018 Project(s) and Park Developments

« on: August 16, 2017, 09:04:16 PM »

I know this post will probably get buried with all the discussion on the new ride but for those interested, here are some photo highlights from today. Got photos and video of the ceremony and as a bonus we also got to tour the station AND the coaster itself.

FULL ALBUM FROM TODAY IS HERE

Thank you for the great photos, Josh. Would you mind sharing your impressions from the day? Interested in perspectives from you, Shave and Swoosh based on your experience. While I'm disappointed about the type of coaster announced, from someone who has followed this process since day one and watched the announcement in its entirity on Facebook today, I feel like SDC did a nice job of having their ducks in a row and making it a very thorough presentation. Many details I appreciated for sure.

37

Construction/Rumors / Re: SDC's 2018 Project(s) and Park Developments

« on: August 16, 2017, 06:21:50 PM »

If anyone thinks the "controlled spinning" on TT is going to be more tame than this on any level, I think you're kidding yourself. I just scanned the comments from SDC's official announcement on FB and I would say at least 25-33% of the comments echo the concerns about spinning and being bummed about never getting on the ride.

I think you need to go back to the video and listen to Brad Thomas' comments about the spinning.  What you're talking about on Spinning Dragons is EXACTLY what Brad said he DOESN'T want on the coaster- free, fast spinning that can get people sick.  Much to much spinning, much to fast, and this will NOT do that.  It is a very slow rotation that has built in brake controls so that it can not spin fast.  This has no chance of getting you dizzy or disoriented anymore than any other coaster because of how slow they are going to allow the cars to spin.

I understand your fears, but I don't think you're understanding the limits they are putting on the rotating that will prevent what you are afraid of.

Sure hope you're right, but I'm not buying it. Spinning is spinning and as I pointed out in an earlier post produces forces far different from that of other more traditional coasters. I think it's comical that this coaster's uniqueness was  sold on it being a spinning coaster that does XYZ, but Brad had to go out of his way to downplay the very thing that is supposed to make it unlike any other in the world.

I do think it only fair to reserve full judgement until the ride is operational, but whether you're on board with the spinning element or not, as long as it does spin, I am shocked that SDC chose to bank their largest investment in history with a ride that will statistically alienate a significant portion of the people who visit before they even get through the turnstiles.

Just think for a second about how the percentages quickly dwindle for park patrons who will never set foot on TT:

A percentage of patrons will not ride any rides.
A percentage of patrons will not meet the requirements to ride.
A percentage of patrons will visit and enjoy rides, but are not thrill seekers, or coaster enthusiasts and will not ride. 
A percentage of patrons will visit who enjoy coasters, but are unable to tolerate inversions.
A percentage of patrons will visit who enjoy coasters, but are unable to tolerate spinning rides.

That's a $26 million gamble that could have easily been minimized by incorporating the ability to allow the rider to dictate his/her ride experience as it relates to the spinning. Obviously, I am of the opinion that this omission would have made a bigger splash in terms of touting so many "world's only/firsts" in the coaster arena.

As I said above and in earlier posts, I applaud SDC on its willingness to continue pushing limits. I only hope public feedback will either prove me wrong, or force their hand into tweaking the experience at some point sooner than later. 

38

Construction/Rumors / Re: SDC's 2018 Project(s) and Park Developments

« on: August 16, 2017, 04:03:30 PM »

Let me preface this post with the fact that I can and enjoy riding every coaster currently on park without any issue at all. I've ridden Pandemonium at SFSTL once, hated every second of it and won't ever ride it again. Video attached (not my ride experience, just pulled for reference).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Raogy49tOYU

If anyone thinks the "controlled spinning" on TT is going to be more tame than this on any level, I think you're kidding yourself. I just scanned the comments from SDC's official announcement on FB and I would say at least 25-33% of the comments echo the concerns about spinning and being bummed about never getting on the ride.

I hope more than ever I am so wrong about this, but I think not giving the rider some control over a spin or no spin option is a huge miss with this ride. Very anxious to see how it all shakes out once its up and running.

39

Construction/Rumors / Re: SDC's 2018 Project(s) and Park Developments

« on: August 16, 2017, 12:51:11 PM »

I hope we get more theming than was presented in the video. And while it won't effect me, I do think SDC will face an uphill battle in marketing to people who do not like spinning. I think the controlled spin will definitely help and the animation didn't look out of control to me. It just looks more like a turning motion than spinning. I think everyone should give it a chance before immediately shooting it down.

This looks like a great addition to the park and will offer something completely different from anything they have. I can't wait for 2018 to come to enjoy this amazing new addition. Three inversions, two launches, that first drop! Looks crazy and fun to me!

The animation doesn't show any spinning at all beyond the inversions. It just shows a traditional rider POV.

You can see the spinning in the animation. I wasn't just talking about the POV.

I'm talking about the rider POV. I don't care what the spinning looks like to the bystander.

40

Construction/Rumors / Re: SDC's 2018 Project(s) and Park Developments

« on: August 16, 2017, 12:01:04 PM »

I hope we get more theming than was presented in the video. And while it won't effect me, I do think SDC will face an uphill battle in marketing to people who do not like spinning. I think the controlled spin will definitely help and the animation didn't look out of control to me. It just looks more like a turning motion than spinning. I think everyone should give it a chance before immediately shooting it down.

This looks like a great addition to the park and will offer something completely different from anything they have. I can't wait for 2018 to come to enjoy this amazing new addition. Three inversions, two launches, that first drop! Looks crazy and fun to me!

The animation doesn't show any spinning at all beyond the inversions. It just shows a traditional rider POV.

41

Construction/Rumors / Re: SDC's 2018 Project(s) and Park Developments

« on: August 16, 2017, 11:58:00 AM »

I feel like they made a misstep.  The last thing you really want to have to convince people of right off the bat "this won't make you puke......no really". That's a uphill battle from there.  They made a mistake.  The lines in 2 years will dictate if I am correct.

You hit the nail on the head, sir. I've championed the no-spin or limited spin perspective from day one of speculation. I can see why they were excited to bring this to the world and the park, but I do agree that not even giving the rider the option is a huge miss in terms of broadening the appeal of the ride.

42

Construction/Rumors / Re: SDC's 2018 Project(s) and Park Developments

« on: August 16, 2017, 11:50:12 AM »

I think some of you are getting scared easily, if you can ride OR then I wouldn't think you will have problems with a controlled spin on TT.

Couldn't disagree more. It's physics. And lateral forces induced from spinning have far different effects on the body than simply the sensation of going upside down. I could ride OR 15 times without an issue, but can't get near the Electrospin in GE.

43

Construction/Rumors / Re: SDC's 2018 Project(s) and Park Developments

« on: August 16, 2017, 11:45:39 AM »

All spinning. That's a huge letdown for me. 

I was concerned about that.  But it sounds like with their "control" that the spinning won't be bad.  It won't be the high speed, dizziness inducing kind of spinning.  Sounds like a slower speed that will be more like a slow turn rather than a spin that will just change your perspective as you ride.

And yet the ride animation simply shows nothing more than a front-facing traditional ride orientation. I applaud SDC on the bold investment and for pulling out all the stops to ensure the majority of the ride was kept under wraps until today, but I'm beyond disappointed that even as a huge coaster enthusiast, I'll never be able to set foot on this ride.

44

Construction/Rumors / Re: SDC's 2018 Project(s) and Park Developments

« on: August 16, 2017, 11:34:44 AM »

Spinning of any kind is going to turn away plenty.

45

Construction/Rumors / Re: SDC's 2018 Project(s) and Park Developments

« on: August 16, 2017, 11:18:36 AM »

Will be very interesting to see how ridership looks given its sure to appeal to a more limited audience. Man, what a bummer. I would think they would at least give the rider the choice of whether or not to spin.