SDCFans - The Unofficial Fan Site For Silver Dollar City
General Category => Other Parks => Dollywood Discussion => Topic started by: shavethewhales on May 25, 2011, 01:35:25 PM
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The big water splash down on Blazing Fury has been removed this year and was replaced with simple magnetic breaks. For those of you who aren't familiar with BF, it's almost an identical twin to SDC's Fire-in-the-hole, but with some differences in layout and theming.
This news really did hit me. It isn't always so obvious when a piece of the old uniqueness and originality of the old days of SDC and DW is lost forever like this.
I'm sure the company has it's reasoning for the move, but in the end it just shows they're too cheap to work around the issues with their aging classic attractions. However, they have done extensive work on this ride, FITH, Flooded Mine, and others in recent years, so it's not like they're completely letting the classics fade away, but more and more moves like this will sure lead to it. I just don't get why they couldn't have worked around whatever issue was at play here.
Thoughts?
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Let's hope this issue STAYS at Dollywood! Hey, SDC, PLEASE don't mess around with changes like this at FITH!
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Sounds like the pencil-pushing, money-crunching accountants & lawyers are at it again. This was one of the reasons ThuNderaTion was made to face completely forward this year. I would imagine that magnetic brakes would produce less wear and tear on the ride vehicles when compared to constantly submerging the lower parts of the vehicle in water. I would also assume that it would be safer and more "fail-proof" to use magnetic brakes then water.
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I am sure "fail-proof" is their main priority! lawyers???!!!
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I really really hope not!! Many of my greatest childhood memories at SDC came on Fire in the Hole. Part of its uniqueness would just be gone.
This might not even be in the works here at SDC but PLEASE don't take this away.
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There's talk on other forums of them adding in new effects to replace the water. That would make up for some of it if it's well done, but it's still not the same.
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The drive shaft is what’s responsible for lifting the train out of the water and when it breaks the ride is down for a long period of time. If you can replace this with something that is more reliable would you not? I understand it is a classic, but in order to keep those classics around you have to modify them some. They had some great ideas with possible effects at the end of the ride replacing the splash down finish and they were impressive. Though I am against the change at Thunderation, I am in support of helping these older attractions last.
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Aslong as they find a way to keep the musty water smell! It is kinda like the blacktop smell...I relate them with certain things at SDC!
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Special effects are great, but isn’t the point of the water splash down sort of like “putting out the fire” at the end of the ride? Special effects cannot extinguish a fire!
I am troubled by this news, but I suppose time must go on. Perhaps if the special effects included some type of water spray, or mist system to simulate the splash down that might work.
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I would think it would be a priority to include water in the effects to stay close to the original theming, just doing it in a more effective, reliable, and advanced manner.
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I have a great idea to save the water "smell" and "splash"........................
Leave it alone!!!!!! ;D
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They had some great ideas with possible effects at the end of the ride replacing the splash down finish and they were impressive.
Are you able to go into any detail of what this might be?
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very interesting. I would agree that there needs to be some sort of water effect
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The guy who was loading the train told us that they might add a puff of smoke and special effects next year. I agree that the splashes are cool, but I won't go along with you all in saying that it would take away the rides' uniqueness. FITH is a very cool, unique ride, even when there's barely any water, like in the winter. Still, I hope that the water stays, but not if it means less years of FITH.
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My family & I just returned home from a 4 day trip to Gatlinburg Tn. / Dollywood. I plan on writing a trip review about it later.
As of right now the Finale to Blazing Fury is...well...dry. It felt really odd to go down that final drop and not hit any water.
The last time I rode blazing fury was in 2007, so it was nice to return and try to catch all the differences between it and Fire in the Hole. Speaking of that name, the people running the ride yell out "Fire in the Hole" before the ride begins, thought that was nice. Also while we were in the que-line, i noticed several wooded signs that still had "Silver Dollar City" clearly visable. The que-line makes a little more since in Blazing Fury, and doesn't become caotic like FITH's sometime does. The ride is also a lot more smooth. But that final drop.... >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:(
I'll write more about our Dollywood trip later in another thread.
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Thanks for the mini trip review on Blazing Fury! Like I mentioned before, the final splashdown sequence is symbolic of putting out the fire at the end of the ride. I hate to see it go.
I wonder when these proposed special effects will be installed?
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Just got back and it was in need of some help. I noted not only did they remove the splash they also removed the fireman's water hose earlier in the ride. It really did make it sad, there was some fake smoke generated in the final splash room that was very light and unafective. It was sad, you are all correct on your assumptions and fears.
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So much for the hyped up “special effects” that were supposed to be an adequate replacement to the splashdown.
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THere was this water generated light mist ( that you didnt know was there till you got to the bottom. They may have had a light shine at you as well. It was very sad.
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Just thought I would post this picture I took while I was in line for Blazing Fury in July of this year. Thought it was interesting!
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I love that!! ;D
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The last drop of Blazing Fury was very disappointing. No water...just some flashes of light that only illuminated how bare the room was and how little there was going on.
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that sux!!
hopefully not the same for FITH!!
say it together!!
Leave FITH alone! Leave FITH alone!
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I don't know who else had the "Lunch with Principle" thing at the elementary school they went to, but it was a really big deal at my elementary school. I don't know if it's random, or they go by grades, or how they choose the kids, but they would pick 5 or 6 kids to eat lunch with the principle and vice principle once a month and would get their picture in the paper. I really liked the principle but didn't like the vice principle at all. I ended up having to sit by the vice principle and I wasn't very happy about it. Somehow we got on the subject of FITH and by the end of lunch, I had a new best friend. The one thing we kept going back to was how cool the end of the ride was, and the train. I hope for mine and his sake (and everyone else's), it stays the same has it did when I was in elementary school.
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mine did it too! we got to go to the jr high with the "older kids" who had the option of stuffed crust pizza and ice cream. it was sooo coool! looking back now it was kinda lame. lol.
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At our school, we ate at a table in front of the principle's office so everybody walking by could see us (I guess cuz everybody thought it was a really high honor) and we got fast food instead of school food. I only got it once, and it seemed like the best day of my elementary school life, but now it does seem kinda lame lol
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The first time I rode FITH (in 1983, I think), there was no water at the end. I don't know if this was a temporary problem or it just hadn't been added yet. I'm sure someone here can tell me. I actually loved FITH sans water, but I'll never forget the next time I rode it, the following season, and was blown away by the splashdown. I can't imagine going backwards.
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well I'm also a big fan of fith and if they have removed the splash down shame on them!! best part of the ride. i remember in the late 70s and early 80 they would have a water fight outside with people who were standing in line, on real hot days i thought that was great, i haven't seen them doing that in about ten years though. i guess with everyone having cell or what ever has put a stop too that.