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General Silver Dollar City Talk / Re: Train Crash?
« on: December 08, 2022, 02:48:00 PM »
Any update on the train?
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General Silver Dollar City Talk / Re: Train Crash?
« on: October 27, 2022, 11:30:14 AM »You are joking right? You think anyone will want to ride it again? I expect it to be closed the rest of the year and I don't think it will reopen until they get new cars and do some PR and finish an investigation to show it is safe.
Wasn't saying that I think the it will/should reopen this year. Just stating that there are multiple trains.
Assuming that it doesn't reopen this year, it would be great if they could have Grandpa tell the Christmas story somewhere else to keep that part of SDC Christmas traditions going.
*Edited my original post to make my stance more clear.
Understand....and I'll clarify too. I don't think Everyone will be scared to ride again....nor do I think it is impossible for it to reopen by year end. I just doubt it will reopen this year. Have to wait and see about the damage and what it will take to ensure all is safe again.
I'm sure the train will have plenty of riders when it opens but there will be plenty also who will ok not going on it again.
I also wondered if there could be some type of access back to the woods to do the Santa experience by foot. Maybe use the amphitheater this year for it.....I'm sure they are thinking through ideas right now just in case.
Christmas will be tough without the train running....hundreds on the train and/or waiting for the train was will now have to find other things to do when the park is already packed (and sometimes many rides down when it's cold).
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General Silver Dollar City Talk / Re: Train Crash?
« on: October 27, 2022, 09:48:54 AM »
I really hope all are ok.
Way too early thoughts on the situation: (100% could be wrong)
- Looks from the videos took that one of the cars separated from there bogie making it off center from the track along the curve and pulling over cars with it. I thought I saw multiple bogies still on the track which is a bit confusing.
- I'm going to predict this was 'caused' by a structure failure of a passenger car.
- I'm assume the train was not going very fast when it happened maybe even closed to stopped
- This couldve been a lot worse injury wise
- I doubt the train runs again without either refurbished passenger cars or new ones.
- Terrible PR hit for SDC - Probably it's most rode attraction and now everyone will question if its safe and if the park is safe
Side Note - Ive heard that train has had a history of robberies....maybe they should investigate some of the folks who live out in the woods?
Way too early thoughts on the situation: (100% could be wrong)
- Looks from the videos took that one of the cars separated from there bogie making it off center from the track along the curve and pulling over cars with it. I thought I saw multiple bogies still on the track which is a bit confusing.
- I'm going to predict this was 'caused' by a structure failure of a passenger car.
- I'm assume the train was not going very fast when it happened maybe even closed to stopped
- This couldve been a lot worse injury wise
- I doubt the train runs again without either refurbished passenger cars or new ones.
- Terrible PR hit for SDC - Probably it's most rode attraction and now everyone will question if its safe and if the park is safe
Side Note - Ive heard that train has had a history of robberies....maybe they should investigate some of the folks who live out in the woods?
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General Silver Dollar City Talk / Re: Train Crash?
« on: October 27, 2022, 09:29:04 AM »They do have more than one train, so assuming that they are cleared to begin operations again, there would be hope for the train during Christmas. Managing the line with only one train during Christmas could be a real challenge though.
You are joking right? You think anyone will want to ride it again? I expect it to be closed the rest of the year and I don't think it will reopen until they get new cars and do some PR and finish an investigation to show it is safe.
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Other Parks / Re: Mr. Freeze Reverse Blast SFOT to give final rides Sept. 11
« on: September 16, 2022, 12:47:36 PM »Most people are fairly certain that they are just retheming it again and turning the trains around to their original direction. It'll probably re-open next year with a new marketing angle.
They may be taking the opportunity to switch out the launch system with something a little more economical. The big problem with this ride is that it takes an enormous amount of power to launch a train from zero to 70 or whatever. That's why so many rides these days use "swing launches" that involve getting the train to a rolling start before the main launch. It takes like half as much power to launch a train that already has some momentum vs. starting from a dead start.
I don't think it's possible to change Mr. Freeze into a swing launch, but perhaps they can update the motors to the latest model or something and get an efficiency boost.
Anyone know the tech PK uses? I've never deep dived into the different techs used for launches.
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Other Parks / Re: Worlds of Fun 2023
« on: August 14, 2022, 05:26:32 PM »
I absolutely loved the old Zinger.....was my very first roller coaster ride and an amazing family thrill ride. I was still young when the got rid of it and to this day WoF fans still regularly bring it up. Especially with the much hated boomerang that sites in it original station. I also hated it when the Orient Express was removed and it kills me to see the Busch Garden sister ride of it still operating strong. It too replaced by a carny ride with no character. Ive only been to to WoF 2x since my teen days when I would marathon OE. All there new rides have just been unremarkable and the park just is sub standard compared to the closer to me SDC.
So.....got to give WoF some credit. They must know the love of the old ride and its takes some....uhmmm.......you know....to try to replace it. Wasn't expecting to like this project at all with I heard GCI was doing it. As interesting as it is.....it is still a strange coaster type considering the park already has 2 woodies and there are 2 more over at SFstl. They hybrid part is obviously the most interesting thing about the coaster by it seems like that are going for a more family friendly ride so it won't excite the region that already had Outlaw Run and Texas Giant not too far away.
I do love the spiral lift hill.....its kinda silly and fun which ironically imo WoF lacks in it's rides. I do hope there is a tunnel as the website says....that was a major element on the original. Diving through a tunnel that looked like you wouldn't fit.
Hopefully.....WoF has a plan for a new Orient too......and it doesn't take 10 years. Plenty space in that old lot for big looping coaster.....something Wof really doesn't have in its lineup. or a maverick like launch coaster.... Just saying.
So.....got to give WoF some credit. They must know the love of the old ride and its takes some....uhmmm.......you know....to try to replace it. Wasn't expecting to like this project at all with I heard GCI was doing it. As interesting as it is.....it is still a strange coaster type considering the park already has 2 woodies and there are 2 more over at SFstl. They hybrid part is obviously the most interesting thing about the coaster by it seems like that are going for a more family friendly ride so it won't excite the region that already had Outlaw Run and Texas Giant not too far away.
I do love the spiral lift hill.....its kinda silly and fun which ironically imo WoF lacks in it's rides. I do hope there is a tunnel as the website says....that was a major element on the original. Diving through a tunnel that looked like you wouldn't fit.
Hopefully.....WoF has a plan for a new Orient too......and it doesn't take 10 years. Plenty space in that old lot for big looping coaster.....something Wof really doesn't have in its lineup. or a maverick like launch coaster.... Just saying.
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Construction/Rumors / Re: SDC's 2023 Project(s) and Park Developments
« on: August 04, 2022, 09:50:56 PM »
Dollywood new project tease just started. Wonder if SDC is coming soon. Maybe wait another month?
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Construction/Rumors / Re: SDC’s 2022 Project(s) and Park Developments
« on: June 12, 2022, 08:59:49 PM »
Chuggington looks amazing! It really isn't in them for SDC
My now 14yo so absolutely loved that show and the toys when he was younger. He had multiple train sets from it and the shows where 500% better then Thomas. Even now he will be excited to see it.
My now 14yo so absolutely loved that show and the toys when he was younger. He had multiple train sets from it and the shows where 500% better then Thomas. Even now he will be excited to see it.
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White Water Discussion / Re: What is the deal with WW?
« on: June 07, 2022, 08:34:42 AM »
I have a hard time believing the park will just close. Water parks are cash cows. My uninformed guess is that HFE will build a new one at the new resort. WW will somehow stay apart of the HFE offering but maybe sold in some capacity to someone else. I think Branson can support multiple waterparks (and all the hotel parks).
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Construction/Rumors / Re: SDC's 2023 Project(s) and Park Developments
« on: April 13, 2022, 11:17:21 AM »Not too thrilled with the RMC rumor for some obvious reasons. While I know they did a good job on Blazing Fury's refurb I just hope they don't reuse those uncomfortable cars and lapbars they have on their regular coasters. It would be cool if they refurb the Original FITH cars as I recall Dollywood did something similar with theirs IIRC.
After the LR situation....I'm glad HFE and RMC still have a relationship to do more projects....from an outsiders view the two companies seem like a good fit to continue to work together (both family non-corp businesses). Can't deny RMCs make incredible rides. I wouldn't mind SDC being the first with a T-Rex track.
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Construction/Rumors / Re: SDC's 2023 Project(s) and Park Developments
« on: April 12, 2022, 08:41:36 AM »RMC is doing the powered train car for the ride and presumably the track, while most of the props will be done by SDC M&C.
That's great news!!! Lightning Rod jokes aside.....have they done a project like this before? SDC get another first time discount from them?
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Construction/Rumors / Re: SDC's 2023 Project(s) and Park Developments
« on: April 11, 2022, 04:05:09 PM »
No matter how well they do with the storyline and effects on the new ride. There will be feeling of lose to SDCs felt about losing the original ride.
Anyone have insights to who is helping building it? I assume it won't be an SDC maintenance dept original like the first.
Anyone have insights to who is helping building it? I assume it won't be an SDC maintenance dept original like the first.
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Other Parks / Re: Teenager Dies falling off drop tower ride at ICON Park in Florida
« on: March 29, 2022, 01:47:16 PM »
IMO....based off of varies sources and my common sense. 2 major lessons learned.
1. The kid was too large for the ride. Ops should've never let him go. I haven't seen from any sources if the ride was 'green' to go our not but it's obvious that the OTSRs where only down maybe 75% of the way. I don't understand why they wouldn't have belts on the OTSRs for the primary purpose to ensure the restrants close far enough to ensure the rider isn't too big....and to be a backup barrier and hold down if OTSR failed. And why the ride itself didn't trigger the issue.
2. The engineering was flawed. Ride was only 3 months old and reading about it make ya start to get the same type of creepy vibes that happened with the water slide in KC. It was a record breaking ride that hadn't been done before (i know dollywood has a similar but different version). The restraints where basically bought off the shelf and not specifically designed for the forces of this ride. This drop includes a 30% tilt at the top....then a 'release' to go back vertical at the end of the drop as it hits the brakes. Without any belt constraints and that OTSR is not properly holding the rider body back into the seat....I think this accident was only a matter of time with that 30% tilt and sudden stop. Poor kid was probably hanging on to those restraints for dear life as soon as the tilt happened and with so much gap between the seat and OTSR he slip through as the brakes hit and seat untilted. If you ever rode Falcons Fury at Busch Gardens you can see the huge difference in the design and safely of the rides.
Its a grim reminder to really evaluate rides yourself to make sure you feel comfortable with them. I really appreciate some of the most well know ride manufactures who basically flawless safety records with this (BM, SS, Intimin) BM has thousands of rides a day on some of the crazies rides with no issues ever. Beware of the less established ones.
1. The kid was too large for the ride. Ops should've never let him go. I haven't seen from any sources if the ride was 'green' to go our not but it's obvious that the OTSRs where only down maybe 75% of the way. I don't understand why they wouldn't have belts on the OTSRs for the primary purpose to ensure the restrants close far enough to ensure the rider isn't too big....and to be a backup barrier and hold down if OTSR failed. And why the ride itself didn't trigger the issue.
2. The engineering was flawed. Ride was only 3 months old and reading about it make ya start to get the same type of creepy vibes that happened with the water slide in KC. It was a record breaking ride that hadn't been done before (i know dollywood has a similar but different version). The restraints where basically bought off the shelf and not specifically designed for the forces of this ride. This drop includes a 30% tilt at the top....then a 'release' to go back vertical at the end of the drop as it hits the brakes. Without any belt constraints and that OTSR is not properly holding the rider body back into the seat....I think this accident was only a matter of time with that 30% tilt and sudden stop. Poor kid was probably hanging on to those restraints for dear life as soon as the tilt happened and with so much gap between the seat and OTSR he slip through as the brakes hit and seat untilted. If you ever rode Falcons Fury at Busch Gardens you can see the huge difference in the design and safely of the rides.
Its a grim reminder to really evaluate rides yourself to make sure you feel comfortable with them. I really appreciate some of the most well know ride manufactures who basically flawless safety records with this (BM, SS, Intimin) BM has thousands of rides a day on some of the crazies rides with no issues ever. Beware of the less established ones.
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Construction/Rumors / Re: Future SDC Development Speculation (Long-term)
« on: February 04, 2022, 02:01:14 PM »^It used to be a staple wayyyy back in the day, but they are extremely rare now. SFStL got rid of theirs years ago, and SFOT's is in danger. SFOG's is the best in the world outside of SDC though. Other than that you have the disney versions. I can't think of any others still standing?
The long-rumored coaster there would be a bit of a bummer just because it would trade a theatre and a ride that literally everyone enjoys for yet another high thrill ride. Another shovel full of dirt over the original SDC experience. We'll see what they actually come up with though. HFEC has been investigating new dark ride options. We know DW has looked into one.
SFot and Disney's small world are the only ones I've seen before....I've been to at least a dozen other parks. Pretty sure SDCs was handmade by the park too.
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Construction/Rumors / Re: SDC’s 2022 Project(s) and Park Developments
« on: February 04, 2022, 01:55:40 PM »my son LOVED chuggington.....he's 14 now..lol. We had all the toys we could find 10 years ago and the cartoon is 300% better than Thomas and I kinda enjoyed it too. As a 43yo I'm a bit excited to see what they do....lol