Johnny Upsidedown
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Posts posted by Johnny Upsidedown
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Stopped out at the park for another set of photos for my ongoing construction documentation..
Construction Update October 26th, 2008!
The lift hill is about 3/4 complete this week. The station is starting to take shape and a roof has been installed on top of the maintenance building. Lots more work on the tank area and looks like they are getting the ground leveled around all the footers. The rest of the lift hill should go up this week.
Check out all 20 photos from today here.
www.johnnyupsidedown.com/manta.html
Couple of photos from today..
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Had to go a day early this week as I have some things to attend to tomorrow so here is a Saturday Update...
Update 10-18-08
Lift hill supports have gone up this week and looks like they will set track this coming week. Tons of station work getting done with actuators getting installed. About another 15 pieces of track have been delivered. More work on the main tank area and more work on the brake and storage area. It appears that the lift maybe the steeper veriaty that B&M seem to be going with lately. It looks much steeper then a standard lift. But we should know more next week as the lift should go up. All the pieces are there in the work area.
Check out all 20 photos from today here
www.johnnyupsidedown.com/manta.html
Couple from today.
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Counting the track that is on site there is about 20 to 25 pieces. I saw 3 lift piece, the top and bottom of lift, Then there is another stack of 4 and there are more in the area where the first 2 photos are. Along with what is installed I would say that there is 35 to 40 pieces of track.. Most if not all the track will be onsite in the next few weeks.. My contact at the park says most of Manta will have arrived by the end of the month. I hope to be able to arrange a close up walk around the track once most of its on site, I am at least going to ask. MOre soon.
Sam check your PM
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Your welcome everybody.. Stay tuned as I hope to be able to keep the quality updates coming tell we get to ride Manta.
Update 10-12-08..
The main tank walls have been poured this week. More work on the transfer track and train storage area has been done. Lots of new track and supports have arrived in the off site storage area. More footer work and lots of electrical work on the station house has gotten done.
Check out the other 20 photos from today here
www.johnnyupsidedown.com/manta.html
Couple of photos from today are below.
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Here is the bottom of lift and curve upward.
This is top of lift hill. Track piece on right is top of lift, track on left is a lift hill piece.
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Thanks for the update Johnny. They are moving along, I just wish it was already june! lol. All I hope is that this ride is more intense and more fun than the other flyers
Glad to share SAM.
For those that like the construction just be sure to check in every week on my site for lots more photos, I should have weekly updates as long as track work is getting done.
Sam you still at Busch.
Anyway glad people are liking the photos.
See ya.
J>
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October 5, 2008
Lots of new stuff to see this week. Out in the storage area, there is lift hill track and top and bottom of the lift. Inside the work area, station track has gone up for both sides and some of the brake run has gone up. Transfer track pieces going up and tons more work on the main tank area.
20 photos from today are up so check them out here,
www.johnnyupsidedown.com/manta.html
Below are a couple from today.
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Six Flags resoponds..
http://hollywoodindustry.digitalmedianet.com/articles/viewarticle.jsp?id=537291
NEW YORK, Oct. 2 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Six Flags, Inc. (NYSE: SIX) announced today that it is not in compliance with the continued listing standards of the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") because the thirty-day average closing price of the Company's common stock was less than $1.00. Under applicable NYSE rules, the Company generally has six months to cure the deficiency. The Company's common stock will remain listed on the NYSE in the interim. If the trading average does not sufficiently improve, the Company intends to consider all available alternatives, including, among other things, a reverse stock split. If the Company decides to cure the deficiency by seeking stockholder approval of a reverse stock split, it must do so no later than the 2009 annual meeting, which is scheduled for May 2009. Failure to be listed on the NYSE does not constitute a default under any of the Company's debt instruments.Mark Shapiro, President and Chief Executive Officer said: "Many companies are facing challenges in today's volatile economic climate and Six Flags is no exception. As we move closer to the redemption date of our preferred stock instruments in August of next year, uncertainty about the Company's ability to refinance these obligations in light of the overall market conditions has put negative pressure on our stock. We believe that our improved performance and cash flows will be key to repositioning the Company for long-term growth."
The Company reiterated the alternatives it has available to address the August 15, 2009 mandatory redemption of the Preferred Income Equity Redeemable Shares ("PIERS"). Subject to potential Delaware law restrictions on dividends and redemptions, these alternatives include a refinancing, exchange or extension of the PIERS, as well as the use of an uncommitted optional term loan, asset sale proceeds and New Orleans insurance claim proceeds. The Company continues to have discussions with PIERS holders regarding potential PIERS restructuring alternatives.
The Company previously announced that revenues for its third quarter through August 12, 2008 had increased approximately 7.6%, or $23.5 million, over the prior-year period on fewer park operating days. The revenue increase was attributable to attendance growth of 5.1%, or 407,000, to 8.43 million guests and a 2.4%, or $0.92, increase in total revenue per capita to $39.55. However, as also previously released, the Company's full third quarter results will reflect the loss of two full park operating days compared to the prior-year quarter. The Company expects to recover lost attendance from those days in the fourth quarter, including the benefit of a favorable Halloween season calendar with the holiday falling on a Friday this year compared to a Wednesday in 2007.
The Company also announced that, as of September 30, 2008, no amounts were drawn under its $275 million working capital revolving facility (excluding approximately $28.8 million in letters of credit). The Company believes that based on amounts available under this facility, together with available cash, it has ample liquidity to fund its off-season capital expenditures and operating expenses for the 2009 season.
The Company will host a teleconference for analysts at 9:00 EST on November 10, 2008 to announce the Company's third quarter results and performance through October 2008. Participants in the call will include President and Chief Executive Officer, Mark Shapiro, and Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Jeffrey R. Speed.
The teleconference will be broadcast live to all interested persons as a listen-only Web cast on http://investors.sixflags.com/. The Web cast will be archived for one year.
About Six Flags
Six Flags, Inc. is the world's largest regional theme park company with 20 parks across the United States, Mexico and Canada. Founded in 1961, Six Flags has provided world class entertainment for millions of families with cutting-edge, record-shattering roller coasters and appointment programming and special events such as the weekly Summer Concert Series, FrightFest and Holiday in the Park. Now 47 years strong, Six Flags is recognized as the preeminent thrill innovator while reaching to all demographics -- families, teens, tweens and thrill seekers alike -- with themed attractions based on the Looney Tunes characters, the Justice League of America, skateboarding legend Tony Hawk, The Wiggles and Thomas the Tank Engine. Six Flags, Inc. is a publicly-traded corporation (NYSE: SIX) headquartered in New York City.
Forward Looking Statements:
The information contained in this news release, other than historical information, consists of forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act. These statements may involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in such statements. These risks and uncertainties include, among others, Six Flags' success in implementing its new business strategy. Although Six Flags believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to have been correct. Important factors, including factors impacting attendance, such as local conditions, events, disturbances and terrorist activities, risk of accidents occurring at Six Flags' parks, adverse weather conditions, general economic conditions (including consumer spending patterns), competition, pending, threatened or future legal proceedings and other factors could cause actual results to differ materially from Six Flags' expectations. Reference is made to a more complete discussion of forward-looking statements and applicable risks contained under the captions "Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements" and "Risk Factors" in Six Flags' Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007, which is available free of charge on Six Flags' website http://www.sixflags.com.
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Okay a different angle of Supermans pre lift. See wheels and the anit roll back in the middle.
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Superman has the same piece that enters the lift hill.
See http://www.johnnyupsidedown.com/new/su8a.JPG
Look close see the lift motor just to the right are the wheel motors and if you look close you can see the anti roll back between the yellow rails..
Its the same type set up..
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An update about the purchase..
Looks like it will be called Anheuser-Busch InBev and the appointment of August Busch IV as a director of the company. Still needs aproval of the US stock holders..
http://charlotte.bizjournals.com/wichita/stories/2008/09/29/daily1.html
Shareholders of Belgian InBev voted Monday to approve the $52 billion takeover of Anheuser-Busch, paving the way to create the world’s largest brewer.Shareholders appoved the name change of InBev to Anheuser-Busch InBev and the appointment of August Busch IV as a director of the company. They also authorized the board to proceed with the capital increase required to finance $9.8 billion of the transaction, which is expected to close by the end of the year.
“This vote demonstrates the confidence our shareholders have in the strategic and financial benefits of the combination with Anheuser-Busch,” said Carlos Brito, InBev CEO, in a statement. “We are very pleased to complete this important milestone.”
The transaction remains subject to approval by A-B shareholders and regulatory clearance but “in light of the limited overlap” between InBev and Anheuser-Busch businesses, InBev said it does not anticipate any significant regulatory issues.
A-B has set a record date of Oct. 3 for its shareholders, meaning that investors who own A-B stock as of Oct. 3 may vote on the takeover. The date of the A-B shareholders’ vote is expected to be set soon.
St. Louis-based Anheuser-Busch Cos. Inc. (NYSE: BUD), through its Anheuser-Busch Inc. subsidiary, is the leading domestic brewer, holding a 48.5 percent share of U.S. beer sales. The company, which accepted a $52 billion takeover offer from Belgian InBev, brews the world’s largest-selling beers, Budweiser and Bud Light. Anheuser-Busch also owns a 50 percent share in Grupo Modelo, Mexico’s leading brewer, and a 27 percent share in China brewer Tsingtao, whose namesake beer brand is the country’s best-selling premium beer.
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Yeap, without a doubt. I have a freind that rode it and said it was pretty wild.
Here is a great video of lots of photos and video of the Cyclone.
And a no limits of the Cyclone.
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Nothing wrong with the brakes in the photo.. They don't have all the mechanisms underneath installed so that brakes are just sitting in the closed position. Once track is installed they will install all the mechanical stuff that operates the brakes. I am wondering if all the brakes are going to be pneumatic or if maybe there will be a set of magnetic.. I haven't seen any magnetic brakes yet but they may just not be here..
Photos came out pretty good hope everybody is enjoying the coverage.. I love it, I like to see how, and what they do.. More soon
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Update September 28th, 2008
Stopped out at the park this morning as I wanted to get a few more photos of the first sections of track that have gone up. Some more track has been delivered out in the off site area. Lots more work getting done on the tank area and more footer work getting done.
Couple of photos below, check out the other 16 here
http://www.johnnyupsidedown.com/manta.html
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3 trains, at least for now.. My guess on the Duel station will be based on how buisy the park is on a givin day.. Something like how Sheikra only uses both loadings on buisy days. So I would figure you will have one side operation during the less buisy season and both sides run on full season. I would also guess that you will exit to the middle of the ride. Most likely there will be a split off at ground level for either side of the station.
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Really starting to sound like Speed has seen its last operating days, at least at the Sahara.. Glad I got to ride several years ago.
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Got some new information on the track deliveries and the photo contest that Sea World is doing.
Main track elements will start to ship on monday Oct. 6th with several trucks heading out that day and will last for a couple weeks.
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I would have to wonder if this ride is going to be removed.
The Sahara website has a small blip about it.
http://www.saharavegas.com/NASCAR/SPEED-facts/
Speed - The Ride will be closed for the season.Speed - The Ride is a state-of-the-art roller coaster and the hottest thrill ride in Las Vegas! Seasoned roller coaster lovers and adventurous first-timers will love every thrill, turn, and hair-raising chill. Get your ticket and discover why Speed ─ The Ride was named Las Vegas' best attraction by Vegas.com and the Las Vegas-Review Journal.
The need for speed begins inside the NASCAR Cafe, where an extraordinary electromagnetic force slingshots the coaster out of its launch site and over the first hill at breathtaking speeds. A steep drop follows as passengers plummet 25 feet below the surface through a misty underground tunnel before catapulting back above the ground and through a breathtaking loop.
The coaster then accelerates from 35 mph to 70 mph in just two seconds as it whips through the Sahara's 192-foot-tall marquee. Then, just before curving around the porte-cochere and up a dramatically steep incline, it stops 224 feet above the ground, carrying passengers back through the same exhilarating path, only this time in reverse. Get ready to scream! And don't forget to check out your souvenir photo once the ride is over.
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Here is something that just hit the news. Looks like 5 ladies are interested in making this happen.
http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/story/126500
Five women entrepreneurs believe that they can pull off something that's often talked about in Arizona but rarely comes to be: an amusement park. Kim Tucci and Carolyn Helm, both Florence residents, remember sketching out their ideas for a theme park years ago on a napkin while in a coffee shop. It was just a brainstorm.
READ THE REST OF THE ARTICLE ... LOTS MORE TO READ... sorry for shouting.
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Anybody come across any officail graphics or layout or anything else about the coaster. I have seen nothing graphic wise and only limited information on the layout.
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I would say more than half of the footers are in.. There is so much stuff that is in the ground that the photos just dont show.. My drawing is just a best guess as to what the layout is. As far as I know and from what has been hinted at, I can guess the layout to a point. The ending I am not so sure of as I dont really have it right. You also have to figure that I have been studying what they are doing every other week and I also have tons of photos that I dont post that show all kinds of things, close ups of footers and bolt patterns.. When I do an update I just try to show the best and most of what I can..
Track, From what I have been told and from what I saw over the weekend.. Most of the station track, brake run track and maintinance building track is onsite. The regular track as in lift hill and element track will start to ship on Sept. 29th. I figure it will take most of October to ship it all down to Florida. I will be getting a delivery schedule soon for all the track so I will know in the next week when everything will arrive.
Footers, take a look at this, here are most of the footers that are in. I know I missed a few but this will give you an idea of where they are..
http://www.johnnyupsidedown.com/manta/manta1.jpg
There is a lot of stuff in bottom of photo under the trees that are hard to pick out. You can compair it to layout and you can start to see the patern of what and where. http://www.johnnyupsidedown.com/manta/manta.jpg
As I said I am just going with a best guess. I could be completly wrong with it so we will see as the supports and track start to go up..
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Lift angle.. I think its going to be a standard angle lift hill for 2 reasons.
1. Evacuation of a flyer at a steeper angle may present a problem.
2. The station is about 25 feet off the ground, the roller coaster only has to go up another 120 feet. There is pleanty of room for the lift to be a standard angle. The photos just dont show how big the site is or how spread out the ride really is.. Next time I am out I will get a photo of Kraken and a photo of Manta site crop one into the other and you can see how Kraken fits into the Manta work site.. Its pretty cool to see it I had tried it in the begnning of construction.
Your other question was why so late... Couple reasons.
1. Its not really that late,, Kraken opened last week of may so did Sheikra. So another week or so in to June and well no worries..
2. With the amount of themeing, all the tanks, fish and other countless things that are involved my thinking is they want to have it completly ready when they open the ride. Not like others, even sheikra they were still painting and stuff. Sheikra ultamily was finished in the middle of June even though it was open.
3. Just to give you an idea that if there plan is for June they have so much work to do that they are working 7 days a week and I would imagine more then 12 hours a day as there is work getting done after park hours.
Anyway I will ask my person as Sea World if they have a date they are shooting for with the opening or if its still up in the air. Last I had heard in the park was around mid June. I would imagine they will hold to that..
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Thanks everybody, glad you are enjoying the photos..
JUMBOSHIRMP>>
Take a look in this photo http://www.johnnyupsidedown.com/new/su8a.JPG
The Manta photo you are refereing to, it would appear that it is the lift motor and the things on the ground are the lifting actuators that fold the train up. If you look at the photo of Superman, see how lift motor is generally the same shape. Then look on top of the station area see the same looking things that are lying on the ground in the Manta photo..
Regular track will begin to ship on Sept. 29, I would not expect main track work tell Nov or Dec.. Station track and transfer track will go up now so they can enclose the building.
Here is a rough layout of what the ride might look like. Just looking at the footers here is a guess.. http://www.johnnyupsidedown.com/manta/manta.jpg
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Thanks Sam. This weeks update came out really nice and I was glad that I got some good photos of the track and supports. Yes it is a dual loading station, the parts are in the field. I was so excited today when I walked in the park and saw the blue support that was up.. The ride is really going to stand out in the park entrance, thats all you will see once you enter the park. Cant wait tell next year when its all done and I get to take Manta for a spin.
Manta Track Spotting Photoshop Contest!
in Theme Parks, Roller Coasters, & Donkeys!
Posted
And did you ask to use my photo or the fact that you cut my name off it and put a bunch of crap all over it?
http://www.johnnyupsidedown.com/manta/sw136a.jpg