Johnny Upsidedown
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Posts posted by Johnny Upsidedown
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Big T mr Trump is closing the pier.
http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/news/story/6658629p-6528474c.html
park info here http://www.rcdb.com/pd211.htm
Trump to redevelop another remnant of ‘America's Favorite Playground'
By DONALD WITTKOWSKI Staff Writer, (609) 272-7258
ATLANTIC CITY — Fifty years have passed since a 10-year-old boy named John Baker visited Atlantic City on a summer day to enjoy the amusements on the Steel Pier.
Baker's memories have faded over time, but one thing he remembers is the extraordinary sight of a horse and its rider plunging off a tower and splashing 40 feet below into the water.
“Who could possibly forget the famous diving horse?” recalled Baker, now 60, who returned to the Steel Pier this past week for the first time since his boyhood visit in 1956.
Baker, of Nazareth, Pa., brought his 10-year-old grandson, Daniel, and 5-year-old granddaughter, Brianna, with him. Unlike during Baker's childhood, the grandchildren couldn't see the diving horse performance — the iconic equine that symbolized the oddities and wonders of the Steel Pier has long since faded into history.
Soon, the Steel Pier itself will follow the diving horse, vanishing into the past after a storied century-long run as the “Showplace of the Nation.” The Boardwalk amusement park at Pennsylvania Avenue is scheduled to close for good after the summer season to make way for a redevelopment project for the neighboring Trump Taj Mahal Casino Resort.
Steel Pier's demise continues Atlantic City's evolution from a family-friendly resort town to an adults-only gambling mecca. Just three years ago, the city ditched its G-rated “America's Favorite Playground” slogan for the risque “Atlantic City: Always Turned On.”
“If this city becomes nothing but a gambling town, there will be no reason to bring the children here,” Baker complained. “If they're going to redevelop Steel Pier, it will be a big mistake. Where will the children go?”
Trump Entertainment Resorts Inc., which owns the Taj Mahal and the Steel Pier, is considering plans to build new retail and entertainment attractions and a luxury condominium and hotel project geared toward the well-heeled gambling crowd. Another option, though less likely, would be to add casino space to the Steel Pier, Trump Entertainment President and Chief Executive Officer James B. Perry said.
“We have a company board meeting in November, and I suspect sometime after that we might have some announcements,” Perry said of the pier's redevelopment.
David G. Schwartz, a gaming expert and historian, said the redevelopment plan could succeed with tourists if it tastefully combines the Steel Pier's older charms with its modern appeal.
“Some people want to take their kids to a log flume. Some people want to play blackjack. Some people want to take their kids on a roller coaster. Some people want to go to a nightclub,” said Schwartz, an Atlantic City native who is the director of the Gaming Studies Research Center at the University of Nevada Las Vegas.
While making a publicity appearance in Atlantic City last month, Donald Trump promised a lavish makeover of the pier to complement the Taj Mahal's ongoing expansion and renovation, including a $250 million hotel tower opening in 2008.
“We will be making some exciting announcements for the pier,” Trump said. “The pier is unique. It juts out more than 900 feet into the ocean.”
At 1,000 feet long, the Steel Pier cuts into the waves like an oceanliner plying the seas. In its heyday, it was much longer. A 1969 fire shortened its size by about a third.
Opening in 1898, the Steel Pier delighted crowds for decades with big-name entertainers ranging from Al Jolson to Frank Sinatra, daredevil stunt performers and hard-to-believe animal acts that included the diving horse and Rex the Wonder Dog, a water-skiing canine in the 1930s. One memorable oddity was the diving bell, which took thrillseekers underwater in murky seas.
The Steel Pier's current incarnation, though vastly different from its glory days as the Showplace of the Nation in the early and mid-1900s, retains the feel of an old-fashioned amusement park.
Perched atop colorful horses — unlike the diving variety, these are only figurines — children smile and let out shrieks of joy while whirling around a carousel. Carnival-like games of chance offer stuffed animals and live goldfish as prizes. Kiddie cars spin around a track. A log flume and a Ferris wheel treat riders to dazzling views of the ocean.
“Our kids enjoy the beach and Boardwalk, but they also like to come here,” said Mike Kastner, a Beach Haven resident accompanied by his son, Axel, 12, and daughters Chloe, 9, and Laurel, 7.
Kastner fears Steel Pier's closing will mean the end of family entertainment in Atlantic City. He urged Trump to scrap the redevelopment plan so that the pier could be preserved for children's amusements.
“I think it would be a shame,” Kastner said. “I hope he rethinks his plans. If he doesn't, it would be a bad idea.”
Similarly angered by the redevelopment plan is Anthony Catanoso, whose family has operated the Steel Pier amusement park under contract with Trump for about 15 years.
“We're upset about it,” Catanoso said. “We're not happy to lose the pier. It's going to be a big loss to the city and the children.”
Catanoso noted the pier's place in community charity work, including days when the amusement park is opened to local children for free and to reward students for perfect attendance in school. All that, he said, will disappear when the pier closes.
“My feeling is, as long as there's a beach and Boardwalk here, there should be family entertainment. We are that family entertainment,” he said. “We will hate to go. We'll miss Atlantic City, and I think the families will miss us.”
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I have wondered what the gimmick will be of this ride.
We seem to have a some what regular track upright riding postion. Seems to have a lift and a lim launch. Looks to have some big hills and lots of low to the ground effects.
So what is the gimmick to the ride.
Would CP just build another coaster like all the others.
So either we are looking at a speed record.
Or a special car arrangement. The wingwalker idea seems more plausable to me.
I just wonder what would be special about a new ride if it were like all the others.
Seems to me its pointing more and more tward a wingwalker or maybe its a new floorlees type train that intamin has develepd.
Cant wait tell next month when I can get a look at the sight as I have a trip to CP coming up.
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News update on the accident.
Seems the ride op allowed woman to ride in two seats. (What were they thinking)
http://www.pbcommercial.com/articles/2006/08/18/ap-state-ar/d8jiso400.txt
State: Employee improperly seated woman hurt on Hot Springs ride
Friday, August 18, 2006 9:51 AM CDT
HOT SPRINGS, Ark. - A ride operator should have prevented a large woman from taking up two seats on a roller coaster, a ride inspector said after investigating an accident in which the Tennessee woman was hurt while falling 11 feet onto a box holding electric cables.
The Magic Springs & Crystal Falls amusement park disputed the report, saying Felicia Robinson, 44, of Memphis, Tenn., was properly secured in the Twist 'n Shout coaster before the July 29 accident. General manager Dal Aylward said Robinson didn't follow the rules.
The Arkansas Labor Department, which inspects amusement parks, said one of the ride operators let the woman ride sideways and occupy two seats. The ride's manufacturer requires one seat per rider.
"It is evident that the patron was ejected from the ride because of improper seating and restraint," inspector Mike Watson wrote in a report. "The patron was extremely large, improperly seated and this allowed for the patron's center of gravity to move to a position above the retraining bar during the course of the ride.
"If the patron was too large to sit in the seat properly with the restraint bar in place, access should have been denied," the report said.
Ride operator Vicky Snyder said Robinson sat sideways "with her legs on the other side" and that the coaster car's restraining bar was closed and locked.
Aylward said Robinson failed to follow instructions to stay seated and face forward.
"While the Labor Department's incident report made note that the woman was `extremely large,' many large people have ridden the ride without problems by following the instructions and remaining properly seated," he said.
Hot Springs police said last month that centrifugal force pushed Robinson off the ride as it rounded a curve. Robinson was taken to a hospital after the accident; calls to her home were referred to a paralegal's office in Memphis, which didn't return messages.
The park said rides are inspected each day before the park opens. The Labor Department said it found no problem with the ride, leading it to focus on operator error.
Magic Springs has six roller coasters. The Twist 'n Shout, which climbs to 15 feet, is relatively tame, taking corners but having no loops.
Aylward said Snyder and the other ride operator, Joy Everett, still work at the park.
Information from: Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, http://www.ardemgaz.com
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Well, when Arrow went bankrupt, they became part of S&S. Hopefully now another company will do the same for S&S.
Add in CCI, wasnt it Dinn that backrupted CCI and became park of S&S.
It will be interesting to see if the company is sold or closed for good.
Maybe a buyout from emplyees, like the recent purchase of Larson Int. in Plainview Tx.
More on that here http://www.amusementtoday.com/
Jeff Novotny purchases Larson International Inc.(AUG 10, 2006) - Jeff Novotny, president and COO of Larson International Inc., has purchased the Plainview, Texas-based ride manufacturing company from founder Walter F. Larson. Novotny has been an engineer with Larson International, which manufactures the Super Loops, Star Dancer and Flying Scooters among other popular rides, for 18 years.
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I would figure, the excitment of riding the roller coaster and probably the excitment of being at an amusement park are the contributing factors.
I would also figure that a heart condition ---- would be affected by the various chemicals the body releases as you enjoy riding rides or other things. Which would contribute to well a heart attack. A flood of indorphins or even adrenaline can cause the heart to race which inturn if she had a heart condition would complicat things. So figure the excitment of the ride running to see grand ma, a warm summer day, maybe alittle dehydration and a pump of adrenaline. Even though the coaster is small. Think about when you were 10 years old. Just going an a ferris wheel or a carosel is exciting to some.
Just a few rumblings of my opinion.
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http://www.dailyherald.com/story.asp?id=217432
Authorities say she had a history of heart trouble
BY SARA FAIWELL
Daily Herald Staff Writer
Posted Wednesday, August 16, 2006
A 10-year-old Arlington Heights girl who had a heart condition died Wednesday after getting off a ride at Six Flags Great America in Gurnee.
Around 6:18 p.m., the girl collapsed in the Yukon Territory section of the park. She was visiting the theme park with her 63-year-old grandmother and cousins.
Witnesses said she had just exited from a ride in the Camp Cartoon Network area of the park, possibly the Spacely's Sprocket Rockets roller coaster.
She was running to rejoin family members when she suddenly collapsed. It was later learned that the girl had a history of heart trouble. Her name is not being released, pending the notification of family members.
Gurnee fire department paramedics and police responded to the scene. They found the girl in full cardiac arrest, and she was later transported to Condell Medical Center in Libertyville.
Doctors there pronounced her dead about 7:15 p.m., according to police.
"It's been tough for us, and our thoughts and prayers are certainly with the family," said park spokesman Jim Taylor.
Lake County Coroner Richard Keller said the girl's autopsy will be Thursday.
"She did have a known history of heart and medical problems, so likely her death was a natural death," he said.
Police said there is no foul play suspected, and any further investigations will be handled by the county coroner's office.
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Here is another story about the park.
http://www.smokymountainnews.com/issues/08_06/08_16_06/fr_ghost_town.html
Go above to read the whole story but one quote of interest about the roller coaster. Alos of interest was the 7 million dollar asking price.
Quote----
Plans are for the park to be reopened as an amusement park, featuring many of the original attractions and live-action shows that made the western-themed Ghost Town in the Sky a success for nearly 40 years. Harper, Woodburn and Hairston have invested earnest money to have all the park’s rides such as the Red Devil Rollercoaster inspected, have developed a plan to bring the rides up to safety standards before reopening. The park’s rides include some vintage, historical children’s rides of which there are few remaining in the world, said David Huskins, director of Smoky Mountain Host, a regional tourism advocacy association.
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Thats awesome. There has been some discussion around lately, glad to see its going to re open. I hope they get the coaster operating, its one of those credits I didnt think I would get.
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B&M seats are made to fit my body size. Just love them.
A close second for me is the Millinium Flyer trains used by GCII, lots of padding and I like the way the seats are more open at the top which allows for greater mobility of the rider..
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http://www.themeparkreview.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=24826
Here is the Lagoon tread..
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Its simple on the time line.
If you arrive at ATL at 12. Get rental car and drive to SFOG. It will be between 130 and 200 before you enter the gates at SFOG.
Arrive at gate at 12.
Get in rental car by 1230 to 1. You have to shuttle to the car lots.
Leave and drive the 15 miles to the park, park and walk to the park entrance. 130 to 200.
Wait in long line ride Goliath.
Leave for airport by 5.
Arrive rental car lot at 530. Get in airport go trough securty again.
Get on plan for 7 pm flight.
That leaves you about 3 hours at the park.
There is public transpo but you probably have to take the Marta train close to the park and then catch a bus to the park I would assume it would take a while to get there plus the Marta train aint the most pleasnt of ride experiences.
Its worth a few rides if you are really a die hard coaster rider.
I know people how have done worse things including myself.
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I am guessing the same Sharktumes the snap in the brake.
I would also guess that maybe said person was handicaped. The story seemed strange to me that the accident happend at 520pm and the news hit only a few minutes later as I got the story an hour later on google. So I am thinking that this was a person that the park knew was either handicaped or disabled. Since BG has had issues in the past where handicaped people protested here in Tampa for not being able to ride I would guess they let a person ride and he came back into station hurting.
So I wonder if this was a situation where the park should really have said no to he person.
Havnt seen much else in the news about it.
EDIT adding more.
Small update on the incident..
James City County Fire officials say the 17-year-old fractured his femur in two places. They say he was lucky the fractures didn't cause more damage to his leg. They believe the teen will be okay after treatment.
According to Busch Gardens officials the teen had a pre-existing medical condition involving the bones in his legs. He received multiple fractures while riding the roller coaster Alpengeist.
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Maybe a handicaped persons legs got slamed back and forth, or a person with bone disease. Just a small amount in the news.. How long will it be before you have to sign an injury waver.
http://www.wtkr.com/Global/story.asp?S=5271251&nav=ZolHbyvj
According to a James City County Fire official a person was injured at Busch Gardens today and Nightingale was called in to airlift him out of the Scotland Parking area.
It happened around 5:20pm Friday night.
According to Busch Gardens officials the person had a pre-existing medical condition involving the bones in his legs. He received multiple fractures while riding the roller coaster Alpengeist.
On this ride, passengers sit in rows of seats that are suspended from a track. This allows the riders legs to dangle in the air.
They say the choice was made to fly him to Norfolk because of traffic and the fact that the only doctor that can treat this condition is at Children's Hospital of the Kings Daughters.
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For me I guess any variation of the boomarang especially the inverted.
Woodie I would have to pick the former Herculeas at Dorney.
Steelie Iwould have to pick the Steel Phantom.
While there are rougher rides I have been on and many have been said in the tread all ready these for me were rough rides.
All though I will never forget my midnight ride on the Beast where I got slammed in the helix and walked away with a cracked rib..
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Simple for me. No distance to great.
Driving I prefer to fly if its over an 8 hour drive one way.
Really I am only limited by $$ as to distance to travel as most of us are.
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You should contact the GOCC and ask if you can go as a guest and pay the guest fee. I bet they will probably let you go.
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They have only filed for bankruptcy. So lets assume that the company is only getting protection for its self. Sales are down. They spent alot of money on designing the giant ride systems which didnt sell that well. So now lets assume they are under lengthy contracts for service and repair. So just getting protection and resituating there debt loads seems to be a comon practice among buisness these days.
Just like most of the large companies in america do they file banckrupt and get out of pentions and other requierd debts.
This will have to be a wait and see situation hopefully the company will stay around.
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I agree, I dont care for the stop on the standard versions of the impulses.
I allways thought it would be a better ride experience without the stop.
Guess thats what I like most about Wicked Twister with its twisty back spike.
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The lady told me I had to take the paper to the front of the park to guest services, get a special card from them, and bring it all the way back to the gift shop to get the photo, but if you are doing this, trade it in as soon as you get to the park!
Colin C
Ah the important information is to stop at the front of the park and trade in the voucher. Seems harmless for a free photo if I go.
Was there is dead line on the deal like how long is the voucheer good for.
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Kumba does rock. Its one of the few B&M's that still has that out of control ride. Let alone it has the original B&M roar.
Its a tie for me on the coaster list as all the B&Ms in the park rank the same followed by Scorpion and Gwazi.
Gwazi while used to be a good ride I think time is really starting to show. Seems its gotten quite rough but not as bad as some of the woodies. Probably time to start the retracing process.
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Found this over on RecRoller-Coaster.
Here is the story from the original accident in NJ.
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Wow.
Wonder if she held on the last curve or two before getting tossed out or if it was just the last turn that actually flipped her out. Either way she came out wonder if it was a loose restraint or a situation where a rider has moved around up and down enough that the restraint moved to a different body location makeing it loose.
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Cant access the papers website that has the story and havent seen anything else in the news. Dont know how serious injuries or what ride it happend on. Here is all I have found so far it sounds like it might be a kiddie coaster. Anybody know more.
http://www.arkansasonline.com/ShowIndex.asp?Section=Arkansas story about half way down but must be a subscirber.
A Memphis woman was flung from a small roller coaster at a Hot Springs amusement park Saturday afternoon, police said. BY BOBBY WILSON
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http://www.desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060729/NEWS08/607290358&SearchID=73252130284347
This story was in the Register today, along with the frightening picture you see here. I think I'd rather get hit by a bug.
WOW!
I cant believe the picture. Guess I didnt expect it to be as bad as the picture shows. Dam-near tore off the side of her head.
Goodbye, Steel Pier in Atlantic City NJ.
in Theme Parks, Roller Coasters, & Donkeys!
Posted
Its allways a shame to see a park close up. Seems its the sign of the times as people say. Hard to see where a casino atmosphere could be consdered a family atmosphere just cause it has a beach and ocean.
Looks like I am going to have to make a special trip to the pier while I am up in the area next week. I wonder when its closing the doors for good.