Dragon Khan

This gives me an idea for a new word filter! ^I was wondering what "C L I C K" would be replaced by on the boards lol. I think I have the answer...

There must be a video of Fabio hit by one on Appollo's Charriot, though...

I have witnessed seagulls killed by MF every year I've been there !

^ The mid-course brake run is an interesting argument... So you mean the ride would "sense" something is wrong even if the malfunction happened after the train has cleared the lift hill ? Just curious and interested in this idea. Coaster trains seem to have MANY MORE contacters / sensors these days. Maybe hitting the first portion of the brake run, a sensor could trigger the brakes on ?

Here's the reality of the situation - it has much less to do with weight or volume, and a LOT more to do with shape and size. As someone who has had to "shove" many people into rides on some of our trips, I can tell you that I've managed to get MANY OMFG HUGE A$$ people onto coasters due to their shape with no problem or safety issues, whereas I've had trouble getting a slightly smaller person, but oddly-shaped into the same ride. Just recently, we had two people who I would NOT consider "large" at all, not fit into Hollywood Dream in Japan, purely because of "shape". So you could potentially have a weight restriction on a ride, and that still wouldn't matter as you could have someone top-heavy enough to fall out. I'm not sure what the answer is, in this case, but I'd have to think there must be some way to measure if a rider isn't the right "shape" to fit a restraint, right? Totally reminding me the debates when Shambhala opened end seemed to refuse riders who were not "that large" indeed

^I absolutely get your point, Chad. BUT... in this case, it would have been the lesser of two evils. And to play the devil's advocate... is there a real difference between weighing and measuring their height ? I know it sounds politically incorrect, but still... if weight and built influence ridership as much as height... why not ? They DO weigh you for Bungee Jumping, for instance

Although accidents are totally unrelated, in its first season, Stampida (PortAventura) ALSO killed a larger rider... (the first drop trim was added just after). I do not remember which party was held responsible back then but I DO remember there was no mechanical failure. I'm deeply saddenned for the family and witnesses. A WHOLE LOT MORE than by upcoming missed crédits. (Doing TPR Texas Midwest)

Something funny: of all the feedback I have about the coaster, a common point seems to emerge: OF COURSE the launch is less intense than before, but everyone agrees to say that once full speed is achieved, the good old forces are present ! And it seems LOTS of people are disorriented and don't know exactly if they're facing downwards or forwards on the "return" (so basically on the launch) and are surprised when reaching the light of the station. If it were not for Texas / Midwest coming, I'd go and try it, but I'll do that after the massive US trip

^Thank you very much. For obscure reasons, now and then, it doesn't work when I try to embed youtube videos.

Stingray anyone ?

The complete POV I talked about in my previous post has now appeared on youtube: Enjoy

FULL POV found on a local newspaper's webpage: http://www.lavenir.net/article/detail.aspx?articleid=DMF20130712_00335321. I cannot embed it since there is no "youtube" link or anything of that kind.

And this on the exact day of European's only Schwarzkopf shuttle loop's resurrection. One more reason to rejoice ours was saved, even if in a less forceful version...

^agreed. Moreover, They regain the title of Belgium's tallest coaster ! LOL. I Wonder, technically speaking, if they could launch the train twice (like an intamin impulse)

Partial reverse POV.(or it's the first shuttle loop that bypasses the backward loop) As expected, it will never be the good old school flywheel, but even if the acceleration is more "progressive", it is achieved on a shorter distance... so I still keep my fingers crossed for some kind of "kick" to it. For those who have already ridden it, howdo you think the public will receive the launch compared to Belgian Anubis's ?

^If you were "old like me" (lol) you would have ridden its first version, Sirocco. Back then in the eighties, they used to launch it quite high (I know one or 2 meters won't do that big of a difference but it was noticeable) and especially, it was not braked to death on the return run... meaning you could go quite high backwards too. To have an idea of what I mean, compare all the shuttle loop videos on youtube. you definitely see différences. Now, I saw the first testing videos and it seems, despite the launch won't be as "forceful", it will nonetheless launch the train a wee bit higher than in its last months of operation. Whatever: Enjoy your day at walibi and I cannot wait to read your impressions !

^ Employees had a one hour "ERT" on it tonight.I don't want to spoil anything unveiling détails here, so I'll let you find and read the short report on the French centralpark forum. Hope you get to ride the front. It was the best seat back then... As for 2015, I would also target THIS specific anniversary year to introduce something massive. I secretely hope Gerstlauer accepted to refurbish Turbine Under the condition Walibi would order a coaster from them too

^Yes, I keep on hearing good things about Wavre these days. It looks as if Compagnie des Alpes is doing well with its parks: Huracan for Bellewaerde, Psyké underground here, Oz'Iris last year... Can we expect more soon ? Anyway I cannot wait to read your report, especially on the launch, which has me antsy...

PUBLIC opening though, is not going to happen until next Saturday (13). Anyone on the forum going there that day ? We might meet up ?

Although it is in French, here is an interesting report / guided tour for pupils, where lots of the "secrets" (special FX and so on) on the new version of the ride are revealed. It comes from Belgian TV channel RTL / TVI and... YES, you'll see the launch... partly. Video Embedded for you. If you want me to translate a specific passage, let me know (with video timing)

Amazing. I use Coasterdynamix which is a billion times easier, yet, you seem able to build huge realistic elements with Knex. I'm impressed !!!

Nice one, although I'm surprised you don't like your Eurofighter more (I love your Norvegian loop). The second one: lemme guess: Maverick / I 305 / HRRR / ...) I love the double inversion too... reminds me of Stormrunner's... I don't want to hijack your thread but since I RARELY build coasters, I'll just post my creation here, feel free to comment !

I'm so glad Walibi dug in their archives and included the 82 commercial featuring Philippe Geluck, as I actually remembered the TV ad but had never been able to find any trace of it, even on my dozens of VHS tapes. Had totally forgotten the actor/TV animator/comics drawer (Google "le Chat" by Geluck, I'm sure some of you know the character) played in it too. I have a huge collection of items on this park (I know it's not the best park in the world but well, it's my home park) and I cannot wait to ride the new version of what I still consider the best coaster at that park. Two détails (from the videos) though: It seems the ride won't start from zero but will be accelerated from 7 (seven) km/h to 85km/h in 3 seconds. I a&ssume they'll use some type of friction Wheel to move the train forward to a point where the LIMS will take the job over. Also: the brakes are now magnetic like the ones used on Intamin drop towers. Not sure if the train will still climb very high up the backwards spike... wait and see.

I guess it's a multi phase project. Latest news: trackwork is starting on May 6th, for a duration of 3 weeks. (They probably hope to have it running for reopening in June) The S&S Spaceshot will reopen too (works on it start on Monday), and the topple tower (also sbno for a while) is testing today ! At least, it seems they're trying to move on with the park. Wait and see...

I will pass on the lawsuit drama, court of appeal and so on, since to cut a story short, the new team is staying at the head of the park, have bought the remaining travelling fair rides, the only exception being the Ferris Wheel (already dismatled and has left the park) The team is now 3 people (previously four but one has finally withdrawn), they are finally keeping the old name but have already shown the redesigned character (waly) and park logo. the most important news today (and it seems to come from the communication staff of the park, and was stated on their Facebook page) ANACONDA IS UNDERGOING A FULL RETRACKING BY GCI next year. If the new team keeps half of their promises, I'll really be happy. Stay tuned !