sfmman2000

CF uploaded a nice, lengthy testing video on YouTube yesterday: [youtu_be] [/youtu_be]

Undertow is testing with live riders! I don't have proof... you'll have to trust me on this one

^ We can only hope! It is nice to see the ride running at full speed. SCBB doesn't exactly design their ride stations for capacity, but I think the main variable is each individual operator and how efficiently they are able to work (at least that's how it was when I worked there).

Undertow testing video via Screamscape from Patch: http://santacruz.patch.com/groups/around-town/p/first-look-at-new-undertow-roller-coaster-at-santa-cruz-beach-boardwalk Edit: More below http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eHWplaXzmyA

Here's a sign they have up near Undertow:

^ The roughness of Giant Dipper can often depend on where you sit and what train you're on. In addition, they have often just rehabbed one train or the other, and whichever train that is can run noticeably slower. I've alway found that the smoothest ride is in the front of each car (plus, you get more legroom!).

Pictures or videos would be nice.. but not because we don't believe you! Only because it would be great to see the ride operating.

I think there are a variety of reasons why a more unique roller coaster would have been great for us enthusiasts, but wouldn't make good business sense. Others have already made some good points, so I'll just add a little bit... To the GP, whether the Boardwalk put in Undertow, or a more thrilling Euro-Fighter or El Loco type rider really makes no difference (and from what I've heard, the SC-2000 is plenty thrilling). All the average guest sees is a shiny new wild mouse roller coaster. And for many who grew up at the Boardwalk, that is enough to bring them to the park due to the nostalgia of the old wild mouse from 1958 - 1976. I believe Undertow is the biggest roller coaster the Boardwalk could have put on the deck without making major modifications or getting flack from the city and its residents. The fact that Undertow is exactly the same height as Hurricane (50 feet) is really to the Boardwalk's benefit. Anything taller and I believe the park would have to go through approvals from the city and state. Undertow may be somewhat of a letdown if you look at it from point of view that it "could have been more." But at this point, with the slowdown in new rides at the park over the past 10 years, I think we should be happy that the Boardwalk is getting a new roller coaster at all (and I know many of us are).

The Boardwalk on a weekday in the daytime should leave you plenty of time to ride whatever you want multiple times. After 5pm, it becomes Pepsi discount night, where you can bring a Pepsi can and get a wristband for $12.95. The lines can get quite long once 5pm hits (full queue for Giant Dipper, etc.) so I don't recommend coming only during this time if you don't go to the Boardwalk often. For flat rides, make sure to check out Fireball. It runs a great cycle (not typical). Also, Rock-O-Plane is not to miss. Wipeout is also a flat ride you can only find at the Boardwalk... highly recommended. Also, Fright Walk is a great walk-through haunted house, and is really well done and unique to the Boardwalk. Enjoy!

To put it lightly, IMO... It's great reading trip reports from first timers at CP. I'm from California, and have been to CP twice in the past 10 years. Having been used to parks like SFMM, CP has a wildly different atmosphere and overall vibe. I can't wait to go back. I agree with you on nearly all ride ratings. The one rating that surprised me was Blue Streak. I was last on in 2007, and remember really enjoying it. Smooth...lots of airtime. Sounds like it's changed a lot.

Looks like Chaos. You can also spot Bermuda Triangle (a scrambler), where Cliffhanger is now. I can't seem to think of a mounted POV being filmed since the 90s either. I know the Boardwalk has a very strict filming policy on the Giant Dipper. A coaster mechanic must be present while any filming is done. Though I imagine that when NYT asked to film the ride, the Boardwalk was happy to accommodate them any way possible...

On a bit of a different subject, a great mounted POV of Giant Dipper was posted on the New York Times website. http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2013/08/01/travel/roller-coasters.html I'm really impressed with the whole article, actually. Every ride shown has a POV video and the writing doesn't have a lot of the "fluff" that usually comes along when the media talks about roller coasters.

A great video popped up on YouTube that really helps put the removal of the Astrotower into perspective. The video summary also provides some great information about the history of the Astrotower and how Coney Island might not exist the way it is today if it weren't for the Astrotower being built.

Grabbed it. I think misleading and sensational sums it up...

The rumor is that Undertow opening has been pushed back to late August.

Considering that the Boardwalk opens a new roller coaster every 20 years, I give them a little more slack than SFMM for the late opening Here's an article from the Santa Cruz Sentinel a few days ago (6/27/2013) about the progress of Undertow: http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/localnews/ci_23555706/new-undertow-roller-coaster-nearly-ready-action-at

I don't think they've even started testing yet

I don't know, but I doubt it will come back. There's no room.

Here's a quick update from the Boardwalk this Sunday (6/2/2013). Undertow appears to have one (covered) car in the station. Beach Swing is on-site. Anyone know who makes this ride? Jet Copters is returning to its previous area on the deck. Its queue line was being assembled today as I took the pictures. They must want to open the ride as soon as possible. There is also a climbing wall on the deck, where Starfish used to be.

^That makes sense. As far as I know, the track itself is fully installed. I would bet that the extra time from now until opening might have to do work relating to the ride's position on the Boardwalk's upper deck. I know that there was more work than initially thought with preparing the site before track was lifted. I would imagine there will be more challenges relating to the ride's location. More things that come to mind include DOSH certification (Maurer's first ride in California?), building the station, queue, and fences. Also testing, training, and putting other rides on the upper deck.

Word is that Unertow won't be open until late June — early July.

Random guy must have a great visual memory!

^ Thanks for the update. Great pictures! Did they say what kind of ride Beach Swing is? The only ride that comes to mind is S&S's Jungle Swing: http://www.engineeringexcitement.com/rides/kiddie-rides/junior-swing But I'm probably way off...

A few pictures from Day 1 of the Gold Striker shoot. An overall excellent ride.

Here are a few pictures from this Sunday of Undertow construction and the Cyclone replacement. Not much room for other rides on the Hurricane deck. Especially once the station gets installed, I can see there not being any extra space for rides like there used to be. Cyclone's replacement, which according to the ride plaque is still a Zero Gravity. Although it appears to be the smaller version of the Zero Gravity. Which begs the question: why did they replace the ride in the first place? I think there's more to this story.