Thom25

You learn something new every day! Never heard of Codzilla. Yes, the restraints do look like the ones on Swat - but Swat doesn't have the laterals that Steel Hawg will or should have.

^ James, enjoy Boston, it's a great town, while I have no clue what Codzilla is. I would recommend the duck boats if you want to do a touristy type thing. If we were going to meet - I'd prefer to meet in your home state of Ohio at Cedar POint.

^ Yes the handles are there and we all ride differently - fair enough. For me - When I first go on a ride, especially if I'm the first person in the WORLD to ride a new attraction - I tend to clap at the end, not hold on.

^ I like your food poisoning example, and would like to call out how negative you come across. In your example, the outbreak is massive - why? ANY food poisoning is a MAJOR problem - even small outbreaks. More importantly to your point. It is NOT the restaurants fault if FDA approved beef caused the problem, OR an unsanitary warehouse. It IS the restaurants fault if it wasn't cooked enough OR an employee did not wash their hands. Would you expect a restaurant to have testing labs to double check someone elses work? WISE is the organization who coordinates students with parks and I would bet dollars to donuts they get a fee for the service. So let's blame the firm paying the fee, and not the firm accepting the fee.

James, the riders were holding onto the restraints in the station, after the brake run. In fact the car wasn't even moving and they were still holding on? The video wasn't that great and I couldn't see where their hands were while on the ride itself. You may want to re-visit the video. Regarding the one and only comment about the ride not being a head banger - call me crazy, but some people - espeically coaster engineers - tend to be biased. I am not about to take the one and only comment I've seen from an actual rider, who could be biased as gospel truth - just like I don't take too seriously the opinion of one man wearing a "prison" orange jumpsuit.

^^ Browntggrr, great response and research. I couldn't agree more that the "blame" needs to fall on more than CF's shoulders, while I'm not even sure there is much "blame" in the first place.

^^ Come on - no need for wise guy replies. The side of your head can EASILY hit the shoulder restraints. Did you see the video of the first rider? Did you notice both riders were holding onto those restraints (possibly to minimize head banging), while the shoulder portion was maybe 3 inches fom the side of their heads. The turns are agressive, so it is more than possible your head will hit more than air imo.

Since we all have different prefferences, I for one am still skepticle. The ride does look agressive, which is a good thing, but I find it hard to believe the restraints eliminate head-banging. Bring on a POV and more opinions, and I may change my position, but I suspect until I ride it and see first hand what it's like - the doubting Thomas in me will win.

Thank you for sharing the video. The ride certainly screams through the course and even up the lift it seems to fly. I think it looks like a lot of head banging, and hope I'm wrong - cause it does look very cool.

^^ Arg, NO, I did not say that. Again, you are implying things to prove your point. What I am saying is that fixing the problem requires capital - and capital expenditures require approval - and sometimes - those unforeseen problems require capital quicker than the capital can be secured. Again, according to the article, the park had a contract with a company to provide houseing. It fell through, so the situation arose. All I am saying is that 6 weeks is not an unreasonable timeframe to solve a problem, and sometimes, yes, it can take even longer. The media attention got the problem solved and that is a VERY good thing. I just think slamming CF over this is unfair to the corporattion - especially - the "victems" themselves said increased mobility (which means a van and more capital $$ due to the different location) would have solved the problem. The living conditions were secondary according to the article - so give the park some slack, thank the media for the assist because the problem got SOLVED and EVERYONE is happy.

Yikes, you scare me. First, the kids did not say they wanted to get away from their crappy living conditions - YOU assumed it. The article said the housing had to be changed at the last minute - that was the unforeseen change - new landlord !! Something KI or CF could not change. They have 50 kids coming and they needed to find new accomodations - for whatever reason. I work for Dunkin' Donuts corporate and have plenty of coffee (thank you). goodnight

^ Oh please. They are identicle if you understand the point. Due to beaurocracy, my check has been incorrect for 6 weeks as the problem works it's way through channels. The students themselves said they did complain, so it is safe to assume that someone within CF knew about and was aware of the problem. WOW - HELLO - Duke Lacross players?? (forget american workers - how about plain ol' Americans?) I don't know what Kool-aid you are drinking - but I undestand how billion dollar companies work (things get "stuck" in middle-management). These "kids" were here through another company (WISE), and mistakes happen. The kids themselves said if they could get around better - things would be "ok". Get off your horse and smell the coffee. Cedar Fair resolved this unforeseen problem promptly and correctly (why are you biased against CF?).

The barrel roll looks like the best part of the ride. I am psyched to see all the brakes, which will help control the speed and potential whip lash. ALL the elements look great and fun - 120 degree first drop? Who needs a dive coaster - why even bother? This concept has tremendous potential in my opinion. I'm not sure this first one will be smooth, but don't think that matters. The next ride or installation can be made smoother - that's an easy fix. Let's hope it reliable most importantly.

^ Yup, maybe, I wish they had video from both sides of the ride. Kracken, are you saying the same thing when you said "That hill then turn after the drop looks like its going to hurt though"? I've watched the video more than a few times and honestly can't tell if this ride will hurt or be a head banger. What strikes me is the speed these empty cars go through the circuit. It reminds me a bit of El Toro testing video, and then when you add an additional 400 - 600 lbs of passengers. This ride could be SWEET. I am finding myself getting a bit concerned this first model could be a bit rough and hoping the unique seats prove me wrong. Bet this ride would ROCK with x-cars.

^ ARG - Did you read the article? First, let me quote - "Jorge says it wouldn't be so bad if the students could just sleep here, and leave to explore the area. But, they can't." So the conditions aren't that diplorable, IF they could travel - which they CAN do now (6 weeks late - granted). I've been to the DR and have seen their average living conditions - I think KI should be more concerned about local building codes, their potential violation with exposed wires, and potential fines. im Regarding the students "options" is this why they secure these positions through WISE? WISE should be their resource to solve these types of issues - and I suspect - again imo - that WISE secured the PR to solve the problem more quickly. I strongly suspect this problem got "stuck" in middle-manement and that's why it took so long to resolve. Bottom line it did get resolved positively - so comments like "take your new coaster and shove it" really push my buttons due to a complete lack of understanding how businesses work. Case in point - just started a new job with a contract. When I got my first check the gross amount was $5k short on a yearly basis ($200/check). I brought it to HR's attention and will have it fully resolved on my 4th check - 2 months late !! Just like the students - better late than never that the problem got solved.

KI has done the right thing acording to the article, while these "kids" can certainly take their complaint to small claims court at no cost.

THANK YOU cheapalcohol - the video certainly exceeded my expectations! I agree the first brake does slow it down more than expected, it almost looks like a "mini dive" coaster, but the pacing looks perfect from the ground. It looks pretty smooth throught the transitions too. Thanks again for the post - can't wait to hear the reviews. Congrats Indiana Beach - looks like a home run at this point.

Please explain how CF or KI can be in "complete control" when they do not own the housing units themselves. Six weeks in my opinion is too long - argreed - it is also possible that this got resolved because the publicity - no arguement there either. I also think it would have gotten resolved or corrected eventually. But this high and mighty attitude using terms like "pathetic" or "indentured servants"??? It appears to me comments like "pathetic" are spoken from people with NO experience running a business of any size. Unfortunate things happen to ALL businesses. What's important is how you respond - and in my opinion -CF and KI did a stand up job.

Wow - did I read the same article? I do not disagree that some exchange students had major problems - but the article did say there are a total of 138 exchange students and 50 (30%) had housing and general living condition issues. I for one, given the source think the majority of exchange students or 70% are doing better than the few that were quoted. More importantly, I think these students saw the free market system and democracy at work. Granted they had a bad 6 week experience, which is probably too long given their agreement with the park - but it also sounds like the park is going to meet all of their expectations - for the remainder of this year AND next !! Isn't that a good thing? People will always make mistakes and the unexpected will always happen - I think it was a slow news day in Cincinatti, with some bias and sour grapes over CF dominance in Ohio thrown into the mix. Bottom line: I am thrilled those student's situation will improve dramatically.

^ of course they know - the question is weather they will share the honest information (and that's highly unlikely imo)

^ Once the ride opens officially they will be able to provide information no doubt. They may know when the state inspector is coming but they can't predict when it will be allowed to open, while the last thing the park would want is people traveling to get there come to find out the ride isn't open. Has anyone seen the ride operating / testing yet?

^ Honestly, I doubt the park would be able to give any good answers to those questions cause I am sure they want the ride open ASAP. I want a video of it testing or opening - I just want to see if it's as bad (rough) as I fear. Hope not, cause it looks cool as sh^t.

Killwise, I'm glad you and coasterguy got on the same page regarding his type. With all do respect, I know you've been a coaster fan for "eons", but you're only 23 years old. I don't know where you did your research in your younger years, you probably focused on the pictures instead of the pictures. I know it must be shocking to hear Werner was involved in so many rides, but look at the bright side. Now you know.

^ yup, so is Steel Hawg opening tomorrow? Have you or anyone seen the ride test yet?

According to the IB blog, they are reporting Steel Hawg will open on July 4th and has been testing for quite some time. http://www.indianabeach.com/blog/ If anyone has any videos of the testing or opening, please share !! Can't wait to see this bad boy in action.