Thom25

The lap bars possibly could have been more ergonomic, but I also think they will soften up a bit over time. I'm sure once Hershey gets their dispatch times better, this will be much less of an issue. I'd also like to point out that Skyrush has been operating well with no real problems for those Intamin nay sayers.

Skyrush is not part of the Hershey fast track program.

Totally forgot about the single rider line! Wasn't that the purpose of the middle staircase? I thought they had one for Skyrush.

I know management is onsite at the ride working on filling those empty seats, while I continue to hear the dispatch times are 3 to 4 between trains. I'm sure this will get worked out, and honestly not surprised to hear given the load/unload process and not being able to pick wing seats. While I haven't seen it first hand, I would bet most if not all of those 9 empty seats are in the middle.

Of course, and I'm sure they are working on it now. It's kind of expected with the ride and operators being new.

Hershey definitely is having some challenges today with the Skyrush queue full and overflowing down the entire new path.

I think the price increase is reasonable, and if the price increase helps reduce the demand, all the better. While some may perceive this as being "money hungry", others like myself view it as maximizing profits. Given the cost today of building a world record coaster and the amount of debt CF has to deal with, I think the whole program is a win win for everyone.

The private group is mostly the Jr. Researchers that won the contest, the ride reviews on facebook can be found here - https://www.facebook.com/groups/Project2012/

Skyrush is not part of the $50 fast lane pass, AND you only get one ride on each of the six rides using the system. The weather this weekend is supposed to 90 and sunny, so I think both days will be PACKED with the opening of the boardwalk and Skyrush.

Saturday, May 26th is the published opening day, which is always subject to change.

That's a good point, and suspect if they do build two, then that will prove CP does care about their coaster count and reputation as America's Roller Coast. The did build Gemini, but understand your point of view and believe they will build 2 proving the coaster wars are alive and well.

I did. Thanks for pointing out the error. At 80 feet, Skyrush's second hill is half the size of Magnums, so it will go over it at a significantly greater speed.

As TXman correctly pointed out, I was comparing Skyrush's size to Magnums' and nothing else. Magnum's second hill is half that of Skyrush, therefore the train on Skyrush will FLY over the second hill producing significant airtime. I am not comparing the two rides, that are 25 years apart in age, and light years apart in design.

I agree we need to see a test run, but the numbers really do speak for themselves. The lift is 19 MPH, with a first drop almost the same as Magnums. The second hill of Skyrush (80 feet) is HALF as tall as Magnums (157 feet) second hill. Then looking at how over-banked and beefy everything else is, only leads me to believe the ride is going to fly throughout the course in a similar fashion to I305. Like the rest of us, I can't wait to see this bad boy in action, but you can mark my words, this will be a world class ride (imho).

LOL - It means that the airtime will / could be "ejector" airtime vs floater. We'll know a lot more when the ride starts testing, but Skyrush really looks to be one of the most intense coasters on the planet, not to mention 2012.

I think you're half right Magnum PA. Since Hershey doesn't take possession of the ride until it passes state inspection, I suspect the full amount did go through Intamin's hands, but as you noted a significant portion of the cost goes to the subcontractors. There has to be one construction manager over seeing the entire project, and suspect that is all managed by Intamin with Hershey's engineers overseeing the process.

With all the changes to SDL, I suspect the ride will need to be tested just as much as Skyrush, so I'm not surprised either.

While I can't speak for Europe, here in the States especially in the 40s and 50s, it was the "danger" factor that actually increased ridership. I suspect that was Thorpe's logic with their PR for Swarm. Of course there are going to be people who hear a story and say "no way.' But even after an injury or death on a ride, there are more people who want to visit the park just to see it, with a good portion riding it to prove they have what it takes. SFNE is my home park and RoS certainly didn't experience a drop in ridership after the incidents.

YES - The red looks GREAT, and I am amazed how fast this and all the other B&M coasters are being constructed. Nice job no doubt.

I couldn't agree more. At first I was a bit disappointed, mostly due to the video. But now thanks to these on-site videos, you can tell this bad boy is build for speed and intensity, while the head and foot chopers are a welcome surprise. I can not wait to ride Skyrush, because at this point, it looks like a world class ride imho.

Considering we're going to be thrown over the top at 19 MPH, I think the first drop will be full of airtime, while with a second hill at only 80 feet, this entire ride should be epic. (Magnum's second hill is 157 feet by way of comparison).

Hershey is planning on opening Skyrush on Saturday, May 26th, which is the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend. Of course this is subject to change, but that's the target date at the moment. Skyrush will not be opening with the park in April, and has a tradition of opening new rides the Saturday of Memorial Day. The park will obviously be very crowded that weekend.

Kunpc1, we picked our I305 seats outside of the station in the plaza. Registration was at 9, Seat selection at 930, Grand opening ceremony was at 950, with our first ride at 10. I can't imagine a more perfect way to do it. All seats for both trains were available so the very fist person in line, could have chosen the first row of the second train.

Assuming Levi is handled like I305, which I participated in. They had it down to a science. You get in line by your bid, approach a board with all three trains, rows, and seats clearly marked, and make your selection. I bid $250 and was in the middle - yet I got 2nd row on train one with Kerry Ernhardt.

It's a GREAT cause and know the park will give you a great experience. I participated in the I305 auction and hope to make this event as well.