gerstlaueringvar

Had a bit of time at lunch break so I did some very rough calculation. I found this drawing online and it is the 13.5mx9.8mx22m model of the Afterburner. Since there are no cabin dimensions available online, I used my ruler and computer screen to get to a very rough result that the maximum radius of the cabin is about 3.7m. And given that the maximum swing height is 20m at 120°, subtract 1.5m for the platform and clearance between cabin and loading platform height, the total height of the pendulum is around 10.2m. Use the radius and the height for calculation, the absolute lowest point of the pendulum when it's in motion would be around 0.62m (24in) lower than the lowest point when it is stationary. From what I remember, while KMG seats are high off the loading platform, the extra space needed for the structure of the seats definitely makes me feel like 24 inches is way longer than the actual clearance height. Yes, after all these sketchy calculation and inaccuracy, I do think that if the loading platform was raised during the swinging motion, there is a possibility that one of the arms can hit the loading platform. But if you look very closely at the short video when the accident happened, the middle (main) loading platform was lowered. So I'm thinking two possibilities: metal fatigue in the detached arm or the loading platform malfunctioned and was going up as the ride is in motion, and at that moment, the main loading platform reached into the clearance envelope of the pendulum and caused the arm to break off. Edit: Just to clarify, I am still thinking metal fatigue is the more likely cause, I just did the calculation to see if the floor is able to cause a problem. Source: http://home.wxs.nl/~souil002/ab.htm

Give Dan a sugar free cookie to make a wish that the Title Fairy gives Derek a fast pass to his favorite looping coaster where he'll tip off StationMan on the way to email mrt0ad13@aol.com which will magically kick back to Prince Desmond's queue and the ride will be saved.

Yes that video is indeed very graphic. Looks like it's due to metal fatigue?

Awesome pictures! Have a great rest of the trip!

Looking great, the structure of the Zierer is a very nice touch.

Is it? This is completely anecdotal but when we visited in late June it was posting a 150 minute wait which was actually the longest line of any ride in either park (and it seems to have reasonably good capacity). I know a lot of coaster / theme park enthusiasts don't like it because it's mostly screen-based but does the average guest really care? Maybe they do, I'm just surprised to hear that since it seemed to be ridiculously popular when we went. Personally we really enjoyed it, I probably wouldn't have waited 150 minutes for it but aside from Gringots and Forbidden Journey I can't really think of any ride in Orlando I'd wait 150 minutes for. Agreed, I enjoyed Kong for what it is and the general public love that ride.

Coasters are normally fun or exciting to me but Dodonpa is the only one that fits into the category of "terrifying" and I love it for that. Not the most comfortable ride out there but it has the power to make me shiver for a while after the ride ended, that's what I look for from Dodonpa.

Rest In Peace Dragons. Glad I was able to ride it twice each side when I was at IoA this March, I will miss it a lot.

Trust me you didn't miss much, that thing gave me a concussion, worse than the SLC at Lewa for sure.

If the new Pixar Pier looks anything like Tokyo Disney Sea's Toy Story Mania's exterior then I'm pumped about this transformation!

Inside Out: The Emotional Roller Coaster

That's why I make sure I always use my Disney Visa at Universal, the bright red one with a huge Mickey.

Those who love Epcot classics need to know that they will never ever come back. But good thing is, GotG can have a crap ton of cameos that nod to Horizons, Universe of Energy, Wonders of Life, etc while the GotG IP impresses new generation guests and sells merch to make use of the space much better than the outdated current ride. I'm just thinking like this because a rumor is saying it will have a background of or be themed to Peter visiting EPCOT as a kid.

^

I actually have no idea it's still there. Last summer when I went there it wasn't open and hasn't been open for a while, and RCDB lists it as removed. Sorry for the confusion.

Been to the park, got the credits, can't stand it, left after a few hours without riding Lost Coaster and Cornball.

It's actually fantastic that they used a mini Disk'O vehicle on that spinner!

Dodonpa Takabisha Monster Fujiyama Tron Eejanaika Expedition Everest Big Grizzly Mountain Mummy USO Steel Dragon 2000

Outlaw Run Dodonpa Fujiyama Mega-Lite clones Kumba Revenge of the Mummy USO Powder Keg Python in Bamboo Forest Steel Dragon 2000 Montu

Don't forget about Skyline's Sky Warp, at least one has been sold so far. It looks like it uses Raptor or a smaller version of T-Rex track judging from that IAAPA model.

Updated: Herschend: Outlaw Run Cedar Fair: Maverick Independent: Dodonpa Sea World/Busch Gardens: Kumba OCT: Mega-Lite Wanda: Viper Fantawild: Jungle Trailblazer Jinan Disney: TRON Six Flags: Twisted Colossus Chimelong: Parrot Coaster Universal: Revenge of the Mummy USO Fun Spot: White Lightning Sega: Veil of Dark

I hope whatever's replacing Dragons can be at least more about physical set and use screens to elevate the experience. Mummy and Spider-Man are my favorite rides at USO and I'll really look forward to the new ride if it is like a perfect blend of those two. Don't care about Potter or ever will, but I always appreciate a nicely themed attraction.

While Outlaw Run, Maverick, Megalite etc are my favorite coasters, I would choose Big Thunder Mountain if I can only ride it for the rest of mylife. A coaster without theme and story gets old no matter how good it is and I want to make sure my old a$$ can stand the coaster's intensity when I'm 75.

Love Dragons, they are two of the best rides in Orlando. But they don't fit in well with the direction where Universal is going. It's a real shame.

Tron is an awesome coaster that definitely has the wow factor Space Mountain cannot offer. I wish the Magic Kingdom version can figure out the Iocker situation better as it is creates a huge mess in Shanghai (It feels like something Universal does, not WDI) . And please give that thing a longer coaster portion, one more block of coaster would make the experience much much more complete. I really don't give a damn about Tomorrowland Speedway, heck I thought it was called Autopia until earlier today and I've been to MK a few times.