coasterkid124

Was it an empty train, because if there were people in it, it would be interesting to find out how they got out.

^There is a brake run after the first drop. When the train goes down the first drop, the brakes are open, letting it go through the course. On the way back, the brakes close, and a small transfer segment in front of the brake run switches, and the train is directed into the station.

The assessor's site still has CNL listed as the owner right now. If any unannounced change happens, it's likely we'll see it there first. Records like that are (to my understanding) updated pretty quickly because all money swapping and ownership changes are done by wire.

It could have been a variety of reasons, but most likely because of construction scheduling, and cost. A lot of money has been going into infrastructure, paint, and ride refurbs/repairs in the last few years. It would make more sense to spend a little bit of money on attractions each year, and a little bit on park upgrades. I think there's a very good chance the park will focus on families next season if a water playground and some sort of family flat is added.

For the parks to have large attendance numbers they build new attractions and coasters to attract customers, VF might want to try that for thrill riders once a decade. Amusement parks are like all businesses, they adapt, upgrade or die. Supporting the park like you say doesn't guarantee a new thrill ride at all either. If anything, it reinforces to management that the decisions they are making are OK and to keep on that course. But if attendance were to decline, where would the justification of building a new coaster be? I'm sure that in a few years, VF will at least get something bigger, but if people were to stop renewing passes and visiting, that will be a big problem.

Really hoping to see the proposed Batman coaster. That would be a very great addition to SFGAdv.

They probably do, or at least tarp the motor, but while wood can stop rain or snow, it's not going to be able to stop a wall of water...

If you don't like what the park has to offer, then take your business elsewhere. Don't whine that you have been a "loyal customer" and the park doesn't meet your personal needs. Then once you boycott, don't complain that you didn't get a coaster again, because you refused to visit and support the park. The parks that get coasters are the ones that have a very large attendance base and can pay off the investment quickly.

It was probably a combination of Intamin not realizing the flooding issues that could potentially happen, and Hershey not pointing it out to Intamin. I305 has its lift motor in the exact same place under the lift. This way, the cable can be directly ran up to the lift and through a series of pulleys to make the load "lighter". Each pulley can take half of the weight off of the load. (Example: Skyrush's trains go from 13 tons, to 6.5, to 3.25 with each big pulley) There is also a smaller return motor next to the station, which rewinds the shuttle and cable through the lift IIRC.

Paint protects the rides from rusting. It isn't just a cosmetic thing. A lot of people don't realize that. Saltwater is what eats through everything, but that shouldn't be a worry because Spring Creek is freshwater. If anything, the electronic portions of the rides are what can do the most damage.

x1000 God forbid there be a flood, but if there is, please make Wildcat float away.

What about astroworlds batman coaster? Wasn't it scrapped? Intamin ride. Also IIRC it is sitting in a pile across the street from Darien Lake. You would be correct. It also will be going on its tenth anniversary of sitting there and rotting next year.

Sit in the back. I normally prefer the front on inverts but the line was way longer, back was a walk on. It's forceful. I expected it to be 'eh' was all 'OH F*CK'. That's what is strange. I usually try to ride in the back on any coaster, and I did on GB my most recent visit. Maybe it was just a bad train, or there were a lot of empty seats, but I just didn't get as much of a buzz as I do on Raptor or a Batman clone. I'll definitely give it another shot though. It was a very smooth, enjoyable ride.

Seeing that The Joker is going to be an amazing coaster, and floorless Vortex will be okay-meh, they'll probably wait till 2017 to do it. This way they can get more guests in that year.

Great Bear's first drop does nothing for me. It slowly meanders in the helix and there is no force to the first drop.

robots and computers make other manufactures track??? don't really get that statement. are there like 10 guys that get on each side of some steel and push opposite ways to twist their i box track currently? lol j/k I meant that RMC's team builds all of their coasters on site. An outside construction crew isn't hired to build the coasters, like what is done for other manufacturers. (Example: Martin and Vleminckx build a lot of Intamin's large steel coasters)

With the new, modern water park, the whole Hooks area just looks old and dumpy now. Not even to mention that half of the water features don't work anymore, including the bucket which was the big draw. I wouldn't mind seeing something brighter and new like Hershey has, or what SFA is getting.

Nice trip report! Although it is a bit of a sad ending to what was a great season. Hopefully the park will start releasing some 2016 info soon.

Yeah, it had to be used from somewhere else in the park or it was in storage. It's probably something that will get touch-ups before next year.

SF over Florida has my vote!

Those were likely just temporary markers so that they didn't bump into the pipeline while setting up the fence. It looks a lot better with the metal fencing.

All riders have a push button. The boat where the most riders push the button at the same time "wins the race".

This is going to be a big advantage for RMC. One of the big reasons why they are so limited in projects per year is because they hand build everything,

All of that would just add to the already expensive cost. I would love to try this out. The interactive feature is also pretty cool. Any guesses of the first park to build one?

We can definitely rule out any Topper Track sections because that is prefabricated, not built on site.