FKA 'Playa

ADMIN EDIT: I didn't delete my comments to have you repost them. What an idiot you are. Banned from our site forever.

Because other Master Blasters don't have 170 foot drops. It's not the same.

Exactly. Hell, if I weighed 75 pounds and I could trounce the reservation system...? I'd do it, too. Scoring more than two rides a day as an adult wasn't easy.

^While segments of the ride use Master Blaster's technology, rest assured Verruckt is NOTHING like a Master Blaster. For that matter, I wouldn't say the ride is much like a typical waterslide. It feels more like an extreme sport experience. Whatever happened or however it did, I have to admit that Front Seat Verruckt Kiddies are essentially sandbags. They mighta loved it, volunteered for it, stood in long line--wait, a Sandbag Express Lane of sorts--but that doesn't change what they were.

^Have you watched the TV show that crashing boat scene was selectively culled from? That hill was scrapped and rebuilt entirely. The present hill looks nothing like it. Of course, they explain that in the narrative...

Schlitterbahn's about innovative ideas far beyond mere waterslides. I'd drive six hours each way even before King Kaw or Mighty Mo. Eventually, we started skipping free WoF visits to pay for an extra day at Schlitterbahn. There was nothing to discuss. We just kinda looked at each other and knew what we preferred to do. I'll admit to pointing and laughing at people lined up to ride slides at Schlitterbahn KCK--but that's because I'm a bit of a jerk.

I don't want to speculate about what may or may not have happened. I will say the seatbacks, while lightweight (foam?) are solid and stiff, while the rest of the boat is flexible. An abrupt change in speed for any reason could have forcibly driven the seatbacks into the other riders. That's as far as I'll go with that.

Those two would; smallest rider sits in front. The depth to which an adult is 'couched' in the boat, the height of the seatbacks and the overall intensity and brevity of the experience would still limit any pre-accident observations. None of which diminishes the horror of the aftermath. I'd NEVER want to watch someone else die under any circumstances whatsoever.

As with any record-breaking attraction, there tends to be a group of folks watching BUT the layout of the ride and park would make it very difficult to observe with great detail. I say that recalling my wife's difficulty spotting me during a ride. And I might be easier to spot than some. Short of a zoom lens and lightning reflexes, they're all watching from a distance.

First and foremost, my deepest condolences to the family. I can't imagine how I'd feel if that was one of my daughters. To answer the question: You're weighed at the bottom to ensure your group falls within a minimum/maximum weight range. You're LECTURED while you're still on the ground. No, really. It's a safety spiel for which you're required to answer 'yes' at various junctures. After all, besides the rigors of the ride itself, there's the stairs. If you have a cardiac episode climbing them? They're not going to get to you very quickly. They wanted guests to be aware of every risk they could think of. After the stair climb, you're weighed again to ensure you didn't redistribute your group for extra speed. Smaller kids tend to get more rides than the average adult. Almost as many as they want, if they're clever. If they hang out in the standby line, they're quickly added to underweight groups. My wife and I love Schlitterbahn and Schlitterbahn loves their guests right back. It's something you feel from top to bottom during a visit. While I haven't been swift to return to post-Ferguson Missouri, the missus and I enjoyed Schlitterbahn Galveston Island on her business trip in June, missing Massiv's opening by that much.

Nah. Valleyfair folk have been getting air-pushed from nearly the same height for the last 16 seasons. Windsucker's more of a nervous giggler than a high-thrill ride. Can't speak for the Star Flyers in particular. But yeah.

This gives me a bit more faith. I expected a lot more from KBF/WoF's Windsucker than it delivered. Could have boarded CP's, but the previous ride was anticipointing enough for an Alicia Tyler NewwWWWWP.

Even a 260 foot model would be no taller than Adventureland's. And if they're gonna start copying Iowa, then how 'bout some modern tube slides too...? (Obligatory grumbling re:more than one looping coaster goes here)

Fine, I'll be more specific. What I said about Power Tower's height limited by the location they wanted to erect it--and other areas of the park that aren't limited to 275 feet? Was said by Larry Mackenzie during a Coaster Craze Q&A session. He was the VP & GM before Dave Frazier. He'd know. It wasn't said to me alone, but to all of us. It's fact. It's true. Believe it. But is it true of the Enterprise site? Couldn't tell you. I haven't a clue. He didn't tell us WHERE they could build taller things. And even if they could, it doesn't mean they will. BuuUUUuuut it's possible............................................dot dot dot...........

That's probably the value of the specific permitted construction. My guess: Footings(?), electrical conduit, whatever else I don't know about that goes into the foundation of one of these things. Only question now: How tall? Iowa's already got a 260-footer. There ARE areas in Valleyfair where a 275-foot height limit would not apply. We've been specifically told so by former park executives who'd know. Taller than Power Tower? I'm guessing yes. World-record setting? Couldn't possibly tell you. Would be a great--and not terribly expensive--way to put VF on the map. We'll see!