VF15 Posted March 17, 2015 Posted March 17, 2015 This may seem like a weird question, but what are some non-ride additions or changes you'd like to see in Valleyfair? For me, I guess I'd like to see some more midway beautification, with more vivid paint on buildings outside of Planet Snoopy, as they feel kind of washed out by comparison. Popcorn lighting in high traffic areas, it's such a nice summery touch. Jumping fountains on select paths for the sheer awesomeness (assuming winter doesn't ruin them). I'd also want to see a large arbor covered in vines on a stretch of path somewhere. I love it when a park has one, it creates a real sense of a gateway from one area to the next. It could make that little stretch going toward Wild Thing feel more wild, or tack it onto the path leading to the tunnel under the access road, and really embrace how it makes the back of the park feel like a different place. On Valleyfair's YouTube channel, only 3 coasters have POVs posted: Steel Venom, Corkscrew, and Renegade. Could the lack of other POVs mean something? You'd expect one up for Wild Thing for sure. Perhaps indicative of potential modifications to the ride (why film it if it's going to get changed?). Excalibur lacking a POV might also indicate it being on the way out...or this could all be nothing. Probably nothing. It would be nice if they repaved the old stretch of pavement at the front of the park (approximately from The Wave to Monster) in a similar fashion to the path near the waterpark. That is really the only bad midway stretch left in the park. Even though this would be considered a ride-related change, I think High Roller and Steel Venom could use a fresh coat of paint because HR looks ugly in some spots, and SV is looking a little bleached. I would say the same thing about the old slides in the waterpark, but I doubt it because those slides will probably be meeting the wrecking ball in a few years. I believe they have filmed a Wild Thing POV because a while ago they tweeted a picture from the top of the lift hill that looks like a POV shot. Not sure why they haven't posted it yet. They probably don't have an Excalibur POV because the other ones look like they were filmed in October (judging by the Haunt decorations and fall foliage), and the Excalibur trains were taken off the track sometime in September.
ariznglori Posted March 17, 2015 Posted March 17, 2015 Well, that explains it! The splash pad is coming along. Not sure what the purpose of those large white tubes is, but they're taller than the artwork led me to believe the splash pad structure would be.
VF15 Posted March 17, 2015 Posted March 17, 2015 (edited) From Dave Frazier's Twitter, the views from the top of the tower. May really needs to come faster . Edited March 18, 2015 by VF15
ariznglori Posted March 17, 2015 Posted March 17, 2015 Nice view of Planet Snoopy from up there! Maybe they'll post a picture looking the other way.
garyman6 Posted March 18, 2015 Posted March 18, 2015 The white supports are for water umbrellas and triangle shade structures.
RCjunkie Posted March 18, 2015 Posted March 18, 2015 Even though this would be considered a ride-related change, I think High Roller and Steel Venom could use a fresh coat of paint because HR looks ugly in some spots, and SV is looking a little bleached. I would say the same thing about the old slides in the waterpark, but I doubt it because those slides will probably be meeting the wrecking ball in a few years. High Roller really does need a fresh coat of paint because it is starting to look 'worn out' (at least the paint) in a lot of area's. After the bad winter last year I was waiting in the line for HR on the opening weekend Saturday and a mother said to her son next to me after he asked about why it looked so bad and she responded, "Due to the long winter they must have not had time to paint it this year.....". As much as I wanted to show off my coaster geekness and tell her that no park has the resources to paint a coaster every year I just bit my lip and kept quiet like I should have. But when the GP starts making comments like that it is time for a paint job. Don't know what the insurance risk would be to the park but I would volunteer my time for free to help paint it if they asked and I could probably find some others to help. SV does need a refresh paint job too because it is fading after 10 plus years in the sun. That will take real painters who know what they are doing though, not nearly as easy as an all white wood coaster.
ariznglori Posted March 18, 2015 Posted March 18, 2015 I could see that stretch of pavement from Monster to The Wave being redone as part of a Planet Snoopy expansion or a coaster addition.
Snowyowl1028 Posted March 18, 2015 Posted March 18, 2015 Even though this would be considered a ride-related change, I think High Roller and Steel Venom could use a fresh coat of paint because HR looks ugly in some spots, and SV is looking a little bleached. I would say the same thing about the old slides in the waterpark, but I doubt it because those slides will probably be meeting the wrecking ball in a few years. High Roller really does need a fresh coat of paint because it is starting to look 'worn out' (at least the paint) in a lot of area's. After the bad winter last year I was waiting in the line for HR on the opening weekend Saturday and a mother said to her son next to me after he asked about why it looked so bad and she responded, "Due to the long winter they must have not had time to paint it this year.....". As much as I wanted to show off my coaster geekness and tell her that no park has the resources to paint a coaster every year I just bit my lip and kept quiet like I should have. But when the GP starts making comments like that it is time for a paint job. Don't know what the insurance risk would be to the park but I would volunteer my time for free to help paint it if they asked and I could probably find some others to help. SV does need a refresh paint job too because it is fading after 10 plus years in the sun. That will take real painters who know what they are doing though, not nearly as easy as an all white wood coaster. I would like to see SV get a new color scheme all together, it isn't too bad but it could be lots better. IMO I would give it black supports with purple track. Also I wasn't a big fan of the color scheme they chose to repaint mad mouse a few years back. My guess would be they wanted to use up the extra orange paint from the corkscrew but I think lime green track with steel venom blue supports is a good color scheme for a wild mouse. I think six flags Mexico has those colors on their wild mouse.
VF15 Posted March 18, 2015 Posted March 18, 2015 ^ Eh, black and purple would seem like a strange color combination for Steel Venom. If I could make any change to Steel Venom, I would remove the straight spike and replace it with another twisting spike, similar to Wicked Twister. I've never been a huge fan of the holding brake because if you're a male, you have to position yourself, or else it isn't a very pleasant moment.
GCI Wooden Posted March 18, 2015 Posted March 18, 2015 ^^Please no, I like how Steel Venom looks, however I'm all for another twisting spike (But I think we need to stay realistic here, I don't think they are going to alter the track of any rides anytime soon)
VF15 Posted March 18, 2015 Posted March 18, 2015 ^ I know they aren't going to alter any of the coasters' track anytime soon, I just think that another twisting spike would be ideal. Drove through Shakopee earlier today and I could see the top of the slide tower from 169; just another sign of how tall it is . Sorry, no pictures.
Snowyowl1028 Posted March 18, 2015 Posted March 18, 2015 Speaking of if we could change a coasters' track, I wish the wild thing had a better drop, and a faster lift hill. I have read many comments of wishing the Wild Thing was better, but tbh, I am happy with the Wild Thing except for those two things. By a better drop I mean I wish it was steeper and looked more intimidating. Sometimes it just looks kind of lame. I would also maybe through an inversion or two on excalibur. After all, it is a steel coaster. I know it won't happen, but i'm just having fun.
dippindotsguy8 Posted March 18, 2015 Posted March 18, 2015 I wish the wild thing had a better drop, and a faster lift hill. . .By a better drop I mean I wish it was steeper and looked more intimidating. Sometimes it just looks kind of lame. I get what you mean, but just be glad you don't have Goliath or Titan's lame, ramp-y drops. In the back rows, WT gives a few nice pops of air going over that drop, but you could take a nap during the drops on the Giovanola hypers (and many others).
Snowyowl1028 Posted March 19, 2015 Posted March 19, 2015 I don't ride in the back of the wild thing, it is unbearably loud, but the renegade is really fun in the back rows.
VF15 Posted March 19, 2015 Posted March 19, 2015 Speaking of if we could change a coasters' track, I wish the wild thing had a better drop, and a faster lift hill. I have read many comments of wishing the Wild Thing was better, but tbh, I am happy with the Wild Thing except for those two things. By a better drop I mean I wish it was steeper and looked more intimidating. Sometimes it just looks kind of lame. I would also maybe through an inversion or two on excalibur. After all, it is a steel coaster. I know it won't happen, but i'm just having fun. Inversions on Excalibur? Be careful what you wish for .
GCI Wooden Posted March 19, 2015 Posted March 19, 2015 I don't ride in the back of the wild thing, it is unbearably loud, but the renegade is really fun in the back rows. Wait, Wild Thing is too loud but Renegade is no problem? I'm confused. Also, Wild Thing doesn't need new trains or modified track, people are generally happy when they get off, so it's doing its job. This is starting to sound like the Darien Lake thread. Quoted for truth.
Snowyowl1028 Posted March 19, 2015 Posted March 19, 2015 Also, Wild Thing doesn't need new trains or modified track, people are generally happy when they get off, so it's doing its job. I agree these things don't need to happen WT is an awesome ride, but I think we were just talking about possible improvements. I get kind of tired of reading coaster enthusiasts saying if it isn't Intimidator305 then it's forceless. WT is awesome. Shooting up the first few hills is really intense.
ariznglori Posted March 19, 2015 Posted March 19, 2015 I am a huge fan of the holding brake on Steel Venom! It's the only ride in the park that made me fear for my life. A better lift on Wild Thing is a great idea. I'd dig Wild Thing a lot more if it clipped up that lift hill at a more aggressive pace. There's something about fast lifts that intimidate and make you go "Uh oh, it's fast! Am I really ready for this?!" Of course I'd like new trains to go with that fancy new lift system And maybe reprofile the bunny hills at the end to induce more airtime... Then install a modern brake system at the end so the MCBR can go away forever and the ride can live up to its name...ah, these castles in the sky...
Snowyowl1028 Posted March 19, 2015 Posted March 19, 2015 The first time I rode steel venom I was 8 and it was a fairly new ride. I was not expecting the holding brake and when it happen I almost peed myself. I was already terrified of the fast launches, so that was icing on the cake. I would prefer the holding brake to another twisting spike.
garyman6 Posted March 19, 2015 Posted March 19, 2015 I completely agree that the holding brake is awesome! There are only a few impulse coasters in existence and im not sure if any of the others still have the holding brake. Some, like wicked twisted weren't designed with a holding brake at all! This makes our SV quite unique! Plus I'm all for a paint refresh, it could really use it. On another note, the soak city expansion looks like it has been kicked into high gear!
VF15 Posted March 19, 2015 Posted March 19, 2015 ^ Possessed at Dorney Park is the only other impulse coaster that uses a holding brake. Vertical Velocity at SFGAm no longer uses its holding brake due to maintenance issues.
RCjunkie Posted March 19, 2015 Posted March 19, 2015 A photo from GM Dave's Twitter account that shows the new pathway by Mad Mouse. This is going to help so much with pedestrian traffic during busy days. New path for the sidewalk by Mad Mouse and the water park.
ariznglori Posted March 19, 2015 Posted March 19, 2015 They really will need it if the slides draw the crowds they seem to be expecting! People will be swarming the waterpark.
grsupercity Posted March 19, 2015 Posted March 19, 2015 ^Possessed at Dorney Park is the only other impulse coaster that uses a holding brake. Vertical Velocity at SFGAm no longer uses its holding brake due to maintenance issues. But about the one at sfdk?
DJeXeL Posted March 19, 2015 Posted March 19, 2015 No. LIM holding break on V2 hasn't worked in about 8 years.
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