Lift-hill coasters versus launched coasters

[AndyGiles]

I'm a bit worried at the recent trend of launched coasters. They seem to be killing off the traditional lift hill / first drop coasters.

 

I hope that launched coasters don't become the norm. I much prefer the slow travel up the lift hill, the height, and then the amazing first drop.

 

Launch coasters just don't have the same level of anticipation as lift hill coasters. It seems a cheap way to get the trains up to speed too.

 

Don't get me wrong, I do like launched coasters...I just don't want them to take over from traditional ones. One launched coaster in a park is enough.

[thomas2]

I'm a bit worried at the recent trend of launched coasters. They seem to be killing off the traditional lift hill / first drop coasters.

 

I hope that launched coasters don't become the norm. I much prefer the slow travel up the lift hill, the height, and then the amazing first drop.

 

Launch coasters just don't have the same level of anticipation as lift hill coasters. It seems a cheap way to get the trains up to speed too.

 

Don't get me wrong, I do like launched coasters...I just don't want them to take over from traditional ones. One launched coaster in a park is enough.

 

I totally agree with you. I also think launched coaster aren't as good as traditional ones, mainly because

1) they're far shorter then the regulars

2)You mostly don't have an interesting layout on launched coasters, mostly only a hill or two

3) I too think it's an cheap way to get record breaking coasters. IMO an acceleration isn't as fun as an lifthill, but that's just my opinion.

[KBNA777]

What about Mellenium Force style lift hills. I mean they are a kind of hybrid design. Would that be acceptable (I for one hate the "long" lift times).

[dr.gumbo]

I agree, lift hills give more tension than a launch because you go higher and higher an then you race right down the first drop, but on a launch coaster you leave the station and race to full speed in 2 seconds gives you no time to see people muttering and panicing about how they shouldnt of went on

 

EDIT:Forgot to mension how unreliable launchs are (espesially on Rocket coasters)

 

Another EDIT:Also forgot to mension that I like Powder kegs launch because it has a mini lift to take you up to it

 

Powder keg rules

[TheArchfiend]

Plus every other launch coaster has ATLEAST 10 hours of down time for something or other EVERY week of opperation.

 

And the large launch coasters like Ka and TTD, forget about it. I doubt any park would want to build a coaster like that in the near future given their reputation of down time that comes with it.

 

Coasters with lifts are far more enjoyable overall and I don't see them going away, ever.

[ECZenith]

As long as there are B&Ms and wooden coasters there will be chain lifts. Nothing beats the anticipation of climbing a lift hill and reide designers know that.

[Golfie]

Chainlifts will never disappear. First of all, they're MUCH more expensive electricity wise and mantinence wise. Plus, B&M didn't like making Incredible Hulk since they believe that coasters should ALWAYS use a chain lift.

 

Andrew "Don't worry about it!" C.

[viking86]

When you look at the number of coasters with chain lifts opening and compare it to the number of launched coasters opening, theres not really much reason to be concerned. Its just that the launched coasters seems to get most of the attention....

[pkdcoaster]

I think 1 at a park is fine but when it gets ridiculous, like PKD!!!! 4 is WAY too much (5 in the history of the park) Don't get me wrong I would rather have a launched coaster than no coaster but Why all the launches? It is crazy that PKD would have NO prob getting a varience for a tall lift either. I always hear GP at PKD say "I guess they do not build coasters with chains anymore" sure seems that way in central VA, 15 years and counting since our last major coaster with a chainlift! (Hurler)

 

Anyway sorry for the rant, but I too love the lift hills. Although MF's lift is short it is still VERY intimidating cause of its steepness and it is very hard to see the ground at 45 degrees.

 

1 launch at a park is perfect IMO

 

JEFF

[Worm]

^ exactly. The launched coaster just doesn't have the aniticaption of a first drop. Think about it like this. Nitro's drop against Xcelerator's. Nitro's is just far better!

[verticalzero]

I prefer lift hill Coaster to a "LIM" launched one, you can't get excited about being shot over 80mph in 2 sec's down a straight line, while on a chain lift you feel excited and prepare for the drop.

 

I hope LIM coasters do not take over, but this is the type of technology we have created for steel coasters, maybe even wood LIM coasters in a few years time.

 

I bet Prior/Church are not happy to see "Lim" coasters.

[BeemerBoy]

you can't get excited about being shot over 80mph in 2 sec's down a straight line, while on a chain lift you feel excited and prepare for the drop.

 

I beg to differ. Maybe I'm in the minority on this one, but anyone who doesn't at least get mildly excited about being launched that fast probably doesn't have a pulse, and isn't much of a thrillseeker. I'm not saying the rockets are the greatest things around, but for what they are, they do provide a pretty good rush. Right?

[TheArchfiend]

^

Especially the launches on an Aquatrax.

[jamesdillaman]

Launches are fun and all, but they will never replace the chain lift. As stated earlier in this thread: If you look at the new coaster installations, the lift coasters far outnumber the launch coasters.

 

-James Dillaman

[xericx]

launched coasters in my opinion are more of a novelty.sure they can be extremely fun, but given the choice i would much rather have the good old lift hill.it seems like i will reride a coaster with a lift hill 5 times as much as compared to a launched coaster.

 

and from a parks point of view, i dont see why any would want more than one launched coaster due to their reliability.sure, it might be the faster/tallest coaster in the world, but whats the point when its down every other day?

[AndyGiles]

It's good to see so much support for the good old chain lift!

 

As someone mentioned above, another major problem with launched coasters is downtime.

 

Thorpe Park in England is my "home park." Every time I look at the website, it says Stealth is shut.

 

I really don't get the point of building these unreliable coasters if they're going to be shut half the time. It defeats the whole object of having a new ride.

 

If I was a park owner, the last thing I would do is install such an unreliable ride...yet more and more parks keep on getting them. I really can't believe it.

 

Having a launch also seems to be an excuse for not creating a proper layout (again as someone mentioned). Take Stealth as an example. Just imagine a chain lift coaster with a hill, one drop and then back into the station. There would be outrage!!

[ddaver177]

I like the Hulk at IOA. I think that track has a lot of variation. Especially with the cobra over the water and the spray. Also it goes under the bridge. I think it is not fair to say launch coasters lack the ingenuity of the regular lift hill. I like Millenium forces lift hill. It definately is a smooth climb to an unbelievable drop!!

[dr.gumbo]

^ Your right, all most of use (I think) are saying we prefer lift to launch, not that launch is'nt as genuine as a lift, there hasnt been any other type of system to get the cars moving since 1900 so I praise it for that

[yankees15]

For me I prefer launch coasters to ones with lift hills. I just love the feeling you get when you launch down a track at very high speeds in a couple seconds. But no launch coasters will never take over lift hills.

 

2 launch coaster per park would be perfect for me IMO.

[SKULLY]

Honestly I do love launches but you can only do so much with a launch. You can do anything with the drop after the lift.

[IwantRevenge]

Well I prefer Lifts even though they scare the crap out of me, But with a lift you get to enjoy, and apperciate the actual height of the ride rather than being up there for 3 secs.

[coasterdude5]

IMO, as long as coasters are being built, lift-hills will exist. For example, look at wooden coasters, back in the early 90's when alot of steel coasters were being built, people probably said "wooden coasters are becoming extinct", but look today, El Toro, Voyage, etc.

 

Lift hills are gonna be around for a long time.

[SFOGdude25]

Another thing is (and this doesn't apply to every coaster, but still) I love to anticipate the of the initial drop. Like Goliath at SFOG, you get some of the best air in the back.

 

Point being, LIFT HILLS RULE!!!!

[CP_RULES]

I like the Hulk at IOA. I think that track has a lot of variation. Especially with the cobra over the water and the spray. Also it goes under the bridge. I think it is not fair to say launch coasters lack the ingenuity of the regular lift hill. I like Millenium forces lift hill. It definately is a smooth climb to an unbelievable drop!!

 

I dont know about other people, but I really dont think Hulk counts as a launch coaster in this instance. Hulk's layout is pretty much a standard lift hill coaster layout after the launch and zero-g.

 

In contrast to what people have been saying about launch coasters and their lack of anticipation, Id like to put you on TTD for the first time ever and ask you if your nervous right before the launch.

 

-Justin "But nothing beats your standard chain still" Seabaugh

[jamesdillaman]

^^^ People did say that, I remember people saying that wooden coasters were outdated and steel were the coasters of the future. Look at what we have now, everything will even out. A large part of theme park appeal is nostalgia, and everybody likes the coasters that they used to ride with grandpa when they were children, so they want to ride them with their own kids and so on... I don't think you have to worry about the lift hill ever going away.

 

-James Dillaman