Pointless new attractions

[KGA29]

Ricochet (what other wildmouse coaster begins with a fifty foot drop?) and the Shockwave , the last stand-up coaster of its kind?

 

Well I know for a fact that there are more wild mouses that do that than you might think. Here's a link showing all of them: http://rcdb.com/ir.htm?model=90

 

As for Shockwave being the last of its kind, you're wrong again. It's the only one in the U.S., but there is one in Canada (Canada's Wonderland) and 4 in Japan still running.

 

Back on topic, I think Zonga at SFMW (at the time) was very pointless. It ran for maybe a year with one train and a half a year with 2. Then it was demolished. Another pointless addition IMO is Firefall this year at CGA. Unless they can keep the water and fire effects going (which I doubt), then it will just turn into a Voodoo an hour down the road.

[coolhandluke]

I don't...even know if the new coaster will be a boomerang at all.

When you say "Boomerang", do you mean "Dominator, the biggest floorless coaster in the world"? I don't think you'll need to worry about maintenance, capacity, rideability, individuality, or any other "-ity" when you're getting a coaster as good as Dominator.

Here's the thread, with ever-updating construction photos for your viewing pleasure: http://www.themeparkreview.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=39559&highlight=dominator

Also, as already mentioned a while ago, Wicked Twister was built to one-up Superman: Ultimate Escape (was it "escape"?) at Six Flags WoA, before CF bought it out. So it added to their arsenal, took the spotlight away from the smaller one at their competitor, took up almost no room, and, at $9 mil, wasn't too expensive for a fun, unique ride. It also holds the record for only inverted coaster to top 200 ft...more good marketing.

[Jekoon]

Well, speaking about my home park of KINGS DOMINION, I believe the act of removing Hypersonic XLC and replacing with another Boomerang coaster is pointless. I'm sure there are many reasons Cedar Fair is doing this (low rider queuing and high maintencing), but to replace it with another coaster that almost every park has got to be insulting.

 

Yeah, my thoughts exactly. I hope they don't replace the XLC with a Boomerang or that would be pointless.

[DBru]

I think it would be pointless to move it to KD, because many other park's could use it...

 

Though I don't think Hypersonic (at the time) was pointless, because it brought a LOT of attention to the park. Plus, they didn't know the ride was going to be a POS.

[Skramp]

I'm not sure what to think about this thread after reading through it. While I agree that we may not be in favor of what parks are adding. We may deem it "pointless" but the fact is that adding a new attraction will draw in people regardless.

 

I don't agree with adding exact clones at different parks throughout a chain, but you give people in different geographical areas the chance to ride a coaster they read about.

 

I think it's pointless to come on here and bitch about something at your home park because you don't like it or don't think it's cool. What you might not like, hundreds of others might.

 

The only thing I could see as pointless would be if a park adding an exact clone of something that was already in their park. Say adding another Raptor to CP. That would be pointless. If you add a coaster that has a great capacity (Scream) or something new to draw people (Tomb Raider:KI), it is pure marketing, meant to draw in people, which in fact it did/does. As much as we may hate the additions, they do their intended purpose.

 

Now, I agree that some park's planning methods are a bit confusing? Like why did CP take out almost all the water rides? Obviously so that on hot summer days they can make the extra money by charging for admission to Soak City, but then again that is a marketing move. Let's face it, whether we agree or not, there are mostly financial reasons behind all the moves parks make. We may not like it, but then again we aren't in control of multi-million dollar corporations who are in this game to make money over please enthusiasts.

[coolhandluke]

What Boomerang are we talking about being moved to KD?? And when? They're getting an amazing coaster in Dominator next year...I have never heard of a Boomerang before this thread. What is going on?

[Jim1013]

Going back a few years - I'd have to say the Knotts 90s strikeouts, count 'em: 3 in a row.

 

Mystery Lodge

(wait three years)

Jaguar!

Windjammer

 

I hate a lot of what Cedar Fair has done, but the Knotts' had terrible taste in rides.

[Swimace]

^ I agree with the first and the last, but I don't think Jaguar is a terrible ride. It's a really good family coaster. Sure, it's certainly not very thrilling, but it's something that everybody can go on regardless of whether their a big thrill seeker or someone who prefers milder attractions.

[palmerleeberry]

First, I want to thank KGA29 for straighten me out on a few coasters from my last post.

 

Secondly, I think I should better explain to coolhandluke when he asked:

When you say "Boomerang", do you mean "Dominator, the biggest floorless coaster in the world"?

 

No, I didn't mean the Dominator. What I meant was the exact site that the Hypersonic XLC once stood will be the same site of Kings Dominion's newest coaster to debut next season (2009). I'm looking forward to ride the Dominator this season and I don't see this floorless coaster pointless. I was just mentioning the fact that Kings Dominion is getting rid of an awesome launch coaster and replacing (in its place) a coaster that almost every park has (I have no qualms about riding the Boomerang coasters; in fact, I love to ride in the back seats).

 

And finally, I shall repeat what I said:

 

But I hoping for the best that the new attraction that replaces Hypersonic XLC would be deemed worthy and not pointless.

[arrowfanman]

Going back a few years - I'd have to say the Knotts 90s strikeouts, count 'em: 3 in a row.

 

Mystery Lodge

(wait three years)

Jaguar!

Windjammer

 

I hate a lot of what Cedar Fair has done, but the Knotts' had terrible taste in rides.

 

 

I'd also personally add Sierra Sidewinder to that list. The ride literally went up without a peep from the park. The only advertising I saw was two billboards with a scary little girl on them! Just building a boring coaster and not letting anybody know about it--yeah, pretty pointless.

 

-Jahan

[Jew]

^To be fair, Sierra Sidewinder is something SFMM could really use! It's a nice family coaster that is sometimes fun for us coaster dorks if you get it to spin a lot (unless your name is Elissa). But I agree it was marketed terribly, so it probably didn't have the impact it could have.

[bspellx5]

Wiggles World coming to Great Escape this year. Great Escape doesn't have one flat ride that isnt a kiddie or family ride.Last year they got rid of the only semi-thrilling ride they had left, The Rainbow, because of maintanance issues. It seems like Huss Rainbows have a bad rep for maintance problems.

[Nemesis Inferno]

Dunno about Sierra Sidewinder being THAT bad an addition, was the busiest ride when I went last year...

 

Obviously I dunno what it's like now but hey...

 

Over in Blighty, renovating Bubblesworks was pointless and annoying, and mainly comes about through wanting more money to help spend repairing it rather than working hard to get the money to repair it AND keeping the ducks out...

[DBru]

^^I have to say, I feel your sympathy! The Great Escape is really lacking in the thrills department, so I can see why you'd think the kids section is pointless...

[Coasterlvr_nc]

The Yo-Yo at carowinds by far. A few years back we had a whirling dervish in the exact same location, it had much better capacity, it was visually appealing, and IMO it fit in nicely where it was.

[bspellx5]

^Yeah. Great Escape doesn't have ANYTHING thrilling in terms of flat rides, and the only "good" ride is the Comet. And yet they continue to say how they have something for everyone there, when that is clearly not true. Six Flags advertises Wiggles World as being a "family" area. I don't know how Wiggles World could ever be considered anything but a kiddie area, your not going to see entire familys riding the 2[!] rides there.

 

I think Shapiros view of family areas is way off from the truth. Thomas Town and Wiggles World are KIDS areas, not family areas. If you go into those, do you see entire families riding the rides together, and all having fun?

[coolhandluke]

Secondly, I think I should better explain to coolhandluke...

 

No, I didn't mean the Dominator. What I meant was the exact site that the Hypersonic XLC once stood will be the same site of Kings Dominion's newest coaster to debut next season (2009). I'm looking forward to ride the Dominator this season and I don't see this floorless coaster pointless. I was just mentioning the fact that Kings Dominion is getting rid of an awesome launch coaster and replacing (in its place) a coaster that almost every park has (I have no qualms about riding the Boomerang coasters; in fact, I love to ride in the back seats).

Ah, that does clarify things. I had not even heard of a ride filling in Hyper's location. Ok, then I can see what you mean.

 

On topic, I'm still a little confused with CP's brand-new kids' area. Why not refurbish/retheme/clean up the existing ones? A lot of the rides going into Planet Snoopy are repeats. Now that's not as big a deal as putting in big cloned flats, but I'm still not sure about it.

 

And putting in the new kids' area when they're already out of room for more coasters! Now they're REALLY out of room.

 

[King of Ka]

^If only they had some big, boring waste of space they could demolish to make room....

[coolhandluke]

^In addition to the "older steel roller coaster" they are alleged to be removing for 2009? Oh, wait, you must be referring to that, as they don't have an excessively large woodie with a massive footprint, is trimmed to death, and a 3-minute waste of time...

[astroworldfan1]

^Yeah. Great Escape doesn't have ANYTHING thrilling in terms of flat rides, and the only "good" ride is the Comet.

 

Well, Great Escape is getting the SLC from Astroworld. I don't know if getting a SLC is a good thing or a bad thing.

 

Thomas Town. Shapiro is going over board with Thomas Town.

 

Nuff' said.

 

-Tatum

[sfotkid]

Well, Great Escape is getting the SLC from Astroworld. I don't know if getting a SLC is a good thing or a bad thing

 

Bad, very very bad, This makes me glad that SFOT doesnt have room for a SLC.

[astroworldfan1]

Well, Great Escape is getting the SLC from Astroworld. I don't know if getting a SLC is a good thing or a bad thing

 

Bad, very very bad, This makes me glad that SFOT doesnt have room for a SLC.

 

Cedar Point didn't have room for the million coasters they added. They made room. This should say something. But, I doubt SFoT would get a SLC.

 

-Tatum

[DBru]

If SFOT were to get an SLC, that would be THE MOST POINTLESS attraction to EVER be added to an amusement park!

 

Now, if SFKK added a B&M invert, it wouldn't be so pointless, but for SFOT to add an SLC (when the already have a B&M)...

[Swimace]

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. I'm sure Universal will pull it off right, but it just seems late.

 

I think that's a good point about the timing of it all. It will be interesting to see how much staying power the Harry Potter name will have after the movies are finished, but I would imagine that Harry Potter will be a popular brand for a long while to come.

[Swimace]

I can't wait to see the finished product, but I'm even happier that the competition from Potter is causing everyone else in Florida to step up their game. Islands of Adventure may not be adding any coaster, but Florida as whole sure will be.