Kemah Boardwalk and Bullet Discussion Thread

[GuruGuys]

After being closed for most of the month the latest round of improvements to the Bullet have been finished. The Bullet re-opens tomorrow after having had the track from the second drop, around the lower bay turn, and up to the hill that goes over the entrance queue completely rebuilt.

 

The ride now tracks smooth through 90% of its track, it is fast all the way through the end and doesn't slow down on the last few hills and turns at all. For those who have not ridden it since the past few rounds of maintenance, you are in for a totally different ride. Rerides and ERTing at this point will be extremely tolerable, the shuffling is gone. This is probably the last round of major work we will see for a long time, I think most of the problems are now fixed and the coaster is performing at a level where most will be very happy with.

 

-GG

[Skycoastin Steve]

^Well that's fantastic news! Too bad I already took my Texas trip this past year and probably won't be back any time in the near future.

[astroworldfan1]

Thank God Bullet wasn't damaged in the recent restaurant fires.

[lorddoonga]

I'm curious with the improvements made what the ride time is now? Under 60 secs or still over?

[Jakizle]

Sounds like its time to make another drive down to Kemah.

[angryemobeaver]

I rode Boardwalk Bullet in April of 2008, and I thought it felt fine. Infact it's one of my favorite woodies. I can't even imagine how great it must be now!

[lorddoonga]

Yesterday, it was my goal was to re-ride the Bullet after all the improvements made on it, but I did not get to. From loop 610 to just pass B-8 it was a bottleneck not to mention road construction all the way to League City. Don't forget the 2 separate Oversized Loaded Trucks fighting with the rest of us over lane choice. If you travel through League City the traffic was okay. All together it was a 2 hour trip to get to Kemah. There was like this 1.5 hour wait to ride the Bullet even with both trains operating. The ticket booth line was just as a bad. I headed back home without getting to ride my fun coaster. I have to go back on a non-spring holiday event to enjoy it.

[texcoaster]

Spring break is THE busiest time of year for Kemah Boardwalk.

 

When Bullet was being built, I questioned one of the managers about the looooooooooooooong queue being constructed for a coaster at such a small park. I asked if he thought such a queue would ever get used. His response, "it will during spring break!"

 

That's when I made a mental note never to go during spring break. I'm way too spoiled being able to just walk up and ride with only a one-train wait. Two or maybe three train wait if I want the front seat.

[Jakizle]

I went on Sunday...and the park was pretty quiet! Bullet opened around 12 and all the way up to 4 (when I left) the ride was a walk-on for every row except the front (1 or 2 train wait). They were also running 2 trains, but every time one train stopped on the lift while one crawled back from the brake run...they really need to fix that now, they could do damage to the chain and what not (more on this when I do my PTR). Anyways, it was running super smooth and fast without full trains and there was airtime places there wasn't before...and the 2 big drops in the back seat were completely awesome

[lorddoonga]

It was a beautiful cool windy day at Kemah Boardwalk. I rode Bullet finally, and I was very pleased with the ride! I was impressed how adaptable the trains were able to keep with direction changes and maintain fast momentum throughout the entire ride. The bayturn is superfast, don't blink LOL. The 2 big drops in the back seat were amazing! After that its almost like a magic carpet ride. Even the drop underneath the station was full of speed and airtime! It's an entirely different feeling now; pain free and re-rideable. Enjoy : )

[PKI Jizzman]

It was a beautiful cool windy day at Kemah Boardwalk. I rode Bullet finally, and I was very pleased with the ride! I was impressed how adaptable the trains were able to keep with direction changes and maintain fast momentum throughout the entire ride. The bayturn is superfast, don't blink LOL. The 2 big drops in the back seat were amazing! After that its almost like a magic carpet ride. Even the drop underneath the station was full of speed and airtime! It's an entirely different feeling now; pain free and re-rideable. Enjoy : )

 

Very good to hear, especially coming from an older rider! Our night time ERT was pretty rough, but the morning ERT was very good...I was one of the few who stayed the whole hour! This ride is very unique, and if everything I hear about the improvements are right...then this should be a very good ride.

[Skycoastin Steve]

^^That sounds like just about the worst day ever. Bad traffic and crazy long waits for rides.

Edited March 28, 2010 by Skycoastin Steve

[PKI Jizzman]

^That sounds like just about the worst day ever. Bad traffic and crazy long waits for rides.

 

Actually it took a while for the giant TPR bus to navigate its way to a parking spot in Kemah's crowded marina. Oh yeah the wait times were craaaazy

 

i'm with Luko...I'll never vote to leave a park early!

[GuruGuys]

I went on Sunday...and the park was pretty quiet! Bullet opened around 12 and all the way up to 4 (when I left) the ride was a walk-on for every row except the front (1 or 2 train wait).

 

I showed up the last Sunday of Spring Break last year and it was the same, much slower than the rest of spring break and actually a good time to ride with full trains and little wait.

 

They were also running 2 trains, but every time one train stopped on the lift while one crawled back from the brake run...they really need to fix that now, they could do damage to the chain and what not (more on this when I do my Photo TR).

 

The lift hill shakes pretty bad when the train connects with the lift chain even on one train operation. They'll probably have to look at the timing of the lift chain at some point to minimize this effect. I doubt that the brake issue will be fixed anytime soon, it would require a new magnetic braking system. Kemah is done putting major money into the Bullet for now and the next time they do it will probably go to a final round of track work.

 

Anyways, it was running super smooth and fast without full trains and there was airtime places there wasn't before...and the 2 big drops in the back seat were completely awesome

 

I rode today and agree it is running great. I still love the front seat above the back these days, so much more airtime in places there never used to be. Its nice to see that several months after the major track work it is still running just as smooth as the day they finished that work. It has NEVER held up this well after any of the track reworkings - great news for riders and even better for Kemah Maintenance staff!

 

-GG

[jray21]

Glad to hear it's running pretty smooth. It was pretty rough during the trip last year. I would love to try it again.

[lorddoonga]

I took friends visiting from New York to have a go on the Bullet and they told me it was a way better ride than the Cyclone at Coney Island. They especially enjoyed the degree and speed of the first drop.

[coastercrazy216]

I read somewhere that Tillman wants to expand the rides section of the park. Is this true? If so, what plans are there for new rides?

[astroworldfan1]

Screamscape has reported new rides coming to Kemah Boardwalk this year.

 

www.screamscape.com/html/smaller_parks.htm#KemahBoardwalk

[chadster]

I haven't been to Kemah this year, but a quick check of their website indicates no new rides. Anyone been there yet this year?

[jedimaster1227]

http://www.yourhoustonnews.com/bay_area/news/article_90413878-530a-5f13-8c4f-f8e0f966ae73.html

 

Landry’s, Inc. announced Wednesday that Mark A. Kane has been appointed as the general manager of the Kemah Boardwalk. Kane is responsible for all aspects of business operations of the Kemah Boardwalk which includes 9 branded restaurants, a 53-room boutique hotel, a 424-slip marina, 13 amusement rides, The Beast speed boat attraction, a 117’ yacht, varied retail operations and a variety of theme park style food and beverage, games and attractions. He assumes full profit and loss responsibilities for the unique property, in addition to handling short and long term strategic planning.

 

“Mark is a proven performer with an excellent track record in strategic development, operations and marketing,” said Keith Beitler, senior vice president and chief operating officer for Kemah Boardwalk. “His knowledge of the amusement and theme park hospitality industry blended with his vision and energy makes him a dynamic addition to the Boardwalk.”

 

Kane is a seasoned professional with over 30 years of experience in the amusement and hospitality field. He was previously the President at Six Flags New Jersey Entertainment Complex, owned by Six Flags Entertainment Corp., where he successfully managed the profit and loss performance of the largest property in the Six Flag system, consisting of three world class facilities; Six Flags Great Adventure Theme Park, Wild Safari drive-through Animal Park and Hurricane Harbor Water Park. In this role, he was responsible for the full scope of business management duties; developing and aggressively engaging in strategic initiatives; executing financial disciplines and budget strategies; assembling and developing a well coordinated management team that was rated the company’s best by Six Flags; and with bridging key external relationships to ensure necessary support. Prior to being assigned to the Six Flags New Jersey Entertainment Complex, Kane held various positions within the Six Flags portfolio as well as a stint as the executive vice president and chief operating officer at Skee-Ball, Inc. Kane graduated from Rowan University with a degree in Psychology, is married and has three beautiful daughters.

[Evan1127]

Mark is a great leader. I worked under him at SFNE when he was General Manager. Kemah will certainly benefit with him there.

[boardwalkbullet91507]

Screamscape just reported that the Aviator swing ride has been removed from the park and the possibility for the old Babins to be removed as well for future expansion. However, it was in the best interest of the park to remove the ride after the 'malfunction' as the news called it.

[Whodey]

Question for Houstonians if that is what you call one from Houston. I will be staying downtown on Sunday around noon until Monday early AM and was wondering if it is worth taking the Metro bus to Hobby, renting a car, driving to Galveston pier for the coaster and then to Kemah for the Bullet. It is $20 for the car and 45 minutes each way on the Metro. Then pay $10 to get on the pier, $6 for the ride, $6 for parking at Kemah and finally $6 for one ride on Bullet. Is this worth it for these 2 coasters? I don't have all the money in the world so are they worth the financial and time investment?

[Mrlittle]

Question for Houstonians if that is what you call one from Houston. I will be staying downtown on Sunday around noon until Monday early AM and was wondering if it is worth taking the Metro bus to Hobby, renting a car, driving to Galveston pier for the coaster and then to Kemah for the Bullet. It is $20 for the car and 45 minutes each way on the Metro. Then pay $10 to get on the pier, $6 for the ride, $6 for parking at Kemah and finally $6 for one ride on Bullet. Is this worth it for these 2 coasters? I don't have all the money in the world so are they worth the financial and time investment?

 

Well, if your never going to make it back to the Houston area then I would consider it. Just know from Houston to Galveston is about an hour drive but you can go by Kemah on the return drive. I recently just rode both coasters with in the last week. Bullet needs some work done to it, but its still a good ride. Iron Shark on the other hand is a fun coaster with its location. I would recommend riding Iron Shark at least twice since its a short ride. I mean personally, I like both coasters but I would want more time to do some of the other rides as well.

 

Also as far as parking goes. You can park for free on the seawall but on a Sunday, you will probably have to walk a few blocks. At Kemah, they do have free parking, when you turn right, its over to the left. You just have to ride the boat to get across the canal but it saves you money. They have a couple of signs with Free parking to show you were to park.

[Canobie Coaster]

For anyone who has been to Kemah, is it common for them to close Boardwalk Bullet's line off if it gets too long? That's the reason they're giving for it being closed.

 

Edit- Looks like they were just doing a routine maintenance check. The ride opened and it's really good! Much smoother than I expected with a lot of airtime.