bert425 Posted July 19, 2018 Share Posted July 19, 2018 It's so weird and ugly I love it? It looks like Drachen Fire re-born and even more crazy and messed up. Good work, Kennywood. I was thinking the same thing!. . . exactly. . . . "it's so weird and ugly, but I kind of love it" HA! Looks .like it is going to go over the walkway by Racer, and do the turnaround over the lake? does that mean the end of the paddleboats? (not that we rode them, but just wondering) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bert425 Posted July 19, 2018 Share Posted July 19, 2018 In all seriousness the ride looks amazing and it's awesome to see something totally unique and innovative. Obviously we can't wait to ride it and the theme won't impact our enjoyment of the ride in any way but like... did it have to be the Steelers? and salt in the wound, it's on the bones of the flume? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sluggo77 Posted July 19, 2018 Share Posted July 19, 2018 This is one of the coolest looking coasters that I’ve seen. Layout looks nuts. Can’t wait to see what other major coasters are going to be announced for 2019. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bill_s Posted July 20, 2018 Share Posted July 20, 2018 I see 2 sure airtime hills in the layout, which is 2 more than most mega loopers. Plus maybe a pop entering the brake run, a stall, and a lot of hangtime potential. It's the most bizarre layout I've seen in a while, that's for sure. I really feel like we're in a period of insane innovation in terms of coaster design. It stands in stark contrast to that period from the early 2000's to about the time RMC showed up when parks opened tons of fun rides, but there wasn't much innovation. Everything followed a pretty standard pattern and started to blend together with the occasional exception of some ridiculous Intamin contraption like Dragster, Maverick or El Toro. Now it seems like everyone's gone crazy and we keep getting new, absolutely insane rides that look nothing like anything we've ever seen before. This is just the latest addition to that already impressive list. It's all really exciting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Married a Canadian Posted July 20, 2018 Share Posted July 20, 2018 Looks like we will be going back to Kennywood sooner rather than later! (which is no bad thing). Great looking ride, and some seriously clever marketing!! They can now allude to the Steelers having a "roller coaster season" whenever they want!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluestreak Posted July 20, 2018 Share Posted July 20, 2018 This is one of the coolest looking coasters that I’ve seen. Layout looks nuts. Can’t wait to see what other major coasters are going to be announced for 2019. This is just the start of what may be a very very interesting 2019 coaster class. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JJLehto Posted July 20, 2018 Share Posted July 20, 2018 Whoa, that looks f-ing sick. Excited to go to KW for the first time this year but now I gotta plan for next year! I guess the layout is kind of wonky and weird, and I love it. Oh and sports will never get in the way of coasters, BUT people better be ready for me to come wearing NY Giants stuff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zand Posted July 20, 2018 Share Posted July 20, 2018 The Buffalo Express for Darien Lake (5 hills that come super close to air time but fall short and never really get there) I was going to mention that it would only be four close airtime hills, but then if you throw in the Brett Hull "No goal" game in the Sabres/Stars Stanley Cup Finals, then you would get five "close to airtime hills." Seriously, this is a great fit for this park and city. I'm on the "Despise the Steelers" bandwagon as well, but it will draw in TONS of fans not only from the city, but from around the country. I just wonder how long Jerruh Jones will take to want a Cowboys themed land at SFOT, or Robert Kraft wanting Tom Brady Land at SFNE? Okay, I think that I just threw up in my mouth a little... Back in the Snyder days, when SFNE tore down the Batman Stunt Show they put in a mini football field with a.......Redskins logo. I get that he owns the Skins but come on... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DBJ Posted July 20, 2018 Share Posted July 20, 2018 Snyder is also the reason behind Johnny Rockets being in SF parks, his equity firm owns that chain. I like the coaster though, looks really cool. The colors of the Steelers work really well for the coaster. However, the name Steel Curtain is odd choice. I know it pays tribute to the Steeler's defense. But a high speed coaster running into a steel curtain? Steel Curtain doesn't exactly imply speed. Also an excellent idea to have an area dedicated to football, adding some new experiences. Looks really good! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robbalvey Posted July 20, 2018 Share Posted July 20, 2018 (edited) One of the designers from Ride Centerline? Ned Hansen? Joe Ahh yes. Joe Draves. Very cool, thanks for sharing! Having that team (Alan Schilke also works at Ride Centerline) behind the design definitely makes me more excited! I purposely didn't "name drop" and mention a full name because I wasn't sure if that was appropriate or not, but I guess it's too late now... My goal was simply to relay information, not brag about who I know. Edited July 20, 2018 by robbalvey Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coasterferg Posted July 20, 2018 Share Posted July 20, 2018 I love it! It's unique. It's creative. It's record-breaking. It's massive. If you ask me there is not much to complain about, maybe the silly name I'm excited for the new innovations that have come out in the last couple of years. For a while it seemed like all the new, creative rides were being sent Asia and Dubai, so it's awesome to see more American parks take some chances on some new concepts. Is it a bit of risk? Of course! But so was RMC taking over the Texas Giant and look how that worked out! This is the creativity I hope to see more of from other parks and manufacturers! Does anyone know what the trains look like? Based on the layout, when I originally watched the video, I was envisioning short trains like S&S is known for. It also has sort of a Takabisha type feel to it so I didn't think it would or could have too long of trains... Anyway, awesome job, Kennywood!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boldikus Posted July 20, 2018 Share Posted July 20, 2018 You're absolutely right. As I was typing I'm like "Ugh I am totally that guy right now!" but its just so long though I just wish there were a few more humps thrown in there. Don't get me wrong, its funky enough that I'm super into it for the wtf factor. I just had a quick chat with the guy who designed the layout and he said not to worry, there will be airtime. I mean, it's the same guy who designed Lightning Run at Kentucky Kingdom so.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark549 Posted July 20, 2018 Share Posted July 20, 2018 One of the designers from Ride Centerline? Ned Hansen? Joe Ahh yes. Joe Draves. Very cool, thanks for sharing! Having that team (Alan Schilke also works at Ride Centerline) behind the design definitely makes me more excited! A couple parts of the ride look similar to RMC segments - the turnaround at the far end of the ride resembles the dive loop on Goliath (SF Chicago), the stall inversion, the final inversion (stall on Twisted Timbers and the Raptors). I'm most intrigued by the big inversions, looks like some sections of straight down 90 degrees. Reminds me of some doodles I did when I first discovered coasters a long time ago. As for football, it will probably boost attendance and perhaps the team is helping to pay for the theming. I'd theme the ride to g-forces, the decline of the nearby steel towns in the area, something like that -- and go bankrupt ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jason Maier Posted July 20, 2018 Share Posted July 20, 2018 So if I ever make a trip to Kennywood, I'll make sure to wear my Baltimore Ravens shirt and ride Steel Curtain (just to be a smart ass ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thesman Posted July 20, 2018 Share Posted July 20, 2018 Looks great so happy for the park!!! but seriously steelers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ytterbiumanalyst Posted July 20, 2018 Share Posted July 20, 2018 Looks pretty neat. I'm not a fan of football, so the surrounding area gets a meh from me. But it looks family friendly and gives non-riders something to do in the area, so definitely better than just a coaster. If football money got them to be able to afford this, then great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThemeParkJunkie51290 Posted July 20, 2018 Share Posted July 20, 2018 This is beyond great news! I'm not into sports, but the overall coaster in my opinion is fantastic! World's tallest inversion at 197 ft . . . TAKE MY MONEY AND KEEP THE RECEIPT!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zburns999 Posted July 20, 2018 Share Posted July 20, 2018 As someone who has spent over six years living in western Pennsylvania (with some of that time being in the Lawrenceville neighborhood of Pittsburgh), I can affirm that the Steelers are not merely a sports team, but rather a semi-deity which envelopes and informs the entirety of the region's culture. As much as I cannot stand the Steelers, I have to say with complete objectivity that no other city has a sports team that means more to its residents than the Steelers do to the city of Pittsburgh. I went through college with Wiz Khalifa's Black and Yellow played incessantly throughout my dorm building as if it were some sort of cultural anthem, which, in fact, it was. I've spent much of the day sharing the news of "The Steel Curtain" with my yinzer friends, who have all reacted with predictable, uniform approval. I have absolutely no doubt that the "Steelers' Country" area will be a monstrous commercial success. As I type this (just a few miles down RT 22 from the Burgh), I'm thinking about the house down the road which dons an obnoxiously huge banner: You're in Steelers' Country! There's no doubt to me that "The Steel Curtain" will become another part of Steelers/Pittsburgh sacred canon, sharing a spot on the list alongside Primanti Bros, Roberto Clemente, the Immaculate Reception, and yes, the Phantom's Revenge. And perhaps that's what makes this announcement somewhat bittersweet. While I'm excited to have an insane-looking, totally whacked-out scream machine installed in one of my many "home parks" (I move around a lot), I can't help but be a little sad that this coaster--by virtue of being freakin' huge and being eponymous of the nation's most famous football franchise--will undoubtedly steel the Phantom's title as Pittsburgh's Roller Coaster. Now, I am in no way predicting Steel Curtain to be better than Phantom's Revenge, although I hope that it is! Rather, I'm pointing out that Phantom's Revenge, besides for being an elite ride, also held local cultural significance (The Steel Phantom is pretty much it's own chapter of Pittsburgh lore). I'll mourn the loss of that significance that will surely come in Steel Curtain's wake. On the same topic, I can't help but be a little disappointed that Kennywood didn't go with a terrain coaster. Ever since they added SkyRocket, I've felt the park's charm die a little bit with each subsequent year's visits (with the exception of the year they brought back the Noah's Ark squishy tongue, which was awesome). While rides like Phantom's Revenge and even Black Widow seem to fit into the park like a glove, SkyRocket still looks like a semi-temporary installation, totally out of character from the rest of the park. I must admit that I'm just a little worried about this garish, black-and-yellow, El Loco-like superstructure sticking up amidst restored buildings and historic wooden coasters. But, like I said, the precedent is kind of already set for this type of in-your-face attraction, anyway. Maybe I just need to get with the times and accept that the park is expanding and evolving in a direction I hadn't foreseen. Anyway, ride looks like complete madness. So, so happy to see something unique, even if I'm still not sure it's the right choice for this particular park. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thrillrider Posted July 20, 2018 Share Posted July 20, 2018 It's ugly, and the name sucks. With that being said, I can't wait to ride this thing. 9 Inversions? I hope the restraints are comfy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
larrygator Posted July 20, 2018 Share Posted July 20, 2018 (edited) Putting aside my disdain for the Steelers, the idea of using a local sports team as essentially an intellectual property for a ride is a brilliant idea and I'm surprised that we don't see it more often, especially since most team names and logos are already extremely conducive to thrill ride names and logos. I'm trying to think of how many direct tie-ins to local sports teams there have been at theme parks in the past, not counting one-off bets. I can't think of any other rides, and the Reds Hall of Fame Grill at Kings Island (a restaurant) is the only other thing that comes to mind. Intimidator? LOL I know some people don't consider stock car racing a sport, but as a non-sporty person I feel like this is similar to that. I'm racking my brain trying to determine any local sports team tie-ins and can't recall any in American Professional sports. The Brooklyns Cyclones and Altoona Curve use their local coasters in their logo. The Intimidator, Mick Doohan and Tony Hawk have all been individual sports icons tied in to coasters. I think this is a perfect tie-in for Kennywood and don't know how many other parks could really pull something like this off with a local pro franchise. In my opinion the Steelers are not going to receive a licensing fee for this deal and I would also be surprised if Kennywood is making the Steelers pay a sponsorship fee. It has the makings of a true symbiotic relationship in which both parties will receive value. Edited July 21, 2018 by larrygator Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thrillrider Posted July 20, 2018 Share Posted July 20, 2018 The only thing that comes to mind is when 2 parks make a wager on a world series, or super bowl for the loser to switch the name of coasters. Top thrill cubster comes to mind. Typically, it's only for a few days before they switch the name back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarolinaJay Posted July 20, 2018 Share Posted July 20, 2018 I could care less about the Steelers theming as I'm not at all into sports, but as for the coaster itself, THAT LOOKS EPIC!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ComeRideWithMe Posted July 20, 2018 Share Posted July 20, 2018 Looks like a fun coaster. I guess I don't have any beef with the Pittstains seeing as I'm a Giants fan, I'd no problem with that theming. I wish they would've named it "Polamalu's Hair" instead though. The track kinda sorta looks like it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DILinator Posted July 20, 2018 Share Posted July 20, 2018 I LOVE Kennywood, and am stoked to see them adding a coaster of this size, and caliber! I've been wanting to take my kids to KW for a couple years now, so it looks like 2019 will definitely be the year! However, the only shame is that I will not be able to add this credit to my count, nor this amazing looking coaster to my experience, because I cannot in good conscience ride anything that has anything to do with the loathsome Stealers! Too bad... In all seriousness though, it makes a ton of sense for it to be tied in with that team, as the city truly does worship them! Hopefully it works out great for KW, as I really do love the park, and not even a giant coaster named after the 3rd worst team in football can change that! Also, as one of the site's resident Drachen Fire lovers, let me just say I immediately noticed the similar lift hill/first inverted drop, and I heartily approve of somebody FINALLY copying that amazing element! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RCjunkie Posted July 20, 2018 Share Posted July 20, 2018 Oh my god, I don't even know what to think right now. On one hand, the ride looks awesome... on the other hand I feel like I have to hate it because it's a Pittsburgh Steelers ride. I hear you! The only thing worse would be a Green Bay Packer coaster at Mount Olympus. At least it is not a Cleveland Browns coaster. That would probably stop on the lift hill 90% of the time or be SBNO within the first year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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