Kennywood (KW) Discussion Thread

[FeelTheFORCE]

No, I had on a green shirt that said "US Polo Assn."

[Skycoastin Steve]

I don't know if this has been mentioned here or not, but apparently row 4 (first row of the 2nd car) is restricted to anyone who is over 5'11". I had a friend visit the park yesterday and relay that back to me. Really strange that just one row would have a height restriction like that.

[FeelTheFORCE]

That's false. From what I interpreted from the sign, it's RECOMMENDED anyone over 6'0" sit in the designated rows (as per the sign upon entry to the station), but nothing is required. Anyone can sit anywhere.

Edited July 6, 2010 by FeelTheFORCE

[Skycoastin Steve]

^I trust this guy's story and what he was telling me, and he said he (along with others he saw) was turned away from that row for being too tall. Maybe there's been some inconsistency with enforcement of the rule, but I know he wasn't lying to me.

[Astrojack]

I'm 6'3 and sat in rows 1, 4, and 6. I sat in row 4 during the commerical shoot. I'll have to try and sit in row 4 next time I'm out there. Only thing I noticed while sitting in row 4 on the left side, was how close the headrests from row 3 actually come to you. There's a picture from postgazette that shows this. That's the only reason I can see them limiting row 4 since I had no problems with the restraints.

 

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/images/201006/ds_mag_sky_rocket_2_0623_500.jpg

[FeelTheFORCE]

Perhaps he wasn't "denied," just recommended a different row by a friendly and considerate ride-op, and he mis-interpreted the op's intention? All I do know for sure is that I was there yesterday as well, and rode in row 4 just fine. I'm 6'2", mind you. Ride ops were even attempting to fill all empty rows (when people just stand there at the top of the stairs, instead of walking all the way over), without regard to the size of people, saying that the trains cannot dispatch with empty rows.

[Kennyweird]

Only thing I noticed while sitting in row 4 on the left side, was how close the headrests from row 3 actually come to you. There's a picture from postgazette that shows this. That's the only reason I can see them limiting row 4 since I had no problems with the restraints.

 

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/images/201006/ds_mag_sky_rocket_2_0623_500.jpg

 

That's exactly the reason for the height recommendation. If you're tall enough, Row 3 can actually come back and bonk you in the knees.

[Dailey Enterprizes]

^ I say that's a really serious problem.

 

How long to Kennywood's next lawsuit?

[Astrojack]

I don't think it could hit your knees. If anything, someone in row 3 with their hands up might beable to smack you in the face lol.

 

Edit: Just looked at the pic again, looks like it can hit your knees.

[EastCoastn07]

There is a reason why the park has now put height sticks by the queue gates in rows 3, 4 and 6. I'm not positive if they are denying people over a certain height to those rows, or if its just a precaution so people know that they won't get the most pleasant experience if they ride there. Kennyweird is right though, if you're tall enough the back of car one can tap you in the knee if you're sitting in row 4. I have heard of some tall people experiencing this and the car doesn't "bonk" you in the knee, its more of a love tap, if that. So don't expect to see any lawsuits being placed against Kennywood for this because obviously they give taller people enough warning to NOT sit in those rows.

[Astrojack]

I can understand them restricting row 4, but I hope they don't enforce row 6. Seems like a kiddie coaster when you see those signs.

[Dailey Enterprizes]

^^ I am glad that it's not a hard hit and; of course, I don't want Kennywood to get any lawsuits because of this, but I think it's still unacceptable for this to happen.

 

Also, hypothetically if the Phantom's Revenge had a clearance issue with the Thunderbolt structure and warned people to not put their hands up while going down the second drop or whatever. That leaves a whole lot of margin for error and Kennywood is almost guaranteed a big lawsuit.

 

I am just saying that Kennywood could be sued even if the sign on Sky Rocket says people over 5'11" can't ride row 4 because the ride ops. might miss it and if someone gets hurt the park will still be held liable despite the warning.

 

For the park and rider's sake, I hope they can fix this problem. I guess the warnings are going to have to do for now.

[OKSIRYDOC]

How would you even go about fixing this other than new trains? I don't see any other way of fixing it without replacing the trains on the ride.

[FeelTheFORCE]

I wonder if some modification could be made to lengthen the space between the two cars...maybe making the 'tongue' that connects the two a bit longer? Then again, I'm no engineer, and that's getting to the point where the forces could be altered.

 

I'm hoping to go there again this week, so I'll sit in row 4 again, if I do, and see what happens.

Edited July 12, 2010 by FeelTheFORCE

[rcg19]

Deleted by user

Edited December 29, 2010 by rcg19

[ntweisen]

Sky Rocket is amazing!

[FeelTheFORCE]

Went again this evening for the "Nightrider" ticket, because there was a coupon in the Post-Gazette for a $15 ticket. Lines and crowds were minimal, and I got to ride everything I wanted (except Phantom due to lightning).

 

I know I said this already, but I am still amazed at how smooth Thunderbolt is now.

 

Once again, no one was turned away in the fourth row for Sky Rocket. While I only got one ride, which was in the last row, I did notice a man taller than I (I'm 6'2") queue for row 4, and no one said anything. Like I said before, I think it's only a recommendation, but nothing is required.

 

On a positive note, I really can't get enough of that awesome airtime you experience during the Zero-G roll and corkscrew! Also, I really like the addition of music to Sky Rocket's queue!

Edited July 17, 2010 by FeelTheFORCE

[TDB]

I Put together a little video featuring Sky Rocket, enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6o4oJxgwKE

[PennStater]

Nice video, TDB. lol @ the screaming at the beginning.

[Skycoastin Steve]

Rode Sky Rocket twice today and LOVED it! Both of my rides were in the front row, first wait was about 45, second wait was about 35. There were so many unexpected pops of airtime on that ride, and the top hat/cliffhanger element was nuts! Also, the airtime in the inversions was one of the more bizarre feelings I've had on a coaster. You literally float as if you're going over an airtime hill, but then turn it into a barrel roll. Very, very cool. The ending was a bit meh, but overall the best word to describe it is "fun."

 

Since I'm a coaster enthusiast, I'm bound by contractual obligation to bitch and complain about SOMETHING, so I guess my only complaint would be the train design. Not sure what Premier was thinking, but leg room is minimal and the odd height recommendations for each row are really, really strange. It didn't take away from my experience even a little bit, but as I said, I suppose I should find something negative because it's my duty both as an enthusiast and a member of TPR.

[Reon]

My 2 cents on Sky Rocket....

 

First the positives, and there are alot. Although I only got in 1 front seat ride on my trip (July 5th lines=fail), it was DEFINATELY worth the 1 hour wait. As an airtime enthusiest (remember, I now rate completely differently thanks to Phoenix), I automatically give SR 8/10. PURE FLOATATION ON ALMOST EVERY ELEMENT!!!!! The top hat/cliffhanger/whatever doesnt really have that noticable of a stall to me, but thats mainly because I was too busy concentrating on the fact I pretty much floated from the bottom of the launch to the end of the 90* drop. Then for the rest of the course....some nice ejector in both of the inversions was VERY welcome, and the high speed curves gave some good lats. THe pullout was pretty insane ala Mystery Mine's first verticle drop, and the bunny hills towards the end gave some decent air for what they offered....

 

Now for the negatives. First of all, the surf curves did nothing. A bit nitpicky I know, but compared to all the fun and forces from the rest of the ride, that was a bit of a boring transition. Maybe if it had more speed or substance....Also, I have to agree on the unfortunate restraints. Even though I was relatively unaffected since I'm decently short at 5'8", I could tell that the foot part of the restraints could cause problems for bigger riders, especially with all the INSANE AIRTIME the ride has to offer. My only other gripe is the horrible capacity, espeically coming from a ride operator's point of view. 2 trains with 12 seats each IS doable...the only thing is, you practically HAVE to keep a good interval going to push the line. Since Sky Rocket takes just as long to load as it does for a train to run the full course, this will NOT do....

 

Overall, my verdict is 9/10 for Sky Rocket. The course is extremely fun and forceful, and the only way I could think to make it better is to do something with those horrible surf curves and add some theming/terrain features. Aside from horrible capacity and unfortunate restraints for tall people, SR is a solid addition to Kennywood, and I'd LOVE to see more of these come from Premier. Not sure if its top 10 material since I rate steels randomly, but its definately up there and one of the most fun steel coasters I've been on...

[Skycoastin Steve]

Someone needs to tell the Phantom to chill out.

 

[PennStater]

Hahaha... that was pretty random.

[jedimaster1227]

http://www.wpxi.com/news/24398531/detail.html

 

For about a month, thrill seekers have been clamoring to ride Kennywood's new roller coaster, Sky Rocket, and it hasn't shown any signs of losing popularity.

 

“The line is long every morning when we open, but luckily we're able to get people through pretty quickly,” said public relations manager Jeff Filicko.

 

If you've been on the Sky Rocket, you've probably seen the sign informing taller people to stay off certain rows.

 

Filicko said the ride is fun and safe, but it's not always comfortable for taller riders because they simply don't have enough leg room, and that's why park managers decided to make the fourth row off-limits to anyone over six feet tall.

 

At 6 feet 5 inches, Eric Wietfeld, from Kodiak, Alaska, experienced this first-hand.

 

“It was a little tight. My restraint system was tight, but the seat could have been a little bit bigger, but it was comfortable,” Wietfeld said.

 

Comfort is something the park promises to provide all Kennywood visitors, including Sky Rocket fanatics.

 

“One of the most important features of Sky Rocket is having a coaster that's comfortable that you can ride over and over,” Filicko said.

 

Kennywood said the ride was never shut down as a result of the row changes.

[jausaron09]

Has anyone got the VIP Coaster Pass? I was reading about it, and I'm gonna buy one when I go to Kennywood in two weeks. Any recommendations, whether I should or shouldn't, which one I should get. Just message me.