TyRush Posted March 27, 2013 Share Posted March 27, 2013 ^Lightning Racer has a sloped station as well. Its so you dont need a transport device. I think most GCI's have this Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fat-G Posted March 27, 2013 Share Posted March 27, 2013 Almost every single roller coaster without transport devices has an angled station. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XYZ Posted March 27, 2013 Share Posted March 27, 2013 Demon & Grizzly both have "crooked" stations. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coasterfreak101 Posted March 27, 2013 Share Posted March 27, 2013 It's more or less a wooden coaster thing. Steel coasters usually use kicker wheels in the station to roll a train out (older ones like Arrows and Vekomas being the exception, while wooden ones don't and so instead they have sloped stations (and brake runs, for that matter) that allow the train to overcome the friction acting on it and roll forward without any mechanical help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Double0Kevin Posted March 27, 2013 Share Posted March 27, 2013 Yeah, GCI doesn't use drive tires so their stations are tilted to allow the train to roll through. It's the same with Roar at SFDK. Take a look next time, it's really noticeable actually. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Peck Posted March 28, 2013 Share Posted March 28, 2013 Gravity is free, I don't see why more manufacturers take advantage of it instead of designing it with thousands of dollars worth of drive wheels. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArundelHigh Coasters Posted March 28, 2013 Share Posted March 28, 2013 ^At least we aren't talking about ghosts again (like we did back in December 2011 ) Ok, ok...are my eyes really deceiving me? The station looks crooked! Well, the floor anyway Initially I was thinking this was the start of a ramp but it's too mild and would require several switchbacks if kept at that grade...and it isn't protruding out the side. I know that the track will have a slight slope but didn't really think about the floor being sloped as well, and not that steep of a slope for a platform. Maybe it's just sinking...moving on! OMG!!!, CGA is actually giving a coaster a roofed station . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jray21 Posted March 28, 2013 Share Posted March 28, 2013 The picture of the tunnel looks really cool! Really liking all of the progress, only a little while left! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JJnCFL Posted March 28, 2013 Share Posted March 28, 2013 Another delicious pic courtesy of Ryan Davies! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wes Posted March 28, 2013 Share Posted March 28, 2013 .. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angry_Gumball Posted March 28, 2013 Share Posted March 28, 2013 Yummy, sexy GCI curvy hotness! And look at the carousel souvenirs shop, some new paint! When I saw this pic last night I literally stared at it for a good 5 minutes just in a daze, and looking at everything around the coaster such as the queue, fencing, etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TyRush Posted March 28, 2013 Share Posted March 28, 2013 mmmmmm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angry_Gumball Posted March 29, 2013 Share Posted March 29, 2013 Instagram stalking...check out what's in the background! Apparently Star Tower received some new signage...we'll have to update the TPR index with the ride's new sign after tomorrow On the topic of signage.... This will go over Gold Striker's queue entrance. Photo from CGA's Facebook Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swornenemy Posted March 29, 2013 Share Posted March 29, 2013 We have a sign! *edit* guess I should have scrolled down first Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JJnCFL Posted March 29, 2013 Share Posted March 29, 2013 What a STRIKING sign! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XYZ Posted March 29, 2013 Share Posted March 29, 2013 The sign looks great. It really pops out! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tmcdllr Posted March 29, 2013 Share Posted March 29, 2013 I thought these were cool, maybe you've seen them, maybe not..... Top 8 new roller coasters for 2013 #6 Gold Striker at California’s Great America (Santa Clara, California) The drought is over. Fans of California’s Great America can rejoice as they’re about to receive their first new roller coaster in more than a decade! For a regional theme park that’s seen more notable removals than additions, I’d imagine that anything new would be welcomed. Thankfully, the park will get more than just something new with a Great Coasters International woodie in Gold Striker. The ride will have an interesting layout that’ll include a 103-foot first drop that’ll wrap around the park’s observation tower. And, it was recently announced that this first drop will be covered to the point of offering complete darkness. Why You Should Be Excited – The West Coast is not known for its wooden roller coasters. In fact, while California can lay claim to the having the most roller coasters, it has fewer wooden coasters than states like Ohio and Pennsylvania. And, the state’s been home to some of the lowest rated woodies in coaster polls. So, a quality ride like this is good news for left coast. Gold Striker looks like a fun twister that should provide a smooth ride (at least for a while). Its course includes a station fly-by which is always a good element to keep the energy in the station up, with regular reminders of the excitement to come. Lastly, as I’ve said on many occasions, I’m a sucker for a tunnel. So, news of that covered first drop may have actually moved this ride up a on the list. Gold Striker's record Setting Tunnel Rejoice! California’s Great America is adding their first new large roller coaster since 2000. Gold Striker looks to be an exciting wooden roller coaster from Great Coasters International. The ride’s layout already included a swooping first drop that wraps around the Star Tower. Now, that drop will be completely covered thus producing (queue the superlative!), “the World’s longest covered initial descent tunnel on a wooden coaster.” I’ll give 10 points to someone that can name another covered initial descent on a wooden coaster, besides Knott’s Berry Farms’ Ghostrider. None come to mind for me. I just wonder how long they researched that one just to confirm it was the longest. Okay. Kidding aside, I like this new element. While some argue that the tunnel might have been a new requirement to reduce noise rather than some new innovative addition, I don’t care. I love tunnels! If I had it my way, there’d be at least one on most rides. Several of my all-time favorite coaster moments have occurred on tunnels. The Beast’s helix/tunnel finale, The Voyage’s insane triple down in the dark, and Hades wall-climbing hysteria come to mind. Plus, Great America has mentioned that they’re working to theme the tunnel to fit the ride and make it look like a mine shaft. Read the official press release: Gold Striker Coaster Now Includes Record Tunnel Listen to an interview with a park representative Gold Striker and the tunnel: Coaster Radio Podcast #719 Gold Striker Upgraded New wooden roller coaster coming to California's Great America Gold Striker Coming to California’s Great America in 2013 California’s Great America just announced their 2013 roller coaster Gold Striker. The new wooden roller coaster was designed by Great Coasters International (GCI). It will be located in the Celebration Plaza section of the park and it will wrap around the Star Tower. Gold Striker will be the park’s eighth roller coaster and its first new roller coaster in more than a decade. Gold Striker’s theme is a reference to the California Gold Rush of 1849. The ride begin with a 103-foot first drop. Then, it will thrill riders with its high-speed twists, turns, and a station fly-by on its 3,197-foot long ride. Gold Striker will top out at a speed of 54 miles per hour. While Gold Striker has been custom-made for Great America’s terrain. Coaster enthusiasts may see the ride’s similarities to other GCI woodies like American Thunder at Six Flags St. Louis, Apocalypse at Six Flags Magic Mountain, and even Thunderhead at Dollywood. These roller coasters have been well-received so there’s no reason to thing Gold Striker won’t do just as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skaunit Posted March 29, 2013 Share Posted March 29, 2013 About to head out for opening ceremonies. I'll look for the group of tpr nerds in the crowd. I have wife and baby in tow so it will be a short/low key da, but I plan on getting 1 or 2 coaster rides in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TyRush Posted March 29, 2013 Share Posted March 29, 2013 Can i have that sign for my room? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue Fire Guy Posted March 29, 2013 Share Posted March 29, 2013 Just got back from an awesome day out at the park, and the TPR group was pretty large, though split into pieces: me, Angry_Gumball and his cousin, JeffyJosephNorCal, robman, coaster-crazy (Nicholas from ACE), Flagg O' Dim and rjvader. Highlights: -At the opening ceremony, we got absolutely COVERED in red, white, and blue paper streamers when the ribbon was cut! It's like the park used String Shot (Pokemon move that lowers speed) to slow the crowd and prevent a stampede, lol! -Flight Deck ran awesome, smooth, and intense as usual. Can't believe it's 20 years old this season! Still a really awesome ride, it has definitely passed the test of longevity. -Probably the most insane Flying Eagles session ever. When you put three skilled snappers (including me) on a set of flyers, you KNOW things are going to be insane. An "Oh poo-poo!!!" moment to remember, that's for sure. -On my way out, I hydrated up on some pink lemonade with a free refill using the free souvenir cup I got when I entered. Other members of the group got their's too. Overall, awesome day at the park. Looking forward to going back for a full day next week! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laqueefa Posted March 30, 2013 Share Posted March 30, 2013 Just got back from an awesome day out at the park, and the TPR group was pretty large, though split into pieces: me, Angry_Gumball and his cousin, JeffyJosephNorCal, robman, coaster-crazy (Nicholas from ACE), Flagg O' Dim and rjvader. Highlights: -At the opening ceremony, we got absolutely COVERED in red, white, and blue paper streamers when the ribbon was cut! It's like the park used String Shot (Pokemon move that lowers speed) to slow the crowd and prevent a stampede, lol! -Flight Deck ran awesome, smooth, and intense as usual. Can't believe it's 20 years old this season! Still a really awesome ride, it has definitely passed the test of longevity. -Probably the most insane Flying Eagles session ever. When you put three skilled snappers (including me) on a set of flyers, you KNOW things are going to be insane. An "Oh poo-poo!!!" moment to remember, that's for sure. -On my way out, I hydrated up on some pink lemonade with a free refill using the free souvenir cup I got when I entered. Other members of the group got their's too. Overall, awesome day at the park. Looking forward to going back for a full day next week! Cant wait for the photo updates! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WayCool64 Posted March 30, 2013 Share Posted March 30, 2013 Just got back from Opening Day with my friend. Boy, do I have mixed feelings towards today! Highlights: I got my free souvenir cup! I know I'll be using it all season long! The opening ceremony was pretty good as well! The new AFX film is Happy Feet: Mumble's Wild Ride, to which it was basically recycled footage from the first movie, though it was fairly enjoyable as Spongebob (yet I felt the ending was quite anticlimactic). Got some double ride time on Drop Tower! I finally figured out how to avoid headbanging on Vortex! Decided to get a caricature which turned out great! Lowlights: Not a lot of employees knew about double ride time, so that event was sort of a fail. A lot of stuff broke down (not just the rides, but also some of the equipment used around the park as well). The place was sorta filled with wasps (to which I despise greatly!) The lines for the food was pretty slow. My friend lost his hat on the Logger's Run. Gold Striker isn't open yet! (I know it's not finished yet, but still) In short, I thought it was a fairly decent day. I'll probably come back when Gold Striker opens. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
#1rollercoasterfan Posted March 30, 2013 Share Posted March 30, 2013 ^How do you avoid the headbanging on Vortex? I'd really like to know so I'll have a more enjoyable ride. I'm not going to go for my first visit until Gold Striker opens. & How much are the souvenir cups usually? & When will Happy Feet open? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uH9YMU1CAYg ^There's the Spongebob movie if anyone misses it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WayCool64 Posted March 30, 2013 Share Posted March 30, 2013 ^How do you avoid the headbanging on Vortex? I'd really like to know so I'll have a more enjoyable ride. I'm not going to go for my first visit until Gold Striker opens. & How much are the souvenir cups usually? & When will Happy Feet open? The best trick is to lean your head to the right side of the harness on Vortex. The souvenir cups are about $12, I think. And the Happy Feet ride is already open. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rjvader Posted March 30, 2013 Share Posted March 30, 2013 Not a lot of employees knew about double ride time, so that event was sort of a fail. The ride ops were definitely not on top of their game, quite a few rides we went on had slow operations. Understandable since it's the first day and they haven't gotten into their groove yet, but it was still somewhat annoying/funny to get locked inside both the bumper cars and Centrifuge because the ride ops forgot to release the magnetic locks on the exit gate Still had a good time despite the long lines in the afternoon. I enjoyed the new Happy Feet show in Action Theater, so nice to have a change from Spongebob. Also liking my Gold Striker souvenir cup! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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