DCA_Chris Posted February 20, 2013 Share Posted February 20, 2013 The drop on Apocalypse isn't really too much like Gold Striker's.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Double0Kevin Posted February 20, 2013 Share Posted February 20, 2013 Well, it's wood and drops suddenly from a higher elevation, sooo... It's kinda like Gold Striker Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cmullin Posted February 20, 2013 Share Posted February 20, 2013 Hopefully better as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrewoplis Posted February 20, 2013 Share Posted February 20, 2013 Gold Strikers drop reminds me a lot of the one on German El Toro Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angry_Gumball Posted February 20, 2013 Share Posted February 20, 2013 ^The way that El Toro's drop starts off definitely reminds me of Gold Striker as the twist doesn't start so sudden. I was going to say that GS's drop is more like Troy's (which the lower half is almost) while the upper half of Troy banks almost immediately after the apex. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robman Posted February 20, 2013 Share Posted February 20, 2013 (edited) Well it's been confirmed Gold Strikers first drop will be completely enclosed(Top,bottom, and sides). It's also the longest tunnel on a wooden coaster at 174 feet in length. ACE posted the news about it on their Facebook page. http://finance.yahoo.com/news/gold-striker-coaster-now-includes-165000559.html SANTA CLARA, Calif., Feb. 20, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The newest roller coaster at California's Great America, Gold Striker, will now include the world's longest covered initial descent tunnel on a wooden coaster. Adding intrigue to the record setting feature, Gold Striker's 174-foot tunnel will be enclosed by wood on both sides, corrugated metal on top and in-fill underneath the tracks, to replicate a true gold mine feel. The only visible light on Gold Striker's initial descent, which will hurl riders down a 50 degree slope at almost 54 miles per hour, will be following the first turn, creating a nearly pitch black visual. "This fully-enclosed, twisting tunnel truly is a special element among wooden roller coasters," California's Great America Vice President and General Manager Raul Rehnborg said. "Gold Striker riders will experience the unique sensation of rapid acceleration in almost complete darkness." Leadership from the American Coaster Enthusiasts provided valuable research verifying Gold Striker's record setting tunnel, and framing has begun on the signature coaster element. "Gold Striker will provide the nostalgia of a wooden coaster, along with an incredibly smooth ride. It is where gold rush meets adrenaline rush," Rehnborg said. High-speed twists, turns, drops, a station fly-by and the Old West are additional features of Gold Striker, which is scheduled to open in Spring 2013. The ride will stand 108 feet at its highest point with a first drop of 103 feet, making it the tallest and fastest wooden coaster in Northern California. Riders will careen along 3,197 feet of track at speeds close to 54 miles per hour for more than two minutes. The ride's name was chosen to recognize the pioneering and adventurous spirit of the California gold-seekers who rushed to Northern California. Gold Striker is located in the Celebration Plaza area of California's Great America and will be the park's eighth roller coaster. From adding a coaster, to freshening up the entire park with new paint, California's Great America, and parent company Cedar Fair, are making a strong investment to continue being Northern California's premier family entertainment option. Gold Striker is custom designed and built for the topography of California's Great America by Great Coasters International, Inc. (GCI) of Sunbury, Pennsylvania. Two trains will accommodate 24 passengers each (two riders per car and 12 cars per train) with a capacity of 850 riders per hour. Guests must be at least 48 inches tall to ride. Those who cannot wait until spring may take a virtual ride on Gold Striker at cagreatamerica.com. Visitors of cagreatamerica.com may also access exclusive Gold Striker updates and features, including virtual ride renderings, ride statistics and construction photos. Edited February 21, 2013 by larrygator Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JRHcoasterki Posted February 20, 2013 Share Posted February 20, 2013 ^Yay! I love that they are doing an enclosed drop! I think that it matches the theme of the ride well and I'm sure it will look really cool! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randomman295 Posted February 20, 2013 Share Posted February 20, 2013 ^^ACE getting news before TPR? Blasphemy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoCalCoasters Posted February 20, 2013 Share Posted February 20, 2013 Awesome news! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cmullin Posted February 20, 2013 Share Posted February 20, 2013 Awesome! This ride just keeps getting better and better! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Manic Monte Posted February 20, 2013 Share Posted February 20, 2013 Cool. I was hoping for something like that actually. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JJnCFL Posted February 20, 2013 Share Posted February 20, 2013 Awesome news! I had a feeling there was gonna be some sort of tunnel. I wonder if the station fly-by will also be covered? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
154bmag Posted February 20, 2013 Share Posted February 20, 2013 Awesome news! I had a feeling there was gonna be some sort of tunnel. I wonder if the station fly-by will also be covered? California state code: "All wooden coasters MUST have a shed!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DCA_Chris Posted February 20, 2013 Share Posted February 20, 2013 Some flickering lanterns would be -real- nice strung up in those tunnels... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angry_Gumball Posted February 20, 2013 Share Posted February 20, 2013 (edited) TAKE THE TUNNEL!!1!!" In all seriousness, this should be pretty interesting. While the truth is that its to dampen us people who like to go out and have fun (sorry neighbors if our excitement is too much for you), it will feel like dropping into a mine shaft. I second that flickering lantern idea. As long as they don't just string Xmas lights in the tunnel like on Demon. Edited February 20, 2013 by Angry_Gumball Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rolercstrluvr Posted February 20, 2013 Share Posted February 20, 2013 As I've said before, the flickering lanterns is a great idea for the "mine shaft." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wingwright Posted February 20, 2013 Share Posted February 20, 2013 I heard about this on CoasterRadio last night (they interviewed the director of CGA park operations). I think it's a great idea. I love the "two birds, one stone" philosophy of adding both thrills and theming. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WayCool64 Posted February 20, 2013 Share Posted February 20, 2013 Well, the idea of an enclosed drop that sort of acts like a mine shaft is now getting me more hyped for this ride, and I would also like to see flickering lanterns in it as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angry_Gumball Posted February 20, 2013 Share Posted February 20, 2013 Visually it may look strange but the truth is, we are going to be riding it more than we'll be just staring at it I hope they can pull it off with some decent theming for the tunnel rather than it just being a Pony Express plywood tunnel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aLFREd_25 Posted February 20, 2013 Share Posted February 20, 2013 ^^Agreed. I like the idea of just leaving the bents the way they are. Either way, the drop looks awesome. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DCA_Chris Posted February 20, 2013 Share Posted February 20, 2013 the truth is, we are going to be riding it more than we'll be just staring at it That is so not true. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuperShawn Posted February 20, 2013 Share Posted February 20, 2013 The thought of theming is nice, but I'm not holding my breath for much if any... It seems cool, I just think a tunnel kind of ruins the visuals of the big sweeping turn around the sky tower. Come on, a solid tunnel is far more appealing then seeing a train crest a hill and drop. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
#1rollercoasterfan Posted February 20, 2013 Share Posted February 20, 2013 Maybe they can theme the tunnel & make the inside look like a mime shaft & have sound effects like water dripping & make it seem like the mime shaft is going to fall apart by having it shake & rumble. That would be cool & add lanterns around the line area. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DCA_Chris Posted February 20, 2013 Share Posted February 20, 2013 Wow I'd be unbelievably scared if I was at the top of the lift hill on a wooden coaster and everything started to shake and rumble. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angry_Gumball Posted February 20, 2013 Share Posted February 20, 2013 I don't see it being that heavily themed (after all this is Cedar Fair, not Disney) Plus with all of the noise the ride and riders would make, sfx in the tunnel would be useless. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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