California Great America (CGA) Discussion Thread

[cmullin 0]

Well guys, start taking your shots at specifics like the steel coaster type and name, and what you think Vortex will be re-branded as! So pumped

I would imagine that Vortex will get the same deal as Mantis did in the coming years.

 

Does anyone have an idea of what the timescale for a project like this would be?

[cmullin 0]

Well guys, start taking your shots at specifics like the steel coaster type and name, and what you think Vortex will be re-branded as! So pumped

I would imagine that Vortex will get the same deal as Mantis did in the coming years.

 

Does anyone have an idea of what the timescale for a project (the whole thing, not Vortex) like this would be?

[thrillrider 1]

Now let's hope he can hop a flight and do a big announcement like this at Michigans adventure.

[CrazedZooChimp 0]

Well guys, start taking your shots at specifics like the steel coaster type and name, and what you think Vortex will be re-branded as! So pumped

I would imagine that Vortex will get the same deal as Mantis did in the coming years.

 

Does anyone have an idea of what the timescale for a project (the whole thing, not Vortex) like this would be?

 

The SV Biz journal article mentioned the rezoning plan was for roughly 20 years of development, and I read somewhere that Ouimet (or maybe it was Rehnborg) said one new ride per year for the next 10 years (presumably some of that is stuff like the re-branding of Vortex).

[WayCool64 0]

Sorry to break up the expansion news and speculation for a while, but CGA just posted a commercial for Mass Effect:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pv69fkraIl8

 

I'm kinda getting some Mission SPACE vibes from the new footage.

[Fire2box 0]

Sorry to break up the expansion news and speculation for a while, but CGA just posted a commercial for Mass Effect:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pv69fkraIl8

 

I'm kinda getting some Mission SPACE vibes from the new footage.

 

I get why they put a Reaper in there, but Mass Effect has some great world building that the last 2 games didn't take advantage of IMHO. Plus after the ending of mass effect 3, I just don't like Repears nearly as much as I did in ME 1/2. I'm hoping it's a fun ride/movie.

[jarmart 0]

I think the Vortex conversion will include virtual reality. Ouimet did mention using new technologies considering CGA IS in Silicon Valley.

 

Although a floorless conversion will make the ride more comfortable (hopefully), I don't think it will add a whole new level of thrill to an already outdated ride. Plus CGA can totally market it as the first VR coaster of NorCal.

[singemfrc 0]

I think the Vortex conversion will include virtual reality. Ouimet did mention using new technologies considering CGA IS in Silicon Valley.

 

Although a floorless conversion will make the ride more comfortable (hopefully), I don't think it will add a whole new level of thrill to an already outdated ride. Plus CGA can totally market it as the first VR coaster of NorCal.

As long as we get the new B&M vest restraints, I think VR would be a great addition to that ride. For a small compact ride with not much of a view that would sure give it a refresh. I cant imagine having VR with the current restraints though, its rough enough as it is without not being able to see the turns coming.

[Lareson 0]

I think the Vortex conversion will include virtual reality. Ouimet did mention using new technologies considering CGA IS in Silicon Valley.

 

Although a floorless conversion will make the ride more comfortable (hopefully), I don't think it will add a whole new level of thrill to an already outdated ride. Plus CGA can totally market it as the first VR coaster of NorCal.

As long as we get the new B&M vest restraints, I think VR would be a great addition to that ride. For a small compact ride with not much of a view that would sure give it a refresh. I cant imagine having VR with the current restraints though, its rough enough as it is without not being able to see the turns coming.

 

Sorry, but any B&M conversion more than likely won't ever get the newer style restraints. Ride envelope and weight issues are the main reason why you'll never see any of the older inverts receive the Banshee-style trains, so it would follow suit for the others.

 

In the future plan Ouimet presented, there is a possibility for Vortex to be relocated in the park, so when they move it, they could make several track modifications to help smooth it out while also converting it over to a floorless. But yeah, it seems the VR experience works better on the smaller coasters, so Vortex would be a good candidate for it, post-conversion of course.

[Mater 0]

I would seriously never stop laughing if they actually spent money to move Vortex anywhere but a smaller park/garbage can.

[CGA_88 0]

The Vortex conversion will most likely happen next season. They have already built a maintenance cat walk underneath the station for the platform (you can see it while waiting in line).

[thrillseeker4552 33]

I'd love to see a conversion on Vortex next season. Hopefully they add a station roof while they're at it. I've never been to CGA, but I find it so odd that most of their major coasters (Demon, Vortex, Flight Deck) do not have a station roof. I can't imagine how that feels during the summer...

[Vonni 0]

If a conversion does happen to Vortex, I wonder if it would mean Demon would be removed shortly down the line?

[grsupercity 9]

If a conversion does happen to Vortex, I wonder if it would mean Demon would be removed shortly down the line?

 

Would be neat to see the Sitdown/floorless conversion on Vortex, and then the Vekoma trains with vest otsr on Demon. Improvements on 2 rides, for the fraction of the cost of 2 new coasters.

[coasterbill 294]

If a conversion does happen to Vortex, I wonder if it would mean Demon would be removed shortly down the line?

 

Those two things literally have absolutely nothing to do with eachother.

[grsupercity 9]

That would give the park 2 smaller sit down loopers. Vortex as a stand up makes it different then Demon. Vortex as a sitdown makes it similar. With a small park like GCA, removing demon could make a big difference for future attractions. But Id rather see both converted, not removed. Gotta love some old arrows

[coasterbill 294]

Those two things still have literally nothing to do with eachother. Tons of parks have more than one sit down looper, and with a floorless gimmick they'd be very different rides. Even without one they'd be very different rides. And even if they weren't Cedar Fair has never cared about that sort of thing before.

[jray21 0]

I wish they would either expand Vortex, or just get rid of it. It's such a short and painful ride.

[Vonni 0]

If a conversion does happen to Vortex, I wonder if it would mean Demon would be removed shortly down the line?

 

Those two things literally have absolutely nothing to do with eachother.

 

 

I feel they do. A Vortex Conversion would create a bigger, more modern design to the steel looping coaster. In turn it could open up possibilities for Demons location. I know many parks have similar coasters. I'm just speculating on what could happen.

[jarmart 0]

Hopefully the conversion will make it smoother. But im not opposed to getting rid of it either lol. Gold Striker was a great addition but we need a new steel coaster ASAP. If the rezoning passes, I hope they build a hyper. A giga would be better but considering their track record, that probably wont happen.

Edited April 7, 2016 by jarmart

[RCF 0]

I don't even see a hyper at this place, unless they go for something with a smaller footprint. B&M Dive Coaster, anyone?

[singemfrc 0]

I'd love to see a conversion on Vortex next season. Hopefully they add a station roof while they're at it. I've never been to CGA, but I find it so odd that most of their major coasters (Demon, Vortex, Flight Deck) do not have a station roof. I can't imagine how that feels during the summer...

Demon actually stays pretty cool in the station, lots of tree cover. The front of the queue is partially covered, only the back is wide open.

Flight Deck's station is brutal though. The man ride op is in a covered shed but everyone else is in the sun, and those plywood walls just amplify the sun too.

[Vonni 0]

I'm really surprised since CF took over that they have not covered the stations by now.

[John Peck 0]

^ Just no way to get the ROI. Unless you remarket the attraction. If they do a floorless or sitdown conversion to Vortex, then perhaps a roof will be in the budget as well. Speaking of Vortex, is it even possible to go the floorless route with Six Flags being so close... I don't know if there is a no-compete rule with similar rides.

[Six Flags Haiti 0]

^ Just no way to get the ROI.

 

Guess it depends on how serious the issue is. I haven't had the opportunity to visit the park so I do not know if it just causes mild discomfort or if it is brutal conditions. I am sure the park GM could find some room in his capital budget if they are constantly dealing with heat exhaustion issues for their employees and guests.

 

Heck with how employee friendly California worker laws are I am surprised the state hasn't forced them to do it anyways, and levy fines on top.