Kong at SFDK is getting new paint

[Mechanic]

During our visit yesterday we saw a single worker in a crane bucket repainting the track on Kong. You could see that they'd done quite a bit of the upper part of the lift hill already, although the part we saw being painted was much closer to the ground. The track color was the same red as before, but obviously looked much better than the rest of the faded out red paint. I didn't see where they'd painted any supports yet so I can't comment on what color those may be getting painted. You could see where large patches of paint had been stripped away from both the supports and the track. I assume that was the result of pressure washing, or whatever other process they use to prepare for painting.

 

I'm glad to see this ride getting a fresh coat of paint. It desparately needed it. I'd have taken pictures, but didn't bring the camera yesterday.

[coasterdude5]

Just curious, for old times' sake, could you see any of this color coming through?

[Mechanic]

Just curious, for old times' sake, could you see any of this color coming through?

 

You could see a few layers of old paint in some of the sections where the prep work had stripped it down to bare metal. Oddly enough, the picture that your link points to is exactly where we saw the painting going on while we were watching.

[ebl]

When I last rode Kong (1999), the track was orange and the supports were brown. Weird combination in my opinion. Glad to see it get a little lovin' from Six Flags. Maybe one day it'll receive one of X2 style makeovers with music, new 4D trains, etc.

 

Eric

[montezooma]

^Eric, funny you should mention that. I was responsible for the earlier color of Kong. I was the creative director for that park at the time and I thought orange and brown really tied in nicely with the name and them theme of the area. I did meet some resistance from the parks GM at the time (He was pretty vocal about it but my boss at SFI stood behind me). He felt the same way as you which would explain why after I moved on from that park and it came time to repaint the ride, the orange and brown where replaced by the clownish colors of Red and Yellow.

 

And there is the story and history of Kong's colors.

 

-Shane

 

PS- Someday I'll tell you the story of Medusa's colors....that one is a doosey!

[ebl]

^ I'd like to hear that tale. I've never ridden Medusa (it was just starting its ground work when I was last there), but I have seen pictures. Not a color scheme. Green and purple have always kind of gone together in my opinion, though a darker green might have worked, too.

 

But Kong...I did say the orange/brown was weird, but I liked that better than its current colors from the pictures I've seen.

 

Eric

[thrillgeek]

Instead of painting it they should save the money and paint for the new vest like restraints/trains. Oh well....that would never happen. I was also hoping for a different color scheme like black track and lime green supports.

[Angry_Gumball]

I actually liked the orange and brown combo for Kong...and the lime green-colored trains. It seemed to stand out more over the red/orange and yellow, and yellow trains.

[chmilo24]

I was also hoping for a different color scheme like black track and lime green supports.

 

I agree with you, that would make a really cool ride scheme, only it doesnt match the Kong theme, so unless they changed the name of the ride for something more tropical or snake-like, I don't see this happening. Medusa would have made a good lime-green and black scheme.

 

But I am personaly happy that this is finaly happening. Just because it is a SLC doesn't mean we can't give it some love. And you can't have a new queue and sign w/o some new paint. Oh and does/or is it going to get new trains?

 

--Chris

[Mechanic]

I saw one train on the transfer track. It was one of the same old trains that the ride has been running with for a long time now, the yellow one. Who knows what's in store though?

 

Despite SLCs being generally despised, I've always liked this ride. I thought last year's move of the queue entrance to the Medusa plaza was a good idea. Seeing the ride getting spruced up more with new paint is even better. If they do get the new style trains, that would be awesome.

[DBru]

I liked the looks of the orange and brown scheme; it really does make you think "Kong".

 

Eric, why did you feel they looked "weird"?

[thrillgeek]

Despite SLCs being generally despised, I've always liked this ride. I thought last year's move of the queue entrance to the Medusa plaza was a good idea. Seeing the ride getting spruced up more with new paint is even better. If they do get the new style trains, that would be awesome.

 

I think that's a big if. SFDK will get a new little kid coaster before they get new trains for Kong.

[itnotfair]

Oh man, I hope they paint fast! I'll be visiting on the 22nd, and I was really looking forward to my first SLC. If anyone has updates, please keep me posted!

[disneymoc]

Is this the same SLC that was formerly at Opryland?

[Wood Dragon 1988]

RCDB is friendly.

 

http://rcdb.com/id163.htm

 

yes.