Dorney Park and Wildwater Kingdom Discussion Thread

[boldikus]

Wow those trains are hideous.

[michaellynn4]

[boldikus]

"Sorry guys, no new coaster again this year so here's a really ugly train to go on your worst coaster."

 

I mean it would probably be much more economically feasible to just burn the thing down.

[RideofSteel]

I don't really like the look of the train, but it's great Cedar Fair is trying to improve Thunderhawk.

 

I really liked Thunderhawk. It was a bit jarring, but had some moments of really intense laterals and airtime. Can't wait to check out how it rides next year.

[chickenbowl]

Haha, this is the coaster they test the new PTCs on?! They're so ugly! Oh well, I at least hope it provides a smoother and more comfortable ride. I'll give them a ride next year!

[Johnlloyd]

I really enjoyed my rides on Thunderhawk during my first visit to Dorney Park back in June. I really liked it how Thunderhawk's trains have buzz bars, which in my opinion produces a smoother ride. The lead car on the new trains for next year look different and kind of ugly. I also don't like it how the new trains have ratcheting lap bars. Does anyone know if the cars will still be three rows (Six riders per car)? Hopefully the new trains give just as smooth of a ride that I had during my visit to Dorney Park back in June! At least they're not getting rid of Thunderhawk.

[Suspence1127]

I actually kind of like the look of the trains, but no buzz bars is upsetting. The train is lighter though (At least I think I heard them say that) So it would have less stress on the structure. Maybe that means they can turn the trims off? (I don't know if that would have anything to do with it). Also the trains do look comfortable even thought they don't have buzz bars. If these are as nice as Millennium Flyers and improve the ride experience I will be very happy.

[Password121]

Looking on Mike Fehnel's Twitter, it seems all the content he's posting/retweeting is all Carowinds related. His job is still listed at "General Manager at Carowinds." Anyone know why the switch to Carowinds and back so suddenly? Did Carowinds just need a GM for a year until thus my decided on a permanent one? There's no indication he has anything to do with Dorney on his Twitter right now. Not making anything of it--it's just interesting and a little baffling to me.

[bert425]

we enjoyed Thunderhawk, but it was a bit rough.

 

however, we've certainly been on rougher woodies, and you can' t beat the view, going up that lift hill:

[Philrad71]

Sad to see them getting rid of the buzz bars, but I guess that I can understand. Probably a safety measure to protect people from...oh, I don't know....say, standing up on a ride while it's in motion?

[DJeXeL]

Probably a safety measure to protect people from...oh, I don't know....say, standing up on a ride while it's in motion?

 

Now where do you get off making assumptions that the public would do something stupid like that?!?

[Password121]

Sad to see them getting rid of the buzz bars, but I guess that I can understand. Probably a safety measure to protect people from...oh, I don't know....say, standing up on a ride while it's in motion?

It's unfortunate to see so many classic wood coasters losing their classic charm, but anything to improve a rough ride is a good move I suppose.

If you're itching to ride a good coaster with buzz bars... wait for it... Skull Mountain.

[coasterkid124]

I'm glad that I'm not the only one that thinks the new PTC train is ugly. I love how they are modernizing and trying to keep up with the newest wooden coaster trains, but this one's design is just bad to me. Let's just hope this design works out better than their original trailered trains. (Which I believe that Thunderhawk used to run, which explains why it got so rough)

[Johnlloyd]

PTCI has put the rumour of Thunderhawk receiving PTCI's 360 trains to rest.

 

[coasterkid124]

Well that's good and bad news. Good because that means Thunderhawk won't be getting these ugly trains. But bad because the traditional trains won't be any more comfortable/help out with the rough track.

[Suspence1127]

Does that mean that it could still have buzz bars or would they still put in the individual bars that's being used on the new trains?

Also that probably means that PTC could be reading these very forums right now! Hi PTC!

[LawlessBagel]

The new trains will have lap bars. Be happy that Thunderhawk wasn't changed to lap bars like blue streak 20 years ago.

Edited December 1, 2015 by LawlessBagel

[coasterbill]

Ugh, I really wish this park would give this ride the re-tracking it deserves.

 

If they would remove the Trims and re-track it it would be EASILY the best coaster in the park. It offers ejector air in the front car at the top of the turnaround (yes... I said ejector. Ride it in row 2 and you'll see) and used to offer other great pops of air throughout the course before it was neutered by trims. About 10 years ago this thing was really flying and running great, I wish they'd maintain it properly.

 

Of course this pipe dream is entirely unrealistic though, removing the trims would require them to re-track it even more than they do now and they already can't keep up with it. It's sad though... I love Dorney but the coaster lineup (while pretty good) is nothing amazing, especially since they removed Laser which was arguably the best coaster they had. This coaster could be an absolute gem if properly maintained but sadly that will never happen.

[LawlessBagel]

Ugh, I really wish this park would give this ride the re-tracking it deserves.

 

If they would remove the Trims and re-track it it would be EASILY the best coaster in the park. It offers ejector air in the front car at the top of the turnaround (yes... I said ejector. Ride it in row 2 and you'll see) and used to offer other great pops of air throughout the course before it was neutered by trims. About 10 years ago this thing was really flying and running great, I wish they'd maintain it properly.

 

Of course this pipe dream is entirely unrealistic though, removing the trims would require them to re-track it even more than they do now and they already can't keep up with it. It's sad though... I love Dorney but the coaster lineup (while pretty good) is nothing amazing, especially since they removed Laser which was arguably the best coaster they had. This coaster could be an absolute gem if properly maintained but sadly that will never happen.

 

It was running amazing this past year. When one train was running the trims were close to off and there was Phoenix like airtime on the return run if you were sitting in car 1.

[boldikus]

It offers ejector air in the front car at the top of the turnaround (yes... I said ejector. Ride it in row 2 and you'll see)

 

I will only ride this thing in the front, in fact my last ride at Haunt was row 2 and the ejector air before both turnarounds delivered. Bummer about the buzz bars if they are in fact getting rid of them.

[DorneyKid14]

Looking on Mike Fehnel's Twitter, it seems all the content he's posting/retweeting is all Carowinds related. His job is still listed at "General Manager at Carowinds." Anyone know why the switch to Carowinds and back so suddenly? Did Carowinds just need a GM for a year until thus my decided on a permanent one? There's no indication he has anything to do with Dorney on his Twitter right now. Not making anything of it--it's just interesting and a little baffling to me.

 

From what i heard, he has a sick family member back here in pa. There was no official reason given to why the switch.

 

 

But i love the new trains! Yeah its not a new coaster for the park, but hey at least its something new

[Physical]

 

[Slides to rides]

 

 

Great to see this happening. I bet they will go to the ADA Compliant trains or the Brown car. If they go with that one, it really wouldn't look different. But that's okay. Hopefully the ride is improved. According to the GM the 360 trains won't work, so don't expect those.

[drummermattk]

Honestly i think it will be the one with the bird pictured above.

[Physical]

Honestly i think it will be the one with the bird pictured above.

 

I'd be perfectly OK with that but the screenshot Johnlloyd posted refutes that.

 

PTCI has put the rumour of Thunderhawk receiving PTCI's 360 trains to rest.