Six Flags Great Adventure (SFGAdv) Discussion Thread

[DevilsFlight]

Let's do a petition

[Superbatboy]

I'm curious since I've never ridden Ka only TTD, which part of the ride is rough? The launch? The lead up to the top? The crest? The bunny hill? Or the whole damn thing?? Lol

[A.J.]

I dont know about you guys but I've always wanted Ka to get new trains. These trains with the OTSR are really annoying in the back with head banging. Lap bars would be so much better. Does anyone know why those restraints were chosen for Ka in the first place?

 

Because it's Six Flags...=/

 

Intamin designed the ride tho, and most of their coasters of the last 8-10 yrs have OSTRs. Even Superman the Escape now has them after having only lapbars for 14 years

I know that since storm runner they pretty much used OTSRs on all their accelerator coasters but that was a ride with inversions and if they saw the lap bars worked just fine for TTD and Xcelerator I'm still confused why they did it.

To my knowledge (and please correct me if I'm wrong) -

 

Top Thrill Dragster and Xcelerator appear to use a haevily-modified old-style mega/giga coaster (Millennium Force-era) train design that has been lifted and given a new body to accommodate for the brake and launch fins (Isn't this sort of cut-and-shuck job typical for prototypes?). They just have normal mega/giga coaster seats with a headrest attachment plopped on the top. They don't have a pilot car - the front car has two sets of wheels instead of one. Top Thrill Dragster's LOOKS like a lead car but it's actually just a normal car with a row of seats removed.

 

But, but, A.J.! What about the mega coaster trains with pilot cars like on Goliath at Walibi? Those were put on before Dragster! Well, those coasters have the open/close brakes with the fins on the sides of the trains. Even the Mega Lite coasters still use those, and the last one of those was built only a few years ago.

 

So, Intamin probably needed a new train design that they could apply to a crap ton of coasters (with inversions or otherwise) that could handle using magnetic brakes that are built into the top surface of the track instead of on either side. So, we got the accelerator design. It has a pilot car, but more importantly it has solid back and headrests that are built into the train from the start. Because of that, they have a place to anchor the shoulder harnesses all the time, every time - and they can do launches and vertical lifts thanks to the headrests. This is also probably why Intamin's newest looping coaster trains as seen on this coaster have overhead lap bars instead of T-bars (that and probably T-Bars won't fit without making every guest become a contortionist). The overhead bar is anchored in the same place as the shoulder harnesses would be.

 

Why they put the rubber harnesses on instead of the vests though, I have no idea.

[jetsplumber]

I'm curious since I've never ridden Ka only TTD, which part of the ride is rough? The launch? The lead up to the top? The crest? The bunny hill? Or the whole damn thing?? Lol

 

in my opinion, the launch is.

[GigaG]

Let's do a petition

 

Coaster enthusiast vote - 99% lapbar, 1% OTSR

 

Explanation - When properly installed and checked, lapbars are not unsafe, especially with the seatbelts that Intamin would likely put on this.

 

GP vote - 1% lapbar, 99% OTSR

 

Explanation - OMG ITZ SO HIGH AND FAST IT NEEDS SHOULDER RESTRAINTS OR YOU'LL FLY OUT AT 10000000 MILES PER HOUR!

[El Toro_Ryan]

why did SFGadv on kingda ka stop using all 4 loading/unloading stations? and where is the 4th train. TTD runs 5 trains, and the line moves much faster .

All the times I've went for the past couple of years Ka had less than a fifteen minute wait with two trains. It's popularity has definitely decreased over the years.

 

I know for a fact that the capacity of the ride is better now then it was before. The ride gave over a million rides last year and it's never done that before.

[Password121]

why did SFGadv on kingda ka stop using all 4 loading/unloading stations? and where is the 4th train. TTD runs 5 trains, and the line moves much faster .

All the times I've went for the past couple of years Ka had less than a fifteen minute wait with two trains. It's popularity has definitely decreased over the years.

 

I know for a fact that the capacity of the ride is better now then it was before. The ride gave over a million rides last year and it's never done that before.

But even then, I thought it was always more efficient to utilize a separate load/unload station. While a train loads in the front station, another unloads in back, similar to MF. Doing so, unless there aren't more attendants, the need to unload and load before the next train is dispatched is gone, so it would automatically be faster.

I'm not an op, so I don't know for sure, but this is what I've always heard. Let me know if I'm wrong.

[YoshiFan]

Supposedly they switched to the current setup so the switch track wouldn't be used anymore which was causing some problems/downtime for the ride. By only using the 1 loading area they have 4 ride ops checking restraints compared to 2 at each loading area so the train can be checked and dispatched faster.

[glouthan]

KA needs to get rid of the OTSR's. the ride would be so much better.

 

I am going to sound weird by saying this, but the OTSR's don't bother me. When I put my arms up, they won't whip me forward like on TTD, and it makes for a more pleasant experience in MY opinion.

[DoinItForTheFame]

I'm curious since I've never ridden Ka only TTD, which part of the ride is rough? The launch? The lead up to the top? The crest? The bunny hill? Or the whole damn thing?? Lol

Pretty much just the launch, and the first part of the pull up to the tower, other than that its not *TO* bad.

[Koasterking48]

KA needs to get rid of the OTSR's. the ride would be so much better.

 

I am going to sound weird by saying this, but the OTSR's don't bother me. When I put my arms up, they won't whip me forward like on TTD, and it makes for a more pleasant experience in MY opinion.

Well considering your arms are supposed to be down during the launch, this shouldn't be a problem in the first place.

[glouthan]

^ I like to put them down at the end of the coaster - not the launch. Going down the drop with the wind whipping through your fingers is amazing!

[Randomman295]

You do realize that they'd have to redesign much of the trains if they were to replace the restraint system, right? Maybe even the brakes too.

 

Dat page number get though.

[JonnyRCT3]

Slap some of those earthquake proof supports from Thunder Dolphin on the end of the launch section. Problem solved.

 

Source

[B&MIntaminGCI]

You do realize that they'd have to redesign much of the trains if they were to replace the restraint system, right? Maybe even the brakes too.

 

They could just remove the shoulder parts and they'd be lapbars. It's basically what the new multilooper trains are using.

[Canobie Coaster]

While I've never been on Top Thrill Dragster, I have been on Xcelerator and Kingda Ka. I love the freeness of the lap bars, but the shoulder restraints aren't particularly obstructive considering that you aren't at the top of the tower too long anyway. I just wish the back seats didn't shake as much during the launch and at the bottom of the hill.

[JonnyRCT3]

Maybe the more slim & sleek train design allows for less vibrations?

 

[lazz717]

Supposedly they switched to the current setup so the switch track wouldn't be used anymore which was causing some problems/downtime for the ride. By only using the 1 loading area they have 4 ride ops checking restraints compared to 2 at each loading area so the train can be checked and dispatched faster.

 

True. But not fully true.

When I was on a "hard-hat" tour for Green Lantern they told us on their plans for the change.

 

Intamin was there during the off-season and did test runs with four trains (using both sides of the station) and using three trains (with only using one side of the station). During this time, they realized that the theoretical hourly capacity was less running four trains with both sides of the station compared to three trains and only using the one side. Intamin gave the park a choice on whether or not to try the new method and the park accepted it.

 

So, running the three trains isn't bad operations, but just overall a way to increase the amount of riders it can take in an hour.

Yoshi was right though, but just not the REAL reason why Ka is the way it is. They also have the option to add the fourth train on at any point in time, on very slow days you may see it, but currently it's just used as a backup if one of the other three go down.

[jetsplumber]

KA needs to get rid of the OTSR's. the ride would be so much better.

 

I am going to sound weird by saying this, but the OTSR's don't bother me. When I put my arms up, they won't whip me forward like on TTD, and it makes for a more pleasant experience in MY opinion.

Well considering your arms are supposed to be down during the launch, this shouldn't be a problem in the first place.

 

lol, like guests follow the rules on rides.

[saweetdude05]

Supposedly they switched to the current setup so the switch track wouldn't be used anymore which was causing some problems/downtime for the ride. By only using the 1 loading area they have 4 ride ops checking restraints compared to 2 at each loading area so the train can be checked and dispatched faster.

 

True. But not fully true.

When I was on a "hard-hat" tour for Green Lantern they told us on their plans for the change.

 

Intamin was there during the off-season and did test runs with four trains (using both sides of the station) and using three trains (with only using one side of the station). During this time, they realized that the theoretical hourly capacity was less running four trains with both sides of the station compared to three trains and only using the one side. Intamin gave the park a choice on whether or not to try the new method and the park accepted it.

 

So, running the three trains isn't bad operations, but just overall a way to increase the amount of riders it can take in an hour.

Yoshi was right though, but just not the REAL reason why Ka is the way it is. They also have the option to add the fourth train on at any point in time, on very slow days you may see it, but currently it's just used as a backup if one of the other three go down.

 

That makes sense, each time I went last season, the fourth train was just sitting in the station across from the one they were using and it appeared ready to be used. The line with just one station definitely moves much faster than it ever did with all four stations in use. Six Flags must be happy using just the one station as well, as I'm sure is saves them labor costs by just using one station and being able to rotate out which 3 trains they use, saving on wear and tear, making it a plus for both the park and guests.

[rcjp]

Let's do a petition

 

Coaster enthusiast vote - 99% lapbar, 1% OTSR

 

Explanation - When properly installed and checked, lapbars are not unsafe, especially with the seatbelts that Intamin would likely put on this.

 

GP vote - 1% lapbar, 99% OTSR

 

Explanation - OMG ITZ SO HIGH AND FAST IT NEEDS SHOULDER RESTRAINTS OR YOU'LL FLY OUT AT 10000000 MILES PER HOUR!

Pretty accurate

 

I'm curious since I've never ridden Ka only TTD, which part of the ride is rough? The launch? The lead up to the top? The crest? The bunny hill? Or the whole damn thing?? Lol

I've ridden both in the same week and yes, the launch might be a bit rough but I sat mostly in the front so it wasn't really a problem. What I did notice was that when you enter the top hat (which felt more intense on KK) you get some vibrations but they were more vertical than from side to side. If anything they made the experience more extreme.

I know you will want to kill me but I actually prefer KK. Yes, it is not silky smooth, yes it does have OTSR and yes it does have those stupid trims at the top but the launch is more forceful, I did feel the extra wind speed on my face and I felt the whole thing was more intense than TTD. It's not a big difference, but I do like it more.

[glouthan]

^ I like Kingda Ka better too. It gives me an adrenaline rush and TTD doesn't for some reason.

[coasterbill]

I don't find Kingda Ka rough at all but that's because I only ride it in the front as I think the experience of riding it in the front is amazing. Now that they only use one loading platform the line moves much faster once you're queuing for individual rows so the line for the front isn't all that bad. It's much longer than the other rows but worth the wait.

 

Personally I have a hard time comparing Kingda Ka to TTD as they're very similar... I might give the edge to Dragster but the biggest factor for me is the view from the top. Since the coaster is all about height, I'd much rather look at a theme park, lake erie and the lake erie islands than a parking lot.

[rcjp]

^I agree that it is definitely a front seat coaster, just like TTD. That's why I don't think the roughness is a big factor, because they both have to be ridden there and in those seats I have no problems with KK. Last summer I had flash pass platinum and I waited around 15-20 minutes for the front.

About the view, why didn't they have the top hat drop facing the opposite way?

[boldikus]

A little off topic and pardon me for sounding dumb but I have a few questions about Flash Pass.

 

Taking my sister this Sunday and using my "Bring a Friend Free" and after the lines two Sundays ago and reports of it being insanely crowded this past Sunday, I am likely going to purchase my first Flash Pass if the lines are that bad again. I figure I have gone 3xs already so my Season Pass has already paid for itself once over, so why not splurge instead of just giving up and leaving like we did two weeks ago?

 

However, Ive never bought a FP before! Yeah I know - I am a grin and bare it type of guy when it comes to lines, or I try to go when no one is there!

 

So QUESTIONS. I can see you can buy the FPs online but unless I'm mistaken the prices vary depending on the days attendance - any truth to this? Wouldn't it make the most sense to wait and buy them in the park in case lines aren't bad and we don't need them? Does the price go up throughout the day? Also I noticed I have a one time "add friend to Flash Pass for free" as part of my SP, I am assuming I can use this and my "Bring a Friend Free" on the same visit? That would be ideal.

 

What's the story morning glory? And which of the three FP tiers sit he best value? Anyone care to enlighten this FP newbie?

 

This will probably the be the last weekend day I go until after the summer so really don't want to spend it standing in line!