What park should have an Intamin Mega-Lite?

[Geauga Dog]

If you want a gimmick put in Skyrush winged trains on a mega-lite. If capacity is an issue couldn't they just add an extra car, making it a five car train instead of a four car train?

[A.J.]

They could, but Intamin would have to do a lot of re-calculations to make sure the new longer, heavier train keeps the forces comfortable for all riders - and makes it through the circuit. The same goes for winged trains, as they're heavier and probably cause a lot more drag.

[larrygator]

they don't have enough marketability.

 

Exactly!

Marketing wise these rides are simply boring.

 

If your park is building a coaster that is expected to be rated in the Top 10 in Mitch's Poll and you can't market it... Well then you are a f'n idiot and should be fired!

 

I'd like to repeat my comment for AJ.

 

Also, any park located near an airport and subject to height restrictions would also make a logical candidate. Cough! Ed Hart Cough!

[jray21]

I do have another possible reason why one has never been built in the US. Maybe most American park managers have simply never heard of the design. I have heard the concept of building a Mega-Lite be brought up at many TPR events, and it seems that the vast majority of American park managers have never heard of the design. Can anyone name a park manager who, at a TPR event, had heard of this design outside of a question from a TPR member? (This also seems to be the case with an Aquatrax, as well, but that seems like a design less likely to be built by most parks)

 

Not sure I go along with this, being as the Mega Lite is one of the designs touted on Intamin's Web site. I do think that a smaller, independent park U.S. park might benefit from a Mega Lite more than one of the big chains would (a way to get "Gigacoaster thrills" on a lower budget).

 

Totally agree that it would be great for a smaller, independent park. I just really really want someone to build one here!

[xVicesAndVirtues]

Not sure if it's been mentioned previously in this thread, but Fun Spot America would be a perfect contender for one of these on their newly-purchased plot of land. I know that they read this forum, so maybe they know what a Mega-Lite is already

 

But yeah, I don't see the marketing issue unless a small park is in the same market as a larger park advertising some new crazy B&M launched wing rider with 60,000 inversions. Otherwise, as mentioned above, a new coaster is a new coaster.

[Randomman295]

I still don't see one of these getting built in the US unless it's trimmed/braked to death and has OTSRs. Too many forces for the US audience that is just not used to them.

 

dt

I don't know what you're talking about; Skyrush was a major hit.

[gisco]

I would settle for any park in North America! SFMM would be nice but they would probably ruin it some how!

[DanM64]

I would settle for any park in North America! SFMM would be nice but they would probably ruin it some how!

I haven't had the pleasure of riding a Mega Lite yet, but if they're anything like Skyrush was, then I agree with this! EVERY park!

[dannyboy13]

Not sure if it's been mentioned, but considering the height restrictions at SF:DK, I think this could be a nice addition. I remember before S:UF was announced, there was some speculation a Mega-Lite would be added. Not sure exactly where they could fit this, but there's definitely room at the park.

[_koppen]

Another thing about Megalite's is that they require a lot of maintenance (surprise-surprise).

Djurs Sommerland have 2 mechanics working full time with Piraten the entire off season.

 

Besides taking it down into molecules, they also have to send away a lot of parts for professional x-ray. When the season is rolling and the ride operates it also requires a lot of maintenance to prevent break downs.

 

For big parks like Kings Dominion and Hershey this really is not a problem, but for most small parks, who this ride is aimed for, it is a deal breaker. Nigloland is probably the most known example of this, they almost signed for one in late 2009, and now a very similar ride from Mack is being built.

 

The chief mechanic at Djurs told me that they have had a lot of potential buyers coming and looking at Piraten, and they are all blown away after riding it, but not when they show them the numbers.

 

It's no lie, however, that megalite's are freaking batshit insane rides though.

[JonnyRCT3]

Camden Park. (One can dream )

 

 

Maybe Kentucky Kingdom or Bluegrass Boardwalk, whatever it's called now. Hopefully some rides from Freestyle Music Park will be bought and transported.

 

Hopefully some park asks Intamin to make a slightly larger/modified version. To accommodate possibly 5-6 cars per train, to increase capacity, making it more appealing to larger parks.

[Pyrozooka0]

SFOG so I can ride it.

[Moose]

Why not every park?

 

Seriously. I don't see it in the US because of both its small height, and Americans larger size would likely be an issue with the very unforgiving trains.

 

I still love these little gems, and as of right now, thanks to TPR, I've ridden every one of them!!!!

[rcjp]

^That's right: why not every park? How cool would it be for a park chain to do what six flags did with batman and clone them all over the place?

[Nrthwnd]

I think one of these would be great in Playland (PNE).

It could sit on the edge of the west side of the

park, with the green park space on the other

side of it. And it would be totally opposite our

great wooden coaster, on the east side of the park.

 

Overview of part of that area, from the SkyWheel - usually during our annual fair,

they put several flats in these spots.

Above most of the space. This could actually be where the first drop happens - into that turn (around the picnic tables) and up and under the lift-hill, which would be through those trees there. Hmmm. It is possible for a Mega Lite here, I am sure of it.

South end of that space. This was taken on our Gay Day at Playland, back mid-July.

Edited October 11, 2013 by Nrthwnd

[The49er]

CGA seems to need one, due to the lack of better-than-average steel coasters (except Flight Deck). If nothing else, just add tunnels or rocks or something

 

"New at CGA! An intense steel coaster with REALLY BIG ROCKS!"

 

Or maybe not...

[cmullin]

A park with a mega-lite is better than a park without one! I'm crossing my fingers for at least one mega-lite in the US.

[GigaG]

Why not every park?

 

Seriously. I don't see it in the US because of both its small height, and Americans larger size would likely be an issue with the very unforgiving trains.

 

I still love these little gems, and as of right now, thanks to TPR, I've ridden every one of them!!!!

 

If "larger size" was such an issue, MF, TTD, El Toro, and countless other coasters would be unsuccessful.

 

I think a park that would be great for a Mega-Lite is Michigan's Adventure. It could be in the infield of the train ride between Shivering Timbers and Thunderhawk. The park is owned by a large chain which has the money. It would be a similar size to the two other big coasters (Timbers and Thunderhawk.) Also, the park needs another steel coaster. Another reason - it is very near where I live (3.5 hours or so.) If this did happen, I would be SOOOOO happy. Whether it would be a GP magnet, I don't know. I mean, I guess if you can draw the GP in with an SLC and keep them riding it (admittedly, a (gasp!) decent SLC), the y should enjoy a Mega-Lite.

[GnastyGnoric7]

Michigan's Adventure would be a great park for a Mega-Lite, so would Six Flags Discovery Kingdom

[Jackdude101]

From what I have heard about this model, every park should have at least one.

[Angle O. Descent]

Mega-lites seem to be the enigma of the roller coaster world. If they ever come to North America, I simply don't see them coming to any corporate big-boy park like Cedar Fair or Six Flags. I imagine it would be a smaller pound-for-pound park with unique, quality rides.

 

Some possibilities:

- Dollywood

- BG Tampa

- Any Sea World

- Knoebels

- Holiday World

- Silver Dollar City

[kailisun98]

CGA seems to need one, due to the lack of better-than-average steel coasters (except Flight Deck). If nothing else, just add tunnels or rocks or something

 

"New at CGA! An intense steel coaster with REALLY BIG ROCKS!"

 

Or maybe not...

I totally agree! CGA should remove Vortex and put in an Mega-Lite. Vortex is old and not re-ridable. A Mega-Lite on the other hand.... I could ride all day!!!

[gisco]

Another thing about Megalite's is that they require a lot of maintenance (surprise-surprise).

Djurs Sommerland have 2 mechanics working full time with Piraten the entire off season.

 

Besides taking it down into molecules, they also have to send away a lot of parts for professional x-ray. When the season is rolling and the ride operates it also requires a lot of maintenance to prevent break downs.

 

For big parks like Kings Dominion and Hershey this really is not a problem, but for most small parks, who this ride is aimed for, it is a deal breaker. Nigloland is probably the most known example of this, they almost signed for one in late 2009, and now a very similar ride from Mack is being built.

 

The chief mechanic at Djurs told me that they have had a lot of potential buyers coming and looking at Piraten, and they are all blown away after riding it, but not when they show them the numbers.

 

It's no lie, however, that megalite's are freaking batshit insane rides though.

 

Interesting, could be why they have not appeared in great numbers or at all in the US.

[JonnyRCT3]

These things seem to only hit around 810 rph. I don't see why we haven't seen more of these stateside. GCI coasters usually hit around 800rph also.

[Moose]

If "larger size" was such an issue, MF, TTD, El Toro, and countless other coasters would be unsuccessful.

 

Have you ever been on a MegaLite? The trains are much less forgiving than any if the coasters you mentioned. I have no idea why the trains are different than the hypers and gig as but they definitely are smaller on every single one.