Holiday World (HW) Discussion Thread

[Raven Maven]

^^I think I can see Paula in that picture. And she's laughing

 

Ha! And sweating! Yes, that's Leah Koch, VP James and me. The photo was taken, I think, by a member of the news media visiting yesterday. Our local paper released this article this morning on their usually subscription-only website. The reporter is really getting a kick out of the 66 Days campaign.

[PVA62]

The footers are in a straight line, could this be for a launch or possibly the brake run? I don't know exactly where this is in the park though. I assume it's not a lift hill because I figured they would get wider apart if that was the case.

[Koasterking48]

The footers are in a straight line, could this be for a launch or possibly the brake run? I don't know exactly where this is in the park though.

Right behind Hyena Falls

[GrapesLie]

^ Hey Raven Maven how come there isn't a new clue today?

[neil009]

Are we positive those footers can't possibly be for a wooden coaster? I don't know anything about it, just wondering if that's really true. From the clues I was really starting to lean towards a GG or RMC with multiple inversions.

 

Also, with all the many many pictures of clouds, I'm betting the name or theme of the ride will have something to do with the sky.

Edited June 19, 2014 by neil009

[OneOfTheWills]

^ Hey Raven Maven how come there isn't a new clue today?

 

The mobile site has today's clue posted. "Day 32: Watching the sun set over the sea calms my soul." Included is another picture of clouds highlighted by a setting sun.

 

Checked Google Chrome and Safari on my computer and neither have today's clue.

[OneOfTheWills]

Anyone know why the footers closest to the camera in that photo would be rotated 45 degrees from each other? Not that it has anything to do with the ride...or maybe it does..but it just caught me as something odd.

[ZeroGravity55]

^ Maybe the start of a turn?

 

I stole this aerial photo from someone who had posted it earlier in the thread and updated it with what I saw yesterday while I was at the park.

Everything in black is new. Ignore the black marks by the footers. I make a mistake and didn't feel like redoing everything. Since there has already been a photo of the footers put on here, they're not really relevant to this photo as new, but I thought I go ahead and put them on here anyway.

[glouthan]

Todays clue is now visible on the site:

http://www.holidayworld.com/66days/

[The49er]

Is it just me or could this legitimately be an AquaTrax? I'm looking at some of the first clues...the mention of the boat, intense storms, etc. actually seem to point in that direction. I think I read the possibility a couple pages back that perhaps Intamin gave HW a "rain check" due to the issues with Pilgrims Plunge/Giraffica, but could that mean a cheaper AquaTrax? Just dreaming here...

[kyleparks77]

Anyone know why the footers closest to the camera in that photo would be rotated 45 degrees from each other? Not that it has anything to do with the ride...or maybe it does..but it just caught me as something odd.

It could be any number of reasons but most likely its because the load concentration is at a different angle (curve, banking, different steel member, etc) or it is making room for another structural element (another footing, second steel member joining in at a V shape, underground utilities, etc)

 

Are we positive those footers can't possibly be for a wooden coaster? I don't know anything about it, just wondering if that's really true. From the clues I was really starting to lean towards a GG or RMC with multiple inversions.

 

Also, with all the many many pictures of clouds, I'm betting the name or theme of the ride will have something to do with the sky.

Just by looking at the depth and size of each footing one can assume that each will be carrying high load concentrations. In the right of the picture near the excavator is what looks like rebar cages for caisson foundations, which a typically used when higher loads are encountered or poor soil. This implies that there will be the typical steel supports. (But I also don't see a drill rig so the quality of the picture might be deceiving me and those might not be caisson cages). A wooden coaster will typically have shallower and smaller footings but in greater number because the loads are spread out across the frame of the substructure. It could still be a wooden coaster but with a different substructure design than what is typical.

[Midgetman82]

But I also don't see a drill rig so the quality of the picture might be deceiving me...

You mean like this one?

Construction for 2015 begins by Holiday World & Splashin' Safari, on Flickr

[ZeroGravity55]

^^ Yeah RMC uses pre-fab footers that they just place in the ground, so you can just rule them out at this point.

[rcjp]

How deep are most footers for steel coasters? I know they can get pretty deep but not sure about the average.

[prozach626]

Is it just me or could this legitimately be an AquaTrax? I'm looking at some of the first clues...the mention of the boat, intense storms, etc. actually seem to point in that direction. I think I read the possibility a couple pages back that perhaps Intamin gave HW a "rain check" due to the issues with Pilgrims Plunge/Giraffica, but could that mean a cheaper AquaTrax? Just dreaming here...

 

I'm with you. I'm thinking water coaster all the way. Especially with the pits/trenches near the footers. Again... I really hope I'm wrong, since I have no desire to walk around in soaked clothes and shoes for mediocre thrills. That and the wife won't ride water rides, so I'd be riding one solo ride for the credit.

[ZeroGravity55]

^ I'll say this about the new trench they've dug that I saw yesterday. It's either for a sidewalk or only a Mack/ Intmain train can go through it, barely meeting clearance . It was way too close to Hyena Falls for any type of Splashdown or anything like that. I can't speak for the pit that was dug further down by the second clearing. I will say this, if it is some type of water coaster like an AquaTrax, don't you think we would see a lot more digging and concrete work going on as they would have to lay water pipes and water pumps for the ride underground, especially before they even poor footers?

[Dom497]

The footers also look to be to close together for a B&M....unless its for the transfer/storage track. B&M brake runs don't even have that many footers...

[kyleparks77]

This photo was pulled from Facebook...

 

Based solely on that picture of the footings, I'm going with a Cheetah Hunt-style coaster

[Koasterking48]

I'm seriously betting on Intamin, Mack, or Zierer. They have all showcased a thrilling coaster that is still accessible to families (Cheetah Hunt, Helix, and Verbolten) and right up HW's alley for marketing. I also think that the old Pilgrim's Plunge station might not actually be used for this particular attraction. What if the park decides to go for a double package from Mack and get a coaster and a traditional Shoot the Chutes? Just a penny for your thoughts...

Edited June 20, 2014 by Koasterking48

[Shavethewhales]

How deep are most footers for steel coasters? I know they can get pretty deep but not sure about the average.

 

Depth of footings is typically determined by both loading and soil conditions - so it may be different for any given footer depending on the site.

 

It's easy for enthusiasts to put way too much analysis into a picture of formwork just based on what other projects it looks like. While it's certainly true that various designs use similarly shaped or spaced footings, you never really know what the designers are doing until you see the plans or steel going up. I'm not drawing any conclusions yet.

[ZeroGravity55]

^^ I'm with you. Both those rides make a lot of sense. But I also think adding a new water park attraction by Hyena Falls along with the new coaster makes some sense too.

[GrapesLie]

Well were half way through these very long 66 days! I really think we are looking at something like Cheetah Hunt and that makes me VERY excited! But who knows they could still surprise us completely!

[cfc]

This photo was pulled from Facebook...

 

Based solely on that picture of the footings, I'm going with a Cheetah Hunt-style coaster

 

Based solely on that picture of the footings, I'm going to say that I have absolutely no idea what they're building.

[EricGarbo]

This photo was pulled from Facebook...

 

Based solely on that picture of the footings, I'm going with a Cheetah Hunt-style coaster

 

Based solely on that picture of the footings, I'm going to say that I have absolutely no idea what they're building.

 

In the end I can't ride it yet so it doesn't particularly matter, either.

[OneOfTheWills]

Half way through these 66 days and Paula moons us.