CoasterExpert13 Posted July 3, 2010 Share Posted July 3, 2010 First, I wanted to say that this was going to be a full P:TR of my visit to Kennywood, but to tell you the truth, my camera only came out to snap just a few shots of Sky Rocket (I really mean a few lol)...guess I was too busy having a blast since it was my first visit this year... THE RIDE: My friend Bill & I decided to get KP's Coaster Tour or "V.I.P." pass to ride all the coasters without having to wait inline (cost $15 for whole day, $10 after 5pm). Our Sky Rocket ride time on our pass was 9:00pm, so we got there at 8:50pm and as we were heading up the exit to join other "V.I.P. Pass holders", the ride op's called the ride engineer over to the coaster, then let the coaster do 2 laps without passengers. We all kept asking what was wrong but they kept saying everything was ok and next thing you know, where on Sky Rocket. As we were leaving the station, I was surprised at the rate of speed the ride started with...right out the station at what felt like 15 mph. which is fast to me because all of the coasters I've been on seem to crawl out the station. Out the station into a sharp left turn and pssssshhhhhhhhhh, you speed through the launch and up the the vertical first hill (which also caught me off guard because most launches I've been on pauses for a few seconds before the initial launch) while we topped the first hill, the coaster slowed somewhat over the crest and then woosshhhh, yanked down the vertical drop...extremely awesome and gave my stomach that free-fall ride feeling. First inversion which felt like a Zero-G-Roll, some turns and then a brake run, which drops almost vertical again in to the final inversion, a corkscrew, then a section of "trick track", turn and bunny hops, the ride is over. Decent speed, perfect pacing & glass smooth but a bit on the short side, though still a extremely enjoyable ride. THE BAD: ...The contraption they call seating. Our pass required us to sit in the 6th row of each coaster we road today (which happened to be the last row on the Sky Rocket train)...I'm 6'0, just to put that out there...first off, getting into the train was like getting into my friend Jeff's 09' 2 Door Honda Civic...very little feet space, darn near tripping trying to sit down & knees touch the back of the seat in front of me. I was happy to find that the restraints was a lap contraption (I say contraption because it wasn't just a bar.) But just as I started to get comfortable, this bar with a flat rectangular pad rolled forward and clammed my shins in place..which moved my feet into awkward position to where my toes were touching the floor, but my heals were off the floor and pointing behind me...picture that for a sec...ok, this not only hurt, but it was the most uncomfortable I've ever been on a coaster...EVER. I tried my hardest to ignore the awkwardness of my seating situation throughout most of the ride until the corkscrew. Approaching the top of the corkscrew, I got a "charlie horse" in my left hip/thigh area due to the way I was sitting, which sucked major scrotum because the bunny hops were coming up and I couldn't move my legs into a better position...after the bunny hops, I was praying for the coaster to hurry into the station so I could get out and stretch the charlie horse out of my leg...as I sit and type this now...some 3 hours after I left the park, my hip/thigh is still sore. I though it was just because i'm 6'0..but my friend bill also said the seat contraption was just awkward and it hurt...he's about 5'10. All in all, awesome ride, Sh*tty seating 8/10. Random shot as I was walking into the park... Random shot no. 2 Random shot no. 3 Majority of Sky Rocket from the exit ramp...rest hidden by the trees. My Bro-ski Bill being goofy... Me looking tired...Phantom's Revenge takes alot out of ya! Lol The Coaster Tour or "V.I.P." Pass As you can see, we had pass 1/row 6...Our ride time for Thunderbolt was at 7:30p, Phantom's Revenge at 8p, Exterminator at 8:30p (but we skipped it because Phantom was so fun, made us tired lol) & lastly, Sky Rocket at 9pm...well worth the $10 bucks for not having to wait in line! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nstierhoff Posted July 3, 2010 Share Posted July 3, 2010 Nice report my friend! How exactly do you go about getting one of these coaster vip passes? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CoasterExpert13 Posted July 3, 2010 Author Share Posted July 3, 2010 Well, most major parks have these passes so people don't have to wait in long lines...of course you must pay for them, passes and prices vary depending on the park...Once you get to a park, I would just ask "guest relations" about getting one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Myself Posted July 3, 2010 Share Posted July 3, 2010 I promise you that only the last row in each car is uncomfortable. I had my first ride on Sky Rocket in the back seat and was very worried because I had no room for my feet and the shin pad was extremely tight. If you ride it again soon, go for the other rows (if you can get a VIP that lets you; if not just wait in line) as they are more spacious and comfortable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ConleyKE Posted July 3, 2010 Share Posted July 3, 2010 I completely agree with your review! The ride itself was very smooth, unique, and had great pacing... but the restraints completely ruined the experience. I rode it this past Thursday once in row 6, and also had the most uncomfortable/painful coaster experience to date. I'm 5ft 11 and my mom is only about 5ft 8, but both of our shins were continuously pressed against the foot bar. I actually had to keep my feet flexed the entire ride to alleviate the pressure. Usually I don't complain about restraints, even severe head banging or stapling, but this was actually painful. I wish I would've known the other seats we're more spacious, but after one unfortunate ride I wasn't about to try it again. On a side note, I do think that Sky Rocket is a great addition to Kennywood, I just wish Premier would have made more spacious restraints. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ansley Posted July 5, 2010 Share Posted July 5, 2010 I'm a bit perplexed by the uncomfortable leg thing? It this only in 2nd car last row? I rode in row 5, 2nd car middle row, I'm 5' 11", and weighh quite a bit...265. I have a hard time contorting my legs sometimes with shin bars, but I thought the seat was extremely comfortable with no problems with the shin things or lap bar at all. I fit in it well and thought it was great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ConleyKE Posted July 5, 2010 Share Posted July 5, 2010 What could've made it worse for me is that I'm super skinny (about 125lbs and 5ft 11), so my lap bar would have to go down a lot further to securely reach my lap. And since the lap bar and shin bar are connected, this causes the shin bar to tighten even more on my already long legs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CoasterExpert13 Posted July 9, 2010 Author Share Posted July 9, 2010 I completely agree with your review! The ride itself was very smooth, unique, and had great pacing... but the restraints completely ruined the experience. I rode it this past Thursday once in row 6, and also had the most uncomfortable/painful coaster experience to date. I'm 5ft 11 and my mom is only about 5ft 8, but both of our shins were continuously pressed against the foot bar. I actually had to keep my feet flexed the entire ride to alleviate the pressure. Usually I don't complain about restraints, even severe head banging or stapling, but this was actually painful. I wish I would've known the other seats we're more spacious, but after one unfortunate ride I wasn't about to try it again. On a side note, I do think that Sky Rocket is a great addition to Kennywood, I just wish Premier would have made more spacious restraints. So glad to hear someone else confirm what I felt...thought it was just me lol...I weight 165 and again 6'0 so I initially thought it had something to do with my height lol....the chair itself is rather comfy. I'm a bit perplexed by the uncomfortable leg thing? It this only in 2nd car last row? I rode in row 5, 2nd car middle row, I'm 5' 11", and weighh quite a bit...265. I have a hard time contorting my legs sometimes with shin bars, but I thought the seat was extremely comfortable with no problems with the shin things or lap bar at all. I fit in it well and thought it was great. From what I heard, I guess it's pretty much all of the last rows....I was in the very last row on the train which is the row-6. I could barely get my feet in a comfortable position so I could sit down...I still think the ride is completely awesome though and glad to have it in my home park. I'll be going back next week a few days after my birthday, so i'll try and get another seat...hope I get a v.i.p. pass with a better row this time!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bgwfreak777 Posted July 9, 2010 Share Posted July 9, 2010 How does the restraint look for bigger people? Do they have a test seat? If I can fit on a B&M hyper, do you think I'll have problems with this one? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CoasterExpert13 Posted July 10, 2010 Author Share Posted July 10, 2010 How does the restraint look for bigger people? Do they have a test seat? If I can fit on a B&M hyper, do you think I'll have problems with this one? From what I can remember, I don't think there's a test seat...I've seen people of all sizes on the ride and mostly everyone said it was comfortable....I think you should be fine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts