larrygator Posted February 1, 2012 Author Share Posted February 1, 2012 My best guesstimate would be opening the week before Memorial Day to help iron out the kinks, regardless of when it opens, I'll be there! I don't need to guess as the owner already told us the opening date: Developer and restauranteur Tilman Fertitt held a press conference today to reveal more details about the Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier which is schedule to open Memorial Day weekend of 2012. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnychen Posted February 1, 2012 Share Posted February 1, 2012 Can't wait for memorial day weekend. The Houston area will be finally getting a second decent roller coaster. The Pleasure Pier will definitely do well. The closest major amusement park to Houston is in San Antonio which is about 3 hours away. Houston is the 4th largest city in the US in population (size wise I think we may beat Rhode Island). It is spread out and resembles a lot like Los Angeles with a similar international mix of residents. We are like LA with bad weather. Since the loss of Six Flags Astroworld, there has been a void as far as amusement parks go. I see the Pleasure Pier getting packed to capacity just like the Kemah Boardwalk. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chadster Posted February 2, 2012 Share Posted February 2, 2012 I did not see this in the news article or posted in the thread yet, but, it has been confirmed to me on their Facebook page that the coaster from Gerst is indeed a Eurofighter. Chad Carter Gerstlauer?about an hour ago · Like Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier Yes Chad it is...Eurofighter 13 minutes ago · Unlike · 1 Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier Some of the beams are just holding it up (like a model).... 12 minutes ago · Unlike · 1 Facebook being assembled before being shipped Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gigalyte Posted February 2, 2012 Share Posted February 2, 2012 Hmm so they're painting it during Construction, love the blue track. Also I see the Pier will have a Ring of Fire does any one remember I think it was like IAAPA '99 (I know ages ago lol) when the manufacture displayed a model of a floorless version I wounder what ever happened to that? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kidcoaster 2 Posted February 2, 2012 Share Posted February 2, 2012 Hmm so they're painting it during Construction, love the blue track. The coaster was still being assembled at the plant. So I imagine it will be painted before being shipped. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deathbydinn Posted February 4, 2012 Share Posted February 4, 2012 Iron Sharks layout and POV has been posted. A bit short, but still a layout. The first inversion looks pretty cool, like a SLC kidneybean on sit down. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shavethewhales Posted February 4, 2012 Share Posted February 4, 2012 Meh, maybe not the 'dark horse' of 2012 that I imagined. I know it's a pier coaster, but it needs a little more length than that to make me feel like I'm getting my money's worth. It can't be much, if at all, shorter than the standard Rage model, but for some reason that layout feels more complete than this one. I feel like I'm just getting into it when it hits the breaks. At least the elements it does have are pretty cool. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cal1br3tto Posted February 4, 2012 Share Posted February 4, 2012 ^That's my main problem with Eurofighters, too, though I'm sure it keeps them cost-effective. For one, Untamed is over so quickly that the only real fun is in the first drop. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beatle11 Posted February 4, 2012 Share Posted February 4, 2012 It's definitely a short layout, but it does pack quite a bit in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Airtime&Gravity Posted February 4, 2012 Share Posted February 4, 2012 The layout is definitely unique, but as said, it seems to be missing something. Granted, they can only do so much given the location, but the ride is essentially just inversions after the drop. It just seems odd. That being said, while it is odd, I must say that it is one of the most creative designs I've seen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jzoole Posted February 8, 2012 Share Posted February 8, 2012 As mentioned before in the Gerstlauer press release thread, it is confirmed that Iron Shark will have new 8-passenger lapbar only vehicles. Also, the Pleasure Pier facebook posted a picture of the Iron Shark logo. Looks great! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cal1br3tto Posted February 8, 2012 Share Posted February 8, 2012 ^Nice! I like how it really is, well, an iron shark. I mean, I suppose it could've just been a shark shark. The simple lettering actually reminds me a bit of the Morey's Great White logo, albeit not as clean and classic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alpengeist04 Posted February 8, 2012 Share Posted February 8, 2012 I know there are a few on here that will really appreciate that logo. I think the logo looks cool and I'm loving the lapbar only part. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DBru Posted February 9, 2012 Share Posted February 9, 2012 That non-braked first drop with only lap bars is going to be phenomenal. At least there won't be any lack of pacing! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
larrygator Posted February 10, 2012 Author Share Posted February 10, 2012 (edited) LA Times is reporting the following descriptions of the major rides. Just in case it wasn't clear from the map and Page 7 of this thread. Iron Shark — A Gerstlauer Eurofighter steel roller coaster with a 100-foot vertical lift, a beyond vertical drop and four inversions. Coaster trains reach 50 mph over the 1,300-foot-long track that includes a diving loop and a backstretch that cantilevers over the water. Texas Star Flyer — The 200-foot-tall Funtime Star Flyer is being billed as the tallest tower swing ride in Texas. Six Flags Fiesta Texas in San Antonio is home to a similar ride called SkyScreamer. Galaxy Wheel — The 100-foot-tall Chance Morgan Ferris wheel at the end of the pier features programmable LED lights. Pirate's Plunge — A twin-drop log flume built by Interlink with an initial 22-foot descent and a 42-foot finale. Carousel — A Chance Morgan double-decker merry-go-round with ride-on sea creatures, horses and chariots. Gulf Glider — A 22-foot-tall Bertazzon wave swinger featuring single and double seats. Revolution — The 60-foot-tall Chance Morgan Revolution pendulum claw ride swings out over the water. Sky Shooter — The SBF Visa Airborne Shot lets riders control the "fly-out" feature of the arms on the spinning thrill ride. Cyclone — The 60-foot-tall Larson International Fireball travels forward and backward at 25 mph around a ring-of-fire-style loop. Rock & Roll — The Bertazzon Musik Express-style ride features hot rods that travel forward and backward around an alpine bobsled-style loop. Sea Dragon — The Chance Morgan pirate ship-style ride reaches 50 feet in the air as it swings out over the water. Pier Pileup — The Bertazzon bumper cars feature antique and classic cars with separate ride areas for kids and adults. Frog Hopper — A 22-foot-tall S&S Power kiddie drop tower. Texas Tea — A Zamperla tea cup similar to the ride at Coney Island's Luna Park. Edited February 10, 2012 by larrygator Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cal1br3tto Posted February 10, 2012 Share Posted February 10, 2012 Ah, so Chance Morgan also makes double-decker carousels. For some reason I'd assumed Bertazzon (and Felimana) owned that market. Just another one of those generic ride styles, I guess. Sounds like a decent ride collection. I'm particularly interested in the Larson Fireball, as it doesn't seem too many parks have that style of ride. I'm also glad to see some rides will swing out over the water for great views and added thrills. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jps294 Posted March 12, 2012 Share Posted March 12, 2012 Iron Shark has gone Vertical! And the coaster goes off the pier! Also construction for Texas Star Flyer! I can't wait to visit the park in the summer! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Philrad71 Posted March 12, 2012 Share Posted March 12, 2012 I love how they are designing some of the rides to go out over the water...especially the coaster and Revolution. I would imagine that the Star Flyer swinging over part of the water will be awesome too...despite the fact that they scare the crap out of me! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stewhoutx Posted March 15, 2012 Share Posted March 15, 2012 In case anyone wants to take a look at construction on the pier, streaming cam at http://www.galveston.com/wavevideocam/ . I hangs up now and then, so just click on Wave up top under the video cam choices. It zooms in and out and along the pier and beach every 5-10 mins, so sometimes you have to wait for it to come back around to the pier...but gives pretty good look at what's going on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MightyShouter Posted March 20, 2012 Share Posted March 20, 2012 We saw on facebook that the Iron Shark was topped off late last week so we took a quick trip to Galveston on Saturday to check out the construction progress. The last time we saw the pier, there was a big ugly hotel on it. Now it is nothing but concrete, steel, and tons of rides under construction. One thing I tried to add here are a few shots that show the complete pier and the beach. The pier fits right in on Seawall Blvd and is going to be a BIG add to Galveston. Enjoy. Looking SW down Seawall Blvd - The Pleasure Pier fits right in with the beach! Iron Shark Topped Off! Could be a fun place to work Workers were all over the pier until dark on Saturday - St. Patrick's Day Nerd Shot for the ride construction groupies Yup it is a pier! Iron Shark from the west side The whole pier looking NE up Seawall Blvd. The ride density on the pier is going to be amazing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jedimaster1227 Posted March 20, 2012 Share Posted March 20, 2012 I see Bubba Gumps construction work! If I ever get back to Texas, I guess I'll have to come to the Pier, at least to get my new Gumps credit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jerrykoala2112 Posted April 15, 2012 Share Posted April 15, 2012 For those not following the project on Facebook, some new pictures were posted over the past couple weeks. I cannot wait to visit this summer! And Holy crap this ride is extremely compact. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/galvestonislandpier Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chadster Posted April 15, 2012 Share Posted April 15, 2012 But it packs a huge punch. They've been pretty hush hush on opening dates now saying early summer 2012... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnychen Posted April 19, 2012 Share Posted April 19, 2012 Looks like it's on track to open on Memorial weekend. At least according to this article: Kane said the amusement park, which extends 1,130 feet over the Gulf of Mexico, is on track to open Memorial Day weekend in May when the motors that drive the 16 rides packed along the deck will roar into action. When I asked about staying within the $60 million budget, Kane hedged slightly but offered this: “The budget and (construction) schedule for something like this is always a challenge, but I think we’re right where Mr. Fertitta wanted to be.” link to article Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alpengeist04 Posted April 19, 2012 Share Posted April 19, 2012 ^That's great news. I'll be in the area the following weekend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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