What is it that a wooden coaster is missing?

[redfoot12]

I just don't think that someone legitimately undertaking the mammoth task of building an amusement park from scratch would be asking about such intracacies, thats all. I may well be wrong, it's just my opinion. These are things I would imagine you worry about FAR down the road, if at all. Again, just an opinion.

 

Why not? If I were starting an amusement park I'd want to keep my finger to the pulse of the enthusiast community for feedback with what does and does not work.

While starting a park is nothing to sneeze at, at least there seems to be some organization and legitimacy to what Jeff's group is doing.

http://www.themeparkreview.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=56591

[jarmor]

I've got it i've got it!!! A wooden coaster is missing a, get ready..., VERTICAL DROP!!!

[redfoot12]

^I like your thinking. I bet only an Intamin prefab could successfully pull that off!

[tiger01]

^ True! But i'm not sure that many people will ride a 'woodie' that has a vertical Drop.

Personally that would scare the $%!£ out of Me!

[alpengeist04]

If it means anything to you, I'd travel to Louisiana to ride an Intamin Woodie. There's only one other one in the country, so you would definitely draw most of the south and middle of the country's coaster enthusiasts to your doorstep.

 

I second that. While I can't guarantee making the trip every year, I would definitely make it ever other year for an Intamin woodie.

[jarmor]

^ True! But i'm not sure that many people will ride a 'woodie' that has a vertical Drop.

Personally that would scare the $%!£ out of Me!

And thats the point! I mean its not the issue of the restraint. Lots of lap bar only coasters successfully pull off vertical drops. I think traditional wooden coaster track would work as well and intamin prefab. So thats it, what wooden coasters are missing is a completly vertical drop...

[robbalvey]

A vertical drop on a wooden coaster?

 

SHEEEEESH!!!

[ANJLOVER14]

Personally, I like it when a coaster surrounds the queue line/exit (i.e. Tremors @ Silverwood or Terminator at SFMM). This helps to build the suspense, and really gets my heart pumping; and when you finally reach the station, it's just an amazing feeling of excitement.

[the ghost]

I really like it when a layout is surprising, and tunnels or whatever add to that a lot. For example ghostrider has the best ending ever(or it did when it was smooth ) becasuse you go FLYING down a steep drop into supports. The entire rest of the ride is hidden in the supports giving awesome headchoppers and other things while not knowing exactly whats coming at you, especially at night when the supporst block out pretty much all light. Somethng like that goes a long way IMO!

[samisthabomb]

Like a bunch of people on here, I would get Great Coasters Int'l to build your woodie! They seem to design unique and TWISTY coasters that are usually smooth and enjoyable. And that's what most people like, smooth and twisty. I love all woodies, but I tend to care for coasters with more sharp turns and twists than your everyday Out-and-Back. I like a big helix in the middle of the ride. Whatever you do, I'll be there! I live in East Texas and can't wait to see this thing up and running! Thanks for proposing a new park for Louisiana.

 

- Sam Marrs

[Hayzle]

Oh c'mon Robb your saying you wouldn't enjoy a vertical drop on a wooden coaster? How about an inline twist then

[beatle11]

A vertical drop on a wooden coaster?

 

SHEEEEESH!!!

 

Now does that vertical drop get like a brake at the top like on the B&M dive coasters? I'd like to see someone pull this off. Hey, how about a wooden Stratacoaster while your at it. Get Intamin and GG together using the Pre-Fab track and the Timberliner trains.

 

What could possibly go wrong?

[andre8]

I'd like to see a banked turn BEYOND 90 degrees. Would it work out with the wooden track or would it need steel tracking?

[Yamez]

^I don't see why it couldn't work, I think it would just be a question of G-forces on the human body.

 

Anyone know the math?

[jarmor]

I'd like to see a banked turn BEYOND 90 degrees. Would it work out with the wooden track or would it need steel tracking?

Then you wanna see the NEW texas giant...

[Zissou]

The most admirable aspect of a company like GCI is the designer's ability to create nostalgic re-imaginings of classic elements, but using them in such a way that they stay true to the integrity of wooden coasters. Elements like ninety-degree banking and reverse banking are unobtrusive, exuding a respect toward classic wooden coasters. These and other modern elements/updates comfortably enhance the forces that are inherent in woodies, like strong laterals. However, by suggesting things like a vertical drop and an inline roll, one is essentially just reworking elements of steel coasters into wooden coasters, which doesn't necessarily pay proper consideration to the conventions of classic woodies.

 

A dark ride section on a modern wooden coaster would be interesting. For example, a re-imagining of something like Lost Coaster of Superstition Mountain. Though, not necessarily a two-car train with an elevator lift (although, that would certainly draw interest), but more in principle. Just a simple meandering through a few scenes before the lift hill would be really cool.

Edited October 29, 2010 by Zissou

[jeffhensley]

First, let me say, "WOW!" I never expected to get so much feedback. I really appreciate everyone's honesty, even if some of it was a little off-topic.

 

I have been working with designers in order to get just the right kind of coaster. My thinking, since we are going to be a "family" theme park, was to design a dueling coaster in which one side would be the track for the "family to ride" (which would have smooth turns with no big drops or sharp drops), and one side for the thrill-seeker.

 

It's just a thought, mind you.

 

I've also thought about a barrel-roll coming out of a 90-degree turn. But then again, that is just something I was toying with on the design.

 

No matter what I want this ride fast. I like the idea of wooden tunnels and of having the ride go underground (but, being in Louisiana, can't go underground! First rain and it would flood, leaving us to pump out the water like crazy.).

 

I think everyone will be pleased with the outcome, by and large!

 

Tell ya what! When it comes time to open, Robb, I will let you and the TPR members of your choosing be among the first to ride. You can have yourself a contest or something, it's up to you. (We can hash out the details later.)

 

thanks again everyone for your support and help! See you at IAAPA! I'll be there the 17th and 18th.

 

Jeff Hensley

Owner / Bon Temps Family Theme Park

jeff@louisianathemepark

[let1gre]

I have a hard time imagining a true "dueling" coaster such as Joris en de Draak or Gwazi with one side being a family side and the other for thrill seekers, but I am glad to see you are responding to the comments and the suggestions made in this thread. Good luck to you!

[the ghost]

^ Joris is racing though, so it would be impossible. IT could be done, just differently, and maybe not by GCI but maybe by the Gravity Group. Regardless, its an interesting concept that if executed correctly is a great idea of combining family thrills and general thrills!

[The_Mad_Hatter]

Battle Star Galacta has two sides, one sit down non inverting "family" side, and a more intense side with loops and lots of forces. Albiet manufacturing problems, it works pretty well. I like the idea of a dueling woodie which could bring nice variety. Hopefully something like the Raven at Holiday World with a twisty dueling part in the middle.

 

Good luck! ;D

[DBJ]

I personally would like to see a wood coaster that plays with the sight lines. Usually, when you are on a wood coaster, you can see what's coming next. I would imagine enclosing a entire coaster is too costly, so how about a tunnel that visually turns to one direction, but actually sends the riders to the opposite direction?

 

And an unexpected drop in a tunnel could be a great element. With tunnels on most coasters, there isn't much of a suprise when it comes to the motion experienced while in the tunnel. You know you are entering into it at high speed, probably doing a banking motion of some degree and exiting at high speed. But a sudden drop? Awesome.

[Skycoastin Steve]

I'd like to see a banked turn BEYOND 90 degrees. Would it work out with the wooden track or would it need steel tracking?

Then you wanna see the NEW texas giant...

Great point......if it had wooden track.

[jamesdillaman]

Jeff,

 

I would take a page from the Son of Beast playbook and steer clear of any inversions. Silly tricks like that are fun and all, but they seem to take away from the wooden coaster experience as a whole. I really like the idea of dueling tracks with one being more family and one for more thrillseekers. Any time you can involve other rides it makes both of them more exciting. (See: Kennywood's Thunderbolt and Phantom's Revenge). You don't have to race them, but occupying the same footprint would be pretty awesome, and as far as I can tell, truly unique.

[coasterdad]

Guys, Look at Le Monster at La Ronde. The late Bill Cobb designed it to have one side family and one side thrill factor ready so this is something that could be done. As for new elements on a wooden coaster, you could have the hand slap element or quad down element. Speed has to be good, and don't go for the Tallest in the world thing as in wooden coasters they tend to tear apart. Another aspect is talk to a few of the small park owner to see what they have to say about there coaster designs and what they thought about the process. and Thanks for coming to us for a little input on your ride. For me I've had a few things added to a few rides at parks.

[CoasterCard]

I think an inline twist/zero-g roll would be entirely possible on a wooden coaster. It could also contribute to the wooden twister type of layout if it's used to quickly change directions. I could easily see a GCI coming out of a turn and instead of bouncing over the track you roll under instead.

 

I'm sure it can be done, and I think that, if done right, it would be a major draw for a start-up amusement park.