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Efteling Discussion Thread


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Wow, the new coaster and theater both look amazing. The only other themed wooden coasters I can think of, LoCoSuMo and Underground, are close to being dark rides instead of coasters, so it should be interesting to see how it turns out. Hopefully they have better luck with this than they did with the Flying Dutchman.

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If they're from GCI, then I expect this coaster in the top ten wooden honestly.

 

I'd seriously doubt that for a couple of reasons.

 

1) Efteling is nowhere near any type of thrill park. It's about the gardens, the themeing that the various rides are engulfed by, and the overall beauty of the park.

 

It's the type of place that is a child's first amusement park. Taken there by their parents, as they had the same experience. WHere they can ride pretty much everything. Very traditional, very slow paced.

 

I really don't think that Efteling would order (what an enthusiast would call) a thrill ride.

 

2) There's only one GCI in the "top ten" of Mitch's poll (see here), and that is Troy at #7. GCI makes good, solid, dependable coasters, which are what parks order. Not necessarily great on thrills, though I do have OzCat at #2 and Troy at #8.

 

To me, almost all GCI's feel pretty much the same, with the exception of the two I named above. (Honorable mention to Kentucky Rumbler.)

 

Even Terminator felt like I'd ridden it before, in an altered state. The only interesting thing (to me) was the combination of "tunnel, station fly by, tunnel". I doubt that will crack my top 20 woodies. That's not to say it's a bad ride, just not too high on the thrill factor. Little to no airtime, and most laterals removed, due to the high banking. Lots of great changes of direction, but again, with the banking, not much in the way of heavy (thrilling) g-forces.

 

GCI's tend to be mostly about sustained speed, thru the higher banking on the curves.

 

That being said, after being to Efteling a couple of times, I can hardly wait to see what kind of themeing Efteling does come up with. Because, pretty much everything in that park is top notch, themeing wise.

 

 

JJ

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That being said, after being to Efteling a couple of times, I can hardly wait to see what kind of themeing Efteling does come up with. Because, pretty much everything in that park is top notch, themeing wise.

 

I'm also really curious to see what they come up with. Just replacing Pegasus is an improvement for the park by itself. I'm sure that Efteling will get the theming done well, but will this finally be the first good coaster that Efteling installs? I'm not talking top 10 material, but rather just a really solid, very fun ride that everyone likes. Efteling doesn't have anything like this right now.

 

Also, with the racing/dueling aspect, there's huge potential to make the coaster more interactive, like interactions between riders on each train with the riders of the other train. Just a thought. It could take "passing the sword" to a whole new level.

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Everyone needs to remember that coaster enthusiasts represent a very small percentage of park attendance. Catering to coaster enthusiasts (or any small demographic) is a bad business move.

 

I didn't say they should build something that enthousiasts want, because that would be bad for business, indeed.

 

The Efteling (and Disney for that matter) only appeal to people who like slow, nice and beautifull rides. If you have kids to the age of 12, that's nice. But if you want to have something for every age, you can't do with dark rides and small coasters.

 

 

Disney does appeal across age lines and demographics. Pretty much everybody, from toddlers to seniors, enjoy spending a day at a Disney park. Yes, teenagers too.

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I think this is a good move for Efteling. All this park lacks is a solid coaster, and Pegasus isn't it (it's more of a plodding "family" woodie--not bad, but not great).

 

Combining GCI with Efteling's talent for "themeing things up" sounds like a winning move to me. And if the new ride is even just half as good as Troy, it'll be a helluva lot better than Pegasus.

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I did think Efteling's Intamin bobsled, Bobbaan, was pretty awesome and the only bobsled like it where I've ever experienced airtime. The woodsy setting also made it fun swerving in and out and around the trees.

 

Sounds like some great new additions!

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Ok, it's probably not a lock for top ten. But the ride does have several things going for it pushing it towards that which can't be overlooked.

 

Theming

 

Dueling

 

Longer Length Than any other GCI by over a thousand feet (as long as that length stat doesn't include both tracks) at 4593 feet.

 

And the biggest of all, the general upward trend in the quality of GCI's coasters. This year they've built Prowler, Terminator, and El Toro, which have gotten nothing but stellar reviews from all.

 

But of course, it could also not be GCI at all, and also, isn't 85ish feet a bit short of a drop for a 4500 long coaster? Sounds hard to keep up speed...

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So, if it's themed to St. George and the Dragon, then I assume the St. George side will always win?

 

Yes, but that's because the both sides are George. You are figting the dragon. The name should be Drakendoder (Dragonkiller), because that's the task the trains have.

Also it isn't St. George, because it's themed to the legend-tale, not the church-tale.

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Ok, it's probably not a lock for top ten. But the ride does have several things going for it pushing it towards that which can't be overlooked.

 

Theming

 

Dueling

 

Longer Length Than any other GCI by over a thousand feet (as long as that length stat doesn't include both tracks) at 4593 feet.

 

And the biggest of all, the general upward trend in the quality of GCI's coasters. This year they've built Prowler, Terminator, and El Toro, which have gotten nothing but stellar reviews from all.

 

But of course, it could also not be GCI at all, and also, isn't 85ish feet a bit short of a drop for a 4500 long coaster? Sounds hard to keep up speed...

 

I wonder if maybe there'll be a bit of a dark ride section en route to the lift. That could take up a bit of the track length. Just a thought.

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I wonder if maybe there'll be a bit of a dark ride section en route to the lift. That could take up a bit of the track length. Just a thought.

 

The people who went to the Efteling/Themeparksites meeting say there isn't an indoor part.

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  • 3 weeks later...
Ok, it's probably not a lock for top ten. But the ride does have several things going for it pushing it towards that which can't be overlooked.

 

Theming

 

Dueling

 

Longer Length Than any other GCI by over a thousand feet (as long as that length stat doesn't include both tracks) at 4593 feet.

 

And the biggest of all, the general upward trend in the quality of GCI's coasters. This year they've built Prowler, Terminator, and El Toro, which have gotten nothing but stellar reviews from all.

 

But of course, it could also not be GCI at all, and also, isn't 85ish feet a bit short of a drop for a 4500 long coaster? Sounds hard to keep up speed...

 

Ehm, there will be 2 coasters of 2300ft long, and 85ft high.

The two sides will race against each other, Water vs. Fire. There will be cheering music in the station of the winning side.

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Efteling en Great Coasters tekenen samenwerking

 

Vanochtend tekenden Bart de Boer, directievoorzitter Efteling en Clair Hain Jr., president Great Coasters International, Inc. de intentieverklaring voor de bouw van de nieuwe attractie Joris en de Draak. Medio 2010 zal de houten racer-achtbaan Joris en de Draak te beleven zijn in het Ruigrijk van de Efteling. Het is de eerste houten racer-achtbaan in Noordwest Europa en dat maakt deze attractie zo uniek.

 

Joris en de Draak

In de nieuwe, dubbele achtbaan Joris en de Draak worden de bezoekers verdeeld over twee banen: water en vuur. Er wordt tegen elkaar gestreden om de snelste tijd waarbij de draak van zich laat horen. De bezoekers treden als echte ‘drakenjagers’ in de voetsporen van de legendarische Joris, die in vroegere tijden een draak versloeg en een onschuldig meisje het leven redde. Joris en de Draak komt tegenover De Vliegende Hollander te staan, op de plek van de Pegasus. Het wordt een stoere, gethematiseerde coaster voor het hele gezin in een spannende en natuurlijke omgeving.

 

Facts & Figures Joris en de Draak

- lengte: 2 x 700 meter

- hoogte: 21,5 meter

- aantal treinen: 4

- capaciteit per uur: 1750 personen

- max. snelheid: 70 km/u

- minimum lichaamslengte: 1.10 meter

 

Great Coasters International, Inc.

Great Coasters International, Inc. is een gerenommeerd Amerikaans bedrijf dat gespecialiseerd is in het bouwen van houten familieachtbanen. Dat blijkt ook uit de vele awards dat het bedrijf door de jaren heen heeft ontvangen, waaronder de award voor Wooden Coaster of the year in 2005 en 2006. Het bedrijf onderscheidt zich door de authentieke en passievolle wijze waarop de attracties worden gemaakt. De eerste houten achtbaan werd gebouwd in 1996 in Hersheypark, Pennsylvania en in 2006 breidde het bedrijf uit door ook achtbanen te bouwen in Europa.

 

Persbericht Efteling

 

-----------------------------------------------

 

Short version for who can't read Dutch:

GCI!

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It's now official that it's gonna be a GCI. Here's my translated version of the press mail:

 

Efteling and GCI sign for cooperation

8/12/2009

This morning, Bart de Boer and Clair Hain Jr. (president of GCI), signed the agreement for the construction of the new ride Joris en de Draak (George and the Dragon). In 2010 the wooden racer-coaster Joris en de Draak will be open in the Ruigrijk part of the Efteling. It's the first racer-coaster in Northwest-Europe and that makes the ride unique.

 

Joris en de Draak

In the new, double rollercoaster Joris en de Draak, the visitors will be divided in to two tracks: Water and Fire. There will be a battle for the quickest laptime, where the Dragon will not be unheard. The visitors will be real 'dragonhunters', just like the legendary Joris, who defeated in the early days a dragon and saved an innocent girl. Joris en de Draak will be placed on the place of Pegasus, by the Flying Dutchman. It'll be a cool, themed coaster for the entire family in an exciting and natural environment.

 

Facts & Figures Joris en de Draak

Length: 2 x 2300ft

Height: 70,5ft

Number of trains: 4

Max. speed: 43,4 mph

Minimum height: 3,6ft

 

Great Coasters International,Inc.

GCI is a famous American company specialised in building wooden family coasters. They have won many awards througout the years, such as Wooden Coaster of the Year 2005 & 2006. The company distinguishes by by the authentic and passionate way their rides are built. The first woorden rollercoaster was built in 1996 for Hersheypark, Pennsylvania and in 2006 the company expanded by building coasters in Europe as well.

 

 

Sorry for my quick translate, but it's at least better then Babelfish.

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Efteling en Great Coasters tekenen samenwerking

 

Vanochtend tekenden Bart de Boer, directievoorzitter Efteling en Clair Hain Jr., president Great Coasters International, Inc. de intentieverklaring voor de bouw van de nieuwe attractie Joris en de Draak. Medio 2010 zal de houten racer-achtbaan Joris en de Draak te beleven zijn in het Ruigrijk van de Efteling. Het is de eerste houten racer-achtbaan in Noordwest Europa en dat maakt deze attractie zo uniek.

 

Joris en de Draak

In de nieuwe, dubbele achtbaan Joris en de Draak worden de bezoekers verdeeld over twee banen: water en vuur. Er wordt tegen elkaar gestreden om de snelste tijd waarbij de draak van zich laat horen. De bezoekers treden als echte ‘drakenjagers’ in de voetsporen van de legendarische Joris, die in vroegere tijden een draak versloeg en een onschuldig meisje het leven redde. Joris en de Draak komt tegenover De Vliegende Hollander te staan, op de plek van de Pegasus. Het wordt een stoere, gethematiseerde coaster voor het hele gezin in een spannende en natuurlijke omgeving.

 

Facts & Figures Joris en de Draak

- lengte: 2 x 700 meter

- hoogte: 21,5 meter

- aantal treinen: 4

- capaciteit per uur: 1750 personen

- max. snelheid: 70 km/u

- minimum lichaamslengte: 1.10 meter

 

Great Coasters International, Inc.

Great Coasters International, Inc. is een gerenommeerd Amerikaans bedrijf dat gespecialiseerd is in het bouwen van houten familieachtbanen. Dat blijkt ook uit de vele awards dat het bedrijf door de jaren heen heeft ontvangen, waaronder de award voor Wooden Coaster of the year in 2005 en 2006. Het bedrijf onderscheidt zich door de authentieke en passievolle wijze waarop de attracties worden gemaakt. De eerste houten achtbaan werd gebouwd in 1996 in Hersheypark, Pennsylvania en in 2006 breidde het bedrijf uit door ook achtbanen te bouwen in Europa.

 

Persbericht Efteling

 

-----------------------------------------------

 

Short version for who can't read Dutch:

GCI!

 

I translated it for y'all. See above.

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