IAAPA 2012 Trade Show - TPR's Official Report!

[Rollercoaster Rider]

^ It's actually the late-night version of Transformers at Universal. See, it's the same ride, but instead of giant robots, it's a league of crime-fighting Transvestites.

 

 

That's either gonna be the Tom Six's Ride or David Chronenberg(sp?) ride.

[Crazy4Coasters!]

Robb, you and your crew are doing a great job! Awesome posts from Day 1 and I can't wait to see what else is in store for us tomorrow.

[Meteornotes]

Enjoying all the IN-DEPTH coverage!

 

The Hades announcement is...interesting. I'm not sure how I feel about it. Hades in its first year was amazing. Since then, not so much. I'd sort of preferred to just hear a retracking/new trains announcement, but if this change to the ride makes it enjoyable again, I'm all for it.

 

And that dinosaur train was badass.

 

dt

[XYZ]

I'm surprised by that Hades announcement. This will be the first zero-g roll on a woodie, which is one of my favorite inversions, so I'm very happy to see this. Maybe, we might see Voyage 360 in the future.

[boardwalkbullet91507]

I just simply don't see how the inversion on Hades will be structurally sound. It looks so weak!

[nowaymang]

Great coverage! Can't wait to see what else is in store.

[rcdude]

Great coverage of the show. I can't wait for the video coverage to see how the manufacturers respond to whatever random questions you choose to ask them.

 

I'm still undecided how I feel about Hades having a barrel roll. On one hand, it's unique, but on the other I feel that it is a bit of a gimmick. Wooden coasters have done fine for many years without inversions, so they seem somewhat unnecessary. I just hope that we don't see tons of older wooden coasters receiving inversions and a majority of new ones built with them from the start, as the novelty would quickly wear off. At least Hades will hopefully recieve some trackwork and run better with new trains as well (I haven't been on it, but everything I've heard indicates it's gotten as rough as GhostRider).

[robbalvey]

Working on videos now! We were able to interview Great Coasters, B&M, S&S, Proslide, RMC and a bunch of others today!

[chadster]

Awesome, I need to something to watch at work

[Angry_Gumball]

I can't wait to see the videos. I briefly checked out today's live updates during breaks and lunch. I'm really liking what I'm seeing so far. It's going to be a tough week with playing Black Ops II and following the IAAPA updates!

[Tanks4me05]

What's the over/under on Hades 360 becoming an unridable mess? I'm giving it 6 hours.

 

I'm going to put more confidence in the ride than that. It's obvious from the geometry that they are looking into making it a zero g roll, which will mean minimal stress being put on the track at that point. I would assume that they might raise the minimum temperature required to run the ride in the slim case that it would stall right at the top, thus putting the full weight of a train on a place with relatively little supporting for several hours, thus weakening the structure at that point and increasing the frequency of maintenance.

[coasterlover420]

^I'm assuming he means the entire coaster, assuming it will be re-tracked.

[Blue Fire Guy]

Loving the coverage so far! I'm eager for the videos to come in, it'll be very interesting to see how the interviews are different this time around with all the questions coming from us curious nerds. I'll be following along closely!

[_koppen]

Videos will be awesome, I feel like it's Christmas in the air!

[sspaz1000]

Great first days coverage!

[anthoni_]

Thumbs up for wooden coasters with inversions AND lap bars only.

[Jew]

Love that Alan Schilke is still rocking the mullet!

[coastercrazy216]

It's funny how Alan Schilke went from a roller coaster genius for the 4th dimension coasters, to mediocre designer due to problems with the 4D concept, and now he is a wooden roller coaster revolutionary through RMC.

[DBru]

I don't understand...why is PTC showcasing trains with buzzbars? Can those be used nowadays?

[Jew]

I'm sure they meet all applicable ASTM standards. It's just a matter of a park choosing to buy them.

[Taylor Finn]

Thanks for the awesome coverage, guys. Truly great to be able to experience this through you guys! Seems like a lot is going on in 2013!

[robbalvey]

Here's our first video installment! S&S, Silver Dollar City, Rocky Mountain Construction! Enjoy!!!

 

POST YOUR COMMENTS!!!

[Mrlittle]

Awesome first video. I love the interviews. The S&S new stuff looks better on video.

 

I like how excited Joel was for the new coaster at SDC. He seemed to be very thrilled that TPR will be there next year to ride it. I was kind of hoping RMC would at least reveal something like we are doing another iron horse overhaul next year. But overall, great video and I can't wait to see more.

[singemfrc]

I love S&S so much! The magnetic 4D, launched 4D, the free fly, the polar coaster..all incredible! Hope to see some of those in the near future..I think the magnetic 4D and the polar probably have the best shot. Just like he said the free fly is the best concept but yeah the capacity really has to be better. Between S&S and RMC I really look forward to having my brains scrambled!

[JJnCFL]

Loving the updates, keep up the great work! What a great pre-birthday present for me!