"Out of Fashion" Ride Styles

[josephcissell]

Throughout the wonderful TPR community and the world of coaster people It's common to see general complaints made about certain styles of coasters than are no longer "in fashion" so to be speak. Particularly stand up coasters come to mind, but I would also include flying coasters and floorless coasters as styles that, while still popular at their respective parks in some cases (Tatsu at SFMM, Medusa at SFDK, and GA Scorcher at SFOG come to mind) have generally perhaps passed their prime or have gone out of style with coaster enthusiasts for being too gimicky, uncomfortable, or in the case of floorless coasters simply too similar to sit downs. Among most of the GP I know, this isn't so much the case, but often the GP see things very differently.

 

As most everyone on here knows, the wing riders are the hot new thing right now and probably will be for a while, but that will only last for so long. Though I'm sure Intamin, B&M, Premier, and the like certainly have new ideas in the works for the next ten or twenty years, at some point one has to assume that some of these less popular styles are going to be reworked and tried again with a new spin, hopefully with better results.

 

So my two questions are: How could coaster styles like stand up, flying, or floorless coasters that are less in favor be reworked to be more successful in terms of comfort, throughput, and popularity in the future? Alternatively, are any of these ride types inherently flawed and consequently unworthy of a future revisit?

[DarienLaker]

Vekoma could try to make a family suspended coaster with similar designed train to the Arrow ones as oppose to using a floorless train like many inverted/suspended coasters built from 1993-now.

[firewalk13]

I used to think as a kid that Arrow should have made a suspended standup coaster. I even drew a picture of it, I called it the Devil's Eye.

[DarienLaker]

Speaking of Arrow, they should have made a floorless suspended looping coaster with inline seating as opposed to riders riding side by side in twos. Vekoma could have done the same with their SLC models as well make them smooth as a B&M invert!

[Jew]

The only thing that will save any of those styles of coasters is cost. It's not that they are bad concepts, it's just that for the price of a new B&M parks will always want the "new hotness" that's easier to market.

[josephcissell]

^ That's a good point and I certainly agree that parks will almost always want whats new and exciting when they're shelling out that kind of money. I'd still love to see someone redesign the restraints on these stand up coasters or create a truly unique flying coaster that is more than simply a pretzel loop and an inline twist or two, but perhaps that is just wishful thinking on my part.

[Swornenemy]

^Flying coaster with a 90° drop would add something different.

[Aceattack52]

^Flying coaster with a 90° drop would add something different.

I don't know if that's possible since all the the riders' weight is on their chest.

[Philrad71]

Not that it's out of style, but could you imagine Top Thrill Dragster with some backwards seating similar to what they have talked about doing with a couple of the Batman clones and what they did with Swarm?

 

Not sure if it could even be done, but could you imagine doing that coaster backwards?

[Aceattack52]

^ I think it's possible, but they may have to lower the rate of acceleration since there will be no headrest to stop riders' heads from ending up in their laps'.

[josephcissell]

^Flying coaster with a 90° drop would add something different.

I don't know if that's possible since all the the riders' weight is on their chest.

Not sure if that is possible either, but I love the idea. A flying coaster with a 90 degree drop in a flying or lying position sounds very exciting to me. I can envision something compact and twisted, like a typical Gerstlauer Euro-Fighter, but with flying coaster trains.

[Geauga Dog]

http://www.themeparkreview.com/parks/pimages/Suzhou_Giant_Wheel_Park/Stingray/IMG_7140.JPG

 

I think the closest to a 90 degree drop on a flying coaster is Vekoma's Stingray like what is found at Suzhou Giant Wheel Park in China. While not technically a flying coaster as we know them here in the U.S. but it does use Vekoma's Flying Dutchman type cars.

 

When I first saw the title of the thread I originally thought it might have some realation to a lot of the old school flats that are disappearing from parks and are no longer offered by their respective manufacturers. Not sure how they would be able to update those types of rides to reintroduce to a new generation.

[DougMJr]

^I think the most forces on a Vekoma Stingray would be on that half loop that you can see in the photo. I feel like if that is possible a 90 degree drop certainly is.

[scbt]

I would love to see suspended coasters come back into fashion, they were great rides that everyone could enjoy and could be made quite intense too.

[A.J.]

I've said this over and over - an inverted coaster with 2-2 floored cars like Arrow Suspended coasters that don't swing would be fantastic. Imagine the close calls with terrain that would be possible with a reduced reach envelope!

[josephcissell]

^ I don't have any personal experience with them but after looking at some footage of Iron Dragon at CP and Eagle's Fortress in South Korea, I see what you mean. I am definitely a fan of great terrain coasters and I like your idea.

[singemfrc]

I'd still love to see someone create a truly unique flying coaster that is more than simply a pretzel loop and an inline twist or two, but perhaps that is just wishful thinking on my part.

There is at least one out there that fits that description. #1 on my bucket list to ride. One of the most creative unique layouts I've seen on any coaster, not just a flier.

[Midgetman82]

There'd been times when companies have recycled old elements, and used them in different ways or bent them in a slightly newer angle. That banana roll seems like the in-between of a cobra roll and a camelback. My idea revolves around those 95 degree drops some coasters have, but instead have them going up a 95 degree vertical spike. Not sure if that'd make a huge difference, other than a little more airtime from flying over the top.

[cfc]

I'd still love to see someone create a truly unique flying coaster that is more than simply a pretzel loop and an inline twist or two, but perhaps that is just wishful thinking on my part.

There is at least one out there that fits that description. #1 on my bucket list to ride. One of the most creative unique layouts I've seen on any coaster, not just a flier.

 

Starry Sky Ripper is one of the best flying coasters. Even I like it, and I'm not a big fan of flyers.

[Hilltopper39]

I always loved Arrow Mine trains for their multiple lifts, unique themeing (to whatever extent it was), sprawling layouts, and lengthy ride cycles even though the rides themselves really weren't all that exciting. With that being said I'd love to see a company like Rocky Mountain or even Gerstlauer or Mack take a swing at an old school mine train concept. Seems like there is a niche there for something more exciting than an old school mine train but less thrilling than Outlaw Run or a Euro Fighter that could really work for a lot of parks.

 

Also, I wonder if Rocky Mountain would ever consider "iron horsing" an old school Arrow Mine train? I don't know how much that would improve the overall ride experience but it couldn't make it any worse. A few air time hills here and there, over bank some turns, maybe even extend some existing layouts, could be a great way to revamp some existing attractions.

[Wes]

^ I think Vekoma is doing a good job with mine trains lately..

 

[Hilltopper39]

^ You win.....

 

Let me rephrase my statement, I'd love to see a company like Rocky Mountain or Mack or Gerstlauer take a swing at a mine train concept... that doesn't cost $100 million dollars.

[cfc]

Vekoma generally does a great job with their Mine Trains--and that one in Hong Kong is one of their best collaborations with Disney.

[josephcissell]

I'd still love to see someone create a truly unique flying coaster that is more than simply a pretzel loop and an inline twist or two, but perhaps that is just wishful thinking on my part.

There is at least one out there that fits that description. #1 on my bucket list to ride. One of the most creative unique layouts I've seen on any coaster, not just a flier.

I have to say, that looks like the best flier I've seen. I really like that layout. Why can't we get something like this in the U.S.?

[scbt]

I've said this over and over - an inverted coaster with 2-2 floored cars like Arrow Suspended coasters that don't swing would be fantastic. Imagine the close calls with terrain that would be possible with a reduced reach envelope!

 

Maybe something like this? - Anaconda at Gold Reef City (Johannesburg, South Africa). It was made by Giovanola .