The Knott's Berry Farm (KBF) Discussion Thread

[WOFanatic]

Do yall think the airtime isn't as strong because of the gci lapbars?

No, it's airtime is not as strong because of the reprofiling work. Timber Wolf got the same treatment this year and the airtime is dramatically tamer on it as well with PTC's running it.

[coloradocoasterguy]

Now having been on the updated GR, I will say I can see how this is a major improvement for majority of people. It's fast and it's smooth. But to me I left a little disappointed and I kind of preferred it better when it was rough (I'm in good shape and never really found it intolerable.). The main thing is key moments that really made GR stand out are gone. All air is floater at best, extreme lats are gone, airtime off the first drop is almost non-existant (very faint floater air) and the drop off the Mcbr just isn't anything like it used to be, even when it was completely stopped completely.

 

Like I said, I get it, and this ride will appeal to most of you, but for a ride I was hoping to be fairly comprable to Tremors and Timber Terrors in my personal ranking, I'm afraid it doesn't come close. And it's unfortunately knocked out of my top 10 all together. Front of the train is the best. I feel there was more airtime, and you get some good float, but nothing like it could have been, imo.

All those things you list that you liked so much are precisely why it became so deteriorated. They were rough on the structure. As an employee I actually got to be one of the very first riders before it originally opened to the public back in 1998. It was never a very smooth ride, though smooth as a B&M compared to when I rode it last March (2015). Owww. I'm curious to experience the refurb. Unfortunately it probably won't be until next Spring.

[Vonni]

Do yall think the airtime isn't as strong because of the gci lapbars?

No, it's airtime is not as strong because of the reprofiling work. Timber Wolf got the same treatment this year and the airtime is dramatically tamer on it as well with PTC's running it.

 

 

And even aside from that, I wouldn't think the restraints on a GCI train would hinder airtime. They are incredibly loose. I flight out of my seat on every GCI I have ridden (with GCI trains).

[CP Maverick]

And I've been basically stapled on every GCI running flyers...

[cal1br3tto]

And I've been basically stapled on every GCI running flyers...

Yup (with the only consistent exception of American Thunder in my case). It's the only reason I've never been totally on board with GCI trains, even though they have a reputation for providing many advantages.

 

In general, though, I'm somewhat optimistic about how I'll like the new Ghostrider.

[Canobie Coaster]

I'm at the park now and GhostRider hasn't opened yet. I saw 3-4 workers hammering at some boards on the section that goes over the roadway. I'm hoping it reopens in the next few hours since I don't know the next time I'll be at the park.

[Canobie Coaster]

I just got off the ride and really liked it. I had about an hour wait and rode in the back. I'd rate the ride a 9/10 and slot it in behind my top 5. The ride's layout and pacing is great. I loved the laterals too. Almost every hill had some airtime. I'd say it was floater other than the drop after the old MCBR. Based on the reviews on the ride in its state last season, the upgrade is a major improvement. I'd rate my wooden coasters like this:

 

1) El Toro

2) Phoenix

3) Boulder Dash

4) Cyclone (Coney)

5) Comet (Great Escape)

6) GhostRider

7) Gold Striker

[Mr. Corn]

I just got off the ride and really liked it. I had about an hour wait and rode in the back. I'd rate the ride a 9/10 and slot it in behind my top 5. The ride's layout and pacing is great. I loved the laterals too. Almost every hill had some airtime. I'd say it was floater other than the drop after the old MCBR. Based on the reviews on the ride in its state last season, the upgrade is a major improvement. I'd rate my wooden coasters like this:

 

1) El Toro

2) Phoenix

3) Boulder Dash

4) Cyclone (Coney)

5) Comet (Great Escape)

6) GhostRider

7) Gold Striker

 

Why didn't you like Gold Striker? I rode it and I would place it as my top wooden coaster

 

1) Gold Striker (CGA)

2) Mr. Twister (Elitch Gardens)

3) Grizzly (CGA)

4) Apocalypse (SFMM)

5) Pre-Refurb Ghostrider (KBF)

[Condor]

I just got off the ride and really liked it. I had about an hour wait and rode in the back. I'd rate the ride a 9/10 and slot it in behind my top 5. The ride's layout and pacing is great. I loved the laterals too. Almost every hill had some airtime. I'd say it was floater other than the drop after the old MCBR. Based on the reviews on the ride in its state last season, the upgrade is a major improvement. I'd rate my wooden coasters like this:

 

1) El Toro

2) Phoenix

3) Boulder Dash

4) Cyclone (Coney)

5) Comet (Great Escape)

6) GhostRider

7) Gold Striker

 

Why didn't you like Gold Striker? I rode it and I would place it as my top wooden coaster

 

1) Gold Striker (CGA)

2) Mr. Twister (Elitch Gardens)

3) Grizzly (CGA)

4) Apocalypse (SFMM)

5) Pre-Refurb Ghostrider (KBF)

 

Look at his list then look at yours. He has been on El Toro, Phoenix, and Boulder Dash, three that are perennial top 5 in the world. Placing Goldstriker behind those, Comet (once a top 5-10 coaster itself if you go back a decade or so), and a recently retracked Cyclone is not bad at all.

 

I personally think Goldstriker is great and my 2nd or 3rd favorite GCI, but it's just not as good under most criteria as the best CCIs, Gravity Groups, Intamins, and RMCs.

[Canobie Coaster]

I just got off the ride and really liked it. I had about an hour wait and rode in the back. I'd rate the ride a 9/10 and slot it in behind my top 5. The ride's layout and pacing is great. I loved the laterals too. Almost every hill had some airtime. I'd say it was floater other than the drop after the old MCBR. Based on the reviews on the ride in its state last season, the upgrade is a major improvement. I'd rate my wooden coasters like this:

 

1) El Toro

2) Phoenix

3) Boulder Dash

4) Cyclone (Coney)

5) Comet (Great Escape)

6) GhostRider

7) Gold Striker

 

Why didn't you like Gold Striker? I rode it and I would place it as my top wooden coaster

 

1) Gold Striker (CGA)

2) Mr. Twister (Elitch Gardens)

3) Grizzly (CGA)

4) Apocalypse (SFMM)

5) Pre-Refurb Ghostrider (KBF)

 

Gold Striker is a very good coaster, but it's in the tier below my top wooden coasters. I'm more of a fan of out and back layouts (hill focused) than twisters, but Gold Striker does it's own thing very well.

[DBru]

And even aside from that, I wouldn't think the restraints on a GCI train would hinder airtime. They are incredibly loose. I flight out of my seat on every GCI I have ridden (with GCI trains).

 

This is one of the most confusing statements I've ever seen made on this site. Lol. I would rank those awful staple-happy lap bars right down there with the horrid B&M vests that still lock.

[Canobie Coaster]

While GCI lapbars limit airtime, at least they are comfortable.

[CP Maverick]

I disagree. They punch me right in the lower stomach, right above the belt line. I need to hold them away from me to enjoy the ride.

[Canobie Coaster]

I find them better than PTC lap bars. Those ones can be rough on my knees if I get stapled.

[CedarFlags]

The thing that drove me crazy about the ptc lap bars was the bend in the side the would dig into my thigh...

 

This isn't GR, but it had the same bars...

[coloradocoasterguy]

Between the legs support posts on lap restraints are more comfortable than side mounted ones.

[Vonni]

^ I'd have to agree

[coasterbill]

The thing that drove me crazy about the ptc lap bars was the bend in the side the would dig into my thigh...

 

This isn't GR, but it had the same bars...

[attachment=0]ptc lap bar.jpg[/attachment]

 

I've always hated those types of restraints.

[RollerManic]

I love those restraints.

[coloradocoasterguy]

I love those restraints.

You must have real skinny legs. I always had to sit at an angle with my knees pointed inward. That makes a rough coaster even worse,

[haydn12]

Ride op stapled me in with those lap bars on Mean Streak a couple weeks ago. She kept pushing until it was 2 clicks past the normal that other ride operators do. I have very big legs so it was very painful especially going around turns. Had bruises on my leg from this.

[KnottsBerryMountain]

Is GhostRider's first drop still forceful? I remember riding it three years ago and the first drop was pretty intense.

[coloradocoasterguy]

Ride op stapled me in with those lap bars on Mean Streak a couple weeks ago. She kept pushing until it was 2 clicks past the normal that other ride operators do. I have very big legs so it was very painful especially going around turns. Had bruises on my leg from this.

What do you all mean by "staple"?

[coasterlvr]

Is GhostRider's first drop still forceful? I remember riding it three years ago and the first drop was pretty intense.

 

to me, it's okay. i wouldn't describe is as intense.

[ytterbiumanalyst]

Ride op stapled me in with those lap bars on Mean Streak a couple weeks ago. She kept pushing until it was 2 clicks past the normal that other ride operators do. I have very big legs so it was very painful especially going around turns. Had bruises on my leg from this.

What do you all mean by "staple"?

To push the restraints in so much that the rider cannot move at all. This depends on a number of factors, and the biggest variable is of course the rider. Maybe a rider is of a size that the first locking point still leaves a lot of room. Some ride ops will push until it hits that second locking point just to be sure, and perhaps for this rider that's pushing up against them. That rider would be said to be stapled. They'll be safe, but may not enjoy the ride very much.

 

I have been stapled before, and it's not the most pleasant thing ever for sure. But I personally would rather err on the side of safety, and generally all parks will.