canadianparkfan Posted July 12, 2015 Share Posted July 12, 2015 (edited) Most of us have heard of the big shot tower on the stratosphere, and those who were on the Japan tour would've seen the Intamin tower at the Tokyo Dome; however, after reading this article on Intamin's site, it seems they can build (and in some cases already have built) these towers pretty much anywhere. http://www.intaminworldwide.com/amusement/Towers/Giant+Drop+on+Building/tabid/142/ProductNumber/Giant+Drop+on+Building/language/de-DE/Default.aspx This got me thinking of places that might consider taking advantage of this. Obviously we've seen parks do it (Lex Luther & Zoomanjaro), but aside from one or two buildings similar to the stratosphere, I haven't seen it done anywhere else. Personally the first place that comes to mind for me is a place like the CN tower, or one of these soon to be built skyscrapers http://www.hongkiat.com/blog/upcoming-amazing-skyscrapers/ Would be amazing to see something that could go up nearly the entire side of the building. If installed on one of the buildings mentioned above, or even the Stratosphere (Big Shot 2.0), it would almost definetly shatter the height record for any drop towers currently out there. So, what are your thoughts? Any places you think might be a good fit for a tower? Edited July 13, 2015 by canadianparkfan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Yeti Posted July 12, 2015 Share Posted July 12, 2015 Weren't there plans to build a 600-800 foot drop tower on a new building going up in Miami? I haven't heard anything about it recently, but it definitely seems possible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canadianparkfan Posted July 12, 2015 Author Share Posted July 12, 2015 ^Never heard of that one, but I remember seeing somewhere the Skyplex that's getting the Polar coaster in Orlando has plans for a drop tower. I always just keep thinking whenever I visit big cities that a lot of the current drop towers in parks would be dwarfed by most buildings. Really surprised more urban ones haven't been built. I'm no expert, but it almost seems easier than something like Zumanjaro with no coaster trains and whatnot to worry about. If done right, with the appropriate building, it could be a major success. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DoinItForTheFame Posted July 13, 2015 Share Posted July 13, 2015 Weren't there plans to build a 600-800 foot drop tower on a new building going up in Miami? I haven't heard anything about it recently, but it definitely seems possible. I remember the project you're talking about. I wonder what ever happen to it?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I305forever Posted July 13, 2015 Share Posted July 13, 2015 ^ I feel like I read something about that recently. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coaster Hero Posted July 13, 2015 Share Posted July 13, 2015 Imagine a drop tower on one of those 1500+ ft radio towers... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gerstlaueringvar Posted July 13, 2015 Share Posted July 13, 2015 Tokyo Sky Tree, Falcon's Fury style 8-rider-cars with 2 fake drops. Seats tilt back between first and second fake drop. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KBrylczyk Posted July 13, 2015 Share Posted July 13, 2015 LaQua's drop no longer exists, unfortunately. Anyways, after having been on Lex Luthor, I gotta say, anything above 400 feet loses its thrill. I'm not sure if it's the height or the construction, but Lex Luthor really didn't wow me like others did. Blue Fall, as 350 feet and as a standalone tower, was WAY scarier and a better ride experience. Being connected to a building would, I feel, eliminate the sense of falling over. Edit - To clarify - Blue Fall - False drop or no, once you fell, you FELL! Straight down, zero-G, free fall like you're gonna die. Lex Luthor - The brakes release, you fall, but there's laterals left and right because the tower isn't perfectly vertical, also it's always swaying due to size. The laterals ruin the thrill. They let you know you're still being controlled. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CoasterB Posted July 13, 2015 Share Posted July 13, 2015 ^ Have to say I agree with you. Anything over 400ft looses its thrill, but the height is still pretty scary. I love drop towers i'v ridden both Zumanjaro and Lex Luthor. But I came to the conclusion that the restraints are to tight on your legs so you get no floaty airtime on the initial release at the top of the tower. But still very enjoyable. My favourite towers are Hurakan Condor, and Scream at Heide park. But maybe a 600ft+ would be great just because of the height, but the actual free fall itself wouldn't be any different from any other tower. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skramp Posted July 15, 2015 Share Posted July 15, 2015 What if the Sears Tower had a drop ride down the side of it? They already have the clear boxes you walk out onto. A drop ride from that height would be heart-stopping!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jew Posted July 15, 2015 Share Posted July 15, 2015 ^I'm sure the tenants of the building would love that... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canadianparkfan Posted July 15, 2015 Author Share Posted July 15, 2015 After thinking it over, seems like the problem with the super high towers losing their thrill has more to do with the cars than the tower itself. If I remember correctly, someone told me the aerodynamics of the "3rd gen" cars (ie. Zoomanjaro, SFMM drop of doom), combined with the new restraints means you lose that pop of air at the top/long sustained float down the tower. If traditional/second gen cars (standard 4 across seats) were used, I believe a massive tower could be just as good if not better than most drop rides out there. For proof, just look at blue fall (tower in Japan recently filmed on TPR's YouTube channel). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I305forever Posted July 15, 2015 Share Posted July 15, 2015 ^^ They might even love it more than the people who work in the building Thunder Dolphin goes through Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3Mutts Posted July 15, 2015 Share Posted July 15, 2015 I think a drop tower would be nice on the Oriental Pearl Tower in Shanghai, the towers could go on the tree straight tubs connecting the 2 big domes (there is a roller coaster inside already so why not a drop tower?) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I305forever Posted July 15, 2015 Share Posted July 15, 2015 ^ That looks like a pretty good building to build a drop tower on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yubstep101 Posted August 3, 2015 Share Posted August 3, 2015 Imagine a drop tower on the Empire State Building. 5 USD to ride. Halfway up the building. Thrillseekers around the world would come to Manhattan just to ride it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Midgetman82 Posted August 5, 2015 Share Posted August 5, 2015 After thinking it over, seems like the problem with the super high towers losing their thrill has more to do with the cars than the tower itself. If I remember correctly, someone told me the aerodynamics of the "3rd gen" cars (ie. Zoomanjaro, SFMM drop of doom), combined with the new restraints means you lose that pop of air at the top/long sustained float down the tower. If traditional/second gen cars (standard 4 across seats) were used, I believe a massive tower could be just as good if not better than most drop rides out there. For proof, just look at blue fall (tower in Japan recently filmed on TPR's YouTube channel). I always figured the same thing. To me, a gyro drop tower always felt less intense compared to a Intmain 2nd gen 4-seater (or any Larson/ARM tower). The only downside is that a 4-seater would not be suitable for a park that would need something with much higher capacity (hence Zumanjaro being three parallel towers seating 8 each). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B&MIntaminGCI Posted August 5, 2015 Share Posted August 5, 2015 Imagine a drop tower on the Empire State Building. 5 USD to ride. Halfway up the building. Thrillseekers around the world would come to Manhattan just to ride it. $5 USD? It would be at least $30 dollars, if not more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nrthwnd Posted August 6, 2015 Share Posted August 6, 2015 Certainly not as tall as a lot of buildings, the former Sears Tower in Vancouver, would be nice for a drop tower.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paradox Posted August 7, 2015 Share Posted August 7, 2015 I would love to see S&S build a 400ft drop tower. I prefer theirs over Intamins. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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