boldikus Posted November 14, 2017 Author Share Posted November 14, 2017 ^ It's just my personal opinion. Just out of curiosity, which installations have you ridden (so I know which ones to avoid)? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WestCoasterKing Posted November 14, 2017 Share Posted November 14, 2017 ^ It's just my personal opinion. Just out of curiosity, which installations have you ridden (so I know which ones to avoid)? I have yet but just looking at them I want to vomit. I have ridden both Green Lantern and X2 and both made me barf. I hate tumbling rides like zippers and such. If the FreeSpin is anything like those then no thanks. Rollercoasters are supposed to be 'runaway train rides' not flat rides. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boldikus Posted November 14, 2017 Author Share Posted November 14, 2017 Oh well now that WestCoasterKing has declared what roller coasters are "supposed to be" we better draft it up and circulate it to everyone down at IAAPA. Timing coudn't be better. We have to get the word out. Back to the drawing board guys! No more development! No more innovation! Mine Trains for EVERYONE!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coasterbill Posted November 14, 2017 Share Posted November 14, 2017 Saying a coaster sucks when you've never ridden it and it's nothing like any other coaster type in existence is hilariously ridiculous. As for Gale Force, I don't really have much to add. I tend to think that DirkFunk is right (per usual) but none of us know for sure so there's not much to say. I have a hard time thinking the park is overly happy with this investment thus far though. I was going to say something about how a coaster that costs $10 to ride should be a great ride if they expect anyone to pony up that type of cash but then I remembered that I shelled out 15 bucks to ride Manhattan Express on Saturday and there was a huge line of other people waiting to buy tickets too so never-mind. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Superbatboy Posted November 14, 2017 Share Posted November 14, 2017 ^ It's just my personal opinion. Just out of curiosity, which installations have you ridden (so I know which ones to avoid)? I have yet but just looking at them I want to vomit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YoshiFan Posted November 14, 2017 Share Posted November 14, 2017 In addition to the high cost to ride, the few times a year they have wristband specials, Gale Force is excluded. On those days they lower it to I think $5 a ride or 7 tickets. If 7 or 8 tickets was the regular price, whenever I get to the park I'd probably be more willing to ride the coaster a few times since that is $3.50 or $4.00 worth of tickets if you buy them during the half price sales they have. I'm not sure if this is old news or not but their Double Shot is also for sale: http://www.italintl.com/detail_page.php?record_id=2139 And it looks like Gillian's Wonderland Pier is joining the other parks in the area that are open in November and December. I got an e-mail a few days ago that the indoor rides will be open on the weekends. Not really great for anyone without kids since it's almost all kiddie rides in that section of the park.They are also selling their Runaway Train coaster: http://www.italintl.com/detail_page.php?record_id=2142 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Canobie Coaster Posted November 14, 2017 Share Posted November 14, 2017 ^ Playland was only letting a max of 4 riders per cycle on Double Shot back in June. I thought it was so everyone could get the ocean view, but maybe there was something more to it if it's for sale. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I Like Theme Parks. Posted November 14, 2017 Share Posted November 14, 2017 ^^Nooo! The double cycle on Double Shot was awesome, and other parks probably wouldn't run it that way. At least there's a superior tower at Gillian's now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WestCoasterKing Posted November 15, 2017 Share Posted November 15, 2017 What can I say, I'm a purist. To each their own. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Canobie Coaster Posted November 15, 2017 Share Posted November 15, 2017 ^ The one thing I'll say about the free spins is that they're very smooth. X2 is rough and Green Lantern is just painful. The free spins can flip quite a bit though. Back to Playland, those double cycles were awesome too on the drop tower. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
larrygator Posted November 18, 2017 Share Posted November 18, 2017 For those who complain about Gale Force being too rough for a $14 coaster, the annual 50% off sale has started. So your rides will only cost $7 if you purchase tickets prior to December 22nd. You are still free to complain even if you only pay $7. https://oceancityfun.com/ticket-sales/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boldikus Posted March 8, 2018 Author Share Posted March 8, 2018 Third times a charm? Smoother Rides Ahead for Gale Force Roller-Coaster Get ready. The Gale Force is coming back. Yes, the second nor’easter in a week is poised to strike the Jersey Shore on Wednesday with high winds, but in this case, the Gale Force is a roller-coaster, not a storm. After a two-month delay, Playland’s Castaway Cove, one of the Ocean City Boardwalk’s iconic amusement parks, is getting ready to add a new track for the 125-foot-high roller-coaster to give passengers smoother rides. The coaster’s original track proved a bit too bumpy, so the designer has agreed to replace it with all new steel at no cost to Playland. The distinctive blue track will be attached to the ride’s massive gray superstructure looming over the Boardwalk at 10th Street. Brian Hartley, Playland’s vice president, said S&S Sansei Technologies of North Logan, Utah, is expected to begin the work on March 19 and take about two weeks to complete it. Routine safety tests and inspections will be done before the ride is ready for the public. Playland, currently closed for the winter months, originally hoped to have the coaster operational in time for the amusement park’s spring opening on Palm Sunday weekend March 24-25. However, a two-month delay in getting all of the new track manufactured and delivered has pushed back the schedule. Hartley said the coaster should be ready in time for the Memorial Day weekend, the traditional start of the bustling summer tourism season at the Jersey Shore. Although the slightly bumpy rides were virtually imperceptible to passengers, Playland wanted the track to be completely smooth on a roller-coaster that zooms along at more than 60 mph, Hartley said. “It was like riding over the rumble strips on the side of the road,” he explained in an interview Tuesday. “Now, we’re taking out that tiny bit of imperfection to make it smoother.” Gale Force made its debut at Playland’s Castaway Cove last May, thrilling its riders with a series of twists, dips and loops on a serpentine-like track while traveling at a top speed of 64 mph. The ride propels passengers through a series of breathtaking twists and turns while shooting 125 feet high and plunging earthward at about a 90-degree drop. Riders also flip upside down and travel backwards, adding to the thrills. At times, the coaster gives riders the sensation of free-falling, as if plummeting off the side of a cliff. The ground below disappears as the coaster car contorts, zigzags and swerves along the undulating track. After the 2017 summer season, it was discovered that the track’s steel rails were slightly misaligned, causing the bumpy rides. Hartley stressed that riders were never in danger. “There was never a safety issue whatsoever,” he said. “If there was, the ride would have never been open in the first place.” The New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, the state agency that regulates amusement rides, said there was an “alignment issue” between the roller coaster’s car and the magnetic drive system that propels the vehicle. Echoing Hartley’s comments, the DCA said the safety of the roller-coaster “was never in question.” Using a huge crane, work crews dismantled the old track last November. The new track will retain the ride’s eye-catching blue color scheme. Gale Force’s grand opening last May came about a year later than originally scheduled. Hartley noted that the delays were caused by similar problems with the track’s alignment. The roller-coaster is the centerpiece attraction at Playland. Hartley said the coaster cost millions of dollars, but declined to divulge the exact price. Playland, which originally opened in 1959, is one of the Boardwalk’s oldest amusement parks. Visitors are greeted by Playland’s whimsical, giant pirate ship overlooking the Boardwalk between 10th and 11th streets. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Canobie Coaster Posted March 8, 2018 Share Posted March 8, 2018 I hope for the park's sake they can get this open before the summer. This coaster just seems cursed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KBrylczyk Posted March 8, 2018 Share Posted March 8, 2018 It's such a shame there's so much bad news with this thing. It's such a fun ride with massive airtime. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlahBlahson Posted March 8, 2018 Share Posted March 8, 2018 Its astounding, the relationship between the difficulty/project delay/abject failure rate of S&S Worldwide (and associated projects) and their ability to keep building weird new products. Dating all the way back to Hypersonic XLC and even X at SFMM. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Superbatboy Posted March 9, 2018 Share Posted March 9, 2018 Its astounding, the relationship between the difficulty/project delay/abject failure rate of S&S Worldwide (and associated projects) and their ability to keep building weird new products. Dating all the way back to Hypersonic XLC and even X at SFMM. I'd give them failure on Hypersonic, Catapult Coaster, Ring Racer, and Galeforce. X was Arrow and Six Flags undoing, more so Six Flags for forcing them to build something on a much bigger scale than was originally intended. I don't think their failure rate is that high when you look at Intamin's track record of delays, re-profiles, extended downtime, short life spans, etc; Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dombot Posted March 9, 2018 Share Posted March 9, 2018 It's really hard to not feel bad for this place. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rill'o'beily Posted March 9, 2018 Share Posted March 9, 2018 I'd give them failure on Hypersonic, Catapult Coaster, Ring Racer, and Galeforce Don't forget merlin's mayhem and and twist coaster robin (Which yes was sansei mainly but they've been one company for a while) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A.J. Posted March 10, 2018 Share Posted March 10, 2018 Its astounding, the relationship between the difficulty/project delay/abject failure rate of S&S Worldwide (and associated projects) and their ability to keep building weird new products. Dating all the way back to Hypersonic XLC and even X at SFMM. I mean, I still have a whole lot of respect for S&S - they're at the very least being a decent company that cares about their clients by eating the cost of the re-manufactured track. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michaellynn4 Posted March 11, 2018 Share Posted March 11, 2018 I understand that new rides will sometimes have technical issues, but has there ever been any ride in the past where they've gone through the steps of replacing virtually every piece of track on the ride? I know of issues like SoB removing the loop several years in or Maverick having one inversion removed before opening, but nothing on this scale. My mind is drawing a blank. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coneyislandchris Posted March 11, 2018 Share Posted March 11, 2018 ^ Fly: The Great Nor'easter at Morey's Piers, Hulk at Islands of Adventure -- but both of those had years of operations under their belt before the complete track replacement. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thrillseeker4552 Posted March 11, 2018 Share Posted March 11, 2018 I’m hoping everything works out for Playland and S&S on this ride. It really is unique and very attractive for small parks looking for a thrilling coaster in a small footprint. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boldikus Posted March 29, 2018 Author Share Posted March 29, 2018 I don't know whether to laugh at or feel sorry for this park. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DirkFunk Posted March 29, 2018 Share Posted March 29, 2018 The only ride I was as harsh to in recent memory other than Gale Force was Verruckt. At least it can't kill anyone if it's being rebuilt for the 3rd time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cal1br3tto Posted March 30, 2018 Share Posted March 30, 2018 ^^"[W]e ran out of time"? I get that the poster was probably trying to be good-naturedly self-deprecating, but that does sound kinda...sloppy. #awkward Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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