IAAPA 2016 Live Updates!

thrillrider · November 16, 2016

If you guys hadn't noticed, Sally Corp made a Five Nights at Freddy's "animatronic," and honestly I think its very silly and not very good compared to what they have been capable of in the past. What are your opinions on it, and do you think they should make a FNAF dark ride?

I think this is a great idea!

Five nights at Freddy's is popular, and continues to grow. Like mentioned before, a movie is in the works and it's a perfect theme for a dark ride. My daughter is a huge fan of fnaf, and even dressed up as a character for Halloween. I hope this ride ends up in the states.

Hercules · November 16, 2016

Booth 1912 if anyone wants to stop by and say hello.

SharkTums · November 16, 2016

If you guys hadn't noticed, Sally Corp made a Five Nights at Freddy's "animatronic," and honestly I think its very silly and not very good compared to what they have been capable of in the past. What are your opinions on it, and do you think they should make a FNAF dark ride?

I could only find one short video online (hopefully TPR will get some more pics and videos of it) but I'm a fan of FNAF and anything creepy, and the series is really popular, so I totally could see a FNAF-themed dark ride.

I also heard they're making a FNAF movie, so building a ride relative to the movie release could prove very strategic.

Thanks for the IAPPA updates so far! It's always great to see TPR's coverage of IAAPA, and I'm looking forward to what else is in store this week!

KT and I are heading to the show later this afternoon. She's also a fan of FNAF so I'll take her by and we'll get some more pix and video.

LeoBruz199 · November 16, 2016

Excuse me if I may go back to that hideous looking Thunderbolt train, but I've got one more thing to say:

I think a while ago some people who went on the TB at Coney Island criticised the shoulder straps as being the worst part of the coaster because they just flapped around their shoulders and accomplished nothing.

Now I think what zamperla might be doing here is to give the straps actual harnesses, so they might get more comfortable. I'm fine with the idea, but knowing Zamperla, it's probably going to be executed horribly.

As for the FNAF Sally corp. animatronics, although I might be considered a little "old" for the FNAF series, I'm a fan too (pun intended). I'm currently enjoying the hell out of Sister Location. I think the franchise, with the way it's headed, is probably going to live on for quite a long while- with the movie, the real life animatronics... As far as games are concerned, SL really pushed the envelope in terms of gameplay, in my opinion.

Edited November 16, 2016 by LeoBruz199

coasterbill · November 16, 2016

I enjoyed Thunderbolt and thought the trains were great. What the hell is that crap?

LeoBruz199 · November 16, 2016

I enjoyed Thunderbolt and thought the trains were great. What the hell is that crap?

I don't know. To me, Zamperla (in terms of coasters, not flat rides (their flats are epic)) is the dictionary definition of a good concept but poorly executed. Their large scale coasters could have been great alternatives to the more expensive B&M/Intamin/Vekoma coasters.

Instead, they're just alternatives. Bad alternatives, mostly.

coasterbill · November 16, 2016

I have to be honest, we rode Thunderbolt earlier this year and after listening to endless b*tching from the enthusiast community about roughness we expected an awful ride but it was really fun and relatively smooth. I'm also a fan of their steeplechase / motorbike coasters and their spinning mice. Some of their mid range coasters are very good. The only ones that strike me as being bad rides are the Volare coasters and most likely anything they put those new piece of crap cars on.

LeoBruz199 · November 16, 2016

I have to be honest, we rode Thunderbolt earlier this year and after listening to endless b*tching from the enthusiast community about roughness we expected an awful ride but it was really fun and relatively smooth. I'm also a fan of their steeplechase / motorbike coasters and their spinning mice. Some of their mid range coasters are very good. The only ones that strike me as being bad rides are the Volare coasters and most likely anything they put those new piece of crap cars on.

Actually, the reason it's smoother is that apparently Zamperla has done some trackwork on TB, and now it rides more smoothly.

As for the Volare, they NEED to get the trains sorted out. As they are now, they look like they ride appallingly. There's probably a reason why we don't have any in Italy.

cfc · November 16, 2016

I have to be honest, we rode Thunderbolt earlier this year and after listening to endless b*tching from the enthusiast community about roughness we expected an awful ride but it was really fun and relatively smooth. I'm also a fan of their steeplechase / motorbike coasters and their spinning mice. Some of their mid range coasters are very good. The only ones that strike me as being bad rides are the Volare coasters and most likely anything they put those new piece of crap cars on.

And I'm being honest in saying that when I rode Thunderbolt a few years ago, it was really bad--I think mostly due to the train. The coaster's layout was pretty cool, though.

xstech25 · November 16, 2016

It drove me crazy how people would say the magic bands were a bad idea back when they introduced at WDW, to me it always seemed like an obvious thing to do and that other parks would follow suit. I wonder what these people think now that Universal (and accesso so probably all other parks) are getting them as well.

Jason Maier · November 16, 2016

Any idea about the IAAPA Live Entertainment awards? (from what I read on the IAAPA site, said awards are supposed to be announced today)

gerstlaueringvar · November 16, 2016

I enjoyed Thunderbolt and thought the trains were great. What the hell is that crap?

I don't know. To me, Zamperla (in terms of coasters, not flat rides (their flats are epic)) is the dictionary definition of a good concept but poorly executed. Their large scale coasters could have been great alternatives to the more expensive B&M/Intamin/Vekoma coasters.

Instead, they're just alternatives. Bad alternatives, mostly.

Not sure about Thunderbolt, but Wild West Mine Train at Ocean Park is one of the best family coasters out there. Everything worked so well except for insufficient legroom and that was back in 1999. It feels more like hit or miss to me.

coasterfreak101 · November 16, 2016

I can't decide if my favorite thing so far is the Dynamic Attractions rotating theater or the Mack spinning shuttle. Both of those companies are putting so much good stuff out year after year!

RAWKIN_coaster38 · November 16, 2016

I think a while ago some people who went on the TB at Coney Island criticised the shoulder straps as being the worst part of the coaster because they just flapped around their shoulders and accomplished nothing.

I rode it earlier this year and I thought the ride was very fun, but the shoulder straps were definitely the worst part. I got bruised on one shoulder just after one ride on it.

cfc · November 16, 2016

I enjoyed Thunderbolt and thought the trains were great. What the hell is that crap?

I don't know. To me, Zamperla (in terms of coasters, not flat rides (their flats are epic)) is the dictionary definition of a good concept but poorly executed. Their large scale coasters could have been great alternatives to the more expensive B&M/Intamin/Vekoma coasters.

Instead, they're just alternatives. Bad alternatives, mostly.

Not sure about Thunderbolt, but Wild West Mine Train at Ocean Park is one of the best family coasters out there. Everything worked so well except for insufficient legroom and that was back in 1999. It feels more like hit or miss to me.

I had no idea that Wild West Mine Train was a Zamperla ride. It is a good one, but I do recall the trains being a bit cramped.

jray21 · November 16, 2016

Back for some more at IAAPA 2016!

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We're starting off at Whitewater for some more IAAPA coverage!

They always have amazing looking models!

We fell in love with Clip 'n Climb this summer and they're here! Buy their products, we want to climb more!

Pretty colors.

Dallas shows us the clips that can support a lot of weight.

Games are meant to be played, and Bobs Space Racers makes it fun!

Dallas is super concentrating on the target.

Kidtums even won a Kookie Cookie Shopkins!

Martin & Vleminickx have a lot of wood in China.

One of the most unique elements introduced recently.

A model of nice and compact woodie.

My prediction: We're going to see a lot more of these coaster/zip line hybrids.

They really look like they are a lot of fun.

Weeeeeeeeee!

Usually associated with awesome launch coasters, Premier Rides can also help you with your chain needs!

KT and Dallas are having way too much fun on the Ropes Courses SkyTrail and SkyRail!

Dallas walks the plank.

Don't jump KT!

KT absolutely approves of the SkyTrail and SkyRail!

KT says: Thank you B&M for making more 52" height requirement coasters! We hope more parks invest in these updated trains.

Nobody stands a change against KT and Janice!

Edited November 16, 2016 by jray21

PixelRush · November 17, 2016

I have a request for when (or if) you back to the convention tomorrow: ask Premier why they "can't make a good Giant Inverted Boomerang train" (says one of my friends)

Jew · November 17, 2016

I have a request for when (or if) you back to the convention tomorrow: ask Premier why they "can't make a good Giant Inverted Boomerang train" (says one of my friends)

I'm not sure if this was supposed to be funny or not, but this is a perfect reason why we have to do our yearly reminder that IAAPA is a trade show and not really meant for enthusiasts!

storms555 · November 17, 2016

This thing is pretty cool.

It seems to be inspired by the flying cage rides that used to be at Knoebels and a bunch of other small parks. Obviously it's no longer human powered which takes away a lot of the fun, but on the plus side it has a higher capacity and won't put the ride operators (who were responsible for standing in the way of the heavy and fast moving cages and pushing them to get them going) in serious fear for their lives.

The original.

That does look awesome:P Be a fun little ride to install at carnivals and FECs. Also what would be really really awesome is if they made one that is tall like Skyhawk at CP. That would be so epic. Also imagine if it had air time too. Stand up air time would sure be unique awesome experience.

djcoastermark · November 17, 2016

With all the ropes courses and physical interaction type rides, maybe swinging gyms will make a come back. I just love that old ride. They are a ton of fun.

Wingwright · November 17, 2016

Not sure about it's staying power, but I know the kids in my family would go nuts for a Five Nights at Freddy's dark ride!

CaptainUnknown · November 17, 2016

*Aggressively waits for more info from the RMC booth*

Anyone else think that Six Flags should have Premier on speed-dial for lift chains?

I hope that SBF/Visa waverider will be available in larger capacities/elevations for larger parks. It looks like a very fun ride that the Adult GP will very easily gloss over at that size--leaving it for the kiddos.

And now Mack has a compact shuttle coaster. Countdown until Six Flags buys them in bulk along with the Skyline Attractions Skywarp (if only for those without the Larson model).

Speaking of the Skywarp, I know the Larson SuperLoops have terrible elbow/leg room so I wonder how the Skywarp will compare. Same with the double Immelmans. The load/unload procedure also intrigues me here--especially as a former ride op.

Anyone else think that the American Flag'd PTC train resembled (slightly) GCI's Millennium Flyers?

coasterfreak101 · November 17, 2016

Speaking of the Skywarp, I know the Larson SuperLoops have terrible elbow/leg room so I wonder how the Skywarp will compare. Same with the double Immelmans. The load/unload procedure also intrigues me here--especially as a former ride op.

I've just assumed that each train will have its own platform, and they'll load each at the same time. Simple enough. As far as the Immelmanns, I'm actually curious to see how parks will program these - I imagine it's very easy to run them as shown in the

(with two Immelmanns), as shown in the

(with two dive loops), or with a combination of the two (similar to a Larson Loop).

Anyone else think that the American Flag'd PTC train resembled (slightly) GCI's Millennium Flyers?

That's pretty much the point - they're PTC's version of the Millennium Flyers, with each bench articulated instead of each two- or three-row car. They've been around for years (over a decade, even?) but nobody's bought one yet.

eugjackson · November 17, 2016

*Aggressively waits for more info from the RMC booth*

And now Mack has a compact shuttle coaster. Countdown until Six Flags buys them in bulk along with the Skyline Attractions Skywarp (if only for those without the Larson model).

Only 5 parks don't have Larson Loops, MM, GAm, OT, LR. Mexico. The Skywarp is way better if you're going for that type of ride. Also, hopefully SF dumps 4D's and uses Mack Spin Extreme Coaster. Both compact rides and probably similar cost. Of course it's SF and they didn't build clones of sky rockets or sky rockets II's