The Phantom
How many of you out there are really sad about the demise of the Steel Phantom after this season?
At first i was shocked. It was a hugh investment for a park the size of Kennywood. But the more i thought about it the more i'm cool with it now. Even though i liked the Phantom, it was rough. And the horse collars really hurt because i'm to tall. Plus if the park is going to replace it with something new and exciting, well i can live with it. After all they are severly limited by their space issue, and if something has to go then i'm glad it's not one of the classic woddies. All of them great rides.
But i'm still going to have to go there this season to "pay my last respects" :)
At first i was shocked. It was a hugh investment for a park the size of Kennywood. But the more i thought about it the more i'm cool with it now. Even though i liked the Phantom, it was rough. And the horse collars really hurt because i'm to tall. Plus if the park is going to replace it with something new and exciting, well i can live with it. After all they are severly limited by their space issue, and if something has to go then i'm glad it's not one of the classic woddies. All of them great rides.
But i'm still going to have to go there this season to "pay my last respects" :)
Meangene,
I was equally shocked when I heard the news while attending CoasterBash in Pittsburgh. Those of us in the room thought at first this was going to be some kind of joke. We waited for the other shoe to fall but it never did.
Kennywood removing one of it's signature rides and one which has received such public exposure as the Phantom has on television specials seemed impossible at first.
Kennywood has some unique issues. They have very limited space with the majority of the land around them already developed. They have a wonderful traditional amusement park atmosphere they are trying to preserve. Thus they don't want to be a mega-park like Cedar Point, they don't want the long lines of SFMM, but they want the respect and renown of these parks that also gets national attention.
They know that touching the old woodie's in the park would cause riots in the streets.
Phantom takes up the most room, and its removal gives them the best opportunity to construct a new signature thrill ride. One that has the height, speed, and elements which will keep Kennywood in the national spotlight it has been enjoying since the Phantom was built.
Kennywood's drop in grade to the river may give them the opportunity to built a MF beater at less costs than Cedar Point's 25 million dollar price tag.
I too will make it back for a last chance to ride and maybe take some pictures.
I was equally shocked when I heard the news while attending CoasterBash in Pittsburgh. Those of us in the room thought at first this was going to be some kind of joke. We waited for the other shoe to fall but it never did.
Kennywood removing one of it's signature rides and one which has received such public exposure as the Phantom has on television specials seemed impossible at first.
Kennywood has some unique issues. They have very limited space with the majority of the land around them already developed. They have a wonderful traditional amusement park atmosphere they are trying to preserve. Thus they don't want to be a mega-park like Cedar Point, they don't want the long lines of SFMM, but they want the respect and renown of these parks that also gets national attention.
They know that touching the old woodie's in the park would cause riots in the streets.
Phantom takes up the most room, and its removal gives them the best opportunity to construct a new signature thrill ride. One that has the height, speed, and elements which will keep Kennywood in the national spotlight it has been enjoying since the Phantom was built.
Kennywood's drop in grade to the river may give them the opportunity to built a MF beater at less costs than Cedar Point's 25 million dollar price tag.
I too will make it back for a last chance to ride and maybe take some pictures.
I work ~10 minutes from Kennywood. I plan on starting "Phantom Lunch Hour" -- with the "General Admission" and tickets, it's not too expensive :)
The digital camera will get a workout this summer, too.
I understand why Kennywood decided to remove the Steel Phantom. I have a love/hate relationship with that ride -- the first 2 drops are great, but the ride is ROUGH. I have a theory about what they're doing to make up for it, if I'm right I'll be a HAPPY camper (and if I'm wrong, I'll still probably be happy -- I'm confident in Kennywood to come up with a good replacement... ;) )
-------------
Abandon all hope, all ye who...oops, too late. Bye!
The digital camera will get a workout this summer, too.
I understand why Kennywood decided to remove the Steel Phantom. I have a love/hate relationship with that ride -- the first 2 drops are great, but the ride is ROUGH. I have a theory about what they're doing to make up for it, if I'm right I'll be a HAPPY camper (and if I'm wrong, I'll still probably be happy -- I'm confident in Kennywood to come up with a good replacement... ;) )
-------------
Abandon all hope, all ye who...oops, too late. Bye!
I drove the 3.5 hour one way drive last summer just to ride Steel Phantom and ADORED it-
yes it was rough but I am so used to Vortex @ PKI I could handle it after the 1st 2 runs!
I too am sad at the news
but am sure Kennywood will awe us with something bigger and better (and hopefully will not need the shoulder harnesses (UGH)
I will be driving the 7 hour round trip again this season to bid a sad farewell to SP!
(hint-stock up on SP merchandise-put it away for a couple years then hit em up on EBay!!)
-------------
Welcome back Raptor riders-how was your flight?
yes it was rough but I am so used to Vortex @ PKI I could handle it after the 1st 2 runs!
I too am sad at the news
but am sure Kennywood will awe us with something bigger and better (and hopefully will not need the shoulder harnesses (UGH)
I will be driving the 7 hour round trip again this season to bid a sad farewell to SP!
(hint-stock up on SP merchandise-put it away for a couple years then hit em up on EBay!!)
-------------
Welcome back Raptor riders-how was your flight?
I never road the Steel Phantom, but I have had the pleasure of riding The Phantom's Revenge. And it's one of the better roller coasters ever made, the air time you get on it is insane. I do wish I could have had the pleasure of riding the Steel Phantom though.
-----------------
Montu, God Of Coasters
Raging Bull, Don't Fight It, Ride It
Ah, well, I did ride Steel Phantom and, though I'd like to be on the conservation side of any coaster issue, I have to admit I'm actually glad it's gone. The pain was just horrid. My back and neck were screwed for weeks afterward. I'm hoping to get a chance this year or next to ride PR. It looks like a much better ride :)
I have a lot of appreciation for the folks at Kenneywood that care enough to improve a popular ride. The first two drops of Steel Phantom were great, but the loops after were slow and took alot of that great speed away from the first two hills. They took out the loops and added a third unique element, the big turn around. It is smoother, faster, and looks great. It would haave been easier just to remove the ride and put in something different. Kennywood cares about their public to do that. They improved the Phantom just like they improved the Thunderbolt. And thats what makes Kennywood a top park, it listens to their guests and makes improvements. And the new trains are sweet.
You must be logged in to post
