What is Kennywood doing?

I might sound stupid asking this question but why is Kennywood getting rid of Steel Phantom? I am primarily a west coast park guy but couldn't they use a great coaster? Why get rid of the the best ride? a looping hyper coaster!!!! Is the Phantom to to intense? Is it prone to break downs? I'm shure Phantom's Revenge will be awesome but why not a Steel Phantom and Phantom's revenge or a coaster with a hyper layout? If it is money I think the park fans would wait 1 more year?

So why?

RIDDLER'S REVENGE: THE MOST UNDEERATED RIDE IN THE WORLD!

Too rough. Remember it was and arrow. Those old arrows are getting rough. Also the overhead harness is not to good on the neck and earings on women. Not many people were riding it.

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Closing Time: 5:30
CP Arrival Time: 5:50

Whose Line is it Anyway?

While I disagree with Hooper that not many people were riding Steel Phantom (people I've talked to have said otherwise) I know that the coaster was getting extremelly rough and Kennywood thought they could kill two birds with one stone by refitting Steel Phantom.

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Randy Hutchinson
You build it, I'll ride it

That is what I heard. I may be wrong. I never made it their.

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Closing Time: 5:30
CP Arrival Time: 5:50

Whose Line is it Anyway?

I went to Kennywood twice this year and the wait was never more than a train. They apparently had to close the ride daily for mid-day inspections. You could not ride with earings, period (a problem even for the boys these days). The first two drops were very cool... The transitions in and out of the inversions were outright painful not on the ears, but on the collar bones for me, because the arrow track/train combination can't navigate turns without bouncing around through them. I got off the ride with a headache both times. The locals found it to be a ride once ride, and its unpopularity was the reason stated by the park for removing it.

There will always be people who will argue it was a good ride, and that's fine for them. But I for one won't miss it. I've never had to fight a ride like that to enjoy it.

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Jeff
Webmaster/Admin - CoasterBuzz.com

I've been to KW numerous times over the past several years, and have seen a sharp drop in the popularity of Steel Phantom (heck, even on Italian day - the busiest day of the season, the wait was about 2 trains.) Jeff is absolutely right, and most Pittsburghers will agree, it's just too painful, it needed to go.

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Neil
Pittsburgh, PA
www.geocities.com/neildeweese

Todd, as a west coaster, perhaps this will be of help - the only three coasters I've ever been on that I wouldn't ride again are Flashback at SFMM, Windjammer at Knott's, and the Steel Phantom. Don't know if you've been on the first two (they're not in your track record) but if you have I think you'd know what I mean (owww, my neck!).
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Age and treachery will always overcome youth and skill.

But i liked flashback...
Personally i think kennywood should have scrapped the phatom and gone with a new ride

I think Kennywood is doing the right thing. The first two drops of Steel Phantom were AWESOME, and the new coaster would have almost HAD to contain similar elements anyway, so by REUSING those two drops, and then "fixing" what was wrong with the ride (rough Arrow inversions at high speeds) Kennywood saved themselves money AND get themselves an amazing ride in the process.

(Ok, we're still speculating on the "amazing ride" part since it isn't up, but I know I'm looking forward to it!)


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--Greg

http://www.pobox.com/~gregleg/

One word:
Whiplash

(You know Arrow Dynamics)

I never been to KW, but from looks, the 1st drop looks boring. I despise the 'Traver-style' curving drop that Arrow adopted for their larger loopers. There is not a smidge of airtime to be had on those. HOWEVER SP's second drop did look amazing. I am glad they kept that so at least I can ride that aspect.

I loved the Phantom even if I had to pul about 10 earings to ride. :) Even on the final day the wait wasn't as bad as I expected maybe 45 minutes at the longest mostly about 10 minutes. I didn't think the Phantom was any rougher than any other Arrow. It was just one intense ride from the top of the second drop till the brakes. I'm sad to see it go but I'm sure the third drop into that tunnel will be incredible!

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Parks Hit For 2000! PKD, BGW,DP,HP,PKI,HW,SFKK,SFA,GAdv,SFNE,LC,GE,QP,CDP,LP,KG,SFO,WG,GE,KW,IW,WL,

On the contrary 2Hostyl, that first drop is actually pretty cool when you are on it! As you start to descend the hill and twist to the right, you'll start to wonder if you'll become roadkill as you feel like you're plunging right onto Kennywood Boulevard (the main highway right in front of the park!)

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Neil
Pittsburgh, PA
www.geocities.com/neildeweese

Thanks for the answers! I have been on Arrow's and have always liked them. Viper at SFMM and Demon at PGA. They are rough though but I didn't feel uncomfortible. I could see how Phantom is rough so, who is the designer of Phantom's Revenge? Arrow?

Todd

RIDDLER'S REVENGE: THE MOST UNDERRATED RIDE IN THE WORLD!

Morgan.

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--Greg

http://www.pobox.com/~gregleg/

Kennywood always maximizes the best dolars and space. They claim that they will make it better, and people will not miss the old. This is one family that does not make bad decisions, and does not like to lose money. I think the Thunderbolt is better than the Pippen, Raging Rapids is just a bit better than the Dipper, and the Phantom is better than the Laser Loop. (for the record, that was on bad-@#%* 33 second ride). Just think what Dana Morgan can do with Drachenfire, Hercules, Anaconda, etc., all these fairly new rides that just need some proper installation of new track, some new trains, a little more tlc.......

The last time i made it up to KW this summer the wait for the Phantom was about 10 to 12 cycles (with one train, yuck). But i waited because it was the last chance i got before it was taken out. Fortunately they needed a single rider in the front and got a free upgrade for my last ride. :)

Excellent 1st and 2nd drop. But the transitions WERE very bad. If one wasn't careful it could easily give one whiplash and the horsecollars were especially uncomfortable for someone over six feet tall. (At least it was for me). I won't miss it, but i am looking forward to what Morgan has for us.