Theres something about SFMW's Medusa...

Having ridden other floorlesses, I was blown away by the western Medusa. The ride is a visual masterpiece, but the ride onboard is nothing short of spectacular. Almost in a surprising way, actually. Even what looks to be an average B&M diving loop is easily the best of it's kind. There's something with that ride, that makes every moment of it more enjoyable then most would expect. Every second of the ride you're thinking "Wow, this element is amazing."

I think it can be directly attributed to them filling the track with fine-grain sand. It silenced the signature B&M roar, smoothed out the ride, and gave Medusa west an eerie presence. I seriously think this directly impacted the quality of the ride though. Removing the vibrations somehow increased the airtime of the first drop, smoothed out the inversions, and gave an overall sensation of high speed.

Anyone else think I'm on to something here? More B&M's should do this.

Surreal, I'e never been on it, but I will tell you that it looks a lot more twisty and out of control then most B&Ms so I am putting it on very high standards.

-------------
What is life without geniuses?

It is by FAR the best of the floorless coasters, for that very reason Millennium Force. The elements speak for themselves instead of that annoying rattle that most B&M's have. To me it's better than the other floorlesses and all the stand ups as well.

-------------
Thank you Disney, thank you...

I did not know that this ride was so good. I got to get up to NoCal now. No B&M roar...interesting.

I agree. I've been on all the florless coasters (except Superman Krypton) and it is my favorite. That "pea gravel" that they used on that and dueling dragons to quiet them is VERY eerie and strange.

Does anyone else find it very strange that they spent the money to silence Medusa (for the animals, right?), and the little Cobra next to it is SO LOUD! It the same as the Blackbeard... at SFGAd, and Roadrunner.. at SFO, and I don't remember them being half as loud.
-Peabody

There is something to Medusa SFMW, it's called a Sea Serpent! :)

You are correct! Medusa west is, by far, the most perfect coaster I've experienced, which doesn't say much, but hey, I'm working on it. ;) It's sheer perfection in design and function. I've been saying this all along on this board, Medusa is the best of the floorless coasters. I haven't been on any of the other ones, but from what I've seen of them, S:KC looks like the only other one that's on par with the brilliance of Medusa west. The huge loop, the way it flows from element to element, the sea serpent inversions, the airtime-filled first drop...man, I'm getting weepy over here...;) Just look at my signature. It explains it all. Peace. :)
-------------
Medusa at Marine World: the best in the west!

Just to throw it out, I love that B&M roar! The first time I heard it on Kumba, I was hooked for life, but if emilinating it makes for a better ride experience, I'm all for it! :)

Two words: Straight Drop

-------------
Scott W. Short
scott@midwestcoastercentral.com
http://www.midwestcoastercentral.com

Dead on ,Scott, and people rave about how much air you get on BKF's mid course drop... Try the back on this baby.

I noticed that too, Peabody. You could hear Cobra from outside the park.

There's no B&M roar on Medusa, but there's a great GCI 'ROAR' at the very same park ;)

The reason Cobra is allowed to roar so loud, is that this snake is confined to a small area. Medusa roams back in forth across the front of the park. BTW, Medusa wasn't silenced because of the animals, it was because the neighbors were concerned about the noise. The animals edure far more noise from screaming kids ;)

-------------
Thank you Disney, thank you...

Medusa west is flat out my favorite looping coaster! I went to SFMW with my cousin last summer on a Tuesday. The only people that were there were all these little kids that were two short to ride Medusa. My cousin and I rode Medusa 21 times! Twelve were from the front row! It is so amazing on the left side. On the turn in the begining of the first drop you are just about thrown out of the car. Then on the zero-g roll you are on the high side and YOU GET THE MOST AIR FOUND ON ANY B&M LOOPER! IT IS THE MOST AMAZING INVERSION EVER WHEN YOU ARE ON THE LEFT SIDE! After I got off it I couldn't believe how good the ride was and that this wasn't at a big name park like CP or SFMM.

-------------
"This time I think ... I think It's ... going to work!" - Dr.Bruce Banner