I noticed someone used the word "h-e-l-l", please, this site is viewed by all age groups, ethnic backgrounds and religions, it may be offending to some.
Im a large Phantom Phan, I like the intensity, the speed, and the overall ride and art, but I must agree with taking the poor soul out.
Why? Lets itemize the bad here...
1. when a train comes back with guests saying "ow" you have a ride thats not good
2. ridership decrease
3. higher costs..lower profit
4. extensive repairs
5. bad reputation (example: "oh dont ride that, its rough!")
6. cheaper to replace than reprofile
7. more trouble than its worth
8. lawsuits that cost the park $$$ yearly (they do exist)
2 and 3 are the biggest ones
There are 1000 resons that all of you think it should stay, but a park is a business, and Kennywood really cant afford to lose money on a ride that gets less riders a year (except this year)
Jeff, I agree with you, why have a ride that hurts? Especially in todays parks, Its not good for business. In the 20's and 30's, most rides were rough, and lawsuites were few.
I got 13 rides this weekend, about 11 of those was rough somewhere, and I know every inch on that thing, people who don't ride this often really must get it bad.
It was an iffy design to begin with..it should have been reprofiled the second year, Arrow had the technology then, but i don't think they knew it.
Anyway, I'd rather not see it go, but with its effect on "everyday" guests, it may be one of the best decisions the park makes.
***My Hypothesis on the new coaster:*****
mfg: Morgan
style: sit down out and back, w/lap bars, seatbelts
name: something referring to Phantom (notice Pittsburg commericals)
(example: Sky Ghost or Phantoms Revenge or Monster Mash)
hieght/drop: 300+
legnth: 4000'+
duration: 2:25
trims: indeed
speed: well over 90
uses: station from Phantom
hieght restriction (I hope): 48"
"I wish they all could be Rollercoaster girls"