Texas Giant will close for a year, get $10 million renovation

Shapiro also stated that the ride would be repainted Blue and Purple!

Okay, not really. :)

Um, where are they getting the money for this?

^If only the federal government thought that way.

To answer your question I believe that this may have something to do with the way SFoT and SFoG are ran, technically speaking Six Flags is nothing more than a contracted operator at those two parks.

I have been wrong many times before though.

Does this $10 million improvement involve tearing it down and trying again? :)

-Nate

If only its cousin Mean Squeak could get some kind of treatment. Or be torn down and replaced.

Actually, I thought the ride was GREAT last year...just so they don't go adding flamethrowers - although I'm sure the Aggies miss their old-style bonfire celebrations, LOL! ;)

Shapiro acknowledges that not all coaster enthusiasts will view the renovation as a positive change to the 18-year-old coaster but the rehabilitation of the Giant will be a key part of the park’s 50th anniversary.

That can't be good.

$10 million? Tear it down and build a GCI!

A "smoother, faster ride" and "new trains".

This *could* be really, really good.

Anybody know who is doing the work? :)

--Dave Althoff, Jr.

But "faster and smoother" are both things enthusiasts would applaud. Most would even like new trains...well, except possibly those who don't like Millennium Flyers.

So what is Shapiro referring to in his quote?

I would image that this would include a reprofile of parts of the ride. New trains and improved track would not be something that enthusiasts would gripe about at all. Would they dare do something like lower the lift hill?

If they're doing major reprofiling I'm already unhappy because I still haven't had the chance to ride it in its original form. But I guess that's my fault more than anything.

Perhaps he's under the mistaken impression that enthusiasts enjoy having the crap beat out of them?

Well there are some "purists" in every group, even coaster dorks, who think that any change would be somehow wrong. Actually, count me as one of the enthusiasts who doesnt think Texas Giant is rough at all, just boring (then remember that I also *liked* Hercules ;)).

And maybe I'm just projecting the desires of my heart, but when I read the "smooth" part all I could think of is Intamin's laminated wood. I could see that as both be crowd pleasing and coaster "purist" annoying as I remember the few complaints about El Toro was that "it didnt feel like a woodie".

Though I wonder how the Intamin "T-bar" would fare on the 'fyling carpet' section.
lata, jeremy

zacharyt.shutterfly.com

Well I guess X2 has started a new trend. Revamp the oldies and market them as new and improved experiences. Now if Cedar point would do the same for Magnum. Can you imagine it with some new trains from ....lets say.....intamin? Bananas!

Magnum is perfect the way it is. Stop the blasphemy.

Magnum?...perfect? sure, if you enjoy Weeeee!......ouch! Weeeee!......ouch! Weeeee!......ouch!

*raises hand* I guess I do since it's still hands down my favorite steel coaster.

^^Blasphemer! More like, Weee!....Weee!...Finally getting to the good part, 3rd hill=pure bliss, okay turnaround, and then the best home stretch of any coaster, wooden or steel, anywhere in the world. I heart those triangle hills.