Boomerang watching?

I was wondering if anyone ever noticed people simply amazed at a typical boomerang. Almost everytime I go to Hersheypark and walk by the Sidewinder I always hear somthing like, "Wow! Then it goes backwards!" or "Look at that coaster!" poithing at it.

Anyone else ever witness this with everyones favorite ;) Vekoma? Or is this because I live in Pennsylvania where we only have one boomerang?

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Visits to Knoebels in 2002: 10 and PPP!

XBox Live Gamer tag: Coasterpunk

Its because most people dont know that there are tons of boomerangs around the world as well as tons of other backwards travelling coasters. People think it is something amazing, and really cool.

I like to watch them myself. They were pretty techically advanced when they came out in like '82 or whatever.

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I think they are more amazed that it isn't just "flying off the end" and that it stops and goes back than the pure fact that it travels backwards.

You have to admit, boomerangs were a pretty cool idea. They're small, cheap, relatively fun to ride...

That's probably why they've sold what, almost 50 of them?

I really like how they have changed them a little over the years. Like it went from the Bat @ Canada's Wonderland to Face Off at King's Island to Deja Vu, all with the same basic layout: up backwards, down, through the station, cobra roll, loop, up again, the all again backwards. What will they do next to it?

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I am not the real Chris Sawyer...Or am I?...No.

I guess having travelled a lot, I have a different perspective, but I'm amazed when people put SFNE's boomerang or SLC in the same class as S:RoS (Overheard many times at SFNE). I guess people really dig the backwards thing.

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Be polite and ignore the idiots. - rollergator
You must be this dumb to ride Viper. -SFGAdv.

I loved the Sidewinder at Hershey Park, right up until I was tall enough to feel the effects of the OSTR's.

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Best inverts:

1. Talon
2. Volcano - The Blast Coaster
3. Raptor

Boomerang's really aren't that bad despite the headbanging, I've only ridden the former Vampire at SFKK, and it wasn't that bad, mind a couple spots of headbanging.

Before I even cared about coasters, I thought The Bat @ PCW was the coolest thing: It goes backwards, WOW! That was about 7-8 years ago. Now, I've ridden more than one of them, know how many there are, but still like them.

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Sean, who was ID'd when buying RCT2.
Nitro, Gemini, Laser, Ice, Thunder...The American Gladiators!
The only Coasterbuzz member with Ridgeline Racer in the Track Record.

When I talk to other people about my coaster hobby, more than a few times people have said something like, "you know, there's this really cool coaster at (insert their homepark here) that takes you backwards and forwards and goes upside down a bunch of times. It's really crazy. I'd bet you like it." I usually respond that that sounds a lot like Mind Eraser at SFWoA, and yeah, it is a fun ride.

There's a reason why 30 + parks in the US have boomerangs. They're cheap, they're popular, and to a lot of people who don't realize how omnipresent they are, they're a unique idea.

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- Chris Moore

"Scrollable toenails!"

*** This post was edited by MooreOn on 12/7/2002. ***

There's one Boomerang in Australia. It's been in the country since 1988, so it isn't a new one. It has had the train refitted recently with new restraints. When I was last there (July - middle of winter, absolutely feezing no one in the park, maybe about 40 Fahrenheit), I noticed first that the wheels were new, not the old dirty ones I'm used to at Dreamworld.

Anyway, this thing was damn smooth. It was seriously the smoothest steel (or wooden, for that matter) that I've been on. No headbanging, no jolting of the head, not even any slight movements of it through the Cobra Roll, forwards or backwards. The only thing I found uncomfortable was the backwards run - I don't find it too pleasant.

I'll say it was due to the new wheels. But even so, that was an amazingly smooth ride.

Edit: Might as well add something on topic too. :)

People like to watch them because simply said, they are unique. There is a lot more to see happening than your average complete circuit coaster. A dozen unique 'normal' coasters are more the same than a dozen Boomerangs when you're standing watching them go.

*** This post was edited by auscoasterman on 12/7/2002. ***

Blech... boomerangs make me so incredibly sick it's not even funny.

As for the next generation boomerang we may eventually see either flying versions or multi-dimensional versions. Hopefully we won't see any standup versions. Imagine a Vekoma standup coaster! Eek!

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-John

" 'Scrollable toenails!' (Kristin and John)"- Chris

You know, I felt that exact same way, Coasterpunk when I first saw/rode one....1990 at LaRounde. I thought it was fun and unique. Well, after a good dozen different ones, 3 Invertigos, and a GIB I'm tired of them and just ride once. They upset my stomache and bang my head. I guess it was easier when I was shorter! :)

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- Peabody

i also find that crowds tend to love top spins over coasters. nemesis and air at alton towers hardly ever have any crowd around them, but the top spin in the same area (called ripsaw) always has a crowd about 3 rows deep around it. weird! (maybe its got something to do with female riders and those water jets ;) )

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Nemesis Inferno - The Pressure is Building!

My first boomerang is also the first boomerang in the states, at Morey's Pier. When I was a kid, I remember being really scared being pulled up the lifthill. The new boomerangs are ultra-smooth due to a pad that goes around your head. It keeps your head from vibrating back and forth. I rode it at SFFT.
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2003-Gotham City @ SFA presenting Bathroom the Ride-Please remain seated at all times

You want to see a flat ride that draws a crowd of onlookers whenever it starts up? well just come to SFA & stand anywhere near iron eagle,or ride it for that matter & right as it starts up there's always a crowd of onlookers watching & sometimes willing to ride by the time the next group is being loaded.

As for boomerangs t I have yet to ride a standard model,I came close to riding Tidal wave at Ocean city's boardwalk back in 95 though.

To tell you the truth, when I went to PKI for Fearfest, I thought Face-off was the best coaster in the park, every other coasters was just painful so I was surpirsed when this had no headbanging and just fun, I loved it.

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The Jokes on You!! Ha Ha

I actually like boomerangs, as well as the inverted model. Sure, they're familiar, and seemingly everywhere, but so what?

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Jeff - Webmaster/Admin - CoasterBuzz.com - Sillynonsense.com
DELETED!

I think kennywood should get a boomerange. Any variety would do the park good, even a standard model. I know a unique place for it, that would be on top of Exterminator. Just joking, no need to make the last statement into a big arguement.