Boulder Dash vs Voyage plus a question

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tambo said:
I clearly remember Voyage slowing down before the triple-down every time I rode it during Holliwood Nights. If that is not a trim, then I don't know what one is.

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The Voyage is not trimmed. Period. The only active (as in "always turned on") brakes on that ride are at the end. The brakes on the midcourse are only activated in the case of an emergency and/or to prevent a block violation.

-Nate

Thank you coasterdude318.

I know what a trim break is, I know what a mid course break run is. With my latest post I was just wondering if that "mid course set of breaks", we'll call it, was applied to each train or not, which coasterdude pointed out.

Which only leaves this question: Do you think Holiday World will any time soon, make that "Safety break" a regular "Mid-Course break run" like every other long coaster, and actually have it slow the ride down a bit? Also do you think they will put a trim somewhere on the return home seeing how it's supposed to be so intense.(ala Mantis' first drop)

No, I do not think they will.

And btw, a "midcourse brake" is exactly what is found on the Voyage. "Midcourse brakes" do not necessarily trim. Trim brakes do. Sometimes they just happen to be found in the midcourse.

-Nate
*** Edited 7/14/2006 8:09:25 PM UTC by coasterdude318***

^ What Nate said.....see Nate, that's twice this month... ;)

On opening day, I saw a train stopped on the block brake (via camera in the station) then after about 5 minutes it was released and, sure enough, the train came ripping through the final section of track around the station. You honestly couldn't tell that big of a difference. I think the track drops a total of 100' after it leaves the block before it hits the brakes.

Paula posted the speeds in the HoliBlog and you can tell it pretty much averages 50mph for the backrun of the ride. The fact that they place the elements closer and closer together just intensifies the speed even.

Paula says it's not going to be used, but even if it were used, I don't think it would matter very much.

With that, I think The Voyage is much better than Boulder Dash. They're similar in some ways, but Boulder Dash just didn't have the airtime that The Voyage does. 19+ spots of airtime compared to 4-5 spots maybe?

I don't see Will ever trimming the Voyage down in any way. It wouldn't surprise me if over the winter they strapped some bottle rockets onto the back of the trains, added another half mile of track, put a water spash down in the middle of the new wave pool, a triple helix around the new Valenitne Day section, and a new rodent hole themed quad-down tunnel in the soon to be announced Groundhog Day section.

I wonder if the Pilgrams rode the Mayflower with their hands raised?

The voyage is awesome, even though I got stuck at the top of the lift twice in less than 13 hours....Minor Details...

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SLFAKE said:

You are making the (wrong) assumption that everyone who has ridden both prefers Voyage over Boulder Dash (though I realize that I am probably in the minority on this one).

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Not at all. I think BD is WAY better than Voyage. When we(my husband and I) rode Voyage in June we both found it to be rough and too intense for our tastes. I like Raven better than Voyage.

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Sue said:

Not at all. I think BD is WAY better than Voyage. When we(my husband and I) rode Voyage in June we both found it to be rough and too intense for our tastes. I like Raven better than Voyage.

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see this is the stuff I'm talking about. Voyage is to intense for your tastes. That sounds right up my alley. big time.

I'm hoping Voyage is like Boulder Dash(fast the whole way through), but better. From videos thats exactly what it looks like.

Just as an observation, it seems that those that typically prefer steel monsters to wooden will think Voyage is God's gift to coaster-dom. Those that typically prefer more "classic" wooden coasters seem to be about a 60/40 split in favor of Voyage being TOO intense and not up their alley. I'd say that seems to be a good guideline on what you'll think of the ride.

But, either way, you HAVE to get out to Holiday World. If Voyage doesn't convince you, Legend should!

I have decided(a week or so ago) to go on August 5th(last day there open till 10pm). I will probably hit the park for 1/2 day sat and the whole day sunday. Then hit Beach Bend and SFKK on the way home on monday.

I must say, if it surpases the hype I have read and built up, it will be #1 by 100 miles. I'm also looking forward to legend and Raven cause they both look really good too. One of the three will be a big hit with me im sure.

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Impulse-ive said:
Just as an observation, it seems that those that typically prefer steel monsters to wooden will think Voyage is God's gift to coaster-dom.

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That's an interesting take. I find myself liking steel better than wood - well, technically I describe it as liking smooth wood and rougher steel (they kind of give similar rides, I think). Steel can certainly be too tame at times and wood can often be too rough (so I'm a wuss, sue me) - I tend to like the middle ground.

With that said, I'm forced to look at my take on Hades as the closest comparison to Voyage that I can make. What I said about Hades on June 26, 2005:

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My thing with Hades is that it almost seems too fast for it's layout. I know that sounds ridiculous, but I think this thing is really on that threshold of being 'too big' for a woodie. Not quite, but flirting dangerously close. Knock a few mph off the speed from the drop to the end and I think I'd have enjoyed it more. (then again, it'd probably roll back on that big hill right out of the tunnel)

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Witht that in mind, I'm fearing my first Voyage ride (hopefully before this season ends) as I anticipate feeling the same way but to a larger degree - I really expect to get off the coaster thinking it's just too much. Especially with the opinions and TR's I've read about the coaster saying similar things - even from people much more into hardcore woodies than I ever will be.

I definitely want to sample The Voyage, but I'm afraid I won't enjoy the trip. :)

As far as Boulder Dash - I haven't ridden it in almost 4 years, but until I get back to LC and it has another chance to disappoint me, it ranks as some of my favorite wood.

Feel free to tell me I suck. :)

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My thing with Hades is that it almost seems too fast for it's layout

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A very good description of The Voyage as well.

A turn of events will get me on Boulder Dash in August, very excited for the park and the coaster. I haven't ridden The Voyage yet, but if Raven and Legend were a bit much for me, I can't imagine what The Voayage must be like.

I enjoyed my time with Boulder Dash better than The Voyage myself. The laterals were a tad rough for me. Can't complain about the airtime though. I power rode BD 4 times at dusk 4 summers ago and I can't get enough of it. I got on The Voyage 3 times in 10 minute intervals and I just ran out of gas after that. Then again, I almost cried when I got on El Toro yesterday. The ride op pretty much stapled me and I still got great air. The first drop reminded me of Millie, and its the smoothest ride I've been on. To sum it up, its my new top woody.

I was relieved to read these posts, and found that there ARE other people who found Voyage too rough. Until now, everyone was only praising it. I thought there must be something wrong with me! I seem to be the only one who thought it was too rough! (although my husband agrees with me.) Have I finally gotten to old to ride?

I rode it early this season. The first part was great - fast, lots of air, etc. The tunnels are the best I've seen. But by the last 1/3 of the ride, I was praying for it to end soon. (although I admit to riding it at least 6 or 7 times that day). I had serious bruises that lasted for weeks.

The violent slamming side to side is bad, but what makes it really bad is that stupid divider in the seat. Maybe if it had a little more padding, it wouldn't have hurt so bad to be repeatedly slammed into it. I'd hate to think what would happen if you're launched upwards, then slammed back down and you didn't quite clear that damn thing.

I love HW and all it's other coasters. But I think to be able to ride Voyage again, I may start designing special pants so I can add some foam padding to my hips. I'm old (over 40) and it would be terribly embarrasing to break a hip on a coaster!

IMO, nothing out there made of wood is better than The Voyage. You all are making it sound MUCH more violent and painful than it really is! I rode it over and over and over, and actually thought it was one of the most fun coasters I've been. Plus I didn't have any horrible bruises. But that's just me.

I'm kinda shocked that rough and the Voyage are used in the same sentence as well. One of the first comments I made to my wife after riding it was that it was probably the smoothest wooden coaster I had ever been on. In my opinion The Legend was quite a bit more rough for me (although it still wasn't TOO rough). After riding the Voyage several times it didn't leave me with any bruises or pain, but I didn't notice the next day that I was a bit sore all over. Not sure if that was from the coasters or just the long day at the park.

As far as intensity....well it IS an intense ride. More so than the other too, there is no doubt about that. I honestly think it kind of compliments the other two: you have The Raven, which is fast, short, to the point, and in a great setting. Then there is the Legend which is longer, rougher, but maybe not as intense as The Raven. Now there is the Voyage, its the longest, relentless, fast, and intense. Basically Holiday World has built 3 very different coasters of which each will appeal and be favorites of 3 very different guests.

So basically, my theory is that the Voyage wasn't meant to be exactly for everyone, but rather compliment the other two and give those who crave more something to quench their thirst with.

I don't get it either HoliJohn. I also found Voyage to be among the smoothest coasters I've been on. But it is intense, and I don't think most people are prepared for it, even though you are warned over and over and over by the automated speil that the ride is agressive. Do people even listen to those things?

The ride is not intensely rough in an SOB kind of way at all. Rather, there are several times in it's course where you'll hit a quick change in direction, and before you've recovered, the ride is throwing you in the opposite direction, while throwing you out of your seat at the same time! Rediculous! Anyone thinking their getting a nice, easy ride with some airtime here and there are in for a shocker, and people don't like to be shocked obviously. You can't see most of the layout so that scares the crap out of people used to knowing a ride's layout in advance.

It's like climbing aboard a bull and then complaining that the bull's too rough. This ride takes no prisoners, and yet I rode it 12 times in one day and loved every minute! ;)

YMMV.

I believe when people refer to the Voyage as being rough it's not in the sense of unecessary shuffling and pot holes all over the track...The Voyage by which is my favorite roller coaster of all time is very physically demanding...I'm 42 years old....When I'm leaving the station of the Voyage I know I've been on a very intense and demanding roller coaster...It can beat you up and for many riders it will drain every ounce of strength they have in there body...To many that is a coaster made in heaven but to some it is just to much...However, it does not take away the fact it, The Voyage, is the baddest roller coaster on the planet...Maybe not the favorite to all but definately the baddest...