California's Great America will convert Vortex to floorless Patriot
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From the release:
Today California’s Great America announced that for the 2017 season, it will introduce Patriot, the first floorless coaster in the park’s 41-year history. Patriot will emerge from the soon to be retired Vortex coaster, the oldest stand up roller coaster in the United States. Season Passes for the 2017 season also go on sale today at the lowest price of the season, offering unlimited admission for the rest of 2016 and all of 2017.
Patriot will take riders to a 91-foot height before plummeting them into a 360-degree loop at 45 miles per hour. Patriot’s position in the park makes it a dynamic visual from three different sections of Great America.
The inspiration for the coaster’s name was taken from the fact that the ride is nestled adjacent to All American Corners within a park whose name celebrates America.
The transition from a stand up to floorless ride will include state-of-the-art blue and white trains positioning guests with their feet dangling above the blue and white track.
“With the track visible beneath their fee, Patriot will create unique and exciting new perspectives throughout the ride,” said California’s Great America Vice President and General Manager Raul Rehnborg.
Guests can take their “Last Stand” on Vortex through September 5. Then work will begin to ready Patriot for the 2017 season.
Read more from California's Great America.
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Meanwhile at Discovery Kingdom Medusa says, "welcome to the club neighbor, I've been floorless for 16 years and loving it."
GooDFeLLoW said:
I guess we can't post pics here
884 Coasters, 34 States, 7 Countries
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Of all the B&M stand-ups, Georgia Scorcher was my fav. It has been several years since my last visit, so cannot tell how it's running now. Iron Wolf was awesome when it first opened! But did not age well. As good as B&M is, there is just something wrong with their stand-ups. They tend to join the ranks of old Arrow loopers when it comes to headbanging. I'm sure maintenance comes into play. When comparing Chang with Mantis, Change was always a better ride, and the only difference being it was a mirror image of Mantis and extra corkscrew.
I haven't been to CGA. But I have been on Vortex at Carowinds. Like Iron Wolf, it was great when it was new. But was rough as hell on last visit there.
Jerry - Magnum Fanatic
Famous Dave's- 206 restaurants - 35 states - 2 countries
I get it, the average public person would never know the repeat of the name 'Patriot', but it'd a very half butted way to rebrand this coaster. The layout does not create a WOW effect for a floorless style roller coaster.
I would've rather see this park get a little more love then a cheap upgrade.
Turning Fantasy into Reality
So you'd rather them not fix an unpopular, uncomfortable ride?
JECmodels said:
.... but it'd [sic] a very [sic] half butted way to rebrand this coaster.
Why? As you note, the vast, vast majority of guests will have no idea there's another coaster with the same name.
The layout does not create a WOW effect for a floorless style roller coaster.
Well, it doesn't create a "WOW" effect for you. But you are not the target market.
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You must really hate Six Flags then: https://rcdb.com/qs.htm?qs=goliath
And don't get me started on "Batman."
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