P.S.-I personally love the name and the theme. I think Carowinds is really devoted to making the environment of their park pleasant, immersing, and professional one area at a time. Carolina Boardwalk looks fantastic, and Nick Central is pretty nice as well, although not up to the same standard. I think they're going all-out with BorAss, though (sorry, I just had to try it myself...it's amusing, juvenile, and it saves typing time...what's not to love?). I remember at the Carolina Coaster Classic one of the guys from Paramount said they were spending a lot of cash on this ride, and since it was already built, most of that would go into improvements to the ride. So it sounds like they're pouring a lot into this theme, and I for one am very excited. If nothing else excites you, think of this: what if they have guys in BORG costumes walking around? Talk about atmosphere! Hey, I can dream. :p
(Sorry the post was so long...I got a bit carried away lol)
jomo said:
Besides, Drop Zone wasn't a hit movie by any stretch of the imagination. Didn't stop Paramount from adding this movie based ride to each of their theme parks. 10 years after this flop of a movie came out, Drop Zone is still one of the most popular rides at each park.
Yes, but the thing is that the name "Drop Zone" makes perfect sense for a drop ride, even if you haven't seen the movie. None of the Paramount drop rides have any real theming. In fact, if I didn't know in advance I wouldn't have even known that the Drop Zone rides at PGA and PKI were even named after that movie. In other words, "Drop Zone" is a perfect name for a drop ride even after you cut the ties to the movie away.
Borg Assimilator, on the other hand, is not. Half the people who visit the park next year are just going to be asking themselves what the HELL that means. Of those who do know what a Borg is, the majority probably won't even know the meaning of the word "assimilate." And even if you do know what the name means, how does that tie in to a flying coaster? It's a terrible name, it's a terrible use of the franchise, and it's a terrible looking ride. Paramount has just made one poor decision after another this year.
-Nate
Drop Zone - 1994
Wesley Snipes, Gary Busey, and Malcom-Jamal Warner.
Borg Assimilator- Not a bad name for a dark ride or motion similator but it's not a coaster name with the possible exception of that Volare going into P. Canada's Wonderland. but only if it were entirely enclosed. Isn't that ride small enough to do that with.
Off topic- Has anyone seen that Paramount Parks survey? If we think Borg Ass is a bad name just think of riding - The Italian Job
When I showed my family and some friends (who aren't crazy about parks and Star Trek) the name and concept, and even the new concepts in the survey's, they thought it was really cool. Just goes to show you that it is interesting to people, whether they like Star Trek or not.
Also, do you really think Paramount would name a ride without being able to promote it? They know what they are doing, and they are doing it just fine. Now I know some people may not know what a Borg is (people should know what assimilate means, I would hope), but that is why there is a storyline added to the ride. That leads me to believe that there will be a pre-show (or some good audio) to explain everything. In terms of the name, it is actually very creative... (Intimidator - Assimilator -get it?) You need to think outside the box... ;) *** Edited 1/19/2004 4:14:27 PM UTC by ghettocoaster***
coasterdude318 said:
Borg Assimilator, on the other hand, is not. Half the people who visit the park next year are just going to be asking themselves what the HELL that means. Of those who do know what a Borg is, the majority probably won't even know the meaning of the word "assimilate." And even if you do know what the name means, how does that tie in to a flying coaster? It's a terrible name, it's a terrible use of the franchise, and it's a terrible looking ride. Paramount has just made one poor decision after another this year.-Nate
Thats where i think your wrong. Star trek has been around for like 40 yrs i think so im sure people will reconize it. Now they may not know exactly what a BORG is but they are gonna know that it has something to do with Star Trek. I dont get some people. Why is it that most coaster folks think the GP is as picky as them.
These people arent comming to carowinds worring about the color of a coaster or the the coaster name, they are there to have fun. From the way some people are in the coaster world, personally i wouldnt want to go to a park with you because i wouldnt enjoy myself due to the excessive whining about something thats out of your control. People are being soo critical with this situation. Me for one i like the theme, i think they could have had a better name choice. Its clever and it has a storyline.
The coaster was "Assimilated" by the BORG and you are "exploring" the crash site via the flying coaster. Sure it isnt disney or universal storyline quality but im sure some people would complain even if it didnt have any theme at all. You got to give credit when credit is due...............
Is complaining a ritual in the coaster community now-a-day..........because as of lately i havent seen anything built that the enthusiants havent complained about....................
There are no bad coasters, only better coasters!!
"The theme is, they're taking over the coaster," said park spokesman Scott Anderson, who brought news Thursday of the BORG's arrival. "They assimilate other cultures and bring them all together."
And from another website, here ...
The coaster staging area will mimic the inside of the Borg Collective before beckoning passengers aboard trains that rise to a 115-foot high, 30-degree initial plummet. The ASSIMILATOR will go as fast as 51 miles per hour down 2,781 feet of track that winds through the themed remnants of the crashed Borg vessel. *** Edited 1/19/2004 4:47:15 PM UTC by ghettocoaster***
Seriously, I don't care for the name Borg Assimilator for a coaster. Star Trek: Warp Drive would have been much better IMO.
Wood - anything else is an imitation
coasterbruh said:
Thats where i think your wrong. Star trek has been around for like 40 yrs i think so im sure people will reconize it. Now they may not know exactly what a BORG is but they are gonna know that it has something to do with Star Trek.
I don't agree. I'm well within the target market for the new ride, but had no idea a Borg had anything to do with Star Trek. Actually, I had no freakin' idea what the hell a Borg was, nor did I really care to know after I read the awful name. The majority of the population knows what Star Trek is, yes. But why not pick a Star Trek concept more people are familiar with? I think everyone knows what the Enterprise is, for instance. Just because something has been around forever doesn't mean everyone is familiar with it. Star Trek hasn't been really big in a long time.
These people arent comming to carowinds worring about the color of a coaster or the the coaster name, they are there to have fun. From the way some people are in the coaster world, personally i wouldnt want to go to a park with you because i wouldnt enjoy myself due to the excessive whining about something thats out of your control.
What makes you think I would pick the park apart in person? This is a message board. That's what people do on message boards. What I don't understand is people who complain and whine about people who discuss the good and bad aspects of park decisions. Isn't that what many people are here for? People on movie websites discuss good and bad aspects of movies. People on car-related forums pick apart things car manufacturers do (and yes, even right down to the chosen name). Similarly, people on amusement park websites analyze decisions parks make. What the hell is so wrong with that?
-Nate
I've never seen Outer Limits. I still get the theming. I still get the ride. I know generally what Outer Limits is, so doesn't that mean I'll generally know what this ride is, with the numerous signs saying things about Star Trek that will obviously be put in?
I've never seen Tomb raider. I'd still get what the ride is about. I hear things about Tomb Raider from mass media and word of mouth. I know what it's generally about. I know that the ride's probably got some sort of adventurous theming before I even get on the ride.
Maybe Paramount has thought about the few people that don't know what Borg is. Maybe that's why their puutting some theming into it.
You don't have to get the ride for it to be fun. I really woudn't worry at all.
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In other news, I voted for the Italian Job coaster over the Addams Family coaster.
In other news, I voted for the Italian Job coaster over the Addams Family coaster.
I voted for the Addams Family verticle drop coaster. Italian Job did look cool, but the AF coaster and preshow sounded more entertaining to me, kinda sorta a modern twist on a fun/haunted house that PGA could sure use. And the coaches pretty much confirm they'd go with a B&M Dive Machine, heavily themed = sweet!
Edit: Reridable, not reliable.
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Thanks everyone for making me look like a Jack ass in that SWO thread. Don't I feel great.
Man, I'm angry today. *** Edited 1/19/2004 10:53:45 PM UTC by thepinkdoomofmonkeys***
I also suggested a longer track length for the AF coaster, suggesting a few more drops or hills, but with the elaborate preshow with all the cool sounding sets and effects, would probably make up for the one trick pony aspect. Worked for TZ:TOT.
And you've been posting around here long enough to know better than to take things anyone says here too personal :o) You ain't a regular here without getting jumped on at least once and a while.
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