Cedar Point's Windseeker NOW OPEN!!

Just heard on the news that CP's Windseeker just opened on Tuesday with a ribbon cutting ceremony. They also mentioned Kings Island is NOT opened yet. Is the first one to open?

RollerCoasterGod said:
Just heard on the news that CP's Windseeker just opened on Tuesday with a ribbon cutting ceremony. They also mentioned Kings Island is NOT opened yet. Is the first one to open?

From what I've read, here and elsewhere, Canada's Windseeker led the charge.

Kings Island just opened up their Windseeker today!

Did anyone else see the video of the chairs 'bumping' that is on Youtube? Is this expected?

They didn't bump. They appeared to be close to bumping. But the ride was nearly empty. I believe that was filmed during testing. It is my understanding that they won't run it in conditions that would be conducive to possible making the seats bump. Like with less than half the seats filled, or in strong winds. However, I'm not an expert on what their go/no-go conditions are. What you can be certain of is that if the park was concerned they were going to bump, they wouldn't be running the ride.

Honestly, I think all that movement makes the ride more interesting.

Still more excited about the Star Flyers however.

The video of the seats bumping has been mention in the other Windseeker thread.

I think it is reminiscent of the old wave swingers, if you get to close, put out your feet and push off the seat in front of you.However it's a heavier seat, but that's what I would do/try.

"Occasionally the seat in front of you may get in your way, put out your feet and brace for impact. There is no cause for alarm"

I had wondered if it was a testing video because it looks like some 'manager types' that were on the ride. I also found it odd that if the ride was open during operating hours when the video was shot, that it wasn't full. A testing ride makes more sense.

I don't understand why the seats even have travel in that direction... To be able to swing into each other the way they do. Why are they not fixed to only swing outwards as it spins??

Rideman??

If they weren't able to swing forward and back, there would be incredible strain put on the joing as the ride speeds up and slows down.

I've spent the last two days at the Point. I didn't see the video in question, but the riders definitely do NOT come close to bumping. It's not like the old "kick booty" swing rides where you can catch the swing in front of you. The slack isn't there, and the seats are too sturdy/heavy.

That said, there isn't a lot of excitement for the ride. The lines are short (though this IS a high-capacity ride), and the "welcome back riders, how was your ride?" isn't getting much of a reaction. It still looks nice in the park, especially at night. And the height over the beach with a few gusts of wind do make this slow-moving ride a bit lively.

http://screamscape.com/html/cedar_point.htm

They definitely got close in that vid. Wonder if there was an adjustment?

The adjustment was in thier opperational procedures. LIke not running the ride with only 4 people on it or in high wind conditions.

Jason,

I doubt there would be "incredible" strain put on the joint, but I do see your point. I believe it is a design flaw more then anything though, as it could of been designed (the hinge area) to be more robust and tolerate the stress and strains that ride arm would experience during ride cycles. I see the motive behind the design, but not the fact it is not limited somehow in travel. Shock absorbtion, for example...

And was it not Cedar Fair's intention to purchase this version of the ride to be able to operate in wind? I thought it was a big concern for them over the other version of this ride... I guess that backfired a bit, but at least it looks awesome at night...

Still yet to be on the ride, but I can't imagine it will have that great of popularity after the first few weeks. Hell, not many people even know it is open yet due to lack of marketing and advertisement in the Cleveland area that I have (not) seen. It just kind of opened. I guess they are relying more on social media outlets versus normal advertising?

Ride looks beautiful in person though, really makes the area look great.

Perhaps they will market it more now that it is actually open. It would suck for them to market it and people come and be disappointed that it was not open yet.

Paris said:
I didn't see the video in question, but the riders definitely do NOT come close to bumping.

You should watch the video. One pair of riders visibly makes contact with the pair of seats in front of them, and it looks as though had they not used their legs to slow their swinging, they would have come closer, or possibly made contact with the seats.

SteveWoA said:
And was it not Cedar Fair's intention to purchase this version of the ride to be able to operate in wind? I thought it was a big concern for them over the other version of this ride... I guess that backfired a bit...

You're jumping to conclusions in a pretty big way. How do you know how a Starflyer would have behaved in similar conditions?

How does anyone know if the Starflyer was ever under any real consideration? That its manufacturer says it was doesn't count.

I love how we have a bunch of armchair engineers here.

I don't consider myself an armchair engineer though I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express once.

That said, I've always operated under the philosophy of...if it doesn't look safe, don't ride it. That has sustained me at many a parking lot carnival and even at the big boy amusement parks.

If I were standing in line for the Windseeker and I saw with my own eyes those chairs moving around like what was depicted in the video then I have to be honest and say I would probably get out of line. That doesn't mean anything more than I would not be comfortable getting on the ride.

I wrote this in the other thread, but it is entirely possible that that video was taken with "less-stiff" shock absorbers installed. And, for what it's worth (not much) I saw very little front-back motion on the day I saw it operating.

PS: I am an actual engineer, but the wrong kind, so YMMV.