Continuous loading on NTG

I went to SFoT this weekend, and for Holiday in the Park, they had New Texas Giant doing continuous loading (where the train slows to a crawl in the station, but doesn't stop and they fill the rows in from front to back with the line). I asked to wait for the back and was allowed to, but I'm not sure how waiting for the front would have panned out. There was a noticeable increase in capacity as neither train was ever waiting on the brakes if things kept moving (which they usually did).

I couldn't help but wondering if Iron Rattler or Outlaw Run would see something like this.

I'm not sure I've seen what you describe as "continuous loading" on anything other than Wild Mice and dark rides. Are there any coasters I might be familiar with that do that as a matter of course? Although I'm not much on technical stuff, wouldn't that be dangerous no matter how slow it's crawling through the station?

Well, if it works on mice...

The way today's crews have zero sense of urgency, I think it's a brilliant idea. The drawback would be not being able to choose your seat. If they can configure a separate area for front and backseat lines (there should be plenty of leftover space in the station), I'm all for it.

I believe Rip Ride and Rocket uses a continuous load and unload.

Here's video of the New Texas Giant continuous load and unload in action...

http://youtu.be/iEqdFwti348

Here is a video showing the loading on NTG.

I think it is a great idea if only because it gets oncoming riders to understand that the need to hurry. It gives them an idea of how long they have before the ride exits the station.

The Mad Mouse at Hersheypark does this. I usually don't ride it though, because I am too lazy to walk all the way back there. ;)

EDITED: I fixed the link. I was away all day and didn't see the mistake until now.

It definitely puts a little urgency into everybody's step - crew, passengers, etc. It also allows the staff to be more efficient in a certain sense. They don't have to run up and down the platform to do their jobs - just stand in one place and keep checking. It also tends to fill the trains a lot better because you don't get the "we're waiting to go with them so we're just going to leave this row empty" phenomenon. As long as there's a contingency for front and back row selection, I think it's a win/win/win. (Park, crew, guest)

ApolloAndy said:

I went to SFoT this weekend, and for Holiday in the Park, they had New Texas Giant doing continuous loading (where the train slows to a crawl in the station, but doesn't stop and they fill the rows in from front to back with the line). I asked to wait for the back and was allowed to, but I'm not sure how waiting for the front would have panned out.

I'm very happy to hear you were allowed to wait for that seat. When I first heard of this continuous loading, I figured it was Six Flags cutting service (picking front or back of a coaster) for a few bucks. I don't know - I could be totally wrong.

During my ride operating years, urgency was very important and secondary only to safety. It's almost as if Six Flags has put something in the water over the years. Ride ops seem to be oblivious in some cases; there is no concern for empty seats going out (whole empty seats, not just singles)... It's completely opposite of what I learned (or I should say what was beat into my head) while working at Cedar Point. I understand things change, etc., and "it is what it is." I just find myself baffled when watching Six Flags crews sometimes. .

There is a song and dance now before every train goes out. Besides, how could you possibly communicate and be effective when you are speaking over a prerecorded spiel AND blasting "I like to move it move it" music?

I've seen rides where they were proud of getting trains out on time, but all seating was assigned. The idea of getting trains out on time, letting people pick their seats, filling all seats and being friendly - you would think their heads would explode!

Cedar Point training was very thorough and you were taught to really bust your tail AND be very aware of safety and what every other crew member was doing. You were being paid to do a job. If you couldn't do the job, there was a broom and dustpan for you, or dirty tables for you to wash. Spiels were manual and more importantly - we worked together as a unit and were very aware of everything that was happening on our platform at all times.

I'm very happy to see parks like Holiday World, Knoebels, Dollywood - and although many say Cedar Point is not what it used to be in terms of ride capacity - they are still very good at what they do. I can't say that for my experience at a few other Cedar Fair parks during 2011 (Carowinds, KD and KI). But they are still relatively new to the CF family - I hope they eventually get closer to that Cedar Point standard.

Rihard said:

I believe Rip Ride and Rocket uses a continuous load and unload.

You are correct. If you don't lock in your song selection before a certain point, I believe you get a random song. This made picking a hidden track a bit tougher too. It's a beat the clock situation. When I was there, I had a list of the hidden songs during the ACE event 2? years ago. That did helped a lot.

My opinion, "The Doors - Break on through to the other side", had the best timing with the layout of the ride. I tried about 25 different songs.

I did the hidden Blue Man Group song. I'm a nerd.

Are the songs edited at all to match the action of the ride? I couldn't tell from our rides.

No, they're not. It's fancy, but not fancy schmancy. My song was Gloria Gaynor's "I Will Survive" and it just faded out when the ride was over.
I can't say how the continuous load affects song selection, as it has never worked successfully anytime I've ever ridden it. The trains were always stopped in the station causing delays, and this was with very few trains on the track to begin with. It was a frustrating experience, and left me with the impression that it wasn't such a good idea.

Jeff said:

I did the hidden Blue Man Group song. I'm a nerd.

Try the Muppet Movie's "Moving Right Along" next time, it's perfect to the ride.

That's odd, as I would assume Disney owns that song.

Those trains on NTG look way cool and comfortable. I hadn't seen them before...I don't enjoy watching coaster videos as much as many do, so I had never looked for it...but I watched that video to see the NTG procedure. Looks like it works well.

Jeff said:

That's odd, as I would assume Disney owns that song.

#901

Been a few months since I've ridden, so not sure if its still there.

Maybe that's why the song is hidden. :-P

Seriously though, licensing is a bizarre cross-bred world. You'd assume that Disney would have the song, but then again Disney also owns rights for Marvel and that didn't stop an agreement with USO. Heck, look the crazy collection of licensing at Universal Japan. They've got Woody Woodpecker, Shrek, Pink Panther, Elmo and Sesame Street, Hello Kitty and even Snoopy and Friends!

Universal Music Group owns a ton of labels. I don't know what that entitie's relationship is with the parks, but I'm sure it helps.

It wasn't a licensing concern I had, more of a "selling a Disney brand" thing. Of course, they do that every day with Marvel now, so there is that.

#125 Pink Floyd's Great Gig in the Sky, Incredibly peaceful yet enjoyable for a coaster. Its great going over the crest with the guitar slide and the "wailing" starting. Approximately 1:03 in the song, if you were wondering.

I don't care what music you play, the ride still sucks. :)

In the back car, I'd agree totally with Jeff. In the lead car (and esp. the front row), it's way smoother and has good airtime pops hopping up onto *almost all* of the block brakes..