Drop Zone at PKI

I was at PKI today (7/24) and I noticed that Drop Zone is moving up the tower very slowly. Also the car was not spinning at all. Does anyone know what the problem may be, or even how long this has been going on?

It goes up slowly because those white strips are permanent brakes. It doesn't require power. It uses that to stop at the end, but on the way up, it also does it. You'll notice after it clears the white strips, it will move faster. All Intamin Gyro Drops do it.

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Millennium Force: The Future's Riding On It

The first time I rode Drop Zone, it didn't spin up the tower - it just rose. From what I understand, however, the wheels that turn the ring of seats is completely unrelated to any other aspect of the ride, and therefore has no effect on it's safety. My guess would be that some sort of motor burned out. Just a guess, though.

Jacob
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http://www.PKIGuide.com

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MillenniumForce04 said:
"It goes up slowly because those white strips are permanent brakes. It doesn't require power. It uses that to stop at the end, but on the way up, it also does it. You'll notice after it clears the white strips, it will move faster. All Intamin Gyro Drops do it.

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I understand that the car normally travels slowly through the brakes. However, when the car reached the purple section it was barely moving. PKI is my home park and I am there quite often and it appears to be moving much slower than normal. When I first rode Drop Zone we would make 2 full rotations (the final rotation finished at the very top), then last time I rode it (several weeks ago) it made one rotation finishing shortly after the brakes, and now there is absolutley no rotation. I am not complaining or anything just curious to why this is going on. *** This post was edited by Shorty131 on 7/24/2001. ***

Exactly how tall is Drop Zone? Is it really a 315 foot drop?

The only thing I can think of, is they just did some repairs to it. That's kind of odd to think though, everytime I go its always working fine. I wonder what happened. Hmm, well im going on Monday so I can tell you then if I find out something is wrong on it or not.

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mike.s. said:
"Exactly how tall is Drop Zone? Is it really a 315 foot drop?"

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Yeah its about there. Im not sure of the *exact* height, but it is about 315 or so.

thanks, but how does drop zone stack up against power tower? I know they are the opposite in size and speed, including rider capacity, but what do you think is better? I've only been on power tower and it was amazing. Also, can Power Tower be compared to Superman: The Escape at all?

drop zone is so big it's great!

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Best woodoie: The Beast
Best steel: MF
Best park: IOA!

Get to the point... cedar point!

i wish PKD would get a drop zone....i love frefall rides!!!
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ROLLERCOASTERS....BETTER THAN OXYGEN BABY!!!!!!

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vacoasterfreak said:
"i wish PKD would get a drop zone....i love frefall rides!!!"

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Geez, I really hate saying this, because parks don't need anything(Well, Food and Water..Ect), but PKD NEEDS some more flat rides!
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"Bathroom 1 looks too intense for me"-Ed Markey

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mike.s. said:
"thanks, but how does drop zone stack up against power tower? I know they are the opposite in size and speed, including rider capacity, but what do you think is better? I've only been on power tower and it was amazing. Also, can Power Tower be compared to Superman: The Escape at all?"

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Well. I think Drop Zone is better than Power Towers free fall side. Since its taller, but what I would give for a Power Tower (the launch side) as tall as Drop Zone. But I think the Las Vegas "Demon Drop" type ride is gonna be the greatest thing ever if it ever gets made. But you really *cant* compare Drop Zone to Power Tower (or vice versa) Each has their fine qualities.

Oh yea, I dont think it can compare to Superman just cause they are totally different rides.

I love it when it goes and makes the stopand all this air from it blows all over you. it feels so good.

The Drop Zone Stunt Tower at Paramount's Kings Island has a structural height of 315 FT. The actual drop however, is a 264 FT gravity powered free-fall. And NO it can't be compared to Superman:The Escape. That would be ridiculous. They're completely different rides.

Speaking of the brake rods, how does a gyro drop actually brake itself??

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Let the Trix Rabbit eat the yogurt!!
Kerry -Bright Man of the Elite Eight

On 7/24 it was raining and lightning at P.K.I. When they close the ride due to weather the ride raises very slow and doesn't rotate, when the ride reaches the top they drop it keeping the purple device which raises the ride at the top.

Normally I prefer turbo shots to free-fall drops, but PKI has a winner here. 315 feet is a looonnng drop, and you do get about three to three and a half seconds of free-fall. The spinning gives an excellent view of the park (pictures are NOT permitted, according to the park), and the wind gust created by the falling ride definitely adds to the excitement and intensity for those waiting in line. The only good comparison to S:TE at SFMM could be in the duration of free-fall, which I'd say probably is a little longer for Superman. Other than that, the rides really are very different.

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rollergator - intent on improving the "guest experience" - coming soon to a park near you

I think intamin towers are better than SS towers.


-Where is another gyro drop? I thought this was the only one?

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PCW needs something taller than a boomerang

coo man chu, the 2nd gyro-drop is at SFoG. I know, it's a stand-up, but it does circle on it's way up, so it's a gyro-drop.

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Intamin: Steel gifts from the gods.
CCI: Wooden gifts from the gods.

Noobody mentioned Acrophobia this is a gryo- drop seated like your standing up free-falling.
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MF#1