Flying Turns Update

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Mamoosh said:
Intamin Fan said: Just don't count on seeing me at PPP. I hear it's a nightmare people-wise.

Huh? Other than the Haunted Mansion and the Antique Car Ride [which they decorate with drive-thru scenes and scare-actors] I've never waited more than 15-20 mins for any ride included in ERT...even Phoenix or Twister. When you combine 2-train op with 20-second dispatches the lines are always movin.

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I've talked with two different hardcore enthusiasts who say they won't go back because it's become too crowded. That's what I was basing my comment on, not the amount of time to get on a ride which neither complained about.

If by more crowded, they mean "less exclusive" then yeah, they're probably right.

But if the folks at Knoebels want to open the park to anyone for 10 hours and not just a certain club or clique, that's their business.

BTW, there's what appears to be a nice looking curved op station on the platform. A part of it just barely appears in the frame to the left of Cam 1. The rails along the queue walkway are completed. Most of the work going on now is below the track. Still nothing on the transfer sections though.

I've talked with two different hardcore enthusiasts who say they won't go back because it's become too crowded.

Yay! Two fewer people in line ;)

I believe the complaint with PPP is that they call the time from 6 to 10 ERT, but not only do they let people use tickets they also advertise the event to anyone who comes by the armband office. I have a problem with the former, but not with the latter.

However, anybody who is complaining about not getting coaster rides isn't really trying. Get your free pizza early, take your free skyride early, blow off the free haunted house unless you've never done it before, blow off the costume parade after the enthusiasts have gone by and it's all GP kids (or altogether if you've seen enough costumes in the queues), and then the only thing keeping you from the coasters will be the haunted antique cars. (Of course, if the Flying Turns is open I'm sure there will be a ridiculous line for that, but it would presumably be open during the day also for $2 in tickets so you shouldn't have to wait til 6.) Lastly, there's no room to complain about the price because you can't get the normal evening pass for $15, and that doesn't include food, the haunted house, or the skyride if you do decide to partake of those.

Disclaimer: All prices, freebies, and the ability to use freebies before 6 are based on last year. I have no knowledge of what this year's package or policy will be.

^Everything you said sounded about right. The only thing I can think to mention is that even though the Flying Turns isn't open yet, it was on the 2006 map listed at $2.20. Though I stopped there on the way to Coney Island last week, I didn't pick up a new map, so I don't know if it's the same or not.
*** Edited 8/12/2007 8:28:43 PM UTC by Jason Hammond***

^The PDF version of the 2007 brochure on their web site has it as $2. I'm surprised it isn't more since Twister is $2.20 and it took less time to build, but maybe they didn't want to try charging too much for what's likely to be a short ride.

It's true, PPP has become hideously crowded in recent years. It's definitely not the event to attend if you're looking to score a bunch of Phoenix rides. But people who have been going to PPP for years know those 4+ hours are not about ERT riding conditions- they're about unbelievable atmosphere. Walking on dirt paths covered with leaves in the cool night air while hanging with friends, waiting on line and saying hello to dozens of people you meant to get together with during the riding season, freezing your a$$ off at the bonfire while trying to make hot dogs and toasted marshmallows... that's what PPP is all about.

It was fun when there were 200 people riding just the Phoenix and it's fun when there are 1500 people riding the Phoenix and Twister. The Flying Turns will be the icing on the cake, but it will still be a damn tasty treat if its not up and running.

*** Edited 8/13/2007 3:32:53 PM UTC by Rob Ascough***

One other thing I didn't mention, and you can see on the webcam, is that the green kiosk was moved from its former location closer to the queue entrance. Nothing earthshaking, but it is nice to see something different.

It looks as though the webcam is showing the chain installed on the main lift (lift #2). I am really hoping for an openeing for PPP, as this may be my last season with Knoebels as my home park. Granted the tradeoff will be living next to Dollywood, but having Knoebels be about ten hours away is just a depressing thought.

At Hershey yesterday I spoke to someone who had been at Knoebels over the weekend. He said that he was told that they planned on having the Flying Turns open for "the last day of the season". That's not exactly what I wanted to hear, because it would've been so nice to be able to go on a slow day this summer and ride with a shorter line.

It does look like they are getting pretty close to it being completed. I bet line for it will be packed at PPP if it is open. That means that I'll be able to ride the Phoenix, and the Twister with a shorter line.

Well if it IS open by PPP, then it should be open on Hangover Day. That would be a lighter day to ride it. ;)

^^^ Not questioning what you were told, but I have a hard time believing that. Won't the ride have to be inspected and approved by the state? Why would Knoebels go through all of that just so they can operate the ride for one day? And the last day of the season isn't PPP Hangover Day anymore since the park operates certain attractions on weekends until Halloween, right?

The past two years they've had the Antique Cars and Phoenix open on Saturday evenings in October. Prices are a bit higher than usual (I think Phoenix was $3.00/ride), but the proceeds go to one of the local service organizations, like the Rotary Club or Fire Department, I don't recall exactly who.

Would they consider adding the Turns to that, or does that just steal the thunder from a regular grand opening?

^It's the Elysburg Fire Department. The event is advertised in conjunction with a haunted house at the Elysburg Gun Club. Phoenix was $2 last year (regular price was $1.80), but the haunted antique cars were much more expensive than normal with no discount for passengers.

^^^^It does look pretty close from a superficial view, but the speed of progress changes a lot from day to day these days. They seem to start something and then suddenly go to work on some other part. Other than the transfer switches not being started yet, one item that comes to mind as not looking close is the wiring. Last time I was there there was a lot of empty conduit everywhere, including in places I'm not even sure what there's going to be wiring for.

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Rob Ascough said:
^^^ Not questioning what you were told, but I have a hard time believing that. Won't the ride have to be inspected and approved by the state? Why would Knoebels go through all of that just so they can operate the ride for one day? And the last day of the season isn't PPP Hangover Day anymore since the park operates certain attractions on weekends until Halloween, right?

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Bringing up the question with testing and inspections. They did open the Looper basicly on Labor Day in 05, so its been done before. Knoebels has this thing where they want to do it right and if it gets done right and its the last day of the season, then thats when it will open. I hate having to ride or run this thing, but I understand why they do it too. Its just the way the park is...

Photos -->
http://dalado.smugmug.com/gallery/3182941

Nothing too exciting here. I did notice that all three lifts have their chains and motors in place. Looks like just lift #2 needs rollbacks and some side metal. The transfer tracks and the roof of the station have not been started. The operators station is there, but no wires or buttons or anything like that. I heard the word Octoberfest again, but we shall see.

*** Edited 8/16/2007 12:10:47 AM UTC by The Lado***

Coastin' Steve has also added a few new pictures to the FIRST page of his site. They are basically MUCH closer pictures of the test cars that they sent down, including him sitting in one.

http://community-2.webtv.net/Coastin_Steve/FlyingTurnsFotosbyCS/

Tom

^^ Maybe so, I just have a hard time believeing that Knoebels would be able to plan that far ahead since the ride's status is pretty much day-to-day right now.

Wasn't it also mentioned 20-some pages ago that the helix was going to be enclosed in a tunnel?

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RatherGoodBear said:
Wasn't it also mentioned 20-some pages ago that the helix was going to be enclosed in a tunnel?

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I don't think it was ever Knoebels intention to have it enclosed this year!

BTW; I heard the train (only one) should arrive at the park in a little more than 2 weeks. It's going to be a close shave to get it tested, inspected, and approved this season.

I think it will happen!!! See you there...