Good Powder Keg photos

The experience overall is a decent one. I think that GP will catch a good case of "Dragster-itis" with this coaster (meaning they will sit there and easily spend a huge chunk of time watching the coaster), but there are so many things they could have done better with it.

I think the track colors are ugly and the vantage point from the observation area sucks. I would like to see an elevated deck so that everyone could really see the launch track and the rest of the ride. I realize that not knowing the layout can be a plus to new riders, but the observation point is so low compared to the level the launch track, making it difficult to see the coaster over the shed running next to the launch area. Maybe that's just my picking enthusiast talking.

The station isn't anything to brag about, but the effects/launch/show shed really is. I was very impressed with it, more so than the ride probably because I hyped it up in my head.

One last complaint...

The area around Powder Keg is going to become a huge bottleneck when the middle of summer comes around. Most people don't immediately go into line but rather check out a few launches, get the courage to ride, and then enter the queue. This traffic past the queue to the observation area was a pain with even the little attendance we experienced that Thursday & Friday. I don't know if this was a problem with BSF.

Neuski, I know what you mean about a bottleneck. Hershey had that problem last year with Storm Runner. I have actually seen them send security to clear people just stading and watching out of the area.

I'd almost think that is what a park wants when they open a new ride. Not that they want a bottleneck, but they do want their guests to enjoy the new attraction. For a lot of non riders that means just stading there and watching as their lived ones ride.

Those seats look scary. Is that a huge spike that comes up between your legs?

Aside from that the ride looks great and I am really looking forward to it. After Hades, this is my most anticipated new in 2005 coaster. After looking at all those Hydra pics, it is refreshing to look at pics that don't look like positive g's.

remeber Powder Keg is still in its soft opening phase with the Grand Opening set for the start of World Fest. Some of that stuff has improvments yet to be made. Some of the stuff I wonder if they're gonna try to hide to boxes on the back of the train with a new paint job on them or putting a Powder Keg Barrel on them. There's also gonna be a water spray at the end of the ride where you'll be getting wet on the ride, also there is gonna be a small shack or tunnel placed at the bottom of the first hill from the lift.

As for the crowds watching the ride it shouldn't be a problem becase the area is not where we go to get on the ride and also they also removed the shops along the launch pad so it can handle large crowds like they had on the Wildfire Obsvervation Deck on those busy days in 2001. I was at Wildfire on one of those days and it was tough to get through the deck and shop to get back on the ride, I also wondered how the wooden deck could withstand handling the crowd. As you know the Powder Keg obsvervation area is no comparison to Wildfire becasue you don't have the sweet view that Wildfire has to offer from its deck.

I would just like to comment on the picture neuski added. The flame is really a lot bigger than the picture suggests and flames also shoot out of the doors, and water squirts out of barrels that tip. I agree with neuski that the launch/show/effects are the best part.

Shaggy you need to head on over to SDC because I believe your view of the ride will change.

Raven, the seat spike on the S&S/Arrow ride is no worse than Wildfire's or any other B&M. *** Edited 3/30/2005 4:51:32 PM UTC by Sawblade5***

Raven I didn't even notice that spike in the seats until you mentioned it. I bet the seats are still comfortable. That is a good way to prevent problems. They don't want problems like Intamin has had with their T-bar.

Looks like the final lift/drop is a little wasted, with only the helix and brake run after, but overall it looks like a great ride.
*** Edited 3/31/2005 5:45:59 AM UTC by Raptor Pilot***

My point exactly... It looks like something I would think about doing in RCT. Oh well...

Sawblade: I think it is going to be a problem for a while because a certain point in the path is very narrow, partially do to the tree in the path, not completely due to the influx of people.

Is that all you guys do is complain the ride isn't even fully open yet and it's nothing but negitivity.

Heck SDC could of just left Buzzsaw there to rot and you'd really have something to complain about.

I think they did a great job on this coaster with adding new with the old and a great job with the theme of the station pre show etc etc.

Sure the track may not be B&M or intamin but it's what S&S/Arrow is using the ride is rumored to give a great ride and plenty of airtime so get over it.

Also every color scheme is not going to be to everyones favorite, and the color scheme doesn't make the ride.

When the ride fully opens go ride it, don't worry about the colors nor the track. Just have fun that's what they're built for (unless it togo or vakoma then that's another story lol), maybe they'll have Martha Stewart come in a decorate it all pretty for you later. *** Edited 3/30/2005 8:47:25 PM UTC by westcoaster man***

So is the ride operating reliably? I have the oppurtunity to go to Silver Dollar City and Celebration City this weekend, or to Kentucky Kingdom. Powder Keg's reliability will play a big part in the decision

Yea, those seats just look uncomfortable, but I think they may be ok. Just like the Mummy's trains which looked different but were fine by me.

The ride was a lot of fun. The train floats over the first hill and drops down into a ravine. There are two fun overbanked curves and some fun helix action. As for those who think the lift and curve is sort of a "silly" ending. That lift hill gives you a breather and provides some excellent views of the Ozark Moutains as well as Table Rock Lake. The ride is a lot of fun. It was never intended to be TTD, remember that.

As for the restraints. They are a bit awkward. You sit in the seat, pull the bar over and then push it down until it is "tight" enough. The attendants will come by and "staple" you a little more as they are checking the restraints. As far as being comfortable, they are fine. Just make sure you guys miss the little knob that stick up as it will hurt if you sit on it. I still stay that this is the "D.O.T.S" ride and is well worth the trip to SDC.

As for reliability, remember that PK is still in "preview" mode. This is much like LMAX at WDW. It could close at anytime during the day for tweaks and so on. With that being said, with the exception of the two days after the "bump," it has been open every day since opening day of the season. They are currently running only ONE train, so if you do go, expect long lines up to 2 hours.

Swoosh, have you ridden a Screamin' Swing, or SWAT? Sounds like the same restraint system as on the S&S flatrides...;)

Go to SDC for the food, stay for the rides! :)

I really don't like the colors on this ride....But it looks fun.

And yes, Westcoasterman, color schemes DO make the ride sometime, IMO.
Take scream for example, It is still a hideous parking lot coaster, but the colors make it look just that much better.

Hopefully I can get to SDC this year.

- Josh

Am I missing something? What is wrong with the color scheme? They blend in well with the Ozark setting and aren't BLARINGLY obvious. Do you guys hate WildFire and ThuNderaTion's color schemes as well because they blend in? The point of the park is to not have the rides scream that they are there. They are to blend in with the natural setting of the past that the park portrays.

Bill- I have not, but one of my buddies that has, says that they are a lot alike. Perhaps the next "version" or something to that effect. When are you going to get up here to ride it?

I realize that the colors aren't meant to shout, but that white just doesn't do a darn thing for me.

Right, I could care less about standing out and all, I just think it looks like they short-cut the process and skipped painting the track.

I dunno, it just looks too off the shelf generic if you will.

Josh

You guys are missing the point. They want the track to blend in with the surroundings. White is does not do that. I'm sorry that white is generic, darn, shoot. I guess you guys just don't get the point of SDC and that's why you don't like the paint scheme....whatever.

Simmer down bud... we both just said that we don't like the color. It really isn't more than that. If the white was tied in more with the theme, then I would be all over it like... white on rice. ;)

Until then, it seems like it does stand out, going against their goal, which is a goal/"point" I do "get."