Hades 360

Charles Nungester said:

5. Since TGG is confident with the seat back re-design I see no reason they can't run on Voyage other than it would be HW's call and not theirs.

What's the deal with the seat back re-design? Just wondering as I haven't heard anything specific to that part (from HW or TGG.)

The new seat backs have basically the same shape but are done more like a B&M seat frame. I may not be 100 percent correct but Birds told me it has to do with Harmonics and how it affects metal. Both parks, Quassy and Sweden got them changed after one season.

GravityKraft is now ready to mass produce. :) And by looking at video of that Sweeden ride they can make slow areas exciting with tighter turn radius's and stuff than any other train can handle due to the steering trucks.

^Thanks for the info, Chuck. Who is Birds?

I think he means 'birds" - as in "A little birdie told me"

Maybe it was Birdhombre?

Can't think of anything I've ridden at SFGA that has only one train but then I haven't ridden everything - tend to stick to El Toro, Nitro, Bizarro and Kingda Ka, all with multiple trains. Flash Pass isn't such a bad deal if you're a season ticket holder b/c you've already paid for admission and have to shell out only $35 for a Flash Pass. This is my home park and I love it! The only thing I hate about getting a Flash Pass is having to watch that stupid video every time I go to the park. They should keep a list of people who've purchased Flash Passes in the past so these people don't have to be subjected to the video explaining how it works over and over.

^^ < snnzxx snxx > Wha?

mid-timberliners...

< zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz >

You are absolutely right; El Toro has 2. As a veteran of 70+ rides on that masterpiece, I know it like the back of my hand and could ride it blindfolded without having to guess what would happen next. Nitro has 3 and I haven't counted the others but Bizarro and Kingda Ka have at least 3.

Medusa has three. I THINK KK has at least 3, four at most. Blackbeard only has one :)

I think it looks pretty good, but I'd still put it right behind Iron Rattler and Outlaw Run. What is it with the barrel rolls on all of these coasters coming up?If they're trying to market to the GP, they're still not doing a really good job of it since the GP is always looking for "extreme, record-breaking" coasters. Then again, part of the main schemes of these coasters, especially Outlaw Run, is the inversions. So the GP can tell everyone else that they went UPSIDE DOWN. HOW COOL IS THAT? :P If they're trying to market to enthusiasts, let's just say I'm pleased with the way the coasters are turning out, but I'd rather go to SFGA and catch some rides on the bull instead of riding them.

Seeing as there are not very many people in the world who would admit to being a coaster enthusiast, I think it is safe to say that the parks are marketing their rides to regular people.

I would think that inversions would keep some people away, but maybe the fear of going upside-down is becoming less of a problem.

I get what you are saying, blaster. The average parkgoer does not really pay attention to a new ride unless it is something record breaking or first of its kind (Gatekeeper is not the first Wing Rider, but it is the tallest, so it is a smart call for Cedar Point). Honestly though, what records can parks break at this time? A height record is a no at this time, speed pretty much the same, length I don't think anyone in the GP cares about too much (nor do I other than longer is better...*grin*), and inversions take up a lot of real estate that I don't think most parks are willing to give up. While I kind of agree with you on the fact that for marketing, these coasters might not "do it" for the public right away, once they start getting voted into coaster and amusement park awards and stuff, the parks will get some more recognition for these rides.

^My point exactly. They would be way more successful at getting more recognition for their rides if they targeted the coaster enthusiasts. The regular parkgoer does not really vote for rides in polls or contribute in spreading word about how good or bad a certain ride may be. Enthusiasts do.

I am pleased to report that theFlashPasssystem at Six Flags parks is slated to undergo a much-needed transformation. As a Six Flags season pass holder for the past two years, I have purchased a Flash Pass (season pass holders get a $10 discount) on numerous occasions because I cannot deal with long ride lines. On each occasion I have had to stand in line and watch the same video explaining how theFlashPassworks – and frankly, I was getting sick of it. I know the drill; how many times do I have to hear an explanation of how to reserve a ride or a warning to the effect that there is a $250 penalty for failing to return theFlashPassin the same condition in which it was issued?

Huh? What are we all talking about here? What is the topic again?

In a related note, how many people have ever posted on CoasterBuzz while drunk?

blasterboy6500 said:

They would be way more successful at getting more recognition for their rides if they targeted the coaster enthusiasts. The regular parkgoer does not really vote for rides in polls or contribute in spreading word about how good or bad a certain ride may be. Enthusiasts do.

Uh-oh. You're getting dangerously close to the inflated sense of self-importance that defines too many enthusiasts. Don't be that guy.

My last post was off topic and not only that; half of it got cut off; don't know what the hell happened. Anyway, someone had mentioned Fast Pass so I wanted to add that Six Flags is upgrading their Flash Pass system. I complained to Six Flags through their website about having to watch the same video explaining how the Flash Pass works every time I purchase one and suggested that they find a way to keep track of previous purchasers so as to allow them to skip that step - and got an email from Chris Allen, director of in-park services at SFGA, telling me that they were planning to do exactly that. He said that they're updating their system to identify experienced Flash Pass users, allowing them to bypass the training video and speed up the check-in process. He says that they intend to institute this new policy in all Six Flags parks within the next several months.

Don't worry. I'm still quite far from that stage. I'm the guy who is afraid to tell others that I'm a coaster enthusiasts in fear of turning into a laughingstock...and that has happened before. I still dream of a ride that a park solely dedicates to enthusiasts though. Probably not too likely, but it would be awesome if they can get it right.

^Have you been on Voyage?

Yes, I have.