Hard Rock Park Height Restriction

Today (7/13/07), Hard Rock Park had a "topping off" ceremony for Led Zeppelin The Ride. In the Myrtle Beach newspaper's website it said that they couldn't go higher than 155 feet because of FAA restrictions (plane's flight plans go over the ride).

I think this height restriction could hamper the potential of this park in future years. I don't believe that every new coaster has to be 200 feet or more because there are many great coasters under 155 feet, but if I was building a new park I would want an option to be able to go higher if I felt the park needed it.

I'd say "dig a tunnel", but.... ;)

Almost all of my favorite parks don't have a ride over 200 feet tall. Actually a lot of them don't have a ride over 100 feet tall. I'm sure it will end up not being a big deal.

Yeah, I really thought we were finally over the build it taller nonsense. I concede that 200 feet is a nice level, but there have been so many "smaller" rides built since then that I tend to not be bothered by a restriction like this.

Actually, this could be a very positive thing. Isnt there a park called Alton Towers that also has height restrictions?

If youre worried, think of it this way: A restriction will only force designers to get creative, which is becoming a lost art at many parks today.

They could always just tunnel under ground to make up for the extra 45 feet. ^ Alton Towers does have a height restriction and it's low.

Air

Nemesis

Rita

Corkscrew

Oblivion

^ & ^^ Does the phrase "sea level" ring any bells? There's a good reason we (people who live on the Coast) generally build bridges instead of tunnels.

^Look on the bright side, digging tunnels at Myrtle Beach = instant Aquatrax.

^You *always* see the glass half-full... :)

Always look on the bright side of life...

(insert whistling here)

That's funny, my friend said the same thing about the tunnel, and I said "but it's near the ocean," and that stopped him from going any further.

Do you know how cool that would be though to build a glass tunnel sort of like sea worlds shark encounter, but somehow have the coaster ride through it. I know the cost would be ridiculous and just the design to make it strong enough would be tough and all but I still think it would be fun.

I had a dream of riding in a underwater coaster tunnel and I had a good time in the dream so I figure I'd have fun in reality too. *** Edited 7/14/2007 11:05:11 PM UTC by MAGXL200***

If that 155 foot limit applies to all construction, it does make for so-so drop towers, space shots, observation towers and the like.

I guess they could tunnel an observation tower and make it another Plummet Mall. :)

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rollergator said:
^You *always* see the glass half-full...

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Or in this case, the tunnel half full. :)

I don't really understand Alton's height restriction. At first I thought it must be 75' because that is the tallest coaster. But then I looked at the past roller coaster and saw Thunderlooper which was 137'. It was removed in 1996. Has the restriction lowered since then?

If I recall right somewhere it was said that Alton Towers height restrictions are based on the height of the trees around the park and that the rides cant be seen over the tree line while outside the park.

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BogeyMon said:
If that 155 foot limit applies to all construction, it does make for so-so drop towers, space shots, observation towers and the like.

I guess they could tunnel an observation tower and make it another Plummet Mall.

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I would beg to differ. Not trying to bring up the accident at SFKK, but Superman Tower of Power is a pretty decent drop tower being around 160ft tall.

Actually, as far as shot rides are concerned, I tend to think the "short" 80' towers, like IBs, provide the best rides. By the time you get to the *second-tier* shot rides of 170'-ish (Dr Doom, Dorney, etc.), the additional height means there's no momentum left at the top, and no good airtime.

I'll take the shoulder-banging every time. :)

Speaking of drop RIDES, we have only heard of the new coasters for Hard Rock Park, will theree be any flat rides opening with the park?

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rollergator said:
By the time you get to the *second-tier* shot rides of 170'-ish (Dr Doom, Dorney, etc.), the additional height means there's no momentum left at the top, and no good airtime.

I'll take the shoulder-banging every time.

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Have you not ridden Dr. Doom?