Hybrid roller coaster Zambezi Zinger opens at Worlds of Fun

PhantomTails:

I assume they needed their greater articulation for the spiral lift hill...

I would be surprised if that was the case. If I remember correctly from my GCI days, the min radius of curvature the Millennium Flyers could handle is 18 feet, and the spiral lift doesn't appear to be tighter than that. I believe this ride is the first to use the new Infinity Flyers, so it could just be the case that this was chosen as the pilot coaster since it is on the small side. I would imagine GCI is wanting to move to the IFs full time going forward. The primary benefit for the park, at least as I see it, is that because the IF wheel carriers have a steering mechanism, similar to GG's Timberliners, the road wheels will track better because they will always be pointing in the direction of travel. With the MFs, even thought they track, corner and (especially) roll exceptionally well, there is always a little bit of lateral skidding because the wheel carriers are fixed to the axle. The IFs should eliminate the skidding condition and result in less wear and tear on the track over time.

In this video it's suggested (although not quite stated) that the drive tire lift was a reason for the new trains. I can see how having that lap bar support between one's legs might have negative consequences.

Has anyone read or heard how GCI decided where to install Titan Track beyond the lift? Based on the POV, it looks like there's a stretch about a quarter of the way through the layout, but it seems to be in a portion of the ride where the track is relatively high and the train relatively slow. I don't know how Titan Track is designed/marketed, but this seems like an odd place when there are so many low-to-the-ground, high-speed sections with what looks like traditional track.

cmwein:

And while I hate the general public moniker

Thank you. This needs to be reitterated as often as it takes to get people to stop saying it. But that's a subject for a different day.

TylerWS:

Has anyone read or heard how GCI decided where to install Titan Track beyond the lift?

It is just the lift hill/first drop, and the portion of track that wraps around the lift.

I still stan General Public.

(And all other variations of that band.)