has anybody rode this coaster? i just read about it in Reader's Digest and I wanna take a road trip to PKD soon! I tried downloading a video of the ride, but my internet's not working or something, which sucks. And we all thought MF was steep, this baby goes STRAIGHT down! yikes...
Using the search option, you will find plenty of comments/trip reports about H:XLC. You are sure to read/find out everything you need to know from these past posts.
the blast off is awsome
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Montu, God Of Coasters
this ride is simply undescribable
What issue of Reader's Diegest?
Does anyone know if Hypersonic can run 4 trains yet?
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Cameron Willis
Dr. Doolittle 2: "So young, so angry. Damn that rap music!"
it's the lastest issue of Reader's Digest...only a 2-page article
Hypersonic is short, but SWEET! The incredibly short ride (15 seconds from launch) is made up for by the launch that still gives me chills just thinking about it. Yellow light, double yellow, green,......wwwwhhhoooossssshhhhhhhhh straight up straight down, yaaahhhhoooo.
In other words, just ride this thing. It will BLOW you away!
*** This post was edited by go with gravity on 8/16/2001. ***
Its a little rough but a great ride.
Medusafanatic, you must have the wrong Hypersonic XLC! There is no roughness at all on Hypersonic. How can you say that there is?
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Joshua Wilcox
The following statement is true.
The preceding statement is false.
It actually is kinda bumpy. I wouldn't say it's rough, but you do feel a constant bumbing vibration throughout the entire ride.
My opinion on this ride seems to differ from everyone else though. I really was unimpressed by the ride. There was practically no air time because of the huge, bulky, heavy, and tight lap/shin/ankle bars. Also there is no verticle drop. The track is sloped verticle for 5ft, but you can't even feel it while riding. And after that the ride is over. This ride ranks extremly low on my list of 103 coasters I've been on. Not to mention 2 train 8 seat stacking which makes for a horribly slow moving line. Also the fact that I had to make two trips up from GA to get on the thing because it was closed the first time because they were supposidly adding the two other trains into the computer system.
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"This time I think ... I think it's ... it's going to work!" - Dr.Bruce Banner
Hypersonic XLC is the best coaster that I have been on. (66 coasters) I ran from the gates and was the first one in line. It was definitely worth the 1 1/2 hour wait. The front seat is the best seat on the whole ride.
Its sounds soooo quiet!
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Ricochet: Bouncing to you in 2002, Only at King's Dominion!
Well, the beginning and end are very loud. In between, it's the quietest coaster I've ever been on.
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Joshua Wilcox
The following statement is true.
The preceding statement is false.
I heard that people are getting turned down due to size. I've never had a problem on a coaster but they say that a lot of "bigger" people get turned away on this due to the restraints.
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Gone antiqueing
I was within one inch of not making it and I wear a size 42 jeans. That should give you an idea. I think it's crazy that they don't design it to accomodate larger people. Still, the problem could be solved by a simple seatbelt extension.
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Joshua Wilcox
The following statement is true.
The preceding statement is false.
The Reader's Digest article is a reprint from the March issue of WIRED. Back then, they had announced the ride was going to be at PKD, to be moved there, but that was yet to happen. So the article is about the prototype in Utah, and about Stan Checketts and his company, and the ride technology, etc. It was very will written and informative. The author (a woman) seemed to have a good time and was a good sport to ride such a unique ride. Since then, the ride is in VA and slightly modified.
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I know you rider
Gonna miss me when I'm gone
I like the restraints. The feeling was intense, I got nice air. The slope down was fine, with that launch! The funny part is the handles that are there, they really look like they're there to pull the restraints off, not to hold onto, if you know what I mean. People look strange grasping on for dear life to those handles. There's really nothing to hold onto.
As for bumpy? The rough part when we rode was that horrible hill at the end! First pass, I thought it would be a bunny hop, but no. They slam on the brakes right as you hit the end of it, pushed the stomach a bit. Not too bad, though. Three cars were on. One train was always in the station, one would be on the brakes a couple of car lengths out of the station, and one on the circuit or waiting to pull in. It was at least interesting to watch. I do not see why four cars at least couldn't run. I can see three cars stacked into the station all the time, people were having a tough time getting in and out.
I saw one large person who's friend had to push down hard to get the restraint to close. Like I said in my trip report yesterday, it's a cool concept, and if you live close you should ride it. But, I wouldn't drive thousands of miles to ride it.
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Batwing-Bow Down
Regarding the comments about Hypersonic being loud.....I agree that the breaks at the end are pretty loud and not too pleasant, but the sound of the launch is a "good" noise. I love hearing the train being launched. It sounds like a toned down version of a jet being launched off of a carrier. Sweet. Every time a train launches, people walking around will stop and just look at it. Even after riding it 3 times, I can't help but turn and watch whenever I hear the sound of that air building up.
*** This post was edited by Lorrie on 8/17/2001. ***
