I rode X !! - CoasterBuzz

It was DEFINITELY worth the wait.

First off, the trains....OMG, they are MUCH bigger than I had anticipated and very unique. Very futuristic and almost Star Wars-ish in appearance. The seats themselves are VERY comfortable, especially the nice, soft, spongy head rest. The restraints are vest-like and lock together with a seat belt across the front. A nice added touch is that the OSTRs can be raised or lowered to fit people of any
height.

I won't spoil any of the fun by writing a play-by-play on the entire ride because part of the fun of X is being surprised. However I will say this: it is ULTRA smooth, both the way the trains track *and* the rotation of the seats. No headbanging, shuffling, or jerkiness at all. For those who may be worried about getting dizzy X is slightly disorienting but not dizzying at all. It is VERY re-rideable. There is one definitive "scare the crap out of you" moment and at least two jaw-dropping "I have no idea where I am going" moments that keeps riders laughing and screaming. And did I mention ultra smooth?? And the view of the park as riders travel the lift backwards is gorgeous.

The reaction from the crowd was overwhelmingly positive. I didn't hear one complaint or negative comment. Each departing train was accompanied by cheers of both riders and those waiting and returning trains were filled with clapping, laughing, screaming, and happy riders.

If there is anything negative to be said about X it is the track length, just under 4,000 feet. It does feel a touch short but let me tell you it is NOT boring in the least. The only other problem was the cycling of two trains but the loading of only one. Apparently the restraints on the second train still needed some adjustment but we were told that by late this afternoon the second train would be loading. And a third
train is in the works and according to the designer, Alan [can't remember his last name] X will definitely be running three trains soon.

In this rider's opinion, X is a winner!

Well, color me jealous... ;)

Thanks, Matt. Glad to hear X was actually worth the wait! Now I just have to find a quick weekend trip from Pittsburgh...

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--Greg
"Beat the rush, sign up for your post-Mean Streak MRI now..."
My page My other page And my coaster page

*** This post was edited by GregLeg on 12/24/2001. ***

Mamoosh, what is the drop like?

Oh, how long did you have to wait to ride?

Yeah, put me on the list of people that are jealous. Glad you enjoyed it.

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""An hour wait for a 2 minute thrill. Yes, we need our heads examined""

I waited about 45 minutes to ride but only because they were loading one train and preping the second for riders later today. The drop is pretty freaky and unlike anything I've ever experienced and I'd rather not ruin the experience for others by giving any further details about it.

*** This post was edited by Mamoosh on 12/24/2001. ***

Awesome!!! Except for the fack i'm stuck in western ny and am too young to fly and get a hotel by myself...Put one at sfdl please!!!
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"you give me the most gorgeous sleep that i've ever had and when it's really bad i guess it's not that bad" Underneath it all- no doubt

Mamoosh, this might seem dumb, but what is the staion like? I've alway's wondered what it is like.

The second train was being used around 1pm with a few seats roped off.

I have to second everything Mamoosh said about the ride. I was prepared to be let down but I wasn't at all! Arrow and Magic Mountain have a huge hit!

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Karl
http://www.twistedrails.com

Neiller919: the station is white, modern, open, and airy. The load area is covered by a curved, hard roof but the unload is covered by a curved tarp. But it looks great! They play techno music throughout the queue and station and unlike Riddler, where you get sick of the one song after a few minutes I heard at least three different songs, including the one they used for the animation last December.

While I was unable to get a look underneath the station my guess is that the second rail that controls the seat rotation is NOT attached to the main track. Instead it is raised and lowered hydraulically. Trains enter the load area with seats tilted back. The rail is then raised so seats are up-righted, riders board and buckle up, and then the rail is lowered so seats are tilted back again and trains can depart. There is also a steel fence that rises between the rows of seats so riders cannot cross the track or get inbetween the cars. It, too, lowers so trains can depart.

One more nice touch about the station: for those in need of a child swap they've already worked out those details. One in my group brought his young son who was too short and too young to ride and it was quite easy for us to hand him off to others in our group while his father rode.

Matthew -- who is off to the folks for Xmas and won't have access to Coasterbuzz until tomorrow night.

*** This post was edited by Mamoosh on 12/24/2001. ***

Is it your favorite coaster?

wow, sounds great. cant wait to get out there and ride it :)

I can't wait either. I'll be out there on March 17, 2002.
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http://www.stridewithpride.com

I'm so happy for Arrow. Now they have a great ride and I'm sure they will be getting a lot of publicity! :)
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"I’m more than a bird..I’m more than a plane...More than some pretty face beside a train...It’s not easy to be me"-Five for Fighting "Superman" dedicated to all of the hardworking rescuers of the WTC...

A 45 min. wait doesn't seem too bad considering. I would have imagined it would be longer than that despite it being limited to season pass holders only. Great to hear that it lived up to the hype.
I should have seriously been there...oh well, I'll get my turn in March when this "moratorium" lifts.

I actually do have one question; I know that X has two sides, so does the line split somewhere so that you have to choose the left or right side?
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*** This post was edited by decoy on 12/24/2001. ***

I am glad to see that X is a hit. I knew Arrow took some chances, sold the prototype, had problems, and it sat idle for quite sometime. They worked that all out into a new type of coaster that is something new and unique. I just wonder what other companies will try to design something like it. Everyone gives Arrow a bad rap, but as Mamoosh & Karl has stated X is smooth as glass. Maybe after Arrow gets a few of these installed that image will change. I want to ride it so bad, but I won't be able to make it out there until Summer. Hopefully they'll be running 3 trains then. Thanks for the trip report Mamoosh. I was waiting patiently . ;)

I'll third your opinion Mamoosh! ;)
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"I'm useless, but not for long, the future is comin' on"
X......IS.....COMING!

Thanks so much for the info, Mamoosh...really happy the ride was so smooth, hope it means good things are in the cards for the company that started this whole newfangled steel coaster stuff in the first place...LOL! I'll be grateful to be able to ride at CoasterCon......I HAVE been saying all along that the SoCal folks have us beat flat out for winter time coastering...
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PoTP acolyte - remove fear to reply
Son of Drop Zone - PKI CoasterCamp I Champions!!!

2 words....(well...one letter and one word) X ROCKS!!!!!

Great to hear. I'm glad the wait was worth it, and I'm glad to hear that this really does seem to be Arrow's come back ride.

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Jeff - Webmaster/Admin - CoasterBuzz.com, Sillynonsense.com
"As far as I can tell it doesn't matter who you are. If you can believe, there's something worth fighting for..." - Garbage, "Parade"