Italian Job looking awesome!

I was just wondering what everybody else who's seen it thinks of it? Also, did anybody else get to see it go through any of it's technical runs yesterday, (4/9)? The chopper should be pretty menacing, but just the sound effects they were playing yesterday should sound incredible in the cars. As far as the test runs, I hope it is every bit as smooth as it looked.

My only question is about the former spot where the Eagles used to sit. Are they going to use it in conjunction with IJ:ST, or will it just become another seating area for the Happy Days Diner?

Also got to meet Jeff from Roller Coaster Pro, as he was gettting some pics for the site. Don't know if they're up yet, but here's the link...

http://www.rollercoasterpro.com

Good to meet you Jeff!

Hi Chadley! I have some thoughts about IJ:ST in the TR I just posted. Check it out if you like.

http://www.coasterbuzz.com/forum.aspx?mode=thread&TopicID=41301

I am really interested in what the rumored fish-tailing feels like on the ride. People who have seen it live in action- is there any noticable fishtailing when the car hits the high lateral g areas?

I have seen in run the past two weeks and have not seen it fish-tail. However this is a feature that has yet to be Unlocked and allowed to happen to our knowledge. This is just a feature that can be (so to say) turned on and off.

Yes the ride is looking great. Yesterday they were testing with the pyro and helicopter. The ride looks like it will be a lot of fun. The details on the cars look awesome. It may not be the most powerful and thrilling coaster but with all the special effects it is sure to be a very fun ride with lots of little surprises! *** Edited 4/11/2005 3:48:14 AM UTC by Trick Track***

Yeah, just from watching it yesterday, I didn't/couldn't see fishtailing either...

The fire effects were really impressive, and the soundtrack (what little I heard with police sirens going off) sounded interesting.

I'm hoping the metro staircase 'shake' effect works too.

Some things did make me wonder a bit though:

*You can pretty much make out the layout for the entire ride by walking around the exterior, but only the part up to the helicopter scene is most visible. While that may be nice for onlookers to view the ride (and considering limited people actually HAVE ridden it), keeping the interest of riders on the ride scenes instead of the surrounding park, may be difficult over time (ESPECIALLY near the wide open police car section). Here's hoping the effects hold up in the long run.

*I'm hoping the tunneled 'S' section after the helicopter has some trick track fishtailing in it, because just from sight, it looks like heliopter > tight turn down/right > tight turn up/left > come through billboard > splashdown. If that's the case, the tunneled section might become boring (...who knows?).

*I love the overall 'look' of the area and the ride itself. It just seems to fit in with the surroundings, even if it seems to be more of an Action Zone ride than Coney area ride.

*I think those silver bases the Minis sit on are distracting. I understand the reason they exist, but it does seem like 'Minis on blocks' rather than Minis doing stunts... lol

I'm still looking forward to riding (if I can... grrrr Premier), and whatever it may turn out to be for enthusiasts, the general public will flip for it, so it's a winner for the park.

Ride looks great and really fun. My only gripe: the parking structure is only complete on two sides. I would have liked to have seen all four walls up.

Chris Retting said:
"*I think those silver bases the Minis sit on are distracting. I understand the reason they exist, but it does seem like 'Minis on blocks' rather than Minis doing stunts... lol"

Those are "blocks", those are the launch fins. IJST has a different LIM configuration where they hang down off the sides of the frame of each Mini. (closer look - http://www.rollercoasterpro.com/updates/pki4.9.05/000_0880.shtml)

The ride looks very unique but not what I expected by all means. I was expecting a new big time thrill ride, but this looks more of an over the top family coaster. It's not a bad thing, but personally this ride won't get me to drive 6 hours to the park this summer.

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Chris Rettig said:

*I'm hoping the tunneled 'S' section after the helicopter has some trick track fishtailing in it, because just from sight, it looks like heliopter > tight turn down/right > tight turn up/left > come through billboard > splashdown. If that's the case, the tunneled section might become boring (...who knows?).

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Chris there is a few surprises in the tunnel, without giving too much away. The tunnel will probably be the best part of the ride for the thrill aspect. Having seen inside the tunnel it will be anything but boring!

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Chris Rettig said:

*I love the overall 'look' of the area and the ride itself. It just seems to fit in with the surroundings, even if it seems to be more of an Action Zone ride than Coney area ride.

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Eventually the entire park will be "Action Zone" themed except for the Nickelodeon rides. Thats the direction the Paramount Parks have taken during the recent years.

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ShiveringTim said:
Those are "blocks", those are the launch fins. IJST has a different LIM configuration where they hang down off the sides of the frame of each Mini. (closer look - http://www.rollercoasterpro.com/updates/pki4.9.05/000_0880.shtml)

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Yeah, I knew they were the fins. I meant it more from an aesthetic standpoint. It looked more like a Mini on a block travelling around the track rather than just a Mini travelling around the track. Kind of distracting from the theme, albeit necessary.

It is also good to hear that the tunnel is going to be more exciting. I was kind of worried that it would end up the same as Adventure Express, I.E. "You've just been shot at by a helicopter, and NOW YOU WILL PAY!!! *drum, drum, drum, drum*...". Ride over.

I agree with Mamoosh,

The parking structure does look incomplete. But the rest of the ride looks really interesting. I will hold my opinioins on the ride untill I actually get to ride it, but I do have a few concerns. The ride length....looks kinda short. And the speed of the ride.....very slow.

I love rides with lots of theming, and this seems like it is going to fit the bill. I cant wait to ride this thing. *** Edited 4/11/2005 4:30:55 PM UTC by crazy horse***

"Eventually the entire park will be "Action Zone" themed except for the Nickelodeon rides. Thats the direction the Paramount Parks have taken during the recent years. "

Well, PKI and PCW are the only parks with Action Zone themed areas. And they are just that, areas.

I think what you may have meant is that the parks are moving away from the overall traditional themed areas... which is true. Although they try to fit rides in areas suitable to their theming, it's becoming more and more evident that they are creating themed "attractions" rather than "areas."

Paramount Parks goal, as I see it, is to build attractions and gear them as the seasonal answer to a studio park... with attractions that focus on their properties. Seems to be working well for them too. Kind of a local, poor man's Universal.

BTW, I expect that althougth themed "areas" may change... they will still exist at the park. As a matter of fact, I predict that a major themed area will be changed in the future.. and not to an "Action Zone."

Shaggy

Hey Shaggy could that be Hanna Barbera land?

Shaggy, if it is what I think you're thinking, it will be a very sad day in Mason, as the remaining tiny little bit of soul in that park gets sucked out.

--Dave Althoff, Jr.

This is going to be an amazing experience. I think we all need to keep in mind that IJST isn't ment to be a knock your socks off kind of coaster, but a true thrill a minute hollywood style experience that the whole family can enjoy. Hats off to PKI, and Premire for creating such a top notch attraction!

I saw it test Sunday as well. I was especially impressed with the helix! My curiousity is killing me. ;-)

Can't wait for Media Day!

-Tina

The Italian Job is shaping up to look like a lot of fun. Too bad I won't get to make it to Beastbuzz this year. Maybe next!

I do agree with Moosh the parking garage should have 4 sides. It's very hard to tell by pics just what kind of ride it will give. I need to experience it for myself before I can comment on it.

I am thinking that Paramount has a winner on their hands with this one. The GP will eat this thing up!

At first I thought the parking lot structure should have had 4 sides as well... but I think the theme of the ride is that you're a stuntman in a movie and so everything is supposed to resemble movie sets, so maybe only the side that faces a fictituous camera needs to be built - just a theory, but I still think the entire stucture should have 4 sides anyway.