Italian Job riders face roadblocks

Rode the attraction a few times at PCW, now deciding whether Canada isn't the best in the chain....WOW, I shoulda gotten there before! (/insert shameless pre-TR plug here). Weekday, really even BEFORE their season started, and *every* coaster was operating...ironically, it was the Vekoma boomerang that opened late, LOL. Got in rides on EVERY coaster in the place on a day when the park was open until 6pm, including 2 laps on IJ:ST. IJ *experienced technical difficulties* right at 5pm, and I found myself re-entering the queue for another lap because it was really enjoyable. Sure enough, as was the case all day, PCW's operations/maintenance had the ride up and running in 15-30 minutes. Even though there was less than an hour until closing, they were fast and efficient getting the ride open.

Props, or cheers, or huzzah, or whatever the Canuckish is, to PCW's maintenance crew, you guys rule, eh... ;)

I think the attraction as a whole amounts to WAY more then just the ride, and a LOT of the commments I've been seeing have been really "enthusiast-oriented". Thinking of IJ:ST from the POV of the average park-goer, it really does "bring the movies to life" and puts them IN the action as if they were stunt performers.

Projections for IJ:ST....increase of 5-6% attendance, incre3ase on in-park spending, and another "big W" for Paramounts parks...more coming soon?

Not sure if PKI's set-up is the same, but capacity-wise, PCW was right up there near max. potential PPH...:)

They are both the same as far as I can tell. I LOVE them both. :-)

I still can't believe PCW's crew got the ride up and running right before closing. It's a good thing you didn't listen to me when I suggested leaving. ;-)

Both IJST coasters are VERY fun. But I would hit them at either park ASAP before the masses start pouring in. Just common sense. :-D

Also, with ANY new ride it's best to hit it WHEN it's running and running kick ass before problems (if any) arise. You just never know.

-Tina

*** Edited 6/6/2005 7:22:19 PM UTC by coasterqueenTRN***

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coasterqueenTRN said:
It's a good thing you didn't listen to me when I suggested leaving. ;-)

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Got THAT right! ;)

LOL, the only *technical issues* that I can think of are the missing "powerslide" section and the stairs...

As far as the stairs are concerned, well, those are going to be tricky at best, esp. with delicate sound systems...

But, for the powerslides, I can show Paramount how to do them on go-karts....as if that would help...:)

Powerslide? The fishtail? it's working on both IJ:ST coasters! it's not a MASSIVE fishtail, but it's on.

The stairs are questionable, they're having problems with it.

PKI's is currently running two trains. They ran all three the day after media day, then it went back to two and has been there since. Maybe working on the stair effect?

They were only running one train all day last Wednesday when I was there.

Oops, fishtail, LOL. I sure didn't FEEL it at all, although I think I know where it was *supposed* to be...probably won't get to PKI's until '06 though.

Regardless, I'll stick with my prediction that it'll be a really big hit at both parks...or even all three...;)

PKI is installing a new on-board sound system on the trains. Thus not all trains have been running at once.

The stair effect is still forthcoming. "Stairs" will be added visually to the ride... and the attraction development crews are testing options for producing the actual effect feel. Last I heard they were considering some sort of reverse chain dog.

Shaggy