Jazzland SLC coming for 2002, following slow year (updated)

Has anyone heard whether it's gonna be a clone (ala Serial Thriller) or a new design?  Is 8 million (total) right on par with what it cost to build other Vekoma SLCs?
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I rode "X" and never went upside down.

There was a model of it up last year at the park someone said so it's probably gonna be just a clone of the others. By the way, that was a really good, well written report.
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What is life without ups and downs!?!? *** This post was edited by Josh the coaster freak on 8/21/2001. ***

I hate to say it, but can we possible say.  Six Flags Lousiana.  It may happen, but I don't want it to.

It's a standard SLC layout.  I saw the model on display last year.  Nothing special.  Identical to what the nearest Six Flags already has (Astroworld).

Six flags louisiana , I hope not . six flags will probobly be get rid of its smaller parks anyway, like Eltich Gardens, Kuntucky kingdom , and astro world . And why would some buy an slc, the B&Ms are soooooo much better.

Does anyone really think a standard Vekoma SLC is going to turn around their slumping attendance?  I'm sure rides at the park is not the only problem with the park but a SLC?And a standard clone at that.  Good luck.  I haven't been to Jazzland yet but hopefully I'll make it down there next year.

An SLC?  They would have been better off, in my opinion, with another CCI.

Maybe we'll get lucky and CF will buy them!

People...we need to realize that while *WE* know about the several dozen SLCs across the US people living in the Jazzland market have probably not heard about it.  When we see an SLC we adopt a "been there-done that" attitude.  To them it's a cool new coaster that goes upside-down FIVE TIMES!  I'm sure this will boost attendance.

*** This post was edited by Mamoosh on 8/21/2001. ***

I agree with Mamoosh.  Yes, it's a hang-n-bang, and it won't make ME want to go down there any more than I already do (and given the park has a CCI I haven't hit yet, I DO want to go down there).

 

But to most of the General Public, this is a "new cool ride", and it probably will help attendance...

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--Greg
My page  My other page  And my coaster page

Trust me.  The CCI they have "Mega Zeph" rocks.  Best woodie I've ridden..  and I've ridden a few.
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I rode "X" and never went upside down.

Too bad that Jazzland couldn't add a B&M Inverted coaster instead of the Vekoma SLC. The GP will love the ride but I don't think CE will really like the ride.

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"Duff Man Says... Ohhhhh Yaaaaa!"
Current Favorite Coasters:
1)Raging Bull 2)Millennium Force 3)Medusa (SFMW) 4)Vertical Velocity (SFGAm) 5)Dueling Dragons (Ice)

Stealth...

NO park builds strictly for enthusiasts, not even Holiday World, who took enthusisats' suggestions for Legend.  I will assume that Jazzland, which is having financial problems, looked for an "inexpensive" way to add a new coaster that guests will find exciting.  B&Ms are considerably more than Vekoma coasters IIRC.  Sure it would have been nice to see a B&M inverted there...even if it was a Batman clone...but if the SLC helps them get something WE will enjoy more than it's all good.

 
Does anyone else think its odd that Jazzland has a New Orleans theme?  That’s like building an Old World German themed park in Germany.  Or a New York themed park in NYC.  Why go to the amusement park when the real thing is a few miles away?  I was in New Orleans when the park first opened and was tempted to go.  But with so many other attractions, going to an amusement was near the bottom the list.  I think this park would be more successful in just about any part of the country except New Orleans.

 

yeah a Vekoma SLC would be a good addition. A B&M would be better but a vekoma is cheaper.

any new big ride helps too.

A Hang and Bang, that'll attract a lot of visitors!

Why Vekoma? I guess because it is cheaper but unless they have modified the SLC track, the ride will age badly.  But I think this ride will boost attendance because the GP won't care if it is B & M or Vekoma, they will just care that "Hey, we got one of those rides where your feet are hanging!" I think this park sounds pretty cool though.  If I was in New Orleans I would go there but I must agree with RPMGuitar on the fact that having a park with the theme of something 5 miles away is a bit strange *** This post was edited by ditto_716 on 8/21/2001. ***

Ditto_716:   The SLCs don't age badly because of the track design.  They're rough because of the train design.

Next time you're on or near an SLC look at how the seats are attached to the axels. Because B&M has a patent on 4-Across FIXED seating Vekoma designed their seats to swing, like the Arrow suspended coasters, and then put strong dampeners to keep them steady. You can see the pivot point quite clearly when riding. Vekoma changed the design on Deja Vu by making the seat supports fixed BUT the seating is not 4-across IN A LINE. Rather the two end seats are set back a few feet [which is another stupid decision IMHO]. Gionavola uses fixed 2-across seating although if you look at Anaconda it's obvious the seat supports could take another two seats.

Anyway I'm going to reserve judgement on deja until I ride it. I hope that Vekoma has learned a lesson or two about how to smooth out their coasters. I rode Premiere's Speed in Vegas this past weekend and found it a vast improvement over FOF and Mr. Freeze. If they can do it I don't see why Vekoma can't.

*** This post was edited by Mamoosh on 8/21/2001. ***

Thanks for clearing that up Mamoosh
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Paramount Carowinds: Forgotten but not Gone

Mamoosh: you are at least partially right.
Rights:
Vekomas are rough because of the train design
Vekoma trains can swing

Wrongs:
B&M have a patent on 4-Across fixed seating
The pivoting on the Vekomas causes roughness/banging

It's been a couple of months since I looked @ the B&M patent (and I dont feel like calling it up) but while the patent shows 4 across seating, the patent is vaild for ANY fixed seating arrangement; one seat across or 12 seats across. I'm sure that's why you will not see a Giovanola invert over here for another 7 or 8 years (when the B&M patent expires).

And the biggest problem with the Vekomas is the gap between the wheels and the track. Since the guide wheels have to "hunt" for the track, you get a lot of bumpity-bump action. One day when you're on an SLC, look up and watch the wheels from your seat. You will be able to see the gap very clearly.

And again I ask, are SLCs *really* that much cheaper than a B:TR clone?
jeremy
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"Nobody writes about the planes that land." Steve Salerno Washington Times 7-10-01