Kennywood announces launched steel coaster for 2010

As of now, it's on schedule to be open by then. Then again, we've had over 3 feet of snow in the past week and a half...

Drove by the construction this morning and there was nothing vertical as of yet. The footers looked poured and that was about it. Keep in mind I was driving by and didn't stop so I may have missed something.

Thanks for the update, was wondering about this myself.

The latest RUMOR is that vertical construction will start this Tuesday. This is just rumor though and not fact from KP based sites.

This sucker should go up fast though. Footers are all poured and there is no strange geography to deal with. Not a massive coaster by any means also.

Then again, I am not expert. Just an observation from other parks installs of similar size coasters.

The footers are not all poured, but it still should be going vertical soon.

I'm almost more excited for this coaster than for either of the Intimidators...is that sad? :)

(Total Premier fan, here.)

^I don't think it's sad at all :) Many of us have already ridden rides that are very similar to the Intimidators, but not the new Kennywood Rocket ;)

Sky Rocket is vertical. First column is in place, 2nd is being craned in right now.

So, it really is an afternoon delight today, then. :)

Well it wasn't when you posted. But, it is now. :)

Pouring down rain and the site is a big mud pit. I wouldn't call it delightful. ;)

I know you're used to it, but man...YOU'RE on site. How cool is that?

I dunno. I'm not onsite, and I don't think I'd be particularly fascinated by a support column being erected. That's just me, of course.

I'm pretty much not excited at all for this new coaster. Right now, it seems to me like a state fair coaster or some kind of budget ride.

My opinion of it may change once I see photos of it going up, though. I still think that the capacity is going to be terrible. The line will be overwelming, especially the first year, but that's a good thing because it'll draw people away from Exterminator and Phantom. :)

LK, just wondering...

Have you ever been to a state fair? ;)

Central Florida State Fair in Orlando was the one that came to mind when I was typing that. The few coasters there weren't launchers, and that's not what I was getting at. The size and capacity of the coasters at that fair is what I was thinking of when I typed that.

This coaster is short, small, and low capacity. It's not exciting me at all.

Exterminator's theoretical capacity is 900 PPH and everyone loves that ride.

As a season pass holding Pittsburgher I am excited for this ride. If the line is ridiculous I can go after it rains or when I know crowds will be smaller.

Or cut... They are selling line cuts for this attraction, or so I recall reading recently, to "help" with the capacity problem that they are expecting.

LostKause said:
Or cut... They are selling line cuts for this attraction, or so I recall reading recently, to "help" with the capacity problem that they are expecting.

Works for me.

Can we get something in place to 'help' with some of the other rides too? :)

Recently built "compact" steel coasters I've ridden - Steel Hawg, Mumbo Jumbo, Wicked, RotM...no way on Earth am I going to suggest this won't be a good ride. The fact is that these small footprint rides have almst universally impressed me quite a bit. I have high hopes for Sky Rocket...but I'm not going to *expect* the greatest thing on wheels either. That way I won't suffer any anticipointment. ;)