Kingda Ka Testing

So is this temporary or permanent?

yes, I read the thread but don't buy it.

"We were told that it wouldn't make it over the top today as they didn't have proximity sensors or switches (one of the two) installed yet. We were also told that this was as high as it was getting for now."

First of all the system would e-stop and not even launch if all of the proximity sensors were not installed. The PS's tells the computer the exact location and speed of each train on the track. I do hope that they are planning on installing more then just 2.

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cody316 said:

It will take months to send that thing over the top.

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Its happening today or in the next couple days.

It seems as if they are just breaking in the motors possibley before they put it full speed. It makes sense.

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cody316 said:
First of all the system would e-stop and not even launch if all of the proximity sensors were not installed.

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Is that based on your extensive experience programming PLC's, running diagnostic programs and engineering control systems for roller coasters?

Word on the street (and by "the street," I mean the eBay first-ride auctions) is that media day is scheduled for April 21, with the first public rides given on April 23 (and possibly the night before during Coasters After Dark -- I e-mailed the park and they said it's possible, but no guarantees). So I'm gonna go out on a limb and say once they get this puppy warmed up (i.e. within the next couple of days), it'll be running just fine.

As for the whole maintenance issue, you'd think we would've been through this already during the off-season. No one knows what's going to happen, so let's just hope for the best, prepare for the worst, and look forward to as seamless an operation as possible, eh?

--(the softer side of) Dave

Is two weeks enough time to test this guy? I remember when S:RoS SFNE had the train crash accident the red train was testing (nights only) for months before they let anyone ride it.

Oh man...I can see problems already. SFGA is known for horrible line cutting as it is...and with capacity very low (judging by the sea sick video clip) one will have to buy a Q-Bot thingamajig to even have a hope of riding....if it is running...

And the Six Flags bashing continues...

Edit ***Just so you know, I'm not on the bashing SF bandwagon. *** Edited 4/12/2005 8:02:27 PM UTC by Coasterbuzzer***

I was there last saturday, and they are actually doing something about line cutters. Someone is at the queue entrance and hands each rider a ticket. By the time you get to the loading area, a park security officer or another park employee collects your ticket. No ticket, you start all over to the back of the line. As far as KingdaKa being operational in two weeks, I'm optimistic and at the same time bracing for the worse.

Is it possible for you people to mention Six Flags in the same setence without negativity?

Kingda Ka is warming up, it's been over the top a couple times already. It has hit a top speed of 129. The proximity sensors was a bad story by a bored construction worker.

Kingda Ka is opening to the General Public on April 23. If you plan on riding, be there.

I really enjoy most of your guy's insight, but why is Six Flags THAT bad to some of you? This rollercoaster and the EXTENSIVE themeing is more than ANY of us could have asked for.

GET THIS, the park is actually on par with ANY visit I have had to Cedar Point this season. If you don't beleive me, some of you should get out to GADV. Either that, or you can continue to sit online and bash a park you CP Fanboys still have yet to visit!

The park is actually GOOD! Get that! *** Edited 4/12/2005 8:20:06 PM UTC by makel***

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Jeff said:
Is that based on your extensive experience programming PLC's, running diagnostic programs and engineering control systems for roller coasters?

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Since I work for a company that does that, does that mean I have any say in this? I mean, I don't touch the technology but I do make sure anything IT related is up and running.

If that's the case then shoot... why aren't the janitors at Microsoft helping out with Longhorn?

As for the thick skulled fanboys some of you could probably tell that I was joking about KingDa Ka. I said it over the winter and I'll say it again; based on what I *SEE* in the pictures of the ride, that a lot of changes has been made to the design of the Rocket Coaster that will give it a greater percentage of uptime than it's predecessors. While April 23 is less than two weeks away, it's possible for the ride to open.

But opening the ride isn't what's important, its if the ride <i>keeps</i> running. And I don't think we will see a Cedar Point 2003 ;)

Just my $.02

~Rob Willi

I haven't been keeping updated with the construction, but did I see OTSR's for the trains?

Yes, same OTSRs as Storm Runner.

Hey I agree with You Makel. I am guilty of being a CP Fanboy but one I had to picka park to go to I decided to pick SF:GAdv. My past expereinces with SF mixed but after i went on march 26 i have a completly postive view about SF. I had the best time The staff were nice the rides were great the park was clean and they Let you RERIDE i got in 36 rides that day and had a better time then i have ever had at CP.

I am a CP fan, but this is looking if they get it ready in time to be something that will shatter that record. The Safety is the next thing, they can send up as many unmanned cars as they want, but are they putting the water filled simulators on and also testing the forces and other safety concerns. That is the deciding factor of if this ride will open on time. You people seem to forget that. I wish the best of luck to it, but just like TTD last year it made it over the top with those people getting hit with metal shavings. So thats fine and dandy to get there, but lets make sure its safe too.

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makel said:

GET THIS, the park is actually on par with ANY visit I have had to Cedar Point this season.

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I would hope so, since Cedar Point is not open yet this season, so all the rides are still closed! :)

Is it possible for you people to mention Six Flags in the same setence without negativity?

Umm...do you mean is it possible to mention Six Flags in a sentence without being negative? Sure:

Sentence #1 - Six Flags has parks across the US.

Sentence #2 - Unfortunately they suck ;)

See...that was easy!

mOOSH [in smartass mode]

I thought the same thing as Rob Willi looking at some of the pics. I think they've taken some steps to simplify the design in and around the station (most notably, it looks like less drive wheels will be necessary and maybe less proximity switches as well) and hopefully that will reduce downtime.

One thing that looks a little odd knowing how there have been "incidents" at Cedar Point is how much exposed cable there is in this picture:

http://www.gainsider.com/scripts/pictures/popup.php?albumID=194&imageID=515

At CP, the hydraulic room is right after the pulleys and there is probably less than 10 feet of cable hanging out like that. I'm guessing they're not planning on having people down that way.

I gotta agree with makel on this one. I thought at the time that it might have something to do with the fact that the park just opened -- i.e., we'll see if those smiles stay as bright in the middle of August -- but there is a NOTICEABLE and POSITIVE difference in overall employee attitude between the last few years and this year. The "streetmosphere" idea (presumably borrowed from parks like Disney) really does work, and while the people may not be all that happy about being there, they fake it pretty damn well.

Believe the hype, folks. Six Flags Great Adventure is looking like it could make reasonably significant improvements this year. Of course, it remains to be seen whether this prediction lasts three months down the line, but the evidence is, as I've said, impressive.