Kings Dominion's 2010 Coaster

By George I think you got it

Oh man... I haven't laughed like that at a post in a long time.

~Rob

I'm going to guess giga. BGE probably has a hyper clause. ;)

What about the power needed to launch a coaster? KD already has FOF, Volcano, and Stunt Coaster on the same side of the park... can the power infrastructure handle another launched coaster? Is there anything in those plans or whatever KD submitted that talks about adding more power?

It's not a launched coaster.

Lord Gonchar said:
Yeah?

Well, Americans really need to learn more about launched coasters, where & when they started, and what it means for the industry. Every time someone attributes gimmicks to launches, they've obviated their coaster ignorance.

...

(Just for you, Vater. ;) )

Ok, that was awesome. :)

On a somewhat related note, I'm still trying to figure out what 'obviated their ignorance' means...

'obviate' ≠ 'made obvious'

I've got it. They're extending Volcano :-D.

Vater said:
Maybe I'm old-fashioned, but I do kinda think launches are gimmicky. Perhaps nowhere near as gimmicky as stand-ups or suspendeds or (God willing) flying coasters, but I have always felt that Kings Dominion having four (now three) launched coasters was overkill. While there's certainly the suspense of waiting for the initial launch, I prefer the suspense of climbing a lift. Not to mention, you can usually take in some nice views of the park for longer than a few milliseconds.

Now, I'm not saying I think launches will--or even should--eventually die out (like the aforementioned coaster types). I guess I'm just a little irked that I live closest to the park with the most coasters that don't have lift hills. :) I'm also a little bummed to hear that this new addition won't be a hyper, but I'm sure I'll dig whatever it is.

How can we be absolutely certain that it won't be a hyper?

I still consider launches to be gimmicks. Just look at how they are advertised...

I've never seen a description of a launched coaster that doesn't include, "_______ launches riders to ___mph in just ___ seconds!" While the descriptions of traditional coasters never include anything about the lift...because it's not a gimmick. ;)

Just going by what Moosh said, Batwing Fan.

In addition to what Dan said above, I sort of equate launches to first drops. Rather than thinking of a launch as simply a means of moving the coaster, it's a thrill in and of itself, unlike a lift (although I guess for some--i.e. more acrophobic riders--lifts provide a certain thrill of their own).

So in that sense, I guess I'm sort of making an argument in favor of launches. Admittedly, there is a suspenseful moment before both launches and first drops, but that moment is much longer for the latter.

Unless you're on Kingda Ka and it breaks down for 10 minutes while you're sitting in the launch position. That was a bit unnerving.

Vater said:

On a somewhat related note, I'm still trying to figure out what 'obviated their ignorance' means...

'obviate' ≠ 'made obvious'

I'm pretty sure I 'obviate' every month. Wait... no.....

Vater said:

Lord Gonchar said:
Yeah?

Well, Americans really need to learn more about launched coasters, where & when they started, and what it means for the industry. Every time someone attributes gimmicks to launches, they've obviated their coaster ignorance.

...

(Just for you, Vater. ;) )

Ok, that was awesome. :)

On a somewhat related note, I'm still trying to figure out what 'obviated their ignorance' means...

'obviate' ≠ 'made obvious'

Damn... that's so incredibly hilarious. And you're right, obviate doesn't mean that, and I'm not sure where I heard the term used in that context.

Moving on now...

DantheCoasterman said:
I still consider launches to be gimmicks. Just look at how they are advertised...

I've never seen a description of a launched coaster that doesn't include, "_______ launches riders to ___mph in just ___ seconds!" While the descriptions of traditional coasters never include anything about the lift...because it's not a gimmick. ;)

*Most* launches are gimmicks, in my view, because after the launch and associated hill or inversion(s) the rest of the ride is all (no pun intended) down hill from there. Except for Rock'n'Rollercoaster and a few others the rest just are *meh*.

In the interest of being fair, I do have to say I popped my extreme coaster cherry on HXLC...

Mamoosh said:
It's not a launched coaster.

I know, but just for the sake of argument. ;)

Very good point, Gonch. I've always thought of the launch of a launch coaster to be the main "gimmick" of the ride.

But I will say this. Isn't Flight of Fear a launched looper? Aren't all Intamin launch coasters considered to be launched loopers? Still too similar to a Storm Runner or a , imho.

Kings dominion does not have a hypercoaster yet. That's what they need if they want a new coaster experience.

^Top Thrill Dragster and Xcelerator do not loop. I'm sure there are others I'm not thinking of.

Desert Race, Kingda Ka, Rita, Stealth, Superman Escape, and Zaturn.

Coming to King's Dominion in 2010.... "Obviator."

Don't forget Senzafiato at Miragica.

Well of course...(slaps forehead)

But but but...the park need a hyper, not another launcher...lol

I'm sure whatever they get will be awesome...when it's open.