Kings Island - Windseeker modifications

So I was at Kings Island this weekend and had the opportunity to check out the changes they are implementing on Windseeker. It The ride is down right now. It appears as though they are updating the shocks to the type that were used at Knott's Berry Farm. I believe the 2 new installations this year got the Knott's type shocks. They are still waiting on a few parts and the ride won't be running for about another week.

As you can see in the picture, the old shocks are still there as well. I'm not sure if those are staying or going. I would think if they were going to remove them, they would be gone already. Not much work was going on, even on Friday. So, I guess we'll just have to wait and see.

http://rollercoasterfreak.com/KI_Windseeker.JPG

Additionally, I assume these modifications will be implemented at Cedar Point and Canada's Wonderland as well. Has anyone heard anything? If so, I hope CP's is done by opening day. Once Knott's came out with this new design, I had a feeling it would be implemented on the previous installations too.

I bet that it's pretty annoying to the park guests that the new-for-last-year ride is not open yet. Glad my opening weekend Kings Island plans fell through. Popular closed rides generate more repeat customers at a later date, so good for KI! :p

I have visited Kings Island three times since June of 2011 and have yet to see Windseeker operate. It's starting to get a bit irritating.

That's a shame. CP's seems to have been quite reliable, anecdotally.

Well, we don't yet know if CP's will be open this weekend or not. They are likely making the same changes.

I'm not suggesting that a modification isn't possible---only contrasting my experiences with DtC's re: uptime. Having been on it several times, once with the cars coming a bit closer than I'd've liked, I'd welcome stiffer front-to-back support.

They are making modifications to the rotating hub assembly on the Knotts ride right now. These rides are prototype/first production and obviously they are still working the bugs out.

Are these modifications intended to keep riders from bumping into each other as the attraction slows and returns to the base? When I saw early video of the ride last year that was the first thing that caught my eye and I don't think I would ride it unless that were corrected.

When I was younger I wouldn't care but the potential colission with my knees just didn't seem to be worth it.

As far as I am aware, none of the Windseekers (there are 6 now)have ever bumped. But, yes, this is to keep them from getting to close to each other. Like any other ride, they had certain weather conditions in which they wouldn't operate. Perhaps, this will allow them to run in higher wind conditions.

Well, that would be a good thing. One day last year at Cedar Point we were seated on the ride and they went down due to weather conditions, stating it had gotten too windy to operate. (which caused a chuckle from the riders, everyone was making the expected comment as they were exiting.)

If they could modify the Windseekers so they ran just a tish faster I'd be happy. I generally prefer the height and the heft of Windseeker over the Starflyers, but the speed and overall "swinginess" is lacking.

I am sure they are already running at top speed. This should just allow them to run in worse weather conditions.

Has anyone here ridden a Windseeker and the Brooklyn Flyer at Luna Park? The Zamperla ride might not be much on height, but it spins pretty darn fast....forces almost as strong as a B:TR Helix.

Yes, I have ridden both Windseekers and the Brooklyn Flyer. The latter being much more thrilling IMO.

Thanks, Dave. A little disappointed, in that it really woudn't take much to make the Windseeker very thrilling - since you're already up quite high in comparison to the other models. Still, a great view, and I sure hope the parks are happy with them (esp. since Oprah gave one to everybody!) ;~P