Knoebels HSTC - gone

Word from Coastin Steve at Eastcoaster is that Knoebels doesn't plan on even touching the Golden Nugget for at least 2 years. They'll be opening a new coaster similar to HSTC this year but it won't be ready for opening day and it might not be in time for Spring Conference. They knew that HSTC wasn't going to last but they didn't think 2008 would be it's last year. They're hoping for the new coaster to be even more aggressive that HSTC.

Now, the Turns. The latest is that due to unforeseen circumstances, they were unable to get the maintenance track to work around the first helix. It is being torn down and relocated (iirc) somewhere over by the break run. I'm not 100% certain of it's new location, but it's defiantly being moved. The issues with the wheels staying on the trough seem to be almost 100% worked out. There is apparently only one or 2 spots at the end where the lead car is still having a few issues. Steve also said that this issue of the wheels not staying on the trough 100% of the time is a problem that was never able to be resolved in the older models. That is one of the reasons they tore themselves apart.

We just received our campground reservation confirmation in the mail today.There was also a letter that talked about the new kiddle rides

"A Kiddie Himalaya ride is being installed near the Skloosh, and "Goin' Buggy" is being added to the children's area for 2009."
also
"The High Speed Thrill Coaster installed in 1955 is tired. After more than a million times around the track and several rehabilitations, it is time to retire this attraction. Fear not, Knoebel's is having a suitable replacement coaster designed and built for the 2009 operating season"

They also state there will be no price increase in the regular season all day ride pass prices for 2009, Sundown and Bargain night included.

Heck, I fully understand the anticipointment factor. I still consider Boulderdash and Phoenis to be slightly better than average woodies but not even close in the WORLD CLASS catagory they hold. I like em both but I don't crave em like the ones I consider tops.HSTC is what it was. A freak kids coaster. You like getting tossed about? you'd probably like it. You don't, well........Chuck

Jason Hammond said:

Now, the Turns. The latest is that due to unforeseen circumstances, they were unable to get the maintenance track to work around the first helix. It is being torn down and relocated (iirc) somewhere over by the break run.

I was always skeptical about the around-the-helix thing. But as late as PPP, it hadn't even been built yet except the transfer switches and a few bents. It sucks if they built the entire thing only to find out that it didn't work.

I don't particularly like getting tossed about but I guess it's just the surprise, even after many rides, of how much punch that baby packed.

I still consider Boulderdash and Phoenis to be slightly better than average woodies but not even close in the WORLD CLASS catagory they hold.

Don't you me dissin' my Phoenis! ;)

Thats not a dis-Mooshal of Phoenix. Its a fun ride and well. FUN. It really don't cook till after the second turn around though.Chuck, who actually would put Geaugas Big Dipper over it in total thrill factor :)

I was just making phun of your typo ("Phoenis"), Chuck.

Now, the Turns. The latest is that due to unforeseen circumstances, they were unable to get the maintenance track to work around the first helix. It is being torn down and relocated (iirc) somewhere over by the break run. I'm not 100% certain of it's new location, but it's defiantly being moved. The issues with the wheels staying on the trough seem to be almost 100% worked out. There is apparently only one or 2 spots at the end where the lead car is still having a few issues. Steve also said that this issue of the wheels not staying on the trough 100% of the time is a problem that was never able to be resolved in the older models. That is one of the reasons they tore themselves apart.

Sigh, that's disheartening.

The way things are going, the Orioles will win a World Series before this thing opens.

Yea, Ensign Smith, Little Dipper is a lot of fun.

I like Phoenix, but not even half as much as I like Twister. That coaster is insane!

LD was one of the most pleasant surprises at Camden, which had its share of them.

Moosh, do you have Phoenis envy? ;)

No, but I wish I was riding Phoenis right now!

LostKause said:
Yea, Ensign Smith, Little Dipper is a lot of fun.

I like Phoenix, but not even half as much as I like Twister. That coaster is insane!

The one thing that keeps Twister behind Phoenix to me is that it's very moody. Sometimes you'll get a "meh, good, but not great" ride, and other times it'll completely haul *** and be an amazing ride. At PPP 2003 it was giving rides 10 times more insane than I had ever gotten on it, and to this day that night was the best I had on Twister.

Phoenix delivers every ride, no matter what day/month/year. You don't have to worry about catching it on a good day.

Phoenix always has good days but if I can say anything about Twister, its that it seems to get better with age. Every year I ride that thing and think that it's running better than the previous year. Or maybe I'm quick to forget what makes Twister so great because Phoenix is just so damn memorable?

Mamoosh said:
No, but I wish I was riding Phoenis right now!

Push up and pull back on your lap bar.

Is it possible to experience anticipointment over something like HSTC? I expected a kiddie coaster, and that's exactly what I got. There's nothing thrilling abou tit.

Rob Ascough said:
No, people liked it because they thought it was a great ride. Too bad you personally didn't get to experience what other people got to experience.

I rode it with a bunch of tools who were drooling and raving about how it was the best thing ever. I experienced th exact same ride that sent them into some bizarre near-orgasmic fit. Sorry, but no.

-Nate

How sad for all of us tools who have completely subjective opinions differing from coasterdude's.

Ensign Smith said:
LD was one of the most pleasant surprises at Camden, which had its share of them.

My most pleasant surprise there was that no one made me squeal like a piggy. :)

My most pleasant surprise was not needing a tetanus shot immediately after my visit.

And I mean that in the nicest way possible.

Then it's you Nate. Sorry you didn't like it, but that does not invalidate what many others thought of it, regardless of what park it was at. We all have different likes for coasters and get different experiences due to how our bodies fit into the vehicles/restraints.

For example, I find Phantom's Revenge to be hands down better than SFNE's Superman, but most others would call me crazy. I can hardly enjoy Supes due to how tight the restraint is on my large, long legs, but I fit into Phantom like a Cadillac and am able to get thrown all around and and enjoy it. And ironically I fit way better into HSTC's train than on any Intamin ride and get tossed about. I love it. Guess I'm a tool according to you.