Kraken: Little known?

I personally can't bring myself to pay fifty+ bucks for one coaster. That is all I would be interested in at that park, so I take a pass. Maybe if I get it in a deal, but otherwise that is why I think it may seem overlooked.

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"If you make it too smooth, it'll be like sitting in your living room."
-Bill Cobb - Designer, Texas Cyclone

I have been on a lot of floorlesses and Kraken is probably one of my favorites. Also, we have to remember that the order of inversions/layout of B&M sit-down coasters are pretty much the same, loop, dive loop, barrel roll, cobra roll, and some kind of combo, (usually interlocking corkscrews). I have to say my two favorites are Superman Kripton Coaster and Kraken. If you look at a picture of Kraken's barrel roll you will notice that it changes the direction of the coaster. That is probably one of the reasons why I love the barrel roll so much! Click Here to see the barrel roll.

When I go to Florida I usually go to IOA. Why go to Sea Worlds' Kraken, when you can go to IOAs Hulk? ;)

"These are some words of Wisdom" CP :)

Because Hulk can get kinda boring. Although, even though the barrel roll isn't that spectacular, the view when you're upside down below you at night is just amazing! When I go on it again I will bring a camera that takes those three repetitive pictures. And I will take won that faces straight down from the ride.

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steelraptor said:
When I go to Florida I usually go to IOA. Why go to Sea Worlds' Kraken, when you can go to IOAs Hulk? ;)

"These are some words of Wisdom" CP :)

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Because they are both excellent rides that differ entirely in ride experience. Whereas Hulk is all about power, Kraken is all about overall experience imo. Don't get me wrong, Kraken is semi-powerful in it's own floorless way, but not nearly as powerful as Hulk. Hulk takes your breath away initially and then sort-of putters out at the end, where Kraken just awes you with a great ride throughout. Both are well deserving of props though.

Justin

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Never look a gift horse in the mouth, because horses have very bad breath

Batman:Dark Knight is ranked as worst experience on a B&M. Honestly, it doesn't compare to any of the others and I've had better rideds on Great America's Vortex than Dark Knight. It's not a bad ride but it is mild, unintense, and rough on the corkscrews. I would have head towards another manufactuer for a compact thrill coaster because B&M just doesn't do it work the same in that position.
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Lake Compounce-So Fresh and So Clean Clean

I think that was well said Justin. Everybody I've talked to that's gone to IOA raves about Hulk, but while I did like it, I wasn't overly crazy over it. I think a lot of the reason why is what you described. It just seems to peter out after the initial blast off. Kraken really does remain a great ride throughout, much like the best coaster around (imho) Millenium Force!

Vertigo - may I remind you of Batman: The Ride?

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« adix@nedesigns.com »

Ah yes, Kraken, my favorite coaster, with its graceful zero-g roll and its tightly twisted dive loop. I guess the ride doesn't get much attention since there's nothing big to say about it. It hasn't set any majoy records, it's at a small park (ridewise) and it hasn't pulled a Steel Phantom or a Windjammer.

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Black 7 said:
I personally can't bring myself to pay fifty+ bucks for one coaster.

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Two if you count JTA. RCDB does due to the ending. Kind of a grey area for me.

I never thought I'd enjoy Sea World, but it's actually decent fun. Sadly, I would pay $50 for a day of Kraken rides :)

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www.coasterimage.com
Dorney Park Visits in 2003: 4

I just wanted to say I love Kraken! It's a really great ride.
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Wicked Twister Count-53
Keep arms down and head back and hold on!

While the first half is a lot alike Medusa West, but Kraken's drop has a slight banking going into the drop, and it doesn't go out as far as Medusa. Then, after the heartline camelback Medusa goes into a SeaSerpant while Kraken goes into a Cobra Roll. IMO, because of the design, Medusa pulls a lot more air on the first drop and is a better ride. I may be a but bias though... (see signature) ;)

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www.SFMWZone.com
*** This post was edited by GoliathKills 5/18/2003 10:39:40 PM ***

Doesn't Sea World charge $50 for season passes as well? I was under the impression that I purchased a single days admission to the park, but upon closer inspection, it was an all year pass. I processed it at the end of the day and now I have a nifty card, and reason to visit Sea World again before year's end. :)

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Never Has Gravity Been So Uplifting.

When I was there (Early January) the lines for Kraken were minimal. Don't ask why, I don't know. Anyway, I feel Kraken also has one of the best Cobra Rolls I've been on. I've been on 164 coasters, so don't think I'm just saying this and only have ridden like 10 coasters. ;)

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If at first don't succeed, find out if the loser gets anything.

I rode Kraken in 2000 when I went to Flordia with my family for a vacation. We went there cause I saw Kraken in a sea World Book and said, I gotta ride that plus I was just getting into coasters. I rode Kraken and it totally blew me away! I rode Medusa at Great Adventure and Batman: Knight Flight and nothing compares to Kraken. That 0g roll is simple crazy. I rode Kraken like 12 times that day while my family went to see the sea animals. (Not that I don't like sea animals cause I do, I just had to ride Kraken again because It was hardly any lines.) I actually made my family late for the bus back to the hotel cause I lost track of time riding this amazing coaster. They came looking for me mad as hell, but it was worth it. The themeing fits the ride perfectly. Journey to Atlantis was also good, I rode it 5 times with no lines.
*** This post was edited by Derrick Whitsett 5/18/2003 10:45:41 PM ***

Don't underestimate Sea World. I find it to be a great overall experience. I think it competes well with the parks in the area, and that is a tough crowd.

And I think Kraken has the best zero-g roll ever created. I'd ride it just for that one element.

Is it worth $50? To me it is, without question.

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Without the chaindog, you'd never get up the lifthill...

I first rode Kraken three years ago when I was down in Florida on business. I have returned to Seaworld once a year since and plan on continuing to do so until I move down to Florida in three to five years. The coaster is simply amazing. Seaworld as a whole is simply amazing.

Those of you that go to this park JUST to ride Kraken are missing out on the rest of one of the greatest parks in Florida. The shows are the best I have found at any amusement park, the animal exhibits are very awesome as well.

Also, I have never been at the park and had to wait more than five minutes to ride this coaster. In fact I have never had to wait more than twenty minutes for a front row ride on this coaster. I guarantee you that you wont find such easy waits so consistantly at any other coaster in Florida.

As for the ride itself, this is probably Walter and Claude's smoothest coaster that they ever designed. This is why a lot of people do NOT like the coaster. They tend to like a ride that is more intense. I am in the camp of coaster lovers that doesnt need my head slammed into the restraints a dozen times to enjoy a looping coaster. This coaster just glides through the course with such grace. Not only is it one of my favorite coasters to ride, it is also one of my favorites to watch. The zero-G roll on this ride also deservers mega props. Between Kraken and it's sister coaster, Kumba, at Busch Gardens, I really think Florida had the market cornered on awesome zero-G rolls.

As far as comparing it to any other floorlesses, I have only ridden one other and that was Batman: Knight Flight. I came into riding B:KF after already having riden Kraken and I came expecting Kraken. I was sorely disappointed. B:KF is not a bad coaster by any stretch of the imagination. It is more intense, it isnt as smooth and the double corks really had quite a bit of headbanging. B:KF really has the typical B&M ending, where Kraken has something that is really unique(albeit kinda similar to Montu) and very satisfying for an ending.

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Bob Hansen
Resident Airtime Whore

If we want to compare floorless coasters then (like others here) the nod still goes to Kraken. I have Kraken, B:KF, B:DK and Medusa east under my belt and The second best in the bunch (my opinion) is B:DK and it's not even close to Kraken in terms of an all out great ride. I'd put Medusa just behind Dark Knight and B:KF way behind.

To this day Kraken is the only coaster that impressed me enough to make me buy a shirt. :)

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www.coasterimage.com
Dorney Park Visits in 2003: 4

BullGuy...Re: admission and SPs, etc., what you probably have is a Fun Card voucher ticket...for awhile each year, Busch Tampa and Sea World Florida offer Fun Cards (I think it's a Bronze Passport in Busch lingo). It's good for a year's admission *when processed*, which I think needs to be before you enter the gates next time. (BGT has the trailers outside the main gates where all SPs are procensed now - unsure of how SWF does it). Fun Cards, unlike other SPs, do not include free parking or any other discounts...
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Well I will admit that it was the weakest coaster that I went on while on my Florida trip (min you I didn't get over to Tampa). After riding Superman: Krypton Coaster - this floorless was very underwhelming to me. I don't know anymore it takes a lot to "wow" me. I guess I am just jadded after riding over 270+ coasters. But I know what I like, and this wasn't it. I was though impressed with Atlantis at the park, but really if you want a decent marine wildlife park with coasters - SWSA is a whole lot better. SWO just wasn't that great of a park.

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SW:):)SH
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