Most Troublesome Rides

With what seems like an influx of problems over the last few years with rides like Dejav Vu, X, and Top Thrill Dragster I got to thinking, and the major problems with these rides really aren't that new of a thing. There has been trouble with new rides for as long as they have building them, but I guess that can be expected as they are always pushing the limits of technology. So I figure, why not make a thread about problem rides and hopefully some questions can be answered as to why these rides were actually so troublesome to the park and people who were dying to ride them. I think it would be cool if you guys could list your memorable experiences with rides you were dissapointed about not getting to ride, and if there are questions regarding why it was closed, hopefully some knowledgeable people around here can answer them (Excluding DV, X, and TTD).

For me the ride that stands out with the most memorable troubles would have to have been Test Track. I remember we used to go to Disney 3-4 times a year, and for a string of about 2 years I kept getting dissapointed to hear that the date we heard the ride would be open was incorrect and we made the trek over to Epcot for nothing. We heard all kinds of crazy rumors and things about cars coming off the track during testing, and all kinds of wild stuff. Then I was like 10 or 11 so it wasn't like I kept up to date with all the happenings of what was going on. I eventually got to ride it back in 1999, but I never really found out why it was delayed so long. Anyone have some answers?

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"This time I think ... I think it's ... it's going to work!" - Dr.Bruce Banner

The Premier launch coasters that debuted at SFStL, SFOT & SFGAdv in 1997 were troublesome... they operated for a few days that summer and then closed until 1998. Same for Superman at SFMM a year before, I believe.

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-Rob
A.C.E. member since 1990
Posting @ Coasterbuzz since 2000
E.C.C. member since 2002

If I'm not mistaken it I seem to remember the Magnum having problems when it first opened, I swear it took me a handfull of visits before I could ride it. Also, I'm sure the more common styles of coasters are easier to fix, since the problems have all been seen before, buts as for rides like the TTD isn't it pretty much a prototype, along with Xcelerator (didn't hear if that ride had probs last year or not). I know they are pushing to get these rides built and most likely for go appropriate overviews and double checking along with timely testing, you know like microsoft does, push the product out then you get a million errors. Also I wonder why CP didn;t make the TTD more like Xcelerator as far as more of a ride then just a shot up and a fall down, would the speed be the only reason?

The overbanks would be lost if they were on TTD. It is a money thing, 25 million is an incredible price tag for a ride as it is, but after riding Xcel finally, if that ride was just L-TH-B, it would be like, uh, ok, that's it? And if TTD had overbanks, you'd forget they were even there, or worse be like "let me off this crazy thing".

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"As soon as you design something that's idiot-proof, the world will go and design a better idiot."
--Brett

I beleive one of the reasons test track was delayed was that the cars were eating the tires and they had to change the tires everyday/week. They had to design special tires that were more durable and would last longer. Now they change the tires on the cars every 3 months I beleive.

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Mike
Favorite Wood: Viper at SFGAM,Shivering Timbers
Favorite Steel: Magnum and Raging Bull

Well technology cannot be fool-proof and have 100% operational status all the time. When a Ride opens up there will be a period of adjusment time. Occasionally with newer technology that has not yet been proven 100% affective there will be a prolonged period of downtime. And rarely a ride will be built when a company hasn't even attempted the technology on a smaller scale *cough*dejavu*cough* and the mechanics just wont function properly. I am not saying that the design for Deja Vu is poor i m just saying that it isn't operating well. But eventually an outside engineering firm will come along and fix the company's *cough*vekoma's*cough* mistakes.

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