MotoCoaster to Darien Lake

Some news I have found confirming a new coaster at Darien Lake. At least this year I will have something new to ride. Yay!

http://www.parkworld-online.com/news/fullstory.php/aid/701/Darien_Lake_to_debut_MotoCoaster.html *** Edited 1/13/2008 7:36:25 PM UTC by Alexx Argen***

http://rcdb.com/id4138.htm

Liking these PARC-7F guys more and more.... :)

^^Totally agree with that statement gator. It looks like the PARC guys understand what each of their parks needs and seem to be delivering the capital to get at least some of those things. Much better than SF owership!!

BTW, I am so happy for DL being that their last coaster installation was SROS in 1999!!! Hopefully PARC ownership will bring the park back to the good old days before SF took over

Hey, at least the Park World article doesn't call it "the only one of its kind" or some such nonsense, forgetting all about the one that is now under construction at Knott's Berry Farm...

--Dave Althoff, Jr.

But it will be, briefly - it seems Darien Lake's will open first. Knott's won't open until Memorial Day.

I really liked how the Vekoma's looked, I wonder if there is any chance of one of those coming this way. I might be able to check this out this summer though.

I will be the first one to officiall "whine"...

With a track as small as 2000', and a layout as short as it is, won't this be a capacity nightmare? You figure they really can only have a one-train operation because the ride itself can't be more than 60 seconds, and although they may have 3-blocks (launch pad, station, brakes)... the load/unload procedure would take about 3-4 minutes at MINIMUM, and thus create stacking.

I think if you take 12riders + 6 minutes per full cycle including the load/unload = 120pph??

Although I commend PARC for finally investing some capital improvements into the park. I kind of lothe them for choosing the actual prototype model that's been hanging around for a couple of years vs. a brand new one with a larger unique layout like Knotts did.

I just wonder where it's going. It's got such a compact layout, will it fit in the old Batman building??

^Knott's is 1300', DL's is 1198'. Both VERY short, but at reasonable speeds I expect ride time to be comparable to the other launched rides. Capacity may very well be an issue - I guess I'm *assuming* KBF will get two trains...and I'd have to call it a mistake if DL were to only get one. One train means ANY unexpected problem with it makes the ride go DOWN. Same for even routine maintenance.

Knott's layout, however, is definitely more interesting...

38mph = 55.73fps 1198'/55.73fps=21.5 seconds

Even if you figure the average speed is half of that, the ride will most definatly be lass than a minute. 2 trains would still make sense though. You could get the load/dispatch working while the other train is on the circuit.

Watch the video on Th3m3P@rkR3view or wherever the video is of that Motocoaster (Screamscape now has the same video)... it will actually give you the exact length because I think it has a POV from beginning to end, which yes... is less than a minute, but unload/loading procedures will be the longest since it's a new concept ride.

Gator: They may very well have two trains... but one train would probably be on stand-by in case of the very reason one would be taken off for routine maintaince... however, I would bet against two trains operating at once due to the blocks and train-stacking (is that possible on a 2-train operation?).

*** Edited 1/14/2008 8:06:10 PM UTC by DawgByte II***

<rhetorical question>Have you ever seen Corkscrew run?</rhetorical question>

Is that the sequel to Cannonball Run?

*** Edited 1/14/2008 8:05:20 PM UTC by DawgByte II***

Ok, have you ever seen "Corkscrew" run at "Cedar Point"? The dispatches this summer (when I was there) were slow. Even in 2 train opperation, you were waiting in the brake run for a minute.

^LOL, at BGA in the offseason, every coaster that runs with more than one train (except Cheetah Chase) stacks. Generally, the dispatches on Montu and Kumba are pretty fast and you only "stack" slightly. On Gwazi however, you hit the brakes outside the station and have time to write the Great American Novel before you get back to the station... ;)

This one is just a little over 2000' and manages 2 train operation. Although I've never seen trains not stacked. ;)

http://www.rcdb.com/id1574.htm

*** Edited 1/14/2008 9:52:02 PM UTC by janfrederick***

At least SOMETHING NEW is coming to this park after almost a decade.

Aren't amusement parks opening themselves up for an unneeded lawsuit? This coaster type is a launch and there are no Headrests, I wouldn't do it but someone will purposely get hurt, or fake getting hurt so they can sue...

I agree with Roars Loudly...at least something new and semi-major is coming to the park. They have had some additions, but not major coasters since 1999!!!

Finally, a launch coaster my six year old can ride! Those seats remind me of Zamperla Disk-o seats.

^^Zero to 38 in three seconds is not exactly tearing it up. And I'm sure it will be much more enjoyable without headrests. *** Edited 1/15/2008 2:37:43 AM UTC by Ensign Smith***

I'm happy with this addition.

Of course, I'd like to see my homepark get a huge coaster, but it probably is just not realistic for the market. I was a season pass holder years ago but I haven't been to the park in several years. This will definately get me to the park to check it out (and get my superman fix of course!)

Darien Lake really is a well rounded destination with the campground, hotel, and concert venue. A new flat ride or two, some additions to the waterpark, and continual aesthetic and cosmetic changes would make the park perfect imo. *** Edited 1/15/2008 6:24:47 AM UTC by TimmyD***