^^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...
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.
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...
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***
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... ;)
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***
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***
