NEW S&S Freefall Tower

For some reason I can see this being themed to the "Wonkavator"

Coaster Joe said:
We debuted the latest S&S ride today during the ACE tour.....not everyone was able to ride but those who did said great things.

I think your header and opening statement are somewhat confusing. The ride may have been new to us, in fact this is the first time that anyone other than the factory workers have been given rides. But the ride is hardly new or the latest thing from S&S. Stan said he built it over 15 years ago. The coating of rust should have been a dead giveaway. It was just recently moved to his new thrill park that is still under construction. I doubt very much that we will ever see another one.

*** Edited 8/4/2005 9:21:09 PM UTC by Jeffrey Seifert***

I was curious about the rust, but just figured it was totally untreated steel, which does rust rather quickly.

Innnteresting.

"I've been born again my whole life." -SAVED

Stan had the idea for the air-braked freefall 15 years back. There were many smaller prototypes built through the years but this was the first model to carry passengers. The construction on this tower started about a year ago.

The inaugural rides were taken the day before the Acers visited the park.

Stan knows that this ride is low capacity and that park interest will be limited. He just wanted the tallest freefall ride in North America and to use air-braking is an inexpensive and failsafe way to decelerate the vehicle.

"I thought Dondonapadawheee was built before Hypersonic?"

According to RCDB:
Hypersonic XLC opened on 3/24/01
Dodonpa opened on 12/21/01

that wasn't what i was expecting at all... lol :) -- still looks like an interesting "ride" though.

hm, weird, but it seems kinda cool, you could put some cool effects in the tube like lights and such, could be interesting. Also, whens the debate start on whether this is a coaster or not, its like superman only without the flat section, and it just about rides "on" the "track"...(look at the pics sideways haha) *** Edited 8/5/2005 4:33:14 PM UTC by P18***

Are you sure this was just constructed last year? During the talk he kept saying I've got this old ride...it used to be out back...we've been working on it for 15 years.

ThemeDesigner said:
Oh yeah, what is it with Ace and their friggin PLAQUES? A Plaque commemorating their visit to S&S? Oh yeah, that's gonna be cherished by Stan.

Stan seemed truly happy that 113 ACEers from 34 different states traveled all the way to Logan, Utah to visit his facilities and to meet him. So much so that he provided a free lunch to all in attendance, gave everyone a free t-shirt and had two rides open at his still unopened park available for the ACEers to ride. While the ACE plaque may be just another plaque to add to his wall already filled with other plaques and accolades, he did say that this one was truly
special because of the particular group that it came from.

eightdotthree said:
Lol at the plaque though, is that where my membership dues are going? How about a hand shake and a beer next time. :)

The plaques are covered by the event fees, not your dues.

I am 100% sure that this was a new construction. There were several smaller versions proving that the air-braking could work. I watched as the final tower piece was placed and saw the multiple stages of vehicle and component design for the ride operation.

Stan definitely likes the Acers and their shared excitement of his rides. Thanks again for making the trip!

That looks scary. And dangerous. Maybe it's just me. Although, it would be cool to see one of those built partly underground... shoot up above the ground, and then back under...

Eh. Maybe it's just me.

Geauga Lake - We is Gooder.

http://www.johnnyupsidedown.com/eventSIL.html
just scroll down for some pics.
Looks like the only thing you need to do to kill someone on that thing is leave the door open...

Really doesn't look like an extremely safe thing - I guess a theme park installation of this could use some elaboration on the seat design - and also maybe some anti-rust paint treatment. (Unless you want to theme it "construction site" style). *** Edited 8/5/2005 7:21:16 PM UTC by superman***

Jeffrey Seifert said:
Stan seemed truly happy that 113 ACEers from 34 different states traveled all the way to Logan, Utah to visit his facilities and to meet him.

Now if he could just get that many buyers and park execs there he'd be all set!

Jeff - Editor - CoasterBuzz.com - My Blog

Wow. I figured the tower would be a bit ghetto looking but that's *way* ghetto.

I don't know if I'd hop on that thing, personally. Especially given the fact that the guy on it is wearing hearing protection!

LOL, Yeah I agree with the above post. This looks terrible. But the thought of a 90 mph drop sounds incredible, I just wish it could be pulled off with a better looking tower. All those wires kinda kills it, and on top of that the tower is super skinny. I hope it performs well for who ever has or gets it.

Six Flags is a Diamond in the rough!

The plaques are covered by the event fees, not your dues.

Thankfully, neither come from me.

Coaster Joe said: He just wanted the tallest freefall ride in North America and to use air-braking is an inexpensive and failsafe way to decelerate the vehicle.

Again, haven't magnetic brakes already filled this niche?