Problems with IJST

I visited PKI a few days ago and was disappointed with the effects on the ride. I rode it once during its “limited operation” and more things seemed to be working then than now. It now seems the speakers are only working on one car of each train so the sound track for the ride is worthless not to mention the speaker covers are already broken, there still is no effect for when the train supposedly goes down steps into then tunnel, and still no fish tail effect. I am beginning to wonder if everything will ever work on the ride. I figured they would have it all working by now since its almost the end of June. PKI does have a way of allowing the themeing they hype to lapse over the years, but I figured they would at least make it work the right way the first year the ride is open. Even the headlights were not working. I guess its possible its only one out of the three trains that is not working, but I doubt it. I am just one who believes that if you are going to say it is going to do something, then that’s what it should do. Has anybody noticed anything better on the ride since it had it’s grand opening?

My family and I was at PKI last weekend and the helicopter wasnt working, the sound effects for it were but it didn't move. On the way home we heard a commercial for the ride and was like, "when was it that we were suppose to be going down steps"? It is just not what its hyped up to be IMHO. If we hadn't got on with fast pass things I would have been so disappointed, cause the line was huge. Definately not worth the wait.

We went June 10 and the only thing I noticed not working was the steps and the fish tailing. Everything else worked. I thought it was a very fun coaster and my wife loved it. As far as the soundtrack the only thing I heard was "cut, thats a wrap."

When I was there at the end of May, everything was working except the headlights. The soundtrack was on and everything. Oh, no fishtails, either. *** Edited 6/27/2005 2:30:49 PM UTC by grind your soul***

PCW version - I didn't *get* the steps or the fishtailing (promise not to use the word "powerslide" anymore, LOL). Nonetheless, that ride is ultimately cool, LOVE the way even the guests in line are RIGHT in the action.

If they want you to feel like you're "bumping down a flight of stairs", I don't know why they don't just have Vekoma build that section of trackwork... ;)

^ Haha yes, their genius plan of leaving 1/2-1" of space between the guide wheels and the track does WONDERS for the ride experience. Rolling onto your back on Borg, only to feel the train Jolt about 1" in each direction as it rolls is just a lovely feeling.

The problem with running three trains efficiently is that they don't sit in the station long enough to charge the batteries. For that reason, you'll lose the headlights after awhile.

At PKI at least, they're testing a new audio system, because what was installed was totally inadequate. I think it is, actually, just in one car. I want to say the front of the blue train, but I'm not sure.

I don't remember anything about there ever being fish tailing other than it's obviously implied in the turns between the police cars. As for the steps, I'm not convinced that's even something on the trains.

But aside from that, it's mostly the scenery that really makes the ride. I noticed it has a lot more impact at night, too.

Yes, I agree. From the latest I have heard, the fishtailing is just the area going through the police cars, that is it. But I have heard that the jack hammer on the stairs is still 'supposed' to be coming. Maybe it is ver 2.0 of the ride.

I was at the park yesterday and the audio was working in one train, but not the other. The ride wasn't open very long before they decided to switch a train out.

The fishtailing effect has been working every time I have ridden it since late April. You really can't feel it in the front seats of any car, but if you know what you are looking for, you will notice it as it is still minimal. I didn't even have to point it out to someone who hadn't ridden it until yesterday and they felt it.

Adam (Dragster Force) and I also noticed the ride was running much slower than it has been. Perhaps the heat had something to do with that. The trains were almost stopping at the top of the helix. We actually thought we were going to roll back during one ride.

Other than that, the ride was running fine and was still fun. Every effect was working with the exception of the helicopter during the mid-afternoon, and obviously the stairs)

-Sean