Questions

Okay I have a few questions about rides in general: 1) What's the difference in first-generation and second-generation things, and is it only for drop towers, of only for thrill rides, or what? 2) Is it true that the King Cobras (sister coaster to PKD's Shock Wave) has been torn down? I've heard rumors, but I live in VA. and 3) How does Mr. Freeze work at SFOT? I've heard from a friend who just went there that it is only a thrill ride, but now I've seen pics and I know it is a roller coaster. Is there one each? She (my friend) said that it's like a tower with your feet dangling, so any descriptions/websites/pics/videos would be great!

*** This post was edited by CoasterFANatic87 on 7/22/2002. ***

For info on coasters and thrillrides, just do some research at the various sites at the 'sites' page...

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This season:
2 parks
28 rides

1] think of "generations" like car models. Toyota has a new model or car for 2002, the Matrix. If they make modifications to the Matrix for 2003 then that year's model will be the second generation Matrix. Regarding freefall towers, Intamin's original towers [such as those at SFMM and CP] went through some design changes, hence the usage of the term "first generation freefall" and "second generation freefall." Sorry, I am not familiar enough with the model to tell you what those modifications were.

2] King Cobra at PKI has been dismantled. The same model TOGO Stand-up at PKD remains.

3] Mr Freeze @ SFOT is a launched sit-down shuttle roller coaster. Your friend is obviously confused. Try www.rcdb.com for pics of Mr Freeze at SFOT [or the identical model at Six Flags St Louis].

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"There's nothing sweeter than a bowling ball with a liquid center" - Homer Simpson

Thanks Mamoosh, perfect info! If anyone knows the exact modifications between first and second generations, please post. Mamoosh, is there perhaps another ride at SFOT that is one tower, and you sit with your feet dangling, and you shoot up a tower, then rotate to the other side, then go up again, rotate to the beginning side, then on the third time go over the top? That's how she explained it. Thanks but I already know about rcdb.com. It's the best roller coaster site out there (except for CBuzz of course! ;).

Generations are like software versions: major modifications are usually termed a "generation" like a software "version" (as opposed to a patch or minor modification)...on to the specifics of Intamin drop-rides...

the first-gen freefalls are like Demon Drop at CP, Great Gasp at SFoG to name a couple....MANY parks have them, and they are clearly identifiable by those hulking cars dropping down the L-shaped hill, then clanking (banging?) back to vertical orientation after going through the roll-out at the bottom of the drop.

the second-gen freefalls are like those at KW (PittFall), SFA (Tower of Doom) and PCar (Drop Zone). Vertical towers where the bogey thing comes down and locks into the *sides* of the towers, lifts the rows of seats, and releases them to drop the riders.

third-gens are like PKI's Drop Zone or even Acrophobia, where riders sit in a ring around the tower....exceptional fun....(some may tell you that Acro is a 4th-gen drop ride, but I didn't think the tilt was THAT big of a difference)....so as you see, opinions DO vary....

Answers