Quick Magic Kingdom/Cheetah Hunt first ride(s) trip...

Magic Kingdom last night was amazing - crowds left because of the late afternoon rain, and we actually RODE thru the "back area" of Haunted Mansion. Since it was Jill's evening, we did PhilHarMagic, Pirates, Astro-Orbiter, and Buzz (where I got a max score for the first time!). On top of it all, the fireworks (Wishes) did go on as scheduled when the rain stopped JUST before 10pm. Ended the evening with 2 laps on Space Mountain: Omega and 1 on Alpha. We eventually decided that Alpha: Gwazi Lion::Omega: Gwazi Tiger.

Went to Busch this morning to try and get a couple laps on Cheetah Hunt before heading home, expecting to spend 2 hours and bail. Well, we did spend those 2 hours (9am open-11am), but most all of it was a 75-minute wait for a single lap on the Hunt. No IDEA how that many people were in the park when we got to the parking at ten minutes before opening, but apparently they opened up the park gates prior to 9am to let people queue for CH.

After the 75 minutes (more or less, no watch or phone or anything), we get to the attendant up front. Based on what I'd seen and heard, we wanted near the front as much as possible. Waits for the front were probably *about* 10-12 trains, so we opted for row 2. Good move that, since there were kids in our row needing us to move ahead so they could keep their party together. Always love that! We get our turn, and Jill takes the far side...I go to sit down and realize that the lady sitting in the front is riding solo. So I double-check with her, and the people behind her, and the attendant, all are cool with it - so I'm riding in the front.

After the restraint-check, we roll into the first launch area. I'm moderately surprised at this launch....I was expecting something a little more forceful than Backlot Stunt Job (or whatever they're called today), and was surprised to feel something actually a little less "oomph-ish". Then 270* left turn into the main-launch trench, where we reach top speed. Hitting the top of "the tree" I was expecting a little catapult-action. Didn't really happen, the speed at the top wasn't all there and it seemed to "flatten out gradually" at the top of the hill. (I'd contrast it with the Turtle hill on PRevenge @ KW - where the uphill section flattens dramatically and you get solid airtime). The tree does provide a nice opportunity for an overview of the ride - the banking shows you the O-n-B section of track and the safari land more than the cheetah enclosure adjacent to the ride. The main drop followed, and the speed was back. Got some nice action into the heartline - and as Gary stated, there was NO headbanging. After the turnaround, the goodies - the racing through the gorge was really fun, I love the Voyage-like side-to-side action in a straight line. Then came the one pretty-solid airtime moment, which performed significantly better than the hop into the tree. A couple more twists, than a left into the brakes.

Overall, a B/B+ (or as Jill stated, it did some good things, but it didn't anything fabulous). One or two more "patented Intamin airtime HILLS" in place of some of the straight trackage, and about 5-8mph more punch on the launches, would have improved the ride quite a bit. Good, family, fun...just not the spectacular ride some were hoping for/predicting.

P.S. The relief captain coming on to the Joe Potter as we got to MK...had a name tag that said Ferdinand Indiana. Had a brief chat about Holiday World.....good times!

After seeing the POV and despite the generally positive reviews, I'm starting to worry that this one does too much wandering and not enough *something* for my tastes.

Hey gator - so how was Scorpion? ;)

My expectations are about what Bill described, and to me that would be a home run. I've learned to stop looking for the "god coaster" and just enjoy rides for what they are. Still can't wait to ride this one.

It's a solid ride....as I told Jill on the ride home, I'm more interested in her opinion than my own (I'm admittedly jaded).

To some degree, when I gathered the layout was a "stretched-out" Intamin (as opposed to say, Maverick), I was hoping for a solid POP or two of airtime.I certainly had perused a preview or two, but didn't want to watch so much that the ride was...predictable from station departure to arrival. It was very fun, and I truly enjoyed the "swooshing back and forth" track as well as the one hot hill. The "god coaster" Jeff describes is just something Intamin spoiled me with over a decade ago....and to a degree (SFoG's B&M aside) I'm always going to be hoping for the uber-powerful sustained airtime any time I board an Intamin....they're the company that has repeatedly shown me that. Perhaps it is unrealistic expectations - but THEY raised the bar in the first place. It's still a really fun ride....and I think BGT will be very pleased with the ride...as they should be. The lady next to me, as we arrived back at the station, said "I won't wait over an hour for this again". I had to concur....but there's not much out there that would make me wait that long.

For me personally, I might find Dare Devil Dive to be more of a "Bill coaster". Oh, and Billy, no Scorpion this time...we needed to get back home and Scorpion would have easily added another hour we didn't want to spend. Especially since I've got a week-long coaster trip beginning Monday.

The problem in enthusiast circles is that we all somehow ended up airtime whores. I suspect that started around the time of Magnum, and was then reinforced with the CCI's and Intamin Superman rides. While I enjoy that, I don't expect every ride to be that. Maybe that's why I like the inverters and floorless rides that don't get a lot of love.

I figure a steel coaster can do a few things - airtime/elevation changes, elements/inversion and speed.

If you're going to focus primarily on the latter, it better be done right to keep it interesting. Speed alone is probably the least interesting aspect.

And I'm with you on the inverteds and floorless rides. But those layouts tend to be layouts that 'do something' more than most. You don't get a lot of that 'wandering' - everything seems to be doing something or setting up the next moment of doing something. They go with a purpose.

I do appreciate the conceptual side of it. It's very cheetah-like in the way it goes, so that scores some points. I dig stuff like that. But I think Bill's description mirrors some of the thoughts I had after seeing the POV. Looking forward to hearing more opinions.

If the link below had been the ride I rode today....you'd hear something more positive (not that I feel like I've been negative about the ride)....but it would move *my* rating of the ride up a notch or two.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B5MVnU0bqSM

Quick P.S. Just since Jeff brought it up...don't let "enthusiast opinion" color your judgements. Like or don't whatever you ride. Be honest, but be able to back up your opinion when asked. Try and focus more on the positive when asked by "the press"...but do feel free to offer constructive, valid, criticism. ;)

I have no intentions of thinking for myself. :)

Jeff said:
The problem in enthusiast circles is that we all somehow ended up airtime whores.

That's because airtime is more fun.

I think that's definitely a matter of opinion. Turns and speed seem to be the preference in Europe. I like airtime, but a little variety is good.

Exactly. I think that's why Phoenix is my #2 wood, not my #1; it's all airtime, which is amazingly fun, but lacks laterals. And I dig Millennium Force primarily for the speed.

Has anyone rode the Skyride to see CHs view?

I liked CH because it wasnt violent, its way long, there was tons of substance and I thought lots of airtime. It was a nice break to ride something where you didnt have to say "ouch" once or twice.

I think Busch wanted to keep CH tame because they are saying it is a family friendly ride. Its nice to see Intamin using their successful elements on CH and also nice to see Busch gave them tons of space to do it.

I think the (non enthusiast) crowd wont mind the long waits to ride, and to me that is the final test for a ride.

Jo
Lifetime Raptor flights: 3000 :)

So is Toro your #1?

Anyhow, I'm with Gator on this one. It was fun, but Cheetah only had a few moments. Most parts you were just meandering around the safari, not really hunting but having a brisk stroll. I must say though, the trains are frikin' gorgeous.

I <3 El Toro. I'm more of a speed/out of control kind of guy, and normally don't like out and backs all that much. Toro kind of has the best of everything.

Jeff said:
I think that's definitely a matter of opinion. Turns and speed seem to be the preference in Europe. I like airtime, but a little variety is good.

I think that's why Maverick scores so high in my book...its got a little bit of everything in one coaster. I would definately consider Maverick a true "variety" coaster. I'm also one of those few who don't get the headbanging on Maverick. I must know the layout too well or have stronger neck muscles not to get it.

delan said:
So is Toro your #1?

Nope, #3. Thunderhawk is #1.

Stop laughing...