Rocket coasters - Why so popular?

I think this might have been brought up before, but the search is down. :(

Why are rocket coasters so darn popular? I can't think of any type of coaster that sold as quickly since inverts. Premier launchers, floorlesses, standups, impulses, thrust air, 4d, flyers...

Maybe spinning mice (or woodies, but they don't really count).

Anyone have any thoughts on why they're selling so well?

I would venture a guess that their popularity with parks has to do with how fast they go, combined with the fact they they can be very tall and built in a small space at the same time. Most of the other coasters you mentioned have rather large footprints, excluding the impluse coaster. But the impulse doesn't have very many designs options to choose from.

The speed is it. Have you ridden one of these? The acceleration in the launch is insane, and the general public loves it. Just watch the faces of the majority of riders exiting an accellerator coaster, they are all in a state of bliss.

On a side note, why are these called rocket coasters? Intamins model name is accelerator coaster, and that is what I have most commonly heard them called within the industry. Only coaster enthusiasts seem to label them rockets?

It's also interesting that the Intamin ones caught on better that the TA2Ks. The S&S ones REALLY have an extreme launch--like XLC is more insane of a launch than Dragster mainly because of the rate of acceleration.

Of course, I'd definitely rather have the Intamin ones--better capacity and they don't shake as much; XLC in the front is insane these days with the shaking!

Duh, because Xcelerator made that much of an impact. ;)

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On a side note, why are these called rocket coasters? Intamins model name is accelerator coaster, and that is what I have most commonly heard them called within the industry. Only coaster enthusiasts seem to label them rockets?

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Because they ARE called Rocket Coasters, Intamin had the description title changed on their web-site, which is why everyone thinks it was never called the Rocket Coaster to begin with, which it is still sold as. Hell, Sandor Kernacs refers to his hydraulic launch line as Rocket Coasters.

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fatmanoncouch said:
I don't know. I think they're gay.

No, they're stupid. These are pretty much the worst coasters ever. KINGDA KA SUCKS!

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Im begining to understand why people are so selective around here when it comes to posters, Im begining to think this has to be some guy on here just trying to show me what they mean, the jokes up tho I understand now lol...

anyway, I agree with the whole small footprint idea, and how many designs they could create. Its alot of thrills packed in a small area, inversions or no inversions. I wonder if they could ever create an inverted Rocket/Accelorator, with an inverted top hat, would be interesting, is it possible? *** Edited 4/25/2006 9:51:53 PM UTC by P18***

The launch kicks major booty.

Next question.

P18, it would certainly be interesting, but I don't know if it is possible.

Rocket sounds so much better than accelerator. It sounds more exciting. :) *** Edited 4/25/2006 9:57:37 PM UTC by coasterniece***

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anyway, I agree with the whole small footprint idea, and how many designs they could create. Its alot of thrills packed in a small area, inversions or no inversions. I wonder if they could ever create an inverted Rocket/Accelorator, with an inverted top hat, would be interesting, is it possible? *** Edited 4/25/2006 9:51:53 PM UTC by P18***

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I think this would be a sweet idea. What would also be cool is if they would have a design like Chiller or Freeze, only with the Intamin inverted trains, or have them do more with the impulse concept.

Of course, I'd want them to perfect that cable deal. If the thing started throwing metal shards like Dragster did, I wouldn't want it raining down on me.

But the Thrust Airs have a better launch with a very small footprint, as well (though the capacity is god awful). Reliability is kind of a toss-up: both of them suck. ;)

How much has been done with Thrust Airs element wise, though? All that S&S has ever done with the Thrust Air is the big vertical hill. So far, it just doesn't seem that the Thrust Air is as much of a crowd pleaser in the roughness department, either. Although, I guess you could make an exception with SDC's Powder Keg. But it's a less extreme version of the ride. *** Edited 4/26/2006 12:22:16 AM UTC by MrPKI***

fatmanoncouch said: I don't know. I think they're gay.

You realize that's a compliment...right?

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Maybe spinning mice (or woodies, but they don't really count).

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Was there a "count" ruling I missed somewhere? Anyhow...woodies and spinning mice (especially those Spyder types) are indeed my favorite types of coasters. I never realized it was all for naught...

I think that the thrill of the launch not only takes less power (financially or resourcefully) for the park to operate but is also more thrilling for the guests. The launch track can take only a short amount of space and the ride design is very flexible. It can do almost anything you want it to as far as being for height and speed or being an inverted mess. And when you make it a launched ride instead of a conventional lift, the layout can be made longer and more "interesting" to accomodate that for the same amount of track that would have been used just for the lift.

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Mamoosh said:
fatmanoncouch said: I don't know. I think they're gay.

You realize that's a compliment...right?

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My thoughts exactly. I now understand completely the argument about being selective about posters, and about useless posters lol. Just can't make up their minds... *** Edited 4/26/2006 3:33:32 AM UTC by P18***

Same reason people are willing to pollute the air, waste 3 times as much money on gas, and wake everyone up at 3 AM with a simple acceleration when they buy a sports car with a v8 over a 4 cylinder hybrid.

Cause they're cool.

I'd say launch is the reason i like Rocket coasters.

B&M Guy: I've hear plenty of 4 cylinder tricked out Civics that read louder on a db meter than your average Corvette.

My neighbors kid tricked out a mid 90's Miata. Thing sounds like a WWI biplane in a dive. Looks great though. *** Edited 4/26/2006 12:55:43 PM UTC by FLYINGSCOOTER*** *** Edited 4/26/2006 12:56:33 PM UTC by FLYINGSCOOTER***

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rablat5 said:
It's also interesting that the Intamin ones caught on better that the TA2Ks.

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While you went on and talked about, the roughness of the TA2Ks is what the problem is. H:XLC was probably one of the worst coasters I have ever been on. However S&S's newest coaster (PowderKeg) is one my favorite rides and it is proving to be extremely reliable. I can see more of these popping up very soon.

With that being said - I love Storm Runner and wish it was closer to Missouri.

Moosh, does that mean if I don't like a coaster I should say, "I think Kinga Ka is totally straight?"

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B&M Guy said:
Same reason people are willing to pollute the air, waste 3 times as much money on gas, and wake everyone up at 3 AM with a simple acceleration when they buy a sports car with a v8 over a 4 cylinder hybrid.

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Pardon me, but **** hybrids. Have you seen the southpark episode with the "smug"? That's how I view a lot of the hybrid drivers out there these days, because they all seem to act like they're so much better than everybody else because they are saving the environment.

I drive a 2004 Honda Civic EX - completely stock except the K&N air filter I added because I swear by K&N filters. I have gotten 46 MPG on the highway going around 80 MPH from here to Cincinatti. The Civic hybrid gets like, 50 MPG and it would have cost me many thousands more.

All I could ask is why? Why would I do that? 4 MPG isn't worth it at all.

-Josh

*** Edited 4/26/2006 3:39:37 PM UTC by Raven-Phile***