Rockets, anyone?

I've been on Dragster and Stormrunner, gonna hit XCelerator in March, and Kingda Ka in May (well, if it's working ;) ).

I disagree that a longer duration is needed to "make" the ride. One of the main elements of the rocket is the launch. I realize that LIM launches were out long ago, but it just isn't the same. I'd assume that it's because rockets have a faster acceleration, plus you hear more of a smooth "zing" sound of the cable instead of the "whomph" of the magnets.

With that said, I'm in favor of a couple elements (Stormrunner style, or even Kannonen.. except I haven't ridden the latter and probably won't be able to for quite a bit) other than just L-TH-B, even if you throw in a bunny hill :)

I was just stating what I wanted out of rocket coasters, not that they "need" them to "make" the ride. Sorry, but I disagree dannerman. You take away the launch on TTD and there's not much else after that, ie hill and twist. If they are going to make more rocket coasters very short in duration, then I think I've already seen enough of them. And, they will go out of style faster than stand-ups or flyers combined.

Flyers are out? Darn i wanted one at SFFT. WE havent gotten a new ride since 2000!. Nothing. It is rumored that we will get a flyer. IF screamscape is right. But rockets are expensive, take up a lont of space(not fast breakse from what i hear), and there is a lot of things that can go wrong.

Don't turn this into a "my park isn't getting anything" whining thread.

*rolls eyes*

What do you mean out of style faster than stand-ups and flyers? Have you thought about how long flyers lasted or if they even went anywhere? 2002 and 2003 were the only years the B&M flyers lasted. Now let's look at how long rockets have lasted 02, 03, 04, 05, and 06. When you say out of style, you're just saying that no park wants them at this time. The vertical drop coasters were so called out of style until BGT annouced Shiekra.

I'm a huge fan of TTD, so I have to say I don't see people lining up for the launch rides that last longer like they do on TTD. Drag racing is one of the biggest rushes you can get and it only lasts a few seconds, that's how TTD is.

What do you mean 2002 and 2003 were the only years flyers lasted. Did you forget about the year 2000 when stealth was built? And since then? Why don't you see anyone lining up for a coaster with a similar launch to TTD but longer in duration? I think people would. TTD is just one example of a rocket coaster. I think Storm Runner is a better example of what can still be done with this type of coaster. I didn't say that rockets were out of style, just that they will go out of style if Intamin doesn't come up with more original layouts than just L-TH-B.

Actually, Storm Runner is a good example of people lining up for rocket coasters that do something more than TTD. *** Edited 12/30/2004 2:27:00 PM UTC by Coasterbuzzer***

Um, I would think that's because it's not finished yet. I don't know about you, but I'm not going to line up for a coaster that doesn't have all it's parts together, let alone that it's freakin' cold in Jersey right now.

Intamin doesn't come up with the layouts, the park's ordered those layouts because that's what they wanted. Intamin would design a rocket with 800 overbanks and loops if a park was willing to pay for it.

So you're saying that because there will soon be all of 2, *maybe* three L-TH-B rockets that they're boring and out of style? Guess that's why when there got to be 2 boomerangs, or 2 SLCs, or 2 Arrow loop-screws they went completely out of style! I mean geez, who would want a coaster that has a high "wow" factor, a high capacity, a small footprint for the thrills provided and is instantly marketable? That's just a disaster because, come on, there's two others in the world! They're just *so* last year! Like, my GOD, like REALLY and stuff *snap* *twirl hair*

Impulse-ive, what are you talking about, not finished? Really, the difference we are talking about is between Dragster and Storm Runner. I was saying that Storm Runner is proof that people will stand in line for a rocket coaster that has some duration to it. Gomez said that he didn't see people standing in line for something like that. Guess what? They already are. Plus, later you are comparing a 25mil+ coaster to coasters that range more like 9mil or so. Besides, I never said that no park wanted one. He just added that in there himself. I wouldn't use Sheikra as an example of a coaster that was "out of style" that is being built in the states. Only one has been purchased in how many years since the last?

You asked why no one is lining up for a coaster with a similar launch a more to it: there's only one that fits that description and last I saw, it doesn't even have a top on it yet, let alone a motor to launch the trains, therefore, that would be the reason no one's lining up for it. If you're referencing Storm Runner, have you actually been to Hersheypark? Not only were people lining up in droves for it, but the line absolutely hauled, so you didn't even realize you were standing with so many people.

What are you talking about $25 million rides vs. $9 million? You said that the rocket coaster will go "out of style" (as if there is such a thing) if Intamin doesn't make more than L-TH-B. Well, there's only 1 1/2 of those types out there, so what you're saying is absolutely ridiculous because if coasters went "out of style" by the second one, explain the sheer number of boomerangs, loopscrews, SLCs, heck even Cyclone clones out there.

Nothing's going to go "out of style" because 50% of more of the people in line for either TTD or KK won't even know of the other's existance, or care. No one cares that much that there are two coasters of the "same style" so close together at GL and CP, both still get riders (well that's a relative term in GL's case, but still ... ). You cannot seriously believe that after 1 1/2 installations, parks across the globe are dismissing the rocket as "been there done that" and not drooling over the possibilities for their own park?

Impulse coasters and boomerangs and SLCs are all alike, if not exactly the same (as brettany pointed out;)), and we're almost @ 50 Boomerangs, and still counting.

Intamin will make them, companies will buy. There will, by 2006 be 2 L-th-bh-br, and one L-TH-B. That isn't going to push it out of style.

Jeesh!(hadn't done it in a long time:))

Impulse-ive, I never asked why no one was lining up for it. I was referring to what Gomez had said.

Here is what Gomez said. And I quote.
"I'm a huge fan of TTD, so I have to say I don't see people lining up for the launch rides that last longer like they do on TTD"

I said that I disagreed and pointed out Storm Runner as an example of a rocket coaster that does more. You're putting words in my mouth. Read posts instead of skimming through them and you might see what I am talking about.

I think Sheikra IS a good example of a coaster type which hadn't been built in years, and although perhaps not "making a comeback", it is still being built. I don't think the B&M Flyers are a dead breed. I think they're just dormant, and in a few years, we'll see some more.

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Impulse-ive Said:
Intamin doesn't come up with the layouts, the park's ordered those layouts because that's what they wanted. Intamin would design a rocket with 800 overbanks and loops if a park was willing to pay for it.

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I just wanted to point this out for all the nay-sayers who ripped into me for my comments re: B&M Flyer designs/elements being requested by the park in which the coaster is going. ;)