Save Whizzer campaign - worth it or useless?

I've heard that when Kennywood announced its intention to replace Steel Phantom that they eventually decided to keep portions of it due to a massive outpouring from the public. I have no idea if that is true or just a story to help explain *why* they kept the first half of the ride, but at the very least it makes for some good public relations.

I've also seen heard that write-in campaigns have saved TV shows from being cancelled or have brought them back to life ["Cagney & Lacey" and "Once & Again" being the two examples I recall].

So my question is this: now that SFGAm has stated their intentions to remove Whizzer is it pointless to start a letter campaign asking SFGAm to save it or, at best, make sure it gets relocated somewhere else in the park or at another SF park that could put it to good use? If the park has already spent time and money with a manufacturer to design what will eventually replace this classic then perhaps its already too late?

Comments?

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

I would go for it. It's better to say you tried then do have done nothing at all.

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The former CPJunkie. CB Club Member. 122 coasters :)

It's useless.

And the same with the Steel Phantom, it wasn't all because of an "angry mob" that stormed the management demanding that the ride be kept.

It was figured out that, by simply re-tracking the old into a new, they would save resources, have an instant and immediate headlong marketing idea, and just to sum it all up, improve on the old and make it better.

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A CoasterForum Member
www.thrillnetwork.com/boards/index.php?referrerid=211

I really hate to say it, but it's (99.999% probably) useless. Especially with a large corporate Six Flags park. Their plans are set in stone, they've probably put a large downpayment on whatever is replacing it Merchandise is probably being produced for the replacement, and ad campaigns are in the works. The actual final decision to remove it was probably made 2 or 3 years ago :(

I LOVE Whizzer, and would love to save it, but it's too late. The closest one now will be in South America I think.

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- Peabody

I would tend to agree that with a corporation like SF it probably will do little to change their minds. However, if we don't try at all, then it will definitely do no good.

To butcher an old adage: It's better to try and lose than not to try at all.

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Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former." - Albert Einstein
Favorite Wood: Viper(SFGAm), Legend (HW)
Favorite Steel: MF (CP), Mamba (WoF)

Useless!

Whizzer: See ya! Wouldn't wanna be ya!

jeremy

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"To get into this head of mine, would take a monkey-wrench, and a lot of wine" Res How I Do

Of course it's useless.

And regarding Phantom... please... is anyone naive enough to think that it was not their intention all along to build Phantom's Revenge?

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Jeff - Webmaster/Admin - CoasterBuzz.com, Sillynonsense.com
7/27: Subdivision Cam becomes party cam at the year's hottest Ohio luau!

Thanks everyone...you've all confirmed what I was thinking but I felt it couldn't hurt to ask.

Jeff...feel free to close this sucker ;-)

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

Yeah, I have a feeling Whizzer was on the chopping block for quite some time. 6 Flags just let the cat out of the bag.

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Nothing... NOTHING... can prepare you for... the Fourth Dimension!

Its useless as said above, its the parks property and they can do whatever they wish with it. I will miss the ride but ill get over it next season when im enjoying the new attraction there.

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Top 5 Coasters 1.Deja Vu(SFGAm)2.Raging Bull(SFGAm)3.Millennium Force(CP)4.CornBall Express(IB)5.Viper(SFGAm)
CoasterWorld

DEK said:

To butcher an old adage: It's better to try and lose than not to try at all.
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That's said usually to make people go "ooohhh" "aaaaah"

It would really be the SMART thing to not try when you know you're not going to get it. Which is case scenario right here.

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A CoasterForum Member
www.thrillnetwork.com/boards/index.php?referrerid=211

And regarding Phantom... please... is anyone naive enough to think that it was not their intention all along to build Phantom's Revenge?

The park even let this go themselves (sorta) in one of the coaster shows recently. I BELIEVE it was Extreme Rides 2002, but in one show during an interview they never mentioned the 'public outcry' part, but told it as if they had planned it all along. I'm sure the park knew about Phantom's Revenge far, far in advance.

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Jonathan Hawkins
Starcoasters.com
"The internet is a great way to get on the net." -Bob Dole

Oh yeah....KW new there was going to be public outcry, and used it to their advantage. Wouldn't you?

Do you know the amount of time it takes to plan, design, fabricate all that stuff? It was probably a signed final deal over a year before KW said the old Phantom was going bye bye. And before that announcement, no one had a clue. I don't even remember a wild rumor about that in the midst of all those crazy rumors of the time.

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- Peabody

I say we put money together and buy it, but we'd all have to contribute a ton, well, if we had everybody from here and a couple sites, we could all contribute like 100 bucks and be able to buy it, but where to put it. That won't work. I hope another park buys it, that's all I want, it's probably not that expensive, a good one for a small park looking to add a good addition at a smaller price than a brand new custom designed coaster of the same size.

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What is it Lassie? Did Timmy fall down the well again? Rough. Did Mr. Wilson have a heart attack? Rough. Is the drug dealer here for his money? Rough Rough. RUN!

Is Whizzer a terrain ride? If not, we should notify Knoebels(the savior of dead rides). They've resuurected Phoenix, Whirlwind, and rebuilt a new version of Mister Twister.

I agree with drachenfire 100%. I think the Whizzer would be a great addition to Knoebels. They already have a kiddie coaster and three adult coasters. A family coaster would certainly round out this perfect package.

Mmmmm...Holiday World should buy it (Paula, are you out there???) It's a great family ride that I have loved since I was a kid a long time ago, and continue to love to this day. It's great going through the trees and terrain there! Heck, a park bought the other whizzer from PGA, right? Knoebels, Holiday World.....there's a killer steel coaster for the whole family that needs a new home!

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- Peabody

I'm saying send that baby on over to SFKK. If any park in the world NEEDS it, it would be them.

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Proud member of the Frequent Flyer Club of CBuzzCon '02

Nahhhh, screw all that. I say keep the Whizzer within Illinois state lines.

Kiddieland? Santas Village? Are you listening? A popular family coaster is just itching for you to purchase it. :)

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Ric Flair was hitting on the female host, he told her - "Space Mountain may be the oldest ride in the park, but it has the longest line." WOOOOO!

I hope it stays in IL. I actually pray it does. I love whizzer, my first ride was in 1989, it was my second coaster to rolling thunder "rolls eyes"