SFGAm, 5/22/01(LONG,1 letdown, and Jeffs advice)
Associated parks:
None
Tuesday, May 22nd. Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Temperature, 65 degrees.
Wow, what an interesting day weatherwise. One moment its blue skies and sunny, and the next moment its dark, rainy, and windy. This obviously put a strain on the park staff because they must have closed rides and re-opened them more times in this day then they would normally in a week. It was definitely hit and miss and everytime you got in line for a coaster you were taking a gamble as to whether you would be able to ride before the next storm moved in.
But aside from that I had a great time(possibly because this is my first coaster riding in about 7 months). The park was clean, the employees for the most part were friendly and courteous, and the crowds were almost non-existent. I only spent 5 hours in the park and got plenty of riding in considering the short lines. I had only one disappointment during my day but I will touch on that later.
First , I got my season pass ticket($80 later) and was told to get my picture taken by 3:00PM because that is when the processing center closes. Oops, I didnt make that so I guess I will get my picture taken next time.
I was off to Viper. Waited about 15 minutes for car 3.2. I figured I would ride the middle for the best of both worlds as far as airtime and headchoppers. This woodie still delivers a great ride.
Next, it was time for the big daddy. Raging Bull only had a 2 train operation all day but that was more then enough. I never waited more then 15-20 minutes for the laps that I took. Did the very back, middle, and second to front row. I believe Legendary stated that "Raging Bull is a little more Raging this year!" I now see what you mean. Folks, this coaster is no longer smooth as glass like it was 2 years ago. I actually find the ride alot more exciting now that it has slightly roughened up a bit.
Now it was time for the woodie that will always have a place in my heart. American Eagle was running the red side(THANK GOD!!!) Waited no more then 10 minutes for this ride. The trims were barely being applied on the barrel helix so the massive turnaround was actually quite fun. The airtime on the return bunny hills was rockin. Of course the first drop is still one of the best in the business.
O.K. It was now time to take Jeffs advice on Standup coaster riding. Feet together, all the way back and lean into the shoulder harness. Waited about 10 minutes to get on Iron Wolf. I must say that Jeffs method has eliminated any headbanging that I encountered on past rides. Thanks Jeff, I now enjoy this coaster just as much as any other in the park. On a side note, if train stacking was an olympic event, the Iron Wolf crew would win the gold medal.
Well, now for the disappointment. While waiting in line for Iron Wolf I noticed that V2 was running with peeps in the seats. I said to myself, as soon as IW is done with I know where my next destination is. I headed straight for V2 and to my surprise the line was only occupying about half the que lines. Waited about 15 minutes and as we were headed up the stairs, the ride experienced problems. Since I was already near the station, I decided to wait it out. Luckily after about 10 minutes, the ride was up and running again. Here is where the disappointment comes in. I am a fairly big guy, 6ft 3 inches and around 240 lbs. I have never had a problem fitting into any coaster in my years of riding until now. I am not a fat slob, just a big guy who has a slight beer gut(lots of Miller drinking) and a big shoulder base. The combination of my shoulder base and stomach made it so the side seat belt off of the shoulder harnees just missed clicking in. The ride op was willing to press hard on the OTSR which would have worked to secure the belt but I told him I do not want to be stapled in to the point where I am in pain. He apologized that I couldnt ride and I said its not your fault. I was actually starting to worry prior because about 7 people trying to ride before me could not ride and about 5 of them were not fat, just big or big shouldered. I walked down the exit ramp very disappointed but I wasnt going to let that ruin the rest of my day. I wish Intamin would have designed their OTSRs and seat belt restraints like B&M does because I would not have had a problem getting on.
After the big letdown and watching the train that I should have been riding go through the circuit, I proceeded to Batman:TR. Only a 15 minute wait for this and as always, this ride is the definition of "INTENSE!!!" I always get off this ride a little disoriented. The original invert is still a must ride.
Shockwave was closed all day which is a shock(no pun intended) to me because I never see this coaster broke down for a whole day. They had 2 mechanics working at the top of the lift hill. Oh well, I have a pass, so I will get plenty of rides in the future on this looping monster.
I missed riding Whizzer and Demon because everytime I went by them they were closed due to weather conditions and of course Deja-Vu is still not open yet. To the peeps here that have been saying that the coaster is done and just needs to start testing, the crane is still moving parts around and about 4 construction workers were still putting some pieces into place. Granted, the track and structure are complete, but the other elements are not done yet.
Well, thats about it. I did make my rounds around the park and did some re-rides. I amazed myself because I didnt spend any money in the park(NOT 1 PENNY). I ate before I arrived at the park so all I did was coaster ride and drink water(from the fountain and not the overpriced Ice Mountain water they are selling). Aside from the V2 episode I had a great time and cant wait to return. Once again I REFUSE TO TOUCH THIS PARK ON A WEEKEND and this will be the case for the 2001 season.
Hope you enjoyed this long TR. LATER!!!!!
-------------
"SAVING THE WORLD BEFORE BEDTIME" Powerpuff girls *** This post was edited by Chitown on 5/23/2001. ***
Wow, what an interesting day weatherwise. One moment its blue skies and sunny, and the next moment its dark, rainy, and windy. This obviously put a strain on the park staff because they must have closed rides and re-opened them more times in this day then they would normally in a week. It was definitely hit and miss and everytime you got in line for a coaster you were taking a gamble as to whether you would be able to ride before the next storm moved in.
But aside from that I had a great time(possibly because this is my first coaster riding in about 7 months). The park was clean, the employees for the most part were friendly and courteous, and the crowds were almost non-existent. I only spent 5 hours in the park and got plenty of riding in considering the short lines. I had only one disappointment during my day but I will touch on that later.
First , I got my season pass ticket($80 later) and was told to get my picture taken by 3:00PM because that is when the processing center closes. Oops, I didnt make that so I guess I will get my picture taken next time.
I was off to Viper. Waited about 15 minutes for car 3.2. I figured I would ride the middle for the best of both worlds as far as airtime and headchoppers. This woodie still delivers a great ride.
Next, it was time for the big daddy. Raging Bull only had a 2 train operation all day but that was more then enough. I never waited more then 15-20 minutes for the laps that I took. Did the very back, middle, and second to front row. I believe Legendary stated that "Raging Bull is a little more Raging this year!" I now see what you mean. Folks, this coaster is no longer smooth as glass like it was 2 years ago. I actually find the ride alot more exciting now that it has slightly roughened up a bit.
Now it was time for the woodie that will always have a place in my heart. American Eagle was running the red side(THANK GOD!!!) Waited no more then 10 minutes for this ride. The trims were barely being applied on the barrel helix so the massive turnaround was actually quite fun. The airtime on the return bunny hills was rockin. Of course the first drop is still one of the best in the business.
O.K. It was now time to take Jeffs advice on Standup coaster riding. Feet together, all the way back and lean into the shoulder harness. Waited about 10 minutes to get on Iron Wolf. I must say that Jeffs method has eliminated any headbanging that I encountered on past rides. Thanks Jeff, I now enjoy this coaster just as much as any other in the park. On a side note, if train stacking was an olympic event, the Iron Wolf crew would win the gold medal.
Well, now for the disappointment. While waiting in line for Iron Wolf I noticed that V2 was running with peeps in the seats. I said to myself, as soon as IW is done with I know where my next destination is. I headed straight for V2 and to my surprise the line was only occupying about half the que lines. Waited about 15 minutes and as we were headed up the stairs, the ride experienced problems. Since I was already near the station, I decided to wait it out. Luckily after about 10 minutes, the ride was up and running again. Here is where the disappointment comes in. I am a fairly big guy, 6ft 3 inches and around 240 lbs. I have never had a problem fitting into any coaster in my years of riding until now. I am not a fat slob, just a big guy who has a slight beer gut(lots of Miller drinking) and a big shoulder base. The combination of my shoulder base and stomach made it so the side seat belt off of the shoulder harnees just missed clicking in. The ride op was willing to press hard on the OTSR which would have worked to secure the belt but I told him I do not want to be stapled in to the point where I am in pain. He apologized that I couldnt ride and I said its not your fault. I was actually starting to worry prior because about 7 people trying to ride before me could not ride and about 5 of them were not fat, just big or big shouldered. I walked down the exit ramp very disappointed but I wasnt going to let that ruin the rest of my day. I wish Intamin would have designed their OTSRs and seat belt restraints like B&M does because I would not have had a problem getting on.
After the big letdown and watching the train that I should have been riding go through the circuit, I proceeded to Batman:TR. Only a 15 minute wait for this and as always, this ride is the definition of "INTENSE!!!" I always get off this ride a little disoriented. The original invert is still a must ride.
Shockwave was closed all day which is a shock(no pun intended) to me because I never see this coaster broke down for a whole day. They had 2 mechanics working at the top of the lift hill. Oh well, I have a pass, so I will get plenty of rides in the future on this looping monster.
I missed riding Whizzer and Demon because everytime I went by them they were closed due to weather conditions and of course Deja-Vu is still not open yet. To the peeps here that have been saying that the coaster is done and just needs to start testing, the crane is still moving parts around and about 4 construction workers were still putting some pieces into place. Granted, the track and structure are complete, but the other elements are not done yet.
Well, thats about it. I did make my rounds around the park and did some re-rides. I amazed myself because I didnt spend any money in the park(NOT 1 PENNY). I ate before I arrived at the park so all I did was coaster ride and drink water(from the fountain and not the overpriced Ice Mountain water they are selling). Aside from the V2 episode I had a great time and cant wait to return. Once again I REFUSE TO TOUCH THIS PARK ON A WEEKEND and this will be the case for the 2001 season.
Hope you enjoyed this long TR. LATER!!!!!
-------------
"SAVING THE WORLD BEFORE BEDTIME" Powerpuff girls *** This post was edited by Chitown on 5/23/2001. ***
Sounds like you had a good time. I can't believe that coasters would actually have problems fitting larger people (No offense to Chitown, I don't mean fat people, just larger).
-------------
Don't fight it, Ride it, Raging Bull!
Webmaster:SFGAm 2001
http://www.angelfire.com/extreme/Coasterz
-------------
Don't fight it, Ride it, Raging Bull!
Webmaster:SFGAm 2001
http://www.angelfire.com/extreme/Coasterz
In response to something you mentioned -- do you think the middle or only slightly towards the back is the best place for Viper? The "headchopper" sensation is so cool on Viper, but this year I did not get it at all when I rode in the back row. Is this sensation more for middle riders? And also, is it just me, or is the airtime better there? In response to RB, do you think its rougher in front? That was my experience. That sucks about V2. Man what a disappointment.
I dont know, its kind of hard to tell. Personally I think towards the back gives more of the headchopper sensation. I forgot to mention in my TR that Viper doesnt seem to be moving on the circuit as fast as last year but I really cant judge that because I hadnt been on it in over 7 months until this last Monday. I also tend to launch myself a little bit to help with the airtime sensation. As far as RB being a little rough this year, I noticed the roughness at the valley of the hills more then anywhere else so no matter where I sat, the roughness was still in the same spots.
Well, just so you know I am destined to drop about 20 lbs and then V2 shouldnt be a problem for me. I ""WILL"" get on that ride this season no matter what.
-------------
"SAVING THE WORLD BEFORE BEDTIME" Powerpuff girls
Well, just so you know I am destined to drop about 20 lbs and then V2 shouldnt be a problem for me. I ""WILL"" get on that ride this season no matter what.
-------------
"SAVING THE WORLD BEFORE BEDTIME" Powerpuff girls
Chitown, I am 260 with a somewhat large gut and got on the ride today. I had to be stapled in the ride. But the ride ops will NOT, I repeat WILL NOT FORCE YOUR HARNESS down anymore. PERIOD. It is park policy now. However if you have a friend or 2 you can have them force your harness down. I managed to find a few people nice enough to do that for me so that I could enjoy the ride on Media Day. Thanks to hose who helped me enjoy this ride. I am surprised you got on Iron Wolf though. I was unable to ride that.
-------------
What is life without it's ups and downs
-------------
What is life without it's ups and downs
Intamin designed the Pittfall at Kennywood too, and while I was in line 3 people could not ride, and only one of them was overwhelmingly large. The really need to make better OTSR's!
-------------
Revenge will soon be mine on the Phantom!
-------------
Revenge will soon be mine on the Phantom!
I was at the park on 5/23/01 and while on v2 3 times i saw a total of 3 people who had to leave the ride beacuse they couldnt fit in and none of them were that large in size and would have had no trouble riding raging bull or batman . It rained several times on and off and i will say onething that riding raging bull when being hit in the face by a cold rain is a lot less enjoyable, its alot better in frightfest when its just cold!
*** This post was edited by Bob O on 5/24/2001. ***
beast7369. Our girth must be in different places then. I have a bigger shoulder base(not total muscle) then my gut(even though it could use a trimming). Like I said, the ride op was willing to push, even though he probably shouldnt have, to get me to ride. I thank him for the attempted effort. I dont like being stapled into a ride because all it produces is pain. I have started a diet since Tuesday and hopefully by July or August, I will not have a problem riding. I couldnt believe the weight I gained through the winter. Oh well, just to warn bigger people whether they be overweight or have a big girth in the shoulder area, you might not be able to ride V2. Damn, they need a test seat at the entrance just like Batman:TR and Raging Bull.
-------------
""Coaster riding is a disease and SFGAm is the cure!!!!!!!""
-------------
""Coaster riding is a disease and SFGAm is the cure!!!!!!!""
You must be logged in to post
