Skycoaster "SkySled"

Ride Entertainment, owners of Skycoaster, recently announced their new "SkySled", a sit down option for Skycoasters, said to be available in early 2018.

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Thoughts?

It's the VR of upcharge rides. Add a new bell or whistle to bring life to an old ride that everyone's already done.

So in that sense, I like it.

On the other hand: I don't think this is going to entice anyone to try it that would not have already done the regular version. And they haven't mentioned whether more than one person can do this at a time. This may not be a good solution for busier locations.

That seems like quite a contraption.
Hey, I have an idea... how about just a chair?

That was my first reaction: It seems awfully complicated for what it is. But then I've been saying the same thing about most of these upcharge rides for years. Too much time and effort to get people onto the ride. I'd think there ought to be a simpler way to get into those rides.....

--Dave Althoff, Jr.

Just watched the video of the Kissimee ride...

I tought in the original you got into the flightsuit before entering the platform, right? This version costs way too much time and the only thing that partly interests me in the flightpath is going backwards through the fastest part of the ride, but then again without the windspeed in your face will you really notice the speed?

Same with VR, no (real)wind in your face, so what is the real "thrill". About VR I opened a topic some time ago.

Yes, in the traditional flight suit you are put into the suit away from the flight line.
To me it looks like an interesting concept that I'd probably try once, but I agree that it takes an awfully long time to put it on.

I’ve seen a video (too lazy to try to find it right now) of someone else’s version (in Asia, maybe?) where the vehicle looks a lot like the latest generation of the slingshot chair, but with three or maybe four riders across. It’s an on-ride cam pointing at the riders. A difference is the chair is set like a swing and there’s no spinning. I don’t remember the cable set up but I’ll assume there’s at least two, one on each end. But the pull up to the top leaves the riders facing pretty much straight down before the release. I thought that one looked like fun and at least offered higher capacity.

I’ve been to Kissimmee many, many times and I’ve thought seriously about that giant Skycoaster there, but I could never get up the nerve.

I worked up the nerve some years ago. I made room for it by throwing up in the bushes next to the ride first.

Wouldn't it be simpler to just use a lawn chair and toss a couple seatbelts on there? Do it like Larry Walters!

While watching the video, I was imagining velcroing the rider into a lightweight plastic chair and then using straps for redundancy. I was also imagining that it would be much more fun if they could have found a way to make it always face forward, but that would probably require a complete redesign of the entire attraction.

The Skycoaster in that video is really high though. This is the one at Fun Spot near Universal, and not the one in Kissimee, right?

Nope.

Definitely the Kissimmee ride...spinning coaster, flying skooters. SO tall....glad I rode it once.

Might be worth it if they served you drinks while you're being strapped in. There's enough time to get hammered.

It the way I drink...

Chair(s)

In that sitting version 3 people get strapped in in less time then 1 person in the other version.

I wonder why that one person " sitter" was developed? Perhaps to feel it "safer" to more people so you get more riders, compared to the regular flying/lying position? This metal " ball" does that very well, it even balances to stay upright. And it looks like those things on a bunjeeride.

This looks like a sitting version of a Skycoaster aswell

I saw this linked as a new ride for Pigeon Forge for 2018, I never heard of that ride of attraction..

I believe that’s the company Stan Cheketts, founder of S&S, has now. That seatbelt only drop Tower is high on my list of things I’d like to try.

I see what you did there.

You are right Tek. Soaring Eagle is his new company. I have heard their drop towers are pretty crazy, only having a seat belt based restraint. I know the Haunted Mine Drop at Glenwood Caverns is one of them, but not sure where any others are.