Sonny is tons better

Took a trip over to KI after going to Stricker's Grove today, which by the way is a great little park and caught a ride on Sonny at about 8 PM.

Have to say I am impressed. While all the problems are not solved it is way better then before. There is quite a bit of air to be had and I loved the section where the loop used to be. Very cool trackwork there. Did they reprofile the first drop as well? It's seems like the ledgers towards the bottom aren't where they used to be.

The shuffling isn't nearly as bad as before and where the ride has been retracked it is great. If they give the rest of the ride some TLC I would be very happy with it.

Even though I am the minority I love G trains. They are plenty roomy and don't force you to sit sideways ala a PTC. In many ways I wish they were on Legend still. I loved that thing with them.

-Brent

Air???

Where could you get any air on son of beast? It's a couple of helixes(sp).

First drop, going into the rose bowl, coming out of the rosebowl, where the loop used to be and the last drop. It's isn't knock your socks off but it is air just the same, something I have never experienced on the ride pre G trains.

Believe it or not I think the ride actually runs faster with the g trains. Not as much shuffling to scrub off speed.

I got massive airtime at the top of and dropping down the second hill in the backseat when SoB first opened in 2000. It IS possible. :)

First time I rode was 2001, probably too much track damage by that time ;)

Wait. I'm sorry I didn't know this earlier, but they put an air hill where the loop was??!?

I used to get great air on SOB in the backseat, First, second, Loop drop and final drop.

I was also told by some others who visited this afternoon before coming to strickers that they road it and it wasn't nearly as bad as they expected it to be.

Chuck

Not exactly an air hill but a bit of a hill along with some banking, very neat.

Another thing I didn't mention was the fact that there was absolutely no stacking going on. First time I have EVER seen that on Sonny.

How many trains are they running?

2. A red and a blue.

Probably the only two trains they have.

Good to hear the coaster is running better. One of these days I'll get to ride it.

Did they lenghten the trains? I remember seeing pics of 12 seater trains...

How long was the wait to get on it? The park looked pretty packed when we passed it on our way to Stricker's.

Ugh. Air is overrated.

IMO.

:)

G-trains are 6 cars, 2 bench. 24 people per train.

Premier trains were 6 cars, 3 bench. 36 people per train.

That's a pretty big drop in capacity. Something like 450-500 people less an hour?

Also, doesn't that mean the loading platform is a mess now? I can't imagine they redid any of the queue rails. I'm guessing they just roped off 6 of the open/shut gates?

*** Edited 7/5/2007 3:49:42 PM UTC by Pagoda Gift Shop***

Air can never be overrated....iMo. ;)

As far as capacity, if the crew can crank out people like they do with Firehawk then I think they'll be fine! The Firehawk queue is really flying now, even when only one station is open!

Cedar Point will probably staff the ride to increase capacity, the ride is so long though, that it's max capacity will go down due to only having 2 trains.

Interesting also that I've heard people describe it as "faster." Maybe it just seems faster? How does lighter trains + less riders per train = faster? I understand it may not shuffle as much (less speed-reducing friction), but come on, trains are now several thousand pounds lighter.

compared to last year, Im sure it is faster. My brother said when they took a car off the Premiers it seemed like it wouldn't make it back to the station and actually had some hang time in the loop. It's been lengthened back to six cars with the G trains and rolls freer in the turns. I have no doubts its faster than last year.

Chuck, who just always thought how awesome sitting in front at night it was from the first drop to the top of the second hill was just lightning quick.