Texas Giant testing video on Facebook

Jason Hammond said:
Dave, the trick with the mountain coasters is to hold the break with your foot. Just be sure that your able to release it in case you come up on another rider. I try to make sure there is enough lead time where I can't catch up to even the slowest rider. Obviously that doesn't work if the resort is crowded though.

^Distract the operator with a little chit-chat to get a little more lead time... ;) :)

edited for page-breakage...

If I remember correctly, the brake handles were too far back to get a foot on one and still be stable in the sled. It seems to me the obvious solution is to find a small but not too small child to sit in the front seat and operate the brakes for you. It is also helpful if the people ahead of you are coaster nuts within your own party. At Wisp you can also buy a few extra seconds at the top of the lift, but that would not work at Glenwood Caverns.

--Dave Althoff, Jr.

Hi all!! I'm new to these forums. I live in the Dallas area and will definitely be riding the New Texas Giant when it opens on April 22nd. I will gladly post my trip report on these forums.

For the record, I first rode the Texas Giant back in 1991 after it first opened. I have ridden it many times since, too many to count. I was saddened when the ride started to become too rough to ride. When I first heard about the overhaul being done for the parks 50th anniversary I was overjoyed.

I understand the idea of a wood/steel hybrid isn't going to be popular with everyone. But the simple fact is.....it needed to be done- badly! I spoke to some folks who had the opportunity to ride the New Giant during testing. They all pretty much raved about the airtime and smoothness of the new ride. Your pretty much out of your seat all the way down the first drop!

Then comes those incredible over banked turns, one of which supposedly banks at 112 degrees! The guy who took the pov video said the over banked turns as well as the first drop were something that every coaster enthusiast will be raving about when this ride opens!

It looks plenty fast when you see it in person as opposed to video footage.

I am thrilled to have been among the first to have ever ridden the Giant when it first opened, and thrilled to be among the first who will ride when it re-opens with it's brand new upgrades!

Cheers all!!

Labor Day can't come quick enough...

Sportsdude360 said:
Hi all!!...Cheers all!!

Sure you didn't intend to write "Hi y'all!!...Cheers y'all!!"? ;)

Sorry, just a bit jealous this morning.

IIRC, the banner next to the ride says the steepest overbank is 95 degrees. I may have that wrong, but that's what I remembered.

And AVMatt (Acoustic Viscosity) will disagree about the enjoyability of the old giant.

...and the enjoyability of overbanked turns. ;)

Don't you mean Sick Overbanks? ;)

lol yes! Good one! Too bad Shoe isn't here!

ApolloAndy said:
IIRC, the banner next to the ride says the steepest overbank is 95 degrees. I may have that wrong, but that's what I remembered.

That is what the first banner said, but later statements confirmed that the third overbank is 112 degrees.

Come on, Andy; get with it. ;)

We were there over spring break for 4 days and, unfortunately, didn't get to see TG test. Looks pretty impressive though! Saw many workers all over it doing final touches.

On a side note - Shockwave is down until sometime in April due to track repairs. Sections were lying on ground next to ride.

^As long as it's repair, and not replace. Still thinking about the rumors a few years back - Shockwave should live on forever.

It is a straight section toward the end where it dips down and back up. I took photos, and put them here: http://coasterbuzz.com/Forums/Thread/58637.aspx

Oooo Shock Wave with a jump!!! ;)