The Great Escape's Getting Astroworld's SLC!

It's definately NOT a boring ride... every second, you're in for another turn, loop, or woosh. It's non-stop from the drop to the end brakes.

The only problem is finding joy in them due to the roughness... I don't know how anyone can adhere to the "rules" that show you have to keep your head back. The space between the restraints & your ears is sooo minimal, it's not even funny. Even the smoothest B&M or Intamin would still bang against the restraints... so if you know how to ride the SLC with your head forward, knowing the transitions... you can avoid a headache...

...the thing is... although Geauga Lake/Worlds of Adventure "fixed" their SLC (it was 2003, wasn't it?)... would Six Flags actually try something like that to a relocated SLC by replacing the wheels with spring-loaded so it hugs the rails & softer restraints, or would they keep everything the exact same?

I guess it's anyone's guess... but it certainly would be nice so they don't debut a coaster that people are going to have to pop a few Tylonal's in after they ride it.

I'm sure the expense of converting the trains to use spring-loaded wheel assemblies is pretty high and I doubt Six Flags would bother, especially since they have never done anything like that before.

Maybe it has to do with being tall but I don't have a problem on SLCs- every one I have been on has been reasonably smooth. Wildwood's is probably the best, because of the smoothness but also because of the visuals!

I don't think spring loaded wheels will really help them that much as SLCs have some nasty transitions between some elements.

The only one I think is *better than the rest* is Morey's. WA's Hangman isn't quite the ride it once was, sadly. That park needs some TLC badly. I'll try and go look-see before the end of the year, but the two trips I've had this year, Hangman was closed once and rough once, even in the front.

I'd *love* to try spring-loaded assemblies, I think it would help a LOT...

Of course, it was about 4-5 years ago, I went on a media campaign ;) to get them all to use that super-soft fluffy padding on the SLCs, so you can thank me for the ones that at least don't bang your ears so badly...ROFL!

P.S. Please note this thread got an ARN&R mention...

*** Edited 12/15/2005 4:12:20 AM UTC by rollergator***

Everyone, all at once now...

THANK YOU, BILL!!!

;)

i especially like how the lift Moreys' SCL heads straight out into the ocean, its an awsome sight, also the waterpark below is grand

When I rode this 2 months ago, it was comparably as bad as T2..... Nasty, nasty SLC! I sort of like SLC's!

Geauga Lakes is pretty good, but Wild Adventures has been my favorite so far!

I take it that the cave they are ripping out is that really cool walk-through thingy the park has in the Ghost Town.

I loved my Great Escape trip in 2003.
Looks like they are taking the charm away from it.... Ho-hum

I guess the FREE parking is gone now, too. Thanks Six Flags!

What walk-through in Ghost Town? I'm unclear on what you're referring to. If you're talking about the Tornado, that was removed at the end of the 2002 season for Canyon Blaster.

The pay parking comes with a new pedestrian bridge, a new access road, and paved lots. And it's only $5.

-Nate
*** Edited 12/16/2005 11:19:17 PM UTC by coasterdude318***

Nate, he's referring to "the caves" that you walk thru to go the short way from the entrance to Steamin' Demon...it's on the entrance side of the Storyland area...

...oh, and yer welcome Rob... ;) LOL!

Ohhhh, I forgot about that. Those are staying.

-Nate

What was removed this off season were the "caves" that the old Ghost Town Train (removed at the end of 1998 since Nightmare took part of the train route) went through.

Yup, the caves things we went through were in the 2003 season, and yes, they were just short little sections.

I wasen't aware they were actually constructing a bridge. They should have just done so and not charged the customer for it, but it's a better excuse to charge parking now. I wonder if they will pave the field.

The parking lots have been paved, and according to the Post-Star article:
http://www.poststar.com/story.asp?storyid=2220

It mentions that the lots will be paved (but they already are). There's a new seperate road called "ring road" that will serve the Coach House restaurant, the Hotel, and then (where the booths will be) the actual parking for the park. The bridge will be closer to the hotel than originally proposed (which was closer to the entrance of the park).

So to charge for parking is alright since the lot will at least be paved & won't be all dusty/rocky like it always was. I just wonder about the "overflow" parking lot they have on the East side of Rt9 (same side as GE) that they use. If they have more spots when the lot is paved, they probably don't got to worry about that.

i havent been there ina couple years but i think that this place has a lot of potential i think this is just what they need

Absimilliard said:
What was removed this off season were the "caves" that the old Ghost Town Train (removed at the end of 1998 since Nightmare took part of the train route) went through.

Actually, the Ghost Town Train wasn't removed until the end of the 2002 season. It went around the Nightmare building, but that ride didn't take up its route (although it may have been changed slightly to fit the Nightmare in). The two definitely co-existed for several years, though.

-Nate
*** Edited 12/18/2005 2:27:46 AM UTC by coasterdude318***

That's strange! In 1999, I went a few days to the park and the Ghost Town train never operated... Went in 2002 and it was gone.

Edit: I inquired about the Ghost Town train and what happened was that after 1998, the train was rerouted, not going into the caves due to Nightmare. It now was just a short route and that got rid of its popularity... After 2002, it was taken out and Canyon Blaster took part of its place. *** Edited 12/18/2005 4:25:44 AM UTC by Absimilliard***

I thought CB was an *excellent* addition to the park as well....

Given the happenings in Houston, maybe upstate NY is the new "donee park"? :)

Hey, I would be the LAST person to complain about getting a relocated ride...sure beats no new ride at all. But SFNE got the real *gravy* from SFAW, unless SF wises up and relocates one or both Antons - selling them is just pure LUNACY!

I don't get the sale of the two Schwarzkopfs- those would be popular rides in pretty much any smaller Six Flags park. Why not send Greezed Lightning to TGE as well? Or maybe send it to SFEG, who could then boast the largest collection of shuttle coasters in the world? ;)

Maybe "donated" rides aren't the most exciting to track but it seems that the rides relocated to TGE throughout the years make sense. The park is clearly not a thrillseeker's park and the Alpine Bobsled, Nightmare and Canyon Blaster made a lot of sense. The SLC will make a good addition because it will balance things out and I doubt people will care that there are identical rides at SFDL and SFNE.

rollergator said:all. But SFNE got the real *gravy* from SFAW, unless SF wises up and relocates one or both Antons - selling them is just pure LUNACY!

Diablo Falls is fun and all, but really SWAT is no big deal. I agree about the Anton Schwarzkopf rides, it seems a real shame no one really wants them. The sale to Viper to a park in Mexico seems to have fallen through.

And this does nothing to shed light on what is happening with PGA's shuttle that sits in SFMW's parking lot...