The Rumors on the Flying Dutchman

Has any one else read the story on thrillride.com about multiple parks getting these rides, all in the six flags family? I guess I am looking to find out if anybody has any further proof that they are building that many of these rides in the Six Flags Chain...Also does Six flags do that much business with Vekoma?

I think that we will all just need to chill out and wait for official press releases (or petions for building permits) before we will truely know about the 'dutchman' coasters.

However, addressing your second question, yes Six Flags Inc. does much business with Vekoma. Many of the former 'Premier' Parks have either an SLC or a boomerang or, in the case of parks like SFO, have both. Furthermore, SFGAm is installing a Vekoma coaster which is a modified version of their Invertigo.

Plus...Six Flags Ohio has just received a permit to build a ride at the height of 115 feet, which is the height of the Stealth...
They also have a permit to re-route Geagua Lake Road, which suggests that perhaps their new ride may take up a little bit of space...

I'm waiting for the official announcement with my fingers crossed.

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Coasters...the best natural buzz available.

I for one think a Dutchman or a woodie would be a great addition to SFDL.They have a great coaster in Superman a good coaster in Viper and three ok coasters in Boomerang,Predator, and Mind Eraser.
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"FEAR the Four!"

Well, the rumors I've heard of are the SFO rumored coaster, plus a rumor that SFGAdv is getting one along with it's new hypercoaster. That would be cool. Another place I've thought might get one would be SFMM. Everyone thinks it's a floorless or a 4th Dimension, but what if SFMM got the FD? I just hope that Six Flags bought original designs, you'd think they would. Stealth, while a unique experience, is not that great of a coaster. I prefer Medusa or Goliath over that coaster. If the rumors are correct, hopefully the coasters won't be as underwhelming as Stealth. :)

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My Karma Ran Over My Dogma

I'm really hoping for a dutchman in SFO. Being a college student and living in the Midwest I don't really have any means to get out to PGAm and ride Stealth.

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Randy Hutchinson
You build it, I'll ride it

There are so many things pointing to SFO getting a Stealth that I'd be absolutely shocked if they didn't get it. I should have already been on it by the time SFO opens for the season (going to CA March 24 - Apr 1), so it won't be new, but I really enjoy SFO and this will add to their already awesome coaster line up. Hopefully vertical construction will start soon!

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"Legend 1 looks too intense for me."

I hope they do a lot better than they did with Project Stealth. I went to Cali for a visit and that coaster was terrible, and slow. If it isn't better, I wouldn't waste my money

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Number 1 And Only Cedar Point

Don't worry, it should be ALOT better. Stealth isn't that bad. I much enjoyed the actual ride. Let me quote my friend who rode with me: " Man they lag loading this thing, oh man look how long you have to lie in the sun while they load it". "Boy it sure looks short, it had BETTER be worth the wait"! Of course he hated it, I knew it never stood a chance. My point is, with a different loading and unloading platform, new and improved trains, and a new layout, it will be a much better ride. Remember, Stealth was THE prototype, what did you expect? The good news is, all that I mentioned above is going into the Six Flags version of the ride. Paramount severed their contract with Vekoma, that does not mean that Vekoma can *exactly* clone PGA's version. I hope that makes sense...

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Take a picture, it will last longer...

Vekoma is the king of clones, (BoomerBANG, InHURTigo, SLC) Stealth will be the SLC of years to come. Personally, I liked Stealth very much. The lack of speed and G's was not noticable thanks to the "flying" aspect, which rocked! At least the vest restraints are comfortable. SFO's FD will most likely be a clone, new paint job, different name, same layout, yes that is my GUESS.

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So you want a coaster in your backyard? I hope you have a big backyard.

I think the next one will be very different, and probably even ditch the vertical loop. Nearly everyone I know who has been on it says that the ride needs more "flying" time, and that means big high-sweeping turns and barrel rolls and such.

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Jeff
Webmaster/Admin - CoasterBuzz.com

I agree Jeff. It will probably get cloned to death after awhile, but why would any park buy an exact clone of stealth after all the problems it had last summer?

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Take a picture, it will last longer...

The reason is that the design is already complete. No new costs. I'm not saying I agree with the decision, but I think that is the reason.

Even at the Stealth media day, members of Vekoma's team were saying that it's only the beginning of what they have planned for the FD. The design is far from complete, unless they have given up on it. And with copy-cat versions currently being developed, that wouldn't be a good idea.
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Take a picture, it will last longer...

I wish that Vekoma wouldn't be so lazy and make some original designs.

What's the point of buying a vekoma SLC when you can buy a B & M inverted.
-B&M are more intense
-double the capacity
-less headbanging
-original designs
-longer (and funner) coasters

My opinion is that they need to design something original, because Stealth, to me, was very underwhelming. You would think that SF knows this and is planning on having Vekoma create a new design that SF parks could clone for years to come, not use Paramount's version in their parks. Also, to Soggy, you mentioned that Vekoma is the king of clones and you called the Invertigo INHURTIGO. I disagree with that distinction. I found the Invertigo at PGA to be one of the smoothest coasters I've been on, and that includes Stealth. Boomerangs are a little more rough, but not so rough that peeps are holding their heads and necks complaining of pain. I have yet to see someone doing that on Invertigo OR Boomerang at SFMW. I don't want to seem like I'm attacking your opinion, it's just that I don't quite agree with it. Just my two cents. :)

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My Karma Ran Over My Dogma

I agree with Soggy, Invertigo hurts! It's first year it was smooth and fairly comfortable, now it beats the hell out of you just like the SLCs. And to me, Stealth the ride was a major success, but the capasity has got to go. My first ride on Stealth was mind-blowing, something I had never felt on a steel coaster IMO.

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Take a picture, it will last longer...

I really hope Vekoma comes up with a killer design for the FD, I just don't think it will happen soon. Badnitrus' Kamakazi would be KILLER!!

Vekoma headbanging can range from "not bad at all" to "downright head splitting." Don't forget, Invertigos & SLCs have also been called "hang & bangs." I guess it all depends on things like where you sit, how you ride (hands up, or holding on), your own height/weight. KBF's boomerang has given me both smooth and rough rides in the past. I have been on only one SLC (Kong) and received zero repeat, ZERO headbanging, yet others (Simcoaster if I remember correctly) claim Kong is one of the worst bashers of all, I believe him, but I did not experience it for myself.

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So you want a coaster in your backyard? I hope you have a big backyard. *** This post was edited by Soggy on 11/29/2000. ***

JACoasterman if you think Stealth is one of the smoothest coasters, you haven't been on many. Invertigo is rough too. Stealth, however, is more tolerable because it has soft shoulder restraints. But other that Vekoma coasters are not smooth

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Number 1 And Only Cedar Point

Yes, but I have also had decent rides on Kong. But overall, just when I think they've made some improvements on it, BANG! it gets me again. I refuse to ride it now, although Serial Thriller is quite smooth IMO. To give some idea how bad Kong is, even after final brake run, the final turn into the station is a headbanger, especially in the back. I didn't want to believe that Invertigo had gotten rougher, though someone told me it had. Then I rode it back in August and I was stunned. What happenned? I had a headache for hours afterwards. It's the Arrow, Vekoma curse I guess. Unless they're working for Disney, their coasters always wind up riding like crap.

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Take a picture, it will last longer...