The Turn Of The Century At Mariott's Great America
I rode Turn of the Century at Marriott's GAm. The ride was not always white, however, it was painted red a year or two after Marriott's opened. Those hills after the drop gave EJECTOR airtime, slamming the rider up into the restraints. It was my first roller coaster, I remember my first visit to Marriott's, taking most of the day to get the guts to ride it. I still make a point to always ride the Demon when I visit there now, because that's where my coaster addiction started.
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First we Rock - Then we Roll!
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First we Rock - Then we Roll!
Rock&Roll Dave said:
"The ride was not always white, however, it was painted red a year or two after Marriott's opened. "
WOW ! That's nuts. I was there today, and I noticed a little red paint showing through over near the corkscrew. I was thinking, I never remember it being red, and my friend said that it was probably primer. Now after seeing your post, maybe it wasn't primer ! :)
Hmmm...Jeff...maybe they added them because the bunny hops with the EJECTOR airtime :) were proving to hard for people's shoulders. They must have had complaints againt the ride. (NOTE - This is my theory, please don't take it seriusly) Maybe someone else can shed light onto why the loops were added. TOGO_Fan
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If Every Coaster Was Rough, I'd Be In Heaven...
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If Every Coaster Was Rough, I'd Be In Heaven...
Having been a long-life Great America attendee and afficianado, and having spoken to Park Operations people at both parks, the Turn of the Century was turned into the Demon as an attempt to make the coaster "more exciting." Keep in mind, that the year this was done, 1980, was around the time the loop was becoming "en vogue." Mariott's wanted to add something 'new' that year, and instead of forking out money for a new coaster, they put it into the loops, flashing tunnel (with red, flashing lights, and blood-tainted water that splashed up on you), and the faux caverns, etc. The 'new' coaster opened to a mega fireworks display in May of 1980, along with some excellent television commercials. Do you remember them? "The newest ride at Mariott's Great America...The nine story drop...Double loops....Tunnel....Two corkscrews....New at Mariott's Great America."
Apparently, what they did was a hit. Ridership increased significantly on the Demon, and it became the park's signature coaster for awhile. In fact it was the ONLY multi-looper at the park until Shockwave was introduced in 1988.
Funny, looking back, with its airtime hills, and smooth ride, Turn of the Century was really ahead of its time, at least by today's standards. But the pleasure of going upside down, into dark, disco-like tunnels with fun sound effects, made the ride more exciting and perhaps more palatable to the younger crowd and general public.
Much of the original TOTC track was retained, just repainted. Except, of course the sections for the loops, etc.
Apparently, what they did was a hit. Ridership increased significantly on the Demon, and it became the park's signature coaster for awhile. In fact it was the ONLY multi-looper at the park until Shockwave was introduced in 1988.
Funny, looking back, with its airtime hills, and smooth ride, Turn of the Century was really ahead of its time, at least by today's standards. But the pleasure of going upside down, into dark, disco-like tunnels with fun sound effects, made the ride more exciting and perhaps more palatable to the younger crowd and general public.
Much of the original TOTC track was retained, just repainted. Except, of course the sections for the loops, etc.
Of course they are going to give you the spin-doctored version of why they did that. If they really wanted to do something exciting, they would have built a new attraction. I think they had to have a pretty good reason for spending that kind of money on a perfectly "fine" roller coaster. I think the thing was that it wasn't really "fine". From what I heard, the "ejector" hills put too much stress on the trains, track, and guests. So they did a reprofile.
Unfortunately, I was too scared to ride when I had the opportunity. Damn!
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Forget about it. It can't be THAT bad!
Unfortunately, I was too scared to ride when I had the opportunity. Damn!
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Forget about it. It can't be THAT bad!
Turnofthecentury couldn't have said it better. Boy do I miss all that theming!!!
I am also suprised to see my own link!! Thanks! Anywhooo....I can only imagine how great TOTC was. I didn't go upside down until the Screamin' Demon at KI in 1982 (another fantastic but short Arrow that now resides at Camden in W. Va.). I do remember standing there and watching it. boy was I scared! Now, I would KILL for the full Demon theming back, as well as a brakeless Eagle and one more ride on the Sky Whirl......thankfully Tidal Wave is running great.
TOGO_Fan, King Cobra is the BEST stand-up around! Some of the greatest rides are aren't very smooth. Heck, Mindbender bruised me like the dickens but I love it!
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Scale model coasters and rides.....
www.angelfire.com/oh4/tk173
I am also suprised to see my own link!! Thanks! Anywhooo....I can only imagine how great TOTC was. I didn't go upside down until the Screamin' Demon at KI in 1982 (another fantastic but short Arrow that now resides at Camden in W. Va.). I do remember standing there and watching it. boy was I scared! Now, I would KILL for the full Demon theming back, as well as a brakeless Eagle and one more ride on the Sky Whirl......thankfully Tidal Wave is running great.
TOGO_Fan, King Cobra is the BEST stand-up around! Some of the greatest rides are aren't very smooth. Heck, Mindbender bruised me like the dickens but I love it!
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Scale model coasters and rides.....
www.angelfire.com/oh4/tk173
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