Timberhawk - The new S&S?

I got off work an hour and a half early today, and drove home. Right as I got to the turnoff, I decided I had plenty of time to be a selfish bastard, so I turned south for the 25 mile drive to Enchanted Village. Parking in my usual "hiding" spot, I saved my money, took the short jaunt over the cat tracks, and down into the lot. I could hear Timberhawk roaring in the distance. It was immensely hot today, especially for Seattle (over 90), so the waterpark that really makes up SFEV was overwhelmed. I thought this might have been a very bad choice coming today, especially during Timberhawks' announced Grand Opening. Fortunately, I was wrong. The lines were maybe 5 minutes for anywhere near the middle of the train, and only perhaps 10-15 for the front or rear. I walked into the station, eyed those pretty 3 bench PTCs (themed very well, mind you), and plunked my sorry arse in 1-3, all by my lonesome. Out of the station, up the lift, and away we go. We reached the top of the lift, turned hard right, and dropped into the belly of the beast, under about 6 headchoppers at varying distances. Into the pullout, the course turns to the left, and has a gentle bunny, then into a hard and tight (nicely tracked) left banked curve. Another drop, then a sweeping drop the right followed by a decent pullout which places you directly under the first drop and into the lift hill. Finally, the "drop." A very hard left, and an immediate dive into the very wide fan turn to the right. Another gentle bunny followed, then the "midcourse." Laughable really, when there is just one more element after it, but it is a guage that the operators use to send the next train up the lift hill. One more little bunny, a turn under the first turnaround, and back into the station.

The verdict? BORING. I have to admit that I was incredibly overly psyched to ride this coaster. I have been watching since they laid the foundations, and have made bi-weekly jaunts to check out the progress. The problem that I can see is a big one, and doubtful they can fix it, or will, mostly due to the initial cost in the first place. That, and Six Flags is known to be a bit underwhelming in their ability to care for any wood (outside of Viper at SFGam). The problem is the PTC trains. 3 bench trains are ludicrous on this ride. This ride screams Millennium Flyers, or 2 bench PTCs. Heck the latter is probably the best. That and some grease on the track. Is there something I don't get about wood coasters? Are they supposed to run this slow when they first open? I realize that a coaster needs to break in, but man, just boring, yawn, sucky, lame. I haven't ever been this depressed about a ride.

Then again, I did just get back from a huge trip, and rode Viper, Raven, Cornball, and Legend. Perhaps I am jaded?

All in all, it is an interesting design, and the first drop is beautiful. That, and the 5th drop under the lift is just sweet, but that's about it. The trains meander, and just shuffle along. Sad. Just sad.
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Hair Metal? I think not. - Click it, or lose it. ;)
*** This post was edited by nasai 6/8/2003 3:09:25 AM ***
*** This post was edited by nasai 6/8/2003 7:35:48 PM ***

I've heard one positive review at URC and now your overall negative review of the incredible-looking coaster. I was hoping Timberhawk would be a wooden coaster SF would find worth "Roar"-ing on the east coast. Great Adventure and Darien Lake could use a good woodie from what I've heard. Great report Rob, but sorry about the disappointment. Maybe this will be their Sky Princess or Hurricane and it will be all uphill from there for S&S. Hopefully, it will "break in".

-Danny
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Coaster Insomniacs
*** This post was edited by Koaster King 6/8/2003 12:13:25 AM ***

I have experienced bad days on coasters, and also slow running coasters that had just opened. As much as it sucks, I hope you got a combination of the two. I have high hopes for S&S.

I will have to judge for myself.......MUST TO TO CAC... :)

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- "I used to be in the audio/visual club, but I was kicked out because of my views on Vietnam........and I was stealing projectors" - Homer Simpson

Wow! Unbelievable! But now, going into it with very low expectations, I might be mildly surprised...

Thanks, Rob!

Robob

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I've gotten the Point of life, and can now pass away a happy man!.......

"MUST TO TO CAC"

Time for Jeff to sleep. :) I'll have to do the same RoBoB.

-Danny

Hmmm, I've got a great idea! Let's have Rob go on every new coaster first and tell us how sucky it is. That way, we approach all of them expecting nothing;)

Seriously, Danny, it was nice meeting you and thanks for the memento.

Robob

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I've gotten the Point of life, and can now pass away a happy man!.......

Great idea RoB! I wasn't going to say how much of a pleasure it was meeting you until your PKI, but thanks for coming to the park that day and it was nice talking to you. I think every single one of us were just happy to be at the parks like you said in your SFWOA TR. You're welcome!

-Danny
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Coaster Insomniacs

Rob,

Dude, I'm totally calling you out. You just posted that less-than-stellar review because YOU want Timberhawk all to yourself! You're purposely saying it's bad so no one goes there to ride it and your selfish butt gets more rides with little waiting.

Go ahead, admit it!

;)

Joe, who is still looking forward to Timberhawk in August despite its meandering nature

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Top Thrill Dragster -- The most intense, unbelievable, and spectacular fifteen seconds on any coaster, anywhere, ever.

Joe, after sleeping on it, I admit I am going to go down tomorrow (it cooled down significantly last night) and ride it again, hopefully in every seat, and see where, if anyplace, it is a good ride from. (How was that for a long, comma filled sentence?;))

I want this ride to be loved by all. Heck, I will admit that we in the northwest do love to spin tales (it rains SO much here, etc.) regarding our area to keep people away, BUT I assure you there is no such falsehoods spewing from my mouth regarding this small parcel of wood.:)

Rob-who wants this coaster to ROCK so hard.
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Hair Metal? I think not. - Click it, or lose it. ;)

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nasai said:

That, and Six Flags is known to be a bit underwhelming in their ability to care for any wood (outside of Viper at SFGam).
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Hair Metal? I think not. - Click it, or lose it. ;)
*** This post was edited by nasai 6/8/2003 3:09:25 AM ***

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P*ss on you Rob. :( Just because you're sorry @ss can't come to Georgia, don't go getting all diarrhea of the mouth because you forget CERTAIN coasters exist. ;)

Love ya, and oh yeah... Jun Kusanagi is hawt!

Triforce forever baby. ;)

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I'm not an enthusiast. I just play one on message boards.

Well, it's disappointing to hear that the ride was underwhelming on a first run, but I still can't wait to give it a shot in August. Perhaps it DOES need some breaking in.

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--Greg, aka Oat Boy
My page
"Mary Jane, don't you cry, you can give it a try, Again when the sequel comes out" -- Weird Al, Ode to a Superhero

Missed ya at KW, Greg. It rained ALL day (I'm sure you were aware). They closed at 5, and HomeyG is STILL short Thunderbolt. We watched it cycle for 2 hours hoping it'd open, but with that steady rain, no way the skids were going to slow it down. I hate holes. :(

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I'm not an enthusiast. I just play one on message boards.

Depends Homey... depends. Greg, it's all good. I plan on hitting Timberhawk again tomorrow, and after just getting off the phone with Mike Sterling (steelforce), I think a back seat ride is most certainly in order. He said he had similar experiences in the front, but the back row was just wonderful with 5 or 6 good pops of air. I'm going to call him on this, and ride her again tomorrow. Regardless of this ride being stellar or not by the time you come out for CAC, you will have a great time here with the other amazing coasters we are so fortunate to have so close.
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Hair Metal? I think not. - Click it, or lose it. ;)

Hey Nasai,

I don't think you will be any happier with Timberhawk then you are now. When I said it was a "GOOD" ride, I meant it was good, not better then good. The one thing it REALLY needs is more speed. I think they made the 2nd hill to tall.

Also, I am wondering if the train matters. The second run seemed faster ... maybe because of being up front???

Still, while the ride lacks tons of floating airtime, there are a few small pops, and some areas with good positive G's. I think its worth riding, just not something worth bragging about.

The GP here are coaster wimps. Six Flags may have intentionally made this ride a little on the tame side. Maybe the next coaster they build up here in the PNW will be a bit more agressive.

Sprig

Sprig, I couldn't agree more on your last paragraph. I am not the coaster snob I might appear to be, but I can attest to the fact that due to the drought we have here regarding coasters, the riders really don't know what great rides are. Opinion is all that matters, though. I know there are a million people who will disagree with me, and love this coaster with all their heart, and they are entitled to. I hope they do. Then maybe Six Flags will build a 'real' coaster here.
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Hair Metal? I think not. - Click it, or lose it. ;)

So I guess it is like Roar! after all. :)

Rob,I too had high hopes for this ride.I won't be riding it for another week,so I am hoping it breaks in and speeds up a little by then. Sounds like the PNE Coaster won't be getting dethroned as my #1 coaster by Timberhawk.

Rumour has that Wild Thing may be going bye bye next year and replaced with another steel coaster.I wouldn't mind seeing a B&M,Intamin,or Miler put in place of Wild Thing.:)

I have to ask. Why the 3 bench PTC trains on this ride?
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Meet me at the PNE in 2003. Happy 45th birthday,Coaster!

Cap'n Obvious sez:

YOU'RE JADED.

Really, you need to take a little coaster time off and give it a chance. Some break-in time wouldn't hurt either.

I guess I realized how much a long trip can change your perspective after comparing SV to S:UE during the CPlaya 100. I found my first impulse kinda bleh and perhaps even unsatisfactory before ambling back to SFWOA's wavepool/mosh pit. But of course, this was after a night of untrimmed Magnum rides and MF to say nothing of Cyclops, RB, Deja Vu and all sorts of coaster goodness the day before. A run like that will put a serious crimp in anyone's view of coaster reality. For crying out loud, I was even ho-hum about CE by the time the trip had ended...well, till after dark, anyway.

These days I just love my local Impulse. Give TimberHawk some time--your head will clear.

-CO

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The CPlaya 100--6 days, 9 parks, 47 coasters, 2037 miles and a winner.....LoCoSuMo.

So who actually did the development of this coaster? I mean, S&S has no real CCI know-how (Denise was a sales/management type, not an engineer).

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Jeff - Webmaster/Admin - CoasterBuzz.com - Sillynonsense.com
"Pray that your country undergoes recovery!" - KMFDM

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CoastaPlaya said:
Cap'n Obvious sez:

YOU'RE JADED.

Some break-in time wouldn't hurt either.

A run like that will put a serious crimp in anyone's view of coaster reality.

The Cap'n is on a roll, and is right on all three....Rob *is* jaded, but that's the risk of the rock-star lifestyle...;)

DBH was nothing great when it first came online either, and it's broken in NICELY....woodies are often "tight" at first...

Ride again after taking a couple weeks' off, and after the coaster has *settled* a bit, and I'll bet you're somewhat more impressed

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P.S. to Jeff.....Dennis McNulty, to the best of my knowledge, is the engineering brain that came along with Denise to S&S....I *could* be wrong, but that's the way it looks from The Swamp....;)
*** This post was edited by rollergator 6/9/2003 11:21:08 AM ***