Timberland Twister Media Day 3/12

For pictures of todays's Camp Snoopy preview day, please visit http://www.coastergallery.com/2001T/MOA.html

While Timberland Twister was scheduled to open to the public on March 15, I was fortunately to have a chance to check it out three days before its big debut. Thanks to Camp Snoopy for inviting local ACE members!

The scheduled start time was 9:30, but we were a little late getting our chance to ride it. No big deal! The mounting of cameras for the local media took a little longer than planned, but that is fine with me. It gave the ACErs a chance to socialize while we waited!

The coaster itself was complete, but a lot of the surrounding area was still under construction. They were painting pathways, planting plants, wiring lights, installing signs, etc. They are going to be busy in the next three days finishing everything, but I am still amazed that the coaster will be open at all... On January 1, not one piece of track or structure was in place!

So how is the ride? I really enjoyed it. My first Gerstlauer coaster experience was a good one!

First surprise was going up the lift while facing backwards. What a lovely view of the park as we ascended higher and higher. Then the first drop really gets your attention. While other spinning mice take you back and forth a while before any significant altitude changes, TT drops you a good distance as soon as you leave the chain! Yowee!

A few quick zig zags, then a pass through the first block brake. (No trims today... not sure if that will last.) Then the real fun begins. A quick, descending 360 to the left, followed by a quick 360 to the right. The transition between turns has a little bump, but it was not bad. And this was the harshest transition of the whole ride.

After the 360s, there is another block brake. (No trims here either!) Then the wide, sweeping left around the "Kite Eating Tree" wave swinger. The third block, then a quick drop below the Ripsaw track. Be sure to duck! Great head chopper. A little bunny hill (a hint of airtime) then a fast U-turn to the finish. That last turn is right in the dirt and extremely close to supports and the structure holding up the massive roof of the mall. I am sure that they checked clearances, but I didn't want to raise my arms too much here! A quick stop, and it is over.

And did I mention that the car was spinning the entire time? Ever since the top of the lift, I was at the mercy of physics. By trial and error, we found that you can get the best amount of spin with two people on one side and the other side empty, but even cars with four riders can create some wicked rotation.

I did nine rides today. (I would have taken more rides, but I was busy taking pictures for CoasterGallery.com, talking to the media, swapping rumors with the other ACErs, and such.) Most ACErs found that two or three rides in a row was about their limit, and I am no exception.

Timberland Twister is a welcome addition to Camp Snoopy. Great ride. The general public should find it enjoyable as well.

Thanks again to Camp Snoopy for the invite to Media Day! *** Edited 3/13/2004 12:22:11 AM UTC by CaptainJoel***

Neat ride. I love that "family" rides need not be boring anymore.

That looks like one heck of a ride. I think WOF is in for a treat too. Sure it stinks they lost a (terrible, in my opinion) coaster, but I think it will be a hit. Will look weird at WOF though since it's a clone! :)

Hey Joel!! Those are some great pictures.

I have a question for you, Is there seat belts? Cause it doesn't look like there is. And if there isn't then that will make loading and unloading super fast.

Robby,

There are seat belts. In fact, that is one of the things they have to do. Some of the belts need replaced. (I think the black ones will be exchanged for orange ones.)

By the way, my new catch phrase is, "ENTER THE SURFACE FORBIDDEN!"

See CoasterGallery.com TT pics if you need help...

Sounds like a pretty unique ride. I'm not sure I'll ever need to ride it though as that report made it feel like I was right there riding it. :)

Excellent TR, Joel! Great pics as usual.

lol......if I felt that way too does that mean I can add it to my track record? ;)

I'll say it again: sleeper hits of the season, this and the Spinning Dragon will be.

Thanks for the pics, Joel ;)

How did you find out about the event? I'm an ACE member here in Eagan and I would have loved to have gone!

I can't wait till Monday...My mom's picking me up at school to go striaght there. it's gonna be awesome!

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Marko said:
How did you find out about the event? I'm an ACE member here in Eagan and I would have loved to have gone!

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Joel doesn't get on here much so I'll try to answer for him. I'm 99% sure he got an email from the ACE regional rep. Are you on that email list? THat's how a lot of these things are spread I believe.

Looks too cool to me! :)

I guess the MOA is a must stop again. Maybe this summer, and catch Big Chiefs on the way back?

Just found out on RRC it's http://lists.topica.com/lists/ACE16/read

Peabody beat me to it... But he is correct. The ACE Region 16 Rep has a nice email list. The invite was from there.

Don't worry - I didn't call up and but the people at the park begging for stuff!