Valleyfair will fire up Xtreme Swing Monday with Rockettes

"the first operational ride of its kind in the world"
Why does little stuff like that bother me?

*** This post was edited by Neuski 12/16/2005 11:09:20 AM ***

The subheadline for this on the front page... just vanished.

Score one point for the Valleyfair marketing department. I think this is a neat publicity stunt.

BGW did the same thing in 1997 when Alpengeist debuted. You can still find pics of the Rockettes riding it!

All I have to say is why are people still whining about how parks advertize the new rides. Any good marketing department will find a way to say something to make the product sound like a one of a kind thing. And It's all in the reading as to wether it's correct or not. Is it the only screaming swing no, but the first operational more than 8 person version... YEP!

That is going to be one COLD ride on Monday.

"but the first operational more than 8 person version... YEP!"

Nope. It is the first 40 operating, but there are 32 and 16-seaters already running.

Adam

So are they implying that the Xtreme Swing is Rockette powered?

--Dave Althoff, Jr.

This made me laugh...great job VF!!!

I hope Santa has his sleigh riding attire on....could be a pretty cold ride. Seems like VF could have taken this a step further with a twist on the 'dive in the frozen lake' thing that people do....like have a bunch of people ride it in bathing suits....

Hopefully they have Saint Nicks beard on tight! ;)

And I thought riding a Screamin' Swing at the IAAPA convention last month was bad enough in 50 degree weater. High for Monday in Shakopee: 22 degrees!! Whoever goes to ride it is insane!

Very interesting idea from a marketing standpoint. Hope the Rockettes where a little more than a skirt. I'd ride Skyhawk at CP just for the chance to see the park in the winter.

Santa better wear his thermals...I cannot imagine how cold that ride will be.

Why in God's name do they want to start marketing this ride so early?! I really don't think they can maintain public interest until the park opens in spring.

Is it really such a good idea to run this thing in the middle of winter? Rides are generally closed for a reason in these temperatures right?

I guess I could see this type of ride being rated for lower temperatures but it still seems like unnecessary stress on the structure.

Why now? It would make sense maybe a week from opening, like I dunno... a Media Day? Winter? WHY...?

Because it is marketing. Remember, there is no such thing as bad press, so even though it might not get people psyched to go the park that day, it will definately give them something to think about a few months later when they are planning thier weekend. I can't believe you guys are criticizing them for doing this funny little publicity stunt.

"Unnecessary stress on the structure"? There is no more stress on the structure in the winter than there is in the summer. Winter temperature doesn't affect structural steel. If it did, all of our bridges would collapse in the winter. The only thing cold weather could do is make whatever lubricant is used on the ride less viscous.

Or maybe mess with the compressed air.