What will The Gravity Group do next?

Isnt this topic about speculation? :)

Sure it's speculation, but to suggest that a company is going to turn away business based on, well, not based on anything, that's silly. If TGG hasn't built a ride at a large park, it's because they haven't been paid to do so! Where do you get this nonsense about what their preferences are? Their preference I'm sure is to put food on the table and gas in their tank.

Yup, it appears to be total speculation. And given Mr. Kinzel is watching ET, I would think Intamin would be the perfect choice for CP's next woodie. IMO, ET is in a class by itself and ranks well against steelies too.

^because it IS a steelie. ;)

Waldameer and GG could sign a no build contract for a coaster for "x" amount of years and "x" amount of distance of Waldameer,highly unlikely but possible.

If I were GG,I would want one of my designs at Cedar Point,what better place to have one of their creations.So if given the chance,I think GG would jump at the chance to build one at Cedar Point.

Are you kidding me? Do we really need to abbreviate "El Toro?" I was looking at it thinking, "Why is Kinzel watching for extra terrestrials?"

And I'm with "AV," if El Toro feels like a steel coaster, why bother?

I agree with Playa. Whyw would CF turn to GG when they have had such success with GCII -- the same goes with HFEC and even Hershey. SFI has only used Intamin to build woodies here lately, but in their defense they have only built one in the last few years. So looking at the big picture, the only corporate company out there that might build with GG is AB, and that is only speculation since they (GCII) did build Gwazi for BGA (and it sucks).

Personally I still feel that Clair Hain and his crew are the superior wooden coaster firm, if nothing else but for the Mill. Flyer trains. IF GG can build trains that can navigate their course more smoothly without the train feeling like it is being thrown around -- yes there are some instances on Voyage which make me wonder about the longevity of that ride -- then I do not see their firm ever moving (IMHO) above third place in building woodies (behind GCII and Intamin)

*editted to correct type-o* *** Edited 6/7/2007 6:14:05 PM UTC by Swoosh***

---

Arthur Bahl said:
This same policy is followed by some flat ride manufacturers. Kennywood Entertainment got a 2-year exclusive deal on the larger Screaming Swings in the northeast.

---

So these deals are restricted by areas of the country, not actual driving distance from park-to-park since most "Northeast" parks are 5-10 hour drives from Kennywood and a larger Screaming Swing was constructed in the same year 2.75 - 3 hours from Kennywood ... to the west.

Dude, at least put some THOUGHT into these things first ...

I heard there was a three-swing contract involved! :)

---

Swoosh said:
since they (CCI) did build Gwazi for BGA (and it sucks).

---

I think you meant GCI and it does suck.

Also I heard that TGG only builds roller coasters for a park if they get an offer on the day that they see 2-5 redbirds with blue stripes that are eating worms in trees. (just a joke)

Also I could see them doing something on the west coast or even in the south. Also www.myspace.com/dennismcnulty that is the scariest thing I have ever seen. If this is the great Dennis Mcnulty who built so many good wooden coasters he should go back to roller coasters.

---

Swoosh said:
So looking at the big picture, the only corporate company out there that might build with GG is AB, and that is only speculation since they (CCI) did build Gwazi for BGA (and it sucks).

---

GCI built Gwazi.

- Aaron K, who might be the only enthusiast on Earth that actually loves Gwazi. (But wouldn't complain if they switched to Millennium Flyers!)

^Yes, thank you I realize that. It was a typo.

The KW deal for regional exclusivity was most likely intended to protect LC more than KW since this meant no Screamin Swing at SFNE, Rye, Canobie, or TGE. Otherwise, Kennywood Entertainment might have only bought the one for KW or turned to someone else to get a new ride.

As for TGG, if they had comparable requests from two parks, say one being Kennywood or Darien Lake and the other being some park elsewhere such as Canobie Lake or Lake Winnie to build a coaster for 2009, I believe they would choose the park other than KW or Darien first to give Waldameer some time to benefit from the new attraction. Then a year later they would consider the closer park. This would create a belief among parks that if they get a GG coaster, then they will not be upstaged for a couple of years by another one being built nearby.

Of course, if only KW or only DLk was interested for 2009 then they would most likely go ahead so they have something to do for that year. It is more likely, however that several parks are interested in GG at any given time.

The above does not presume that either KW or DLk plans to add a new wooden coaster that soon. I just mentioned these parks because they are faiirly close to Waldameer and either might consider a new major woodie some day.

As for CP, they might be interested in something a bit different such as an El Toro type coaster. On the other hand, they may eventually want a GG style coaster given the great reception received by Voyage at HW and especially if Waldameer's is well received. Most of us agree that CP could benefit from a good replacement for Mean Streak.

Realistically, RF2 should have little effect on CP given the disparity in the sizes of the parks and in their ride offerings. Neither would a GG at CP impact Waldameer that much. RF2 could have some effect on GL however. I can see some people choosing Waldameer over GL next year because of the novelty of the new coaster combined with the better park atmosphere there.

Aaron, I'm with you on Gwazi. It's a great woodie!

Would you guys actually want to see a CF park with a TGG. Once it started getting good it would be trimmed up.

No, not at least until they can get Ghostie back to being as good as new. :)

They haven't trimmed ST yet, have they?

---

Swoosh said:
I agree with Playa. Whyw would CF turn to GG when they have had such success with GCII -- the same goes with HFEC and even Hershey. SFI has only used Intamin to build woodies here lately, but in their defense they have only built one in the last few years. So looking at the big picture, the only corporate company out there that might build with GG is AB, and that is only speculation since they (GCII) did build Gwazi for BGA (and it sucks).

Personally I still feel that Clair Hain and his crew are the superior wooden coaster firm, if nothing else but for the Mill. Flyer trains. IF GG can build trains that can navigate their course more smoothly without the train feeling like it is being thrown around -- yes there are some instances on Voyage which make me wonder about the longevity of that ride -- then I do not see their firm ever moving (IMHO) above third place in building woodies (behind GCII and Intamin)

*editted to correct type-o* *** Edited 6/7/2007 6:14:05 PM UTC by Swoosh***

---

I am just wondering how you are basing your rankings of the companies, is it on rides built or rides to your taste?

How many woodies has Intamin built?

Frank! Hi!

Dave, Timbers is still trimless (and even midcourse brake-less), but has gotten sluggiesh and a bit rough (especially the return leg) from lack of TLC I would guess. The same goes for Ghostie. If I recall, the midcourse brake isn't used as a trim, but like Timbers, it's gotten sluggish. *** Edited 6/7/2007 7:35:08 PM UTC by Acoustic Viscosity***

Wood requires constant maintenance and care. If you're not in it for the long haul, do your customers a favor and just go with steel - or a GCI with MFlyers (offer not valid in CA).

TGG builds great rides, powerful and intense, just amazing. They BRING in the customers, who do rave about them. Of course, to keep them in top form, you're going to have to ALSO bring in the maintenance guys. Cost of doing (brisk) business... ;)

I love Intamin rides more than you could imagine....but I doubt Intamin could sell me anything. Trust.... ;)

*** Edited 6/7/2007 7:42:12 PM UTC by rollergator***