What's Wrong With the Villain?

Are there any ideas out there as to what may be wrong with the Villain at SFO? Reports say the ride has been closed all week... sounds like something fishy to me. A few years ago, the Mean Streak at CP was closed for an extended period of time - supposedly the lack of rain that summer caused the wood to dry and crack and the park couldn't operate it -, but when I rode MS for the 1st time after they reopened it, I was shocked to find many differences, such as a set of trims on the first drop, and also, at that time, the last of the 7 cars on each train was removed in some kind of attempt to slow the ride down. Since then, the last car of each train has been replaced, but the trims remain.
Now, I have heard nothing about good things about the Villain, and I plan to go to SFO next thursday (the 27th). If the Villian isn't running, my trip will practically be ruined. Has there been any problems with the Villain's ride to where SFO officials think it may need to be tamed? If that's not the case, what do you think happened so SFO can't run it? If anyone has been to SFO this past week, what was going on around the ride site, and what have ride-ops been saying about it?
I hope it's running when I go there, and I sure hope the Villian is NOT going down the same road as other "tamed" wooden coasters (like the Mean Streak, Texas Cyclone, etc.)

Villian, while a very good wooden coaster is in no way an excellent coaster. If you really want thrills on a wooden coaster than head for Michigan's Adventure and ride Shivering Timbers which makes Villian seem like a poor step-child. Villian may be down due to the serious injury to the passenger earlier this year. While, I enjoyed Villian it was not even 25% of the ride that Shivering Timbers is. If you can't get to Michigan's Adventure...than you are really missing out on the ride of your life.

Joey... if you haven't been on Villain several times in different conditions, you can't really judge it as being non-excellent. Even my favorite rides can feel average at different times of day and with different weather.

I've yet to visit MA (because it's a bit of a long haul), but among my enthusiast friends, many put Villain, ST and Ghostrider all in close proximity to each other. These are guys who have been on more than a hundred coasters, so I respect their opinions. The surprising thing is that some of them are airtime whores, and that's what ST is all about.

Back on topic... if Villain has a mechanical problem, they sure aren't doing much to correct it because no one ever seems to see people working on it.

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Jeff
Webmaster/Admin - CoasterBuzz.com

I would say ST is the best airtime coaster in the US right now. But Ghostrider, Villain and Legend match it when it comes to laterals and quick turns. All in all, I prefer Legend and Ghostrider over ST. ST is an airtime monster, but the others have much more of an out of control feeling.

Glad to hear the problem with the Villain was only with cushioning the lap bars. As for ST, that is one ride I really hope to ride one of these days. For now, Villain will have to satisfy my wood coaster craving. I wouldn't trade my homepark, CP, for anything, but they lack a really excellent wooden coaster (Blue Streak comes close).
What kind of lines should I expect in the middle of the week at SFO, and is there any particular order of coasters I should ride? Any help would be appreciated.

Blue Streak actually USED to be an excellent wood coaster. Take away those high seat backs, seatbelts, and replace the stupid orange individual bars with a single bar, and you're almost back to what Blue Streak USED to be. (I THINK Blue Streak also has trims now that weren't there originally)

Blue Streak can still be a great ride if you leave the seatbelt loose and the rideop doesn't staple you in. There's airtime in there, if you can get it...


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--Greg

http://www.pobox.com/~gregleg/

yeah... I used to get mucho airtime when the Blue Streak had its old lapbars and seats. I left my seat belt unfastened even with the old lapbars... maybe not wise when I was only 10 years old, but oh well. Awesome airtime. While the Blue Streak is easily the best woodie at CP (better than the Mean Streak monstrosity), it is not longer the great coaster it used to be, definitely!

Jeff-I understand your comments regarding riding in several different conditions and places on the coaster. I have done so on Villain. Don't get me wrong, it is a nice woodie, but nowhere near the experience of ST. The lame trick track on Villain really has no effect on you like the one on ST. I really must suggest that you make it to MA and go on ST one of these days. It will be well worth the trip. By the way the best riding spot is in the last car of ST. It is an airtime whore experience not to be forgotten. Anyways, I apologize if you thought I was completely discounting Villain. It is a great ride, I just wholeheartedly prefer ST over it anytime.

Villain Rules!!!!! No argument about it!

When you talk about Blue Streak being ruined it surprises me because the thunderhawk at dorney is an even older wooden coaster (1923) and Cedar Fair did not do any drastic changes. They did add high backs ( I think) and one trim that does not ruin the ride. It is the most unappreciated ride at Dorney Park and it is still packed with air-time, especially in the third row where you get launched unlike any other coaster!

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Racers Start your Engines!
at Hersheypark

I rode the Villain today for the 1st time and was very impressed. It was my 1st CCI woodie, and riding it almost makes me want to jump into my car and drive to MA to ride Shivering Timbers. The airtime was awesome, esp. from the front seat, and the laterals were great from the back. I just kept getting ripped from my seat the whole entire ride. I just wish the lap bars were different. The trick track was a little disappointing too because I didn't even feel anything when we went over it. Still, better than any woodie Cedar Point has. Great ride, Denise!