Why does Vortex at PKI suck so much?

I have been thinking about something that bothers me. Why does Vortex at PKI suck so much? I mean, let's get real people, it is rough as heck, there is no action, and Face Off beats this ride all to heck. Face Off is smooth and more technologically advanced over Vortex.

April Bogdanski

I didnt find it bad.

I found it to be hell. It is like having an ex boyfriend email all of my friends and telling them things I do not want them to know.

April Bogdanski

First of all Vortex is a whole lot newer than it. Theres great air on the first drop, and I like the boomerang/ batwing/ whatever you want to call it.

Second of all, topics like this arent very interesting and are ussually shut down.

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May 5th 2002-running of the bulls to catch the CP webcam spider and put him in a jar!

I think that ride is good, but i think they should have removed that ride instead of the KKFC or however it is spelled. I liked that water ride. I know it was small and insugnificant, but it was a tradition riding that. And i kept riding it until they took it down. I wish i can the money to buy it and put it in a wooded area like where it is now.

Sure vortex is a little rough, but coasters are suppose to be a little rough.

Vortex was one of the first Arrow Loopers to hold many records, including 6 inversions. It replaced their failed prototype 'Bat', and utalized the existing terrain and loading station, therefore working under a tight timetable and on budget.

Added to the great name and logo, it was a signature ride in 1987, and a great marketing tool, helping PKI maintain 3 million plus in attendance for the first time.

And unless you paid for it, please don't knock it......

Compare Vortex to its sister rides Shockwave, GASM and Viper. Vortex is the clear winner. And it's probably the highest capacity ride in the park. And it draws crowds with its appearance from the road. In fact, as far as I'm concerned, it is the coolest looking and best-placed coaster in the U.S.
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You can't spell "dishonorable" without "honorable."

I think it depends no how tall you are. I love the layout but if your too short it can be a reall head banger. Used to hurt me but not any more. Now it's one of my favorites.
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It's his turn to feast, when you ride the Son of Beast.

I have a theory (along with others on this site) as to why the old Arrows cause some people extreme discomfort when others aren't bothered. Basically, if you're under 6' tall and 200 lbs you're gonna have problems on an Arrow looper. Larger people fit into the harness better and don't get slammed around. Think about it, the ride is naturally rough due to design (transitions). The train isn't going to go anywhere when it hits the transitions, you are. If there's room to move, you will. Vortex suffers from this, as does almost every Arrow looper pre-1999.

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Scott W. Short
mailto:scott@midwestcoastercentral.com
http://www.midwestcoastercentral.com

I love that ride, never a long line, and the feeling of falling out during the super slow corkscrew is great!!
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Whats life if you never get to the Po!nt?

PkI FaNaTiC said:
. I love the layout but if your too short it can be a reall head banger.

That's pretty much what happen to me. My ears were red and I had a huge headache after I got off. Im only 5 7, so my ears were taking lots of blows.

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Dayuum, Your HOT!

You have got to know how to ride it. There are several reasons why it's my number 1 steelie (though Tenn. Tornado is close on its heels). My only complaint is the heavy braking at mid-course. It used to roll through there taking the inversions at the speed it was designed to! At least she looks beautiful again! Thanks KI!
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Don't.....look.....back! The Headless Horseman awaits you in 2002!
Model coasters and rides

Den said:
In fact, as far as I'm concerned, it is the coolest looking and best-placed coaster in the U.S.

While I'm not going to bash your opinion, I do disagree with this statement. I don't find the placement to be anything special, while the terrain under the coaster varries, the coaster never comes close to the terrain except for the butterfly turn. Other than that it's always a good 10 feet above the ground. Not that any of that really matters, but it doesn't compare to coasters that come really close to the ground IMO. I think the Screamin' Eagle @ SFStL is the best placed coaster, it creates a sweet backdrop for the park with the hills rising up immediately behind it. (Although the Boss has ruined this a little bit, but not much). As far as coolest looking, I don't have a clue, never really thought about it.
Ok now back to the topic. After not visiting PKI for about 4 years (lived on west coast for a while) I got to go back this year. I had never thought the Vortex was too rough but I was for some reason expecting a bumpy ride. Not at all. There were some rough spots, but for a whole it was as enjoyable as ever. Is it just me or does it seem like most of the Arrow coasters of that era have rough spots in exactly the same places. For example, I almost always find the corkscrews to be one of the roughest parts of their rides. Also whenever the track is transitioning from straight to banked, there is always a side to side pop. You can see it on the cars in front of you if you ride in the rear of the train. There are several coasters that are definately worse than this one. And the thought of keeping a flume over a coaster, blasphemous.

*** This post was edited by Incidentalist on 1/7/2002. ***

I think the corkscrew at LOW speed makes Vortex one of the best Arrow multi-loopers...it's scary without being painful....but I expect this thread won't last too long....
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PoTP acolyte - remove fear to reply
Son of Drop Zone - PKI CoasterCamp I Champions!!!

I love how Vortex's corkscrews are so high off the ground, and it isn't the last part of the ride as in some coasters. When I rode last year, it was a little shaky, but that's what I love about it, the feeling that you are going to come out of the harness in the inversions.

i went there 2 years ago and i thought it was a very good ride. At least compared to the multi-loopers we have here in Chicago (Shockwave, Demon)

BTW why does every post you start have to bash coasters?

*** This post was edited by the guy on 1/7/2002. ***

ShiveringTim hits it pretty well. I'm 5'4" and 130 lbs, and Arrow coasters can really do a number on me if I'm not bracing myself for it.
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--Greg
"The questions ticket agents ask at airports are useless, but give an illusion of security to the GP. Much like seatbelts on roller coasters...
My page

*** This post was edited by GregLeg on 1/7/2002. ***

Why is this thread still open, and others like it closed?
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www.tripowered.com

i agree.....i think this is destined to be closed very soon....April, i find it kind of amusing that you would compare and Aorrow Looper to a Vekoma INvertigo....they have nothing in common, except that they are both rollercoasters, and they both turn upside down....thats :) and even more hilarious is comparing a coaster to an exboyfriend...wow.....thats a first!! haha..try again april...:)
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ROLLERCOASTERS....BETTER THAN OXYGEN BABY!!!!!!