X at SFMM

Does anyone know if this ride is running daily now? I'm planning to go to SFMM this week and would like to pick a day when X typically runs. I know for a while it was down every Wednesday. Thanks

I think someone asked this a little while ago (and got some nasty responses) but from what I remember, the ride no longer has a "closed day." So I would expect that unless something is wrong with it that day, it should be open. X is still high on my list of rides that I want to experience, so enjoy it.

It was open yesterday (Sunday). Line was as long as ever, and not only did it give me a headache like always, it also hurt my riding partner's back. It's a neat ride, but it's just decayed into such an unpleasant experience.

Ah, that sucks that X is still remaining an uncomfortable coaster. I rode it opening season, and it was one of the least comfortable coasters i've been on. Not to mention wasn't worth it after a 6 hour wait, including 3 breakdowns, and a thunderstorm.

But i'll probably ride it again, just to say I rode it twice.

I was one of the ones asking about it a while back. After ACE's Spring Con I dropped down to SFMM on the following Monday and X was down most of the day due to wind issues. I would walk by occasionaly to check the status. It was up briefly until they decided there was something wrong with the lift hill, then the lift was fixed and the wind was back. I eventualy had done everything in the park that I cared to do and spent about 2 hours sitting by the Panda Express waiting and hoping. It eventualy opened at around 3:30pm. After briefly running accross the bridge, everyone was stopped and we were walked to the ride by a ride op. It was nice to see that. Especialy since I can't run worth a damn. :) My friend and I were 3rd and 4th in line. We tempted fate and waited for the 2nd train to ride the front row. The first ride was great. Very disorienting but not to the point I was expecting. After getting off, we noticed the line really still hadn't started to form yet, so we got right back in line and waited for a middle seat. About 40 minutes later we got on the 5th train of the day. The middle was nothing like the front. Much rougher and at one point, my head flung forward and then slammed back in to the head rest. Felt like I had a concusion. 2 other people with us who had ridden before told us not to sit in the back. I'm glad we didn't. Though I can't imagine it would be much worse.

So with all that being said, the only piece of advise I would give is to sit as close to the front as possible.

^^Kyle, I notice you say it hurt your riding partner's back (assuming you weren't hurt). Just curious, were YOU the one riding *inside*...i.e., closer to the center rails?

What's weird to me is that X does that...while the B&Ms are now going 10-across, seemingly without ANY mention of vibration, uncomfortabless, or pain...

Oh, BTW, my first ride was the front row inside seat and the second ride was middle row outside seat.

Wow--I'm glad that we rode in the front row for our one ride that we had. We were very impressed, but I suppose that we wouldn't have enjoyed it that much had we ridden further back.

So, X is supposed to get improved trains like the one in Japan. One question I have, though, is are the trains going to still be long, or will they shorten them like the other one?

---

rablat5 said:

So, X is supposed to get improved trains like the one in Japan.

---

I sure hope so. I thought X was one of the worst coasters I've ever ridden. (Though I couldn't help but think if it was B&M smooth it would be one of the coolest)

I'm posting this to the best of my recolection. It is far from a direct quote, but for those who don't listen to the podcast, Richard Banister was on and had mentioned riding the one in Japan. He said that he felt it wasn't any better than X. He also said that maybe the lager proportioned Americans would feel differently though. He said that the seats or harnesses seemed to be designed for a larger person which is very odd considering the size of the average local there.

I didn't know that. Brilliant concept - but if that's the case that gives me much less confidence that S&S/Arrow can make it work. Now if some Swiss guys would give it a go.... :)

It obviously ages like an Arrow, I already have my credit on this thing so I dont plan on making any return rides on it unless therer is some change.

The new trains are being added to improve reliability and capacity issues, not to change or improve the ride experience. Those that hate the ride will still hate it after the new trains are added. X is what it is, and unfortunately, as the ride ages it's becoming the steel equivalent of Son Of Beast. *** Edited 6/11/2007 10:28:10 PM UTC by DWeaver***

---

DWeaver said:
The new trains are being added to improve reliability and capacity issues, not to change or improve the ride experience.

---

The new train design has very little to do with capacity issues but more-so of maintenance issues and rider comfort. They will look different from the current X-trains...same seating configuration but there will be notable structural differences that are stronger and deflect less under the loading. The suspension system has changed from X-->Japan and last I knew is still being tweaked.

I also thought Bannister said the train on the Japanese one was also the same as the current, not-yet-new trains on X??

There are minor tweaks, but nothing the average rider will notice or care about. The new trains also will not have to go through that long process of having to be raised or lowered before moving into the loading station, thus, improving capacity issues.

The trains are different from those in Japan and will have major cosmetic/structural differences in the "wing" of the train. I am not sure how much the suspension will change from Japan but from X to Japan there were changes to the X-rail wheel carrier suspension that are obvious in photos.

The recline procedure was always frustrating after watching Impulse operations where people hop into the seats and then travel over non-moving floors at 70mph. Is the recline procedure removal confirmed?

That was the main reason for the re-design. I'll be very interested in what they come up with to eliminate that awful procedure. I wasn't aware that the trains will more extensively redone from the Japan version. I still doubt that it will cause the ride to be any smoother though.

This was once my favorite steel coaster, and not by a little bit. The fact that some people hated it, for me just added to it's appeal. I still have some interest in it's future.

I think that it is a gimmick ride and I was highly disappointed riding this but, I now thinking back on it I should of expected the Arrow roughness, but I guess I had hope that it wouldnt be a typical Arrow.

I think the rattle has more to do with outside v. inside more than front v. middle. I rode it once in 4th row left, inside, and it was OK, then a second time in 2nd row, right, outside. Scared me enough that I'll never get back on it. Best thing about X: shorter lines for Goliath, Riddler, Tatsu, Ninja...