X-flight: What do you think about it

How did you think X-flight was ride wise?  I personally think it's a better than average ride.  The best part is the flip over at the top of the hill and the loop.  Now onto capacity.  It never reclined on the lift or ran three trains to the public which sucked.  The ride did run two trains, two stations pretty often though from my experience with it.  The staff was also better than at most other rides IMO.  They had a lot of character which is hard to find at SFWoA.  I think the ride will be a whole lot better next season...lets wait and see. 

It blew me away on the same level that Millennium Force did.  Sooo much fun. 
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You can't spell "dishonorable" without "honorable."

I've ridden Batwing so I think I can throw my 2 cents in.  Frankly, I have no desire to ride it again.  I found the flip at the top of the lift to be really great, but after that, I was just uncomfortable the whole time.  The whole thing felt slow and plodding to me, and I just didn't feel that comfortable with all of my weight (I'm a big guy...) on my upper torso.  I think the Dutchmen rely too much on their gimmick to get them by.  Coasters are, by nature, gimmicky, so I don't have any problem with that.  My problem is that you have this gimmick...but nothing worthwile in the trackwork to really make it enjoyable.  On this type of ride, the visual, on ride impact is going to mean a lot, and the Dutchmen don't deliver in on that aspect either, but from the looks of AIR and S:UF we're already making advancements in that department.  Now if these B&M's ride well, maybe we can get one of these to lurk in the woods of southern ohio somewhere....
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Idle hands were orient to her.

If you don't have anything nice to say you shouldn't say anything at all. I think I'll stop this reply right here. ;)

Actually it's not really a bad ride, it's just not anything special. Once you get over the flying position, this ride offers next to nothing. The only part that really stands out in my mind were the G's in the loop.

Just my opinion, though. Your mileage will certainly vary.

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www.coasterimage.com

I'm another Batwing ridder.  I consider it a good ride, but not a great one.  The flip over is good.  The loop may be the best loop that I've ridden.  I love the little drop feeling at the top of the loop when the Gs reverse.  I also like the final helix where it feels like you are about to bore into the ground.

A little tip for these rides.  Close your eyes just as the first flip over starts, then open them once it is complete.  I find it really enhances the flip over experience.

X-Flight is an amzing ride. As Den siad, it blew me away as MF did. Just the sensation of lying on your stomach and flying through the air is incredible. The Gs in the loop are great. Some people's greatest dream off lying through the air can be partially fulfilled with this unique Vekoma ride.

I really liked X-Flight, so much more than Stealth. I guess it was the helix that did it for me, as well as the double loading station. It's not a perfect ride and I have no doubt that the B&M version will expand on the flying aspect, but for what it is, it's a fun experience if not a totally re-ridable one.
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Have you ever considered that maybe it's not the park that's the problem, but YOU?

I think I'd like to ride it someday.

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Current favorite coasters:
Wooden: 1) Beast 2) Raven 3) Son of Beast 4) The Boss 5) Timber Wolf
Steel: 1) Raging Bull 2) Millennium Force 3) V2 4) Wild Thing 5) Mr. Freeze
Visit: http://www.dynamicgroove.com

I agree with those that said good, not great.

The idea has potential but it could be executed SO much better.  I have a feeling B&M will nail it this year with their two.  A more creative layout, more comfortable trains, and a ride capible of running 3 trains without breakdowns & late openings would be great!

I thought it was really good. Going through the loop headfirst and upside-down is really awesome.

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Is it the roar of Kumba or the kumba of Roar? Discuss!

X-Flight is a great ride! I'll have to add my voice to the rest in saying that the turnover up top and the loop are the best parts. However, I also really liked the first turn ("wingover"?) and what I felt were quite comfortable upper torso restraints. I'd prefer these "padded belt" types over the ol' horsecollar any day.

Now, as to the crew, I'll have to vehemently disagree with you. When I went, we were there first thing at the opening of the gates. They had two tiny teenage girls trying to control a crowd of hundreds. They asked that no one run, but since they could barely be heard five feet away, not many people got the message. Well, a few people ran a bit after the gates were opened, so the crew locked down the ride for almost an hour, scolding the crowd like we were little children.

The crowd became quite unruly, but I was able to hop up on a bench and get things quited down (I can yell louder than almost anyone). While talking, I made a sly remark about the ride-ops being uptight, to which one little teeny-bopper ride-op whined, "I heard that and I don't appreciate it!"

Look, kiddo, I don't appreciate waiting almost an hour after park opening to ride a coaster that's been testing since a half an hour BEFORE park opening, just to have you shut down a ride, not because of technical difficulties, but because you have no idea how to handle a crowd of people. Last time I checked, dealing with people is part of YOUR JOB. Just be thankful I was able to get people laughing, instead of getting more pissed off and ready to lynch you.

Regardless, my opinion of the Flying Dutchman is still that it's well worth the effort to try and ride one.

Later,
EV
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"Just remember, wherever you go, there you are." - Buckaroo Banzai

Ah, X-Flight (and Batwing).  The coasters I hate to love.

I find them uncomfortable.  The upper harness has given me bruises on my collarbones and upper arms, and I've gotten cramps in my legs.  When reclining in the station all the blood rushes to my head, which I hate.

But the ride experience itself (especially Batwing with its better placement) is excellent.  I'll ride them occasionally, but they're not screaming "Get on me now" every time I walk by.

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--Greg
"The collective women in your life have more baggage than a Samsonite factory..."
My page

Echo victor, let's not get into crowd control issues at SFWOA here!   We all know where that will lead. 

(I saw someone get badly injured in the stampede to X-flight on my first visit this year, and then it was a further 90 minutes after the park opened untill X-flight took riders)

*** This post was edited by Peabody on 2/8/2002. ***

I thought X-Flight was awesome when I first rode it, a good ride at mid-season, and a mediocre one at best by the end of the year.  The flip-over and loop are awesome, but the ride itself doesn't give you a true sensation of flight... it's a bit too shaky for that.  The theming isn't exactly spectacular either, but this is Geauga Lake we're talking about.  Flying coasters are a neat idea, though and I look forward to hearing about the new B&M flyers opening this year.

ProgRay (who appreciates parks like Knoebels, CP, and BGW for their friendly staff members)

*** This post was edited by ProgRay on 2/8/2002. ***

ProgRay,

yeah, I only rode it once, but I'd be willing to go for a few more rounds. I am totally geeked about B&M getting into the flying game, though.

Later,
EV
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"Just remember, wherever you go, there you are." - Buckaroo Banzai

I really enjoyed the ride itself.. yeah  its  alittle gimmicky but this offers a diffrent sensation  other than a traditional sitdown, or invert, or standup.   you hafta ride a flying dutchman aleast once/twice  to judge yourself .  again it is a unique ride experiance I LOVE it .....

No if only the can get a 3 train operation going I be happier than a pig in ......        (well you know) 

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You really need to get some more BRAN in your diet

I realy enjoyed X Flight because it was a different experince for me and I was a little nervous going up the lift lying on my back that was fun also not knowing what to expect and diving into the loop was pretty exciting. I hope we will see more flying coasters in the future.

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This will be my 8th year at Valleyfair, can I go for 10? I know 2003 will be our turn!

(as usual) I have to be the *one* person to say I am not excited by the B&M flyers. I've come to the conclusion that I dont like riding coasters in the so-called "flying position".

After a couple of dozen rides between the two members of Bat-flight, I really only like the parts when you are on your back, primarily the loop. I never felt "at ease" on the ride; neither on the first ride nor the most recent. Add to that SFA's woeful "staffing" issues and the great S:ROS right next door (so to speak) and it should come as no suprise that there was many a visit to SFA where Bat-Flight was not on the menu.

Now as for the actual *execution* of the ride, I think Vekoma did a MARVELOUS job. I think the ride was the right length, right speed and right intensity. The only part of the ride that felt *off* were those darn inline rolls. But those came about because of all you silly enthusiast Stealth riders wanting "flying corkscrews". I'd really like to get out to PGA because I think the "on your back" corks would feel better.
jeremy
--who has always been nervous being "Face Down Azz Up" with heavy machinery around....

I like X-Flight.  Its a fun ride and definitely different then most coasters but IMO not a top ten.  Its just ride let loose on.

I don't have a problem with it because it takes away alot of people from my favorite ride in SFWoA, Superman.   The Posse can back me up on this one.

Coasterman Mike
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Now, a card carrying member of ACE.
Total rides on Pittfall: 255
Total rides on Superman:UE : 633

*** This post was edited by Coasterman Mike on 2/8/2002. ***

I have to say that I like X-Flight. More for the reason that my friend who rode it with me screamed for the the first time in her life on a roller coaster when it flipped over at the top of the hill. Hearing that made the rest of my ride better because everyone thought I was crying when I was actually laughing so hard my eyes teared. I for one scream on roller coasters just for the sheer fun of it, to me it makes it a little more exciting...my friend never had that thought...until riding X-Flight!
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There is NoLimit when it comes to Roller Coasters