Cedar Point

[SkiBum]

Man I figured getting Zamperla to do the project would not go well but I didn’t think they would crap the bed THIS bad. Good grief.

Agreed. I was hoping that Cedar Fair would start mending fences with Intamin and use the Intamin launch systems, which have proven reliable and have a kick. Instead, this is what we have. Hopefully, Zamperla can get TTD2 up and running effectively. I also hope that Cedar Fair works with Mack, B&M, and Intamin (a nice blitz coaster would be lovely where Vortex was at Kings Island) and maybe move on from Zamperla for new major coasters.

I realize that the Intamin dream is just that, though.

 

[fryoj]

Agreed. I was hoping that Cedar Fair would start mending fences with Intamin and use the Intamin launch systems, which have proven reliable and have a kick. Instead, this is what we have. Hopefully, Zamperla can get TTD2 up and running effectively. I also hope that Cedar Fair works with Mack, B&M, and Intamin (a nice blitz coaster would be lovely where Vortex was at Kings Island) and maybe move on from Zamperla for new major coasters.

I realize that the Intamin dream is just that, though.

Except they had problems with the cable launch as well. How many times has it splintered, injuring guests?

 

[Mad Dog]

Perhaps it's time to dial back all the fancy tech stuff that's so unreliable. Maybe some dumbed down, but still fun, coasters, that work all the time, might be a better alternative.

 

[Parkscope Joe]

Except they had problems with the cable launch as well. How many times has it splintered, injuring guests?

The new launch tech Intamin has isn't cable driven, see VelociCoaster and Pantheon for example.

 

[Mad Dog]

I recall riding Top Thrill Dragster twice in a day. The first time was unique. The second run bored me. Kind of a one trick pony......I've been riding coasters, lots of them, lots of times for over 55 years. Excluding themed coasters, which generally are something special (Hagrid, Mummy, Everest etc), all of these largely unthemed bare steel coasters don't do much for me anymore. And they seem to break down as often as they work. The unthemed coasters I enjoy the most, and they rarely ever break down, are The Jack Rabbit, Thunderbolt, and Racer at Kennywood. I can ride them tons of times. They never get old. Those rattles, shakes, and air time of those three old woodies are just 'pure FUN'. Two of them are nearly a hundred years old. Their parts aren't manufactured anymore. But Kennywood maintenance makes replacements. Kennywood has two newer steel coasters. Both of them have only worked for a couple of months over the past few years. The two older, not so high tech, steel coaster/wild mouse are pretty reliable. I'm sorry, but I don't need turned upside down nine times to have fun (Steel Curtain) on a coaster that rarely runs. Maybe keep it simple sometimes.

 

[USO92]

According to ElToroRyan, Cedar Point didn't go through with Intamin because Intamin wanted CP to remove Iron Dragon so they could extend TT2's footprint. When CP asked for a new proposal, Intamin drug their feet and CP moved on.

This is a prototype train...Newly designed and withheld initial testing...The issue is that they're having to completely re-engineer a wheel base and chassis that will withstand the daily use and forces. Kind of Zamperla's fault but also kinda not...that's how these things go with new technology. Plenty of new coasters had to be shut their first year and re-opened...that rarely gets mentioned.

Also - as far as general population goes - I've been to Cedar Point several times this Summer - on a Monday, Thursday, and a Saturday...and this place is consistently slammed. It's not drawing people away as frustrating as it may be.

 

[Viator]

I wonder how Zamperla feels; considering this feels more like Cedar Point throwing them under the bus.

 

[Disneyhead]

I mean, everyone knew that this was Zamperla's first stab at a 400' coaster. I am not surprised that there is a problem. They'll fix it.

 

[Parkscope Joe]

I wonder how Zamperla feels; considering this feels more like Cedar Point throwing them under the bus.

They deserve it, it was a high profile project they whiffed on TWICE. Remember Zamperla announcing it early?

 

[Wesker69]

Cedar Point didn't go through with Intamin because Intamin wanted CP to remove Iron Dragon so they could extend TT2's footprint.

Good. Me & this little guy would've been very cranky if it was axed! It's a classic!

I love this derpy plush lol

 

[Rideguy70]

That plush is pretty awesome, haha

But another coaster forum I visit raised a good point: nearly every ride of a similar magnitude has had issues. Kindga Ka, Do-Dodonpa, Ring Racer, Formula Rossa, and heck the original TD had lots of downtime and troubles. Even the meager-by-comparison Xcelerator and Superman: Escape from Krypton have had their share of extended downtime issues. There just may be something inherently complicated about such massive rides.

So I don't think the blame can be placed entirely on Zamplerla, when just as many other companies have tried and also failed/experienced major setbacks. Maybe there's just a bigger lesson be learned here--a reliable technology for rides at this scale just isn't available yet.

 

[Tobias]

That plush is pretty awesome, haha

But another coaster forum I visit raised a good point: nearly every ride of a similar magnitude has had issues. Kindga Ka, Do-Dodonpa, Ring Racer, Formula Rossa, and heck the original TD had lots of downtime and troubles. Even the meager-by-comparison Xcelerator and Superman: Escape from Krypton have had their share of extended downtime issues. There just may be something inherently complicated about such massive rides.

So I don't think the blame can be placed entirely on Zamplerla, when just as many other companies have tried and also failed/experienced major setbacks. Maybe there's just a bigger lesson be learned here--a reliable technology for rides at this scale just isn't available yet.

While I do agree that hydraulic and air launches have had their issues, TT2's issue is unique since it's not the technology/launch that's the issue.

By pretty much every rumor and account the issue with TT2 are the trains. Trains that were designed by Zamperla which they touted quite a bit being all lightweight and made with aluminum...but clearly were not up to snuff for this type of coaster.

 

[Jake S]

Yeah, I think both parties come out of this looking a bit badly. Zamperla knew the assignment and accepted money with the confidence it could be completed. The company failed to deliver on that promise.

Likewise, Cedar Fair knew it was taking a risk by hiring Zamperla to do a very big job. It's not a great look, particularly given the (admittedly different) situation surrounding Montezooma's Revenge at Knott's Berry Farm.

Hopefully this can all be straightened out by the start of next year.

 

[Rideguy70]

While I do agree that hydraulic and air launches have had their issues, TT2's issue is unique since it's not the technology/launch that's the issue.

By pretty much every rumor and account the issue with TT2 are the trains. Trains that were designed by Zamperla which they touted quite a bit being all lightweight and made with aluminum...but clearly were not up to snuff for this type of coaster.

But I think I would argue that, most likely, the trains are the issue BECAUSE of all the forces of such a massive ride. Perhaps these trains would have been totally fine on a less physically demanding ride. So it's still a technology issue... just maybe not the launch itself.

 

[Parkscope Joe]

But I think I would argue that, most likely, the trains are the issue BECAUSE of all the forces of such a massive ride. Perhaps these trains would have been totally fine on a less physically demanding ride. So it's still a technology issue... just maybe not the launch itself.

The forces on this ride weren't a mystery before it opened. It's a bad design and possibly fundamentally flawed. What a joke.

 

[fryoj]

The new launch tech Intamin has isn't cable driven, see VelociCoaster and Pantheon for example.

Have they used the new launch systems on a ride the scale of TTD yet?

 

[Galactus]

Have they used the new launch systems on a ride the scale of TTD yet?

Depends on what you mean by scale but I'd consider Red Force at Ferrari Land to be the same scale (367ft, 112mph) and it uses Intamin's new LSM launch system

 

[Wesker69]

I'm so old, I remember when SRF was "new". I was obsessed with the logo because of the snake. I used to have a rubber keychain of the logo when I was a kid lol

 

[SkiBum]

I'm so old, I remember when SRF was "new". I was obsessed with the logo because of the snake. I used to have a rubber keychain of the logo when I was a kid lol

I was out of high school and rode it when it opened (first and last time). So, yeah, I have a few miles on the tires.

 

[GAcoaster]

Just announced: Siren's Curse Vekoma Tilt Coaster coming in 2025:


Have a feeling this was relocated from Six Flags Mexico when they ran into government resistance. This also seems like a last minute addition, probably to make up for TT2 being such a cluster and pissing off passholders.