Reroute looking more likely?
We've touched upon this here and there but I don't think it's been directly answered: Does anyone know WHY, specifically, is the track is being replaced?
I know theme parks like the back of my hand, but I don't know that much about coasters. In my limited knowledge, I haven't heard of steel tracks being completely replaced after just 16 years of operation. It seems a little odd to me. Is this normal? By that logic, is Dragons due for a replacement next? Part of me feels like there had to be some sort of imminent safety reason, like unexpected fracturing of the steel. I'm totally pulling that reason out of my *** but my point is that companies don't just routinely replace an entire coaster with the same coaster. They are basically paying to build the same coaster twice, (minus the R+D). Seems like there must be a bigger reason.
If anyone has any accurate factual info, please share!
I've been thinking this is the most plausible answer for a while. It's the only one that explains why the whole thing needs to be rebuilt. They could've stopped at the half way point as rumored but they did not. On a side note If they re-do the layout of the 2nd half after the corkscrew I am going 2 be very happy.The guess I have is due to the heavier track that needs to be added for the trains to work.
Guess: Hulk 'icon profile' will remain, crane is for tunnel removal.
If it was an imminent safety reason it would have been closed immediately; not waiting it out until after Labor Day.
Could it be possible that they just wanted to enhance every aspect of one of their signature rides?
Little known fact: Hulk was the first attraction to be abused by the same disastrous tech maintenance trickery that was executed on Gringott's only too recently.
Of course. I meant an ongoing safety concern, like repeated repairs in one area or degrading structural integrity over time.
Yes, maybe. But it's not really consodered money well spent in this business. It's not very promotable; it won't get people to come to the park. "NEW IRON MAN COASTER!" will get people to visit. "UPGRADED HULK WITH SOME DIFFERENCES, BUT STILL THE SAME RIDE" is a confusing message and wont get people to visit.
That's why I feel there is a larger reason for the track replacement beyond just Uni deciding to drop a crapload of money on a huge project that offers little return on investment.
The ride was doing its job just fine before. Puzzling.