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Debs
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 Posted: Wed May 30, 2007 11:47 am |
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Quote: [quote="planet_bill @ Wed May 30, 2007 10:31 am"
One of my favs was at Universal Studios in Orlando - I think it was called Space Mountain, and was indoors in mostly dark.
I'm scared to death of roller coasters.
Back in high school my friends actually put me on the "Rattler" against my will.
And the people working there let them do it.
Scared the !@#$ out of me.
But the weird thing is I rode "Space mountain" and it wasn't that bad.
Probably because I couldn't see anything.
But the wait in line was about 45 minutes.
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Steven Kaplan
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Posted: Wed May 30, 2007 11:48 am |
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Quote: Guess I'd have to ride it a lot more to get the chance to do that and find out just how freaky it would be.
Right, Kingda Ka has electromagnetic brakes. and it's the launch (with about 20,500 HP) that builds it's speed from 0-128 mph in 3.5 seconds that gives it momentum to climb the remainder of the 460 foot verticle inclime (with that twist at the top as I'm sure you experienced both ascending and -twist decending as well). It's designed after the Sandusky Ohio coaster which also excedes 400 feet _Top Thrill Dragster which is 420 feet. Cedar Point is the amusement park and home to some of the well known rollercoasters in the US.. Including Millenium Force (a biggie), Maverick (another well known coaster) and wicked twister which as about a 220 foot high double twist coaster that is one of the fastest... These things are MONSTERS 
Lonnie,
I really like the craftsmanship and manual labor that goes into those wooden roller-coasters. Loads of manhours designing and building the bracing, just seems to me to be more rewarding than the new massive steel structures..But just my opinion I suppose.. Something about a wooden roller coaster that just seems like it's the way things should be. The rest are basically high-tech space rides of sorts.
Let me find Boulder Dash in Compounce here in Bristol... 1800's wooden coaster that's been in continuous operation. Built into and on the side of a mountain, almost a mile long, and for it's time it was impressive. Built be the Philadelphia Toboggan company (who build a few of the older coasters including the ones at Palisades amusement park in jersey taken down 35 years ago..
Boulderdash Bristol CT
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=luuDQtoM ... ed&search=
http://www.ultimaterollercoaster.com/co ... ulderdash/
One of the problems with filming all of boulderdash is that you can't.. It's in woods, and weaves in and out of a mountain, and heavily wooded areas.... As a result riders that have been wreckless of been hurt or killed, It's designed thru quite an obstacle course and riders must be VERY careful to sit still, not stand, etc.. THey aren't strictly strapped in with harnesses etc.. Old fashioned looking cars or a train (whatever it is now)... It's only 4 minutes from my condo, and I haven't been on it, or seen it that much... I'm a coward LOL But I agree that the workmanship that goes into some of these rides is impressive. The sound of a wooden rollercoaster too sometimes is really cool..
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Steven Kaplan
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Posted: Wed May 30, 2007 12:29 pm |
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Another thing I'm fascinated by are these people or groups that build some ot the treehouse villages. Those seem awesome. Some of the treehouses in California I've seen designs of are amazing.. THAT I'd love to do !!
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Steven Kaplan
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Posted: Wed May 30, 2007 3:42 pm |
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Lonnie,
Would you go on one of these rides such as the X coaster where your car spins 360 degrees ? with it's loops and drops ?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yMPG6cO7 ... ed&search=
Magic Mountain
Been a long time since I've seen this ride at any amusement park, of course I don't go to many. I think this went be a few names, "The BUllet" was one name I recall, and although this is an antiquated version, it had two care that spun 180 degrees attached to arms that twirled it in circles... Was this outlawed ? or does it still exist ?
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Shunn
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Posted: Wed May 30, 2007 3:57 pm |
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Debs @ Wed May 30, 2007 12:47 pm wrote: Quote: [quote="planet_bill @ Wed May 30, 2007 10:31 am"
One of my favs was at Universal Studios in Orlando - I think it was called Space Mountain, and was indoors in mostly dark. I'm scared to death of roller coasters. Back in high school my friends actually put me on the "Rattler" against my will. And the people working there let them do it. Scared the !@#$ out of me. But the weird thing is I rode "Space mountain" and it wasn't that bad. Probably because I couldn't see anything. But the wait in line was about 45 minutes. Hey Debs!
Can you say "edited?"
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Lonman
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Posted: Wed May 30, 2007 5:52 pm |
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Steven Kaplan @ Wed May 30, 2007 3:42 pm wrote: Lonnie, Would you go on one of these rides such as the X coaster where your car spins 360 degrees ? with it's loops and drops ? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yMPG6cO7 ... ed&search=Oh HELL yeah! _________________ LIKE Lonman on Facebook - Lonman Productions Karaoke & my main site via my profile!
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Lonman
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Posted: Wed May 30, 2007 6:01 pm |
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Steven Kaplan @ Wed May 30, 2007 3:42 pm wrote: Been a long time since I've seen this ride at any amusement park, of course I don't go to many. I think this went be a few names, "The BUllet" was one name I recall, and although this is an antiquated version, it had two care that spun 180 degrees attached to arms that twirled it in circles... Was this outlawed ? or does it still exist ? I think it's still in operation in some of the smaller fairs & carnivals, it isn't a very main attraction anymore compared to some of the newer rides that are out. _________________ LIKE Lonman on Facebook - Lonman Productions Karaoke & my main site via my profile!
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Steven Kaplan
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Posted: Wed May 30, 2007 6:19 pm |
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I was reading someplace (and again, something else I don't know the validity of), but do you recall that huge centrifuge wheel ? It used to spin around with the people braced against the outer rail in a circle, and as it picked up speed it tilted from the horizontal plane, to about a 70 degree diagonal and the floor retracted and gravity or centripetal/centrifical force used to hold the people against the rail of the wheel ? Out've curiousity I went to a Palisades Amusement parks archive site ( this was a park I did go to in the 1960's as a kid ) and people were discussing how it would be great if they "Brought back that ride" ? I wonder if it was declared too dangerous to insure ??? Or if at some point there was an accident.
Quote: think it's still in operation in some of the smaller fairs & carnivals, it isn't a very main attraction anymore compared to some of the newer rides that are out.
Yep, that makes sense, because the last (and only time) I've seen it (within the past 20 years) was at a local traveling Carnival that comes to our town for two weeks around the 4th of July. The larger parks as you mentioned seem to be allocating more room to the higher tech rides, and more sophisticated sky-rides. You brought up an excellent point, what seemed pretty wild to me as a kid, by todays standards is actually VERY low tech, and when I think about this. Lines to get on the wild rides today are very long... and the rides are designed to hold alot more people than the old days too.. We never waited in line for more than 1/2 hour for ANY ride when I went on some of these ages ago.. and some of the :Bullet: type rides only held 2-4 people in each of two bullets.. Not a huge money maker when you consider rides today hold MANY more given the advent of technology. Better money-makers for the Theme parks which have higher overhead today.
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Steven Kaplan
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Posted: Wed May 30, 2007 6:29 pm |
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One other thought..
I went to the New York Worlds Fair in Flushing MEadows, and Montreal Expo 1970. At those two fairs (since six flags and similar theme parks weren't as wide-spread back in the 60's and 70's) the lines were enormously long, however people planned these trips a year in advance.. These were the Disney types of parks when Walt DIsney hadn't yet even opened Disney in Florida, it was just Disneyland in CA... and other parks such as Riverside, Palisades were the next best things... and fewer and further between...
ADDED IN:
I think safety standards today have REALLY tightened up.. I'm trying to look into what constitutes "dangerous" by todays standards and almost ALL these rides are extremely safe assuming people follow directions, and take heed to dr's warning regarding heart conditions, Hypertension, and physical Illness... IE.. Something that came up was that unfortuneately incident where that 4 year old kid died after that florida Mission space <>>> ride...
Yet states are REALLY strict with this type thing,... Had that happened in California, EVEN assuming the 4 year old HAD an undetected potentially fatal cardiac condition, the ride would have been shut down (maybe indefineately) pending TOTAL investigation... Seems given how many people go on these rides they are in fact VERY safe for even somewhat healthy folks... Maybe I should go on one of these..
Quote: Disney has a tougher regulatory environment in California. Just last week, the state Supreme Court ruled against Disney in a case that increases safety standards on thrill rides from "reasonable care" to "utmost care and diligence."
Had last week's incident occurred in California, Disney would have had to shut down the ride and summon state officials, who would decide about reopening the ride.
In Florida, Disney World's own ride inspectors - in consultation with local authorities - cleared "Mission: Space" to reopen the morning after the incident. They noted that the simulated space ride, which spins riders in a giant centrifuge, was functioning normally.
Some Florida Newspaper, forgot the name
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Steven Kaplan
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Posted: Wed May 30, 2007 7:22 pm |
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Btw, Those of you that mentioned having discomfort on "The Rattler", are certainly NOT alone. This appears to be the number 1 cited ride for problems and discomfort
Amusement Safety reports
Quote: A decade ago, roller coasters averaged 55 miles per hour. Today they average more than 70 and some approach 100 mph. They climb higher, drop more suddenly, whip and swirl more swiftly. And they inflict G forces higher than those endured by astronauts at lift-off.
The “Rattler’s” story illustrates the risks amusement park patrons take. In 1990, Fiesta Texas, a San Antonio park, contracted to build the world’s highest, steepest, fastest and longest continuous wooden-span roller coaster. When the $5.7 million Rattler opened to
the public a year and a half later, it did set records, but only because its design had been changed during construction to make sure it did. Combined with bad weather, those modifications caused the ride to open without adequate field testing, according to the San Antonio Express-News.
The Rattler’s first drop was 166 feet and inflicted 5 G-forces on its riders. That’s about 80 pounds of pressure. The original design had called for a maximum of 3 G’s. During the drop, another 1.5 G-forces (about 24 pounds of pressure) struck suddenly from the left, then the right, as the ride whipped side to side. Not surprisingly, injury reports started almost immediately.
“It feels like someone tried to take your head off,” one rider said.
“I must tell you that (the Rattler) was the most painful ride I'd ever been on!” another wrote. “I mean, it actually hurt to ride it.”
Examination of more than 100 injury reports in three months of operation showed that 36 percent were bloody noses, head wounds or mouth injuries, 31 percent were neck injuries, and 20 percent were back injuries. Dozens of personal injury lawsuits soon followed. In January 1998, 27 plaintiffs received a group settlement of $3.5 million.
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Lonman
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Posted: Wed May 30, 2007 7:32 pm |
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Steven Kaplan @ Wed May 30, 2007 6:19 pm wrote: I was reading someplace (and again, something else I don't know the validity of), but do you recall that huge centrifuge wheel ? It used to spin around with the people braced against the outer rail in a circle, and as it picked up speed it tilted from the horizontal plane, to about a 70 degree diagonal and the floor retracted and gravity or centripetal/centrifical force used to hold the people against the rail of the wheel ? Out've curiousity I went to a Palisades Amusement parks archive site ( this was a park I did go to in the 1960's as a kid ) and people were discussing how it would be great if they "Brought back that ride" ? I wonder if it was declared too dangerous to insure ??? Or if at some point there was an accident.
Well we had something like that up until a couple years ago, it was called the Rotor. Everyone lined up on the walls, it spun fast enough that you actually stuck to the walls as the floor dropped out. Heard rumours from years ago about people falling in, but also heard they were not true so I don't know if it was taken out due to saftey or just lack of interest. It was once one of the longest lines at our yearly fair but towards the end you could almost walk up & get on whenever you felt like it.
There is another that kind of took it's place called the Gravitron. You still stand up on the wall in a padded board type device leaning at a slight angle on tracks to the celeing. It spins fast enough that you stick to the board as it gravitates to the celeing. _________________ LIKE Lonman on Facebook - Lonman Productions Karaoke & my main site via my profile!
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Steven Kaplan
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Posted: Wed May 30, 2007 7:42 pm |
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Right, Those are the rides I'm thinking of, but as you mentioned earlier, and I suppose I'm just not catching on quickly enough, these (by todays standards) are actually VERY low-tech rides compared to what's out there today. Perhaps these aren't exciting enough for many considering some of these techno monster-rides..
Have you seen this yet ? You might enjoy it if you don't already know...
It seems to be a listing of what's new in the world of coasters
It's called "Coaster Realm Network".
http://coasterrealm.com/template.php?pa ... 007&start=
These two rides are opening up around now probably, interesting prone position the passengers are in.
Incidently, I heard the EXACT same story you heard, either that some malfunction slowed down the ride and people fell, OR a few riders (because you aren't actually strapped in once it reaches velocity) decided to climb up the thing, or do something (again RIDERS error, not the rides fault) that launched them from the centrifuge.. I'm thinking it might be urban legend, yet people standing up in rollercoaster get hurt too, you just DON'T do certain things and than turn around and blame the amusement ride for the riders foolishness...but people do.
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Murray C
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Posted: Fri Jun 01, 2007 12:40 pm |
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Quote: do you recall that huge centrifuge wheel ? It used to spin around with the people braced against the outer rail in a circle, and as it picked up speed it tilted from the horizontal plane, to about a 70 degree diagonal and the floor retracted and gravity or centripetal/centrifical force used to hold the people against the rail of the wheel ?
That ride or one very like it is at Six Flags NJ. I have only been to SF once, (in 2005 when Kingda Ka opened), and I did go on that ride also.
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Steven Kaplan
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Posted: Fri Jun 01, 2007 12:43 pm |
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OK, so it still does exist I suppose. Maybe it's just not as popular is it was 20 years back when every amusement park had it.
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Steven Kaplan
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Posted: Fri Jun 01, 2007 7:41 pm |
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Lonnie,
I was reading about Ski trams, gondolas and chairlifts, and of all things stumbled across this when I wasn't specifically looking. This answers a question regarding that "Gravitron" ride, or centrifuge ride. A few reported incidents.
Quote: Six Flags to shut down or modify all Rotor rides
(Thursday, March 28, 2002) - In a settlement with the family of a girl who was injured on the Cajun Cliffhanger rotor ride at its Gurnee, Illinois theme park in 2000, Six Flags has announced that it will remove or modify all similar amusement rides from its parks throughout the country.
The Cajun Cliffhanger, more commonly known as the Rotor, was manufactured by Chance Rides of Wichita, Kansas. It uses centrifugal force to pin riders against a spinning circular wall. Once riders are clinging to the wall, the floor beneath them drops from under their feet. The floor returns as the ride slows to a stop.
Witnesses of the accident say that the floor was raised at the wrong time, and that two girls were injured when their feet got caught between the wall and the rising floor. The girl whose parents filed the lawsuit lost most of her right toe. The other girl was not seriously injured.
Six Flags says that it will add a rubber safety strip around the floor of the ride to prevent similar accidents.
According to park records, at least twelve other people have been injured on the Cajun Cliffhanger.
The park also agreed to pay the victim an undisclosed sum of money.
Gravitron malfunctions at Virginia carnival
(Saturday, June 1, 2002) - At a carnival in Springfield, Virginia, a Gravitron amusement ride malfunctioned and failed to stop for nearly 20 minutes, sending 6 people to the hospital and leaving 16 others complaining of dizziness, nausea, and headaches. Another person fainted before the ride finally stopped.
The Gravitron consists of an enclosed cylinder which spins at high speeds, using centrifugal force to hold riders to their seats as the seats rise, giving the illusion that the floor is dropping out.
Investigators ordered the Gravitron shut down. Another ride operating at the carnival -- a kiddie boat ride -- was also ordered shut down.
The carnival is owned and operated by World Wide Entertainment Group of Chesapeake, Virginia.
The carnival manager declined to speak to a news reporter from WTOP radio in Washington, however the reporter did get this response from an employee: "So why do you have to come out here? This is none of your business."
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Steven Kaplan
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Posted: Sun Jun 10, 2007 10:02 pm |
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Steven Kaplan
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Posted: Sat Jul 28, 2007 10:14 am |
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If anyones following the news, seems that lately (and I'm sure it's because this is a very busy vacation (and an active travel time of year, with summer vacation which if course is amusement park time) that there've been a considerable number of amusement part ride mishaps. This might be the case most May, Junes, and July's however perhaps because I've been thinking more about amusemunt park rides this partcular year I'm more receptive to honing in when something pops up regarding shut-downs, fatalities, etc
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