judging by the other stations most obviously Tempesto that have parts strewn all over the queue I would say this is the main reason.
Concepts Think Tank
- Thread starter Zachary
- Start date
You guys are forgetting one major thing here. Tempesto is the only coaster in the park without a maintenance bay.
I thought there was a video posted somewhere around here that mentioned that in some cases the maintenance bays aren't large enough to overhaul all trains and other ride parts and pieces, so they sometimes have to set up a workshop tent - guessing the stations would be easier to stick some tarps on than building something from scratch. Of course, that could have just been for Tempesto so...
Unless there’s a need to take all the trains apart at the same time I see no need to do so, even if you’ve gotta have one in the station.
I can’t speak for BGW but I do know Hershey has a maintenance center they take them to. Last I heard, it generally takes 2-3 weeks to take apart, work, and rebuild a train. I don’t know how many teams, if they are ride specific or not, or if they work on a few at a time, but doing the work in the cold while on the track for anything other than Tempesto seems counterproductive.
BGW has one located at each coaster with the exception of tempesto. They are in the same buildings that the trains are stored in when not in use. They keep all the parts that they might need for each ride in those workshops. Obviously tempesto only has one train with no maintenance bay so they have to use the space in the station to take it apart
When I was there, BG usually rebuilt only 1 train per year on the coasters except for Verbolten, which they did two a year. They scheduled it so every train was completely rebuilt every 3 years. All the trains had a thorough inspection every year, but was only taken off-site for detailed rebuilding every 3 years. In regards to using Alpie's queue specifically, I do recall that the years I did CT that they did not use Alpie, usually the only thing in the station was that they wrapped the track and electrical components inside the station in plastic for some reason I don't know. No train was in the station though. The route could be through Alpie's main entrance, through the portions of the queue that has more theming, through the load 1 gate, across the front of the station, through the unload 1 gate, out the RAP entrance, through the gate next to the dumpsters, and voila! Maybe would want to do something about the dumpster smell (I do recall it getting quite nasty occasionally), but otherwise a viable option.
Last edited:
You are basically walking right past that same dumpster now entering the tree maze your just on the other side of it. With the cooler temps the smell shouldn’t be bad.
I had an idea recently that I emailed Seaworld management on. This is the wrong thread but at this point, I don't know where to put it. Thoughts if this would be plausible?
"Right now, the world is on stand-still, companies are forced to close, entertainment for the foreseeable future is gone, and fear flows through most Americans. I don't know where your internal teams in marketing, strategy, or philanthropy are (minus furlough), but they clearly are missing a huge opportunity.
This Opportunity?
Utilize the Capital Improvements that sit idly for philanthropic need of PP&E for America’s healthcare workers while providing entertainment to millions utilizing idle sports franchises and stars. This "marathon" for PP&E would utilize America's top Sport Franchises in conjunction with some of the top YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and social media stars and enthusiasts.
Assets to Use:
A. Texas Stingray - Houston Astros / Texans
B. Emperor - San Diego Padres
C. Iron Gwazi - Tampa Bucs (and Tom Brady) / Tampa Bay Rays
D. Pantheon - Washington Redskins / Nationals
This event would clearly be a win-win-win for everyone involved as it would provide:
A. Fundraising for a real world need
B. Much needed exposure and utilization of sports stars (who sit idly)
C. An public SO eager to see something new and exciting
D. Exposure to SEAS 100+ mil in Capital Improvements
No other organization in the parks and entertainment industry has come up with this idea and the time to act on it is now before someone else does. You have nothing to lose yet so much to provide, and consequently, gain.
The process of setting this up could easily be done and when actually aired (live), be done utilizing social distancing. This would be shown for days on ESPN, nearly limitless exposure on social media forums, all while provide meaningful assistance to our current fight against Covid-19, while highlighting some of the biggest, most impressive rides in the world. (All of which new, sit idle and generate nothing).
No other time in history has something like this lined up so perfectly to provide so much value to everyone involved. You have myself and a SEAS internal team eagerly ready to deploy."
Sincerely,
Also, what is the actual concept besides somehow linking rides with sports teams?
I think there's merit in having an idea like this, but it needs more fleshing out.
Also, why pro sports at all, and why not something with local youth teams or even non-sports groups? It's not like ESPN hasn't shown marble runs, slippery stairs, and dodge-juggling due to a lack of content.
And, what's the overall benefit to others for doing this, PPE donations?
I think there's merit in having an idea like this, but it needs more fleshing out.
Also, why pro sports at all, and why not something with local youth teams or even non-sports groups? It's not like ESPN hasn't shown marble runs, slippery stairs, and dodge-juggling due to a lack of content.
And, what's the overall benefit to others for doing this, PPE donations?
Is the idea to have athletes ride the rides? Because believe it or not in some players contracts they consider certain elements of rides to be "risky behavior" and could have their contract voided for doing so.
Like there's one I know of (because I've seen him at a course): Justin Verlander (from Richmond) isn't allowed to be a passenger in a golf cart when it's the offseason. He has to be driving to prevent potential accidents.
Like there's one I know of (because I've seen him at a course): Justin Verlander (from Richmond) isn't allowed to be a passenger in a golf cart when it's the offseason. He has to be driving to prevent potential accidents.
I see some merit in @Conan233's concept but, unfortunately, I also see some downside.
First that comes to mind is SEAS position regarding animals. Yes, I know it's been hashed over and over, but some teams/celebrities might balk at participating in events (especially actual SeaWorld parks) for both personal briefs and public perception.
Secondly I believe SEAS (and all other amusement parks) are going to play it cautious at the onset of opening. They don't want to imply they are 100% safe and attract throngs only to expose themselves to a potential outbreak traced back to them. And, in that regard, they might/should limit attendance for that very reason.
And third (being totally snarky and, unfortunately, probably fairly accurate) I don't see the SEAS Marketing department being able to execute such an aggressive program. At this point, they're having difficulty addressing the season ticket situation, potentially alienating their best customers. I have zero faith in their capability, especially after the last earnings call that highlighted their massive overspending.
Like I said, I believe the idea has merit. I could see each park align with local based celebrities and charity to auction off "first rides", sell limited edition keepsakes with all proceeds going toward first responders/health community and other charitable funds raisers. I think local based is the way to go because someone in, say, Des Moines isn't interested in BGW and, equally, it's not SEAS target audience. Stay local and be aggressive (but then we get back to the marketing department thorn in the side).
First that comes to mind is SEAS position regarding animals. Yes, I know it's been hashed over and over, but some teams/celebrities might balk at participating in events (especially actual SeaWorld parks) for both personal briefs and public perception.
Secondly I believe SEAS (and all other amusement parks) are going to play it cautious at the onset of opening. They don't want to imply they are 100% safe and attract throngs only to expose themselves to a potential outbreak traced back to them. And, in that regard, they might/should limit attendance for that very reason.
And third (being totally snarky and, unfortunately, probably fairly accurate) I don't see the SEAS Marketing department being able to execute such an aggressive program. At this point, they're having difficulty addressing the season ticket situation, potentially alienating their best customers. I have zero faith in their capability, especially after the last earnings call that highlighted their massive overspending.
Like I said, I believe the idea has merit. I could see each park align with local based celebrities and charity to auction off "first rides", sell limited edition keepsakes with all proceeds going toward first responders/health community and other charitable funds raisers. I think local based is the way to go because someone in, say, Des Moines isn't interested in BGW and, equally, it's not SEAS target audience. Stay local and be aggressive (but then we get back to the marketing department thorn in the side).
I wanted to revisit the drop tower concept AB developed in the late 90s. It's such a unique concept for a modeled ride.
I decided to build on it a little bit by placing the ride space and queue within Castle O'Sullivan, giving a second S&S ride to Ireland.
(Each square is 10'sq)
Because the building itself isn't that large, the ride platform and operations takes up the majority of the main building. I placed the queue in the (prefunction?) of Castle O'Sullivan giving the archways doors. Sort of like the queue for DarKastle.
The ride itself is basically a combo tower but turned upside down and going 120 feet underground. Once launched to the bottom and bounced around a bit, the carriage is brought to the bottom with the "fire" and dragons and it rotates. Then it launches up, bounces around and is brought back up to the platform.
This ride is completely housed inside the building and wouldn't be seen at all from the park. Retractable floors allow guests to board and lights would go out at dispatch so guests don't see the floor go out from under their feet. I'm not really sure how to theme it. Dark? Or do you keep it more lighthearted and magical like the rest of the hamlet?
I decided to build on it a little bit by placing the ride space and queue within Castle O'Sullivan, giving a second S&S ride to Ireland.
(Each square is 10'sq)
Because the building itself isn't that large, the ride platform and operations takes up the majority of the main building. I placed the queue in the (prefunction?) of Castle O'Sullivan giving the archways doors. Sort of like the queue for DarKastle.
The ride itself is basically a combo tower but turned upside down and going 120 feet underground. Once launched to the bottom and bounced around a bit, the carriage is brought to the bottom with the "fire" and dragons and it rotates. Then it launches up, bounces around and is brought back up to the platform.
This ride is completely housed inside the building and wouldn't be seen at all from the park. Retractable floors allow guests to board and lights would go out at dispatch so guests don't see the floor go out from under their feet. I'm not really sure how to theme it. Dark? Or do you keep it more lighthearted and magical like the rest of the hamlet?
I don't think I've ever seen a drop attraction essentially start at the top then go deep. I like the general idea, but I don't think it's realistic.
I imagine the main reasons are cost and safety/access.
I'm pretty sure you'd hit bedrock before reaching the full depth of the pit so it'd be costly to keep going.
Gravity will pull the car down, and that's why most drop rides will have a procedure to release the car to hit the brakes in case of emergency - this would make it easier for ride ops to release guests from their restraints at the bottom and close the ride. In this design, riders would be stuck at the bottom of the pit until someone can come get them. And to be ADA compliant there's got to be a reliable lift in place for such an evacuation... Which would likely be an issue in the event of a fire.
Additionally, if the car gets stuck somewhere in the middle of the pole, aren't traditional ropes rescue techniques designed to lower people down at the end? So they're going to have to be lowered to the bottom of the pit so that they have to walk up over 100 feet to the top to escape assuming the ADA lift is slow/low capacity.
I imagine the main reasons are cost and safety/access.
I'm pretty sure you'd hit bedrock before reaching the full depth of the pit so it'd be costly to keep going.
Gravity will pull the car down, and that's why most drop rides will have a procedure to release the car to hit the brakes in case of emergency - this would make it easier for ride ops to release guests from their restraints at the bottom and close the ride. In this design, riders would be stuck at the bottom of the pit until someone can come get them. And to be ADA compliant there's got to be a reliable lift in place for such an evacuation... Which would likely be an issue in the event of a fire.
Additionally, if the car gets stuck somewhere in the middle of the pole, aren't traditional ropes rescue techniques designed to lower people down at the end? So they're going to have to be lowered to the bottom of the pit so that they have to walk up over 100 feet to the top to escape assuming the ADA lift is slow/low capacity.
Stan Checketts would like a word with you...
Super cool idea, @AIR ! I’ve always wanted to see some sort of themed flat ride replace the now vacant COS and this does it perfectly. It may be a bit of pain to get permission to dig into the ground, but if the park was planning on doing it in the past, I think it would still be a feasible option even today. I’ve always wanted to see a trackless dark ride themed to COS lore go in that corner of the park, but there’s not that much room and it would either require removal of trees or less parking spaces, so a drop tower is a much better fit. Also, not messing up the sightline is always a good move, so props for the digging down idea.
I think it sounds really cool. I have no idea if it is technically feasible, but it would certainly be an appropriate replacement for an indoor flat that ran in the dark, and the theming concept sounds great.
I wonder if there are limits on far down they can dig, because of water tables and whatnot.
I wonder if there are limits on far down they can dig, because of water tables and whatnot.
That shaft is way smaller than 120' though - though I was thinking more like a spaceshot car and not what appears to be more like a Tower of Terror train car.
However, I do like the idea in general.
Thanks for the feedback! I definitely understand emergency evacuations off of rides firsthand and that was one of the first things I thought about when deciding to go underground or not. An elevator and stairwell should be implemented as well as fire suppression at the bottom. Evacuation procedures for a drop tower stuck half way up require a team to repel down from the top to the catch car. In this case, the repel team would be the same but there is no catch car but it is a continuous cable system with the air piston. In the minor likelihood of the cables breaking, it will brake at the bottom and guests would evacuate up the stairs or elevator.
But yes, I'm not sure on the technicalities of digging a 50 foot diameter circle down 120 feet inside an already existing building... the roof would certainly have to come off for the entirety of the construction. Perhaps make it less deep too?