Curse of DarKastle

[CastleOSullivan]

I know they did this a while ago, but they toned down the ride movement to the point where you hardly feel anything. At some parts it feels like you're literally just sitting still, but slowly moving along the track. Does anyone know why they did this? It's actually embarrassing, because I've heard kids get off the ride and say "Well, that was lame." I really wish they would do something to improve the motion. People that are prone to motion sickness can usually close their eyes on this ride, and that will make things a lot better. I hope you're reading this, BGW.

 

[Mushroom]

I see no reason as to why a fantastic ride like this should be toned down as a result of some people getting sick on it, should that be the reason. That's like renovating Alpengeist so the inversions are replaced with one piece of long, flat track parallel to the ground the whole way. The ride is becoming less "Amazing Adventures of Spiderman"-like and more "The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh"-like! Come on, Busch Gardens! This is what you do with a potentially world-class ride?!

 

[Thomas]

Ok, they can turn back up the intensity and then YOU can all clean up the vomit; a surprising amount of people still get sick on this ride even in its neutered state. I'm not really saying that toning it down was the best decision, but they aren't just doing it to cater to queasier guests.

 

[CastleOSullivan]

Ok, they can turn back up the intensity and then YOU can all clean up the vomit; a surprising amount of people still get sick on this ride even in its neutered state. I'm not really saying that toning it down was the best decision, but they aren't just doing it to cater to queasier guests.

Not to be rude, but that's what employees are for. The only difference I can see with this ride, is the fact that they can't do I dry run, like they do with the roller coasters. Again, I will restate the fact that most queasiness on the ride, is due to the visuals, not the motion itself. One thing they could do, is put barf bags on the ride. I'm not joking, Spaceship Earth at Disney World uses these. In its current state, I think the ride is more of an embarrassment to the park then anything else. Now, I think of the ride almost like I thought of Europe in the Air. It has potential, but in the end it falls flat on its face.

 

[Thomas]

Just because employees are expected to clean up vomit, doesn't mean that they enjoy it... and the barf bag idea may work, although, I've never been on a ride which uses them. As someone who never feels sick on rides, I don't know how easy it would be to throw up into a bag attached to a moving vehicle, especially one with more intense movement than the current DK.

 

[CastleOSullivan]

I never said they enjoyed it. LOL That's the reason that entertainment will probably always be my field as far as themeparks go. You did bring up a good point about whether or not people would be able to reach the bag quick enough, but I think that they should tell riders that if they start feeling queasy, they should go ahead and grab onto the bag, and put it near their mouth. For those who don't think that's sanitary enough, maybe the bags could be washed after every time someone touches one. I think we're coming up with some pretty good ideas. I might actually mentioned this to someone, and see if anything gets done. John Reilly, the previous general manager, used to always take notes after I told him about something like this, that needed his attention.

 

[Nora]

Wow- who would have thought that DarKastle would be such an issue as I consider it a rather tame ride. However, I can see if those prone to motion sickness would have issues.

Employees are not "for" cleaning up vomit.. it is an unfortunate "task" in their line of work. Just like most people do not realize that when you work in a store with a bathroom, one of "your" tasks is to clean up the toilet. Not a fun job- but you do it.

If the vomit is something that becomes so often on a particular ride... well, making the employees clean it up is not the best option... nor is it great that they "tone down the ride"

In a perfect world I would put a big ol' sign that says- "People prone to motion sickness should not ride. Those who vomit will clean it up themselves." Oh - if only. Maybe then people would actually read the warnings.

Like this:

 

[Party Rocker]

There are warnings already for motion sickness. If you look at the ride warning signs for DarKastle and EITA, they both mention that riders who are prone to motion sickness should not ride.

 

[Julia]

I didn't think the ride was tamed down when I rode it 3 times. I actually really enjoyed DK. It was my favorite.

 

[CastleOSullivan]

I didn't think the ride was tamed down when I rode it 3 times. I actually really enjoyed DK. It was my favorite.

Well, this "tamed down" version has been in effect since the end of last year or so. However, I think they gradually made it more and more "dull". There was a time when the vehicles actually made you feel like you were falling,rising,spinning etc. Even with all of that, supposedly that was nothing compared to what the vehicles are fully capable of. Those vehicles are very sturdy and high-tech. Why waste a good thing?

 

[Nora]

There are warnings already for motion sickness. If you look at the ride warning signs for DarKastle and EITA, they both mention that riders who are prone to motion sickness should not ride.

True- but it is tied in with all the other warnings- like a big billboard of rules and I have yet to see anyone look up and read those things. However, my little "vomit" sign would certainly get everyone's attention and maybe some laughs too. Keep in mind that not everyone at the park speaks English. When I was in Japan, I certainly couldn't translate "Motion Sickness" but a sign that had someone vomiting.. yep.. message clear. But like I said, that idea would never happen.

But I do think having a video of the ride at the front entrance next to the wolves, in the queue line, and with audio warnings... may help.

Reading at a theme park does not happen often. I've had people ask me where Loch Ness is right under the ride's sign. I have been asked what direction Forest of Fun is when there was an arrow right beside them pointing the way. People get to the rides with bags (not all people are stopped) and when they get tot the line they always say- "I didn't know, no one told me." The list goes on and on.

People notice things like this on average:

 

[CastleOSullivan]

They need some kind of subtle hint using the theme of the ride. It could be like the sign on that door that says "Ludwig's door to nowhere". The park could've simply put up a sign that says employees only, but they took up more professional/creative approach. If people see the barf bags I mentioned in the ride safety video, hopefully that will translate to most people. They could put up a sign that says "All this cold air making you lightheaded? Close your eyes, that may help. I (King Ludwig) have provided a bag for you, just in case." Realistically, I don't expect the park to do exactly this, but I do expect them to do something. I just think it's a lazy excuse to just let the ride sit there and go to waste.

 

[chickenking]

I'm gonna help Nora out here. I think she is absolutely correct about people reading text on signs. Heck, they barely look at signs when they have cute butterflies on them. Don't believe me? Go look at the SIGNS thread under EVERYTHING ELSE. Even people here on the forums, in general, don't seem to stop and read the signs. Pictures definitely are better. And if they are funny, then that makes it even more so.

Just thought of something from work. The plastic baggies that cover computer parts used to say something like "Caution, don't put this bag on your head cause you will suffocate and die!" Nowadays, it just has a picture of a baby/toddler with a bag on its head suffocating. Wonderful!!

 

[Party Rocker]

Castle, I don't think they are just letting the ride sit there, not like EitA.

 

[CastleOSullivan]

Castle, I don't think they are just letting the ride sit there, not like EitA.

I don't think they're doing it deliberately, but that's what it's doing.

 

[Thomas]

It could be like the sign on that door that says "Ludwig's door to nowhere". The park could've simply put up a sign that says employees only, but they took up more professional/creative approach.

Technically, that isn't even a door at all. It's just a decoration.

 

[CastleOSullivan]

I know, yet people still keep messing with it.

 

[pandorazboxx]

Went today and the preshow was pretty much in opening year fashion. No rails inside the building and closed doors for the whole show. Still tamed down for the fireplace and final drop. Although the screens were synced better than the last time I rode it.

 

[xpert98]

Although the screens were synced better than the last time I rode it.

I noticed this too. Especially the last couple of scenes.

In the part where the snake comes out of Ludwig's mouth, the audio seems to cut off the before "escape" (as in "there is no escape!"). Is this intentional?

I presume that having a snake slithering from one's mouth to attack people would make it difficult to say the word "escape" so it could be the right move.

 

[Kitty]

In the part where the snake comes out of Ludwig's mouth, the audio seems to cut off the before "escape" (as in "there is no escape!"). Is this intentional?

I presume that having a snake slithering from one's mouth to attack people would make it difficult to say the word "escape" so it could be the right move.

The sequence in the fireplace used to be different and longer. Now that it's shorter, you get to that scene too early, and the lights and sound are off sync. It's most noticeable when the snake snaps at you. You also see the red lights on the side and see behind the screen before you get there.