To be fair, the evidence suggests that Flight of Fear may be destroying itself so maybe it shouldn't be viewed as the benchmark for how best to operate one of these Premier Rides spaghetti bowls.
Flight of Fear
- Thread starter Ludwig II
- Start date
To be fair, the evidence suggests that Flight of Fear may be destroying itself so maybe it shouldn't be viewed as the benchmark for how best to operate one of these Premier Rides spaghetti bowls.
Zachary; please fill me in. I was not aware of this.
It is fact that FoF is a few years younger than Joker's Jinx. I'm not sure of how many of it's old parts are still in use. I am sure that FoF received a lot of newer parts as the years went on; but my primary inquiry focuses more on the LIM system that both rides use. It is fact, that FoF's launch sounds a lot different in comparison to Joker's launch. It is also fact, that FoF's launch is a lot faster than Joker's. Is this caused by the spacing of the stator coils? If so; FoF probably has a stronger magnetic field; which in turn could give the train more pull as it graduates down the launch. Add the fact that FoF is only five cars and you have this rocketing experience while tearing through the first inversion.
It is fact that FoF is a few years younger than Joker's Jinx. I'm not sure of how many of it's old parts are still in use. I am sure that FoF received a lot of newer parts as the years went on; but my primary inquiry focuses more on the LIM system that both rides use. It is fact, that FoF's launch sounds a lot different in comparison to Joker's launch. It is also fact, that FoF's launch is a lot faster than Joker's. Is this caused by the spacing of the stator coils? If so; FoF probably has a stronger magnetic field; which in turn could give the train more pull as it graduates down the launch. Add the fact that FoF is only five cars and you have this rocketing experience while tearing through the first inversion.
Assuming this meant retracking needed for a ride that supposedly wouldn't usually get any done, or more on how the trains can rattle a bit sometimes and thus causes undue stresses on both the train and track? (Or maybe each option is a symptom of a larger issue?)
@MikeLovesKD: Major support work (and even some track spine replacement) had to be done this offseason. Needless to say, this isn't normal work... At all.
parkfans.net
Existing - Roller Coaster - Flight of Fear
Two random photos that I came across in my camera roll.
parkfans.net
Both the Flight of Fear spaghetti bowls at Kings Island and Kings Dominion are the oldest of the type and model.
It's a lot more than just mechanical and structural work. The LIM system is often being repaired "in-house" for lack of a better term. Programming changes are being made to compensate for these issues but @Zachary is right about Flight of Fear destroying itself. I can't speak for the one at Kings Island but KD's is quickly degrading.
Not that I recommend this; but has anyone ever wondered what it would be like if one of FoF's train's operated in reverse. As we all know Six Flags has done this with Mr. Freeze and people seem to like it. But is it possible for one train to rude forward and the second train to face backwards? I always thought this would be a unique experience when be thrust down the tunnel. Becoming a distance memory between you and the station occupants would be pretty cool. Here is a list of how I picture this.
(View of backwards facing train)
- Station lights dim, to complete darkness.
- Unloading station tunnel is prepped with special effect that reveals ominous figure walking around the corner. In house audio plays natural sound of footsteps.
- Ride launches and the sound of of a gurgling roar fills the tunnel.
(View of backwards facing train)
- Station lights dim, to complete darkness.
- Unloading station tunnel is prepped with special effect that reveals ominous figure walking around the corner. In house audio plays natural sound of footsteps.
- Ride launches and the sound of of a gurgling roar fills the tunnel.
Usually for installation. After the manufacturer hands off the ride to the park they can do whatever they want with it whether or not they acknowledge the liability issues they would be creating by doing so.
For example, Log Flume and Batman at Six Flags Great Adventure were reprogrammed a few years ago by their director of maintenance. If an issue happened at Batman that could be tied to an error in the programming B&M would be free of any litigation or consequences since GAdv chose to reprogram the ride themselves.
Related to what I said in the Grizzly thread...
If Kings Dominion opens this season, Flight of Fear is expected to remain closed. Unclear if this is Covid, staffing, maintenance, or something else.
If Kings Dominion opens this season, Flight of Fear is expected to remain closed. Unclear if this is Covid, staffing, maintenance, or something else.
Interesting - I would think that for liability purposes alone that'd be cause for contracting the work out, but I guess it sounds to be a normal industry practice to do things in-house.
So to answer my question; KD could choose to run a Reverse style of Flight of Fear?
Unlike Mr. Freeze at Six Flags; KD could be different and keep one train facing forward and the other, facing backwards. There obviously wouldn't be two different lines; so riders would be at the mercy of chance. I'd say, this would create a spooky feeling while waiting in line. More for the simple reason, that some riders may have a fear of not being able to see when the turns are coming up. But at least it would give more emphasis to the name FLIGHT OF FEAR.
I don't think the park would do it due to the trains likely not being the same (despite the similarities) between the Freezes and FoF.
Also having both options at the same time would cause a lot of confusion and delays with guests because some would not want to experience things a certain way.
Maybe they could go backwards, but it would likely be all or nothing.
Also having both options at the same time would cause a lot of confusion and delays with guests because some would not want to experience things a certain way.
Maybe they could go backwards, but it would likely be all or nothing.
That's crazy. Not saying, I don't believe; but it's crazy how after all this time, it still won't be open to the public.
I can't imagine it's covid. My friend brought that theory up to me, the other day. It's an indoor ride, would could prompt different safety measures. We all know that there is no A/C while waiting in the hanger queue. The flying saucer only blows A/C from a couple of blowers. Unless your standing under it, you'd never feel it. Couldn't the park limit the amount of people allowed in the indoor queue area? Once all those people have rode; they could let me guests inside.
I know Cedar Fair generally doesn't invest in indoor coasters; but has anyone ever thought that KD's Flight of Fear could be converted into a much scarier indoor experience? Now that Volcano is gone, there is a lot of space for an expansion. It would cost some money, but they could expand the building into Volcano's space. So what does that do for the existing FoF building that has already been there? There are a number of options to consider when designing a ride on this level. Consider the fact that Volcano's old station spot, could in fact become the loading area to a new ride. Similar to Volcano, our ride leaves the station, turns the corner and is launched down a dark oblivion. All the space behind Volcano would be apart of this crazy indoor course. FoF's existing spaghetti bowl could possibly become the ending section of this ride. As usual it would be taken down to make space for new ride elements. FoF's current station
Though this would be coo; I doubt Cedar Fair would embrace this challenge. It does cost a lot of money and would require a lot of engineering. Cedar Fair will probably just stick to what they do best and that's creating fun outdoor rides.
Given the recent work that's gone on with it I'm not really shocked. Also given FoF is a Paramount era ride, and their rumored lack of attention to maintenance, I'm not shocked this is happening to FoF so quickly. I wouldn't be shocked if FoF has something else going on and COVID is used as why is easier to explain without concerning a majority of park goers.