Grizzly

[mikes]

On second thought, the Schwarzkopf looper coming to Indiana Beach and being saved from the park it was in going under pushed the state up my list. Then I remembered the distance between Indiana Beach and Holiday World is almost as much as the distance between Six Flags Over Texas and Six Flags Fiesta Texas. At least it's close enough to Kentucky Kingdom that I could do the two parks in one trip...and then Kentucky Flyer will become my first Gravity Group coaster, because if I do this trip without doing anything else, I will want Voyage to be my 200th credit.

But back to Grizzly, what's the difference between the prefab track they were talking about and the prefab track used on El Toro and other Intamin woodies?

It looks like the biggest difference is El Toro track is stacked like normal construction but using a lamination process as where this technique lays the lumber on it's side. Neither of the techniques seem like they can easily be done on site for quick repairs

 

[warfelg]

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KD with the hot take?

 

[Unagi]

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KD with the hot take?

I agree with them. It's not like Gravity Group is doing any significant re-profiling to Grizzly like they did with Tonnerre de Zeus (now called Tonnerre 2 Zeus) at Parc Astérix where they added a high-five element and completely removed the helix and added more bunny hops.

 

[Crunchewy]

I agree with them. It's not like Gravity Group is doing any significant re-profiling to Grizzly like they did with Tonnerre de Zeus (now called Tonnerre 2 Zeus) at Parc Astérix where they added a high-five element and completely removed the helix and added more bunny hops.

To me it seems like the changes are significant. Steeper and longer first drop, etc. I'd consider it a new credit.

 

[Thriller]

I wish they would tunnel more of the ride. Like the final turn

 

[Jonesta6]

Honestly I'm ok with no major layout modifications or adding a tunnel. It's a classic, and hopefully the track upgrade will make it smooth enough to last a long time with a similar feel.

Also, I think a tunnel on the last turn would detract from the ride experience as you'd have just come out of a tunnel into the previous turn and are headed right into another one right before the final brake run - the ride doesn't have a long enough duration to warrant another tunnel between the existing IMO.

 

[Unagi]

On second thought, the Schwarzkopf looper coming to Indiana Beach and being saved from the park it was in going under pushed the state up my list. Then I remembered the distance between Indiana Beach and Holiday World is almost as much as the distance between Six Flags Over Texas and Six Flags Fiesta Texas. At least it's close enough to Kentucky Kingdom that I could do the two parks in one trip...and then Kentucky Flyer will become my first Gravity Group coaster, because if I do this trip without doing anything else, I will want Voyage to be my 200th credit.

You can also easily hit up Beech Bend in Bowling Green, KY which is about 100 minutes directly south of Holiday World and snag you a GCI credit with the Kentucky Rumbler. And if you like insane flats, they have a Scat 2 you can ride.

 

[Crunchewy]

I wish they would tunnel more of the ride. Like the final turn

Not another tunnel, but they are adding a head chopper/structure to go under. The intent is added support, but that's a bonus.

 

[bill s]

Best I can understand, this is not prefab track. It's precut and turned on its side, but still assembled on the coaster itself. The wood pieces are presumably bent from side to side with vertical handled by cutting rather than the other way around. Still can't partially retrack by doing just the top layers though.

 

[CoasterSkinny]

Loving the sight of all that new wood!

 

[Intimidator325]

So no doubt that what’s going on will boost the ride attendance but will it be enough to the point they will need to extend the queue line? Like maybe just add one switchback?

Also could we see an update to the entrance sign cause let’s be honest… it’s a lil lack luster.

 

[Jonesta6]

So no doubt that what’s going on will boost the ride attendance but will it be enough to the point they will need to extend the queue line? Like maybe just add one switchback?

Eh, we'll see - I'd think if it stays popular long enough there may be some reworking the queue but otherwise I can't see them doing it.

 

[CoasterSkinny]

I definitely think a new entrance for Grizzly should be/is a top priority. With the kind of investment they're putting into Grizzly, the general public should not have to search for it through a gift shop and the old Dinos Alive midway. Ridership will greatly increase with more visibility. Could the Grizzly statue make a return to the main midway?

 

[Crunchewy]

Yeah, I really hope a substantial reworking of the entrance area is in their plans. Could they cut down some trees (I know, I know, but this would be worth it) and move the gift shop so it is off to the side, with the entrance and exit visible from the main path? And moved closer to the main path. That would also extend the queue some. Though I'm just going on my (poor) memory for how that area is laid out. Maybe there's no room?

 

[Jonesta6]

I highly doubt the shop is going anywhere - they even redid the interior layout the other year ago.

If I recall correctly from about 10ish years ago, the shop was an arcade and the path to Grizzly's entrance was to the left of the building. Even then it was wonky, and I think they've made random changes every few years as well.

Given the current passthrough layout of the shop and how wonky it'd be to have a bypass pathway, the best that will probably do is additional signage and maybe move the bear sculpture again.

 

[outhikn]

For anyone interested, a photo from today (Saturday) of the retrack progress on Grizzly:



And an action shot of the workers from last Saturday, working on the fan-turn out of the tunnel:

 

[warfelg]

Oh dear loooooooord that fan out turn profile.

 

[cschnizer]

Their lunch break:

 

[Crunchewy]

Is any of that track the new track that's vertical instead of horizontal? Zooming in on the fan turn one at first I thought it was on the further back rail, but looking at it closer I'm not 100% sure. I might still see layers of wood.

 

[Coasternerd]

Is any of that track the new track that's vertical instead of horizontal? Zooming in on the fan turn one at first I thought it was on the further back rail, but looking at it closer I'm not 100% sure. I might still see layers of wood.

Gravity Group did say they’re using their new “Pre-Cut” track. The planks are arranged vertically instead of on top in layers. It’s intended to be much stronger and not be as much a maintenance nightmare.