Le Catapult

Register or Login to Hide This Ad for Free!
Geez, I had no idea what a traveler Catapult was. All in all, I think BGW has done a good job fitting it into the two places I've seen it in; Oktoberfest and New France. Not only that, but from what you guys have said it sounds like Hastings was a good location too.
It's placement in New France is very fitting; and I really like the red paint job.
 
I laugh because I always reference the Catapult and the Gypsy Wagon as the wandering nomads. I would love to see the Catapult be housed in every country! That would both be awesome and hilarious. Come to think of it.. it would be a fine fit (theme wise) for any European hamlet.

The "castle" JuniorBGWfan28, has gone through many changes over the years. This particular photo was from 76-78.. I think... it was a long time ago. I recall the concrete walkways were not the familiar "cobblestone" pathways like today, but a grayish slab. I also recall trashcans where old barrels and not the cobblestone concrete ones around the park today. Needless to say, there were no recycling bins either.

You know.. waiting in line for the Catapult in Hastings, I was always terrified of the ball and chain and all the other weaponry. I always feared that like the movie "Bedknobs and Broomsticks", the armory would magically leap from the walls and attack us. Apparently a G rated Disney movie can still terrify small children.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Haberdasher1973
[split] Mäch Tower

Nora, when the catapult was located in Castle O'Sullivan, did it take up all of the building space that currently exists? If not, why can't they just put a small enclosure around the ride? This is one area of Busch Gardens history that is pretty foggy to me.
 
RE: Mäch Tower

The entire building of Castle O' Sullivan was used for the Catapult. The covered area where you can reserve a seat for Dine with Elmo was the queue. In that area there was mounted Medieval armor and weapons hung on the wall.. like the ball and chain.

When you entered the ride (the same entrance into Castle O' Sullivan) you were boarded in the catapult just like Le Catipult in France now. The air conditioning was amazing! The inside of the building was very low lighting and looked like you were in the turret of an old castle.

When the ride started sound and light effects began with wind, waves crashing, canon fire and so forth. In between the turrets were images of boast firing up at the castle. It was amazing and anyone who rode this simple flat ride would vouch that even a scrambler ride is unique when well themed!
 
  • Like
Reactions: Gameboyzee, EnchantedLab, Hawth and 5 others
RE: Mäch Tower

Nora said:
The entire building of Castle O' Sullivan was used for the Catapult. The covered area where you can reserve a seat for Dine with Elmo was the queue. In that area there was mounted Medieval armor and weapons hung on the wall.. like the ball and chain.

When you entered the ride (the same entrance into Castle O' Sullivan) you were boarded in the catapult just like Le Catipult in France now. The air conditioning was amazing! The inside of the building was very low lighting and looked like you were in the turret of an old castle.

When the ride started sound and light effects began with wind, waves crashing, canon fire and so forth. In between the turrets were images of boast firing up at the castle. It was amazing and anyone who rode this simple flat ride would vouch that even a scrambler ride is unique when well themed!
Click to expand...

Yes, it was amazing!

Sadly, this wouldn't work today as those effects were pretty intense and would potentially trigger seizures.
 
RE: Mäch Tower

Unagi said:
Sadly, this wouldn't work today as those effects were pretty intense and would potentially trigger seizures.
Click to expand...

Pretty sure this is why they make warning signs. Bonus points for having two or three 30 minute blocks throughout the day when the effects will be off so people with such problems can ride.
 
  • Like
Reactions: TheCoasterNerd, chickenking, CastleOSullivan and 1 other person
RE: Mäch Tower

Zachary said:
Pretty sure this is why they make warning signs. Bonus points for having two or three 30 minute blocks throughout the day when the effects will be off so people with such problems can ride.
Click to expand...

It's still a risk.

There is no cure for photosensitive epilepsy and the intense strobe effects used in the original Catapult could actually trigger a seizure in someone who had no idea they even had this condition. It's also a reason they got rid of it in Nessie's cave and that was mild compared to Catapult.
 
I split the Catapult/Der Katapult/Le Catapult discussion out of the Mach Tower thread and moved it here.
 
Well if there is a warning... I do not see the issue.

People also do not know they have an undiagnosed brain aneurysm and then get on airplanes. Kids eat peanuts or get stung by bees and find out they have an allergy after the fact.

The thing is... why stop something for something that cannot be predicted. If adequate warning is posted- then what is the issue? It is up to the individual at that point to take the risk.

Every time I go roller skating there are always signs that say: Skate at your own risk. Why do things have to be changed because people cannot figure out that "Contents in Beverage may be hot."

Boo.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Hawth, Haberdasher1973, gazisghost and 8 others
chickenking said:
Aren't people supposed to kinda be responsible for themselves? I mean there are signs everywhere stating these things right? I'm sure there are special cases, but sheesh!!
Click to expand...

Of course people have to be responsible for themselves but the park doesn't want to be liable for triggering a pre-existing condition that a person did not know they even had. And at the time the park did have posted warnings about Nessie's strobe effects and despite that there were still reported cases of seizures so the park removed them.

Personally, I'd love to see the Catapult back in it's original location with the full effects. The way the ride operated with the strobe was awesome. With the ride's carriage going at full speed and the strobe lighting up the dark at slower intervals it made it appear like you were being transported in different locations inside the building.
 
chickenking said:
I sympathize...I really do. But CK wants the effects! FULL effects!!
Click to expand...

On everything! It's no different than a Howl-O-Scream house. If people are told what they're getting into, there shouldn't be a problem.
 
Zachary said:
On everything! It's no different than a Howl-O-Scream house. If people are told what they're getting into, there shouldn't be a problem.
Click to expand...

We both know that's not the case, but that's an argument better left for a HoS thread.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Unagi
Nora got her hands on something pretty awesome and posted it to BGW Memories this afternoon. Figured I'd share:

1185100_232011920285661_1603678130_n.jpg
 
  • Like
Reactions: Shane, Mushroom, Applesauce and 11 others
Is it just me or does anyone else who rode this inside the building hear the sound effects while looking at this? :heart: the Catapult when it was in Hastings. Shows what one can do with a simple ride if it is themed properly.

Kudos goes to my friend Gary who found this lovely piece of park history!
 
  • Like
Reactions: Hawth, CastleOSullivan, Haberdasher1973 and 5 others
Nora said:
Is it just me or does anyone else who rode this inside the building hear the sound effects while looking at this? :heart: the Catapult when it was in Hastings. Shows what one can do with a simple ride if it is themed properly.

Kudos goes to my friend Gary who found this lovely piece of park history!
Click to expand...

I don't suppose anyone had video or anything with the sound effects. Would love to hear it. Just one more thing I never got to experience. :(
 
  • Like
Reactions: Planeteer
You must log in or register to reply here.
Consider Donating to Hide This Ad