Major Hulk Renovations Debuting in 2016

[Zimmy]

Let me be clear, I was not suggesting that they did or were. I was answering a specific question about suspended floorless coasters. Perhaps I miss interpreted what COS was asking. (going back now, it seems likely)

 

[Shane]

I remember reading somewhere that Hulk had the most ride cycles (I assume based on its age, I'm sure Space Mountain has more) of any other coaster in the country and warranted replacement. I have no facts to back that statement up.

 

[wombat96]

I remember reading somewhere that Hulk had the most ride cycles (I assume based on its age, I'm sure Space Mountain has more) of any other coaster in the country and warranted replacement. I have no facts to back that statement up.

While it's not confirmed Hulk has been running 365 days a year for 15 years with only two full days of downtime.

 

[netdvn]

Got to ride this for the first time on Tuesday for soft opening. Longest wait was about half and hour. I can see why people loved the original so much

The first half of the ride is incredible. Reminds me of Volcano's launches and roll out of the volcano, but more intense.
The onboard audio is neat but hard to hear at times
The park added LED's to the launch tunnel so it looks really cool.
Ride is still a tire launch last I checked. No magnets
The entire queue interior is fantastic.
Love the new trains and the cool new entrance.


This ride is definitely a top 20 for me right now.

 

[Shane]

The launch is exactly what I was interested in. I have yet to see any commentary on it thus far.

I am both surprised and not surprised, all at the same time that the launch is still tire based. On the one hand it would modernize the ride and probably provide better reliability and less energy consumption if they converted to a LIM or LSM launch system. On the other hand it would have cost a lot more to re-engineer the launch system considering the rides layout wasn't designed for a magnetic launch. The distance from the station to the top of the hill lined with LIM/LSM would probably have produced a significantly faster train in the same distance of as the tire launch. Lastly, the park never removed the launch tunnel so I doubt the track inside the launch tunnel got replaced at all. It would have been extremely difficult for them to replace that track without removing the tunnel first.

Anyone just my thoughts.

 

[Unagi]

While it's not confirmed Hulk has been running 365 days a year for 15 years with only two full days of downtime.

That's not true. The park has taken it out of commission for scheduled repairs and rehab. I've been there in the off-season while it was closed for a couple weeks so they could rehab the trains and other parts.

 

[strycker]

On the other hand it would have cost a lot more to re-engineer the launch system considering the rides layout wasn't designed for a magnetic launch. The distance from the station to the top of the hill lined with LIM/LSM would probably have produced a significantly faster train in the same distance of as the tire launch.

I think one only needs to look to Dollywood and Hot Rod for what an LSM launch hill looks like at speed. That think rockets over the top of that initial hill using the LSM. I'm guessing like you it would be significantly faster out of the chute, but I'm sure they can be dialed back if necessary.

 

[Shane]

Yes, I am sure they could have dialed it back as well, but would have it been worth the time and development?

I have no idea was the power cost of the tire motors are vs. the power cost of the LSM to determine if the revision would have been a worthwhile investment. My understanding is that the tire launch consumes A LOT of energy. No idea what that actually amounts to though.

 

[GoHokies87]

LSM are a no contact system which means they don't wear nearly as much. Regardless, it seems that the costs of running the current system were preferable to the cost and time of a replacement.

 

[Zimmy]

Just spit balling here but LSMs require huge caps or flywheels. Given the location of the ride, there may not have been a safe place to put them. (I believe hulk actually currently has a set of small flywheels)