Pantherian
- Thread starter redsoxfan787
- Start date
That cover must be new, we never covered it up in all my time there.
When I was taking the picture of the Earnhardt car that evening, the six or so ride operators were just walking out from closing up the coaster. I asked a couple of them if the car is usually covered each night, but none of them honestly knew.
My guess is that it's the staff from the shop/locker/photo building across the way, who's in charge of covering the car - as that building was long since closed when I started riding the coaster that evening. So they likely have the car cover somewhere in the building, and is part of the closing checklist.
What is strange is that cover seemed to be pretty thin, almost like a sun shade material, where I don't see that it would do much to protect against rain; where in fact, it would likely allow the moisture through, and then trap it between the cover and the car surface.
But as both the driver and passenger side windows are completely open (right?), perhaps the car cover is only placed on the car when heavy rain is expected overnight - as like what definitely happened during that X-Plorer's campout event - to perhaps lessen how much water pools inside the car. (But that of course does nothing to help with what the car is subjected to during the day.)
My guess is that it's the staff from the shop/locker/photo building across the way, who's in charge of covering the car - as that building was long since closed when I started riding the coaster that evening. So they likely have the car cover somewhere in the building, and is part of the closing checklist.
What is strange is that cover seemed to be pretty thin, almost like a sun shade material, where I don't see that it would do much to protect against rain; where in fact, it would likely allow the moisture through, and then trap it between the cover and the car surface.
But as both the driver and passenger side windows are completely open (right?), perhaps the car cover is only placed on the car when heavy rain is expected overnight - as like what definitely happened during that X-Plorer's campout event - to perhaps lessen how much water pools inside the car. (But that of course does nothing to help with what the car is subjected to during the day.)
The biggest reason to cover a car is because of the sun.... it wreaks havoc on clear coat. The odd thing is that KD is open while the sun is out so it's kind of an intersting thing.
It was covered during the day when it was raining on and off the other week.
Not sure what thread this should go in but I just found this on insta:
Direct Link to Embedded Media Source
Direct Link to Embedded Media Source
Is there any way they could rework the line on this so they could add in-line lockers like on Twisted Timbers or is that not feasible? I'd love it if we didn't have to put everything in paid locker just to ride this.
On Intimidator they at least let you take your fanny pack and/or your cell phone and keys in your pocket.
Anything bigger than that would need to go in a paid locker anyways.
What would be the reasoning though to not have the same lose-item boxes in the station that pretty much every other ride has?
Anything bigger than that would need to go in a paid locker anyways.
What would be the reasoning though to not have the same lose-item boxes in the station that pretty much every other ride has?
Capacity and theft. Guests crossing the train to put away items takes away a lot of time. Also, guests are notorious to make multiple trips to the bin prior to sitting down because they forgot something. Theft is pretty self explanatory.
I don't think Twisted's system will work for I305 based on queue and station setup. Twisted is fortunate that guests can walk under the ride which allowed for the placement of the lockers to connect the entrance and exit. I just came back from Canada's Wonderland and absolutely love the system Yukon Striker uses. It only works with proper queuing though as only 1 station worth of guests can be queued up so that it ensures the bin is on the other side of the station when the train returns. The downfall to Yukon Striker's system is the bins travel on an upward and downward slope which doesn't allow for drink cups to be used effectively.
I'd compare it to how Volcano used to handle loose articles. An operator would come around with a rolling tray and collect articles and then roll it to the unload station.
I feel like the locker situation is sort of in a limbo — like a project they started but never finished. They added them to I305, FOF, and TT in 2018, and it seemed like the idea was that they’d slowly add more lockers to the other major attractions throughout the park. I definitely expected big rides like Dominator and Volcano (at the time) to be in the next wave of rides with mandatory lockers and no bins, but no more lockers have been added since that initial introduction in 2018. Dominator has plenty of space for a locker complex but hasn’t added one, and Tumbili opened this year with the old bins system in place.
I think the fact that only three rides require lockers is actually more frustrating than if more rides did. To the average guest, it’s confusing — why do some rides require lockers while others don’t? And even to a frequent visitor, the “all day moveable locker” purchase doesn’t seem valuable when it only works for three rides. As a season pass holder, I’d be more likely to purchase the moveable locker regularly if I could (or had to) use it for more rides, and I’d feel more like I’m getting my money’s worth.
Maybe staffing is a reason we haven’t seen an expansion of lockers? They need an additional employee at the ride queue entrance to make sure people are putting loose articles into lockers (although BGW seems to have successfully gotten away with replacing the greeters with a sign, so maybe this issue is resolvable). You also need an attendant to monitor the lockers when a gift shop isn’t nearby to share its attendant.
Overall, I think KD just needs to pick a direction with lockers and stick with it, like BGW has done. I see pros and cons for both approaches. Adding more mandatory lockers is expensive for guests and a little more frustrating for them upfront, but makes a real difference with shortening wait times — I305 definitely loads a lot faster now. Switching back to bins is convenient and cost-saving for guests, but seriously slows down the wait time. But I think KD can’t continue to have a confusing mix of both.
I think the fact that only three rides require lockers is actually more frustrating than if more rides did. To the average guest, it’s confusing — why do some rides require lockers while others don’t? And even to a frequent visitor, the “all day moveable locker” purchase doesn’t seem valuable when it only works for three rides. As a season pass holder, I’d be more likely to purchase the moveable locker regularly if I could (or had to) use it for more rides, and I’d feel more like I’m getting my money’s worth.
Maybe staffing is a reason we haven’t seen an expansion of lockers? They need an additional employee at the ride queue entrance to make sure people are putting loose articles into lockers (although BGW seems to have successfully gotten away with replacing the greeters with a sign, so maybe this issue is resolvable). You also need an attendant to monitor the lockers when a gift shop isn’t nearby to share its attendant.
Overall, I think KD just needs to pick a direction with lockers and stick with it, like BGW has done. I see pros and cons for both approaches. Adding more mandatory lockers is expensive for guests and a little more frustrating for them upfront, but makes a real difference with shortening wait times — I305 definitely loads a lot faster now. Switching back to bins is convenient and cost-saving for guests, but seriously slows down the wait time. But I think KD can’t continue to have a confusing mix of both.
We only rode i305 once and didn't ride FoF at all, and this was partly because of lockers (I thought they were mandatory for i305, didn't realize you could have your phone/keys/wallet in your pocket). But then I suppose that shortens wait times if some people are opting out due to them. When Twisted Timbers used to require them (and when I liked it more), we would get the movable locker, but this time we just paid $2 for a locker once and then didn't do it again.
I usually just pay $2 for a locker at I305 or FOF and ride both (.........or just I305) in the 2 hour window I have then move along. Usually rely on the free lockers for TT since I rarely have a bag.
Looks like per the official sites closure page, Dale will not be joining any of us this weekend.
Also I hate how not transparent KD chooses to be about this stuff when Carowinds actually puts estimated reopening timeframes in their site.
Also I hate how not transparent KD chooses to be about this stuff when Carowinds actually puts estimated reopening timeframes in their site.
It’s likely that weather factors in still with it being too cold 300 feet up?
I mean I have no idea why it’s closed this weekend. I assume it could be due to maintenance being behind schedule, or I305 is having issues getting online to get commissioned. It’s an intamin and they love to be cranky at times.
I assume they're still onboarding staff at this point. Remember, during normal times, KD wouldn't have even been open yet—and previously early season operations were already typically limited.
. Gorgeous shots! 
That track looks ridiculously bent up