Attraction Patriot

[Shane]

(6/16/15) According to a news clip sent to me by a reader, Cedar Fair apparently confirmed to one media source their plans to convert Vortex at California’s Great America into a Floorless coaster.

Meanwhile it has also been reported at California Coaster Kings (near the bottom) that some repainting on Vortex has already begun, though in this case it is just a repainting of the grey supports with a nice new grey coat, though I wouldn’t be surprised if this leads to some new colors going onto the track itself as the summer progresses. Keep your eyes peeled for small patches of test paint on the coaster showing off new colors.

Well as I speculated Cedar Fair is moving forward with the upgrade of it's remaining B&M Standup Coasters.

I know a lot of people were skeptical because the two Vortex coasters have such a small footprint but this is a fantastic change for these coasters. I can only hope and keep my fingers crossed that this comes to Carowind's Vortex as well.

While the two Vortex coasters are not clones they are the same size and have similar layouts. I am going to guess that if the West Coast Vortex has an increase in ridership then the East Coast Vortex will probably get this upgrade in 2017 unless Cedar Fair decides to convert both of them in 2016.7

 

[wombat96]

Patriot Florless Coaster Conversion 2017

Well CGA finally spilled the beans and it looks like Vortex will be converted into a florless coaster now known as Patriot. The "Last Stand" on Vortex will be taking place September 5th.

GREAT AMERICA INTRODUCES PATRIOT FLOORLESS COASTER FOR 2017
Today California’s Great America announced that for the 2017 season, it will introduce Patriot, the first floorless coaster in the park’s 41-year history. Patriot will emerge from the soon to be retired Vortex coaster, the oldest stand up roller coaster in the United States. Season Passes for the 2017 season also go on sale today at the lowest price of the season, offering unlimited admission for the rest of 2016 and all of 2017.

Patriot will take riders to a 91-foot height before plummeting them into a 360-degree loop at 45 miles per hour. Patriot’s position in the park makes it a dynamic visual from three different sections of Great America.

The inspiration for the coaster’s name was taken from the fact that the ride is nestled adjacent to All American Corners within a park whose name celebrates America.

The transition from a stand up to floorless ride will include state-of-the-art blue and white trains positioning guests with their feet dangling above the blue and white track.

“With the track visible beneath their fee, Patriot will create unique and exciting new perspectives throughout the ride,” said California’s Great America Vice President and General Manager Raul Rehnborg.

Guests can take their “Last Stand” on Vortex through September 5. Then work will begin to ready Patriot for the 2017 season.

Great America’s season continues weekend operations through Oct. 30, with Halloween Haunt running Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from Sept. 24-Oct. 30.

WinterFest debuts and takes center stage Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from Nov. 25-Dec. 30, with daily operations Dec. 19-23 and 26-30. Guests can ice skate in front of the iconic Carousel Columbia, admire magnificent displays of lights and décor, view spectacular live holiday shows, experience 18 rides, see Santa’s workshop and Mrs. Claus’ kitchen, and enjoy scrumptious holiday foods around the park.

2017 Gold Season Passes are now on sale for 9 easy payments of $9.66 and include unlimited visits during the rest of the 2016 season, admission to Halloween Haunt, WinterFest, Gilroy Gardens (excluding Lumination), unlimited admission during the 2017 season, and more.

Source

I love the theme of this coaster!

 

[Shane]

RE: Patriot Florless Coaster Conversion 2017

I'm insanely happy about this. I really hope that this change comes to Carowinds next season.

 

[Shane]

RE: Project 2016: Vortex Goes Floorless

Yes, they did delay the project a year.

 

[Shane]

No fooling around, the brand new Patriot roller coaster at California's Great America will open to the public on April 1st, the theme park has announced.

Patriot will be the first floorless roller coaster at the park, and represents a conversion of the stand-up Vortex coaster.  All new floorless trains have been installed on the ride, along with a renovated station area and a cool new blue and white paint scheme.

So far Patriot looks to be running through its 1,920 feet of track at a good clip, as seen in this testing video that California's Great America released:

The conversion of the trains from stand-up to floorless is sure to give Patriot a much more comfortable riding experience that will appeal to a broader range of visitors.  The coaster features a 91 foot tall lift hill, speeds of 45 miles per hour and two inversions - a vertical loop and a corkscrew.

Patriot will start giving rides to the public on April 1st, but the park will open for the 2017 season this coming Saturday, March 25th.

Check it out.

I'm very excited about this. Fingers are crossed that this happens at Carowinds next year...

 

[Shane]

California Coaster King's was at media day for the ride. Apparently it is now open to the public. Take a read here!

One thing I thought was interesting was that the trains sit slightly higher to account for the heart line of the track from the stand up layout. I assume that Rougarou's trains also accounted for the heart line as well, but this was the first time I'd ever heard it mentioned anywhere.

 

[Unagi]

One thing I thought was interesting was that the trains sit slightly higher to account for the heart line of the track from the stand up layout. I assume that Rougarou's trains also accounted for the heart line as well, but this was the first time I'd ever heard it mentioned anywhere.

I was told the stand ups and floorless trains had different heartlines. I'm not sure of the difference in measurement though. I do know that the regular floorless trains have the same heartlines as the mega coasters.

 

[GoHokies87]

for reference.

floorless, sit-down, then stand-up

 

[Shane]

I wasn't very clear in my previous post, but the new trains sit higher than B&M's standard floorless trains to account for the change in heartline. I would assume that Rougaru's do as well, but this article on Patriot is the first I'd ever seen it mentioned anywhere.

for reference.

floorless, hyper, then stand-up

The middle train looks like B&M's looper to me, not a hyper.

 

[Thomas]

Hypers don't have OTSRs.

 

[Shane]

I was told the stand ups and floorless trains had different heartlines.  I'm not sure of the difference in measurement though.  I do know that the regular floorless trains have the same heartlines as the mega coasters.

This is kind of interesting considering everyone was saying that they went floorless in order to account for the change in heartline. If that's not the case, and stock floorless trains have the same heartline as B&M loopers, then I am curious why they went through all the trouble in converting to floorless instead of just buying new Mega/Looper trains with the corrected heartline. I'm sure it was for marketing value, and kind of makes sense for Rougarou, but I'm surprised for Vortex/Patriot. I guess we will see how this season goes and if there is enough of a draw on Patriot to consider it successful. Depending on the results, maybe Carowind's Vortex will get modified sitting trains or unfortunately be left as a stand-up coaster.

 

[TrevorBondi]

I believe both Rougarou and Patriot have custom floorless trains with seats that are slightly more elevated to account for some of the variation in heartlines.

 

[Thomas]

I think that's been established.

 

[GoHokies87]

The middle train looks like B&M's looper to me, not a hyper.

Correct, old pic I had. Post has been corrected.