Project 2022: Pantheon
- Thread starter Shane
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If it is as popular as we all think it will be then yes. It makes financial sense to have running for CT if they think it will drive attendance at an event that for many is an upcharge event.
The bigger issue is can the ride operate in lower temperatures. Apollo and Griffon are both more popular than Invadr but they are unable to operate at the lower temperatures present during CT. Obviously the park would prefer to have more rides operating as that means the park has higher capacity.
I do think that the park will ensure that this ride has systems that enable it to be operating during CT. Then you enter the issue with will it be comfortable/feasible for guests to ride in jackets and other winter gear. Don't know the answer to that one. My guess would be that they will open it next year as a test and see how often it operates and what it can handle during CT.
I do think that the park will ensure that this ride has systems that enable it to be operating during CT. Then you enter the issue with will it be comfortable/feasible for guests to ride in jackets and other winter gear. Don't know the answer to that one. My guess would be that they will open it next year as a test and see how often it operates and what it can handle during CT.
I think that since it has multiple launches instead of gravity for the whole time I think that it probably will open during ct
Being cold has nothing to do with affecting gravity. A ride that is able to run in the cold completely depends on the mechanics and and components within the ride vehicles and systems.
There’s also the question of operating cost vs potential ridership of an intense coaster during a family/kiddy event. How long did Alpengeist last in favor of Verbolten?
What I meant was since the ride would be running slower the fact that it has launches could help it run
The gravity particles get slower in the cold which makes gravity less effective. This is why snow falls slower than rain. Basic physics, people.
They can fill the trains with helium to compensate for that.
A lot has to do (I was told) is hydraulic and other oils. When it gets below a certain temp. it thickens up and becomes useless. Not being a roller coaster mechanic, I'm assuming this is in regards to the older coaster's brake systems and lift motors.
For what it is worth, I rode Griffon the year it was open for CT, and it was miserably cold. The wind chill was awful.
I can’t imagine they could justify the expense of keeping most coasters open, given the likely ridership during a winter family-focused event.
I can’t imagine they could justify the expense of keeping most coasters open, given the likely ridership during a winter family-focused event.
Invadr and verbolten do close if the temperature falls below 40.
As @GrandpaD said it has too do with hydraulics and other fluids. It's possible that Great Adventure had their rides specifically designed to allow them to operate at lower temperatures. A key point to remember is that when BGW built the B&Ms they weren't open passed October and for Apollo the park hadn't even started HOS.
If I recall correctly the B&Ms at BGW can't operate safely below 45°. And it doesn't matter if they have already been running they can still freeze up and malfunction which makes them unsafe. It's also really not comfortable from a guest standpoint. It's terribly cold to ride even if it's in the low 50s. Personally I don't even ride VB or Invadr during CT because I don't want to freeze.
Crazy Northerner here to say riding woodies in the dark at about 40 degrees is a nice gentle wonderful spring breeze. #WinterInvadrRides
From What I recall of the early years of CHristmas Town, Griffon was the original coaster that was open. The second or third year I believe that they changed to Alpie to allow maintenance on griffon. After that year, I think they went back to Griffon until VB was the go to.
@BGWnut I do recall at the very least griffon running down to 40 degrees back then.
As @Nicole said, I think that a lot of the reason that they keep the big coasters closed is that they are a chore to ride when it gets below 55-60 degrees even. All that extra speed and wind really sucks the heat from your body. ESP with your legs and arms exposed.
Hydraulic fluid also effects some restraint system I think that Apollo, and Invadr and possibly Bolt all use hydraulic locking restraints but might be wrong on that.
For anyone wondering, B&M recommends that their rides aren't run under 40°F or in windspeed in excess of 40mph. Otherwise known as the 40/40 rule.
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