Project 2022: Pantheon

[bill s]

Four launches best describes it functionally to the coaster, as it only makes 3 swings, plus the initial single launch. Seven is more an interesting tidbit that requires explanation.

Looking at that G force graph, all the ejector is very quick and the backwards spike is the main sustained airtime.

It seems odd to complain about the cows, since the main animal smell in the park is still almost as soon as you enter, it's almost odd how that's usually the only place. I have no real problem with the ride being out at the fringes of the park, but do dislike all that wooden fence in about the worst possible color, already looks old.

 

[madmax]

I think what sucks for Pantheon is just how easy it is to compare to VelociCoaster

Gonna stop you right there. Velocicoaster is all the way in Florida at a park that’s infinitely more expensive than Busch gardens. Only people that are going to be riding both that often are enthusiasts with a lot of time to.

 

[zachclarke]

Agreed that the presentation of the ride is abysmal and the park should be embarrassed about phoning it in so hard, but anyone moaning about the ride's length or intensity needs a reality check in my opinion. It's incredibly hard to take anyone seriously who uses "it's not as good as Velocicoaster" (a top 10 ride in the world, probably) as a knock against Pantheon.

Anyway, a few photos from the recently reopened San Marco bridge and railway:

 

[hyperrider]

Gonna stop you right there. Velocicoaster is all the way in Florida at a park that’s infinitely more expensive than Busch gardens. Only people that are going to be riding both that often are enthusiasts with a lot of time to.

In other words, the people on this forum?

 

[madmax]

In other words, the people on this forum?

Yes. And people on this forum are the vast vast vast minority.

 

[madmax]

a top 10 ride in the world

Not only that but one of the most expensive theme park attractions ever built.

 

[CoasterAuditor]

Not gonna lie I feel like statistically the odds of a Virginian riding both Pantheon and VelociCoaster in like 5-10 years will be semi-decent. It’s not like we’re talking about a ride in Japan or something. But yeah no I mean people are gonna love it, I fully expect comments from friends and family about cow poop though after checking it out. Especially those that have been to Disney World or Universal.

 

[PNDS]

If Pantheon had just opened before Velocicoaster, people wouldn't hate on it as much. Velocicoaster set an unreasonably high standard for a regional park, since it has billions of dollars on its side. Pantheon is a very good ride but it just can't compare to VC, its just unrealistic.

 

[Brambo]

If you take Velocicoaster, make it's theming level equal to pantheon, and place it in bgw I still think most people would consider veloci the better ride, albeit not by much.

 

[horsesboy]

Probably an opinion that will get a mixed reaction but I personally feel that Pantheon is the best coaster in the Mid Atlantic region which honestly is what BGW should have been shooting for.

 

[CoasterTalkBob]

If Pantheon had just opened before Velocicoaster, people wouldn't hate on it as much. Velocicoaster set an unreasonably high standard for a regional park, since it has billions of dollars on its side. Pantheon is a very good ride but it just can't compare to VC, its just unrealistic.

I haven't been on either yet but I feel like SEAS did make a big mistake by delaying Pantheon until after Velocicoaster opened. I get the argument that Florida is a long way away but it's also a destination that attracts people.... Not to mention a park that really is one of the biggest attractions in it's self.

I agree though, many people from the region haven't been on Velocicoaster yet but anyone interested in the coasters have already heard the enthusiast's views and that makes an impact.

And let's face it.... All you need is to see a Velocicoaster commercial and you can tell it's something special with theming.... Then you show up to one of the best themed parks outside of Florida and you get theming that rivals a local carnival.

Bottom line is Velocicoaster has had a serious effect on Pantheon.... That effect will vary drastically from person to person but it's there.

 

[DC High Heat]

I don’t think it’s as big of a deal as some are saying. I haven’t ridden either, but I my outside opinion is that Pantheon is a better pure coaster, but Velocicoaster has the theming to bring it to a higher level. Of course Velocicoaster and its theming are inseparable and I can see why people like it so much.

I still feel I’d prefer Pantheon. The layout is unique and near perfection for me. It builds in scale and intensity until the payoff quick-paced S curve run at the very end. It has a fairly tall spike which are always a blast, especially good tophat with the 95* drop, standout stall, time to enjoy top speed and also some rhythm breaking quick moments mixed in. Shaping is gorgeous and great for thrills too. A lot of people complained that the main launch was a gimmick and they would prefer one strong launch, but most launched coasters already have that and Pantheon’s wouldn’t have been anything special at under 80mph with a rolling start. The execution is awesome, except I think the first hill pass should’ve been perfect 0G as Toutatis was advertised.

Bit of a tangent, but it’s a coaster I feel like I would’ve designed…not because I’m this amazing designer, but because it does all the things I like. I will say I was the first to design a “stall,” airtime launch, and large outerbanked hill in No Limits years back, so it definitely fits my personal style and I love it for that.

But back to the point, there are always other amazing coasters opening or existing around the world. Yes Pantheon and Velocicoaster are similar in that they’re both Intamin multilaunch coasters with several inversions and basically the same trains, and they opened at similar times, but IMO they’re distinct and far apart enough to live separately.

 

[Nicole]

I’m sure I’m in the minority, but assuming away theming, I prefer Pantheon to Velocicoaster. Obviously, Pantheon’s plain queue and empty field don’t hold a candle to VC’s multi-room, storytelling, fully-themed queue complete with animatronics and video. But if you dropped both coasters in an empty lot, I’d prefer to ride Pantheon. Back row, left seat.

 

[GoHokies87]

Gonna stop you right there. Velocicoaster is all the way in Florida at a park that’s infinitely more expensive than Busch gardens. Only people that are going to be riding both that often are enthusiasts with a lot of time to.

Have you seen ticket prices?

 

[K8theGr8]

Does anyone know if it was open today?

 

[rswashdc]

I haven't been on either yet but I feel like SEAS did make a big mistake by delaying Pantheon until after Velocicoaster opened. I get the argument that Florida is a long way away but it's also a destination that attracts people.... Not to mention a park that really is one of the biggest attractions in it's self.

I agree though, many people from the region haven't been on Velocicoaster yet but anyone interested in the coasters have already heard the enthusiast's views and that makes an impact.

And let's face it.... All you need is to see a Velocicoaster commercial and you can tell it's something special with theming.... Then you show up to one of the best themed parks outside of Florida and you get theming that rivals a local carnival.

Bottom line is Velocicoaster has had a serious effect on Pantheon.... That effect will vary drastically from person to person but it's there.

The bigger issue with delay is they are now sharing the spotlight locally with KD instead of opening it last summer when they had the region to themselves and could have drawn eyes away from Universal.

Letting that ride sit largely appears to be pointless strategically and gave a local competitor that was reeling a bit a chance to breathe.

 

[CoasterTalkBob]

The bigger issue with delay is they are now sharing the spotlight locally with KD instead of opening it last summer when they had the region to themselves and could have drawn eyes away from Universal.

Letting that ride sit largely appears to be pointless strategically and gave a local competitor that was reeling a bit a chance to breathe.

In a different context, yes, that is absolutely one of the biggest issues they are facing. OTOH, that may not have been able to be predicted because Tumbili was initially intended to open a year ago.... Your point remains, however, that they did have the chance to open it a year before Tumbili since their coaster was literally already built and Tumbili was still sitting in the parking lot. It's compounded by the fact that people had wasted excitement on Pantheon's anticipated opening for 3 years that a lot of people just don't care anymore. In a lot of ways I'm more excited to get down and ride Tumbili than I am Pantheon just because I'm so burnt out regarding Pantheon.....

 

[Nicole]

I’m not sure that Tumbili is really interfering with Pantheon’s launch. They aren’t really in the same class, and KD’s marketing didn’t even tell people when Tumbili was opening.

 

[rswashdc]

I’m not sure that Tumbili is really interfering with Pantheon’s launch. They aren’t really in the same class, and KD’s marketing didn’t even tell people when Tumbili was opening.

If I had to guess KD was tempering expectations in case the ride wasn't ready for opening today. Thats why all their marketing has been for Jungle Xpedition in general, but I bet they'll pick up the Tumbili marketing now that it's running.

For BGW, the issue is that now is the time of year that a lot of KD pass sales happen. If Pantheon had opened, or even soft opened, last summer or fall, they could have locked in membership sales and winter group sales. Now they are competing head to head with KDs offering. It's like holding a pair of aces and letting yourself get outdrawn or drawn even on the river.

 

[CoasterTalkBob]

I’m not sure that Tumbili is really interfering with Pantheon’s launch. They aren’t really in the same class, and KD’s marketing didn’t even tell people when Tumbili was opening.

Initial launch, no, it's not.... but I think it affects the performance of the ride in attracting customers to their park -- at least in the first bit of the season. Remember that with Tumbili it's not just about a coaster but a "whole new area" so the people that might hit only one park a year or decide to get only one season pass have a consideration on their hands that they might not have if either park didn't have something new.

As for today, I don't think I'd consider this a launch...... it's more akin to a soft-opening. The park never actually said that the ride was opening today.