Project 2022: Tumbili, Reptilian, Arachnidia, & Jungle X-Pedition
- Thread starter mtorange
- Start date
I don't think the park needed extensive theming in the interior of the mountain when it was the Volcano. You were inside the mountain structure for only 6-8 seconds during the ride (and that was both launches combined).
Course, it was different when the mountain was the Lost World ride complex. You had two dark rides, within the mountain, that lasted 4.5 - 5.0 minutes each. You also had a flat ride that was in the mountain and you had to enter/exit the ride through a part of the mountain. Back then, the interior of the mountain was honey-combed with tunnels and caverns that made up the attractions. You never saw any of the exposed outer shell of the mountain from within.
All of the interior of the mountain had to be gutted for Volcano and it took about 1.5 years to do so; leaving just the outer shell and its support structure. That needed to be done to allow the pouring of the footers and heavy equipment inside to erect the ride supports through the mountain.
I guess they could have covered the launch sections with a basic tunnel; but, the park was having major issues with the ride from the beginning. It did not open till summer of 1998 and only ran at half capacity its first year of operation due to not enough power to launch a fully loaded train through the ride circuit. My guess is that the park wanted to do more theming; but, dropped it due to being over budget.
While not at KD itself I was at Center of the Universe last night and had a few of the Tumbili Tropical Lagers. Very very tasty stuff. KD has itself a very excellent house brew.
With the park closing each night by 8pm this season, and stretching to just 9pm the past couple of Saturdays, I'm not sure how many people have seen Tumbili's lighting package (and figured these photos were worth sharing).
The lighting package is really impressive to see in person, as the coaster takes on a completely different color palette at night.
I took these photos at the X-Plorer's Campout event, just after 11pm, this past Saturday; where I pitched my tent at the base of the coaster. And in that thread, you can find some additional nighttime photos of Tumbili.
The park kept Tumbili illuminated till well after midnight for the event. They also (graciously?) left both the Tumbili entrance and exits open - where I'm not sure if I was supposed to enter, but of course found myself doing so
(like a moth to a flame).
In the photos, be sure to look at the two temple-side photos, where you can see where the bamboo supports transition to red. And the green track transitions to yellow.
So again, very cool in how the coaster takes on a completely different look at night -- where I look forward to the Haunt nights, as the park is currently scheduled to stay open till 11pm/12am.
The lighting package is really impressive to see in person, as the coaster takes on a completely different color palette at night.
I took these photos at the X-Plorer's Campout event, just after 11pm, this past Saturday; where I pitched my tent at the base of the coaster. And in that thread, you can find some additional nighttime photos of Tumbili.
The park kept Tumbili illuminated till well after midnight for the event. They also (graciously?) left both the Tumbili entrance and exits open - where I'm not sure if I was supposed to enter, but of course found myself doing so
(like a moth to a flame).In the photos, be sure to look at the two temple-side photos, where you can see where the bamboo supports transition to red. And the green track transitions to yellow.
So again, very cool in how the coaster takes on a completely different look at night -- where I look forward to the Haunt nights, as the park is currently scheduled to stay open till 11pm/12am.
The park is looking amazing at night, despite the lack of nighttime operating hours. Hopefully they have this area open for Haunt this year. Looks great.
Alright I have to ask. Does Tumbili get the "it's a flat" treatment Tempesto does going forward? 
I’ve actually noticed some marketing that calls Tumbili a “New attraction in 2022!” (underline mine), not a new coaster. I wonder if they decided that calling it a coaster could be misleading to guests?
And for what it’s worth, I never bought the “Tempesto is a flat” argument but I actually think it describes Tumbili well. Obviously it fits all the technical definitions of a coaster, but I think it serves the roll of a flat in the park’s lineup. It’s primarily a flippy ride (which replaced a flippy flat) and its non-lift ride duration is more akin to something like Drop Tower than, say, Grizzly. It’s a short, intense, bizarre experience — which in my mind is exactly what a thrilling flat should be.
And to be clear, I don’t think saying Tumbili fills the roll of a flat is even a criticism of the ride. It replaced a flat and provides a unique experience to the park, and for something in as tiny a space as it’s in, that’s all anyone could’ve hoped for.
And for what it’s worth, I never bought the “Tempesto is a flat” argument but I actually think it describes Tumbili well. Obviously it fits all the technical definitions of a coaster, but I think it serves the roll of a flat in the park’s lineup. It’s primarily a flippy ride (which replaced a flippy flat) and its non-lift ride duration is more akin to something like Drop Tower than, say, Grizzly. It’s a short, intense, bizarre experience — which in my mind is exactly what a thrilling flat should be.
And to be clear, I don’t think saying Tumbili fills the roll of a flat is even a criticism of the ride. It replaced a flat and provides a unique experience to the park, and for something in as tiny a space as it’s in, that’s all anyone could’ve hoped for.
I definitely think Tumbili overall is a great addition to Kings Dominion. It's fun to ride each visit to see what combination of flips you get and I think it looks great in its place in the park. I was just more or less just joking about it. At the end of the day Tumbili and Tempesto are just compact coaster models designed to use minimal space for maximum guest satisfaction. I just think calling Tempesto a flat is funny and was wondering if Tumbili would have the same treatment.
I honestly think that they may be trying to stress that Tumbili is the replacement for Crypt and not the replacement for Volcano. The park is likely pretty aware that they need to tread carefully with all of this stuff (and I think they are doing great so far).
I overheard some people complaining that "the tumbley to replace volcano is awful" which I spoke up to note that it's where the Crypt was and somebody replied "oh so the Crypt is gone?" I definitely become more eager to see what pops up in Jungle X in the coming years by the day especially since we know what BGW has going on the next 2 years and they're just going bananas with ride investment.
The part that gets me is how they thought The Crypt was still there-
This just reinforces my belief that we need a palm to face response button.
Stopped in tonight. New thing, they were running one train ops on Tumbili. I hopped out of line the second I realized one of the cars was off the track.
A friend said they were doing this at the end of last week as well. I think there's something up with the ride but not exactly sure what's going on. With S&S's luck there are train issues
2nd train is sitting in the maintenance bay with its back covers off
Yikes. I wouldn’t get in Tumbili’s line if my life depended on it with one train ops.