The only thing we fear is Gritty, but we love him at the same time.
News Project 2027/Skyland/Purple: Bakunawa (Mack Giga Shuttle Xtreme Spinner)
- Thread starter Zachary
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Coliwood’s recent video on BOF showed 2 launch pieces on site. He says they prob won’t do much work since they’re so far ahead… but it’s good to see some of the remaining launch sections arriving.
they prob want to finish shoreline before they continue purple. Which makes total sense considering Memorial Day is about a month out
they prob want to finish shoreline before they continue purple. Which makes total sense considering Memorial Day is about a month out
Does anyone know the number of the last installed track piece so far? It would give us some idea how many more sections are to be placed before the S48 section in the Coaster Spot video that was posted above. Since S48 is straight, we know that the track will go at least that far up before it starts to curve around the tower. I also thought it was interesting that his video showed S48 through S59, but there were four sections within that order that didn't appear to be on site yet (S49-S51 and S55).
YES. It's so annoying. He also said he emailed the then - CEO and Chairman of the Board to ask for a full circuit ride.
Let's have some fun with this. Over/under 300.5 pages on this thread before Purple Thing opens. Thumbs up for over, thumbs down for under.
I have seen other people far more connected to then the park then me that have said that statement is sort of partially true. By that the seem to mean Ka's departure or at least remodeling was in the long term plans but that the plans was to build and get this operating first so that there wasn't a void. So if that is true it sorta always was Ka's replacement even if it was going to be built with Ks still there.
Yeah, there's a lot of semantics coming from the park, even if technically accurate. Several things can be true:
1. "Project Purple" is not "replacing" Kingda Ka, because it is being built next to where Ka is/was.
2. "Project Purple" is not "replacing" Ka because the plan was to operate alongside Ka, not open after Ka was closed and removed; Zumanjaro, state safety regulations, and operating costs made that happen.
3. Kingda Ka's future (TT2 overhaul; standard parts replacement/Zumanjaro removal; closure) was still being explored at the time "Project Purple" was re-directed to GAdv from another unknown SF park it was bought for (2022-23).
4. "Project Purple" is "replacing" Ka as a very tall launch coaster in the park, with projected significantly improved functionality/reliability and lower operating costs.
5. "Project Purple" is "replacing" Ka, because Ka's future was very likely on borrowed time after this acquisition considering the cost of the alternative options to keep Ka running for another 5-10 years (or longer), and because the odds of another giga or strata launch coaster being built at GAdv are near-zero. A giga tilt or dive is possible, though.
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The way I look at this, Phantom Spire is Ka's spiritual successor. I can't see the park getting another launch coaster of this magnitude again. A more traditional giga? yeah sure, probably way down the line but not a crazy idea. This ride is going to have the same "omg what the hell is even happening" type of thrill that Ka had.....just in a different form.
As for what was said in the video.....yeah no I don't buy it. At least in the way he explains it. I think there's a scenario where the two rides both operate at the same time....but Phantom Spire goes to a park like Kings Island, or a scenario where Phantom Spire begins construction while Ka still operates. But I don't think there's any validity to "these two incredibly similar rides were supposed to operate side by side". I honestly think they're still doing damage control on the Ka situation, but the hard truth is I don't think people will forget about the way they closed Ka.
Honestly instead of trying to spin the timeline of events to look more in their favor the effort should be put more towards creating some sort of tribute for Ka similar to how Banshee did for Son of Beast. I know myself and many others would be very disappointed if they went with the usual strategy of pretending previous attractions never existed like they have with countless others. Think the phantom theme could actually work in their favor for this as well.
My honest advice to Six Flags' marketing team is they need to learn to accept that they can't avoid Kingda Ka. It was the tallest coaster in the world for nearly 20 years. That doesn't just go away, especially when in all likelihood.....it might remain the tallest coaster to ever exist in North America for a LONG time. The park will always be associated with that ride, no matter what they do or say. So acknowledge the former ride's existence and use it to your advantage rather than unsuccessfully try to hide it.
As for what was said in the video.....yeah no I don't buy it. At least in the way he explains it. I think there's a scenario where the two rides both operate at the same time....but Phantom Spire goes to a park like Kings Island, or a scenario where Phantom Spire begins construction while Ka still operates. But I don't think there's any validity to "these two incredibly similar rides were supposed to operate side by side". I honestly think they're still doing damage control on the Ka situation, but the hard truth is I don't think people will forget about the way they closed Ka.
Honestly instead of trying to spin the timeline of events to look more in their favor the effort should be put more towards creating some sort of tribute for Ka similar to how Banshee did for Son of Beast. I know myself and many others would be very disappointed if they went with the usual strategy of pretending previous attractions never existed like they have with countless others. Think the phantom theme could actually work in their favor for this as well.
My honest advice to Six Flags' marketing team is they need to learn to accept that they can't avoid Kingda Ka. It was the tallest coaster in the world for nearly 20 years. That doesn't just go away, especially when in all likelihood.....it might remain the tallest coaster to ever exist in North America for a LONG time. The park will always be associated with that ride, no matter what they do or say. So acknowledge the former ride's existence and use it to your advantage rather than unsuccessfully try to hide it.
We're all letting them "avoid" Kingda Ka in enthusiastically pre-chewing the slop like a mother bird does for her hatchlings. In a space where all criticism is perceived of as bias and non-influencers aren't welcome to have opinions, Six Flags is succeeding in manufacturing consumer consent from the "top" of the hierarchy (loud, paid promoters) down
To be fair the scenario that was described to me by a person who is well know in the enthusiasts community for accurate info is that this would have been built along side Ka and that at some point during it's construction the announcement of it's open season also neing Ka's final would have been made. I will not name the person that told me that as they have not released that info through any channels so I am assuming there is a reason for them not wanting to be directly connected but they also were not asking for it not to be shared and I have since seen it other places. That timeline also seems to fit with several rumors and park surveys so I tend to believe it's a likely possibility.
Oh I 100% agree with that and believe that to be the case. It makes sense when you factor in how Phantom Spire doesn't take up any of Ka's plot. The idea that this was being done so that there was no gap between Ka closing and the Spire opening makes total sense. But the way its described in the video is honestly kind of deceiving and can easily be taken as "originally both rides were supposed to coexist". That's my real criticism here, it feels like it was said in a purposely deceiving way to do some damage control.
I don't know what you want us to do about it though? Like yeah I don't like how things went down, still upset about the fact that Ka is gone. But in the end....it's not like there's anything I can do about it. Great Adventure's my home park and I want it to do well, I've been critical with this park more times than I can count. But also....what other park should I spend my money at? Dorney is an extra 20 minute drive for me, has a worse coaster lineup, and is run by the same chain (not that I don't also love Dorney). Then Hershey is a three hour drive for me and to be honest....is out of my price range, at least if I have to drive that far. Great Adventure is still my best option, even in a post-Ka world. Sure I could avoid going to parks altogether but that's just depressing.
I mean I'm not accusing you, but in terms of the issues I see, I'd suggest less animosity toward people who don't think this coaster is their number one in the making, less glazing of/interaction with content creators, not overstating how good the experience is going to be without having experienced it. Granted I already overstate how terrible it is without having experienced it but that's kinda my schtick and I'm rather alone on my island. I think customers can loudly reject slop, but we're used to slop at Great Adventure, and I absolutely firmly believe peoples' hopes in the park's future are tied up in this ride and they don't want to see it fail. That doesn't make the coaster any better, but it does make certain people more defensive about it and how bad I think it is
Yea, despite all the smoke and confusing statements on whether this is the "Ka replacement", it's quite clear that this ride was intended as a spiritual successor / pair offierng to Ka depending on what point in time we specifically are talking about. In that way, it is the replacement, but it is also not because Ka's old land and the Golden Kingdom as a whole sit unused.
We're not seeing another 400ft coaster at the park or even North America for our living future, that much is clear by this ride not reaching it. Ka's land replacement is likely to be a large scale attraction, potentially a giga, but it wil not be "bigger"/taller than either Ka or Spire. And as an aside, I think that Phantom Spire will age much better in the park's lineup when there is a genuine second punch attraction added in a handful of years. It's a hardcore gimmick ride like Ka was, that needs its own El Toro to make more sense as an addition.
We're not seeing another 400ft coaster at the park or even North America for our living future, that much is clear by this ride not reaching it. Ka's land replacement is likely to be a large scale attraction, potentially a giga, but it wil not be "bigger"/taller than either Ka or Spire. And as an aside, I think that Phantom Spire will age much better in the park's lineup when there is a genuine second punch attraction added in a handful of years. It's a hardcore gimmick ride like Ka was, that needs its own El Toro to make more sense as an addition.
You know I'm late to the party commenting on this, but I am of the crowd that takes Ryan's words and don't really try to make anything out of them.
He gave a very clear explanation as to why.
It was meant to be it's own ride and would have co-existed with Ka. For how long who knows? We're looking really in hindsight. Had Ka not been destroyed and this Tower coaster arrived, and Ka removed later, I don't think you could really say it's the replacement.
I will say though, in the eyes of many, replacing Ka with a 375 foot record breaking rollercoaster does seem like the replacement. Many casual's will see it as the replacement, despite it not being.
He gave a very clear explanation as to why.
It was meant to be it's own ride and would have co-existed with Ka. For how long who knows? We're looking really in hindsight. Had Ka not been destroyed and this Tower coaster arrived, and Ka removed later, I don't think you could really say it's the replacement.
I will say though, in the eyes of many, replacing Ka with a 375 foot record breaking rollercoaster does seem like the replacement. Many casual's will see it as the replacement, despite it not being.
First and foremost I don’t know anyone who thinks this is going to be their new #1, and anyone who does is in the minority. My expectation is that it’ll be third in my park rankings (like Ka was). I’m not even going to talk about the content creator situation because we’ve exhausted that many times. When it comes to customers rejecting “slop” as you call it, yeah they can but we’re all enthusiasts in here. Unless they demolish nearly every coaster in the park we’re going to keep coming back. And that’s the only really effective way to reject what the company is doing so idk what you’re expecting from those in here. Internet warriors complaining in theme park forums won’t change anything. Then finally…..yeah the future of the park is dependent on how this does but why live in the doomsday mindset where we assume this falls flat on its face. Cross that bridge IF we get there.
I never believed they had a custom coaster planned to replace KA. There was never actually any “replacement” planned. Ryan is right coaster take 2-3 years to plan ground up and the removal was last minute. I was originally open to the idea of this being that Giga coaster the old company had planned but now I’m pretty skeptical of this as it’s not practical nor realistic to build a KA jr. having the two compete together seems way too good for a park to do this. So many other coaster types would have been a more realistic fit for the park. Ceder fair or sixflags prob had this coaster planned already for a different park and switched it last minute to “replace” Ka. Retrofitting Ka was finished after top thril 2 failures unfortunately or rumored structural problems with ZUM/KA. But yes, this is definitely became KA replacement at end.
I have ceased attempts to organize the slopposition and there was very little hope for it in the first place. I'm not trying to make some actionable plan for lobbying, I'm commenting on the state of the art form of roller coasters in the State of New Jersey, the diminishing quality of the experiences they offer (as I now understand it), and how that became acceptable (and to some, worth celebrating) in a former flagship park of America's largest amusement chain. Decline of the arts under fascism etc. I'm not really asking anyone to do anything about it (I never really have been, with the knowledge that the design wasn't gonna change, I just want my skeletal lighthouse structure, which I'm not expecting either) . Just lamenting the circumstances that led to its existence and reminding everybody better is possible, even if I'm not offering practical advice on how a better outcome can be achieved
For me, it’s difficult to comment on a coaster I’ve never been on and call it one thing or another
That’s why I agree BOF is now the #1 at Great Adventure. Because I’ve been on it.
(Edit: I worded that terribly but just wanted to clarify I’ve been on all the coasters at Great Adventure. But all hail our new king, BOF)
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For me, it’s difficult to comment on a coaster I’ve never been on and call it one thing or another
That’s why I agree BOF is now the #1 at Great Adventure. Because I’ve been on it.
(ignoring the suggestion that Ragin Cajun is that the only coaster at Great Adventure you feel qualified to assess and the implication that you haven't ridden the others)
I'll be riding Time Traveler tomorrow and I'll be sure to fill you all in on my thoughts, after which I'm sure I'll be told that as the prototype of the exact make and model being built at Great Adventure, it's somehow still not a relevant comparison because Mack Produkt perfekt !! German orthography is just so hehe. And their Produkten infallible