Maybe they'll get stolen and they'll have to tear down Shockwave...
Shockwave
- Thread starter I305Evan
- Start date
I haven't ridden Shockwave ever. I fall under the "guest of exceptional size" category and normally have issues with rides that have lap bars (or small seats). I don't think this ride would be too much of an issue with me because I would be standing up and I am smaller in my torso. Does anyone have any tips on this? I'm just wondering how accommodating the seatbelt is in inches, if possible.
Also, where is the seatbelt supposed to sit when you ride Shockwave? I've seen various pictures online where thinner people have the seatbelt low near their waist while larger guests have it below or above their chest.
Shockwave doesn't have seat belts 'per say'. There is a belt that connects the two seperate shoulder harnesses in the center, but I wouldn't call it a seat belt in the normal sense. I'm not sure how 'accommodating' they are, you may have to just try. Front gives a better ride. (If there is one to be had) 
Thank you. I figured they weren't actually "seatbelts" but I also wasn't sure what to call them. I think I'll be fine since the connector belt-thing can be moved up or down. I want to try it because I haven't been to KD since 2008 and I chickened out when I have the opportunity to ride. *fingers crossed*
Move the seat belt as low as it will go on the bars for the most forgiving fit.
Just be aware of how and where the restrains hit your body. It will hurt you.
Thanks everyone. I'm still not sure if I'll even try it yet. The long line was a factor last time...besides me chickening out... >_<
no loss if you don't ride it. Really it is painful and not a particularly exciting coaster.
If you can ride Nessie, you will be able to ride Anaconda. She is a slightly newer Arrow lopper with similar cars. It rides best in the back and contrary to popular belief is a fun ride!
Think of her as Nessie's back country cousin.
If you can ride Nessie, you will be able to ride Anaconda. She is a slightly newer Arrow lopper with similar cars. It rides best in the back and contrary to popular belief is a fun ride!
Think of her as Nessie's back country cousin.
Zimmy said:
I'm familiar with Anaconda. That was one of my first coasters. I've always liked it. Since I'm bigger, the roughness really don't affect me. The back is nice but the front has always been my favorite for any ride because I like the view and extra leg room.
Has anyone here heard the rumors of Shockwave closing this season?
I was at the park a week ago and didn't see any markers around the ride, but I read from an unreliable source they saw markers around the ride this past weekend.
I personally could see the ride's time coming to an end. Canada's Wonderland closed SkyRider last season and Matt Ouimet did say that he wants to remove one coaster from each park (so Shockwave, Hurler, Anaconda would likely be our candidates).
Obviously, it is early in the season and the park is rushing to finish Soak City for its grand opening... but 2016 announcements are three short months away. Also, if something is replacing Shockwave, then I wouldn't expect it to remain open through Haunt.
I was at the park a week ago and didn't see any markers around the ride, but I read from an unreliable source they saw markers around the ride this past weekend.
I personally could see the ride's time coming to an end. Canada's Wonderland closed SkyRider last season and Matt Ouimet did say that he wants to remove one coaster from each park (so Shockwave, Hurler, Anaconda would likely be our candidates).
Obviously, it is early in the season and the park is rushing to finish Soak City for its grand opening... but 2016 announcements are three short months away. Also, if something is replacing Shockwave, then I wouldn't expect it to remain open through Haunt.
It seems like a likely candidate. It is the oldest steel coaster but unlike other old steel coasters, aside from it human interface it is hardly remarkable. Frankly it is a rather unpleasant ride and I for one would be happy to see it go.
That being said, It does not sit on a very large track on land. I suspect they would have to clear some other odds and ends out to put something there. I personally would love it if they built something that interacted with the walk ways around the area.
That being said, It does not sit on a very large track on land. I suspect they would have to clear some other odds and ends out to put something there. I personally would love it if they built something that interacted with the walk ways around the area.
If a coaster were to go in that area, I'd imagine they could use the woods along Center Walkway and the area where Hypersonic's turnaround was. If it is on the larger scale, I could see them going across Center Walkway to the area in between Flying Eagles and Blue Ridge Tollway even stretching out towards the Singing Mushrooms.
The plot of land could easily fit a B&M invert in between the size of Banshee at KI and Talon at Dorney.
If they were to put a new coaster addition in Shockwave's location, it would be interesting to see how they themed it within Candy Apple Grove.
The plot of land could easily fit a B&M invert in between the size of Banshee at KI and Talon at Dorney.
If they were to put a new coaster addition in Shockwave's location, it would be interesting to see how they themed it within Candy Apple Grove.
Well it appears Cedar Fair is slowing killing stand ups. Look at SkyRider at Wonderland, Mantis at Cedar Point, and now the rumor of Vortex's 2016 conversion at CA Great America...
You can't really convert a TOGO to a new thrilling experience, so you might as well sell or scrap it when land is needed for future expansion like Wonderland has displayed.
Since Cedar Fair is...
1) trying to remove 1 old coaster from nearly every park
2) converting/removing stand ups across the chain
I believe this makes Shockwave the leading candidate on KD's chopping block. If the CGA Vortex rumor is true (it appears to be) that would leave only Shockwave and Carowinds' Vortex left in the chain.
You can't really convert a TOGO to a new thrilling experience, so you might as well sell or scrap it when land is needed for future expansion like Wonderland has displayed.
Since Cedar Fair is...
1) trying to remove 1 old coaster from nearly every park
2) converting/removing stand ups across the chain
I believe this makes Shockwave the leading candidate on KD's chopping block. If the CGA Vortex rumor is true (it appears to be) that would leave only Shockwave and Carowinds' Vortex left in the chain.
I strongly disagree.
Exhibit A: Shockwave received new restraints last season. Why would they pay for new restraints only to toss them only a few seasons later?
Exhibit B: Shockwave's footprint is relatively tiny. "But," you say, "Kings Island replaced King Cobra with flats!" Yes they did, but remember, KD isn't at the top of Cedar Fair's priority list right now. When they do come around and give KD a new ride, I think they'll come in big with a new coaster- they won't fritter their budget on some flats.
Exhibit C: Maintenance. When was the last time you saw Shockwave down? The ride is incredibly reliable. Also, with spare parts from both SkyRider and King Cobra on hand, the ride has all the replacement parts it could need. Perhaps part of the rationale for removing SkyRider was to provide the remaining TOGO standup with parts?
Exhibit D: Appearance. This may be a personal matter, but I think Shockwave is the perfect "centerpiece" to Candy Apple Grove. Its size does not dominate the midway, but rather compliments it. If a large coaster were to somehow take its place, its proximity to the Eiffel Tower would also greatly alter the skyline the directly behind it, marring the iconic look it has had for 40 years.
Exhibit E: Hurler. I strongly, strongly believe Hurler is on its way out before any other coaster. The ride is horrendously unpopular, takes up an enormous amount of valuable real estate, is likely (by its nature of being a wooden coaster) more expensive to maintain, and has been slowly gutted of anything nonessential to its operation. The very last of the Wayne's World theming was removed for the 2015 season.
Exhibit F: Mantis and Vortex are B&Ms. (Obviously.) Cedar Fair isn't "killing off" standups for the sake of killing off standups, they're "killing" them off because those two attractions have the ability to be improved with floorless trains. I don't think Cedar Fair is on a rampage to eliminate standups; rather, with the opportunity to swap out trains, they see a chance to improve the ride. Obviously, a TOGO standup cannot have its trains swapped out. That simply means the experience cannot be improved upon; it does not mandate its removal.
Exhibit G: Shockwave is unique. Whether you like it or not, standups are rare. They're unique. And the public loves that kind of stuff. This is anecdotal, but Shockwave is a common point of discussion among my "general public" friends. Indeed the ride is a different experience, and one that sets it apart from the rest. Rough or not.
My money is firmly placed on Hurler to be the next ride to go. I just hope this post doesn't come to bite me in the butt whenever an announcement is finally made.
Exhibit A: Shockwave received new restraints last season. Why would they pay for new restraints only to toss them only a few seasons later?
Exhibit B: Shockwave's footprint is relatively tiny. "But," you say, "Kings Island replaced King Cobra with flats!" Yes they did, but remember, KD isn't at the top of Cedar Fair's priority list right now. When they do come around and give KD a new ride, I think they'll come in big with a new coaster- they won't fritter their budget on some flats.
Exhibit C: Maintenance. When was the last time you saw Shockwave down? The ride is incredibly reliable. Also, with spare parts from both SkyRider and King Cobra on hand, the ride has all the replacement parts it could need. Perhaps part of the rationale for removing SkyRider was to provide the remaining TOGO standup with parts?
Exhibit D: Appearance. This may be a personal matter, but I think Shockwave is the perfect "centerpiece" to Candy Apple Grove. Its size does not dominate the midway, but rather compliments it. If a large coaster were to somehow take its place, its proximity to the Eiffel Tower would also greatly alter the skyline the directly behind it, marring the iconic look it has had for 40 years.
Exhibit E: Hurler. I strongly, strongly believe Hurler is on its way out before any other coaster. The ride is horrendously unpopular, takes up an enormous amount of valuable real estate, is likely (by its nature of being a wooden coaster) more expensive to maintain, and has been slowly gutted of anything nonessential to its operation. The very last of the Wayne's World theming was removed for the 2015 season.
Exhibit F: Mantis and Vortex are B&Ms. (Obviously.) Cedar Fair isn't "killing off" standups for the sake of killing off standups, they're "killing" them off because those two attractions have the ability to be improved with floorless trains. I don't think Cedar Fair is on a rampage to eliminate standups; rather, with the opportunity to swap out trains, they see a chance to improve the ride. Obviously, a TOGO standup cannot have its trains swapped out. That simply means the experience cannot be improved upon; it does not mandate its removal.
Exhibit G: Shockwave is unique. Whether you like it or not, standups are rare. They're unique. And the public loves that kind of stuff. This is anecdotal, but Shockwave is a common point of discussion among my "general public" friends. Indeed the ride is a different experience, and one that sets it apart from the rest. Rough or not.
My money is firmly placed on Hurler to be the next ride to go. I just hope this post doesn't come to bite me in the butt whenever an announcement is finally made.
I think if Cedar Fair finds a buyer, the ride is a goner.
The park does have what's left of King Cobra's trains but they didn't receive anything from SkyRider because it wasn't scrapped - it was actually sold, moved, rebuilt, and painted neon yellow and black.
I'd rather see Hurler go too, but if they have the option of selling Shockwave or paying to remove Hurler, I think they'll go with selling Shockwave.
Finally, in a recent article http://www.crainscleveland.com/article/20150614/NEWS/306149989/surging-cedar-fair-isnt-just-enjoying-the-ride?X-IgnoreUserAgent=1 it states that Cedar Fair is interested in improving/transforming coaster experiences across the chain. Obviously, the two coasters at KD that absolutely need something done to them are Hurler and Shockwave. You can't really transform Shockwave, but you could transform Hurler into something special. If Cedar Fair would invest into RMC, Hurler could be an 'Iron Hurler' for no more than the price tag Windseeker had.
The park does have what's left of King Cobra's trains but they didn't receive anything from SkyRider because it wasn't scrapped - it was actually sold, moved, rebuilt, and painted neon yellow and black.
I'd rather see Hurler go too, but if they have the option of selling Shockwave or paying to remove Hurler, I think they'll go with selling Shockwave.
Finally, in a recent article http://www.crainscleveland.com/article/20150614/NEWS/306149989/surging-cedar-fair-isnt-just-enjoying-the-ride?X-IgnoreUserAgent=1 it states that Cedar Fair is interested in improving/transforming coaster experiences across the chain. Obviously, the two coasters at KD that absolutely need something done to them are Hurler and Shockwave. You can't really transform Shockwave, but you could transform Hurler into something special. If Cedar Fair would invest into RMC, Hurler could be an 'Iron Hurler' for no more than the price tag Windseeker had.
Joe,
I like your reasoning for many of your responses in the KD forums including this one; but, I think we need to look at what has been going on across all Cedar Fair parks over the last few years.
Yes, and Carowinds Thunder Road was completely rebuilt over 3 seasons starting around 2010 or 2011. The fully rebuilt ride has been operating for the last 2-3 years. Carowinds announced that it is being removed, starting this year.
As I stated earlier, just because a piece of land once contained a coaster, it does not mean that another coaster has to go on its spot. There is a possibility that, if/when Shockwave goes bye-bye, we could see 2-3 flats go in that area. We could see the land used for part of a major coaster to travel though. We could see a combination of the two above; or something completely different.
Canada's Togo standup, SkyRider, was sold to another park in Southeast Asia and supposedly is up and running (seen photo of it in its new location with new paint job). It could very well be that Cedar Fair shipped some of the former KI King Cobra components to that new park. I don't think spare parts are as plentiful as you think. (Didn't someone report that the old King Cobra trains from KI were stored around the back of the FOF building and then, reported that they had been removed?)
Joe, to be honest, your logic above does not make bit of sense. Is a stand-up coaster a stand-up because of the station? Is a stand-up coaster a stand-up because of the track? No, it is a stand-up coaster because of the coaster trains. Under Cedar Fair, 2 out of 3 Togo stand-ups have been removed; one B&M coaster has been converted. It appears that a CF exec unintentionally let the cat out of the bag, in a Rougarou news article interview, that there is a strong possibility that CGA's stand-up B&M coaster will be converted to a floorless in 2016. I would not be surprised if Carowinds B&M stand-up goes out the door in either 2017 or 2018 with a floorless conversion.
As far as the Shockwave/Hurler removal debate is concerned, I lean toward Shockwave saying goodbye before Hurler (Not that I don't think Hurler needs to go as well. It was a nice ride for the first few seasons; but it needs some serious work done on it; either RMC treatment or used to make smores).
I like your reasoning for many of your responses in the KD forums including this one; but, I think we need to look at what has been going on across all Cedar Fair parks over the last few years.
Joe said:
Yes, and Carowinds Thunder Road was completely rebuilt over 3 seasons starting around 2010 or 2011. The fully rebuilt ride has been operating for the last 2-3 years. Carowinds announced that it is being removed, starting this year.
Joe said:
As I stated earlier, just because a piece of land once contained a coaster, it does not mean that another coaster has to go on its spot. There is a possibility that, if/when Shockwave goes bye-bye, we could see 2-3 flats go in that area. We could see the land used for part of a major coaster to travel though. We could see a combination of the two above; or something completely different.
Joe said:
Canada's Togo standup, SkyRider, was sold to another park in Southeast Asia and supposedly is up and running (seen photo of it in its new location with new paint job). It could very well be that Cedar Fair shipped some of the former KI King Cobra components to that new park. I don't think spare parts are as plentiful as you think. (Didn't someone report that the old King Cobra trains from KI were stored around the back of the FOF building and then, reported that they had been removed?)
Joe said:
Joe, to be honest, your logic above does not make bit of sense. Is a stand-up coaster a stand-up because of the station? Is a stand-up coaster a stand-up because of the track? No, it is a stand-up coaster because of the coaster trains. Under Cedar Fair, 2 out of 3 Togo stand-ups have been removed; one B&M coaster has been converted. It appears that a CF exec unintentionally let the cat out of the bag, in a Rougarou news article interview, that there is a strong possibility that CGA's stand-up B&M coaster will be converted to a floorless in 2016. I would not be surprised if Carowinds B&M stand-up goes out the door in either 2017 or 2018 with a floorless conversion.
As far as the Shockwave/Hurler removal debate is concerned, I lean toward Shockwave saying goodbye before Hurler (Not that I don't think Hurler needs to go as well. It was a nice ride for the first few seasons; but it needs some serious work done on it; either RMC treatment or used to make smores).
mwhinva said:
The decision to remove Thunder Road was made by Carowinds' upper management, not Cedar Fair's. That does not mean it is a trend of the company. Also, Thunder Road blocks prime real estate for expansion. (Note that I say "expansion," not just room to place a few small rides.) Shockwave does not.
As I said, KD has been long enough without a coaster. It would be silly for Cedar Fair to come around and spend money on a collection of flats, when they are due for a coaster first. While using the land for a larger coaster is possible, I don't see why KD would do through the effort of drastically altering the area when there are many open spaces that would not require such alteration.
Hrm. I was not aware of SkyRider being sold off, and admittedly, it does not help my argument. Interesting.
I should note that I saw the King Cobra trains behind FOF at the end of last season. Do you remember when they were rumored to have been removed?
Actually, only one TOGO standup was removed by Cedar Fair. King Cobra was removed in 2001 by Paramount. My argument is that if the coaster cannot be changed to a sit down, the experience cannot be changed. The reason the B&Ms are being converted to sit downs is because they have the ability to be changed. Shockwave does not have such an ability. That doesn't mean it has to be removed.
I'm all for s'mores!
Joe said:
Before I say this I want to also say that I do not think this is likely at all. That being said... KD does have the ability to convert Shockwave to a sit down coaster.
I am on my phone and can't get links at the moment (feel free to look at RCDB) there are several TOGO stand ups internationally that were sitting coaster that were converted to TOGO standup coasters. There is also a TOGO coaster in Asia that has one sitting train and one standup train. TPR has a POV of the coaster.
Before you say, "TOGO is out of business they can't get sitting trains for it," I want to point out that Premier Rides has built replacement trains for TOGO coasters in the past, the Coaster at NYNY in Vegas.
I want to repeat that I don't think this is likely but it is possible. With Canada's Wonderland's removal of their TOGO Standup I think that Shockwave will eventually get removed when ever that is. Who knows how far into the future that will happen.