Register or Login to Hide This Ad for Free!
Attraction Type
Roller Coaster
Attraction Status
Existing
Attraction Manufacturer
Zamperla
Attraction Model
Lightning
Secondly, what does Intamin have to do with CP modifying an existing ride?

I don't know for sure, but it sounds like it's between any warranties that still exist on the ride including the ride control systems, any sort of negative press they may receive if the park isn't clear on who did the renovation, and possibly an overall bad relationship where the manufacturer is losing sales of new products or parts to the park/corporate.

The thing with cars is that people go back to the dealer all the time for performance upgrades - anything between tune-ups to replacing engine or drivetrains. Then there's also lots of third party shops for this work too. But in either case, most people bring their car in and few people are inconvenienced in the process - a coaster has far fewer choices for who outside the trained park staff works on it, and those folks have to travel to the ride. So it's far more noticeable anything's happening, and both the park and the manufacturer potentially have their reputations on the line when it does.
 
Not sure why all the hoopla over a new launch system. Isn't the same thing happening to the Montezuma shuttle coaster at Knotts?

Secondly, what does Intamin have to do with CP modifying an existing ride? That's like buying a car and taking it to a third party customization shop for changes. Do you go back to the car manufacturer and give them notice? Same for a home addition. Do you go back to the original builder and let them know what you are doing?

If a third party is involved with the makeover of Top Thrill Dragster, I would think they would have just as qualified ride-engineers and designers to work on the ride as there are for the company who built it.
The bigger problem here isn't that CF is modifying the ride but that they have been reverse engineering their parts and making their own -- and it's becoming fairly evident that these parts aren't always holding up to the specifications that Intamin has for the rides which leads to safety issues (which we have seen).

The thing with cars is that people go back to the dealer all the time for performance upgrades - anything between tune-ups to replacing engine or drivetrains. Then there's also lots of third party shops for this work too. But in either case, most people bring their car in and few people are inconvenienced in the process - a coaster has far fewer choices for who outside the trained park staff works on it, and those folks have to travel to the ride. So it's far more noticeable anything's happening, and both the park and the manufacturer potentially have their reputations on the line when it does.
More importantly, when dealing with a car there often still are things that you have to go back to the manufacturer for that aren't available from a third party. Say, for instance, a third party does something to your car that causes damage to your CANBUS system that they are unable to fix..... You're likely going to have to go back to Ford, Honda, etc, to get that fixed and it's possible that they may not want to work on your car or they will charge you a ton extra to undo the modifications that were made to get it back to the way the factory intended......

....... and then, there is the question of whether or not your car is going to pass safety inspections. Are the modifications that were done legal and safe? It's not longer Ford, Honday, etc, to be responsible for the safety of the vehicle.

Cedar Fair is VERY quick to blame Intamin and throw them under the bus for things that Intamin just simply isn't responsible for..... I can completely understand Intamin's stance here -- they have a very legitimate fear that CF/CP is going to do stuff to this ride and then down the road if something happens to the tower they are going to try to blame it on Intamin.
 
Have there been press releases or interviews, or anything tangible at all, about anything that has been mentioned in this thread in the past month? Who authoritatively knows the relationship between this company and the ride manufacturer, and is speaking on that here, factually? Even in a historic sense, not just the current situation?
 
  • Like
Reactions: Jonesta6
The pictures that I have seen appear to show a very delicate and careful disassembly especially when compared to other recent CF removals. Not sure hiw significant that is but it's definitely an interesting thing to watch
 
The pictures that I have seen appear to show a very delicate and careful disassembly especially when compared to other recent CF removals. Not sure hiw significant that is but it's definitely an interesting thing to watch
To add to this, pictures have surfaced of the launch track presumably getting loaded into shipping containers.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Mwe BGW
Something that comes to my mind: maybe they're waiting on the more intensive takedown of track and supports until the park closes in November? That way they could have it be kept as quiet as it can, excluding from those who watch the cams.
 
Something that comes to my mind: maybe they're waiting on the more intensive takedown of track and supports until the park closes in November? That way they could have it be kept as quiet as it can, excluding from those who watch the cams.
Doesnt sound like there is anything left besides the tophat ....
 
Who is doing the track refurbishment for Montezooma? Is it Maurer? I’m just wondering if Cedar Fair indeed went for a package deal and is having the same thing done to Dragster’s track.

[EDIT] From Coasterforce on Montezooma:


The coaster
Maurer AG will be manufacturing the coaster’s new track and supports. Roughly 40% of the physical structure is being replaced. They’ll apparently be reusing existing footers but expect some minor curvature changes. Don’t expect a turntable.
Post in thread 'Knott’s Berry Farm | MonteZOOMa: The Forbidden Fortress | Schwarzkopf Launch Refurb | 2023'
Knott’s Berry Farm | MonteZOOMa: The Forbidden Fortress | Schwarzkopf Launch Refurb | 2023
 
  • Like
Reactions: Glorymaker
While totally possible, Schwartzkopf is a defunct manufacturer so it's not out of the ordinary for another to do refurb work on their rides.

I'm not sure that project has any bearing on this one as Intamin is still around.
 
  • Like
Reactions: panopticon31
I’ve seen quite a few videos discussing how odd it is for CP to be taking this down in such a meticulous manner. Especially with track that is likely not being reused. On top of that all the random guesses that are going on out there with it is amazing. I’ve heard things ranging from relocating, to using the track for other coasters, all the way to intamin demanded to get the track back.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Mushroom
I’ve seen quite a few videos discussing how odd it is for CP to be taking this down in such a meticulous manner. Especially with track that is likely not being reused. On top of that all the random guesses that are going on out there with it is amazing. I’ve heard things ranging from relocating, to using the track for other coasters, all the way to intamin demanded to get the track back.
It’s going to Michigan the dip n dots guy told me.
 
  • Haha
Reactions: 92ramsfan
Consider Donating to Hide This Ad