Volcano: The Blast Coaster

[Shane]

The problem is the layout would never allow for additional blocks. The would have to add a MCBR and there is no where in the current layout for a MCBR. The park would probably never do this, but the need to add a MCBR just before the dive back inside the mountain itself. That won't really do much though unless the extended the layout. In my opinion extending the layout if the best course of action. The ride gains a ton of speed as it reenters the mountain and then comes to a complete stop. The ride has so much potential energy that is wasted there. If they continued the ride after this diver they could add a couple corkscrews and a loop perhaps on the back side of the mountain and then hit the break run. This would allow for the addition of an additional train and would fix what in my opinion is the worst part of this ride, the total waste of potential energy at the end of the layout.

Just my two cents.

 

[b.mac]

The problem is the layout would never allow for additional blocks. The would have to add a MCBR and there is no where in the current layout for a MCBR. The park would probably never do this, but the need to add a MCBR just before the dive back inside the mountain itself. That won't really do much though unless the extended the layout. In my opinion extending the layout if the best course of action. The ride gains a ton of speed as it reenters the mountain and then comes to a complete stop. The ride has so much potential energy that is wasted there. If they continued the ride after this diver they could add a couple corkscrews and a loop perhaps on the back side of the mountain and then hit the break run. This would allow for the addition of an additional train and would fix what in my opinion is the worst part of this ride, the total waste of potential energy at the end of the layout.

Just my two cents.

Two train loading and an extra waiting brake inside the volcano. I need to draw up an image since visually describing it wouldn't help what I'm trying to show.

EDITED AGAIN: Alright there we go. Only thing the ride requires is a second physical brake added to the turnaround of Volcano and possibly a more efficient system to slow the train down so that it can stop before the demonstrated in blue waiting block (if they manage it properly there will be no need for it to actually stop a train).

 

[MAZ]

4 trains on a 45 second coaster = eminent disaster. Thanks for the well thought out comparison between all of the coasters though Bmac. It's nice to know how much better everything else is, and how useless 7 more trains per hour will be for volcano's pathetic existence.

 

[b.mac]

4 trains on a 45 second coaster = eminent disaster. Thanks for the well thought out comparison between all of the coasters though Bmac. It's nice to know how much better everything else is, and how useless 7 more trains per hour will be for volcano's pathetic existence.

Kingda Ka managed until they changed their operating procedures due to issues with splitting the line into four loading stations, and Top Thrill Dragster uses it magnificently even though both rides last 30 seconds. Volcano can use a two station operation with 3 trains, which would reduce the estimated time needed for an individual train to cycle. But it creates a nightmare with loose articles since with three trains the two stations will not be handling the same trains at all times. An even better system would be to implement side-by-side stations ala Kingda Ka or Storm Runner, but that would cause monsterous collateral damage to the Volcano as a whole and would require more staff to operate the ride.

 

[Nicole]

I would be hesitant to use the loading system at Top Thrill Dragster as an example of anything other than how to manage a mob scene. Last time we rode it there was literally no line. Just a chaotic mass of people pushing to get through the gate and into the station.

 

[I305Evan]

The pictures below are from the exclusive preview day when I was able to experience my first roll back and ride evacuation (anyone that knows me, I strive to be evacuated from rides). During the 20 minute roll back to reset to the launch holding area to be evacuated, I got a good look at the inside of the mountain.

The pictures below were taken with my cell phone as my camera is too big to put in a pocket. And I will say that my phone was NOT out during the ride. I took it out once the train slowed all the way down. So these pictures are no where near decent quality, but you still get a great look at the inside of the mountain!

Enjoy!

 

[redsoxfan787]

This ride is ridiculous with waiting times. I stood in line for an hour and fifteen minutes, and the line started in the cave (tunnel).

 

[Nicole]

I really like the new queue, but I miss the Belgian lady. Too much trash and gum lying around, though.

 

[Mushroom]

The African lady over the PA was still there when I visited on opening weekend. Maybe she's feeling a little "under the weather?"

 

[Nicole]

All we heard were the ride operators, and I was listening for her.

Maybe she has given up trying to make people stow their loose articles.

 

[Russell]

This is just my opinion, but I think an orange paint job would look cooler than the traditional yellow. Since it is a volcano, I think that it would look more like lava. They could also do like fog machines coming out of the top and in the launch tunnels. They could also add red supports and red lights. Although it would completely change the look of the ride, I definitely think it would look awesome. Maybe even some deep drums in the background before the launch. Finally, some red supports would help appearance.

 

[wombat96]

I like that, definitely would be a nice change. Needs a bit of a re-vamp.

 

[UncleDuncan]

^ Good ideas, but I'd prefer they start with the inside of the mountain. You know, the part of the ride that looks like a terrorist set off a bomb inside a Home Depot.

 

[I305Evan]

Now that the train waits on the storage track while the train in the station advances, you get a clear look of the inside. So something really needs to be done on the final brakes to distract from the work areas directly to the left.

 

[Nicole]

I was wondering about that. I didn't recall sitting in the trash and work area before. I wasn't sure if something had changed, or if I simply hadn't noticed until now. Really, a profoundly unpleasant area.

 

[I305Evan]

I don't really find anything trashy about the inside of the Volcano. It's only a gravel flooring with a crap ton of footers. Also dust. Lots and lots of dust. Other than that there really isn't anything "trashy" in my opinion. Just really congested with all the structure/ ride supports.

And since I got a good look at the inside during my rollback, the area around the launch track is the same.

 

[Nicole]

When we were sitting there Friday we saw a bunch of junk piled up to our right.

 

[I305Evan]

I'll be there Saturday. I just realized I've never looked to the right

I always look at the ride mechanics (transfer track, brakes, ect.) I know there is a ladder on the right hand side though because I've seen them grab it before.

 

[MAZ]

Didn't there used to be large black canvases hiding the inside while in the final brakes? So they're gone?

 

[Nicole]

We figured they would put up walls or something? I personally don't mind seeing the mechanics, but I don't like the musty smell, and I didn't like the junk.

It would be cool if they made it look as if you were leaving the mountain somehow, like a cave or something.