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Author The Missing Link
Hercules
Posts: 4037
Registered: 10/13/2004

Rank: Platinum Critic
7/14/2005 3:39:31 PM
At some parks, there is that one ride that is missing out of their collection of coasters. There is that one headliner that would really put them on the map and really round out their coaster collection.

Think of it like this:
My favorite basketball team is the Chicago Bulls. They haven't won the championship since Jordan was around. This year, they finally made it back to the playoffs. However, they didn't advance past the first round. Why? Because they had all role players. They did not have that one stand out, take charge player to get them over the hump. On the other hand, the San Antonio Spurs were able to get the title this year because they had a solid group of role players to compliment Tim Duncan.

This is what I think of when I look at a parks coaster collection. Some places are missing that one coaster. Some places put in that one coaster and then build around it. Let's go to my home park, Dorney Park. They put in Steel Force in 1997, which I would consider to be the headliner coaster for the park. What they were lacking were role players for the coaster. At the time they had Hercules, Thunderhawk and Laser. Now, with the additions of Talon and Hydra, they have a fairly solid and eclectic group of coasters to accompany Steel Force. One thing that I think is missing is a solid wood (which I think will be coming in the next few years).

Over the years, the definition for the headliner or star attraction has changed. Great Adventure had it back when Scream Machine was built, but that soon faded into a role player position. They did not have that star player until the got Nitro in 2001. Nitro truely completed their collection for the time being and I'm sure for many years to come. Cedar Point got Magnum back in 1989, but then saw that they needed to one up it and got the first Giga coaster in 2000. One park that I have seen as the park that needed that star attraction was Six Flags over Georgia. It seems that they are getting it for next season, which should round out their collection of coasters very nicely. There are other parks, however, that I feel that can not be helped. A couple for me are Six Flags Magic Mountain and Paramount's Kings Dominion. They have tried to get the star coaster, but have failed. Kings Dominion, to me, seems very lackluster and only provides role player coasters. Perhaps they believed that Hypersonic was the answer for that, but it fell flat of those expectations. Magic Mountain just simply has one of the worst thought out coaster collections out there. I feel that coasters have to work together, just like the rest of the rides in the park. If there is no flow or plan to how and where and why things are built, it is just pointless.

I feel that a hyper or a nice launch coaster is that one missing link that some places have. Hershey got it with Storm Runner, and it is great.

Now, excluding some family owned parks, what are some of the places that you think are a victom of the Missing Link? Take this question however you want from what I said.

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"I could never design another ride like Hercules." - Curtis Summers

penguin22
Posts: 332
Registered: 2/14/2005

Rank: Silver Critic
7/14/2005 5:34:44 PM
Great topic. I really havn't thought about this before. I guess one victim is definitly Six Flags Astroworld. They have a variety of coasters that are not found at other Six Flags parks. However they aren't good enough to be a headliner. The park needs something such as a 250 foot hyper coaster or an 8 inversion flooless to to cfill in the missing link.
bb_dg
Posts: 3568
Registered: 7/31/2001

Rank: Site Moderator
7/14/2005 9:36:47 PM
ive thought about this too. here are some things i think would really round out some parks coaster collections:

dorney: in addition to a solid woodie (im thinking something like thunderhead), i think about the only other thing they need (to make the park complete IMO) is a launched coaster. whether it be ala steal venom or xcelerator, i think a small launched coaster would round it out nicely.

GAdv: a good, world-class woodie (which we are getting next year). i also think a spinning mouse by the water in the middle of the park would be fantastic.

KW: a looper... ANY type. i think something more traditional (im thinking wildfire) would be great.

CP: floorless. big (not like hydra, like medusa). and a world-class woodie (seems like a common theme with CF parks, minus KBF of course)

knoebels: terrain woodie. not sure how or where but it would be nice.
Danny
Posts: 6316
Registered: 5/23/2003

Rank: Platinum Critic
7/14/2005 9:52:26 PM
Pretty much all the Paramount parks fall into this category. It's a shame too, because they are all kept up very nicely.
Swimace
Posts: 5916
Registered: 8/28/2003

Rank: Platinum Critic
7/14/2005 10:51:33 PM
Quote:
bb_dg said:
a world-class woodie (seems like a common theme with CF parks, minus KBF of course)


And Michingain's Adventure who has Shivering Timbers

Aside from those parks, I have a few to point out. I think that all Paramount Parks (with the exception of Carowinds) need to put in a large looping coaster.

I think GL and SFOG need a hyper coaster (which I think is coming in the future for both parks). I think a B&M hyper would fit into both parks perfectly. Another park which could use the tough of a mega-coaster would be Knoebels IMO. Although I'm not thinking a towering speed machine in this case, I'm thinking a small airtime filled machine similair to Expedition GeForce.

I think that Hesheypark hit a home run with Storm Runner and BGT did the same with SheiKra. Those are two good examples of how a park can change with the addition of a new thrill (extreme launch and airtime).

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SheiKra- 2005's most amazing ride experience.
coaster05
Posts: 6207
Registered: 2/29/2004

Rank: Platinum Critic
7/14/2005 11:01:29 PM
Michigans adventure is definately missing that second coaster. They also need a flat with a thrill like a maxair, riptide or power tower. With a coupl good additions that place would really be good.
BobFunland
Posts: 7962
Registered: 8/9/2001

Rank: Site Moderator
7/14/2005 11:06:40 PM
Quote:
penguin22 said:
Great topic. I really havn't thought about this before. I guess one victim is definitly Six Flags Astroworld. They have a variety of coasters that are not found at other Six Flags parks. However they aren't good enough to be a headliner. The park needs something such as a 250 foot hyper coaster or an 8 inversion flooless to to cfill in the missing link.


Have you been there? The Cyclone is, and probably will be for a while, their star attraction. Sure, it may not be on the billboards, but the people down there still love the ride, even after 30 years(much like the Beast), and for good reason.

Oh, and show me where the park could fit a 250' hyper or an 8-inversion B&M... or guarantee that it would be able to make a return on the investment that wouldn't hurt the entire chain as a whole.

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It's Playtime!
larrygator
Posts: 4654
Registered: 11/7/2002

Rank: Platinum Critic
7/14/2005 11:53:18 PM
SFMM's missing link is operations not coasters. X is a centerpeice coaster, when it is running. Riddler's Revenge is that good also. Some will say the same about Goliath (although I will not).

Knoebels doesn't need a mega coaster, it would not fit in the park. Sort of like saying IOA needs a go kart track.

I think Hershey has a great well rounded line-up and Storm Runner fits the missing link criteria.

It seems like PKD has tried twice for the missing link with Hypersonic and Volcano: Blast Coaster and failed in both instances.

PKI sure could use something

penguin22
Posts: 332
Registered: 2/14/2005

Rank: Silver Critic
7/15/2005 11:27:30 AM
Quote:
BobFunland said:
Have you been there? The Cyclone is, and probably will be for a while, their star attraction. Sure, it may not be on the billboards, but the people down there still love the ride, even after 30 years(much like the Beast), and for good reason.

Oh, and show me where the park could fit a 250' hyper or an 8-inversion B&M... or guarantee that it would be able to make a return on the investment that wouldn't hurt the entire chain as a whole.


I have not been there nor do I plan on going there anytime soon. I have heard good things about Cyclone but to me it doesn't look like a coaster that draws many people. I have no idea if SFAW could fit a hper or floorless I'm just coming up with ideas of a coaster that could be the park's headliner whether they can build it or not. You have to admit that SFAW needs some type of coaster.

Hercules
Posts: 4037
Registered: 10/13/2004

Rank: Platinum Critic
7/15/2005 1:29:00 PM
Well, part of this whole thing is picking something that would actually fit into the park in terms of not only space but also fiscally.

No steel for Knoebels. That is just asinine.

I feel that Storm Runner truely did fulfill Hershey's line up perfectly.

In the first post I said just King's Dominion, but Kings Island kind of fits in there too I guess eventhough The Beast still looms.

That's exactly what I thought of when thinking about Hypersonic and Volcano, Larry.
Message updated 7/15/2005 1:30:13 PM by Hercules
bb_dg
Posts: 3568
Registered: 7/31/2001

Rank: Site Moderator
7/15/2005 4:34:03 PM
Quote:
Swimace said:
And Michingain's Adventure who has Shivering Timbers


yes but ghostrider was the only world-class woodie actually installed by CF at one of their parks. ST was installed in 98 and MIAdv was bought by cedar fair in 2001

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mrceagle
Posts: 13804
Registered: 6/9/2001

Rank: TPC News Minister
7/15/2005 4:47:35 PM
I coudl go on forever almost with a topic like this. there is jsut so much that could be added around NE.

Lake Compounce. THis park has a solid wood base with Boulderdash adn Wildcat. the park dose not however have a solid steel. any sort os well laid out steel looping coasater woudl be great for the park. itdosn't even need any sort of gimik liek beign floorless or stand up. jsut well laid out and fun.

Canobie lake - The park needs another family style coaster now that Galixy is gone. they also need another woodie. something moders liek Thunderhead. the park also needs some thign of a compact looper perhaps a stand up. with this three coaster they coudl offer a veriaty of ride not found in NE and show off another side of themselfs.

All the small parks in NEw England could use another coaster perhaps famly style wood coasters.
Swimace
Posts: 5916
Registered: 8/28/2003

Rank: Platinum Critic
7/15/2005 5:37:41 PM
Quote:
bb_dg said:
yes but ghostrider was the only world-class woodie actually installed by CF at one of their parks. ST was installed in 98 and MIAdv was bought by cedar fair in 2001


Oh Ok, I see where you're coming from
WAR2174
Posts: 1067
Registered: 3/6/2003

Rank: Platinum Critic
7/15/2005 8:54:28 PM
Busch Gardens Williamsburg I feel is missing a few solid flats. While I totally appreciate the fact the BGW hasn't filled the park with rides everywhere they could use an update. Here is my plan(it will be easy to follow for folks who have been there):

Take out the Canadian Palladium Theater in New France. The show is good but dosen't fit the park (they sing modern songs) It just has a weird feel. Build a Huss Giant Top Spin with a logging theme and call it "Buzzsaw" or "Ripsaw" or something like that. That area has few rides and could use a little more pep, and a top spin won't ruin the area.
Top Spin

Second move is to move "Der Katapult" in Oktoberfest to Ireland in it's old location in the Castle O'Sullivan. Making that scrambler a little more exciting by moving it inside and adding a laser show and music. Replacing "der Katapult" in Oktoberfest would be a Jump2 also by Huss. It could retain the "Der Katapult" name with german theme. It would fit the area well and give it another major ride to stretch out crowds.
Jump2

My major plan is to add Spain as a new country over behind Das Festhaus, with a floorless coaster maybe called "Conquistador" as the centerpiece. Also add a dive machine named "Banshee" in Ireland replacing Corkscrew Hill and a B&M flyer named "Aelous" (the roman wind god) in the field next to Pompeii. But that is all a pipedream.
Message updated 7/15/2005 8:57:47 PM by WAR2174
mrceagle
Posts: 13804
Registered: 6/9/2001

Rank: TPC News Minister
7/16/2005 12:49:49 AM
Down fall is both those rides would have to be far more thmed then ever before to even begin to fit in. they arn't bad ideas but I don't see a giant frisbie and a Jump 2 fiting in the parks. two morern a ride for such and old charm park. they hide there coasters for a reason.
sfo1
Posts: 5359
Registered: 7/22/2003

Rank: Platinum Critic
7/16/2005 1:33:04 AM
Of course a hyper for Geauga Lake, that long, forever promised hyper. However, we won't be seeing one until they straighten out their attendance issues. Also, WWK was a huge investment. Over phase one and two, $26 million dollars will be placed into GL. I think a hyper will be open for speculation in 2007 at the earliest.

And, even though they have more than enough coasters, Cedar Point is mmissing a prize woodie as said a gazillion times on this and other sites. MS could be one, sadly it is not with the way they trim the thing.

I fully agree about KW and a looper, the GP is really recognizing this missing link. I think we will see a looper with this new land expansion deal they got.
WAR2174
Posts: 1067
Registered: 3/6/2003

Rank: Platinum Critic
7/16/2005 6:42:01 AM
Quote:
mrceagle said:
Down fall is both those rides would have to be far more thmed then ever before to even begin to fit in. they arn't bad ideas but I don't see a giant frisbie and a Jump 2 fiting in the parks. two morern a ride for such and old charm park. they hide there coasters for a reason.


While I respect where you are coming from, I don't believe that these two rides would damage the overall feel of the park. A Jump2 is about 75 ft. tall and 55 ft in diameter. That isn't too big, and would fit in the area I suggested. Also a top spin would fit in the other area well too. I don't think any trees would even have to get torn down. They would provide a very organic aspect to the park. They wouldn't be big gaudy monsters taking up space. A giant frisbee wouldn't fit for sure. It is just too big. Anyway, all the talk is just academic since BGW won't be doing any of this. But it is fun to think about.

Message updated 7/16/2005 6:42:41 AM by WAR2174
Swimace
Posts: 5916
Registered: 8/28/2003

Rank: Platinum Critic
7/16/2005 10:20:13 AM
Quote:
WAR2174 said:
My major plan is to add Spain as a new country over behind Das Festhaus, with a floorless coaster maybe called "Conquistador" as the centerpiece. Also add a dive machine named "Banshee" in Ireland replacing Corkscrew Hill and a B&M flyer named "Aelous" (the roman wind god) in the field next to Pompeii. But that is all a pipedream.


I also tought that they should add Spain or Portugal. They could put it where Drachen Fire once resided. BGW has a ton of land to expand back behind France and Germany.

WAR2174
Posts: 1067
Registered: 3/6/2003

Rank: Platinum Critic
7/16/2005 8:39:45 PM
^ That is exactly the location I would use too! I feel Spain is the perfect choice to add since America has such a huge influence from Hispanic people. It pays homage to the achievments of Hispanics. There are so many things you could do with it.
mrceagle
Posts: 13804
Registered: 6/9/2001

Rank: TPC News Minister
7/18/2005 12:05:39 AM
If you want to have allot fo rides like tat have an October fest fair grounds. instal lots of Huss rides and utalive liek mentioned above the Drachn Fire site. True set some land aside for Spain since they nees some room as well. but a fair area woudl allow you to instal rides liek the Jump 2 and not have them be aout of place.
Hercules
Posts: 4037
Registered: 10/13/2004

Rank: Platinum Critic
7/18/2005 3:01:17 PM
There has been a rumor floating around about a new themed land and coaster in the area where Drachen Fire was for the 2007 season. Maybe something like that would be possible. However, I don't like the idea of loading up on coasters there. I respect their quality over quantity concept there.
Message updated 7/18/2005 3:02:03 PM by Hercules
WAR2174
Posts: 1067
Registered: 3/6/2003

Rank: Platinum Critic
7/18/2005 3:33:59 PM
That is a rumor that has been off and on again for a few years. Busch is very secretive, so you never know what they are thinking. I think that it would be a great idea. Busch does such a good job, they will never sell out and build coasters or rides just to do it. They will find a way to blend them in.

mrceagle
Posts: 13804
Registered: 6/9/2001

Rank: TPC News Minister
7/18/2005 8:03:00 PM
Really I jsut maid the idea up. I wasn't wantign to load it up with coasters. maybe 2-3 one beign a family, one being somthing a littel grander, and one beigna blow out exitment coaster. then some traditional October fest rides(mostly Huss)
WAR2174
Posts: 1067
Registered: 3/6/2003

Rank: Platinum Critic
7/18/2005 11:26:19 PM
^ Trust me dude. That place has always had rumors flying around it about almost everything. There has always been talk about adding rides and things like that.
mrceagle
Posts: 13804
Registered: 6/9/2001

Rank: TPC News Minister
7/19/2005 1:02:59 AM
it's not the worse Idea. I jsut think that would bake it easyer to make the rides fit in. just havign them in the park I think they would stick out. they are both very domanent and visible coaster.
CoastrGlxy
Posts: 358
Registered: 5/23/2005

Rank: Silver Critic
7/19/2005 10:53:49 AM
I was thinking Spain too. And you know if all of us are thinking it Busch has to have entertained that possibility. A nicely themed king-of-all floorless coasters in this new section would be awesome and probably the most obvioius addition.

I don't think they'd go w/ a flying coaster b/c it may be too intense for their core family audience. By intense I don't mean painful, I mean too intimidating. But that's just my opinion.

A monster woodie would be cool, but people from the area have already pointed out that there's some kind of noise ordinance, so they wouldn't ever install one.

Lastly, if they can one-up Sheikra and put in a bigger dive machine, the same way Alpengeist did Montu, that'd be cool too.
mrceagle
Posts: 13804
Registered: 6/9/2001

Rank: TPC News Minister
7/19/2005 4:34:38 PM
I don't think spain is on the list. what dose spain have to do with the OLD Country. that is the parks theme. it has allot to do with emagrints and were then came form. but I two would like to see them get a wood coaster.
WAR2174
Posts: 1067
Registered: 3/6/2003

Rank: Platinum Critic
7/19/2005 5:59:43 PM
The park is based on old European countries. Yes, I know New France doesn't fit. That has always bothered me for some reason. France, Italy, England, and Germany were the countries that helped create the country. Spain used to be a powerful empire unitl we beat them in the Spanish-American war and took Cuba, Puerto Rico, the Phillipnes, and Guam. Spain had a huge role in the development in our country even in the 1700's.
RCGenius
Posts: 1180
Registered: 12/23/2004

Rank: Platinum Critic
7/21/2005 6:18:44 AM
HP really filled in that missing link w/Storm Runner last yr., but I still think they're really missing that other missing link that'll make HP's coaster collection complete. That missing link's a hyper. As you can see, SR's a lot of fun, but it stands only 150 ft. high. If they could have a B&M hyper that has AC's airtime hills & RB's twister design, that'll really make HP one of the top contenders again.

DP's missing link's definitely a giant woody that can compete w/their 3 steel coasters. Thunderhawk's DP's only woody, but it stands only 80 ft. high. If they could have a GCI woody that would stand around 130 ft. high, reaching 60 m.p.h., having 4000-4500 ft. of track, & a great custom design layout will have DP being one of the top parks to go to in order to experience more than SF, Talon, & Hydra: the Revenge.

KW's in desperate need of a looper that'll really fill in that missing link. All they need to do's buy at least 50 acres of land & then use that land to put in something like a B&M invert. The invert would stand around 100 ft. high, has at least 4 inversions, covers a lot of terrain like Thunderbolt & PR, & would be at least 3000-3500 ft. of track, that'll definitely complete KW's void of a steel looper since the Steel Phantom back in 1991.

Knoebels also needs a looper since the former Whirlwind's now at a Puerto Rican park. Knoebels could use a B&M twister or floorless design. It would stand around 130 ft. high, reaching speeds of 65 m.p.h., having at least 5-7 inversions, has around 3000-4000 ft. of track, & it'll blend in w/Knoebels' old-fashioned charm. I was thinking along the lines of SDC's Wildfire which is a great steel looper to ride, but it doesn't affect SDC's laid-back charm at all. That'll also complete Knoebel's missing link & that steel looper would be a great compliment to Pheonix & Twister.

BGW's in desperate need of a new coaster, preferably a woody. They haven't added a new coaster since AC back in 1999. If they could pull off a GCI woody that'll stand around 120 ft., has a great twister layout w/some airtime hills too, & will have at least 3500 ft. of track, that'll complete BGW's void as they'll finally have a woody.

SFA really needs that one custom designed layout coaster. Their only coaster w/a custom designed layout's Wild One. Other than that, all of their other coasters are neither exactly cloned or mirrorly cloned. If they could put in something like a B&M floorless & maybe get rid of the Mind Eraser & replacing it w/a B&M invert, both of them will really make great additions to SFA's coaster collection.

IOA could really use a good woody too. That woody would blend in w/the Jurassic park theme by ripping through the woods as if they're being chased by a T-Rex or so'em. It would stand 120 ft. high, have that one of a kind layout that'll be unforgetable just like Incredible Hulk & Dueling Dragons, & would have at least 3500 ft. of track, that'll make IOA's coaster collection complete. If that rumored B&M flyer being put back at Jurassic Park does become a reality, that'll also make a great addition to IOA since B&M pulled off already both of their 2 well designed coasters w/a lot of theming & an overall enjoyable coaster experience.
mrceagle
Posts: 13804
Registered: 6/9/2001

Rank: TPC News Minister
7/21/2005 2:22:46 PM
Quote:
WAR2174 said:
The park is based on old European countries. Yes, I know New France doesn't fit. That has always bothered me for some reason. France, Italy, England, and Germany were the countries that helped create the country. Spain used to be a powerful empire unitl we beat them in the Spanish-American war and took Cuba, Puerto Rico, the Phillipnes, and Guam. Spain had a huge role in the development in our country even in the 1700's.


I know that Spain had there hand in a few things. but when you look at Emigration and the old county on which they are from Spain was never really one of them. you have more greeke emagrants then Spanish. most of those who are are from Mexico not spain. It's also an over used theme in may theme parks. Greese witha very uniquie calture might fite the park better since teaching is hiddon in there theme park.

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Miracles can be made with a rock!

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