Mine Train vs. Transformers

[bcrook]

How about never built technology?

I know of no other roller coaster that goes forwards and backwards like EE.

Mr Feeze at Six Flags runs forwards and backwards.

 

[smitch425]

How about never built technology?

I know of no other roller coaster that goes forwards and backwards like EE.

I have seen some that go forwards and backwards. Never ridden any, though. I hate coasters.

 

[chartle]

Mr Feeze at Six Flags runs forwards and backwards.

But not like EE, Mr Freeze looks a shuttle coaster that goes out and back on the same track.

There are many that do that like the Laser Loop at Kennywood or Mind Eraser at Geauga lake.

ETA I know that's not Geauga Lake. Couldn't find a pic of the exact coaster. But that is the Laser Loop.

 

[ryalluvdiz]

It's nice, but can't hold a candle to Apollo's Chariot...

I LOVED that ride.... I will always remember my husband thinking... Ahhh this will be nothing... And screaming like a five year old holding on for his life on the first drop... Hehehe... Good times....

 

[stindall]

It's nice, but can't hold a candle to Apollo's Chariot...

I've never been to Busch in Virginia but it's definitely towards the top of my list!

 

[DOOM1001]

I've never been to Busch in Virginia but it's definitely towards the top of my list!

If you're talking about unique rollercoaster technology,Busch Gardens in Williamsburg definitely is on the list,Verbolten their latest coaster has a part in the ride where an entire coaster section of track along with the train on it just drops like 30 feet,the rumor is that the Gringotts coaster going into the Universal Potter expansion might also have this unique element.

 

[stindall]

If you're talking about unique rollercoaster technology,Busch Gardens in Williamsburg definitely is on the list,Verbolten their latest coaster has a part in the ride where an entire coaster section of track along with the train on it just drops like 30 feet,the rumor is that the Gringotts coaster going into the Universal Potter expansion might also have this unique element.

That sounds incredible. We're visiting DC later this year, I'm tempted to tack on another day and drive down there to visit.

 

[DorianDonP]

How about never built technology?

I know of no other roller coaster that goes forwards and backwards like EE.

Revenge of The Mummy at Universal goes forward and backwards.

 

[kaligal]

Universal is trying hard to be recognized as a good themepark resort and seems on a track to get as much done as possible. New owners took over a few years ago and they seem to be very motivated to pour money into the parks.

Disney seems to be a little more complacent but of course they have a lot of money to spend on what is already there. I imagine that FL will be quite nice once it's finished.

I think that both companies are doing great things. I wish that Disney would do a little more but two great resorts being in one area like that is just wonderful IMO. Plus there's Seaworld too of course - I don't want to forget them.

Can't forget Sea World! It's an amazing park!

The staff is not as nice as Uni's, though, or even Disney's.

 

[mesaboy2]

How about never built technology?

I know of no other roller coaster that goes forwards and backwards like EE.

Thanks for understanding my point and articulating it better.

It doesn't matter if its more advanced or not, it matters if it hasn't been done before. This has major implications for engineering effort and development and test timelines.

And they all swing from under the track.

This ride's swing is mounted on the ride vehicle itself, above the track. The moment and stresses from the pivot point are extremely different from the suspended swingers. I expect them to have ride wear issues

My physics minor is a wee bit rusty, but those look like good points to me.

As for Apollo's Chariot: I've been on a few coasters and that one is still I think the scariest one I've done. No inversions, no backwards, no sneaky tricks. Just a simple out-and-back with a bunch of zero-G hills that, along with the very minimalist restraint system, make me feel like I'm going to soar off into the clouds going over each one. So scary I did it thrice.

 

[Jennasis]

The Transformers ride wasn't being built from scratch. This is the THIRD edition of the ride to be built. The first one is in Singapore, the second in Hollywood and now this one in Florida. It makes sense that it would take them next to nothing to build it as they've done it twice before. They already have a building for it. The mine train was imagineered and built from scratch, and it is MUCH larger than Transformers and includes a much much much more intensely themed outside (the mountain alone is a huge uptaking).

You simply can't compare the two.

 

[nat8199]

How about never built technology?

I know of no other roller coaster that goes forwards and backwards like EE.

Astroworld in Houston has had a roller coaster that goes forward and backwards for decades. It is awesome and much better than Everest. No theming, but it also s[pins you upside-down. LOVE IT!!!

I think that Disney wins hands-down for little kids, but as soon as my kids are older I cannot wait to take them to Universal. I have never been, and with all that I have heard about I just get more and more excited to go.

 

[ChrisnKim913]

Well the existing building was leveled and a new one was built. You are right though when it comes to the extent of the exterior. I just have a tough time believing that this ride "should" take 3 years to make. I feel Disney just isn't in a hurry, which I'm fine with as long as its due to details and making sure its built right.

 

[Titus2Momof4]

There have been inverted and suspended coasters that have swung. . . . .

Hi there Dznefreek! I've been trying to contact you but DISboards says my post count isn't high enough (been registered here since 2005 but have only made 2 posts, apparently!). Anyway, I can't send you a visitor message or a PM. Would you mind emailing me at tasha.swearingen at gmail dot com please? TIA!

 

[damo]

I can't figure out why Universal isn't using the Sponge Bob franchise to its fullest potential. Disney hit a major home run in CA Adventure with Cars Land. Uni would have a sure fire winner if they made a Bikini Bottom themed area complete with a Krusty Krab restaurant, and some Spongebob themed rides. I am a teacher and I have noticed that Spongebob is much more popular with my 4th, 5th and 6th graders than any Disney character.

Rumour is that a huge Spongebob area may be coming after the next Harry Potter phase is done at the Studios at Universal. There is currently an out-of-date kids area right next to the new Sponge Bob store that would be perfect to continue with the new theme.

Comcast committed 1.5 billion dollars on attractions at Universal over the next 10 years. After Transformers and the latest Harry Potter expansion, they will still have 850 million to spend on more park attractions.

How about never built technology?

I know of no other roller coaster that goes forwards and backwards like EE.

The Revenge of the Mummy in USH goes forwards and backwards.

 

[Planogirl]

Can't forget Sea World! It's an amazing park!

The staff is not as nice as Uni's, though, or even Disney's.

Neither is the food unless it has improved a lot. I existed on Shamu bars the last time we visited one of their parks.

 

[chartle]

Revenge of The Mummy at Universal goes forward and backwards.

Astroworld in Houston has had a roller coaster that goes forward and backwards for decades. It is awesome and much better than Everest. No theming, but it also s[pins you upside-down. LOVE IT!!!

The Revenge of the Mummy in USH goes forwards and backwards.

OK I see the confusion.

When I said "like EE" I meant "in the manor or using the same technology as EE. A rotating piece of track that switches the train to another section of track".

Many coasters go go forwards and backwards but they are mostly shuttle coasters such as the ones I posted above. In fact some of the first "coasters" where shuttle coasters.

As for Mummy we can start getting into what is or isn't a coaster which is way but hey here I go.

Before I spent all my computer time on these boards, I was mostly following roller coaster forums. My sons where and are to point still roller coaster fanboys and grew up during the golden age of roller coaster design and where every park from coast to coast was pushing the limit and spending 100's of millions of dollars building the next big thing. They also spent many hours playing Roller Coaster Tycoon.

Back in the day there was major discusion on whether or not Superman the Escape at Magic Mountain was roller coaster. This was a serious stuff since it would effect people's "Coaster Count"

Any way The Mummy I guess is still a coaster but looks like it uses simple track switching such as they use for commuter trains or trolleys.

So I guess what I'm saying is please stop replying to my post telling me about a roller somewhere that goes forwards and backwards unless its just like EE.

Also nat8199 could you give me the name of that coaster at Astroland? Wondering what type it was.

ETA: OK did a little bit more digging and you have to be talking about the Ultra Twister which I think was the only Pipeline Coaster built in the US. Yes it looked like a very cool ride (only saw it on TV) and did switch to on to another track, but I heard it just didn't work out. I think one of the main issues was low passenger capacity. It looked like it took forever to load and the train cars where short and it probably only ran two cars at a time. As for it being much better than Everest, that depends on the taste of the rider.

 

[Merbean09]

Neither is the food unless it has improved a lot. I existed on Shamu bars the last time we visited one of their parks.

I went to SeaWorld a lot as a kid, but my brother went last year on a field trip with his students (he is a middle school teacher) and he said it's almost exactly the same as when we first went, with the addition of one or two coasters.
I just can't even put it in the same ballpark as UO, IoA, or WDW.

Also: Someone referred to the "Dueling Dragons/Dragon Challenge" as being an incredible technological ride, wasn't that supposed to be in AK in "Beastly Kingdome"?? Or was that just a rumor?

 

[larryz]

Also: Someone referred to the "Dueling Dragons/Dragon Challenge" as being an incredible technological ride, wasn't that supposed to be in AK in "Beastly Kingdome"?? Or was that just a rumor?

I guess they spent all the ride money on the Yeti...

 

[cbsnyber1]

Big Bad Wolf at BGW comes to mind--loved it and sad that it's gone.

Big Bad is gone??!!! Man, I loved that one. I think I got my first ever coaster concussion on it. Haven't been there since about 2003. Well, as long as the Loch Ness is still around, another great coaster favorite.