What are these rides ?
JoelZ
SKY COASTER--An advanced bungee jump-type of attraction, where 1-3 are
loaded into a harnass & pulled 150-200 feet in the air. They pull a rip
cord and drop straight down, then swing out between the two towers to
which the cable/harnass are attached. (It's like a big swing at about
65mph.) These attractions almost always involve an additional fee (like
$20). "Drop Zone" is the rumored name and theme for the sky coaster being
installed at PKI. (I guess "Drop Zone" was a Paramount movie about
skydiving, but I don't remember it!)
2ND GEN FREEFALL--A new technically advanced version of the "old"
freefalls ("Demon Drop", et. al.) circa 1985-87. They're similar in
design to Disney's "Tower of Terror", in that you land sitting in an
upright position, and there are multiple cars falling at once.
"Hellevator" is the nickname which have given to these type rides (which I
think is based on the brand name of one installed at a park--Kentucky
Kingdom, maybe?)
skipup
I'll give it a try, but I'm sure that some other, more technical minded,
person can do a better job.
Skycoaster: AKA "Drop Zone"
Badically a "bungee" type experience which can be sampled by 1 - 3
persons. Basic concept is 1-3 persons in a harness device similar
(although not exactly) to that of a hang glider. Harness apparatus is
attached by cable (cord ??) to some type of metal frame resembling the
St. Louis Arch. patrons pulled back and up by opposing pole and at apex
are let go to fall and then swing through arch. Swing is uncontrolled
and continues until you lose momentum.
Imagine a Huss pirate ship with you as the boat. same concept.
THis is a device which could be set up at a carnival, festival, or fair.
Hellevator or 2nd generation freefall:
Imagine an Intamin Freefall ride, 140-170 feet (?) tall, with no runout.
Its basically a skytower with the freefall ride system along the side of
the tower. THe cars are sort of like ski-lift chairs, feet a'dangling,
with a footrest. The cars are hoisted up and then freefall, just like in
the original freefall ride, but then come to a stop without turning you
on your back. The motion would appear to be like that of an elevator
that actually freefalls but then stops in the shaft. It is supposed to
be a true freefall, unlike Disney's "Twilight Zone" experience.
First Installation is Kentucky Kingdom in Louisville, KY. SOFT Opening
anytime in July (maybe as early as late June, but don't count on that).
Official premiere is supposed to happen during the park's Halloween
Promotion this Fall. However, as KK is on a Pay as you go Policy during
the KY State Fair, you can bet the farm that this thing will be open then
unless there is some major unexpected delay.
Sorry I can't do ascii art to help you out here, but this should give you
the basic idea. As always, I defer to others with better descriptive
abilities.
Bret Jacobs, "skipup" and wondering how long before a plane on approach
to Standiford field clips the Hellevator at KK.
Learning01
that I am unfamiliar with. In particular I have seen references
to "Skycoaster", "Hellevator", "Drop Zone", and "SECOND
generation free fall type" rides.
I am familiar with the basic free fall ride that has been around
for the last several years in many amusement parks but there
now seems to be (from what I have been reading here) a new
generation of these rides.
For those of us that know nothing about these new rides
can someone manage a moderately detailed description of
what they look like and what they do ?
Thanks.
Daniel Rouse, Jr.
>
> Imagine an Intamin Freefall ride, 140-170 feet (?) tall, with no runout.
> Its basically a skytower with the freefall ride system along the side of
> the tower. THe cars are sort of like ski-lift chairs, feet a'dangling,
> with a footrest. The cars are hoisted up and then freefall, just like in
> the original freefall ride, but then come to a stop without turning you
> on your back. The motion would appear to be like that of an elevator
> that actually freefalls but then stops in the shaft. It is supposed to
> be a true freefall, unlike Disney's "Twilight Zone" experience.
>
Drop ride at Knott's Berry Farm doing this before these so-called "2nd
Generation" freefalls? If memory serves, on the parachute drop, one stands
in an open top cage, is hoisted to the top of the cable, and then is dropped.
The ride slows to a stop as the cage reaches the bottom of the cable.
In light of this, wouldn't this ride system just be a variation on an
already existing ride type?
--
Signed,
Daniel W. Rouse, Jr.
Computer Science/Instrumental Music Double-Major
California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
E-mail address: dwr...@csupomona.edu
Dave Althoff
parachute drop without the parachute)
Actually, I think some of the Intamin parachute drop rides actually do use
seats (I may be wrong about this...). As I understand it, the big
difference is that the Freefall II uses a free-fall with a brake at the
bottom, while I believe the parachute tower is at a governed rate all the
way down. Even so, I wouldn't mind riding the parachute tower (we don't
have any in Ohio). Not so sure about the Hellevator, though...!
--Dave (.sig is unofficially open, BTW)
--
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Cp Irvine
That Joel Zarley I'm talking to? Just thought I'd point out
something--in your post you say, "(Demon Drop et.al) circa 1985-87"
<sorry folks don't like direct quotes>. In that case, then Demon Drop's
not a part of that group-it was built in 1983 <VVVBG>. Ever thought the
Space Spiral would make a great Hellavator? <VVBGA> j/k
CP Irvine (hka...@prodigy.com)
a.k.a backseat~cp~
*Your Friendly Neighborhood P* Cedar Point Rep*
Interama
> Although it does not use ski-lift style chairs, wasn't the
Parachute
>Drop ride at Knott's Berry Farm doing this before these so-called "2nd
>Generation" freefalls? If memory serves, on the parachute drop, one
stands
>in an open top cage, is hoisted to the top of the cable, and then is
dropped.
>The ride slows to a stop as the cage reaches the bottom of the cable.
Some Intamin parachute towers use the stand-up cages/baskets. Some use
seats that let the feet dangle freely. Some use a combination of both.
(BTW, the one at Knott's is a combo parachute tower/gyro tower.) In any
case, there is no true free fall on these rides. They are much like an
elevator ride.
Best regards,
Steven Wilson
inte...@aol.com aka ste...@vnet.ibm.com San Jose, CA
skipup
drop rides, here's some additional info.
True, several of the parachute drop rides offered stand up and/or sit down
seating. Your feet were left to dangle on the sit down rides, however
there was a large impact cushion under the seat that effectively kept you
from swinging your legs back. (minor point, I know)
Also the drops were controlled all of the way, and the seat/basket was
atached by cables (very much like an elevator).
The freefalls (including the new versions) are not controlled descents,
they are truly free falls, and you should have free range of motion with
your legs, as you would on a B&M inverted ride. Also, the new rides will
have more than one ride system along the tower, up to 4, possibly six on
the deluxe models. KK's has 4 I believe.
If you enjoyed the freefalls, then the Hellevator should send you over
the edge. Latest report from KK, (sat May26) indicated that the ride was
topped off and testing should begin within the next week. Looks like
that soft opening in mid-June might be a reality. However, I wouldn't
make ANY travel plans based on that info.
I'll keep you posted.
Bret Jacobs
Joel Zarley
Yes, it's me!! Fancy running into you here! (There's enough CP posts to
keep you busy for weeks and weeks!)
Yes, of course you're right about the date for "Demon Drop" (like I'd
ever doubt you ;-) To be honest, I was pulling the years out of the air,
but I thought I'd be pretty close (kind of like those age & weight
games!!)
Are you going to make it down to PKI this season & do "Drop Zone"? Talk
about free fall! I'm in the process of raising my courage to give it a
shot. Of course, I'll then buy a video & tee shirt and give Viacom
another hundred bucks! (I'm the kind of consumer they dream about!)
Talk to you later,
Joel
Interama
--snip--
>True, several of the parachute drop rides offered stand up and/or sit
down
>seating. Your feet were left to dangle on the sit down rides, however
>there was a large impact cushion under the seat that effectively kept you
>from swinging your legs back. (minor point, I know)
Those "impact cushions" were added by Six Flags in later years. They
weren't on there when the rides first opened (nor for many years
afterwards). The year the Great Gasp opened at SFOG, upon request, the
ride operators would spin your chairs for you. Little chance of that
happening today.