Hersheypark: Attraction 2012 Rumor and News Discussion

If the coaster is anything like what you have drawn so far, it will be great. Even if it is only a little bit like the drawings, I'll be happy.

If this becomes a dive coaster, come on - that would be awesome! Flying over the river at high speeds and crossing over Comet, SDL, and Founders Circle! From all the survey markings and hints we have, it looks like the layout will be decently large - a great feature for the ride...sort of like flying over the crowds. It looks like it will have a nice view, if anything, plus a lot of airtime. If it's an Intamin - all the better.

CoasterEricHP wrote:Here it tis-
[REMOVED PICTURE]

Wow, that's an awesome design for a coaster - but that's HUUUUGE. Like that's got to be a longer track than Lightning Racer combined. Really cool though. Wish something like that were possible to happen.

I really don't think the crest means anything other than it's a griffin reaching for the 12th star, the star representing a new coaster. The only other way I really have ever read into it is that they're going to name the ride "Griffin" or "Gryffen" or however they would choose to spell it. I do have my suspicions about this ride though, especially when it seemed like there was a time last summer when this ride was going to be in a slightly different location (such as the lift marker that was spotted on the pathway between Comet and Founder's Circle that's unused). I think something happened and the ride had to be changed as a result.

Personally, what I think we're going to end up having is an Intamin coaster that has a lift on Comet's side of the creek, runs across the creek a few times, along the side of the creek next to the road, crosses back over, runs down between Comet and Founder's Circle by Traffic Jam through Scrambler and curves over top Comet's station area, runs through where the games are and back into the station.

I see that being inline with Ccron10's post below, except for the markers between Comet's run out towards Rhineland and Mini Himalaya, through Tiny Tracks. I think those markers shown on his map I'm posting below in that location is remnants of the slightly different location I just mentioned and that they don't exist any more as markers.

Ccron10 wrote:

Doesn't Busch Gardens own the rights to the name "Griffon" for their Dive Machine? I wouldn't see that name coming in that form because of that reason.

Also, those markings between Founder's Circle and Comet were some of the first ones to show up last summer. If you go several pages back and see one of Stormwinder's photos, you'll know that. They showed up before the ones in Comet Hollow did.

Honestly griffon was a great ride, if hershey had one the difference between it and FH would be pretty large. Go to rcdb and look at pics of how big the track/trains are. Still agreeing with screamscape there stuff is usually on point and there sources are saying intamin mega..the coaster of my dreams at my home park! OH and by the way I have a good feeling about that drawling best one i have seen so far.

I'm thinking that if this turns out to be an Intamin mega, maybe it will have the same track design as I305 and then they can reduce the amount of supports used with the lift. That could very well be possible.

Agreed with keeping lift supports to a minimum I think it looks better with less anyway. Love what you guys did with the mobile site just noticed today even though it kills me to have an iPhone layout on my Droid incredible

intaminfan08 wrote:Agreed with keeping lift supports to a minimum I think it looks better with less anyway. Love what you guys did with the mobile site just noticed today even though it kills me to have an iPhone layout on my Droid incredible

We have a mobile site? I awnestly didn't know this.

Here's an updated sketch showing the recent rumor in combination with the stakes.
I figure that there might be enough room behind the game building next to Skyview for a station, transfer, and queue area considering Comet's building could almost fit in there.
If the station was to be built there, then I guess we could see an Intimidator-like lift hill crossing over Skyview, the midway, and Comet's queue line. I would think Tilt-A-Whirl would still need to be removed, but if the coaster would run perfectly straight alond this section, it would easily cross over Comet's first drop and return section, and the creek following the rest of the stakes.

Here's an updated sketch showing the recent rumor in combination with the stakes.

Right now I have no idea whats going in but it looks like its going to be fun trying to figure it out. I also think the rendering by CoasterEricHP looks absolutly increadable! That would be the best posibility but not the most probable in my opinion.

I think that there may be a possibility that this may be pretty close to Chris' drawing, minus going around Comet's final turnaround. I envision this to do a double out and back between Comet and Creekside utilizing both those hillsides. The 30-some supports in the lake that was proposed at the zoning board hearing could be to support one or two turns over the creek in that location. Either or of how this turns out and where the station does end up, I think it's still safe to say that Tilt-A-Whirl is still moving to a new location.

EDIT:

I took my drawing and tried my best to apply the concept to it. I also drew in the small shack and fence (plus represented Creekside Catering in its current state) to the actual drawing and applied a computer rendering of my current ideas to what this thing may look like. Station would be where the ring toss game is currently located, and the queue would extend back on the former path that was removed to make way for Storm Runner. It would feature an I305-style lift hill to eliminate the use of supports in a majority of that area, plus possibly saving the Comet Hollow games building (or reducing it if needed), followed by a double out and back design between Creekside and Comet. This would also follow the two rows of stakes on the hillside alongside Park Blvd. The supports in the creek would represent what was approved at the zoning board hearing regarding 30-some supports in the water. The brakes would be designed similar to Storm Runner's at the end...angled but high enough to pass over Skyview and Comet.



The only flaw I could see with this is maybe extending the one overbanked turn down more towards Creekside Catering since they were digging down there and leveled off what they've done.

HPCrazy wrote:Also, those markings between Founder's Circle and Comet were some of the first ones to show up last summer. If you go several pages back and see one of Stormwinder's photos, you'll know that. They showed up before the ones in Comet Hollow did.

They were the first markers to show up and the first ones to go.

I'm not sure where this hypothesis that there is enough room to even fit a roller coaster station where that games building next to Skyview is. That building as it is sits next to a hill. Behind the game is the old Turnpike tunnel. There's no room to have a track run around a station for that to work, let alone to have space to be able to get trains in and out of the station for off season maintenance, or have the room for a transfer track to take trains on and off. Consider the sizes of Storm Runner, Fahrenheit and Great Bear's station. They are big buildings, although Fahrenheit's is the smallest. We're talking about a big coaster here, not one with tiny 12 seat trains like Fahrenheit. We're probably looking at a Storm Runner-type 20-seat train or the I-305-type train which is 32-seat train. Secondly, there aren't any markers there. Thirdly, there have always been markers labeled station in the Tilt-A-Whirl area since mid-summer when those first appeared.

And besides, for the sake of argument, if it were a B&M coaster, a standard B&M train would be too big to fit that area. Especially since B&M puts their trains in garages.

In addition, there were markers leading into the Tilt-A-Whirl area from Comet's entrance with numbers in the low 100's, 106 and 107, if memory serves. Down near the Comet, there were markers labeled in the low 90s. Near the Comet exit you could see a marker labeled in the upper 80s. Meanwhile, in the Tilt-A-Whirl line, there were markers for 4 and 5. That indicates that the travel of the track would be in similar fashion to how Comet comes into it's station, bends in a similar fashion to Comet, except over top of it, runs where the games buildings are currently next to Comet, into the station and then out of the station towards the lift.

hpinsane wrote:In addition, there were markers leading into the Tilt-A-Whirl area from Comet's entrance with numbers in the low 100's, 106 and 107, if memory serves. Down near the Comet, there were markers labeled in the low 90s. Near the Comet exit you could see a marker labeled in the upper 80s. Meanwhile, in the Tilt-A-Whirl line, there were markers for 4 and 5. That indicates that the travel of the track would be in similar fashion to how Comet comes into it's station, bends in a similar fashion to Comet, except over top of it, runs where the games buildings are currently next to Comet, into the station and then out of the station towards the lift.

Since you most certainly know this, then you should be able to tell us where they will fit a 200-foot lift in that area, especially if the brake run/transfer is going to be next to Comet. The only logical place to do this is bend the track out of the station, through Comet (or over the bottom of its first drop) and have the lift start there? So we can expect those games buildings to be gone this season?

The space allowed for a station alongside comet by the tilt-a-whirl is long, but narrow. So I have a feeling the station may be like the one on Millennium Force, with the unloading platform being on the same side as the loading platform, with the train rolling ahead empty from unload to load positions. I guess the only way to fit a standard station, if even possible, would be if it was the size of El Toro's station at SFGAdv. Storm Runner's station is I think the largest one in the park because of the twin loading channels, but look; it nearly touches Trailblazer's track. The Intamin stations in general are typically smaller than B&M stations, and most Intamins require an attendant at the entrance turnstile regulating the number of people in the station at a time.

HPCrazy wrote:

hpinsane wrote:In addition, there were markers leading into the Tilt-A-Whirl area from Comet's entrance with numbers in the low 100's, 106 and 107, if memory serves. Down near the Comet, there were markers labeled in the low 90s. Near the Comet exit you could see a marker labeled in the upper 80s. Meanwhile, in the Tilt-A-Whirl line, there were markers for 4 and 5. That indicates that the travel of the track would be in similar fashion to how Comet comes into it's station, bends in a similar fashion to Comet, except over top of it, runs where the games buildings are currently next to Comet, into the station and then out of the station towards the lift.

Since you most certainly know this, then you should be able to tell us where they will fit a 200-foot lift in that area, especially if the brake run/transfer is going to be next to Comet. The only logical place to do this is bend the track out of the station, through Comet (or over the bottom of its first drop) and have the lift start there? So we can expect those games buildings to be gone this season?

That would be the logical way. Those game buildings are certainly in their last year. I would expect them to get removed shortly after the park would announce the attraction. Either way, it's going to happen at some point.

After reading these posts and checking out the drawings, I'm just wondering what is the clearance of the track in relation to Comet and Comet Hollow? The track seems to have height the whole way, but how low does it actually get?

Fanatic wrote:After reading these posts and checking out the drawings, I'm just wondering what is the clearance of the track in relation to Comet and Comet Hollow? The track seems to have height the whole way, but how low does it actually get?

I would think it would have pretty high clearance through out the area around Comet. I would think that crossing over Comet's station it would be in similar clearance to where the one break on Comet is in the middle of the ride where it makes the turn back leading towards it's dog leg. The way I'd imagine it would be if you were going through that brake on Comet you would be about level with the new ride. Similar to how SooperDooperLooper and Great Bear are on similar heights when they cross over Coal Cracker. (For reference, Looper crosses over Coal Cracker and goes into the tunnel, Great Bear crosses Coal Cracker and heads into the photo spot and the station.)

A train of 32 seats or more would make the most sense if Attraction 2012 is a hyper; they need more weight on a train in order to have enough momentum from the drops to go over the large hills. I think they should even do 36 to a train, that's what the B&M hypers have, as well as Millennium and Bizarro in Massachusetts. I'm surprised that the Superman in Maryland doesn't have a ninth car. Now it also makes sense that we're 95% sure it'll be Intamin, because they only have two seats per row, while Bolio and M-lard have four. Beemers also have wider stations because of that.

I thought of a good solution in terms of the restraints used on this ride. How about the kind on Cedar Point's Shoot-the-Rapids, where a lapbar swings down from above (like on Storm Runner and Kingdom Ka, but without the overhead straps)?

That's some mad drawing skills Hpcrazy, but I'd be willing to bet the coaster is going to be a lot longer than that (at least I hope). One of the benefits of a typical hyper coaster is that it provides a relatively long ride, a key feature needed to differentiate project 2012 from their other coasters for the GP. If it is that short, I'm sure we'll hear people complain that the ride is like Storm Runner with the loops or a faster, shorter version of Fahrenheit. Also, keep in mind that station size is most likely not determined by the ride maker but rather the park's engineering team. The station, other than the electrical and mechanical systems are completely separate from the coaster itself, and definitely aren't supplied by Intamin or B&M or any other manufacturer. Also, with regards to the Lo-Q system, I can definitely see the park picking this up in the near future. Hopefully they'll put a Hershey's spin on it though by giving it a clever name like "Reese's Fast Break" or "Take 5 Time Pass". Just sayin'

I also hope this new roller coaster will have a name which relates to Hershey's chocolate. I don't know what would make a candy name similar to the coaster. I guess instead that they'll use it for this rumored "express pass" system. I remember earlier we talked about how the name could be a sequel to Fahrenheit. If it's 212 feet tall, they could call it "Boiling Point." However, then people could get it confused with FH. It could be called "Griffin" based on the image the RIT got. BGE wouldn't necessarily be pissed off if it was spelled the right way, they chose "Griffon" to copyright it, but I mean, a bunch of roller coasters share names. Think of how many wooden coasters have "thunder" in their names. Rolling Thunder at Great Adventure, Thunderhawk at Dorney, Thunderbolt at SFNE, Thunderbolt at Kennywood, Thunderhead at Dollywood... etc. Do they sue each other? In addition to Hershey's Wildcat, there's one at Cedar Point, but that would be older if the Hershey Wildcat was built in '96. I still don't know what "Kingda Ka" means, it may simply be a bizarre trademark name Six Flags chose, subtly referring to "king" of coasters.

Kingda Ka means "Very Fast" in Swahili, and the name "Wildcat" is a very common coaster name, just like "Comet". I sincerely hope they don't choose any form of the name Griffon just because it's already taken and Hershey is way to close to BGE to share names. They're basically in the same market if you think about it. I really hope they pick a creative name, and to be honest I think they will. Hershey does a good job naming and marketing (and designing) new coasters, so I'm sure (knock on wood) the same can be said for whatever is on the way for 2012!

I did a little searching around and another possibility to it's meaning is that it may involve something German-related. Germany's coat-of-arms is the Griffin and after googling it, I did see a few similarities to the RIT griffon in the logo. Rhineland is adjacent to the build area as well.

I LOVE your layout HPCrazy.. very sleek and full of speed! I'm hoping for a more traditional airtime filled hyper. We have to be getting close! It'll be fun to see which combination of layouts is correct or if we are all totally wrong.

Here's my latest quick layout. It has the station where the latest Screamscape rumor says. I actually think the station COULD be elevated to allow for a queue underneath the station and the brake run could be on the roof of the Comet's brake run. (Yeah.. very unlikely.. and it doesnt solve a transfer track/bay issue)

Did we ever figure out anything about the rumored water splash? They wouldn't be using the creek for that I'm sure so do you think it's just a hint saying it will be around the creek?




Making these layouts is kind of addicting.

The latest from Screamscape:

http://www.screamscape.com/html/hersheypark.htm

Love that drawing too Eric! That's probably your best (and most accurate) one yet! I'm now thinking back to the station being where Tilt-A-Whirl is located. I may give it another shot on aonther rendering, we'll see.

If that puzzle says "See U in the Spring....Game On" then you know we have to be pretty close to the announcement.

EDIT:

Here is the image that was sent to Screamscape by an anonymous source:

Ah i do love you screamscape, Honest to god I thought that new little building would be a lift motor building but didnt see a way that the lift and whatnot would fit in that area. Notice how the current "station area" is not directly in line with the lift motor, i mean its nothing a small turn out of the station could fix. One think we can say for sure either during the first drop or right after will be a right turn to avoid park limits.

Interesting thing happened today. Early this afternoon I recieved a message in my inbox from someone at the Ride Institute (Tammy) asking if someone from Keystone Thrills would be interested in doing an interview with them. Matt (HPCrazy) and someone else from the site have recieved the same message. I replied back to Tammy and said that I'd be interested and I gave her the times that I'd be available. Supposedly not too long later (or while I was writing the message) I recieved another message saying that Dr. Andersson (who I was supposedly going to interview) replied back and said that she had to unexpectently had to leave the states and had to cancel.
Here's where it gets fun. She left a .pdf file in the message leading to this:

Ahhh, brings back fond memories. lol

As you can see, there is a hidden code in the letter and when together, it spells: /comDec.html

Looks like the end of a web address, doesn't it? Could it be another page to the RIT's website? Well, I typed in the address with the code above and it took me to the following page:
http://www.rideinstitute.com/comDec.html
The page title has 11 slashes and 1 star (just like the griffin logo), and there's a password box. If you look at the random letters and numbers at the bottom of the page I took a guess and figured it was the password. Once entered, it took me to a new .pdf file page.
The following is something new that I don't remember seeing before in the Nantimi game: the use of a foreign language to hide clues and details.

With a little help from Google Translate I've managed to have decode the mesasge mostly. Here's what it says:

To: Exec Comm
Subject: DNF - Comp. Imagine Research Q1 2011
Memo: Increased risk of RIT (And, juil, Deck, Rose, et al) and associated partner organizations involved in "Project X" Regional Comp. set of interviews suggest online marketing activities initiated in April '11 to build further on the announcement phase in August '11. Councils
AFW, serious financial, strategic and market perception of risks to consider not react with similar
investments. -JvdV

Sounds like online marketing will start next month and it will build until the official announcement in August later this season. It also looks like the name Project X has now been thrown into the mix along with a new name: AFW.
------

On the visual side of things, some black, plastic drainage pipes have shown up inside Creekside Catering (Me and a friend of mine decided to stop at CW for something to eat since we were in the area). The new gate was open and there was someone staffed inside the ticket booth next to it.

WOW thank you Ccron, the **** really hit the fan tonight and am in complete shock. This has to be the most anticipating announcement for a coaster yet. Im still trying to take all of this in and im in much surprise that theres not A LOT of attention on this. No worries though interest should explode after all this. 10x better than FH already!

That letter was pre-made prior to the first email being sent out about the interview. When Chris wrote them back, the second email with that letter attachment was sent out. Looks like the game has resumed and that this definitely holds truth to what the puzzle informed us back in October. It's looking to be another great couple of weeks here for our site and the coaster community!

That's a pretty teasing update. If the games start in April and the announcement is in August, this is going to be a loooooong summer. They're just going to kill us fans with this teasing game!

Bring it on RIT!

Well, Fahrenheit didn't start the Nantimi thing until the October before the ride was built, when the Western waterslides were still there. That was a real surprise when it was built; to inform bloggers that early, and the coaster itself is not what we'd expect. However, this is a good sign that the coaster will be much more large-scale if the puzzle will be released four months early. However, it could also mean that this time, the secret message will be more like the Davinci code. By the way, does anyone know when during this season the Tiltawhirl will be removed?

Well we've waited this long, one month won't be so bad.

rascalflatts wrote:Well, Fahrenheit didn't start the Nantimi thing until the October before the ride was built, when the Western waterslides were still there. That was a real surprise when it was built; to inform bloggers that early, and the coaster itself is not what we'd expect. However, this is a good sign that the coaster will be much more large-scale if the puzzle will be released four months early. However, it could also mean that this time, the secret message will be more like the Davinci code. By the way, does anyone know when during this season the Tiltawhirl will be removed?

Nantimi didn't start until August and ran until either late September or October. But I seems like this will be a different kind of game compared with the last one and that's a wise decision.
When I went by the park today I tried to see if it was there, but I didn't see anything. Usually they take it apart and inspect it inside the service center, according to the STITP ride list, it's supposed to be open so i don't think it's closing just yet; maybe later in the season?

As far as the official announcement feeling too far away, trust me, the construction updates and RIT updates will probably make it be here soon. Just sit back and enjoy the ride! lol

That's a really cool update from RIT. The link for the pdf (http://www.rideinstitute.com/pdf/jvdv_com_ch01.pdf) seems to indicate that this is the first chapter of what's to come since it ends in ch01.pdf. I wonder what A | F | W means. I wonder if the W is a reference to water.

hpinsane wrote:That's a really cool update from RIT. The link for the pdf (http://www.rideinstitute.com/pdf/jvdv_com_ch01.pdf) seems to indicate that this is the first chapter of what's to come since it ends in ch01.pdf. I wonder what A | F | W means. I wonder if the W is a reference to water.

Air, Fire, Water? Hmm, maybe. Those are three of Astrology's Four Elements, but they're missing Earth (maybe because of it's height?). It would make sense with Great Bear and Comet being nearby and with one of the survey questions being something related to water. At this point it fits, but anything can change until then.

Ccron10 wrote:Nantimi didn't start until August and ran until either late September or October. But I seems like this will be a different kind of game compared with the last one and that's a wise decision.
When I went by the park today I tried to see if it was there, but I didn't see anything. Usually they take it apart and inspect it inside the service center, according to the STITP ride list, it's supposed to be open so i don't think it's closing just yet; maybe later in the season?

I think it was late September when Fahrenheit was announced because I was in Walt Disney World during the announcement. I remember my dad was talking to my grandfather on the phone and he mentioned to him that Hershey just announced a new roller coaster but he couldn't remember the name.

I guess we'll see another situation as to how the second phase of the Boardwalk was announced. Canyon River Rapids was closed in August I remember with Rodeo shortly after. Perhaps shortly after the announcement, Tilt-A-Whirl will close along with the games booth next to it.

Ccron10 wrote:As far as the official announcement feeling too far away, trust me, the construction updates and RIT updates will probably make it be here soon. Just sit back and enjoy the ride! lol

I also agree with this. After what happened to Chris and I with those emails yesterday, I think that this game is going to be far more interesting than the Nantimi game was. What I don't understand is why they didn't have the lab people show up next month to do the survey and then start the marketing instead of torturing us through the winter months with nothing.

HPCrazy wrote:I also agree with this. After what happened to Chris and I with those emails yesterday, I think that this game is going to be far more interesting than the Nantimi game was. What I don't understand is why they didn't have the lab people show up next month to do the survey and then start the marketing instead of torturing us through the winter months with nothing.

Probably because there's two off seasons (this one that's almost over!!!) and the next one before the ride will presumably be opening. (I say presumably because you never know if there could be any unusual delays.)

Hi everyone. I've bee following this thread for a while and have decided to join in. A few things I have noticed in snooping around.

1. rideinstitute.com and hersheypark.com seem to lead to the same server. This further confirms that rideinstitute.com is real and not an elaborate prank.
2. "Sofia Andersson," who signed the letter, has a USPA D license, which is a top-level skydiving license.

Not sure what to make of these things, but thought they are interesting.

Hmmm.. if the top level sky diving thing is accurate I think that hints pretty heavily at a Dive Machine..

I know we've been thinking Intamin but if this thing does have a water splash like was hinted at earlier (I think) and now this.. I think we need to change our train of thought.

http://www.acronymfinder.com/Arbeitgeberverband-der-Finanzdienstleistenden-Wirtschaft-(German:-Employers'-Association-of-Financial-Service-Providers)-(AFW).html

the letter shows something about a financial company...i googled AFW and found this german company that happens to deal with financial stuff...possibly meaning a german manufacturer?

Anddd because I wanted to try to design a Dive Coaster here is my first (and not as good which is why its in black and white) rendition of the 2012 Dive Machine!!

I think this is too long and too expensive of a B&M for Hershey (even though the attendance has been through the roof) but I do want to hear what you guys have to think about where I placed the splash down. Kid rides are easy enough to move so if they DO have a splash down and the coaster takes a similar course to this back towards the Comet.. this would be a logical place to have one. Kids probably like the water just as much as those rides anyways

Well, you're design is a very interesting one and fits the land well, though from the amount of markers that have been shown in the area of your drop, it would indicate that something like a helix, or a turn around point, would be there. Also, the "hinted water splash" you mention was involving interaction with the creek (as in flyovers and support poles), not a splashdown where those kiddie rides are in Founder's Circle (and I don't think "interaction" means a splashdown either way). Some how, you've gone from "interaction with the creek" to a "splash down in the creek" to no interaction with the creek.

CoasterEricHP wrote:I know we've been thinking Intamin but if this thing does have a water splash like was hinted at earlier (I think) and now this.. I think we need to change our train of thought.

Spring Creek is a creek, not a pool. The water level rises and falls depending on precipitation - I've seen summers where the creek level is very low because of drought. When the park had Paddleboats, there were many days where it didn't open because of low water levels. Conversely, if we get a lot of rain and the creek floods, then it's over flowing the ride, and that's no good. So either way, there's no way to have a solid splashdown area without having it elsewhere, just like your design suggests. Considering they're a family park first, roller coaster park second, I don't see them eliminating kiddie rides for a roller coaster, especially in Founder's Circle.

A better question is, why would the park put in a Dive Machine when it essentially has that in Fahrenheit and Storm Runner? And why would the park put in a Dive Machine when they should be putting in a ride like Nitro or Bizarro (rides at Great Adventure)?

Also, I'm almost completely 100 percent certain this ride is an Intamin. Keep in mind that Screamscape reported that as well.

Love that design Eric! But like what hpinsane said and unfortunately must agree with him after all I have heard going around that this will probably end up being an Intamin. Hopefully we'll get an I-305-style lifthill though which would also be steeper (and shave off space usage) if they would also use a cable lift.

I could not see a B&M diver with that layout as much as I enjoy that layout as well as everyone elses! Also who knows this could be pointing to german financial sites and sky DIVING people to throw us off from intamin. Im going to do a little research to try and remember if FH clues pointed to another manufacturer during its Nantimi run.

Mack is based out of Germany correct? They seem to be building some very successful larger coasters recently. I'm still thinking custom wild mouse

-Edit - Man what crawled up some people at TPR's arses? There are way too many people over there with huge ego's/opinions and I just wanted to again say thank you for giving me a permanent alternative to that place!

This is going to be big. It might be a Hyper

Is the track going to cross over the creek by any chance? Or is it going to run alongside the banks the whole way and cross over near the end? I'd imagine it would take a little bit of engineering to make the foundations for supports in the creek. Plus, I don't think there were any signs of something like that yet, but still - just wondering.

In what year do you guys think we'll see a 1,000-foot roller coaster or drop tower? I know it's off-topic, but this is to keep us occupied while waiting for updates.

a 1,000 foot coaster is not possible...just the fact that you would need a massive amount of supports and the 1000+ length supports would be very unstable is enough to not build it. The major reason though would be the cost. The coaster would cost to much money to build and most people would not even attempt to ride it. The strongest reason against this massive coaster would be the speed it would reach. I did the math, at the end of the drop (no matter how steep and ignoring air resistance (which I know you can't ignore in this but it's too hard to calculate)) you would be traveling 313 mph! that's half the speed of sound! A 1,000 foot coaster is just not ever going to happen until you lower the cost and improve the strength of steel

He may be referring to the length of a possible coaster, not the height. I know he also brought it up as speculation but either way, it's safe to say it won't be happening any time soon.

pushingbuttons wrote:a 1,000 foot coaster is not possible...just the fact that you would need a massive amount of supports and the 1000+ length supports would be very unstable is enough to not build it. The major reason though would be the cost. The coaster would cost to much money to build and most people would not even attempt to ride it. The strongest reason against this massive coaster would be the speed it would reach. I did the math, at the end of the drop (no matter how steep and ignoring air resistance (which I know you can't ignore in this but it's too hard to calculate)) you would be traveling 313 mph! that's half the speed of sound! A 1,000 foot coaster is just not ever going to happen until you lower the cost and improve the strength of steel

Ok, so maybe the highest roller coaster that is safe enough would be about 650 feet. However, how did you figure out the top speed? Also, what do you mean by the supports won't be stable; there currently are TV masts that are 2,000 feet tall.

its a simple physics problem using energy...if you really want me to i can show my work but it would require a background in physics (and like i said i ignored air resistance so its top speed would be slower)...yes supports can hold a tower thats not moving but with the train moving on it it would shake from side to side and steel track is much heavier than steel tubing they build TV towers with...i could probably see a 650 ft coaster...i know they are working with 500 550 ft coasters over in china and japan...we'll see how they work out

pushingbuttons wrote:its a simple physics problem using energy...if you really want me to i can show my work but it would require a background in physics (and like i said i ignored air resistance so its top speed would be slower)...yes supports can hold a tower thats not moving but with the train moving on it it would shake from side to side and steel track is much heavier than steel tubing they build TV towers with...i could probably see a 650 ft coaster...i know they are working with 500 550 ft coasters over in china and japan...we'll see how they work out

I haven't heard of this, but there were plans on building a coaster coming off of the Stratosphere Tower in Las Vegas a few years ago, but they fell through. There was also talk of a coaster-style escape system for NASA launch pads for exacuations, but I doubt that they have resulted from anymore than just ideas.
On a sidenote, can you please use correct punctuation when posting next time? Thanks.

But I highly doubt that this ride is going to be taller than 250ft.