SFGAm buys Little Dipper from Kiddieland

[FParker185]

I count 2/3 days til Thursday, though not sure if it will open to the public on Thurs, but that is Media Day.

[Goku1910]

The neon returns!

http://www.facebook.com/#!/photo.php?pi ... 1603470026

[BLADE]

Is the ride height definitely set at 42"? That's all I can find on it. Any chance it will be 36" with an adult?

[Goku1910]

Is the ride height definitely set at 42"? That's all I can find on it. Any chance it will be 36" with an adult?

Since Whizzer is 36' with an adult....Then I can definitely see Little Dipper having the same thing.

[BLADE]

yes, but Whizzer was installed more than 30 years prior and didn't have nearly the same safety specifications as rides do today. I doubt a new coaster installation would be permitted to have the same clearance to the ground that Whizzer does. Times have changed.

[david]

And with the changing times Whizzer would have also changed. Dipper is FAR more secure than whizzer. You have a lap bar and a "new century" (haha) safety belt.

[Goku1910]

yes, but Whizzer was installed more than 30 years prior and didn't have nearly the same safety specifications as rides do today. I doubt a new coaster installation would be permitted to have the same clearance to the ground that Whizzer does. Times have changed.

You're right, the safety regulations were different back then, but as the years went on and those regulations changed, so did the safety policies of the rides. Little Dipper's wood is all 90% new so it now makes OSHA Standards....same reason for the new seatbelts.

In the construction photos, look at everything that is not already painted, that was all new wood. The pieces that were already painted were old.

[BLADE]

New wood does not determine a rides height requirement or Osha specs. State regulations are probably the biggest factor in setting the height requirement. This is the problem Magic Mountain is having with Mr. Sixes, as was explained to us at the West coast bash Q&A session with park managemnet.

[DejaVuGurl1203]

Little Dipper is testing today. Woot! Excited for Monday.

[Cole]

What day will it be open to the public?

[monsterfan99]

^Anywhere between Thursday and Monday hopefully.

[FParker185]

Actually the state and all regulatory agencies say that the park has to follow manufacturer specifications, so whatever PTC says goes as far as height requirements unless the park wants them set higher which they are free to do. Also OHSA has nothing to do with rides, it's ASTM standards.

And Media Day is thursday morning, so I'd guess chances are either thursday afternoon or fri it should open.

[Goku1910]

New wood does not determine a rides height requirement or Osha specs. State regulations are probably the biggest factor in setting the height requirement. This is the problem Magic Mountain is having with Mr. Sixes, as was explained to us at the West coast bash Q&A session with park managemnet.

I did not say that the new wood determined it. I was making comparison. Back in the 50's Little Dipper was safe, today, it did not come close to meet OSHA Standards. Now, Thanks to six flags, it does.

But you can trust me on this....A 3 Story roller coaster like Little Dipper will most likely be 36' with an adult, 42' alone. That's just too obvious.

[Jcoaster95]

Vekoma's site:

http://www.vekoma.com/index.php?option= ... 1&Itemid=9

Height requirement: 43.31 inches.

It doesn't mention a height requirement on PTC's site:

http://www.philadelphiatoboggancoasters ... /index.php

[sfgamfan717]

On the park map it says that the little dipper has a 48' minimum height but on the website it says 42'. interesting...

[Goku1910]

On the park map it says that the little dipper has a 48' minimum height

I highly doubt that. Demon doesn't even require 48'

[BLADE]

Goku 1910 wrote: But you can trust me on this....A 3 Story roller coaster like Little Dipper will most likely be 36' with an adult, 42' alone. That's just too obvious.

That would seem obvious to me too. But that is not what is posted on the parks website just days from opening.

by FParker185 » Tue May 25, 2010 4:25 pm

Actually the state and all regulatory agencies say that the park has to follow manufacturer specifications, so whatever PTC says goes as far as height requirements unless the park wants them set higher which they are free to do. Also OHSA has nothing to do with rides, it's ASTM standardsning.

That is what Magic Mountain said was their biggest hurdle to get Mr. six down to 36." They could not get Vekoma to sign off at 36", because no one there wants the liability. Vekoma has changed ownership since that ride was built, so they don't care. The amusement board of the state of California says that the manufacturer determines the rides height. Is that the same way the state of IL determines ride heights? If not, I would think the amusement board of the state could determine what it would be.

[BLADE]

by Goku1910 » Tue May 25, 2010 5:11 pm

sfgamfan717 wrote:
On the park map it says that the little dipper has a 48' minimum height

I highly doubt that. Demon doesn't even require 48'

The park map I have from May 2nd says 48".

[Goku1910]

http://www.sixflags.com/greatAmerica/ri ... Rides.aspx

Website says 42"

Doesn't specify if it's 36" with adult.

[FParker185]

IL has no amusement board, Department of Labor which regulates amusement rides, their rule is just that the park has to adhere to all manufacturer specifications.

[BLADE]

Hopefully this will all be addressed on media day.

[monsterfan99]

SFKK had a different requirement listed on their map and website for their Roller Skater. Thus I would call the park if it is an issue.

[FParker185]

Little Dipper will open tomorrow (Thurs) at 10am with the park and there will be a ribbon cutting ceremony.

[Cole]

When do you think it'll be opened to the public? (time/day)

[FParker185]

Tomorrow, Thursday, 10am, immediately after the ribbon cutting ceremony.