Viper and Six Flags

[onyxhotel08]

So I am thinking what a massive project SF took on bringing Viper to Six Flags Great America in 1995 and what a huge success it turned out to be. Why not keep doing it? Viper was one of the best additions we ever had. It and Eagle are 2 of the best wooden coasters a park can ever ask for. Why didn't they do it again? Especially since wood costs less than steel and a ride like Viper never gets old.

[monsterfan99]

^Well, they did just buy the Little Dipper so that would give them 4 wooden coasters (even if you don't count Eagle as 2 coasters, it does have the capacity of 2 woodies) and the most at any Six Flags park. The only Six Flags park with 3 individual adult sized wooden coasters is Six Flags St. Louis, which works perfect for that park.

I think it really boils down to the public wants variety and space. As great as Viper can be and popular as AE is, I am is not sure the demand is there to warrant a 3 adult wooden coaster. With space, unless you are doing an Evel Knievel sized coaster, you are going to taking up a huge chunk of the park. In that case something would have to go and, depending on the ride that would be removed, it might backfire on the park.

[onyxhotel08]

I meant why not do a custom made by Six Flags ride like Viper at other parks?

[monsterfan99]

^Well that is an easy one: Cost.

[FParker185]

I'm guessing it comes down to liability issues. If SF designs and builds a ride and it hurts someone for whatever reason, then they are 100% liable no matter how you slice and dice it. Ends up being cheaper and easier to just contract another company like CCI (in the past) or GCI to handle it.

Also while Viper was done in house, they did have outside help, Viper was actually fully designed by Dennis Starkey of The Stand Corperation/CoasterWorks/RCCA, and it was based on existing designs.

[Necropolis]

yeah, they should have more woodie coasters for older people. although one of my fav rides is the american eagle at SFGAM. Im sure though wood coasters dont attract people as much though. I mean it is the 21st century. Woods are classic, but really not the future of coasters. I prefer woodies over steel anyday but. im just sayin wood coasters are slowly goin out of style.

[Cole]

yeah, they should have more woodie coasters for older people. although one of my fav rides is the american eagle at SFGAM. Im sure though wood coasters dont attract people as much though. I mean it is the 21st century. Woods are classic, but really not the future of coasters. I prefer woodies over steel anyday but. im just sayin wood coasters are slowly goin out of style.

1- Both my parents refuse to ride wooden coasters, because of the jarring and roughness.

2- Woodies arent completley out of style yet, but maybe in the next 20 years or so.... Unless we get a sucsessful wooden inverter.


[ Post made via Mobile Device ]

[Jcoaster95]

^That is one of the stupidest things I have ever heard.

[BLADE]

I disagree. There are plenty of wood coasters being built today. With newer technology wood is only going to get better. Plus it is cheaper to build. There will always be noncorporate parks who can't afford steel. Or in SF case, corporate who can't either.......Ghostrider at Knott's had the longest lines of any attraction, both times I have been there, despite being very rough. Wood has been around for more than 100 years, and I don't see it's demise happening at all. Wood has recently entered it's next chapter in improvements, with Timberliners, Millenium Flyers, and prefabs. I'm looking forward to wood's future.

[tp41190]

It almost seems to me that wooden coasters are becoming more popular every year. At one point I would say about 9 out of 10 new coasters were steel. Now it's becoming half if not more. However, this could also be because of the economy and the number of new coasters being much lower. But it just shows that wooden coasters are not out of style at all.

[monsterfan99]

It almost seems to me that wooden coasters are becoming more popular every year. At one point I would say about 9 out of 10 new coasters were steel. Now it's becoming half if not more. However, this could also be because of the economy and the number of new coasters being much lower. But it just shows that wooden coasters are not out of style at all.

In the US that is the case. China has become the coaster hot stop and they just got their first wooden coaster last year.

I also think companies are starting to see Steel coasters won't last forever in both durability and popularity. Outside of the Demon, most Arrow looping/corkscrew coasters have little if any line and their durability is questionable at this point..

[traincrossing9]

I also think companies are starting to see Steel coasters won't last forever in both durability and popularity. Outside of the Demon, most Arrow looping/corkscrew coasters have little if any line and their durability is questionable at this point..

I think that's just because Arrows and older steel coasters are just outdated and haven't held up well over the years. There have been so many improvements in technology over the years for both steel and wood coasters since then.

[tillenterprises]

We are so blessed to have two (and with Dipper, three) awesome wood coasters at our park. American Eagle has been my favorite wooden coaster since I first rode it in 1982, and it still delivers a punch without being too rough, like the Boss as STL. The first drop is still amazing, and the helix, which feels like you're being wound up like a slingshot before being "thrown" out is still unique and intense! I've also come to appreciate Viper more and more as time goes by, and it has now become of my favorite coasters, too. Those small hills (especially the headchopper double down!) are incredible! Both coasters deliver some awesome airtime hills without being overly rough.

[Ilovthevu']

To me, I think it's because I think it's much easier to give it off to a company that knows what they are doing than to make their own. As for why not many wooden roller coasters, I think it's because there are only so many things you can do with a wooden roller coaster whereas for a steel ride, it has inversions, has different types of seating arrangements, it can go really, really fast without the riders feeling it - (LIMs, LSM), and yes it can have airtime as a wooden coaster does. Also, I think that wooden coasters are going to cause more back injuries than a steel coaster would because of roughness, and what about re-ridability for people.

Also you say they are cheaper, but they are yearly putting a lot more money into wood coasters than steel coasters. For the Voyage, the ride isn't that old, and they had retrack a section, and they are getting new trains already. Sure, you can complain about X but that was a 1st type of ride, and you are bound to have problems with a 1st. Look at our park, and the 2 steel coasters are lasting. They are lasting more than Eagle, and that's because that's a little newer than them. It's not to say that another steel coaster couldn't last a real long time like let's say Batman the Ride.

[rct2wizard360]

Also you say they are cheaper, but they are yearly putting a lot more money into wood coasters than steel coasters. For the Voyage, the ride isn't that old, and they had retrack a section, and they are getting new trains already. Sure, you can complain about X but that was a 1st type of ride, and you are bound to have problems with a 1st. Look at our park, and the 2 steel coasters are lasting. They are lasting more than Eagle, and that's because that's a little newer than them. It's not to say that another steel coaster couldn't last a real long time like let's say Batman the Ride.

I can easily see your point on this. I mean, take a look at Rattler and Colossus. Both have had significant alterations to the ride involving complete sections being removed. However, finding parts for Whizzer is hard and expensive. Maintaining things like LIM/LSM's is costly as well, and can even take a toll on on the structure (V2). I feel as though parks are more willing to maintain a woodie rather than a dying steel coaster. Plus you can sell off a steel for scrap metal.

Technology has improved on woodies, but no where near to the extreme advancements we've seen for steel coasters. I do see a lot more steel coasters being removed rather than woodies. Take a look at our park for example, all six roller coasters that have been removed were steel.

[SFGAm Viper]

^That is one of the stupidest things I have ever heard.

LMAO! Agreed!

[Cole]

Gee, thanks

[Coastermonkey61]

I'm sure the park has at least $12 million to throw around and all the space in the world. BUILD ME A WOODEN COASTER!!!