This is the closest to the apex on the spike I could get. Anyone with access to the dimensions of the spike and trains want to do the math for how high its getting? Yes, the ride is incredible.

I love inverts, but have always wondered why most existing ones as well as new ones being built don’t try to implement an lsm launch system and just do the usual chain lift hill. There are obviously the intamin impulse coasters still around, but having a solid launch on a full circuit b&m invert layout sounds amazing.

Volcano was a very beloved and unique coaster, but from what I understand it was plagued with some issues that eventually lead to its demise. I’m wondering if there is some technical issue that would cause a company like b&m to avoid using lsm launches on their inverted models. We have seen launches be implemented into models like standups and wing coasters, but not really any inverts. Wondering if someone with more engineering/coasters design knowledge knows why this is.

Any input is appreciated!

Visited Europa Park this past Friday to experience the new coaster Voltron. We rode Voltron, wodan, and blue fire each two times.

Wodan is as fun and relentless as ever and that thing just feels so out of control. First time I rode it was a little over a year ago and it's still my favorite woodie (I haven't been on that many though). Also, anyone who thinks Troy is better is crazy in my mind, it doesn't even come close. Troy just wobbles you side to side while never feeling like it picks up as much speed.

SilverStar was just a middling b&m hyper without enough floater time due to trims but it's still enjoyable enough.

Blue Fire was better than I remember and while the launch obviously isn't anything to write home about the rest of the layout is very enjoyable if not all that thrilling. Having less than a 15 minute wait both times definitely also helps with enjoyment as I would want to wait any longer than about 25 minutes.

Now for Voltron I have seen some people ranking this as their new number one. Unfortunately it doesn't make it there for me. The pacing is great til you hit the turn table and honestly I'm not a big fan of this element. If they had theming done up similar to the first launch it might be great but in its current state it just feels like a pause in the middle of the ride that ruins the pacing. Another dislike is how snappy the elements can be, I'm all for quick transitions but on this ride combined with the trains which are already a bit rattly/ rough it can be a bit headache inducing, and I don't normally have that problem on any rides. Both rides on this left me feeling amazed but also a little roughed up.

It was a great day and Europa Park is a must visit park with the addition of Voltron.

My new top 10 after getting to experience Voltron is the following

1. Fury 325
2. Taron
3. Ride to Happiness
4. Voltron
5. F.L.Y.
6. Untamed
7. Wodan
8. Kondaa
9. Hagrids
10. Copperhead Strike

Taron being ahead of RtH and Voltron for me is due to the combination of almost everything about that ride being perfect to me. It's smooth, the pacing is spot on, the theming and elements anhance everything tenfold and without it this ride would drop pretty far down my list. The only that would improve Taron would be on ride audio and with the right sound track would probably make it number 1. Fury still stays my #1 as there's just something special about that massive drop powered by gravity that goes into one of the best Giga layouts around, I will always enjoy falling towards the ground with tons of speed and none of the launch coasters ever provide quite that same incredible feeling.

In February KK posted that Ready Player One would be coming to their 5D cinema. Those posts have since been deleted on both twitter and Instagram, and I wasn't able to find any information on what's happening or going to the theater this year. Will it just be Ice Age this time?

Busch Gardens Williamsburg Trip Report

Went to Busch Gardens Williamsburg for the first time yesterday and have so many great things to say about the park as a whole! The park was beautiful. The landscaping was well maintained, the park was extremely clean, the staff was friendly, and the ride ops were some of the best I've experienced.

I've been to BGT more times than I can count, and the staff is noticeably grumpier and ride ops much slower there. However, BGT has a better coaster lineup imo and BGW doesn't have anything comparable to Falcon's Fury.

While I loved the park a lot, I will say that of all the parks I've been to it probably ranks fifth in terms of coaster lineup, behind Cedar Point, HersheyPark, Universal/IOA, and BGT.

My probably controversial opinion on the coasters:

Verbolten - this was such a pleasant surprise. I didn't have any expectations going into this one but found that it competes with Pantheon for my number one in the park. The inclined launch into the dark section is great, the inside of the building is forceful (I got tunnel vision each time around the helix), the drop down the hill is fun, and the 2nd launch is great as well. I will say that towards the end there are a few rough parts that detracted from the experience. Also, forgot there was a drop track, so that was a fun surprise!

Pantheon - I have such mixed feelings about this. I love the boost at the beginning and the hang time in that first inversion. The first forwards launch is alright, but the backwards launch over that bunny hill is just... wow! The floater up the spike and the outer banked turn were highlights for me. The zero g stall is decent, but behind Velocicoaster for me. My main complaints are that the ride is too short and that the launches are too short and too punchy. I actually prefer the longer launch sections on others like Verbolten or Cheetah Hunt or Maverick.

Apollo's Chariot - a solid ride. It does what it sets out to do and does it fairly well. The only other non-inverting B&M of this caliber that I've been on is Candymonium, which I personally prefer.

Alpengeist - I hate to hate this one. I had such high hopes and came off disappointed. I think I was expecting a Montu or a Great Bear, and got neither. I found this ride extremely uncomfortable and intense in all the wrong ways. And listen, I love intensity, just not of this type. My favorite coaster is Iron Gwazi, which is nothing short of intense. If I had to guess, I'd say what I love about the intensity of IG is the strong negative and laterals, and what I didn't like about Alpengeist was the strong positives. I disliked this one enough to not do it a 2nd time, which is telling for me. All the others I rode a 2nd time.

Griffon - what can I say. I've done it before, even though I hadn't. It's comparable to Sheikra or Valravn, but what made this one stand out for me was comparing it to the lineup of the rest of the park. Here, I put it as my number 3 in the park, whereas Sheikra and Valravn are much lower on my rankings in their respective parks because there are so many other world class coasters in those parks.

DarKoaster - this was fun for what it was, but was a little underwhelming. I guess I hoped for more. If they didn't do the 2nd lap this ride would've been painfully short. I found it smooth, but the theming could have been better. Huge shout out to the quick queue attendant who failed to scan my pass the first time which allowed me a 2nd use of it later in the day. For those who don't know, the quick queue unlimited currently only allows for a one time use on this coaster, so I got a freebie. First wait would've been 75 mins and second 90 mins, so I really lucked out.

Finnegan's Flyer - the only non-coaster ride I did. This outdid the Serengeti Flyer because of the drop off over the water. It made you feel like you were higher up than you really were.

For anyone reading this that hasn't been to the park and is wondering if it's worth the trip, my answer is that yes it is worth checking out, so long as you've already hit up all the other major US theme parks with more stacked lineups. If your ability to travel is limited and you have to choose between this and any of the other parks I mentioned, I suggest trying the others first. However, I can't stress enough how beautiful this park was and totally still recommend trying it out when you can.

Feel free to roast my review! Would love to have some fun conversations about the park and coaster lineup.

And for anyone who works there (especially ride ops) - y'all rock and are putting your sister park to shame!

Legend and The Voyage are running, amazingly. Just be prepared for the new sharp left turn into the tunnel at the end of the spaghetti. Good Gravy and the setting for it is very cute.

Coaster rescue tractor

I was randomly thinking about when a roller coaster stalls part way through a circuit. Googled how they remove the passengers. It seems mostly done with telehandlers with a basket on the end.

Then I wondered why there isn’t a powered wagon that can be placed on the track and automatically driven to the train to push it through the remaining sections.

It would obviously need Immense traction, a sufficiently sized battery and be programmed to reverse slightly or break traction when the train enters a down hill section to reduce the risk of a collision if the train rolls away then rolls back again off of the next incline.

I’m expecting someone to say this is already a thing. If so I would like to see it.

Typing questions on Reddit is cringe I never wanted to be one of you guys but here I am

I've also liked Knoebels. From Flyers that run on propane, move clockwise, and snap easily, to the unique "Hamster wheel" Looper ride, to the world class Bumper Cars, this park has a lot of gems.

🤔

Hey yall, i really enjoy the songs around the Twisted Timbers plaza, but I have not been able to find a playlist with all the songs on it, do any of yall know where i can find it?