Closing Top Thrill Dragster for season might be option

[CoasterXtremist]

"If the Top Thrill Dragster isn't repaired by mid-July, Cedar Point will officially close the coaster for the season and reopen it next year, according to Cedar Fair, L.P. CEO Dick Kinzel, the Sandusky Register reported."

"The latest problem with Top Thrill Dragster involves contaminated oil in the hydraulic system."

"We always have problems with new rides, but we are able to take care of them," Kinzel said."

---Read On Here (http://www.virtualmidway.com/news/0627031.asp)

[Frito]

I was deeply saddened when I got to Cedar Point on June 21 to find out it was closed. Even more when I found out it was open on June 20th. However, I don't believe one bit that Cedar Point will close it for the rest of the season if they don't get it up and running by mid-July. I would imagine they would open it as soon as they can, even if it's on the last day of the season.

[raptor4928]

Coasterextremist...LOL You seem to like being the bearer of bad news eh? So far, from what I have read, you have posted this exact same post in 2 different threads.... but here is the kicker. A) in your own link, it says it is the LAST option... so Let me run by scenario B) here for you. Lets say you invest 25 million in a rollercoaster ok? and advertise it, advertise, advertise it to hell, until you get national media coverage on it... then... oops, you start having propblems with it.... for 25 dollars (monopoly money) what is the best way to solve the PR problem that your attraction is getting by negative publicity?


....well let me answer it for you. You work out the kinks on the engineering end. As a former hydraulic tech, let me assure you if the problem really is contaminted oil, it will not be dwon all season. You repair the problem and reopen the ride. But what is the best way to build up the anticipation? By opening it up on a holiday weekend. CP expects, and announces mind you, that they should have it open by July 4th. The interview w/ Dick Kinzel (sp?), states that he expects to ride TTD by July 4th. I am not saying TTD hasnt had it's share of problems, I am saying they will not shut it down for the whole season. In fact, I would predict the direct oppsoite as you do, it will be open by Friday. From what I saw today at CP, they had 15 people working on TTD. 5 alone around the launch area, and many inside the launch shed.
My suggestion.... just give it some time and stop the sensationalism...... it's annoying.

[RCTForever]

:haha: sorry... I never should have sent him that e-mail telling him this, I should know after 5 years you tell CoasterXtremist somethink he will stop at nothing to make sure the whole world knows:haha:

[IEATPASTE001]

ok stock you would buy,

first up, Guessing Game....BUY BUY BUY!!!

Me getting on Top Thrill Dragster again before 2004?


BUY BUY BUY! and you can quote me!



hehe just a little NPR thing hehe.


I believe it will be open sooner then later.

[Harpo]

Based on what I've seen in the statements by Dick Kinzel, I suspect the statement of closing the ride and, if that happens, re-evaluating the plans for the future is really more of a threat against Intamin. Reading between the lines, and knowing how Cedar Fair is not very tolerant of design issues, I suspect the real message is this: Intamin, if you can't get that ride running SOON, those projects that we have planned for you in the next few years WILL be cancelled, and someone else will be doing our future additions!

Of course, that's just speculation on my part. Take it for what it's worth, but I'm basing it on my experiences with Cedar Fair.

[CoasterXtremist]

Originally posted by RCTForever
:haha: sorry... I never should have sent him that e-mail telling him this,

Actually, I discovered when I was *surfing* virtualmidway.com.

I should know after 5 years you tell CoasterXtremist somethink he will stop at nothing to make sure the whole world knows:haha:

:weird: What??? :weird:
You know that makes no sense at all right?

[CoasterXtremist]

Sorry about the double post...

Originally posted by raptor4928
So far, from what I have read, you have posted this exact same
post in 2 different threads....

Where?

As a former hydraulic tech, let me assure you if the problem really is contaminted oil, it will not be dwon all season.

Actually, it says that "The latest problem with Top Thrill Dragster involves contaminated oil in the hydraulic system." The latest problem. I'm not disagreeing with you, but if that's true, then why would they say they are going to shut it down?



I am saying they will not shut it down for the whole season. In fact, I would predict the direct oppsoite as you do, it will be open by Friday.

I hope so.

stop the sensationalism...... it's annoying.

If you find it annoying, then ignore it. :rolleyes:

[raptor4928]

Originally posted by CoasterXtremist
Sorry about the double post...



Where?
ok... every post you post in, that has your sig would count as a post in which you feel it is necessary to tell the whole world that they may wish to close down TTD... so add up all the post you were in, and are in + this post that you created +Plus your post int he Amusement Industry Quiz thread.



Actually, it says that "The latest problem with Top Thrill Dragster involves contaminated oil in the hydraulic system." The latest problem. I'm not disagreeing with you, but if that's true, then why would they say they are going to shut it down?

And why do they say that? apparantly you missed the whole point of that article. It is ONE of the scenarios they are considering, not THE ONLY one they are considering... is there any way to make that more clear?





I hope so.



If you find it annoying, then ignore it. :rolleyes:

It's a little hard to avoid when you wish to spam up the boards, presenting false information,... well perhaps not false info, but misleading info....

[CoasterXtremist]

Originally posted by raptor4928
It's a little hard to avoid when you wish to spam up the boards, presenting false information,... well perhaps not false info, but misleading info....

I didn't say "avoid", I said "ignore". Spamming the boards? :haha: Yeah, 1 topic is really spamming up the boards.

[Kaffe]

At times, some trains stopped short of cresting the hill and came back down under controlled safety devices.

Imagin that feeling! "Uh-oh. It seems we are hedding back down already."
Panic!

[raptor4928]

Originally posted by CoasterXtremist
I didn't say "avoid", I said "ignore". Spamming the boards? :haha: Yeah, 1 topic is really spamming up the boards.


LOL... see thats what I am starting to understand about you. you take bits and pieces of what is said by somebody, and in time, take it and put a spin on it. First, you incorrectly give the impression that Dragster will go down for the rest of the season. If you plan to relay a quote to a specific article, when pulling quotes from said article, pull quotes that imply what the article says. You mentioned nothing about the idea that pulling TTD from the CP roster was a worst case scenario. Secondly, if you wish to quote me and respond to me, ensure that you . Respond to what the previous person said in its entirety. And on my end, I apologize to you coasterxtremist for alledging that you spammed up the board with this topic. Through reading the rules, I now know you didnt. You are just posting inaccurate info, and there is nothing in the rules about that. Right?

[TheDevineBovine]

Psst raptor - you starting to take lessons from Moo?

When's he getting his payment? :D

[IEATPASTE001]

Originally posted by Kaffe
Imagin that feeling! "Uh-oh. It seems we are hedding back down already."
Panic!

I have seen an on board video of a rollback with monty jasper and a cbs news lady. it was funny. and i would love a rollback.

[TheReturned]

Well if they need to close TTD it would not be the first tiem a brand new coaster opened and had major problems and then had to close for several months. This happened to X last year. It was a bummer to go to the park only to find out that there were major problems that closed the ride for 3-4 months. But hey I still got back to ride it. i am sure that TTD will be fixed and running ASAP. O doubt that they would keep it closed longer than needed.

[beck2003]

so what is the update folks??? is ttd down for the rest of the season? i hope not cause im going to cp for my first time at the end of the month and i would love to ride it! i know we just had a majo problem with dejavu this past week and they said it wouldnt be open for a long time, but the 4th is sfog biggest day and they got the ride up and running again! i know new rides have thier issues...always...but it is possible to get things done in a short amount of time unless they have to order some part or something. its a shame though. im keepin my fingers crossed. and by-the-way, to you cp natives, how often was it running when u guys went?

and is there any site with a good map of the park? im planning ahead so ill know where to go and what to do since i only get one day at the park.

[Harpo]

Cedar Point's website at http://www.cedarpoint.com has a map of the park.

But, you can also go to my Cedar Point Virtual Tour and see a map. It's located at http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/jeffharp/PointEntry.htm

[raptor4928]

Beck2003, as of 12:41 p.m, it does not appear that TTD is testing. all of the trains are on the transfer track and I cannot personally tell from the webcam if they have reassembled the train to prepare for testing and launching. there still appears that a small crane is situated down by the launch shed, and there are no people sitiing in the stands... I use this logic that if they were testing it, people would be watching it... among other clues I can see from the webcam.

but that doesnt mean that it will not work this weekend.... if I were CP, I would test TTD at nightime, as not to confuse park-goers that TTD was up and running.

[CoasterXtremist]

It appears TTD is still Not Operating, from what I see from their Live Web Cams (http://www.cedarpoint.com/public/inside_park/webcam/index.cfm), and from This News Report (http://www.virtualmidway.com/news/0704031.asp) and TTD's Status Page (http://www.cedarpoint.com/public/news/ttdstatus.cfm), it is definetly not in operation.

:(

[IEATPASTE001]

Well with no trains or maybe one train on the transfer tracks it does look promising that it will open up today.

[Top Thrill Drag]

its open, i repeat, Top Thrill Dragster is open as of today, July 4! Im so happy!--lol

[CoasterXtremist]

Where'd you get your info from?

[Top Thrill Drag]

umm--if u watch the power tower cam every time it refreshes theres a different color train in the launch position. Also, if u look at the station cam u will see that the station is packed with riders. AND if u look at the power tower cam once more the line has to be more than four hours. Its open and thats a fact.

[CoasterXtremist]

Hmm, you'd think they post it on their status page.

[Top Thrill Drag]

Well im pretty sure that cp's number one priority is getting the ride running well at the moment. Im positive that if it will be open tomorrow (which it should) that they will put it on the website. Its open, look at the webcams.

[CoasterXtremist]

Originally posted by raptor4928
You repair the problem and reopen the ride. But what is the best way to build up the anticipation? By opening it up on a holiday weekend.

Well, you were semi-right, they did have it running today but only from 8:30-12:00 PM. It's not like they had already fixed it prior to the 4th and were waiting to open it right when the park started.

[Top Thrill Drag]

it wasnt open early in the day because of weather--bad thunderstorms

[CoasterXtremist]

Well, good news: http://www.cedarpoint.com/public/news/ttdstatus.cfm although,

"Top Thrill Dragster is scheduled to be in operation, it is likely the ride may experience intermittent down time for adjustments, fine-tuning and needed maintenance."

[Top Thrill Drag]

i'm not complaining and u shouldn't be either, its open! what more do you want?

[Harpo]

I was able to see first-hand that it was open for the evening on the 4th of July. I arrived at the park at about 9 PM to watch the fireworks at 10 (which were excellent), followed by the Cedar Point Summer Spectacular (which was also excellent) at 11. I wanted to get on Dragster, but, when Summer Spectacular ended at 11:30, there was still a 2:30 wait for Dragster. I had a 45 minute drive to my hotel, and needed to be on the road by 8 the next morning, so I had to pass on riding Dragster, but it definitely was running.

One thing that's a bit disappointing -- the motor and wheels have been replaced by 2 seats. The trains now hold 18 people instead of 16, which is good for through-put, but I really liked the appearance of the wheels, engine, and spoiler. I'm hoping they still have something in mind that will allow the park to reattach at least some of the theming at the back of the train (perhaps on a mini-car attached after the current last car).

[Hyde244]

Well, yesterday, July 6th, I was at Soak City, and I saw Dragster being tested, but then they finally let peepes start riding it, and it had a pretty fast rate of loading and unloading, faster than I've ever seen, but then CP had to shut down all of the coasters because of a cold front comign through (it was very windy), and then a storm coming in, but it was running good for a while.

[Top Thrill Drag]

I was lucky enough to ride dragster my third time on July 6th. We got to the park and closed the line, but everyone that was in line still got to ride. I was sadly not in line at this time. they closed the ride for a routine matinance (sp?) check. So i decided to get in line outside of the entrance to the line with a few other people. It was closed for about three hours. Then they let us in the line and i got on the second train launched, the gold train. It was a great ride but we got stuck a the place where u exit the ride. They had to use this weird machine that looked like a leaf blower to get us out of the ride. The ride then closed and while on Power Tower, i saw them replacing the kicker wheel where u exit the ride (the kicker whell is the thing that moves the train and is embeddedc in the track) It did however reopen and was doing great. as hyde mention, they were launching about a train a minute. And about the new 4 seat last car, there is still the black bars that held up the wheels and engine. Hopefully they'll bring that stuff back because now the trains look kind of bare. It was still a great ride and hopefully it will be open for the rest of the season!

[IEATPASTE001]

Hey Hyde and and Top Thrill Drag i was there as well. i waited in the hopefuls line for about an hour till roughly about 45 after 4pm and i was like peace i rode it this morning and went and used my MFer freeway and i was on the road for home at a little after 5pm, it was way too hot out there.

[raptorrvnge4928]

It appears that TTD is down... again... as of earlier this morning, they had the status on CP website as non-operating.

[Hyde244]

Well, it is either broken down or running everyday, and I dont know about u guys but I dont keep track. But I do have some interesting information though. Some times (well most of the time) Dragster is broken down because of contaminated oil v(which is used in the hydrolics), and sometimes, the contaminent is...fish. Dont ask me how, but sometimes fish will get into the hydrolic system. Also, u might wanna check out my new quote in my Sig., I think u guys will like it.

[CoasterXtremist]

Originally posted by Top Thrill Drag
i'm not complaining and u shouldn't be either, its open! what more do you want?

For it to be opne for 2 weeks without breaking down.

Originally posted by Hyde244
~"Millenium Force, Cedar Point's Tallest, Fastest,WORKING Roller Coaster!"~

:haha: Funny, but sadly true...

[Harpo]

I discovered the reason for design problems with Dragster. It came to me out of the blue. I'm amazed I didn't think of it earlier.

As I'm sure you know, Intamin is a European company. Well, I found out that they imported a designer from Sweden to work on Dragster. That designer was none other than The Swedish Chef.

During the design process, he was quoted as saying: "Erg deburg de ferg dor zoom zoom in der coaster. Firstre we builder der foosh in der hydro-oulicsers. Bork bork bork!"

Naturally, the problems occurred because no one could understand what he was saying.