B&M track plus new trains..........what do you guys think, seriously...

Here is a thought of been pondering for awhile, especially after traveling down to Kings Dominion and riding Dominator 5 times in a row.

Personally, i enjoy Mantis and i feel it is a good reliable ride. But ridership is going down at a consistent rate every year (except for last). And most people complain about the ride experience, how it hurts your calves and how long it takes to load, so on and so forth.

So my idea, is sorta crazy, but how would you guys feel about replacing Mantis' standup cars, with FLOORLESS cars. We still have yet to attain a floorless in this area.

There are some points that are arguable about any records that this standup has and any other integrity the ride has. I am sure some of you wise guys will be making up some smart remarks, but just keep in mind. This might boost attendence and overall ridership for the ride.

Let me know what you think, be honest... Thanks

Personally, I think its a great idea. I refuse to ride Mantis because of the seemingly unbearable pain inflicted on your legs. I see the coaster as more of a torture device than a amusement ride.

Its a fun layout otherwise, but there's probably some reason why they don't do it.

its been proposed on here so many times. I believe theres an issue with the difference in track and center of gravity between the standup coasters and the floorless ones. Not sure if theres any truth to it though.

Yes, this is a very old idea and it most likely will never happen. It was not designed to be a floorless coaster, therefore it would be hard to just throw floorless trains on it and expect it to be a good ride. Besides g-force calculations being an issue, I also think Mantis would be a pretty boring ride as a floorless coaster. It's fine as it is, I think it's a classic coaster innovation of the 90s and if you ride in the front row and do it properly, it's pretty good.

I am not 100% sure, im sure there is and some other work may have to be done in order to put new trains on the track. The station's mechanisms would have to be changed out im sure, but even if they have to do anything more, it would still be alot cheaper then purchasing a new ride, and it would have alot of hype. Plus it would be an offseason projecttha im sure could be done in the matter of months

Even know I would think it would be neat, but you would have to take in that the ride's G-forces were made for Stand-Up trains. But I would think that floorless trains would speed up the loading times.

how about they put in 1 floorless train. They could call it mantis vs. banshee
ha.

I never ride Mantis when I go to Cedar Point because it is more painful then fun. I also think that changing it to a floorless coaster would be great but I don't think it's possible. The ride was designed to be a stand-up coaster.

I think they should just tear down Mantis and build a NEW floorless coaster in it's place.

If SheiKra's mechanics can be changed from normal to floorless trains (ie. adding retractable floors), then I'm sure it wouldn't be that hard to do it to any other coaster.

The problem is: Would the forces on the rider be acceptable with a train switch?

You know... speaking of SheiKra, don't its trains have different levels of seating (stadium style)? If it's riders could handle different heartlines, then maybe they could on a floorless Mantis too. Maybe they could even make the heartline higher by having the higher seats like on SheiKra's last row.

So I guess, the only thing really holding this project back is cost. And desire by CP to even bother doing it.

It's completely possible. The g-forces were designed with stand-up trains in mind, yes, but whether floorless trains would make it a more interesting ride in terms of Gs is anyone's guess. The trim brake on the first drop could certainly be removed, since Mantis actually pulls some pretty sweet Gs without the trim (at least from the perception of standing up - maybe not so much if you were sitting). The ride's heartline isn't really an issue since coasters were designed for decades without that in mind. Floorless trains would have a heartline very near stand-up trains anyway. The station would have to be reconfigured - probably just replaced alltogether, but it's still possible. In the end, honestly, I don't see it happening. I can see them just removing the ride entirely if they feel it's no longer worth keeping around.

cubby24 said:
I never ride Mantis when I go to Cedar Point because it is more painful then fun.

If its fun, why don't you ride it? So, it hurts a little in the beginning, but it gets better. (and boy did that sound COMPLETELY wrong).

Koaster Kleez said:
Plus it would be an offseason projecttha im sure could be done in the matter of months

And this is based on years of engineering experience?

Its fine the way it is. I still give it a ride or two each trip. Just need to actually use your leg muscles, don't lock your knees as that will only make it worse.

Frankly I think I'd rather eat at Midway Market than ride than mankiller again.

I think Mantis is completely underrated. I've never experienced a painful ride. If you lock your seat in the right position you shouldn't have a problem. As for saying that the ridership has been declining for a number of years until last year, look at the ridership for 90% of the rides. They all are that way. I think that has more to do with operations than the rides' popularity level.

^^It's not a bad ride! : - (

^ I had only had one bad ride on Mantis, but that was my fault because I bent my knees when the seats locked. I talked to a few people who thought me some tricks on how to have a comfortable ride and I decided to ride again. That ride was the way better and was a lot of fun. So it all comes down to you!

So what *is* the right way to ride Mantis?

With the seat just a tad bit below your crotch (an inch or so) and knees bent ever so slightly. The seat is there to keep you in place - NOT for you to "sit" on. Do this and there is no reason at all for you to experience any pain in your nether regions, which is the most frequent complaint that I hear about Mantis.

Well it is different for each person! From my experience of about 15 rides the best way is:

• Stand straight (no or very little bentding of the knees with your ankles inline with your shoulders), relax your legs (don't tense up) the small little seat thing should rise to a correct position if you are standing this way.
• And the seats will lock (don't freak out and move when the seats lock like a lot of other people do)
• While riding don't try to move in the restraints or you will endup smashing your head into the overshoulders or you will smash your junk in your trunk (if you get what I mean)
• After cresting the hill don't tense up your legs because those trims can really hurt your legs
• Just let your feet and legs go with the ride, don't go against it.
• Sit in the front seat for a great ride

*Disclaimer*

Everyone is different. Body portions, height, size, weight, etc. all affect your ability to ride and comfort level while riding. This information is based on experience and contains opinions and ideas from pointperson. This information is not guaranteed nor can it or its creator be held liable.

I must be very out of it today. I thought for a bit about Floorless Stand Up coaster... took a bit to realize what i was thinking... haha

I love Mantis as is. Yes changing the cars may make it a better ride, but i would rather have them make a new Floorless coaster elsewhere... also make it 500ft tall and everyone will be happy...

I don't have a problem with the seat I have a head banging problem.

Take it down and replace it with a GCI! :)