Civil Coaster War: Millennium Force vs. Intimidator 305 v2.0?!?!

pointperson said:
Wouldn't this version be Intimidator 305 v3.0? Version 1 would be orginal. Version 2 would be trims. Version 2.5 would be trims and new restraints. :)

I didn't know we were going off of the AOL version format... I appologize

I'm sure coaster designers put energy margin into their layout so that, once it is built, the trains will make it around the track at an exciting speed despite variable energy bleeders like wind resistance and friction. The trim brakes give them a relatively inexpensive way to bleed off some of that excess energy when other factors are minimal. Better to have to take it away than have to add it.

However, based on most comments from people on this forum - trim brakes detract from the ride experience.

What if, in the future, trains were trimmed using systems on the train itself? Simple aerodynamic control surfaces to bleed energy at various levels when needed. Or maybe on the wheels themselves akin to anti-lock brakes. Both controlled by modules on trains reacting to speed and position data of the train. (All of this is can be done without a prohibitive cost using readily available technology of today). Would the finesse of this approach allow a more optimum ride experience? Hmmmm.

^That's a good idea, too bad rides like Maverick are already down half the day with the technological advancements that ride has. Not saying that I don't think your idea has merits, because it does. But, adding more sensors, or this and that is just bound to lead to more downtime.

Unfortunutely, I can't comment on Intimidator 305 at all for I have not rode it. And I don't comment on rides just from the POV version I can see on the internet. I have never commented on STR even though I was at the point six times this year. STR was always down.

djDaemon said:
It's true that gravity doesn't care how fast something is going in the horizontal (relative to the force of gravity) direction. However, because that horizontal velocity on a coaster is forcibly transferred (via the track) into downward velocity, the initial velocity is additive, but less so on larger drops.

That's still not true unless the horizontal motion could propel the train horizontally. The force of the lift could not push the train horizontally into space in the absence of track.

I rode Intimidator 305 after the trims and before the new restraints and was disappointed calling it a 25,000,000 dollar mistake.I can re-ride the Millennium Force for hours with little wear and tear on my body but I could not ride Intimidator 305 more than twice without taking a break.

I am a Cedar Point Fan of all the Coasters. The Disaster Transport should be thrown away. the Mine Ride is Good for Young kids to start riding on the Bigger ones, but the Ride takes a lot of space. Shoot the Rapids is just a Family Water Ride for me. It takes to much land, and I do and I don't like it. I know there is a lot of Land to make Rides and Coasters at CP. They have to move the rides for more space. The Trokia, Super Himalya, Chaos, and the Dodgems were moved for the TTD. When the New Coasters come in; they don't need to be HIGHER. I love the MF and TTD, because of the Height and the Speed of both of them. They just need to be longer coasters.

Millennium Force is 6095ft, it is one of the longest roller coasters in the world. Top Thrill Dragster is 2800 ft; you can only go so far with $25 million.

What do those last two posts have to do with the topic?

Why don't the wheels on MF melt like on I305? Pre-trim, I305 traveled only a couple mph faster. I also feel like both the rides maintain the same speed after the 1st drop for the most part.

I am no expert, but I thought I heard the g-forces through the first turn was heating the wheels up. I could be wrong and probably am.

^^Going by that logic, Dragster and Kingda Ka should both melt wheels all the time.

The kinetic energy of the first turn after the first drop is higher and a different force then that of TTD and KK. Plus, from what I have read the track seems to be different then those two. Like I siad I don't fully understand why it is having those problems either.

Oh I know. My post was directed at the guy above you. Speed has little to do with it.

Jeff said:
The force of the lift could not push the train horizontally into space in the absence of track.

Of course it would. Not very much, but it would. Horizontal velocity doesn't simply vanish when its value is really small.

That is, if you have a train with horizontal velocity H, and that train is dropped, the train will move in the horizontal direction (just like the bullet in the MB example) and the vertical direction simultaneously.

There is an update on I305 Facebook page. The entire first turn and first half of the 2nd hill have been completely removed. From great sources that actually visit and spoke with KD officials, there will be an official announcement in the near future. The source also posted pictures of I305 receiving surgery.

I didn't think that this would really happen, but are they really going to add an overbanked turn much like MF and take off the trims?!?! It's too good to be true...

From my experience riding both coasters... if they add an overbanked turn and remove the trims from the first drop... I305 "should" be a better coaster(crossing my fingers they get new restraints too). Obviously wouldn't know until I rode it, but I can imagine if it did.

djDaemon said:
Of course it would. Not very much, but it would. Horizontal velocity doesn't simply vanish when its value is really small.

But for the purpose of something that large and heavy affecting speed at the bottom of the drop, it may as well not exist.

I personally think Millennium Force kind of sucks. Bizzaro and Ride of Steel are a lot better in my opinion. So yes, I do think there will be a coaster in the future that will be much better.

However, the same can't be said for Magnum. Magnum is my #10 steel and it is such a simple yet great ride. I think that would tougher competition to compete with.

According to RCPro's article, I305 will be widening the first turn just a tad and will be taking off all trims to let it run wild at 94mph... TRIMLESS!!!

I had the chace to ride the new and improved Intimidator 305 this past weekend! It's way better than it was opening day and when they trimmed the 1st drop. It is hands down better than MF in my opinion. The new straps make it a very comfortable and I absolutely love the grey-out sensation at the bottom of the hill. I have never experienced anything like this on any other roller coaster. The first drop is hands down the best of any coaster and the intensity is greater than Kingda Ka and TTD! The airtime on the 2nd hill and the 3rd hill are AMAZING! And if you could just imagine going 90+ mph through Maverick's transition turns (Example: You are looking at the transition coming up and your mind is thinking... "How in the world is this train going to change directions at this speed?!?! HERE IT COMES!!! HOLY MOLIE times 3!!!")

I have stated numerous times that MF is the greatest coaster in the World, but I305 v.2.0 now takes the top ranking. I would be suprised if it doesn't win the Golden Ticket #1 coaster in the world this year. I would highly recommend everyone make a trip to KD. It has now made it to my #4 favorite parks to visit because of I305 and Dominator. #1- CP, #2 SFMM, #3 SF Great Adventure, and #4 KD.

Cedar Fair wasn't lying when they said they want to make KD the Cedar Point of the East Coast!!!

I can't wait to get there and ride it! I've always wanted to go to KD for Dominator because I miss riding it almost every day, I305, and Volcano!