How's it running this year?

Kyle: You still don't know what you're talking about. I think Dave mentioned this... Dragster launches on stored mechanical energy in the form of the hydraulic accumulators. There is no sudden massive draw of electricity like there is from Twister. Dragster pulls steady, consistant electricity.

Raptor's lift hill evacuation cart is gasoline powered. Millennium Force has either a generator or a gas engine to pull the train over, I am not sure which. Sky Ride has a gas engine to drive the cable in the event of a power failure, plus a hand-crank. The Space Spiral is the one that they have the hardest time bringing down without power.....

--Dave Althoff, Jr.

You mean we don't like being stuck up 200-300 feet in the air with no air conditioning?

Oh come on, you know you'd like it. ;)

Is this when I ask some stupid question like "What happens to the Antique Cars when the power goes out?"

Froshy - what happens is that they get the longest line in the park, by far. No joke, that's what happened on blackout day last year. (Well, those types of rides in general - Antiques, Cads, and the Turnpikes)

Second longest line was probably for park operations, the line to complain. I just wanted to go up and go "HALF THE NORTHEAST UNITED STATES IS OUT OF POWER... HOW IS THIS CEDAR POINT'S FAULT???"

I don't know of any other ride that draws anywhere near the same amount of current as WT. On the lauch and each pass WT draws 5,500 amps @ 680 volts. I don't know of much else that can possibly draw that much current.

5,500 amps at 680v, eh?

Ever time the launch? The entire ride is 68 seconds, and the ride only draws that high current load (3,740,000 watts) when it is launching. How long are the actual launches? I figure 30 seconds of launching per ride is being extremely generous, but that works out to about 31.16 kWh/launch. If my residential electric service included 3-phase 680v power, that would be about $1.37 per ride cycle (although AEP probably wouldn't be giving me the $0.044/kWh rate if I were using that much...)

--Dave Althoff, Jr.

On Sunday, May 16

Wicked Twister was not running at full power or it just isn't warmed up yet this season. It doesn't get so high up the twists to make you say "is it suppose to go that high?". But it isn't at all dissappointing, the ride feels all the same. The ride is even fun in the middle for me now, though you don't get all the quick whips you get in the back and front.

There is a needle-style gauge that reads up to 6KA. Whenever the ride goes, it hits 5.5 and has the loudest electrical hum you've ever heard.

Hate to say it, but i think Top thrill may be running more reliable then WT at this point...

On May 19 I didn't see the ride running until around 3:00. Feel the Force, is right. WT may be having a lot of problems right now but my first few rides of the season yesterday proved that this ride is still CP's best in my eyes.

I personally don't really see all your problems with WT... I might be biased, but even before I worked on it I thought it was hands down the best coaster in the park. WT, MF, TTD are the favorites in my book, and in that order.

I don't really think they "slowed it down" that much, and I'm sure if they did, it was the best for the machinery. I'm sure zapping the components with enough juice to push it that fast and that high up on the first swing was a TON more taxing on everything than what was needed. They most likely found that it was easier on nearly every component to push it just a little further each swing instead of getting it to full speed the first time. For this I applaud CP because they see something that can be improved, and then they follow through with it. I see it every day when working, and that's why I love working there so much. The park is ever improving, and that says something about not only Cedar Point in itself but Cedar Fair as a whole.

(I would be interested to know how much electricity Thunder Canyon takes, because if WT were to go head to head with it, I'm thinking it'd be a pretty good match up... My bet's on WT, but this time I *am* being a little biased ;) )

It's all about time, Ben. Thunder Canyon has four pumps on it that run continuously while the ride is running, and Dragster has a similar arrangement. Neither of those rides has the instantaneous amperage requirement of Wicked Twister, but they are pulling serious amps all day long, not just for a few seconds per dispatch. Next time I am up there I should time the Wicked Twister launch times........

--Dave Althoff, Jr.

Well actually they are on the same powerfeed, I was there opening season for WT, and worked it, along with last season. Have you ever been on the beach and had to cover up the huge instalated wires, because of erosion, didnt think so. They are on teh same line, Just them two, unless they have added something this season

Who said they weren't on the same line? We all know that.

If I had to guess

Well i really dont feel like looking for it right now. But one of the post, someone was guessing that dragster andtwister was on the same powerline. I was just letting them know that they were, and no they dont have to launch sepertly. We did not have walkies or anything like that asking each other if they were launching. HEHE, sorry but thats not how it works.

It would have been great if we got to talk over walkie talkie to Dragster last year.

"So you guys are down AGAIN?"

I just want to add something to this. The WT is an excellent ride and i dont understand why the line isnt always longer but that doesnt bother me any i know that if the lines are to long on other coasters i can always run to the Wicked Twister.

I think one of the things about Wicked Twister is that it is in an odd location. That side midway is usually a very empty area of the park.

I find the same thing with MS. It's kinda hidden in the back corner of the park. I think a lot of people may mistake the ride as park of the gemini from far away.

I dont know how accurate it was. But last season i asked my ATL that questions and she siad that it was to take some of the crowed away from Dragster, Witch i guess kinda makes since, but then again it dont. I am not saying that is why they put it there by an means just that is what i was told, but then again, she may be speculating

Everyone who reads this: DO NOT spread the word. The ride is the best and people don't have to know that. Let them wait 2 hours for MF and TTD I'll ride WT a few times!!! ;) ;)