Kinzel's "WORST DECISION EVER"

In the news section, there is a link to listen an interview with Dick Kinzel on The Motley Fool broadcast from NPR.

In it, he calls TOP THRILL DRAGSTER the "worst decision ever."

I guess I am not really surprised at the fact it's the worst decision made, but more surprised at his willingness to admit it candidly.

It makes me wonder about the future of the infamous ride if it continues its horrible traditions into the next season...

He did say that hopefully next year he can reverse his opinion, but I just don't think there is some 'magic fix' that they can do next year that they haven't already tried. :(

I cannot seem to get the link to work?

I just listened to the interview also. I can see where he is coming from, and if I owned the company I would also be extremely dissapointed with the amounts of downtime the ride experiences. I wouldn't think its the worst decision ever made though. The ride is amazing, and came in at number 7 for the Golden Tickets. People still come from all over with the point to ride Dragster. That is also everyones first question once you come back from a CP trip. "Did you ride the Dragster???" Top Thrill Dragster is still an amazing coaster, and even though it experiences tons of downtime, the ride experience shouldn't be forgotten.

i agree with tt182, that ride has left some lasting memories that i wont soon forget. the look on my girlfriends face when she first rode it... funny :)

It is my favorite ride at CP, and I dont think that will change for a lil while.

He admited it! Finally! Thank you Dick Kinzel for admiting that TTD was the wrost business decision you made.

Why does that give you so much pleasure?

MrScott

Why do you care?

I find it to be not much more than a nice centerpiece to the park and a good addition to the skyline. I've thought TTD was a bad business decison for the entire season, and I was glad to hear Kinzel admit it.

I really don't care what you think. I was just trying to see where your head was.

There's a joke there, but I'm not visiting...

MrScott

Saying TTD was the WORST is kind of strong. I couldn't agree more with the disapointment on the rides constant downtime, but unlike DT, the ride still pulls in massives crowds whenever it is open. That's something many rides can't do.

At least the CEO is willing to give a chance, most ethusiast won't even give it 2 years.

^^^ Agreed. The ride does attract a huge crowd, both riders and spectators.

i can see why he made those comments but i dissagree with him. as an employee of cp i see how dragster made an impact at the park even though it's down most of the time but if you guys think about it with a ride that powerful you have to expect problems i mean every ride is not perfect and they need 2 spend time this offseason 2 see why it breaks down so much. i love dragster and i'm glad cp make the decision 2 bring it there cuz the ride is awesome and everybody loves 2 either ride or watch it.

2 and cuz are not words.

I think it was a bad decision. I agree with him though - Some work out, some don't. Magnum worked out, Dragster didn't.

I agree Ben...

I find it difficult to call Dragster a "bad decision" since it continues to attract thousands of guests each year. Maintenance-wise? It was a bad decision because they apparently still don't know how to maintain it.
*** Edited 11/6/2005 11:42:17 PM UTC by S2Kster***
*** Edited 11/7/2005 8:45:48 PM UTC by S2Kster***

Shorthand is not acceptable according to the rules of these boards, that's what he was pointing out, not the grammar of the post.

As for the topic, I don't think TTD was a bad buisness decision, but its turned into a PR nightmare. I'm sure if they had known how unreliable it would be, they wouldn't have built it, but hind-sight is always 20/20.

Another question for Mr. Kinzel, does this push DT into the #2 spot, or is it a tie for "Worst Decision Ever"?

Jordan -

Chat shorthand is annoying. The fact of the matter is, my post was decipherable with normal reading skills. It wasn't unnatural to read my post. It takes some thought and effort to read someone who uses chat shorthand (at least for me it does).

I still think Disaster Transport was the worst decision, but Dragster has turned out to be a lemon. It happens. Not everything can work out fully like you want it to, especially when you're pushing the envelope.

Let's keep in mind that Dragster had a not-so-bad year until September. Maybe I'm reading into it, but it sounded to me like he still had hope for the ride for the future.

True, but if someone came in June of 2003, and again in the middle of July 2004, and then in September or October 2005, they've got to be pretty angry customers if they've wanted to ride that thing.

Fact of the matter is, however, that yearly downtime of more than a day or two is unacceptable for any ride.

I will eat all my words if they manage to get it to run in 2006 reliably with no more than minimal downtime.

I'm surprised he'd just admitted his "worst decision ever" candidly as well. Does anyone else think that Dragster makes the skyline ugly. I think it was awesome with only MF towering above everything.

As for the future of the ride. I would be surprised to see the it last much longer then 5 more years. Its a great ride but its obviously it is taking alot of time and money to keep running, and not even well. And if the best season dragster has had (this year), is still upseting for CP management, I don't think they are willing to keep it there. They are thinking about the future and it doesnt seem like TTD will keep the 'wow' factor it has now. I would personally be happy to see the midway returned to its old state with alot of trees. Maybe they could slap a midsize woodie in dragsters spot 10 years from now. Maybe they will finally discover that putting the tallest coaster in the world in isn't the answer to a down year in attendence. *** Edited 11/7/2005 12:40:46 AM UTC by Dubdub***

Dragster=0, CP fans who want it gone=.....I lost count!:)

I guess every 400+foot tall hydraulic launch coaster with more advanced parts than you can shake a stick at should run like an angel. Sure it should but it just can’t. What if it was only 200feet and had a layout? Would that of made you guys more happy?
Hydraulic launch coasters are feisty coasters... but don’t blame the coaster, blame the hydraulics!!! But it’s the only thing that "works" with the space and height. I would hate to see it go, but if CP makes the decision, it will be a sad one, not to mention that I guarantee there would be some heavy petitioning....heck I'll lead it!:)

Joking aside, I think it'll get better next year. They have this winter to get the kinks out, like they did for some of the 04 problem for this year. Just give Dragster another chance. I can see how some of you dont like it, but what would CP be like without it?........you know what, nobody answer that!

*** Edited 11/7/2005 1:46:03 AM UTC by TTD 120mph***

The hydraulics is part of the coaster.