Live Blog - Rougarou Media Day and First Rider Auction

So when people say the ride is still somewhat "rough," what do they mean exactly? Rough in terms of quick directional changes (like Maverick), rough in terms of a train rattle / shaking (like how Mantis was), or something else?

It just has a little shake in it in some parts. Nothing like what it was a Mantis

Rough in the heartline, no doubt.

First half of the ride I was thinking how very smooth it was - like a new coaster. Second half of the ride I picked up some motion that bothered my neck with a bit of head banging. I rode mid train and front seat - seemed worse in the front of the train (to me.) Did not try the back of the train yet.

Been hearing claims from other sites that the back is definitely the way to go so far.

Curious to see if they'll keep it completely untrimmed during regular ops or if this was just due to two trains and media day.

Shades said:
But it is interesting that they are using shirts with a logo on them. I have not seen them do that before.

I believe they had the Nike logo on the GateKeeper shirts as well.

While the ride seemed smoother than Mantis, head banging is a problem. At least for me it was. Far worse after the MCBR. The guys I rode with are taller than I am and they did not seem to have a problem with it. I think the next time I'll wear a helmet.

I didn't have any issues with head banging. Thought the ride was smooth and a much better experience than Mantis. The view from the front row was great but the back row is a better ride. Overall, the makeover is a success in my book.

I can't remember if it was Tony or someone else saying that thru the ride you will see the Rougarou at some point, if so where at on the ride is it?

Silverado09b said:

I can't remember if it was Tony or someone else saying that thru the ride you will see the Rougarou at some point, if so where at on the ride is it?

Tony definitely said that in one of the pointcast videos. I'm suprised to hear nobody has said anything about it.

One more note, each train has two red fatty strap seats (normal straps are black), one each in rows 3 & 4.

And I agree with who said about the first half being smooth as silk. The roughness (head banging quick shifts) hit in the second half.

That, for me at least, was how Mantis was.

I can't believe you said fatty strap. Nice.

Fatty straps. LOL! How is the lighting for anyone that was there to see it? I noticed the lift hill seemed fully dark on one of the videos with the red chasers gone.

Was it really around 100 degrees earlier? When I checked The Weather Channel it said 100 in Sandusky, so probably slightly cooler at the park. But wow, what crazy opening day weather.

No. Highs in northern Ohio today were around 88°, give or take, and about 5° cooler along the lakeshore.

Coco said:

Was it really around 100 degrees earlier? When I checked The Weather Channel it said 100 in Sandusky, so probably slightly cooler at the park. But wow, what crazy opening day weather.

I saw that too! I thought Weather.com was just glithcing out for me. Must have been messed up for everyone. :)

Thabto said:
Walt took a video of me (center), Shawn Meyer (left), and my other friend (right) sharing our thoughts on the ride.

Saw you waiting in line for Millenium today.

I was in the park today. Literally the only thing I got to ride was Rougarou and then it started raining.

I actually really like it! Rougarou is a fun little ride. Not only is it a dramatic improvement over Mantis, but it's actually fun and enjoyable. I'll ride it regularly.

I didn't feel the head banging was any worse than Raptor. Honestly... I've never ridden a ride with over the shoulder restraints that didn't bang your head on the lateral G's. (Unless it's vest style like Gatekeeper).

The Mantis refurb "Refurbarou" has been a household joke ever since it was announced. I eat my words. It's legitimately a new, enjoyable experience.

jsmith7300 said:

Saw you waiting in line for Millenium today.

Nice! :)

clevelander said:
How is the lighting for anyone that was there to see it? I noticed the lift hill seemed fully dark on one of the videos with the red chasers gone.

The loop is lit up pretty well with a deep orange "glow". It looks great! The rest, from what i saw, was just the normal lights shining into the twisted second half of the ride. Nothing shining on the lifthill, no chasers.