Mantis Future

noggin said:

Are the inversions on a standing coaster designed to accommodate the center of gravity for standing riders? Would that affect the ride experience if seated trains were used on a coaster designed as a stand-up coaster?

An excellent, relevant question. The answer is a resounding YES. Even if CP called B&M and asked for floorless trains, B&M would say they didn't design the ride for them and that slapping floorless trains on would change the ride dynamics.

In today's safety conscious environment, Cedar Fair will likely not ever operate a ride in a way it was not designed by the manufacturer. A good example is Racer at Kings Island, which had its backwards train turned around again after 25 years of safe operations simply because that was not its intended design.

Batman wasn't designed to run backward, either, and yet, here we are.

That's true and the thought did cross my mind. I would guess Six Flags got some sort of checkmark from B&M before making that change. The Racer change was so mind-boggling to me at the time that I have come to expect nothing that would remotely push the envelope from Cedar Fair.

B&M built a new chassis for the Batman coasters, allowing the train to run backwards. I'd assume Six Flags would not have spent the money had it been possible to just reverse the train "as is". That chassis is touring the Six Flags chain.

Ah I didn't know that. Do they run those rides with just one train then? Or do they have multiple chassis that all travel together?

But if B&M does re-profile or whatever they do it will run as intended.

Mantis is a head banger, perhaps they could redo the trains to incorporate the new B&M OTSR and all will be well.

Good question, Chuck Wagon.

I was at ACE's NoCoaster where SFGA announced the whole Batman backwards thing (the Illinois park was the first one to run "Namtab", fittingly, since their Bat-coaster was the first one to begin with) -- to the best of my recollection, the PR rep referred to just one chassis.

coasterJay said:
But if B&M does re-profile or whatever they do it will run as intended.

A re-profile would be very expensive. You might as well tear it down and create a new coaster. I rode it yesterday and if the restraints were redone and comfortable then the ride would be a lot better.

cpfourlife1 said:

A re-profile would be very expensive. You might as well tear it down and create a new coaster. I rode it yesterday and if the restraints were redone and comfortable then the ride would be a lot better.

You really think a reprofile would not be worth it? I'm not saying it will or should be reprofiled, maybe new trains, maybe new paint, maybe new OSTR's, maybe nothing, but I cant see how it would be better to tear it completely down than to reprofile. Explain.

For one, with a reprofile, you're very much limited to the existing supports and most of the footers. That limits what you can do to alter the ride experience. By the time you replace too many track sections and supports, and put in the design and engineering necessary, the cost barrier to getting a brand new ride is likely very little. New trains would not make it more exciting. OTSR's and/or trains, maybe, but it's probably a lot more than we think to replace those. They aren't significantly harming riders so the park likely does not view it as a viable expense after 18 years.

New paint, now that'll make it fun. :)

^ I understand where CoasterJay is coming from here. This goes back a couple pages where he mentioned Phantoms Revenge on Steel Phantom. I'm sure If Cedar Point wanted to they could do the same. However, a lot of people say it gets really bumpy after the mid-course break run so they would have to start from there.

I never noticed this, but whatever. Anyway though, If a makeover were to happen, I could see them moving the footers over or space them out so the ride dynamics aren't too extreme. For now, I'm happy with the way Mantis Is! It's just fun to speculate what Mantis would be like If it were converted to a Floorless.

Not sure that anyone has said that it would be impossible to modify Mantis. Sure, it would, but the point everyone comes back to, is would it be worth it?

^Falling on deaf ears my friend. It has been stated numerous times.

Shawn, as I stated before, comparing what they did with Phantom's Revenge/Steel Phantom is not the same as what is being suggested. That was a complete overhaul that changed it to a COMPLETELY different coaster by a different company. It's just not a good example.

topthrilldragster4lyf said:
They aren't significantly harming riders so the park likely does not view it as a viable expense after 18 years.

No, its not. But its truly an uncomfortable ride. Don't be so sure its falling on deaf ears TTD 120mph. ;-)

Have you all seen this about a new thrill ride at CP?

http://www.sanduskyregister.com/blog/reporters-notebook/5839991

Jason McClure said:
We asked some really good follow up questions, such as whether Cedar Point will increase its number of roller coasters and whether the new ride would count as a roller coaster, but McClure said he'd revealed all he could for now. More details will have to wait, he said.

Hmmmmmmm - makes you kind of wonder.

^ I think you're reading too much into it. That's the typical corporate non-answer that is meant to neither confirm nor deny the remarks in question.

coasterJay said:
But its truly an uncomfortable ride. Don't be so sure its falling on deaf ears TTD 120mph. ;-)

A ride being uncomfortable is not a viable excuse. It's not causing any serious damage. At least no more than Corkscrew, Magnum, Raptor or Maverick. Do you want them to do something about any of those rides too?

The argument is very simple and well beyond questioning it from a mechanical standpoint. You're putting brand new trains, that likely have to be changed slightly to be put on the tracks, along with a completely redesign station JUST for the slim possibility that it makes the ride smoother? If that isn't a waste of money and a complete shot in the dark, I don't know what is.

I'd actually be happy if Maverick's restraints didn't staple my legs more and more throughout the course.. ;)

But no, I don't expect them to.

^^ I know what you mean Adam, I was just mentioning what he said. ;)

On 7-15 the Mantis was a complete walk on, trains were not full. iron Dragon by comparison, 25 minute wait. That being said, the Mantis photo booth was indeed open.