MF's Extra Footer?

I always wanted to ask about this and it wasn't until now I got a picture of it.

Did they pour more footers than they needed during construction?

http://www.pointphotography.net/images/roller_coasters/millennium_force/030.jpg

The story goes that they wanted to add a crane at the end of the transfer but decided not too. Apparently the station area was going to be more enclosed that it is and air conditioned. The opening to the lift was supposed to have a door that opened right before the train was sent. Due to budget constraints, the station was redesigned. The crane was not included but the footing stayed in the design.

*** Edited 5/19/2007 6:13:09 AM UTC by Jump to Conclusions***

Interesting, I always found it odd that this was never brought up here. At least not the past three or so years I've been around.

I've heard rumors that there were a bunch of late budget-related cuts to MF and other CP rides. A lot of them had to do with extra maintenance catwalks, covered transfer tracks, and that type of thing - infrastructure type things that don't really affect the guest experience, but would have been nice to have anyway to make things easier for staff. Maybe that footer was for something that was planned and later scrapped.

Another example of this is the stairway that was to descend down Magnum's first drop. Why they'd have wanted something like that is beyond me, but you can tell it was planned due to the "stair supports "protruding from the drop.

Then there's the story about how Magnum's control booth was supposed to be above the station where the op could look down on the train. Not sure if I believe it, but the fact that they built the station with those pillars that are really bad for sight lines does make it seem more plausible.

MDOmnis said:l booth was supposed to be above the station where the op could look down on the train. Not sure if I believe it, but the fact that they built the station with those pillars that are really bad for sight lines does make it seem more plausible.

Yeah, I was amused to see staff having to hide behind pillars before the train exits the station. That doesn't seem too safe to me, since they can't see the train as it leaves!!

..Al

And now you know what happens when lawyers and guys with "safety" degrees get to make decisions.

Is it true that Cp shortened Millennium Force? I heard that they had a whole nother section they planned to build for the ride but ran out of money and decided to build it like it is today.

Not buying that one...I think we can all chalk that up to another rumor.......

I dont think CP can technically "run out of money"

^CP is on a much tighter budget than some think. Do they have money yes, are there a lot of corners cut here and there, absolutely.

CF could build just about any ride they could possibly think of since they have good lines of credit, but they want to do it as cheaply as possible while still delivering a good ride. The covered station and door thing for MF is really interesting. Does anyone know any other interesting last-minute changes to rides?

yea i can think of one ..Maverick's heartline roll ;)
*** Edited 5/20/2007 2:50:13 PM UTC by Raptor Fan***

Mantis was going to be called Banshee.

That was a publicity thing, it had nothing to do with budgets.

http://www.funtrivia.com/playquiz/quiz45394535378.html

Its on that quiz.

I dont know if he just made it up or not.

I guess it was out of land not money.
*** Edited 5/20/2007 9:36:40 PM UTC by Your mom is to fat to ride TTD.***

^I don't think there's any proof to that.

Yeah I think that also but I was just saying there is a rumor like that.

Every roller coaster CP builds has the same issue. Money and land is always the deciding factor.

I know CP approached a couple manufacturers for the construction of a 300+ foot roller coaster and Intamin was the only one who could get a ride like that to fit into the park. The cable lift has a lot to do with that.

It's interesting that after all these years, nothing about those changes has ever been brought up. I could only imagine what the ride would be like then. While 'cool,' they aren't needed. I wonder what cuts TTD faced, or WT.

Air conditioning? Are you serious? I doubt that would have ever been approved in the first place.

Was there a post deleted somewhere?