News: Cedar Point blog shows footers at WWL site

I would love to see a coaster that breaks the record for the most inversions.

I would like to see a coaster that is almost the size of Magnum XL 200, but has the most inversions with a lot of speed. What I"m is a Floorless. Maybe the first coaster with a new kind of inversion.

Hmm. A new kind of inversion? What do you have in mind? Just curious...

Jeff if you're there, give us something to chew on.
*** Edited 3/14/2006 4:58:43 AM UTC by SteelRaptor***

Something I have never seen is a half-loop, complete barrel roll (inline twist) and an exit of another half-loop. Kind of like a cobra roll, except you would continue in the direction you entered the inversion afterwards, and it is more linear instead of "broken" with half corkscrews.

Anyone see what I'm trying to say? lol.

Couldn't help but notice the picture from the Register of the footers looks alot like this picture of wicked twisters footers... Is this a traditional footer style?

I mean I understand they all have footers, but I don't recall seeing any that were poored that close together and in that configuration. Maybe someone could refresh my memory.

http://www.pointbuzz.com/Gallery.aspx?i=1317

*** Edited 3/14/2006 5:51:42 AM UTC by Aaron_toledo***

http://www.pointbuzz.com/Gallery.aspx?i=1278

The problem is that pictures do not give a good size reference. Look at the wire frame and the concrete of the footer. The fact that the footer was later grouted makes distances seem different.

If the distances in the two photos aren't exactly the same, they are pretty close.

I had a dream about CP last night (as usual), and what the new supposed coaster would be like. It was a Dive Machine, and in my dream the layout was really cool - but when I woke up, I thought to myself "What a lame layout". First off, there was a 240 ft. vertical (surprise!) drop, and then a long straight run before a loop, then a turnaround and another VERY long straight run wich ended with two Zero-G rolls. Omg, how lame, but what a daisy in the dream. Dreams are so weird.

I would like to see a gigantic Dive machine though, but I´ll let CP & B&M handle the layout hehe...

Here is that picture I was talking about. I decided not to bother with paint, as the finished footers that look similar to the ones in the Register photo should stick right out if you're looking for them.

You know Jeff, you could have made this site just a bit more friendly for those of us that suck at HTML. I've tried using the PHP way to get a link to show up as one word like 20 times, but it isn't working. You could put a button that says URL that we could push that could help us.

Sorry, it was making me mad. *** Edited 3/14/2006 12:04:37 PM UTC by BlueStreak64*** *** Edited 3/14/2006 12:14:43 PM UTC by BlueStreak64***

Why would you use PHP? Just press the link button on the editor tool bar after highlighting the word you want linked. Like this.

If you're using Firefox, there is no editor. But you can do this:

[ url="http://www.cedarpoint.com" ]Cedar Point[ /url ]

Just eliminate the spaces.

Forget whats sitting on those footers, I want to see how they do the formwork around the first two rebar reinforcement. I think the interesting part is that the rebar isn't in rows, meaning that they most likely won't be used for a station. Also, the left rebar diameter is larger than the right meaning that more support is needed to the left.

Not to offend or step on anybodies toes, but I don't see the point of comparing footers with other coasters. The company builds for support, strength, and bearing capacity, not what they "usually" build. The soil its on and load placed on it determine what the footer looks like. Then from an economical stand point, maybe the company is using circular columns to save money instead of using square columns. On top of all that, a footer in sandy Ohio soil will most likely look a lot different than a footer in earthquake prone California. *** Edited 3/14/2006 5:04:46 PM UTC by Kyle S***

Kyle S said:

I think the interesting part is that the rebar isn't in rows, meaning that they most likely won't be used for a station.

Just for clarity, are you saying that the footers aren't aligned into rows?

Also, the footer's tops are probably round because whatever they place on them will be round. This will, as you said, save them money.

2007, deductive logic

I dont feel its appropriate for a new thread, but here are my thoughts:

1. Kinzel retiring or not, CP is the rollercoast, and its been awhile since we've seen a new coaster. This logic would lend one to assume that a coaster is coming, especially when one considers the addition of OnPoint, the early hype, and the early construction. Really the only point for a "water ride" or perish the thought, a "water coaster", is the fact that WWL is gone. Advantage: Coaster

2. The black and white photo shows mysterious footers, with circluar rebar sticking out. There seems to be some consensus on the idea that this sort of closes the door on a wooden coaster. Plus, Mean Streak is right there. Like it or love it, it's not going anywhere anytime soon, and it would seem a bit impractical to have two woodies so close together. The only argument for a woodie seems to be Mean Streak's pathetic status. If it was great, I dont think people would be calling for another. Besides, we all want it on the beach up front, anyway, right? Advantage: Steel Coaster

3. CP breaks records. CP likes to go fast, tall, and steep. CP also likes something different. In fact, one could argue that Magnum and MF are the only two "newer" coasters that are similar. We've seen 1) sit down, 2) suspended, 3) inverted, 4) stand-up, 5) inverted launch, 6) sit-down 7) whatever you call TTD. This logic would conclude that it will something unique, something that CP does not have, and something they could break records with. Advantage: Floorless, Flyer, or Dive Coaster.

4. Cedar Fair has GL right down the rode, and they really want it to take off....badly. Considering GL has both a floorless and a flyer, which makes it unique to the area, one might arugue that CF would not want CP to trump the few things that GL has going for it. This would seem to reduce the chances of a flyer or a floorless, however this is the weakest link in the chain, but its a link none the less. Advantage: Dive Coaster

So there you go: my deduction to what I think (or hope, honestly) the new ride will be for 2007, and why. Feel free to blast holes in my thinking. Id be insterested to see what others think about this. :)
*** Edited 3/14/2006 6:02:13 PM UTC by Kevinj***

Good points. As you admitted, however, #4 is a very weak link. Here's my version of #4:

4. Cedar Point has been lacking a World-class sit-down coaster with inversions for some time. The only other sit-down looper is Corkscrew, which (while fun) is not a "star" attraction. And because a flyer would not be as well suited for a inversion record-breaker, that leaves only two. Advantage: Floorless or Dive Coaster.

5. Flip a coin. Just make sure there's a third side to the coin which says OTHER.

;)
*** Edited 3/14/2006 6:20:37 PM UTC by djDaemon***

I just wanted to chime in about the dive machine contract thing. Dan Brown of BGT is quoted saying,

"To ensure a competitive advantage, Bollinger & Mabillard, the Swiss manufacturer of the diving coaster, has agreed not to build any similar coasters in the United States for several years."

I have a link to the article, but I wasn't sure if we could post third party links or not. If we can, I will be happy to post it. Now, he could have been misquoted, it wouldn't be the first time, but for the right amount of money, you could get anything put in a contract.

I'm sorry but anything other than a B&M Dive Machine or a Floorless and I will be highly dissapointed.

I actually hope it is not a dive machine. I've been on Sheikra a few times, and while nice, it's nothing spectacular. To me, it packs less thrill than most other coasters in the 200+ feet range.

Besides, CP has MF which is 10 degrees shy of vertical, and TTD which is a vertical drop. So, I don't see the logic of putting in a dive machine when there are 310' and 420' coasters in the same park with a similar signature element.

Unless it's a 500+ foot coaster, and the dive machine format is used to fit such a monster into a smaller footprint.

And one could interpret as several years as having past by opening day 2007.

Thanks for adding your alternative "point 4", DJ...and that was an angle I had not thought of. It has been sometime since a Kumba-type...which would lend floorless somewhat equal status. A negative would be Dominator, though...although its new world-record breaker.

I actually emailed BGT about this issue (the contract), and while I doubt they give any type of real reply, ill let you know. :)

So..my revised point 4: advantage: dive/floorless

(and your "other" is well noted)

to DA20Pilot: Isnt the experience different though? Straight down...different type car...the "brake"...its interesting, though, that it didnt have a big impact for you. What about others who have ridden Shiekra? BGT fans love it.
*** Edited 3/14/2006 6:46:52 PM UTC by Kevinj***