Power Tower Position

I rode the Power Tower red side on openinig day. Perhaps it's my imagination, but it seems that they are raising you up farther into a holding position before launching you. In the past, weren't we just a few feet off the ground before being shot up? Now, it seems we're several feet up.

No big deal, but I preferred making eye contact with the riders and the would-be riders (especially the first-timers) before ascending to the heavens. That's not really possible now since only a fool would look downward from the ride before an impending launch. While waiting in line, I always enjoyed seeing the looks of apprehension on the nervous, first-time riders.

Wouldn't everyone agree that the best seats to be in are those facing away from the other towers since it removes any and all perspective of when you might peak?

As for being dropped, there's really no bad position to be in. Being dropped is a superior ride, but the line moves sooooo much slower. So those lacking patience (me) spend more time shooting upward.

I can't comment becasue all three times I got in line for Power Tower this season it has gone due to weather.

I can vouch for the higher holding position. I remember standing in line and watching thinking to myself what the heck is wrong with the ride and that maybe they were having technical difficulties.

They do start out higher, on both the shot and drop side. It has to do with a new control system they installed over the winter. Also, the drop side now slows considerably when you near the top of the tower so it makes less of a jolt when you lock in.

I went on the space shot side yesterday. I didn't notice the change but I've only been on the ride very few times.

I noticed it...opposed to just being several feet in the air previously, now it seems like a little over 10 feet.

You now raise up just about level with the control booth windows. You can look in at the ride ops while you sit there now.

I was the first one in my group to notice this as I worked PT in '99 and Y2K. The Shot we had on opening day was definitely one of the best I've ever had. Unfortunately, the new operation takes some of the fun out of working Shot Side. Back in the day, we had a hella good time distracting riders by engaging them in pointless conversation seconds before they were launched.

Me: "Where are you folks from?"

Rider: "We're from <insert small town here>."

Me: "Really? Isn't that where they have that pie festival?"

Rider: "No, actually we(BOOM)EEEEEEE!" :)

I'd have to say i love being shot up when i'm sitting on the outside seats, facing the lake. You never know when you'll stop, and you get a great view. Same with the drop, but it really doesn't matter there. I just don't like facing the inside and looking at the tower, i'd rather look out at the park or lake.

-Eagle-

I noticed this opening weekend, also, the hydraulic rams that soften the final landing are up before the launch instead of coming up just after, perhaps thats an added safety feature since before if they failed to rise there would be no warning after the shot? looks like numerous reasons for the change.

I wish they could make a 100-150 foot "pit" under the loading area and have you drop into it upon the descent,even with safe clearances that would almost make me poop my pants i bet.

Imagine, being dropped 200+ feet to the ground, then going 100+ feet underground!

Also, if seated on an inside seat on the shot side, i always look up so as to get that "looks like my heads gonna get bashed" feeling *** Edited 5/20/2004 11:07:30 PM UTC by WHOEVER***

If only the water table at Cedar Point was a hundred feet under ground...

I did notice that it was riding higher before the launch on Sunday when I went, I was getting ready to go on the turbo drop and saw that and figured it wasn't normal, so we skipped it.

Hey Dan!

I have the utmost respect for you since you are among the really hardcore riders at CP.

I'm further impressed at your insistence on counting all your rides on Magnum (your favorite, according to the TV show a few years back) and on TTD.

Just outta curiosity, do you count all your rides? And do you do this from memory or do you carry a device to count them, or at least a piece of paper?

This one time... on Magnum...

Sorry Dan. :) I don't know if you'll ever live that down!

Hahahahahaha! STALKER! J/K ;)

i like power tower but i like superman tower of power at six flags over texas because you get it all shot up and bounced around stoped at the top and then dropped so the wait is even for all.

Excuse me, but I'm not familiar with that particular dialect of the English language.