Space Spiral could have stayed!

Why did they NEVER use the second level? I heard because there was a huge bees nest but I doubt that.

This is purely just a guess, but I never saw a line for Space Spiral, so it probably wasn't necessary to have the upper level open (more staff, etc.).

45Wheelgun said:
I was in the Spiral in early August and it sure looked run down, beat up and put away wet. Looked pretty bad for being only 20 years old.

Interesting you say that, we rode 3 times including July and August 2012 also. I've ridden every year since I was little and there is also a POV video on youtube from August 2011 (just a little over a year ago, looking out from inside of the ride) that shows the ride in perfect shape including the outside plexiglass. Look closely at the outside glass, seems pretty clear.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VquP6ETy0m0

It was interesting when I went on it this year in May (after hearing the announcement of its removal along with DT) that the glass looked horrible and very scratched up all over the entire ride, just 1 off-season later, and the seats were in bad shape. My first thought was that this was done to "justify" getting rid of it,making it look run down, after the announcement of its looming demise. The outside plexiglass and interior were fine in 2011. Again, compare what you saw if you rode it one last time in 2012 to the video above from last year. Would people complain about losing Paddlewheel, then no announcement of Wildcat, and then the removal of Disaster Transport and then an iconic ride (SS) than defined the skyline for generations? Yep, and they did alot.

Also, yes the 2nd level hasn't been used in years due to low ridership, it was in summer 2007 from long lines. I believe the SS could have been kept (I was sad to see it go myself) but there were alot of maintenance issues, low ridership and its look probably wouldn't flow with the modern looking GK coaster. It would be cramped with the queue line, but the removal was made to look justified, IMO.

I can only recall a handful of times that I ever saw the second level open, and it was always on super busy days like July 4th. So I doubt it was closed off for anything other than lack of necessity.

Why DID they even give SS a double level cabin to the ride anyway? Look at all the other tower rides: Kissing tower, Geauga lake's tower, Knotts' sky cabin, etc. They ALL have or had single deck towers.

Most observation towers have one level but some parks have two. SeaWorld Orlando and SeaWorld San Diego have two levels.

In the mid 1970's both levels were in use all the time for the most part. The only time that they utilized the bottom level only was the week before Memorial Day. As far as why they got a tower with a two level cabin, at that time Von Roll only offered them with the two level cabin.

CPfan1976 said:

It was interesting when I went on it this year in May (after hearing the announcement of its removal along with DT) that the glass looked horrible and very scratched up all over the entire ride, just 1 off-season later, and the seats were in bad shape. My first thought was that this was done to "justify" getting rid of it,making it look run down, after the announcement of its looming demise.

Because of the three people that may of complained on an Enthusiast website of the removal of Space Spiral they decided to wait after the close of the park in May to beat the crap out of Space Spiral to justify the removal of the ride? Seems about right...

CPfan1976 said:

It was interesting when I went on it this year in May (after hearing the announcement of its removal along with DT) that the glass looked horrible and very scratched up all over the entire ride, just 1 off-season later, and the seats were in bad shape. My first thought was that this was done to "justify" getting rid of it,making it look run down, after the announcement of its looming demise. The outside plexiglass and interior were fine in 2011. Again, compare what you saw if you rode it one last time in 2012 to the video above from last year. Would people complain about losing Paddlewheel, then no announcement of Wildcat, and then the removal of Disaster Transport and then an iconic ride (SS) than defined the skyline for generations? Yep, and they did alot.

So there's a conspiracy as to why SS was removed? The ride was almost 50 years old. Also do you about the maintenance on the ride, you know the things cannot see/ or know about, unless you 'know' someone. You cannot keep a ride forever (minus a very few rides).

People will complain about anything these days, If they remove those triangle structures eventually, I bet there will be some that come out and say they were iconic and they should of never been removed.

SS was great while it lasted but as with everything, it must have an end.

I agree with everything you said. Also they don't need a reason to justify them getting rid of it. Like coasterkyle just said they have their reasons.

You would have to read my entire post, especially the 2nd part about maintenance issues and low ridership; and also watch the video to completely understand what I said. I didn't have a problem with them removing SS, but don't purposely beat the ride up to justify getting rid of it. Yes someone did that, video doesn't lie.
BTW, alot more than 3 people complained about the removal, including wanting to start a petition or relocate it. The carousel is 100 years old, Sky Ride and Blue Streak are older than SS also. Let's tear them down.
There was absolutely nothing wrong inside or out with the appearance (key word here) of that ride back at the end of the season of 2011, 1 off season later, right after the announcement that DT and SS would be removed, it looks like total hell with the glass all scratched up and the seats destroyed. Interesting. Did any of you go inside and ride it this year and look at the seats and glass? If you did, you'll agree they were in horrible shape. Watch the video, they weren't at the end of last season, video doesn't lie. The ride self-destructed during the winter? right.
I personally rode it multiple times both years. My point is yes, I'm thrilled to have Gatekeeper, I love coasters, and the park can do whatever they want, but it's wrong to manipulate a ride's appearance just to "justify" your end means after getting rid of 3 other classic rides during the last year.
When a ride is shown on the park's marketing symbol for over 30 years, I think that might qualify as it being somewhat iconic. Just my 2c.

I can't believe we're still talking about this.

I know, right?

This deserves something special.

(.<^)o(^>.)

edited out the link.

Quick, someone remake the into to the six million dollar man with space spiral

Some great posts CPfan1976.

"When a ride is shown on the park's marketing symbol for over 30 years, I think that might qualify as it being somewhat iconic."

This says it all --

thanks, two of my three favorite sayings:
"What is right isn't always popular, what is popular isn't always right."

Stand for something, or you'll fall for everything.

CPfan1976 said:
...it's wrong to manipulate a ride's appearance just to "justify" your end means after getting rid of 3 other classic rides during the last year.

Put down and step away from the crack pipe.

I must admit that I have a little trouble believing that a ride would be trashed on purpose just for the sake of having a good excuse to get rid of it. What would be the point ? I did watch the video and I can clearly see scuff marks and scratches on the glass - but that's probably just from normal wear and tear.

When I rode it in August it was the day before the Gatekeeper announcement. Clearly the decision to remove the ride had been made months earlier, so it doesn't surprise me that maintenance and upkeep were already reduced. Why spend extra labor hours when you know the ride is going away in less than 60 days? The windows were really in bad shape, but for all I know a bottle of Windex and some elbow grease would have fixed it. I can't believe it had anything to do with "justifying" the removal of the ride. They don't need to justify anything to anyone (except shareholders), they own the place.

Still, I am sad to see that the park Icon is no longer around. It does seem like a strange marketing move to remove (rather than just move) the iconic structure that was on almost every piece of marketing material for over 30 years.

Glad I made sure my daughter road it on her first trip to the park. I didn't know at the time it would be her last ride as well.