Summer Spectacular

Heres a thought.  They close both the Giant Wheel and Space Spiral for the Cedar Point Summer Spectacular Laser Light Extravaganza sponsored by first energy.  Wicked Twister is in the same area and is taller than the Giant Wheel.  That could get messy.

I'm not sure what you mean by, "messy." But, the reason Giant Wheel and Space Spiral close is because they reflect lasers from the screen. I doubt Wicked Twister will get in the way. So, I'm guessing it will remain open.

But, you never know!

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Force Laps: 424
Wicked Twists: ???
6/11/01: Gemini 100

I'm no expert, but I can't help but wonder if they're overly cautious. By the time a beam strikes Space Spiral, it's probably a couple of feet across at that point. Is it still that dangerous at that point?

And if they close the wheel, this is right behind it, why would different rules apply?

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Jeff
Webmaster/GTTP
"As far as I can tell it doesn't matter who you are. If you can believe, there's something worth fighting for..." - Garbage, "Parade"

One possible difference: The orientation of the riders, the riders' field of vision, and the length of time in which the rider will be in the danger zone are all different for the WT than for the other two rides over there, so it may not be an issue for the new ride.

--Dave Althoff, Jr.

That gets back to the energy in the beam at that size then. I have a friend that literally has a hole in his vision from looking into a far less powerful laser. And with the twist, riders will see every direction.  I guess we'll find out, but I never saw a beam hit the wheel, only the DT building.

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Jeff
Webmaster/GTTP
"As far as I can tell it doesn't matter who you are. If you can believe, there's something worth fighting for..." - Garbage, "Parade"

I can almost guarantee they'll close it for the light show.  It probably doesn't matter to CP how long one would be exposed to the beam.  I doubt CP would want to take the risk.

Raptor Christopher 2000 and 2001, and beyond....

A hole in his eye Jeff?  I can see why they close some rides.

 

Steve

*** This post was edited by Winston306 on 12/6/2001. ***

In Las Vegas they put a moratorium on all outdoor use of lasers. This came after the Las Vegas Hilton added four powerful lasers a few years ago. They were so powerful that they touched the surrounding mountains. Pilots complained of short-term blindness when flying through the beams.
It sucks now because we have lost two good laser shows, one in front of the Luxor that involved water and one that the Stratosphere had that only made it to testing. Now the tower only uses the lights on the tower itself, without the lasers.
On the other hand, ive been to a few outdoor raves that have used rather strong lasers. I think the distance from the source is the main issue.

*** This post was edited by vegasbaddboy on 12/6/2001. ***

Geeze, I always thought they closed those rides because they were afraid the lines would get too long with people wanting a better view of the fireworks. Could it be both reasons?

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Jes
Webmaster, Jes's Roller Coasters
"Thank You Jeff Putz"

Thing is, Jeff, the beams are focused. And one of them is pointed directly at the Space Spiral tower. I'm not sure about the Wheel. Note also that on the back spike, the one that is closest to the Space Spiral, riders will be facing the ground, in spite of the twist.

The energy of the light beam at any given point should be equal to the radiated energy at the source divided by the square of the distance. Or something like that; it's been so long since I studied it...

--Dave Althoff, Jr.

It would seem like the easiest solution would be orient the lasers so that they are not pointing at WT.  Is there a reason they haven’t (or couldn’t) do this for the Giant Wheel and Space Spiral?  I’ve never studied the show that carefully.  Are the lasers movement random?

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Bob M.

RPM Guitar,
I remember when I was young and used to drive home from Geauga Lake at night.  Heading up 43 you could see the lasers from the Sea World show for many, many miles. 
I wonder if that has something to do with the beams being aimed intentionally at a target?  Would the people on Pelee Island see the beams if they kept on going out into the lake?

*** This post was edited by Chief Wahoo on 12/6/2001. ***

I have seen a laser beam run across the top of the Giant Wheel and move to the Space Spiral.  However, it is faint looking because of all the lights on the GW.

I'm guessing that closing rides might come from recomendation from the Laser Show producers from Stone Moutain Productions.  They might even work out where the lasers can point.  After all the lasers have an equal chance of striking Millennium Force, I'm sure there were some compromising to keep MF open.

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2001 - Night Trash Removal
2002 - Something in the daytime... hopefully

*** This post was edited by flisk on 12/6/2001. ***

The lasers that point at Millennium Force are all pointing at the Damn Screen*, and Millennium Force is entirely located behind the Damn Screen. Lasers pointing in that direction are not intended to overshoot the screen, so as long as the Damn Screen is there, Millennium Force is safe from the lasers.

On the other hand, there are additional lasers...or at least laser reflectors...mounted on the Damn Screen, which fire out over the viewing area. Those lasers don't have a target (a screen or other object) in the viewing area other than fog and fireworks smoke, and thus present an optical hazard to attractions in the target area such as the Wheel and tower.

--Dave Althoff, Jr.

* The term here is used as a proper name...

Changing the show is much easier than changing when a brand new ride will close. Looking at a laser beam in the direction it came from even for a second is very dangerous, no matter how far away in the park. IMO they will simply change the beam spreader and beam targets to not include that direction, it's too easy.  Closing a brand new ride ?? now that's another story.  

Good topic !!!

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Gemini 100 - 35
Gemini 100 cheering section coordinator

There have been lasers that overshot the screen in the past.  I remember them doing that the first year in 95.  I don't remember much after then.  I didn't get to see the show much.

Now I see why Dr. Evil wanted a "Giant Laser"

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Later Wally

"Why Don't you and the laser get a friggin room?"......Sorry I couldn't resist:)
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One Time Me And My Friends Rode The Mine Ride 25 Times In A Row For Fun, And Gave The Ride Op's A Thumbs Up Back. I Think We Annoyed The Heck Outta Them:)

I  always thought that it was because they didn't want people watching it up there ?? 
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Excuse me, mr.ride dude could you tell me if Magnum is sinking. oh and while your at it why is the GW on the other side of the park???

I doubt it's because of the vantage point at all...

At tiny sister park VF, the PT Turbo Drops provide an incredible overhead view of the Summer Spectacular(especially Tower 3, seats 7-10) and the ride operates without interruption during the show.

I think the issue here is possible stray beams that overshoot from behind the crowd area, right?  VF only has one ride (High Roller) behind the screen, and it gets shut down.

-CPlaya