Ways to improve the Gemini Experience

Alright, I love Gemini, always have, ridden it 42 in a row one night back in the day when both turn stiles were still open and the all-female crew was still in place. Yes, I'm dating myself a little. I love this ride, always have and always will. Find it disappointing on Friday nights when it's not open.

Here is my question. What could they do to make Gemini more entertaining? I have a few suggestions. And here they are:

1. Have a photo-sensor timed finish line, so we know who really won each race! Where is the "official" finish line? Is it the station or who hits the trim brakes just outside the station first? Put in an official finish line with a photo-sensor that has a sign that lights up WINNER.

2. Train the crew members to better release the trains from the station to have much better races. Sometimes I know this could be hard depending on what's going on on the platform, but I think they could do it with some good training. Everyone has to agree that Gemini is that much more fun when you have a good race! (Oh yeah, Blue Gemini always wins)

3. Go back to the three (3) trains on the track! This is one reason, a small one, that I love this ride. There was never a wait and also how I sent my record of 42 times in a row one night. I'm sure the popularity of the ride had a little to do with the removal of the third cars, but it would be cool to see them brought back into the mix!

I'd like to here your thoughts if any. I'm sure you have some.

Long live Gemini!!

I don't know...I'm probably in the minority here, but Gemini just doesn't do it for me....I mean, it's ok, but not that thrilling...only a step above the Mine Ride. I usually ride in the very front, won't ride in the back anymore. It was a pretty rough last time I did.

A photo sensor that lights up WINNER would be kind of cool though. Any other racing coasters do that?

You have some good ideas on Gemini Staaber. The photo finish idea would be lots of would be fun. I agree about the three trains, but before they do that, at least don't stack two trains! I've seen the train stop on the safety brakes outside the station numerous times because they just don't get the trains out. Amazing considering the ride used to run three trains like clockwork. This is one ride where they should scrap the bins, not allow any carry-ons, and put all three trains back on each track.

The winning train should get to ride again:)

Honestly, Gemini's fun, but it doesn't look good. It stands above an ugly stone pit and it's structure is kind of boring. Maybe the track for the red train could be painted red and the blue track blue to add a little color. The walkway and handrail along the track also need paint. If nothing else just plant grass under it.

Regarding Friday nights during Halloweekends...it probably is more about the foot traffic in that area of the park as opposed to how good of a ride it is. With that midway being the center of the new changes for 2014, maybe they'll determine that Gemini should be open on Friday nights.

Bigmal said:
Regarding Friday nights during Halloweekends...it probably is more about the foot traffic in that area of the park as opposed to how good of a ride it is. With that midway being the center of the new changes for 2014, maybe they'll determine that Gemini should be open on Friday nights.

I hope you're right!!

Also account for lift hill stoppages for cell phones...

Three train op for arrows is possible, but it does have limitations. I still say B&M's are the best at 3 train op..drops off lift, ok send the next...bam, go..

thedevariouseffect said:
Also account for lift hill stoppages for cell phones...

Three train op for arrows is possible, but it does have limitations. I still say B&M's are the best at 3 train op..drops off lift, ok send the next...bam, go..

Gemini used to have three (3) trains and it was great! Never, never had a wait back in the 90's.

Gemini also didn't have air gates during that time. That's the biggest hinderance for 6-train operation now. I don't think it'd be possible with them in place.

Pretty sure if Gemini ran three trains, it would set up more often than Iron Dragon when she ran 3 trains.

So does anyone know what the official finish line is for Gemini? Is it the trim brake run just outside the station or is it the first train to enter the station?

Hence why an official finish line with a flashing WINNER sign would be cool!

^Does it really matter?

Your mom is to fat to ride TTD. said:
^Does it really matter?

Sure it does, it makes the ride experience more fun!!! BTW love you name title....

Here's another idea, how about signs along the way that tell you how far behind the other train you are or how far ahead of the other train you are. If you are familiar with The Q in Cleveland something similar to the diff on the scoreboard.

I just think it would make the Gemini experience that much more entertaining. Regardless I love Gemini and always will!

Due to the air gates 3-train operations came to an end for Gemini; to a lesser extent that addition of so many coasters has made the lines at Gemini minimal so yet another reason for not needing 3 trains except for weekends during the Fall. The elevator access also contributes to congestion on the platform for both Gemini and Iron Dragon, I think from an Ops point of view it is all these little things that added up to ending 3 train operations.

Yeah, okay, air gates pose as a problem but honestly, does the ride really need to run three. The only day i could see it having a wait is on a Saturday in Halloweekends and even then it is usually only 45 minutes. There just isn't a need, half the times I am there they only run one side because nobody is riding it. I could just get lucky often though.

I have to agree with Gatekeeper 2013 that three trains really isn't necessary. I have never seen the line exceed 40 minutes with four trains and a full queue. The only way I see three trains being beneficial is if one side is shut down due to maintenance. But even then, wouldn't it be possible to just use one of the coaches from the other side? The seat belts and the lap-bars slow down the interval tremendously. If the seat belts were retractable [operators don't have to check empty seats] and the lap-bars stayed up after the unload, it would speed things up. I think the winner board is a fun idea. The ride operators used to get into the whole winner/loser thing.

I remember the old days when Gemini was THE coaster. It was a lot of fun, especially at night when there was a lot of energy. I've suggested if they get some energetic ride ops and maybe some music to liven things up but I don't think it'll see its glory days again. I think it's still a great coaster and still has a lot of potential being a racing coaster. Maybe since its anniversary is coming up they'll incorporate some of those suggestions.

But is it just me or are the crowds not into it like they were back in the 70's and 80's? I've been waiting in queues at night for Millennial Force, Gatekeeper, and Maverick and the crowd seems blase'. What happened to the party? I don't see anyone getting pumped up. Does anyone remember what it was like waiting for Magnum and even the DJ?

Back to Gemini, though, it seemed to me this season Blue train always started out ahead but then trimmed and Red train won at the end. I've been riding Blue train mostly because it seemed to go over the first hill faster, I already knew who was going to win anyway.

3snoH un=l said:
But is it just me or are the crowds not into it like they were back in the 70's and 80's? I've been waiting in queues at night for Millennial Force, Gatekeeper, and Maverick and the crowd seems blase'. What happened to the party? I don't see anyone getting pumped up. Does anyone remember what it was like waiting for Magnum and even the DJ?

Loved the DJ's in line for both Magnum and Millennium. That made the lines when they were ling so much easier. It did make it more of a party atmosphere, and wish they would go back to it.

Maybe they could add a DJ to Gemini and play 70's and 80's music! Just a thought.

A DJ is only useful for long lines and Gemini doesn't usually have them. It did back in the 80s and early 90s but rarely does now.