why can't valravn be underground

ok so im 16 and I can't wait to ride valravn this summer but can you guys explain to me why the dive can't go underground. I know the park is a peninsula but why can't it go underground will they drill into water? . I think I overheard some one saying the ground is not stable enough. Also why can't it have a splash down those don't even go deep into the ground . And guys I'm not complaining I'm just curious. Ps I can't wait to ride it 😄

From what we've been told, it seems to be a combination of a few things. Other than the soil composition (or however it's put), they seem to emphasis more so the amount of room they had. A splash down takes up a good amount of space and it would require a decent amount of open space for a stretch of straight track. Perhaps it was in the plans originally but the layout would be drastically different than what we have now. And I'm, personally, fine with the layout we have.

In my opinion, a splashdown or tunnel doesn't make or break a dive coaster. They're just an added bonus. Since it would have been difficult (or impossible, depending on what CP would say) to have an underground or partially underground tunnel, the only thing left is an above ground tunnel. Which, if not done right, could look REALLY ugly in my opinion.

I think the splash down must have been a space issue as it really doesn't take much more than building a shallow swimming pool. There are plenty of pools at the Point, so that shouldn't be an issue. I never understood why a Dive Coaster is associated with splash downs, other then Busch building their coasters with splash downs. But, it doesn't seem to really make a lot of sense that a splash down zone is an important part of a Dive Coaster..

I think it was just something that stuck with the dive coasters since it was the first model from B&M to do a splashdown.

Tony said that there needs to be a large area of straight track for a splashdown, which they considered, but had agreed on a layout which didn't have that straight piece of track.

I don't understand the fascination with splashdowns. These rides lose momentum fast enough as it is and are thus way too short. What is exciting about what is in essence a brake run to the rider?

It's usually at the end of the ride anyways and if you ever saw one in person, they explain themselves.

Running through puddles lost its excitement when i was about 4.

The splashdown to me is just a visual effect for the midway. It doesn't effect the ride at all other then slowing the train and riders don't get wet. Interestingly enough, at BGW they describe the splashdown as a "water brake" and a 3rd method of braking the train after the normal brakes and magnetic brakes in their informational queue videos.

Please correct me if I'm wrong but aren't Shiek'ra(sp?), Griffon and Diamondback the only B&M's with splashdowns?

^jo linn, thank you! You made my day with the best post ever about splash puddle pool/brake water whatevers.

Wolf bobs, if you count Manta, Acrobat, and Shambhala, there are three more B&Ms with splashdowns, although they don't actually splash, but have the water jets.

Krake at Heide Park in Germany has one, so do two other Dive Coasters in China.

Speaking of pools, are they making one on the ground underneath the Immelmann and the turnaround? That's what it looks like to me, but I'm not sure.

No, they are planting grass there.

That would be a pretty cool place to have a pool/pond and some water effects though! Wishful thinking.

I like the splashes. They're visually impressive, though more so on the dive coasters than Diamondback because of the size of the trains. Also, slow motion and porno music.

I do assume space is the constraint though, because if you compare to Busch Tampa, that ride has about 200 feet of straight track to make it happen. On Valravn, that's the distance from the base of the lift to the entrance midway, or the main midway to the new entrance. In both cases, that's not even including the pull out drop into said pool, and the marina entrance creates a barrier of sorts. I do imagine they could have figured it out, but you wouldn't have the ride moving all around you the way it is now, and I don't think that would be a great compromise.

Gplez90 said:

That would be a pretty cool place to have a pool/pond and some water effects though! Wishful thinking.

I agree—maybe have some water jets spray upward as the train passes, like Manta and the other coasters mentioned above. You could still have the visual appeal of a normal splashdown without slowing down the train. Wishful thinking indeed.

Does it slow the train that much? From what I remember the splash is created by "scoops" on the outer edges of the train. The train does not nosedive into the water.

The scoops hitting the water is like a parachute in air. The scoops are attached to the train, so when they hit the water, they're essentially pulling on the train, slowing it down

It's resistance so yea, it would be slowing the train down. Maybe not by much but it is slowing down to some degree.