Witches Wheel

^That's happened on a B&M invert. Some guy dropped his hat while on the ride and decided to jump the fence to grab it. The train flew by, a foot hit him in the head (died), and the person's foot broke. A little traumatic for that person who kicked him.

I think the automatic gates in the station are there because the State of Ohio now requires those gates on the loading platform of amusement rides. Rideman could probably tell us for sure, but I think CP slowly put those gates in over the last few years to meet a compliance date.

I think I remember the law was that all rides built to date have to have the automatic gates. CP and Mr. SS (if that's what we're calling it) added the rest.

ejh1701 said:
Hey, I am all for safety precautions and stuff like that, but my main point is that if certain things have been as they were for years (witches wheel release bar on the bottom, no seatbelts on Corkscrew, and no gates on roller coaster station platforms) and then suddenly they are changed, yet other things aren't changed.

But now after looking looking at what dj said about the ferris wheel and kid falling out, perhaps that thing should be changed. Personally, I think some improvements they have made are stupid, and some of the improvements they have not made are also stupid. But really who I am to judge? I'm just a tourist.

Who is to say they are not in the works of being changed. There are cars that do lock that can be fitted on the matterhorn. I've been on the exact same ride elsewhere that had locking bars. It sounds stupid, and it sounds lieka simple fix to just replace the cars, but it all comes back to your safety. With the Matterhorn they are probably asking themselves these uestion: "Is it easier to just buy a brand new Matterhorn, Is it easier to fashion our own bar locks? If we do dashion our own locks, how will it affect the safety and structual soundness of the ride unit?

I agree with you in the Giant Wheel. I tooke my year old son on it at the end of May. AT the very top I could help but notice how shallow the bucket of the Gondola is and how wide the surrounding safety bars are at the top.

There is no doubt in my mind they know where all the safety hazards are on all of their rides. The problem lies in the number of problems compared to the number of staffing and thinking minds. three are also other things that prevents some changes from happening. Take the Coaster swing gates for example. They had to make those changes because of ASTM and Ohio requires ASTM compliancy for all operating licesensed Amusement rides in Ohio. ASTM gave a deadline for compliancy and CP had to meet that, and they had to get new control systems for each coaster being fashioned so that the controls would work with the gates. Why the gates. Things DID happen at other parks.

They will get to all the concerns, when time provides it. The thing is, it just takes time. The maintenance staff is more than ready to tackle it one ride at a time. The science aspect is the slowest part. Thinking of and figuring out all the safety hazardsa and how to fix them and thinking of all the possible side effects of the fixes.

The Giant Wheel is the only ride in the park that genuinely scares me. I have to keep a stern hand on my four-year-old at all times because of the gondola doors.

I won't ride The Giant Wheel. I'm terrified of heights, but love coasters too much to stop me from riding them. I guess I'm bi-polar or just plain nuts.

MrScott

I had the same problem MrScott. I can ride any coaster but could not deal with the Giant Wheel. Unfortunately my son loves the GW and no one else would go on it with him. So I went on it. I had a deathgrip that first ride. But now I am cured and I don't mind riding it. I kind of actually kind of enjoy the view. Now if I could just get over my fear of Power Tower!

If you want to get over your fear of power Tower, Ride Shot side first. It's not that bad. The air time at the Top is AWESOME! Drop side is good for the 10 second view at the top, but for an initial fear of the tower, I personally don't recommend it for a first ride on the tower.

Initial fear?! I've been riding PT since 98 and I still get scared half to death when I ride the drop side. Its still fun, but I spend the entire time up wondering what the hell I'm doing.

Oh yeah, I have a severe fear of heights. I can't climb a ladder without getting butterflies and fear that I'm going to fall off.

I WILL NOT ride the Giant Wheel and have only ridden PT with aullt liquid fluids. I still hated it.

MrScottt

MrScott said:
aullt liquid fluids.

MrScottt

LOL, are you sure there isnt some of that in you now? I've never heard that before, but it is a very creative way of refering to them. I suppose it would be a good way to refer to them around my kids. They are always wanting to drink what I have.

"These are Adult Liquid Drinks, not Kiddie liquid Drinks." LOL

Liquid Courage always makes things easier.

Yes, I am enjoying them now! But not for much longer, as I am an early riser (between 5 or 6 am)

MrScott

Ah me too, me too. Gotta love those jobs. although its 3am for me. Ugh.

If I remember back far enough, Huss just changed it to 54in a year or two ago. My Cousin was upset because she used to be able to ride kw's Volcano, but couldn’t last year.

Anybody else prefer the Schwarzkopf Enterprise to the Huss? Witches' Wheel was the first Huss Enterprise I'd ever been on, all the other parks have the Schwarzkopf version. Schwarzkopf's cabin is smaller and more padded, and you're up on a seat instead of practically reclining. I believe the potential to get jostled around more in the Huss version is why they raised the height requirement.
*** Edited 7/1/2006 8:42:35 PM UTC by StLCPfan***

StLCPfan said:
I believe the potential to get jostled around more in the Huss version is why they raised the height requirement.

they lowered it (60" to 54")

Anybody else prefer the Schwarzkopf Enterprise to the Huss?

My daughter rode PCar's Schwarzkopf in the spring of '05, and loved it. She's waiting not-so-patiently to reach the height requirement for CP's Huss version. So, she clearly prefers the former. I found the cabin to be a bit cramped, but not uncomfortably so.

they lowered it (60" to 54")

True, but Back In The Day, it was 48", I think.
*** Edited 7/2/2006 4:44:50 PM UTC by Brian Noble***

The height for the Witches Wheel was anyone under 48 inches could not ride, between 48 and 60 must had a responsible person over 60 inches, anyone over 60 inches could ride. That was the old requirement 2002 and prior.

It was changed to the current requirement of 54 and over only in 2003.

I used to be the Team Leader for WW in 2002 and 2003.

I'm sorry to hear that, MonsterMan. That means you worked long hours for little pay.

Thank you! What you did, and others do today make CP what it is!

I hope you got your end of the season (conract) BONUS!

MrScott