Coaster Upgrade 2.0

CoasterCrazy · #1 05-21-2002, 07:23 PM

Does anyone else think that roller coaster technology is a little...behind? I mean, we have buildings well over 1000 feet tall, cars that can break the sound barrier, planes three or more times that fast, machines that can send protons to almost the speed of light, and more. I realize that all these things are extremely different from roller coaster technology, but they are always becoming more and more advanced. Roller coaster tech on the other hand, isn't moving at such a high pace.

***Chip*** · #2 05-21-2002, 07:46 PM

I think roller coaster tech hasn't gotten too insanely advanced because it doesn't have to. Roller coasters are pretty much based on fear and excitement. As long as they can instill fear and excitement on people, they don't have to break the sound barrier, be over 1000 ft. tall, or other things. Coasters don't need to "advance" because they're based on such basic instincts. At least that's what I feel. Of course every so often we'll get something radical like the 4D just to keep us on our toes. :flip:

birdie311 · #3 05-21-2002, 07:54 PM

I agree, but you have to look at the human body and how much it can withstand. You can't just take the average person and drop them 1000 feet and then rocket them 500 mph. I wish you could, cause that would be fun as hell, but you can't. It all depends on what the rider can do, and wants to do. Plus you have to look at the price of these things. Coasters cost alot as it is, a massive coaster would need a massive pocketbook.

coaster9freak · #4 05-21-2002, 08:17 PM

What do you mean FEAR and excitement? For me it is all excitement baby!

Alex T · #5 05-21-2002, 08:33 PM

Chip, I couldn't have said it better myself. The rides ride now are thrilling enough without being extremely huge. There's no longer the race for the tallest ride anymore. Now people are focusing on good quality rides that still give riders the thrill. This is why we don't see a huge advance in coaster tech.

CrystalKat · #6 05-21-2002, 11:29 PM

It's true that we've often mentioned that it's about the quality of the ride, not just the height, speed, or other single factor. In fact, to crank up ALL those factors would make a horrific ride most likely -- sensory overload and unrideable, I'd guess.

The thing to remember about coasters and their technology is that they don't typically have corporate sponsorships and make tons of money -- yes, some coasters do have corporate attachments, but most do not, and parks don't make millions and millions in profits, considering everything that they have to pay for (staff, supplies, utilities, etc. even after they actually build the rides). And we do have more "advanced" coasters in terms of having more sophisticated elements that are less stressful on the human body, smoother transitions, faster and more efficient lifts and brakes, etc. Who knows where we'll go from here, but one thing is certain -- we'll all be riding right along!

Skye · #7 05-22-2002, 01:21 PM

also cost, they have to earn money.

**Kyle L** · #8 05-22-2002, 01:31 PM

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by CoasterCrazy [/i]
[B]Does anyone else think that roller coaster technology is a little...behind? I mean, we have buildings well over 1000 feet tall, cars that can break the sound barrier, planes three or more times that fast, machines that can send protons to almost the speed of light, and more. I realize that all these things are extremely different from roller coaster technology, but they are always becoming more and more advanced. Roller coaster tech on the other hand, isn't moving at such a high pace. [/B][/QUOTE]

It is allready pretty advanced, Remember the 740 ft. drop on the side of the Stratosphere? But i think its ALL General Public, i mean, Us crazy coaster enthusiasts would go nuts over this stuff. And I think lawyers and saftey are stopping everything to be built, but seriously, how scared can you NOT be of a 310 ft. 80 degree angle drop?

slipknot8527 · #9 05-22-2002, 02:23 PM

I just want them to slow down. I would rather not see bigger drops because then we lose sight of whats important...having fun. I enjoy a coaster much more when Im laughing and having a good time then holding on and cursing under my breath. I think they should remain fun...stop asking for 1000 ft hills! That becomes a whole different ride then.

CrystalKat · #10 05-22-2002, 02:29 PM

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Raptordude [/i]
[B]...seriously, how scared can you NOT be of a 310 ft. 80 degree angle drop? [/B][/QUOTE]
There isn't a coaster built that scares me yet -- whether I'm upside down, in the dark, hundreds of feet up in the air, vertical, or at whatever speed... Of course, I haven't had occasion to ride most of them *YET*, but there's a very big difference between "thrilled" and "scared". :cool:

Raging Rider · #11 05-22-2002, 02:50 PM

I was kinda scared goin' up MF's lift the first time, but it wasn't bad. My first time on Raptor, I was nervous, I was fine. Coasters don't need to be 1000 feet, many of the best coasters are under 200 feet, and most of the best wooden under 100. There really isn't a point, many of the GP would be scared anyway.

***Chip*** · #12 05-22-2002, 06:13 PM

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Melissa [/i]
[B]
There isn't a coaster built that scares me yet -- whether I'm upside down, in the dark, hundreds of feet up in the air, vertical, or at whatever speed... Of course, I haven't had occasion to ride most of them *YET*, but there's a very big difference between "thrilled" and "scared". :cool: [/B][/QUOTE]
Wow. There have been plenty of coasters that have scared me. My first *big* coaster was B:TR at SFMM. That scared me because I was GP then and I didn't know what to expect. Goliath and Millennium Force terrified me because I used to be afraid of heights. Emphasis on "used to." MF cured that. Now I'm a thrill seeker like mad. The only things that still terrify me are drop rides. Even if they're 100 ft tall, I get scared to death.
[QUOTE]What do you mean FEAR and excitement? For me it is all excitement baby![/QUOTE]
Coasters [i]are[/i] based on fear. Yes, many of us enthusiasts do not get scared when we hear about these new, HUGE coasters, but GP sure get scared. And fear sells. People get afraid and wonder if they're going to survive the trip on this new monster ride. They make money putting fear in people. Now if only we could show Markey that they're built for fear, not the "most dangerous" coaster.

Fastardo · #13 05-29-2002, 02:36 PM

I think fear is a very good word for how I feel every time I ride a new coaster. Waiting in line just builds the tension. You slowly file into the stalls - you're next. The train arrives at the station, you check all the passengers to see if they're ok. Boarding, restraints, the ride-op checking everything's OK and then off you go. The train leaves the hustle and bustle of the station behind and everything is strangely peaceful.

Yes, I think fear is a good word.

The excitement only starts as we leave the lift hill!

Hector · #14 05-31-2002, 04:25 AM

To be honest, I think roller coasters have advanced as much as everything else. Ten years ago if you said there would be flying coasters and X people would have called you crazy and you'd be a whopper. Even though we have things that CAN go faster then the sound barrior I don't see people doing that down a highway. You have to remember that they are just roller coasters and should not be compared to planes, and cars. LIM's are barely bring used outside of roller coasters so in that way roller coasters are much more advanced. Also keep in mind that just because you don't see it doesn't mean it's not there. There have been great strides with recent tecnology that has made coasters even safer and fail safe then before.

The other thing I forgot to mention was that your excitment on coasters comes from fear. SO in saying it's only excitment is Bull because that's WHY you get excited, Your scared (yes even you lissa), but it's too what degree your scared that determines how much fun you have. If your too scared it wouldn't be fun, and that's the trick to coasters. Trying to find the small area where people won't be bored but not terrified (intentionally).

Marc · #15 06-01-2002, 07:17 PM

There are three things that make up how good a coaster is.

Excitement: This is the feeling that you get that overexcites your senses. This is what makes coasters fun. This starts differently to your experince on a particular coaster. If it's a new coaster, the excitment starts up when you get into line, then drops when you get closer to the station. then explodes after you pass the most intense part then slowly decays for 5-15 minutes. When you get more exposed to the ride, it doesn't excite you as much untill you get on the coaster, then jumps when it gets more intense, and drops quicker afterwards.

Psychological intensity: This it the feeling you get more when you first ride a particular ride. The feelings like, OH crap This is high, or Am I going to live throgh this? Basicly fear, or nerveousness. this occurs before a launch, especialy on a drop ride. or going up or down a lift hill.

Physical intensity: This is the G forces, shock, what accually happens to your body. this adds to the ride but too much means pain, excessive wear on the ride and the riders. too mcuh of this, usually means trim brakes.