Intimidator 305 - King's Dominion 2010

Originally posted by Freddie

Originally posted by cjd

Plus, it's only the second giga-coaster in the world. I've been waiting for another one for 10 years now. IMO, this looks better than MF, and I might just have to plan a trip now...

http://rcdb.com/1173.htm

I meant by Intamin... SD2000 is a completely different breed.

CJD, I think the first drop's potential to be better than MF's was killed with those restraints. I don't even see how they are necessary AT ALL - they just take a huge part of the experience away. Just like riding KK after TTD, not even close to as good.

I think the air looks weak and wrecked by the restraints, and those transitions are going to be f**king painful headbangers. If you hit your head on Maverick, imagine doing it at 90 mph...ugh. What happened to Intamin's creativity, this thing looks lame to me.

I agree. I was expecting something totally bad ass. to me, this is a big pile of uncreative poopoo from intamin...

[Kev]

Originally posted by A7XandCoasters

Originally posted by Kev

I think some of you might be a bit too picky about things. This doesn't look all that bad. I would certainly ride it, and I would probably enjoy it too.

I dont think anyone is saying it isn't going to be fun, I think that we were just expecting more and thought that there was more potential for the coaster... I think even you have to admit Intamin could have done better?

I guess maybe that's the difference. I wasn't really expecting anything, so I'm not really all that disappointed. It is what it is, and it appears to have a few good qualities.

So, its basically a large Mega-Lite.... anybody else see the resemblance?

10 airtime hills vs 3? NO.

Guy common this thing is going to be awesome!
The drop is going to be better than MF's.
Just because there isn't an extreme amount of airtime doesn't make it a bad ride.

On a side note: Is anyone else as fascinated with the 2 support lift structure as I am?

The lift design is excellent, but the rest of it just leaves me scratching my head. Methinks it'll be comparable to MF: kind of fun, great first drop, but nothing to write home about.

Originally posted by gouldy

Originally posted by Coasterkat


Intimidator was the nickname of a very famous NASCAR driver named Dale Earnhardt. The coasters 'theme' is racing. So it actually makes sense. Not to you UK folks though cause you guys know nothing about NASCAR.[^]

That's a slight misjudgement on your part, mate.

I am in fact quite a NASCAR fan and I am fully aware of Dale Earnhardt's nickname, his death and the safety improvements that NASCAR went through as a direct result of his accident.

Regardless of that, for a roller coaster "The Intimidator" is a God awful name, as is NASCAR a fairly poor theme, especially when it means that the front car on the train looks are ugly as that!!!

just think a little before you shoot your mouth off next time [;)]

Um I didn't "shoot off" nor did I say it was a good name I just said it made sense. So chill.

I think it looks great. Just like MF, on a smaller scale. But with a similar first drop lol. I think its great that something going that fast can be crammed into what looks like a very small space, and i love how it takes such tight turns and s-bends at what? 80 mph-ish? Thats pretty cool. Even though theres a bit of a lack of airtime, it almost seems like Maverick, but with a 300 + foot drop, (and noo inversions obviously lol), and a few more airtime hills. Definately looks very thrilling, but i think it lacks scenery and themeing. Does look slightly bare. Other than that, another great addition that america get!
(Not trying to disagree with anyone, just my opinion

Have any of you ridden Maverick? It does NOT detract from the airtime. Same for Storm Runner. Any of you saying "oh, it kills the airtime" either havent been on one before, or dont understand how airtime works. The strength of the airtime will still be there. The bar doesnt affect that. I honestly do not think it will "take away" from the airtime because on Maverick, the airtime hill after the S-Turns would feel just as nuts with or without em.


BTW Ill trade Millennium Force STRAIGHT UP for this thing. Those air hills should produce some good airtime. Especially with the restraints they can afford to throw it up a few notches. Man, I gotta plan something up around there...KD just got an AMAZING ride.

I can see everyone downing this coaster the same way they say Millennium Force is overrated. I can guarantee there isn't going to be enough air time for them, thus killing the ride's reputation for everyone else.

Im pretty sure itll have BOATLOADS more airtime than MF. MF's hills arent even close to the same design nor taken with the same kind of speed. This coaster is meant for G-Forces judging by the airtime hills and helicies. MF - just speed. No G Forces.

But thats like me saying "Oh Maverick isn't a good ride because the 70mph launch isn't fast enough." I'm just sick of people judging these rides on one out of many aspects, and if that aspect isn't met, then its "overrated"???

I'm just saying, give it a chance, you can only have speed or g's on these coasters. Maybe in the future we could have both, but not now.

Notice how they went 305 ft instead of 350 so MF is still the tallest Giga coaster. Ya.....

But Damn are those lift supports sexy, and ONLY 2!!!
Looks fun, Ill have to plan a trip down there.

And I like how people think it isn't going to be fun. You guys are just to damn stubborn about you "Perfect" Ride. Ya Airtime kicks ass, but so does going through a layout at 90-80mph the whole ride. Only 2 coasters in the world can say they do that ATM, and guess what. 1 of them is ranked 1st, or 2nd in the world since it Opened.

Get off your asses, and realized money is a big part in this to. MF cost some 20+million to build back in 2000, now the economy is so screwed up, the price of steel and shipping is huge, budget deffinietly played a key role in this rides design.

Like the tribute to Dale Earhart, just should have made it Black track with White supports, Red and yellow have nothing to do with DE

Originally posted by Randomman4

Notice how they went 305 ft instead of 350 so MF is still the tallest Giga coaster. Ya.....

Yeah, but their drops are exactly the same size, 300 ft. And Intimidator will have a steeper drop by 5 degrees. So I think this will actually have a better drop than MF.

I think it looks awesome!
That drop is crazy, and also, those few airhills should be giving some good air!
Also, I've always been a fan of those quick S-transitions.
Also, like Real said, the OTSRs probably won't take away from the airtime... Intamin OTSRs usually don't even touch your shoulders...
But anyway, what abpout this: "Vehicles: Four passenger open design trains with overhead lap bars but no over-the-shoulder harnesses "?
It says there will no OTSRs...

Also, anyone noticed that Intamin is the designer? No word about stengel...

The only thing I don't really like is the red+yellow colour combo... It's been overdone...

The ride does look fun...I mean, any ride over 300 ft. I would expect to be entertaining in one way or another.

But honestly my biggest disappointment is the airtime. Intamin is among the kings of ejector and I was really hoping they would go more towards the powerful airtime (which would be straight kick-in-the-ass with this height) rather than 2 floater hills (which I can see failing on and off just as MF's do).

On a huge upside, I think that section that goes from a left turn into a small air-hill and then right back into a quick left turn that sort of tricks you out looks BA.


And to speak of the OTSRs, Real is right. Airtime is going to be there, regardless. Restraints only determine how far your body is able to travel in result of those forces.

Originally posted by gouldy

just think a little before you shoot your mouth off next time [;)]

[lol] Is this coming from who I think it is!?

Real, I have been on both Storm Runner and Maverick. It doesn't kill the airtime itself, but in my opinion, SO much of that zero gravity experience is taken away with anything other than a lap bar.

It's nothing like floating, very loose around in a Pharaohs Fury pirate ship ride. I had so much room between me and that lap bar. It was crazy. That ride had REAL scare my girlfriend to death ejector airtime.

On maverick all the floater air and slight ejector i couldnt feel because i was stapled in so hard that it practicaly didnt do anything to me.

Originally posted by GerstlCrazy

But honestly my biggest disappointment is the airtime. Intamin is among the kings of ejector and I was really hoping they would go more towards the powerful airtime (which would be straight kick-in-the-ass with this height) rather than 2 floater hills (which I can see failing on and off just as MF's do).

You just proved my point. On modern day coasters, you can only have speed or airtime. That's it.

Originally posted by CoastaGuy

Real, I have been on both Storm Runner and Maverick. It doesn't kill the airtime itself, but in my opinion, SO much of that zero gravity experience is taken away with anything other than a lap bar.

How? Your locked in by a lap bar on SR. Not a shoulder restraint.

Also, Intamin Lap Bars are so right normally that 0.0, or zero g is POINTLESS. Millennium Force has "floater" airtime and even with those restraints I barely feel it, if ever.

I think its a mental thing for you personally. You are still anchored into the train exactly like MF, actually, MF anchors you more towards your pelvis. SR and Maverick anchor you in more forward of the pelvis, towards the middle of your thighs which allows your butt and waist (as well as entire mid section) to raise up more than on TTD or MF. When your anchored in closer to your pelvis the less you can lift up.

I think its a mental thing if anything at all. I think the real reason for the "OTSRs" is because of the twisting motion combined with the airtime. Its really intense. This is a giant, oversized Maverick.

Also Coasta, this is a rendering, not an actual video. Which you knew but you seem to think itll react exactly like the video - in which case they never do. I do NOT think the airtime on KK was ruined by the restraints. The airtime as we crested in the front was pretty mammouth and Ill take TTD over KK anyday but NOT simply because of restraints. Because TTD's trains run smoother and I dont think the airtime hill on KK did as much as it should.

The only people who will hit their heads on these restraints are those under like 5'6". Im 6ft, my head never touches them on Maverick. My neck does, but not my head. Also, the transitions are MUCH longer than on Maverick. I do not think they would make the train take a transition the size of Mavericks - which is what you imply.

This is like combining Maverick with Millennium Forceless. And you get crazy freakin drop, crazy turns and lots of hills. I find McVeens renderings to be close but never reflect the actual pacing.

Originally posted by Jms10391

But thats like me saying "Oh Maverick isn't a good ride because the 70mph launch isn't fast enough." I'm just sick of people judging these rides on one out of many aspects, and if that aspect isn't met, then its "overrated"???

I'm just saying, give it a chance, you can only have speed or g's on these coasters. Maybe in the future we could have both, but not now.

Which ride am I not giving a chance? MF? Ive got like 100+ rides, Im quite familiar with it in all weather, times of day and times of the year. You can certainly have Speed AND G's. This ride, judging by the sizes of the hills and amount of speed, should have both. Infact, Maverick has more positive and negative G's. The G's as you exit the tunnel are more than on MF's drop, just not held as long as MF's drop. And its obvious the negative g's are higher by far. So, blow Maverick up to 305ft and this is what you get!

I think it looks awesome, and packed with airtime. Not to mention, those turns will be pretty heavy on the g-forces. I totally agree with what was said about the economy playing a factor in the ride's design. It's much closer to the ground overall than MF is, and with so many fewer supports, I bet it costs less. So let's look at the total package, for a few minutes:

- We have a HUGE first drop, by this park's standards (and those of most other parks, for that matter). It's about the same size as Milforce, but since it's achieving a steeper angle of descent, the radius will have to change faster. In other words, the acceleration towards negative g's will be faster, and you'll probably achieve a stronger sensation of weightlessness than you do on Milfy.
- The turn that follows is very low to the ground, and taken at 90+ miles an hour. Since you're just coming off a drop with some severe weightlessness, the high positives here will be be a stark contrast. That and I've never heard any complaints from people who've ridden a Mega-Lite about the similar sequencing.
- The next hill is only 150 feet tall! Milfy's analog is ~180 feet tall. There'll be a bunch of airtime here, and it'll probably hover between -0.3 and -0.5. It's stronger than floater but clearly not ejector.
- One more hill, which is probably less than 100 feet tall. The radius here looks pretty big, then again, it'll be powering through here with some serious speed. It reminds me of the hill before Maverick's final brake run, in that it'll feel pretty intense.
- The next sequence of turns is interesting. Each turn is tighter than the one before it (and tighter than the one at the bottom of the first drop). Since you're pulling up into the first turn, and then transitioning from left to right over the crest of another hill, the dynamic Air-Positives-Floater sequence will really accentuated by the change in banking. The second transition is similar to this, in that it will contain airtime and occur over the top of a hill.
- Another airtime hill, this one still small but looks like it could provide some light ejector for a sustained amount of time.
-ANOTHER airtime hill (We're at four, not counting the first drop) that transitions into a turn. Because you'll be experiencing airtime up until you enter the turn, the switch from negatives to positives here will be intense and accompanied by the rotational motion.
- The heavy positives lighten up for another pop of air that contains a fast transition. It's lost a lot of speed due to friction at this point, so the intensity will come from the abruptness of the change, not necessarily the strength of the airtime.
- The next turn is by far the tightest so far. The unrolling into the brake run occurs over the top of another hill, so it'll definitely finish with a bang. Maverick does something similar, although this looks far better in terms of airtime.

Overall, the focus is on these transitions (as in Maverick and the Mega-Lites) and on implementing airtime throughout airtime instead of straight airtime hills. That being said, there are five hills that are straight-up airtime hills, and considerably more if you're looking at hills which contain some sort of banking transition. It looks like Intamin's developed quite a fascination for how to combine different types of acceleration/forces (verticals, laterals, and rotationals) to create a very dynamic experience. I'm very excited to see this ride: it easily looks better than Milfy, Maverick, and iSpeed.

With regard to the OTSR's, I've ridden Maverick enough to know that they're a lapbar, plain and simple. They just attach from the top instead of between the legs like Milfy and Dragster. It may reduce your perception of the airtime, but in terms of the forces exerted on your body, it's no different. The only place that they may come into play are the fast banking transitions, where they keep you from crashing into the person next to you. I'm disappointed to see that there's only eight cars per train though.

In closing, it looks freakin' awesome. Being this low to the ground while moving so quickly is bound to be an experience unmatched by pretty much any ride out there. My only concern is the lift hill. If they pull the same BUILD-TEST-REPLACE trick with those two supports that they did with Maverick's heartline roll, there'll be hell to pay.

Originally posted by Randomman4

Airtime kicks ass, but so does going through a layout at 90-80mph the whole ride. Only 2 coasters in the world can say they do that ATM, and guess what. 1 of them is ranked 1st, or 2nd in the world since it Opened.

Grow up and learn that spots on top ride lists don't always make a roller coaster good, genius.