When I watched the POV rendering the first time, I figured that some of those low turns would be pretty intense, especially the one out of the first drop. I also immediately compare this coaster to Millennium Force, given the similarity. One difference stands out to me, and that is the train and it's restraints. Millennium Force has open sided cars and T-Bar restraints. Intimidator's cars seem more closed off and they have the over the shoulder restraints.
While there have been accidents and accusations involving the old T Bar system, it remains in place on Millennium Force at Cedar Point. It's a sort of discriminating system that works fine, but doesn't allow disproportionate or obese customers to ride because they don't fit into the restraints safely. It does absolutely without question contribute to the thrill factor and the quality of the experience for those customers that do. By contrast, I305's restraints appear to hinder the quality.
If this newer restraint system is going to have the same type of rider requirements that the T-Bar system does, then in my mind there's not much reason to use it. My question is this. Is this restraint system definitively one that can handle larger riders and will they be able to ride?
If so, I understand why they did it.
On the subject of restraints, the Intamin t-bars have more or less been retired. Not only do the new over the shoulder restraints provide greater accessibility to larger guests, but they are safer. Coasters with the old t-bar system had to be retrofitted with seat belts that are not only inconsistent in length, but are not a true failsafe to the t-bars themselves. The OTSRs have a belt that does act as a failsafe in the event the restraint does fail. Really it comes down to whether you'd rather get stapled into a t-bar, thus pulverizing your crotch and thighs (and possibly wait in line for hours for a seat where the seat belt is one inch shorter than the test seat and not ride at all), or have a relatively loosely fitting OTSR (compared to Arrow, Vekoma, or even B&M OTSRs) that are slightly restrictive to your arms and shoulders, making them a bit sore. Personally, I'd take a little shoulder soreness over getting squashed in the groin.
I don't know what the answer is, but there's got to be a better way.
Sad they had to go that route.. will probably ruin the ride for me.
It would be trivial to pad them like, say, any of the hanging coasters. But no, they make them hard and with sharp corners. I don't hardly ever ride Maverick because it was just too painful. Sorry to hear they are so stupid that they want to put people in cars that hurt the riders.
Anyway, I might bring some ear muffs. It really can help, if they don't force you to take them off. I know they are picky about hats, maybe I could wear a bicycle helmet or something.
When I DO ride these kinds of restraints, I push myself up in my seat until my shoulders are tight against the restraints -- that sometimes helps.
Ps what is the old Tbar system anyway?
If you have not done so already, please rate this coaster for TPI: Intimidator 305.
And, if there are reports of "near blackout," why didn't Intamin take this into account when designing this coaster? Do people enjoy the feeling of almost blacking out?
As far as the height, the park map they were handing out on media day stated the height restriction for the coaster was TBD. However, considering all of the other big coasters at the park (Volcano, Dominator, and Flight of Fear) are 54", I would expect the same for this. Only Anaconda, Backlot Stunt Coaster, and the woodies are 48".
Looking at the video, I saw one point where the train appeared to be pulling substantial G's as well as what looked like a potentially nasty head whip at the end. I haven't been on the ride, so I can't offer a confident prediction, but this coaster looks like it might be too extreme for many potential riders.
I didn't think the ride was too rough, or too fast. We were on the 2nd run of the morning, and the first time they loaded us the car wouldn't go so they unloaded us; but they put us on the next train and things were working again. Also got a free t-shirt that I wasn't expecting.
Didn't black out, grey out, or get my head beat up by the restraints. They seem a bit more padded than the Maverick. Sure was fast.
Didn't sit in the front, and I see a problem with the way they are loading -- when we went in, the operator clearly ordered us to a specific seat, even when I asked if we could go the the 2nd row which was empty, he forced us back to 12.
BUT, there were already two groups waiting for the front. Which means he let SOMEONE go up front and get in line. If they do that all the time, nobody will ever get randomly assigned to the front, and the only people who get to ride the front will be people who insist on going up there even when they are told to go to another row.
That's not a good way to operate. Either let people pick their own rows, or assign it randomly, but don't let those who ignore directions win at the expense of people who listen to directions.
When we finally got down to the photo section we were browsing up top and there we see the same kid knocked out completely in the picture, literally hunched over in his seat passed out!! Once we pointed out the picture, it spread like wild fire, i requested to buy the picture and the girl said it was too late bc the next train pics had come through.
Cody
I grayed out on most rides before being slammed into the should restraints on the forceful ejector air filled second hill. This ride left me battered and bruised.
The rest of the ride did not offerer much air but was filled with VIOLENT transitions that I predict will result in a broken neck by the end of the season.
The hard core coaster junkies will rave about this ride for the adrenaline rush it offers but the public will find it too much.
Intimidator 305 is the new Son of Beast IMO.
I love the fast lift hill. I'm terrified of getting stuck on lift hills (has happened to me twice on chain lift hills on wood coasters) so 16 seconds from bottom to cresting the hill is welcome.
The first drop is amazing and even though it is listed as 85deg, I was out of my seat for most of the drop. And the high-G turn is awesome. The greyout didn't bother me. It happened each time. Seemed worse at the back than when riding in the front. My son said it was mild for him. The first airtime hill is amazing - I've not been to CP so can't compare to Maverick or MF. Of the coasters I've ridden, this had the most. I could do without the tight "twists" or switches. The last one, right before the camera, is brutal. Painfully so. I hope no one with neck problems rides.
Amazing coaster. Glad to see Kings Dominion becoming a nice park. Thank you Cedar Fair!
Mark in Raleigh, NC
There are a couple of snaps that are not nearly as violent as other rides in the park, most notably Anaconda, a harsh-riding Arrow coaster. My 13yr old daughter had some grayout issues and I had a moment of blurriness. Quite frankly I thought nothing of it. I sometimes had a similar experience in the initial upward spiral of the the kiddie-coaster Backlot Stunt Coaster, which is a launch coaster. I heard from a park employee elsewhere that a number of people blacked out. I assume that this was a momentary thing, otherwise with loss of body control you could get your head bashed around pretty good.
Didn't notice the bathroom issue. What I did anticipate when I saw where they were building this and proved to be of so true is now a helluva lot more people know where Flight of Fear is since you past it to get there and now the line is much longer. Drats!
It would be a shame if they slowed this down at all.
Russell, my jealousy knows no bounds. I do hope, however, that the grounds around I-305 are tidied up a bit before I hit KD in July. I'd like a little scenery to go with my blackout event!