It doesn't necessarily detract from the enjoyment, but demonstrates the inability of Intamin from a design standpoint to deliver a reliable, well engineered attraction. I do applaud Cedar Point for installing a well-themed coaster that runs pretty consistantly at a high capacity, but I wonder what this coaster could have been had it been properly designed from the get go.
What I find most interesting about this coaster though is the use of linear motors rather than a chain or cable lift. It's incredibly smooth, and you feel the acceleration up the hill and over the top.
What I find most interesting about this coaster though is the use of linear motors rather than a chain or cable lift. It's incredibly smooth, and you feel the acceleration up the hill and over the top.
Kings Dominion's Intimidator 305 shows that you can design a restraint system for those cars that is supremely comfortable. It is only expense that keeps Cedar Point from making this a truly enjoyable ride, rather than something to be endured.
I'll admit, I like the thrill enough that I've considered bringing earmuffs to the park, just to wear them on the Maverick.
BTW, the Fahrenheit ride at Hershey park has the same problem, as to a lesser degree some other rides.
"I don't put the blame entirely on Intamin though, this coaster (my personal favourite) is the 500th designed by famed coaster engineer Werner Stengel, so even with all of his experience mistakes were made."
The inversion removal is a black eye on Intamin, and is not a one-time deal. Intamin has had some serious design issues over the past few years. The cable fraying on their hydraulic launch coasters, the additional set of motors needed for Volcano, the complete debacle of Intimidator 305's opening season, and the issues this past season with SkyRush. Intamin hasn't opened a new coaster in the US without a significant problem in years. I'm sure I'll get a lot of flack for saying that, but it's the truth. Other coaster manufacturers don't have months of tweaking requiring major redesigns after installation. Everyone aside from Intamin typically gets it right the first time, and while every coaster goes through a "breaking in" process of minor adjustments, only Intamin has seen major retracking of their coasters within a year of installation.
When is the last time B&M had to take out an inversion? Even now-defunct Arrow only had one installation that required a major restrofit (Drachen Fire). So as good as Maverick may be (I happen to like it a lot), it should be noted that the ride we see today is not the same that was designed on paper, which is not how roller coaster design should go in the 21st Century,
Sadly, Maverick was not at Cedar Point the last time I visited. But, in this day and age of fully immersive themed environments, and ultra expensive, copycat attractions, there is still nothing better than the sublime thrill offered by a high quality, unique roller coaster. Maverick looks like a real sweet ride - and is definitely high up on my "to do" list. Now that my kids are all over 54" tall it is time to plan a trip to the Point....