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Is there any chance a rethemed coaster can be faster than its old self?

Universal Orlando: Is Hippogriff somehow faster than Flying Unicorn?

From Hermione Potter
Posted May 29, 2010 at 8:50 PM
Okay, this is going to sound really strange and it's probably a stupid question but...

I used to ride Flying Unicorn with my family all the time. It was a fun kiddie coaster that even the wimps in my family could enjoy. I had the chance to ride the rethemed version (Hippogriff) and I swear it is faster than it used to be. I don't see how that's possible because it is the same track and everything, but everyone in the train I was on said the same thing - it seemed to have been sped up somehow. I don't know if it made a difference that the whole train was full of adults instead of the children usually on it or what.

Has anyone else experienced this, or does anyone know how this would even be possible?


Comments in chronological order. Most recent at the bottom. Scroll down to respond.

From Robert Niles
Posted May 29, 2010 at 9:00 PM
Total weight could affect the ride of the coaster, as could the weight distribution. But it could be a rehabbed track, new wheels or a more powerful (i.e. faster) lift chain. Or maybe landscaping changes simply could create the illusion of more speed.

I don't know the specific of what might have changed on Unicorn/Hippogriff, but there are plenty of factors you change on a coaster during its rehab/rebuild that would affect its speed.

From Adam Nodjomian
Posted May 29, 2010 at 9:58 PM
Could new trains have any effect, possibly lighter/heavier with more speed-focused design?

From Mike Gallagher
Posted May 30, 2010 at 4:13 AM
"Hermione Potter?"

When was the wedding, and more importantly, why wasn't I invited?

From steve lee
Posted May 30, 2010 at 12:18 PM
Coasters change speeds all the time. Just ask anyone who has ridden I305 lately...

From Bob Miller
Posted May 30, 2010 at 3:52 PM
Hermione,I can't really answer your question the way your looking for, but here's my answer. The Phoenix at Knoebels came from Texas and I never rode it there, but I have many times at Knoebels.

Many coaster fans have rated the Phoenix as one of their favorite woodies and I agree. Fast, you bet, especially when it's raining a little and the brakes are wet and barely slow you up.

Since I never rode it in Texas, I can't say if it's faster now, but I would say yes.

From Hermione Potter
Posted June 1, 2010 at 9:50 AM
thanks everyone. And haha Mike, I am not crazy enough to be a Harmony shipper, I just like those two characters the best.

From Ali Salem
Posted June 1, 2010 at 11:44 AM
Also, if they added more theming or tree's next to the ride it might effect the apparent speed for the rider. I know that on Boulder Dash at Lake Compounce it seems a lot faster than it is because the trees are so close to the track.

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