Cyclone & Thunderbolt roughness

[nitromefans]

I was at Dreamworld today and there is a significant amount of refurbishment happening around the exit doors of the park. The refurbishment of central cafe is looking good. Finally they've done a ton of stuff to Cyclone over the annual maintenance period. No longer does the train stop 10 times in the station, It now moves slowly through to the end with only one stop. They seem to have tightened the wheel assembly as well because the ride was noticeable smoother than it was in the September holidays.

Also, last night pass holders were sent a promo about $2 coffee at Green Bean. Apparently the staff at the shop, general enquiries and the pass centre had no idea about it.

[Brad2912]

Also noted on the footer of their email that they are having 'Screamworld Ride & Slide' nights on friday nights in January. Great initiative after what was an enjoyable Night Water World last season

[themagician]

That's great to hear that Cyclone is running smoother and doesn't stop 10 times coming into the station. Now they just need to upgrade the queue line.

[Brad2912]

Doubt they are going to invest significant capital into fixing an element which doesn't effect ride experience

[XxMrYoshixX]

That's great to hear what has happened to Cyclone during the maintenance period. I'm going in January (terrible time to go there IMO). Even on New Years Eve. I'll try to go on the Fridays because of Screamworld.

Also, I have already stated that Cyclones queue needs a redo or even a switchback. I would even love it if they gave the coaster a new coat of paint because it looks like it is rusting away.

[Jay Jay The Jet Plane]

I haven't done Cyclone yet is the ride good?

[Brad2912]

'Good' is a fairly ambiguous description to use, as it varies between people.

[iwerks]

Except for the bunny hop at the station, I didn't mind it too much. Is it my imagination or is Escape to Madagascar going the same way?

[XxMrYoshixX]

It's your imagination.

[bladex]

I haven't done Cyclone yet is the ride good?

not really it's very bumpy and pretty boring. the coaster they had there before (can't remember the name) with the loops was way better dunno why they ever got rid of it?

[Brad2912]

not really it's very bumpy and pretty boring. the coaster they had there before (can't remember the name) with the loops was way better dunno why they ever got rid of it?

Wow...

So..Thunderbolt closed as it had been in operation for 21 years and had reached the point of no return.

Cyclone is certainly not 'boring', well certainly no moreso than Thunderbolt. As for bumpy, is Thunderbolt was still running as you imply would be your preference, at over 33 years of age I'd say you'd need a hip replacement from the bumps after each ride.

[XxMrYoshixX]

Thunderbolt was terrible IMHO.

[bladex]

Wow...

So..Thunderbolt closed as it had been in operation for 21 years and had reached the point of no return.

there are coasters in some usa parks that have been going for 30+ years

[Zanstabar]

there are coasters in some usa parks that have been going for 30+ years

Different coasters have different lifespans. Not all TOGO's are gonna last 20+ years and not all Arrows will last 40+ years.

[Brad2912]

there are coasters in some usa parks that have been going for 30+ years

Cheers buddy... I didn't know that...

I have a mate who's great grandmother is 101, don't mean everyone's gonna make it that long..

[DaptoFunlandGuy]

Yeah - saying Thunderbolt should still be running because other coasters run 30+ years is like saying that your 1988 Hyundai Excel should still be running because you saw a 1908 Ford Model T on the highway the other day. Different quality of manufacture, as well as different maintenance arrangements make a big difference. Like the old saying 'they don't make them like they used to'.

Riders of Thunderbolt in the year or two pre-closure would definitely disagree with you that thunderbolt was better than Cyclone. Cyclone isn't fantastic, but it's better than the shudder-n-jolt.

For further examples of coasters that shouldn't be operating but are - take a look at the various TPR videos of the Manhattan Express rollercoaster at New York New York Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. Enjoy Robb's astounding commentary on what should be considered a torture device.

[Tim Dasco]

Speaking of roughness, my Mum went on the cyclone back in 2004 and she could not walk from it. She had to see the chiropractor when we got back to Perth because of her back.

Edited November 3, 2014 by Tim Dasco

[Brad2912]

^ see, now that's the type of ridiculous comment that media get a hold of an write a story about.

Cyclone isn't the smoothest ride, but No-one without a serious pre-existing back complain/strain/issue is gonna get off it and not be able to walk.

What a ludicrous statement.

[Jakev8]

I'd have to say from what I remember of riding the thunder-bolt it was a pretty sick coaster to ride back in the day, even to this day I would still put thunder-bolt in my top ten favourite coaster's.

[iwerks]

Cyclone is better than Thunderbolt was at the end. Cyclone has an interesting mix of elements and on the whole hasn't aged too badly. Only if they could fix up that queue area.

[Gary86]

I prefer the Thunderbolt. Not only was it my first rollercoaster, it was Australia's longest looping coaster, not your everyday rollercoaster ride....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SloGnarUXYo

[bladex]

lol 80' ads

[Jay Jay The Jet Plane]

Quick Question- I heard that it takes 10 mins for the train for Cyclone to leave the station, Does anyone know why that happens?

[pin142]

Slow load/unload? Parks here aren't like US parks where there is a timer measuring how long it has taken to dispatch giving the operators an added sense of urgency so unless it is really busy they really have no need to rush.

Edited November 7, 2014 by pin142

[Brad2912]

Quick Question- I heard that it takes 10 mins for the train for Cyclone to leave the station, Does anyone know why that happens?

Completely untrue..