Stupid Theme Park Owner Trick

[mechurchlady]

From what I can tell there are small problems. The hardcore paintball people do not like the paintball area because of the kids and new people. It is not Disneyland. From what I can see it is for novices who just want to have some fun climbing rock walls, playing mini golf, and shooting family with lazer tag and paintballs. I never been there so have no info.

The guy had run for 22 years a 1.7 acre mini golf site.
http://www.funworldmagazine.com/2005/no ... dnote.html

Here is a couple of pictures.
http://amusement-construction.com/BumperBoatPonds.htm

As for the power source and footings, ask an expert as I am at a loss. Maybe instead of cement they will just dump it in on the bare ground, who knows but I think there is enough info above to show the ride and it's history.

[Mansion Butler]

From what I can tell there are small problems. The hardcore paintball people do not like the paintball area because of the kids and new people. It is not Disneyland. From what I can see it is for novices who just want to have some fun climbing rock walls, playing mini golf, and shooting family with lazer tag and paintballs. I never been there so have no info.

The guy had run for 22 years a 1.7 acre mini golf site.
http://www.funworldmagazine.com/2005/no ... dnote.html

Here is a couple of pictures.
http://amusement-construction.com/BumperBoatPonds.htm

As for the power source and footings, ask an expert as I am at a loss. Maybe instead of cement they will just dump it in on the bare ground, who knows but I think there is enough info above to show the ride and it's history.

I like that slogan. "We build fun things."

I also like how the pictures show everything as vaguely pretending to be themed.

[leftcoaster]

Since I am not a CM, and have never been a ride operator, I am only speculating.....

Industrial power can be 208V three phase, 277 V, and even 440 V. The higher the voltage, the lower the amount of current (amps) needed. So, it would depend on what voltage the owner could get from the main (off the pole). Usually, the wires on the poles are 20KV (20,000 Volts). So, the owner could have step down transformers for 208, 277, or even 440V. Normally, the transformers are housed in metal cases and are submerged in oil to cool them, and metal pipe (conduit) is run with the wires inside, from the transformer to a circuit breaker panel, similiar to the one in your house. In an industrial situation, conduit is run, with wires inside, to the location (the ride), with a small circuit breaker box, that probably has a big lever on one side that is a shut off.

So...it sounds like (without having pictures), that the owner is not running conduit to the ride. Instead he is running a heavy power cable to the ride (the cable would look like a black rubber hose). On the end of the cable is a plug, which plugs into a socket, which would power the ride. Most likely, that plug/socket combination is what is called a "twist-lock." That is, you plug it in, and twist the plug, which holds it in place (unlike the plug to plug into the wall of your house). This would probably be similiar to a traveling fair or circus. If you have ever seen or attended one of those, you know that there are power cables that are run (usually) from one central point (with a circuit breaker panel), to all the rides.

Is it safe? Well, if all of the grounds (grounding) are connected, and he is indeed running the ride through some sort of circuit breaker panel, I'd say yes. If something shorts out, the breaker trips, power is shut off, and no one fries. If those cables are not maintained, well...bad things can happen.


Sorry for the long winded explanation..

[darph nader]

From the information I've read, the park owner is completely correct. The fact that this coaster has had 3 previous owners is proof that it is not designed as a permanent structure. Whether or not it is operated as a permanent structure is a whole different story, if that local jurisdiction has laws regarding the length of time a temporary structure can be erected then he may have a bit of a problem.

As for lack of footings, this picture gives a pretty good idea of how that works. As far as removable power, those types of rides consume a lot less electricity then you would expect so I'm sure that something similar to what is used for DL's churro wagons... granted it would take a few of those runs, but it's the same idea.

I don't know. I'm only a hihe skuul gradjeate, but it looks kinda hinky to me.

[mechurchlady]

Previously it was operated at
Busch Gardens Europe (Williamsburg, VA) 1976-1983 as Die Wildkatze
http://www.rcdb.com/ig396.htm?picture=1
Playland Park (Rye, NY) (1984-1991)
Steel Pier (Atlantic City, NJ) (1991-2001
Williams Grove (Mechanicsburg, PA) (2001-2005)
http://www.rcdb.com/ig718.htm

As for safety, here is a couple reviews about the paintball field.
http://www.pbreview.com/fields/reviews/2293/

It was at four parks, the last one closed. Thanks Polar for your input as I knew someone here could explain this better than I can.

I did some more research and this is a Schwarzkopf Model 54 Wildcat. Based on all of the pictures of this model, it is a small ride and portable. From what I have found out so far is that this ride may have been used in fairs. You can buy the Jumbo Jet for around $150,000. 54 refers to the size of the footprint of the ride which is Dimensions:, 177' 2" x 65' 7".

:D: CHURCHY IS REALLY GOOD AT RESEARCH. :D:
This is the ride specifications. 94kw power usage and it weighs 74.8 long tons.
http://schwarzkopf.coaster.net/OKwildcatGF.htm

Here are lots of links to the Wildcat Model 54 in other parks

Himalayabahn (Germany and lots of pictures)
http://www.rcdb.com/ig996.htm

Jumbo Jet
http://www.rcdb.com/ig1065.htm

7 Picos (Madrid)
http://www.rcdb.com/ig1320.htm

Cyclone (Rocky Point Park)
http://www.rcdb.com/ig439.htm

Cyclone (Sandspit Cavendish Beach)
http://www.rcdb.com/ig440.htm


This site is in German and English and is all about the ride manufacturer and the rides.
http://schwarzkopf.coaster.net/HauptmenueGF.htm
Warning the music is a wee bit weird and may drive some people crazy

[Main Streeter]

Since I am not a CM, and have never been a ride operator, I am only speculating.....<Sorry for the long winded explanation..

The master has spoken guys. Proves we have lots of talent on this site. :) leftcoaster might make fun of me & joke around but he is a pro in this field. WDW will be fortunate to have his backstage talents & electronic abilities in the future. With leftcoaster 101s might not be everyday pains. No, this has not been a paid advertisement.

[Kwahati]

The master has spoken guys...

ZING! +1 :p:

[leftcoaster]

The master has spoken guys. Proves we have lots of talent on this site. :) leftcoaster might make fun of me & joke around but he is a pro in this field. WDW will be fortunate to have his backstage talents & electronic abilities in the future. With leftcoaster 101s might not be everyday pains. No, this has not been a paid advertisement.

Me? Master? No.

I'm just passing on information that I know. I'm not an electrician, but an Electrical Engineer, but I know a little bit about industrial wiring. I could tell you more if I saw the setup in person.

When I retire, I hope to work for the Mouse as something to keep me active. But not as a front line CM (not that there is anything wrong with that! ), but looking for something in the Electronics field, backstage. Definitely backstage.

Thank you for the very kind words MainSteeter. :)

[AlpineDL]

To try and explain the "no foundations" aspect to go along with leftcoaster's thorough electrical lesson...

Portable coasters are generally set up on either normal flat concrete with small temporary levelling footers (wood blocks, etc) or on a specially done concrete pad. They they pretty much just go up like you'd build a normal rollercoaster, but the base supports are connected instead of being in footers in the ground.

Sounds like this guy wants to skip on some expenses by setting up a fairground ride in fairground style, instead of semi-permanent like it would've been at the last amusement parks. There really are fairs that go around with SIGNIFICANT looping coasters, just not in the USA. Thriller, a 4-loop monster that did German fairs from about 86-93 got bought by Six Flags and put at Astroworld and then Marine World in neutered form, actually held the world's G-force record at 6.5.

[Buggy]

Wow, I passed by that park on Monday on my way home from Hagerstown. I was planning on checking it out this summer. I'll report back if it opens, and if I survive.