Coaster Palooza Posted May 23, 2008 Share Posted May 23, 2008 I had the opportunity to go to Media Day for Tony Hawk’s Big Spin Coaster at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom. Man, I need to use accronyms from here on out! I had a great time there. My friend, Jim, came along too. I am really enjoying the changes that SFDK has done in the past few years. The park is making great strides and has improved so much. This is their first new rollercoaster in 5 years. They are very proud of it and it shows! Here is my trip report from earlier in the year. http://www.themeparkreview.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=42498&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=20 From what I understand, this THBSC is on a smaller footprint than the other ones. I haven’t been on any of the others, but if they are anything like this, they are terrific! It is such a smooth coaster and a great ride. The spinning didn’t get to me at all. I would recommend having the “lighter” seat go backwards. Your ride will spin so much more. One comment I have is that I wish the first drop was a little further. Just as you’re starting to feel it, you come out of it and flatten out. Otherwise, the rest of the ride is smooth and a great time. All POV pictures and video were taken with the park’s permission. I hope you enjoy the pics. I will be there tomorrow too for Coasters After Dark. Good-night Jim. Thanks for staying awake on the way home! Actually I am glad you came today. a shirt, sweat-band and a pen... Here is what I received for Media Day... Good-bye THBS... Good-bye SFDK... More photos of the ride... Our crew! John, Charles, Mike, and I don't know the operators name because he had his jacket on. Hi Guys! Great job today. I look forward to seeing you tomorrow... How many chins do I have at this point? Hold on Jim! great spinning... Good view! she asked me to take her on-ride photo. up the lift hill... On-ride photo... Coming back into the station... The ride is terrific! This was Guy (I won't try spelling his last name) from the cooking channel. More great announcements. Captain Lee and Kirk in the same picture. Getting ready for the big show! Jim was enjoying every bite of the soushi (sp?)... They had some good food there too! and look at, and buy! see.... to read... so much... I am sure you'll be waiting in this queue for over an hour, just a guess... This is what you'll see tomorrow! Is that what the train and station look like? and so were Bugs, Daffy, Wylie Coyote, and the dolphin.... The characters were out for Media Day... How about some ride photos? It's Jim and myself! That might be our train! The theming is great! They had a 5-train operation today and 1 other train was on the side. You know if the queue is like this, that Coaster Palooza is here! WOOOHOOO!!! at SFDK, though, you need to put your bags in a locker... I believe the theming for all the THBSs are the same??? right? Tim checked us in... It's a 1GB of the THBSC Here is one of the give-a-ways! Yes! It must be Media Day!!! I really like the new colors! Still some construction! First site! We're on our way! THBSC_001.mpg How many chins do I have? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TopThrill182 Posted May 23, 2008 Share Posted May 23, 2008 Nice TR! Thanks for the update. I have to say when it was first reported they were going to put the ride on Zonga's old concrete pad I was a little disappointed it wasn't going to get the nicer themeing present on the other ones, but it looks GREAT how it is. The concrete pad certainly fits in with the skate park theme. Looks great, just as the rest of the park. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chmilo24 Posted May 23, 2008 Share Posted May 23, 2008 I'm going there on Saturday, hoe it will be good. I'm just glad that they got a new ride. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Double0Kevin Posted May 23, 2008 Share Posted May 23, 2008 Our crew! John, Charles, Mike, and I don't know the operators name because he had his jacket on. Hi Guys! Great job today. I look forward to seeing you tomorrow... Haha, my name's Kevin. Glad you had fun... We're all really excited for opening day... good to hear you'll be back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jedimaster1227 Posted May 23, 2008 Share Posted May 23, 2008 This was Guy (I won't try spelling his last name) from the cooking channel. I believe his name is Guy Fieri. He is on the food channel and he guest stars on Top Chef every once in a while. Plus, he is in the latest TGI Fridays commercial. Anyways, great TR! This looks like a really great coaster! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
almightyfire Posted May 23, 2008 Share Posted May 23, 2008 I dont know for some reason this one looks smaller than the others. I think its because it sits like a carnival ride in concrete. i dont know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coaster Palooza Posted May 23, 2008 Author Share Posted May 23, 2008 ^Yes, it is smaller than the other THBSC. I was told it is on a smaller footprint and the ride feels different than the others. I haven't ridden any of the other ones though. ^^Yeah, I didn't want to try to spell his last name and embarass myself. Thanks for finding that! ^^^Nice meeting you today Kevin. Keep up the great work with 5 train operations. See you later today. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeemerBoy Posted May 23, 2008 Share Posted May 23, 2008 Nice work, Rick. I'm not really one for spinning stuff, but the more I see of these, the more I'm liking them. I also love the way those Tony Hawk cutouts look so photoshopped in your pics. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coaster Palooza Posted May 23, 2008 Author Share Posted May 23, 2008 One more video. I think I rode this around 10 times. THBSC_002.mpg I really can't believe how much weight the camera adds.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coaster Palooza Posted May 23, 2008 Author Share Posted May 23, 2008 This is the fact sheet that came in the 1GB USB skateboard! TONY HAWK’S BIG SPIN FACT SHEET Six Flags Discovery Kingdom introduces a new family roller coaster, Tony Hawk’s Big Spin, which delivers a one-of-a-kind experience and thrill with each ride, much like the ride’s namesake and skateboarding icon himself. Each ride on the coaster is different as the cars spin and twist while grinding over the drops, turns and lifts of the rides 1,292-ft of twisted steel track! Guests experience the sensation of making multiple 360 rotations while in the air, similar to the skateboarding tricks that the legendary Tony Hawk has made famous! Opening: Friday, May 23, 2008 Maximum Height: 53 ft., or five stories tall Track Length: 1,292 ft. Maximum Speed: 30 mph Capacity: 6 cars; 4 passengers per car Cycle Time: 1 minute, 38 seconds Elements: 48-ft. tall lift 27-ft. drop 3 wild mouse turns 2 helices; 1 down and 1 up 1 high-incline turn 1 camelback Height Requirements: 42” if riding with an adult; 47” and taller if riding alone Design/Colors: Red & Black Skate Park with ramp Manufacturer: Gerstlauer of Germany Unique Feature: Mounted video cameras film passengers on ride, video CD available for purchase. ### Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darklingscribe Posted May 23, 2008 Share Posted May 23, 2008 I'm looking forward to riding this sometime in the next couple of weeks. Though something tells me it won't even come close the experience of riding Dragon's Fury at Chessington World of Adventures. At least they didn't just settle for the Zamperla spinning mouse. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ebl Posted May 23, 2008 Share Posted May 23, 2008 "Jim was enjoying every bite of the soushi (sp?)..." Just for the record, it's S-U-S-H-I (no "o"). Anyway, nice photo TR. THBSC looks like a fun little ride. It's definitely time for me to head up north again. SFDK has so many coasters that I have yet to ride since my last (and only) visit in 1999. Eric Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thrillgeek Posted May 24, 2008 Share Posted May 24, 2008 Great pics and video. I love your reactions while on the ride. They make me laugh so hard I'm going with my mom tonight to ride this beast. Yay new coaster credit! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mechanic Posted May 24, 2008 Share Posted May 24, 2008 We just got back from the night time ERT for SF season pass holders. We finished off the night with 6 rides on THBS, with the last 3 being consecutive. The ride experience that you get can vary quite a bit from one ride to next if you switch the positions that riders of varying weight sit in on different rides. We got much better spinning action when we had 2 light riders on one side and 2 heavier riders sitting across from them. The line in the queue dwindled to nada for our last 3 rides. The 4 in our group split up into 2 groups of 2, with my oldest son and myself (combined weight of a little over 400 lbs) riding on the opposite side of a kid that looked to me like he didn't weigh much more than about 80-90 lbs at the most. We employed Newton's 3rd law (for every action there's and equal and opposite reaction) to get some awesome spinning action going on those particular rides. It's more difficult to explain it than to do it, but you basically just get a feel for which way the spin is naturally being initiated, then slowly lean to the side against the spin, then quickly yank sideways on the restraint bar in the direction of the spin. When we happened to hit it just right, we got some major spinning going on. Even if you don't get the super spin action it's still fun. When you do get the spinning going, it really adds a lot to the ride. I'm not nearly as well traveled coaster-wise as many on this site and with that being the case, the only other spinning coaster to which I can compare THBS is Sierra Sidewinder at KBF. Personally, I prefer at least this particular version of THBS. About the only part of SS that I liked better than THBS was the near vertical horseshoe turn that's over the queue. I really liked how on THBS you get a nice little burst of speed down the first drop, then you seamlessly transition into the mouse section. The helices that follow are the highlight of the ride for me, and also where any added spinning inertia your car might be carrying could really be disorienting (which I consider to be fun) . The last section with a few little bunny hills, and a banked curve in between, kept the fun going all the way to the brake run. All in all, I think this coaster was a good addition for the park. It's reasonably well themed, family friendly, and a lot of fun. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sean Menefee Posted May 24, 2008 Share Posted May 24, 2008 For starters, it was nice finally getting the shot to talk with you for a few this evening Rick. We always seem to run into each other in passing, so I'm glad we caught both of you in pre-nap mode on the bench the ride. I'm working on a bunch of photos and a TR, but I wanted to share this shot below from Coasters After Dark this evening. Also special thanks to the park staff, Public Relations (Nancy Chan & staff), and everyone else who made the opening/C.A.D. preview of THBS a very enjoyable event to partake in. This pretty much sums up how the families are reacting to Tony Hawk's Big Spin from what I've seen. We didn't see a disappointed face all evening folks. It's not a mega thrilling coaster, but it's a lot fun. Between this and CGA's new coaster in 09', it's ok to live in NorCal again for the moment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mozart67 Posted May 24, 2008 Share Posted May 24, 2008 Great report! I've yet to ride a spinning mouse yet but they're looking more appealing by the day. And thanks especially because now I have a memory (albeit vicarious) that will replace the one I had of riding Kong. I keep getting told I'm weird or something, but outisde of WOF's EXTremeroller, that was the most painful metal coaster I have ever been on. sigh..I miss home..Oakland..people who can drive...liquor stores that stay open past 8 pm... Scott Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thrillgeek Posted May 24, 2008 Share Posted May 24, 2008 Tony Hawk is a great addiction to the park. It's not a "thrill ride" by any means but it packs just enough into one ride to make you want more. I was only able to ride it once but I'd give it a 6/10. The dispatch times were great. The spinning was awesome! My only con of the ride is that it is too short. Other than that, like I said it's a great addition to the park and I'll be back for more in a few weeks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coaster Palooza Posted May 24, 2008 Author Share Posted May 24, 2008 Sean, it was great to talk to you and Kelly last night. I'm glad there are no photos of our "bench the ride" time. It was so cold last night and we were so tired. I will update my ongoing trip report soon with photos from last night. The coasters after dark event was really great for SFDK. The staff did a terrific job. They had 3 trains on the ride and 2 in the station for most of the night at THBSC! Dispatch times were terrific, nice job! I was so glad to be there for Media Day as well as this event. The park was packed during the day. Charles told us they had over 10,000 people there. The park cleared out after 6pm and the unlimited coaster riding started. What a great time! Thanks EBL for the spelling of sushi! I hate the stuff. I actually think it was Wasabi. Is there a difference? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ahecht Posted May 24, 2008 Share Posted May 24, 2008 I guess it makes sense that they put in a travelling model of the spinning coaster to replace Zonga (which was also a travelling coaster), but it still makes me wince when I see a coaster without anchored footers at a perminant park. At least it doesn't require a water pool to keep it anchored like Lazer at Dorney. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stricklandCC Posted May 24, 2008 Share Posted May 24, 2008 Looks like a truly unique experience, thanks for all the photos. I myself have never ridden a spinning coaster, so to have this one as close as it is... I look forward to gaining an entirely new credit. Just a question out of curiosity though. Does anyone know why (if there is a reason), that the leading set of wheels are much smaller than the trailing set. just an observation. Thanks again for the great pics! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JuanSe_Colombia Posted May 25, 2008 Share Posted May 25, 2008 How far is this park from Santa Barbara? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ahecht Posted May 25, 2008 Share Posted May 25, 2008 ^Try using google: http://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=santa+barbara,+ca&daddr=Six+Flags+Discovery+Kingdom About 350 miles or 6 hours Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Crow Posted May 25, 2008 Share Posted May 25, 2008 Video of Guy Fieri riding Tony Hawk's Big Spin You can see it here. Big thanks to Guy Fieri for making it super fun to shoot and way more interesting and thanks to SFDK for hosting a really fun event. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thrillgeek Posted May 25, 2008 Share Posted May 25, 2008 That video is great thanks for the link! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JuanSe_Colombia Posted May 25, 2008 Share Posted May 25, 2008 ^Try using google: http://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=santa+barbara,+ca&daddr=Six+Flags+Discovery+Kingdom About 350 miles or 6 hours Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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