October 29, 201212 yr comment_143387 And when did it develop that weird judder? Went on it about a month ago and it was fine. Went on it a week a go and also noticed the judder you mention. Came off thinking something was not right, it certainly wasn't a pleasant feeling. Like it needs a good greasing...
October 29, 201212 yr comment_143389 Its almost like they are trying to make it too fast to quickly as it reduces from the middle to the end of the ride. I remember going recently and commenting about the judder cant remember when it is happening during the swing but it is worrying.
November 7, 201212 yr comment_143773 I did feel the judder when I rode it a couple of weeks back but when I rode it Monday it seemed fine. Not that it matters as alot of it will be taken apart now!
November 8, 201212 yr comment_143800 The rotation of Vortex is really bad, only a few seat get to go at the top when it is swinging the highest.
November 8, 201212 yr comment_143801 Last Friday when I went on it each seat got a moment at the top and it was swinging well. Didn't feel this judder thats being mentioned either. Just wish the floor would lower a bit quicker.
November 8, 201212 yr comment_143802 Lol didn't they change the floor lowering thing a few years ago from screws to hydraulics to fix the slow lowering?
November 8, 201212 yr comment_143804 Hmm... floor dropping did seem pretty slow. Then again, maybe I'm just getting impatient in my old age and noticing it more. The judder seems to be on certain sets of 4 seats. Rode it twice on Sunday and had the juddering once.
November 8, 201212 yr comment_143805 The floor had to be changed from screw driven to hydraulic because the screw drives were driven by 4 individual electric motors, if one of them motors were to fail for whatever reason, then the other 3 would still carry on and potentially buckle the floor, could have been dangerous. Whereas with the hydraulic floor there is one central motor which pulls all 4 cylinders down in unison, more reliable. I'm sure the screw driven one was much faster than the current one! Also, Thorpe could have Vortex programmed to start rotating as the floor lowers, then have the swings starting immediately as it is fully lowered, many other Afterburners & Freak Out's do this, would improve capacity that little bit more.
November 8, 201212 yr comment_143806 Lol didn't they change the floor lowering thing a few years ago from screws to hydraulics to fix the slow lowering? The hydraulics were installed for reliability more than speed I beleave, if anything there abit slower
January 4, 201312 yr comment_146963 Guys I think vortex could be a great ride(it could be it isn't at the moment ) here's my suggestions of what they need to do: Ok so firstly the swinging part of vortex is good but I would go on rush for the swinging because it is better, the thing which makes an afterburner good is that it spins while you are swinging, but frankly vortex's spinning is rubbish. You don't get a variation of heights you either end up at the top or bottom- simple as that. What they need to do Is make the spinning faster so people get dizzy and so people get a variation of heights, that would make it a great ride! Next, I would love vortex to have some cool lights just like showtime has. With lights all over it would be a great night ride just like samurai is. The lights would make it so cool as from my experience with showtime! Finally, I think vortex should install onride photos, a camera could be placed hanging down on each of the 8 arms(connecting the seats to the centre) when vortex was at its highest point in cycle, it would take a photo capturing people's reactions. I think this would be a great improvement on vortex! What do you think?
January 4, 201312 yr comment_146965 Well that might make the ride fit in more then seeing as it played fun fairish chart music most of last year!
January 4, 201312 yr comment_146966 Yea that's totally true, even if they didn't put the lights on though they should at least up the spinning and put on ride cameras. When I went to thorpe they got rid of most of the ride themes and played chart music- yes it was entertaining in the queue but it ruined the atmosphere and theme so why not add lights if they are taking the funfair approach?
January 4, 201312 yr comment_146968 I see what you mean but adding the chart music is really just an angle which Thorpe have explored in order to make queue lines less of a dull experience for the GP. The park so still want to differentiate themselves from just being a static funfair and I feel putting bulb lights all over the show like funfair rides would be a step too far. Maybe adding smaller programmable LED's somewhere on the main arms or back of the seats would look rather good? Improvements for Vortex I would like to see are: Start spinning as soon as possible during floor lowering: enable a slight increase in capacity with being able to squeeze more rides in per hour. Increase the spin speed: The spin speed seems to vary a lot, sometimes it is slow sometimes it is faster; are they deliberately not running it faster in order to reduce wear and tear?
January 4, 201312 yr comment_146971 Personally, I don't see the point in having an on ride camera on Vortex. In general, flat rides aren't particularly suited to having them and sometimes look very displeasing to the eye (I think that in particular would be a problem for Vortex). Also, I just don't think there'd be enough demand for it. Detonator had ORPs installed in 2011, and during most of my visits last season, I didn't even see it open - probably due to lack of demand. Out of all the rides on park, I just don't think Vortex is a ride people would want to have a photo of themselves to take home.
January 4, 201312 yr comment_146974 Unlikely that it would ever get any integrated lighting, as this would mean more would have to be changed than it would be worth. (You find that most KMG rides with integrated lighting systems have about 1/2 of the control panel for lighting control and only a small portion for actual ride functions.) I think the only time we'd see any variation from what Vortex is now would be if they ever decided to have the ride retro-fitted with the new Lap-Bar seating arrangements, only 1 Afterburner has ever been fitted with them to this day so I'm unsure of the cost... They look great though! Some images below from KMG and Theme Park Review; these lap bars are so tiny, I think they would greatly improve the experience!
January 4, 201312 yr comment_146975 My guess it would be quite a pricey retro fit but it would be so worth it. Feeling so vulnerable and being able to see everyone's faces; it would be awesome.
January 4, 201312 yr comment_146977 Completely agree that would add a whole new dimension to the ride! That whole are of the park really needs something new and that could be just the ticket!
January 4, 201312 yr comment_146980 It really would be cool if the cost of doing this retrofit was reasonably low compared to buying a whole new flat. If it is relatively low then all we can hope is that is considered during a lower investment year. Realistically though, when has Thorpe ever done anything so radical to their rides? Unless then change could be advertised as and enough could be generated, I can't see it happening.
January 4, 201312 yr comment_146984 Wow, never seen those lap bars before. Want in a very big way. This... Especially as I felt like the harnesses were going to maim me on my last ride...
January 5, 201312 yr comment_147014 It would be a cool idea but I hate the feeling of I'm about to fall out. I went on a maimi called 'big wave' and it had lap bars which didn't go down very far at all and the whole time I thought I was gonna fall out, I wanted it to stop but it kept going on and on and I was clinging on for dear life. It depends how far down they go really, rush's lap bars are fine because they can secure you in tightly and you don't feel like you are gonna fall out. To be honest, when I ride slammer for the first time next season(it's always been broken ) I will probably hate it because I have been told you feel like you will fall out, however maybe on vortex is could be different! The spinning definately does need to be improved, I will not ride vortex more than once in a long period of time if it doesn't get spinning faster. It just gets boring, I mean the swing speed is fast but in order to make it a good afterburner it needs to have good spin. The question is, are thorpe park not running vortex to it's full potential just like samurai?
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