by I was just thinking today (shocking, I know) about predictions and
things I heard for parks in 1998 that never materialized. Now I realize
this list could be a mile and a half long, but I'm talking about
predictions that seem to be right on the money. Mine all invlove
Kennywood.
#1: A new Chance ferris wheel: I heard from a couple of people at the
park that a new ferris wheel was coming since the one they have now is a
pain in the neck from a maintenence stand point. The lights also look
really bad on the Wonder Wheel right now (only about 1 out of every 10
work). But alas, when I was at KW last week I noticed the ferris wheel
cars in the carousel building waiting to be put back up. (As if the
wheel didn't tip me off)
#2: A Huss Top Spin: Another rumor that somehow got generated in the
park and this one seemed like a great possibility. Compounce got one
last year and I thought that it might just go where the Wonder Wheel was
if they weren't getting a new wheel. Also, I heard that the area behind
the Plunge would be a location for it. I'd like to see this ride show
up at Kennywood although I don't really see where they'd put it. The
Pirate comes to mind but it isn't leaving anytime soon. Maybe it could
go near the Wipeout. I guess it really doesn't matter since it ain't
happening.
#3: T-bolt trains revamped: Now I heard this from my supervisor who's
basically at the park year round, so I thought it was good as gold. It
all seemed to fit so nicely, the trains look bad, the mechanics have
nothing else major this winter, and well, the trains look bad. Then
again, I walked in on a supervisor conversation back in 1995 and heard
talk of the trains being replaced with new ones with (and I swear I'm
not kidding) seat dividers! I immediately shrieked "No!" as a reflex
and luckily the NAD's are still there. I was so paranoid about the NADs
being removed that I told several Acers of the conversation so as to
possibly get some last rides on the NADs. Once again, luckily they
haven't been replaced and I'll put it on my wish list that they're
refurbished by the end of the next millenium:).
#4: B&M Coaster: This wasn't really a prediction of mine. I had heard
that B&M was to the park to check things out. KW later saw what it cost
Hershey for the Great Bear and shelved any thoughts of a B&M since a
2-train operation at Hershey cost 13 mil. In the past I've heard though
that Henny Henninger reportedly likes stand-ups as much as inverteds.
At the time I think he was comparing the Iron Wolf and Batman though.
(I may have to agree with him on that) Note this wasn't a prediction
for '98 at all, just an idea of what their next coaster may be.
#5: I become the 1998 Kennywood Employee of the Year and my salary
skyrockets to $6.50/hour. (Still a distant possibility :))
So does anyone else have any "on-the-money" predictions that just didn't
happen?