Coasting for the Kids

Riders in Red Shirts Ride Talon

It was a beautiful day for riders in red shirts to ride roller coasters and raise money for charity in Allentown, PA yesterday.  Dorney Park and Wildwater Kingdom was one of eleven Cedar Fair amusement parks that ran the fifth annual Coasting for Kids event.  Riders that paid a 25 dollar registration fee and raised 75 or more dollars in donations were able to come to the park and enjoy marathon rides on four of the parks roller coasters.

Webpages and additional tools were set up to help individuals and teams throughout the 11 parks in Cedar Fair’s chain collect money as well as accept offline donations.  Coaster clubs, including American Coaster Enthusiasts, The Coaster Crew and Great Ohio Coaster Club helped promoted the event.  Riders received a t-shirt and certificate for participating in the event.  They were also given other prizes if they reached a certain level of donations.

Riding for a cause on Hydra, The Revenge Coaster

One hundred percent of the registration fees and all donations went to Give Kids the World located in Orlando, Fl.  Give Kids the World is a non-profit organization that allows children with life threatening illnesses and their families to enjoy all that the destination has to offer, including Walt Disney World, free of charge.  The organization has a 70 acre resort with 140 villas for the families to enjoy when they need a break from the action.

Riders at Dorney Park were able to enjoy an hour and a half or more on Steel Force, Stinger, Talon and Hydra the Revenge at specific times.   Participants could stay on each ride and enjoy a marathon riding session but it was not a requirement.  There was at least a half hour break period between each ride session.

Dorney Park tweeted that the park raised over $20,000 in donations from this event.  A combined total from all 11 parks is said to be over $150k.

Riders were given the opportunity to enjoy Stinger,
Dorney Park's Newest Coaster

Dorney Park opened in 1860 as a fish hatchery and was slowly converted into the theme park it is today.  In 1992 the park was purchased by Cedar Fair.  Cedar Fair properties include Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio, Kings Dominion in Doswell, Virginia and Knott’s Berry Farm in Buena Park, California.

The sun sets behind Steel Force at Dorney Park
Coasting for Kids participants enjoyed some ride time on
this earlier in the day.

For information on Give Kids the World and how you can help please visit http://www.gktw.org

Travel Channel Filming at Hersheypark

The camera crew prepares the helicopter cam for flight

The email and Facebook notification came Monday night.  Hersheypark was looking for riders for a Travel Channel Show.  They were looking for a few dozen people to ride Fahrenheit multiple times for their hit show, Insane Coaster Wars.  Insane Coaster Wars is a half hour show that pits 4 roller coasters from a catagory (height, speed or type of coaster for example) from different parks together and allows coaster lovers to vote on their favorite.  The ride that receives the most votes is revealed at the end of the show.

Indigo Films is the production company responsible for producing these episodes for the Travel Channel.  They have worked with other networks including National Geographic, A&E and The History Channel.  Shows they have produced include I Faked My Own Death, Wives With Knives and I Almost Got Away With It.

Coaster fans that signed up for the event were required to arrive at the employee gate by 7 AM.  We were greeted by Hersheypark public relations and the Indigo Films crew.  Once the releases were filled out we

The operations department watches over
the shoot to ensure safety

were directed to one of the parks catering areas to enjoy some coffee and breakfast pastries.

While we enjoyed our breakfast we watched them prep for filming.  Maintenance was preforming their morning check of the ride, including checking brakes and gears, stopping the train on the lift and reversing the train from mid lift.  While maintenance preformed their checks the camera crew attached GoPros to several points on one of the trains.

As the film crew finished up we were briefed by the director of ride operations, the public relations manager and by the field producer.  They informed us of what to expect and what was expected of us.  It was almost time to ride.

We headed into the station and watched as final preparations were made.  The ride was running with two trains.  One train was set up with cameras and one was not.  I much prefer to be behind the camera lens than in front of it so my co-rider and I opted for the front seat of the train without cameras.  We picked out our seats and then were instructed to return to the stairs so they could film us coming into the station.

The cameras on the train were put into final position and sent out on a test run to ensure they were at the
proper angle and height.  Microphones were placed on the two ladies riding in the front seat of the camera train and we were ready to go.  We loaded into the trains and it was time to enjoy our rides.

Ride time with cameras on the front and middle of the train

The station was loaded with video cameras and sound equipment to record the action of the operators checking our lap bars, the excited/nervous look on riders faces and the people anxiously waiting to ride in the queue.  The crew also captured the look of joy and/or relief on the faces of riders as the train returned to the station and the ride came to a stop.  A remote controlled helicopter, also known as an octocopter filmed off ride views of the ride and riders.

Filming lasted until about 10 AM and park guests began filtering into the park.  Once the riding was over we gathered to vote on our favorite coaster.  The voting booth remained in place throughout the day to allow regular park guests a chance to cast their votes.

Voting took place outside the exit of Fahrenheit

Indigo Films' Insane Coaster Wars second season will premiere this Sunday, June 9th, at 8:30 PM.  The portion of the episode filmed at Hersheypark's Fahrenheit is not expected to air until 2014.  A previous episode filmed last year at Hersheypark's Skyrush is expected to air some time in June.

See more photos from the day at http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151455773190843.1073741847.85142180842

Check out the Etsy store featuring over 200 prints including amusement parks at http://wwww.etsy.com/shop/supkophoto

Coaster Safety - the Block Sections

Did you ever see a roller coaster train stopped on the lift or held on a brake run in the middle of the course?  Do you ever wonder how a coaster trains can run for 12 or more hours a day and not run into each other? How about how they pull within inches of each other?  The answer is programmable logic controllers, also known as PLC's.  Systems similar to what are used in assembly lines and warehouse automation are used to watch over roller coasters and other rides.

A pair of sensors on the Maverick roller Coaster at
Cedar Point that report a trains location to the PLC.

On most coasters you will see little green sensors around the track.  These sensors watch over the ride and create block sections.  For safety's sake the ride prevents two trains from entering the same block.  When sensors indicate a train has entered or is about to enter a block occupied by another train the ride shuts down.  All emergency brakes close and the lift stops.

When it comes to block violations; shutdowns are sometimes caused by something other than two trains in the same block.  This can include spiders or other insects blocking the eye or sunlight directly hitting the eye.  For safety purposes the ride will shut down until the cause is found.

In addition to sensing a train's location these sensors may also time how long a train takes to get from point A to point B.  Roller coaster designers determine the temperature at which the ride can operate at.  Colder temperatures cause trains to move slower mostly due to cold track grease.  They also determine at what wind speed the coasters can operate at.  In the event that a train doesn't clear a sensor in the time allotted the ride will shut down.

When you notice the track sensors you may notice that they are in pairs.  This is because two different PLC's watch the ride.  In the event that one sensor picks up a trains motion and the other does not the ride will shut down.  This is known as a PLC mismatch.

These amazing little sensors tell the ride when to apply or open brakes and when to pull trains forward in the station.  This is how they can pull a train within inches of another train.  They also watch when the air gates at a ride are open as well as when the trains restraints are unlocked to prevent trains from being dispatched in these situations.  Newer roller coaster such even have sensors in the seats to determine when a lap bar is locked and ready to go. 

Photoshopped image of Skyrush at Hersheypark
If a train would have entered the lift while another train
was on the track the ride would shut down.
The ride only operates a maximum of two trains.

The Gatekeeper at Cedar Point does operate 3 trains but
if they were this close it would be a block violation.

The Skyrush at Hersheypark print can be purchased at www.etsy.com/listing/152982055/multiplicity-on-skyrush-11x14-print

The Gatekeeper at Cedar Point print can be purchased at www.etsy.com/listing/152978614/multiplicity-on-gatekeeper-11x14-print

Follow my adventures and see more photos at facebook.com/supkophoto

Check out more of my Etsy prints at www.etsy.com/shop/supkophoto

Don't Forget the Fluids

Fahrenheit at Hersheypark seemed the appropriate
 coaster for this discussion on heat.

Memorial day marks the unofficial start of summer at many amusement parks.  As the season started out temperatures began to soar into the high 80's and 90's.  Something many visitors don't take into account is what the sun and heat do to one's body.  The warm summer heat can radiate from the blacktop and concrete walkways. Couple that with walking a mile or more on the midway and one's body can quickly become dehydrated.  Remember to keep you and your family and friends hydrated while visiting your favorite place to ride rides.  Help to prevent people from suffering from the effects of dehydration.

There are quite a few ways to keep cool and remain well hydrated.  Almost every park out there has water fountains located at their restrooms.  Most parks also offer free or low cost tap water at their food stands.  As temperatures soar during the afternoon hours stop and take in a show at an air conditioned theater or dine at an air conditioned food location.  Avoid alcoholic and caffeinated beverages.  While these may quench your thirst they will decrease your hydration.  If you are feeling thirsty and sweaty and water isn't quite cutting it, find a sports beverage that will replace your electrolytes.  Also, spending some time in a parks water attractions will help keep your body cool.

Signs you may have become dehydrated include:

1. Sweat production slow down or stops
2. Lack of tears when crying
3. Fatigue
4. Irritability
5. Dizziness
6. Muscle cramping and spasms
7. Abnormal heart beat
8. Concentrated urine with a strong odor
9. Dry lips and mouth and swollen tongue

If you notice minor symptoms of dehydration take a rest and drink plenty of fluids.  If your symptoms become more severe find the first aid station or find a park employee to contact first aid.

Of course I'll put a disclaimer in here.  I'm in no way a medical professional, just a former amusement park employee that had to call first aid on occasion to come help someone who has fainted or was about to faint.  Don't let an awesome day of fun come to a premature end.  The best advice I've heard and will share over and over is drink until you pee.

Stay cool my friends!

Follow along on my adventures and see updates from this trip and many others at www.facebook.com/supkophoto

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