http://www.latimes.com/travel/themeparks/la-trb-vr-coasters-virtual-reality-rides-20151215-story.html

 

Canada’s Wonderland amusement park outside Toronto will add VR headsets to the Thunder Run roller coaster in 2016 for an upcharge fee after testing the devices on the ride during the offseason, according to company officials.

 

Thunder Run riders wearing VR headsets will fly on the back of a fire-breathing dragon above a medieval village and experience an imaginary corkscrew element on the inversionless mine train coaster. The VR experience will require riders to travel twice around the track without knowing exactly when the second lap begins. Daily capacity for the virtual reality experience will be limited to continue to allow non-VR riders on Thunder Run.

 

VR headsets will likely be added to another coaster at one of the 11 locations in the Cedar Fair amusement park chain, said CEO Matt Ouimet during a recent interview.

 

Much more in the article as well.

While I think this would be cool, my infestation anxiety keeps screaming "Head lice! Head lice!!!!" at me.

I hope it works out for them tho. I like seeing new things at the parks, and something new that can be added without tearing out something old is always a bonus.

This may appeal to some guests, but there seems to be something that you are taking away from an outdoor coaster experience doing this. Indoor coaster or dark ride okay, that makes sense, but not an outdoor coaster. Maybe it is the combination VR with a normal coaster experience that seems odd to me. If there was a coaster built specifically designed for it, and that was your ride experience I would buy into it a little easier. Maybe it is just me? 

Sounds like a great way to reimage an old ride. VR tech could totally synch with a track that has possibly exceeded its use in the park. Even mediocre rides could benefit from some creative minds as the technology increases.

Sounds like a great way to reimage an old ride. VR tech could totally synch with a track that has possibly exceeded its use in the park. Even mediocre rides could benefit from some creative minds as the technology increases.

I love this idea, except I have the same worry as Magenta Lizard- head lice! X_X

 

Still, I couldn't help but give that a try.

If as the article said 'VR will be used to boost ridership on coasters that aren’t running at full capacity' I just don't see why they chose Thunder Run for it... The 40" height requirement makes it accessible to almost everyone... If the ride isn't at 'full capacity' it's due to empty seats beside riders who are part of odd numbered groups, not due to the ride not being popular... Adding VR isn't going to make me sit squashed beside someone else...

 

The money could've been spent on sprucing up the ride (maybe more lighting effects or a makeover for Herman?)

 

 

And then there's the issue of headset cleanliness...

VR died out in the 1990s.....

Carowinds had several locations in the park....

They tried it again in 2002, by 2006 it was again gone.

Soooo what happens if it bounces off your head or you don't like it during the ride?

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I'm very much against VR on roller coasters (enjoy the natural view!), but part of me is a bit curious what this might be like. And yeah, like IndyGuy said, I'd rather have a brand-new coaster that's built with the VR tech in mind rather than trying one on an existing coaster. Also, I could see other issues with VR and coasters such as screen malfunctioning/computer glitches. Other questions include: If the VR syncs with the ride, what happens in the case of an e-stop or another type of emergency situation? How easy would the headset be to remove in the event of an emergency? Would a rider be able to perceive a potential emergency if they are wearing a VR headset? Just some things to think about...

I hope they offer the option not to wear them.  While it might help the parks rekindle old attractions, the technology is up to par now-a-days, and some people may clamor for it, I for one go to amusement parks to get outside, away from electronics and such.  

 

I could see it working on indoor rides, such as a certain theater with moving seats between The Racer turnarounds...

 

Why wasn't this around when Tomb Raider needed re-theming?

If as the article said 'VR will be used to boost ridership on coasters that aren’t running at full capacity' I just don't see why they chose Thunder Run for it... The 40" height requirement makes it accessible to almost everyone... If the ride isn't at 'full capacity' it's due to empty seats beside riders who are part of odd numbered groups, not due to the ride not being popular...

I wonder if for testing purposes, choosing a ride that they know is popular will better guide their decision? If a ride typically sees a fair number of rides, seeing the number stay stable change drastically either way, could let them know if it's worth a larger scale adjustment of a lesser performing ride?

Edited to finish my thought. Not sure how I managed that!

I hope they offer the option not to wear them. While it might help the parks rekindle old attractions, the technology is up to par now-a-days, and some people may clamor for it, I for one go to amusement parks to get outside, away from electronics and such.

I could see it working on indoor rides, such as a certain theater with moving seats between The Racer turnarounds...

Why wasn't this around when Tomb Raider needed re-theming? [emoji14]

They were too preoccupied figuring out a way to reduce maitenence from the physical wear of The Beast of a machine. Their solution was not praised.

The filter strikes!

I hope they offer the option not to wear them.  While it might help the parks rekindle old attractions, the technology is up to par now-a-days, and some people may clamor for it, I for one go to amusement parks to get outside, away from electronics and such.  

 

I could see it working on indoor rides, such as a certain theater with moving seats between The Racer turnarounds...

 

Why wasn't this around when Tomb Raider needed re-theming?

 

They will only allow so many users per train... The loading process is already slow due to a large percentage of the riders on Thunder Run who can't buckle their own seat belts, and due to the nature of the ride, there is only one train...

I see this as a way for Cedar Fair to gain more money since the VR is an upcharge.  It will be interesting to see how this plays out.  I am curious as to what other coaster they are debating adding this too. 

Oh joy.... An upcharge attraction.

Because they wouldnt wanna invest enough to include it as a staple experience.

I think most people will enjoy it once or twice.. and then never touch it again. Unless some deal or discount is given to pass holders & employees?

We could all probably assume it won't be the most wallet friendly purchase to make every visit.

Or it could be like Dinos and the Boo Blasters 3D glasses, $5 a head and $1 for a pair of PAPER glasses that don't really do diddly. However I figure it will fall in the Ripcord range($25 dollars I think).

Wait until the VR is out o sync for even a couple of milliseconds. Clean up on isle 3 for protein spill.

My stomach can't handle the VR or motion simulator type experiences. I try, hoping that this time will be different from the last, and nope. Still makes me nauseated. This is not a experience that I will likely want to even try.

As others have said, I too wonder about the logistics of adding this experience. The syncing of the video with the coaster. The sanitation after use against germs and bugs. How are they going to keep something attached to the person's head while the coaster is in motion. The time for adjustment of the headpiece to each person.

I'm sure these are things taken into consideration but it will be interesting to see how each are addressed when this becomes reality next season.

I'm sure these are things taken into consideration but it will be interesting to see how each are addressed when this becomes reality next season.

Or perhaps it will be like the on-ride video recording they tried to add to Banshee, and they won't be able to work it out at all.

Or Flight of Fear before that.

Six Flags audio added to coasters (or Kings Island's Italian Job: Stunt Track)...

Oh don't remind me of that coaster's fallen theming, please.

The water canons... why get-- the.. water.. it added so much.

....rust.

Apparently.

Which evokes an interesting question. Why IS Diamondback's water THAT color?

....rust.

Apparently.

Which evokes an interesting question. Why IS Diamondback's water THAT color?

 

Brown Algae.   I hope KI would make sure that water stays pretty clean. I don't see how hard it would be to recirculate that water, chlorinate and filter it? It would be nice to look at instead of nasty water.

It really STINKS.

I would think it would be a mosquito lure, too.

Looking at Apple maps, which the statilite image was taken during winter the splash down is empty.....of water but there appears to be dirt and mud in the bottom. Looks to me like they are too lazy to clean out the splash down pool.

Or saving costs....

I see this as a way for Cedar Fair to gain more money since the VR is an upcharge.  It will be interesting to see how this plays out.  I am curious as to what other coaster they are debating adding this too. 

If the VR-on-an-existing-coaster experience is in fact an upcharge, then I certainly won't be trying it!

 

-MDMC, who is already on the fence about wearing VR headgear on a roller coaster.