I searched and didn’t see a topic for this so hopefully there isn’t one already. I have not seen Viking Fury operating during any of my visits this year.. Was there today and it almost looks permanently closed.  The fountain is off in the pond and everything. Anybody hear anything about this?

I have seen that too, and I hope it is able to open up again sometime soon!

Who know's what will happen to that pirate ship.

 

I did ride it once this season. Won't lose sleep if it's closed and replaced.

It was closed on every visit early in the year. But they had it open during  Carnivale.  It’s not mechanically complicated.   It seems to be popular when open 

I hope it sticks around. That ride takes me back to my childhood.

Viking Fury responds very poorly to rain. If it rains enough, the ship will hydroplane on the tires that drive the ride's swing. Not only will the ship not be able to make its full swing while this happens, it can even mess up the tires, which is an even worse off mechanical issue.

It can take an entire 24 hours for the tires to dry up. In my time working at Viking Fury, we sometimes had to close down after cleaning up vomit because the hose we used made the tires too wet. Overall, the ride is just very fragile when it comes to rain. More often than not, it will close down when it rains.

Well......

 

It is an Intamin. 

I’ve definitely seen it operating this season but I will agree it’s closed quite often.

1 hour ago, jdawg1998 said:

tires that drive the ride's swing

As a little kid I was fascinated at the drive design for this particular ride.  I always thought it looked like someone just took a semi truck, turned it upside down, and stuck it under the ride.  

Yeah I've noticed it's often closed. I've been on it 2-3 times this season though.

There was a whole week a few years ago where we didn't operate the ride once other than performing tests. It was a wet few days, and even just a storm can make it go 2-9. I doubt anything is wrong with it other than this.

Anyone else remember the “Tastes Great, Less Filling” chants on the ride?

Yep. I arranged a small get-together during the season passholders’ late night ERT earlier this year, which included Viking Fury. There were only a handful of us participating but we did get some others to join in, including a row of approximately ten year old boys opposite me and a friend, who didn’t know why they were saying it but enjoyed joining in once prompted

If we ever have a late ERT on it again like that, I’m going to try to get a group together more than a few hours before. There were others waiting in line when we started the chant who tried to get it going on the next ship, because they remembered it fondly as well. 

12 hours ago, radishman said:

I did ride it once this season. Won't lose sleep if it's closed and replaced.

Get out. Best swinging ship ride in the world.

6 hours ago, Fisher said:

Anyone else remember the “Tastes Great, Less Filling” chants on the ride?

Now THAT is something that takes you back to a childhood!! Definitely remember that!! 

I have 10 rides on it this year (my daughter loves is) lol its still a fun ride. 

11 hours ago, jdawg1998 said:

Viking Fury responds very poorly to rain....Overall, the ride is just very fragile when it comes to rain. More often than not, it will close down when it rains.

Thanks for the info! Is that why it is closed so much during Halloween Haunt...usually a more wet/ rainy time period?

As is the case often with parks dealing with Intamin, I know that the park has had trouble in the past getting parts from Intamin in a timely manner for the ride. That could be the delay right now, although I have no idea. 

Dang...we're going Sunday and Monday and I was really hoping to convince my son to overcome his fear of it this year. 

8 hours ago, Fisher said:

Anyone else remember the “Tastes Great, Less Filling” chants on the ride?

I remember those days very well...miss them.

1 hour ago, standbyme said:

Thanks for the info! Is that why it is closed so much during Halloween Haunt...usually a more wet/ rainy time period?

Probably, but there used to be a time where the ride would close down because there was too much fog, and it was too hard for the driver to see the ship to ensure all riders were safe!

when i was at the park the friday before the 4th of july it was operating. 

15 hours ago, jdawg1998 said:

It can take an entire 24 hours for the tires to dry up. In my time working at Viking Fury, we sometimes had to close down after cleaning up vomit because the hose we used made the tires too wet. Overall, the ride is just very fragile when it comes to rain. More often than not, it will close down when it rains.

I want to clarify this statement: it will not close down when it rains, but it will close down if it rains enough after an extended period of time.

Another fun fact: we called it in 2-9 "Weather" anytime the rain was too much, but that would happen after the rain ended. Sometimes the sun would be bright and shining when we called it in. Employees in the ops room were confused time and time again as to how we were closed due to weather when there wasn't any bad weather to be found...it was also very annoying to have a greeter at the entrance dealing with guests who argued with us about how "the sun is out, how can it be closed?!"

I'm not sure that the park would appreciate me explaining why (if someone else wants to go into those details, feel free, but I'm not going to), but VF will also go 2-9 Weather on days where it's been very sunny and very hot for an extended amount of time. Basically, VF is capable of going down for any weather for a variety of reasons, haha. It'll come back up eventually--just give it a few hours.

Toss in the unwritten but mandatory seating requirements, and I feel like it's a little more understandable why I always disliked working Viking Fury. (Seriously... PLEASE be nice to VF ride ops.)

I might throw a party the day it closes for good. 

Last year we were at the park and it stormed so bad with crazy amounts of rain the beirgarden flooded and the lightning was crazy...…………..guess what ride was running the the downpour lol VF. #IntaminStrong

I think that Viking Fury is closed right now to undergo major renovations. The park is going to enhance the ride by adding a couple hundred feet in height and make it a lot faster. It will be called Viking Fury 325, the tallest and fastest pirate ship ride in the world! It will cast a shadow over the lil’ giga!

2 minutes ago, FUN&ONLY! said:

I think that Viking Fury is closed right now to undergo major renovations. The park is going to enhance the ride by adding a couple hundred feet in height and make it a lot faster. It will be called Viking Fury 325, the tallest and fastest pirate ship ride in the world! It will cast a shadow over the lil’ giga!

That is great haha Best thing I have read all day haha

31 minutes ago, Maverick44 said:

That is great haha Best thing I have read all day haha

It will still be an Intamin too!

1 hour ago, TombRaiderFTW said:

I might throw a party the day it closes for good. 

I was gonna like your post after the interesting info...but not after you added this!