Cedar Point | Rougarou | Mantis Floorless Conversion
- Thread starter Hyde
- Start date
I was able to get to the Point yesterday for a ride on Rougarou. Two rides, very front and very back.
There is no doubt the floorless design makes for a more comfortable ride. As I've mentioned in this thread, I don't mind stand-up roller coasters as I have figured out the "art" of riding a stand-up. But for 99% of everyone else that believes there should never be an art to how to ride a roller coaster (rightfully so), this is a heads and shoulder improvement from Mantis.
The actual ride experience itself is a bit weird. After all, there is nothing new in the design, outside of how you are physically seated. Mantis packed plenty of great positive g-force moments in its four inversions, and Rougarou delivers the same punch. Some minor ride experience improvements include no first drop trim (still in place, but wasn't active yesterday), less harsh MCBR trim allowing for good flow in second half, and new magnetic brakes that provide quicker stopping in final brake run.
Overall? The roller coaster absolutely got better, if not exclusively for a more comfortable riding experience. In terms of having this roller coaster jump in personal rankings, it may go up a few slots, but the ride remains predictably the same.
There is no doubt the floorless design makes for a more comfortable ride. As I've mentioned in this thread, I don't mind stand-up roller coasters as I have figured out the "art" of riding a stand-up. But for 99% of everyone else that believes there should never be an art to how to ride a roller coaster (rightfully so), this is a heads and shoulder improvement from Mantis.
The actual ride experience itself is a bit weird. After all, there is nothing new in the design, outside of how you are physically seated. Mantis packed plenty of great positive g-force moments in its four inversions, and Rougarou delivers the same punch. Some minor ride experience improvements include no first drop trim (still in place, but wasn't active yesterday), less harsh MCBR trim allowing for good flow in second half, and new magnetic brakes that provide quicker stopping in final brake run.
Overall? The roller coaster absolutely got better, if not exclusively for a more comfortable riding experience. In terms of having this roller coaster jump in personal rankings, it may go up a few slots, but the ride remains predictably the same.
^ That's the funny thing though. The only other two large stand-up coasters - Green Lantern and Riddlers Revenge - both have Scream! and Bizarro respectively.
So the only candidates are the small-scale stand-ups:
- Georgia Scorcher
- Vortex (Carowinds)
- Vortex (CGA)
- Apocalypse
Would be an interesting development to insert new life into these coasters, especially as Apocalypse and the two Vortexes were B&M first three roller coasters.
So the only candidates are the small-scale stand-ups:
- Georgia Scorcher
- Vortex (Carowinds)
- Vortex (CGA)
- Apocalypse
Would be an interesting development to insert new life into these coasters, especially as Apocalypse and the two Vortexes were B&M first three roller coasters.
As far as the stats, Rougarou carries the same 60 mph as Mantis.
Indeed, those who were hoping for a totally rejuvenated ride will be dismayed - it turns out swapping out similar weighted trains on a steel coaster really doesn't change a ride, outside of rider comfort. Hence why I said the pacing pretty much remains the same. Wooden coasters may experience a greater difference in ride experience in swapping trains, such as substituting a PTC for a Timberliner, as such a move also incorporates improved ride technology. In Rougarou's case however, both trains are made by B&M, and using the same wheel/suspension technology.
If indeed folks are still experiencing head banging, I would chop that up to the layout of the coaster, and put less blame on the old stand-up trains.
I agree with you as well Jarrett on the light packaging - LOVE the Banshee lighting. I still have yet to see Rougarou in full darkness, so I'll need to reserve judgement, but hope Cedar Fair keeps using those lighting filters going forward. Very simple, but very effective!
Jarrett
Most Obnoxious Member 2016
Thought I'd post a more extensive Rougareview outside of my trip report here.
First off, it looks a thousand times better than it did as Mantis. I like the orange track and the green on the supports is fabulous. They also have wolf howling/growling sound effects and some fog by the first drop. I like the graphics on the station but I give them five years before they look horrible.
Modeling the test seat. See the double straps? Only on the big boy seats, the rest just have one strap and one buckle.
They really did a nice job with the station. I can't even tell it used to be a vile standup.
Rougarou rocks! I already like the capacity boost that the floorless trains give the ride right out of the station, and having the floor drop out from under you really starts the ride in a dramatic fashion. The climb up the lift is great with your feet just dangling there as you get such a nice, unobstructed view of the park and Breakers. Cresting the top, I much prefer taking that turnaround sitting down with nothing below me than I do standing on a platform with an uncomfortable bicycle seat. In the back, the predrop is pretty nice but since it just crawls around the turn it doesn't do as much as the predrops on other B&Ms since you aren't pulled as fast. The drop is much better with the trim off and I personally like the fog at the bottom if it's on. The first loop isn't balls-to-the-wall intense but it's a decent one and it doesn't cause the leg tingling you got on Mantis. The dive loop was another element that was fixed by the conversion. It's really intense and awesome but no leg discomfort! The turnaround over the station was decent but forgettable, didn't do much for me. But the next one is now my new favorite element on the ride: the inclined loop. I've always wanted to try an inclined loop sitting down and it was just as awesome as I was expecting. No leg discomfort, good intensity, and the visuals are so weird it's awesome! Unfortunately, after this is where the renovation stopped being as effective. The transition into the turn into the MCBR is much better on the floorless and has plenty of classic B&M snap to it. Coming out of the MCBR you go into this corkscrew that's absolutely vile unless you stick your head forward a bit. The final turns on the ride are nice and intense and yes, no leg tingling which is nice. Still a bit of headbanging on those transitions but I find it much easier to brace and stick my head forward with those new trains. Finally, you hit the final brakes and that's the end of an awesome ride. Coming off of Mantis the one time I rode it for the cred, my legs really hurt with all the blood getting sucked to them by some of those intense elements. With Rougarou, you get a bit of that (a bit less severe than it is on Raptor) and can definitely feel that blood was sucked to your ankles, but not on the massively painful scale you got on Mantis.
Is Rougarou the new greatest coaster on the planet? No. Is it in my top 10? No. Would I travel across the country to ride it? No. But did they take a ride that I used to really dislike and make it one I liked? Yes. I always thought Mantis wasn't on par with the rest of Cedar Point's rides and it was my least favorite ride in the park. Now it's a good supporting ride to hit up if you want to stray away from a flagship. Not to mention that high winds had shut all of the flagships bar Maverick down when we went but Rougarou could run, so it can run in high winds and I think that's a major plus to have a decent ride that can. Great decision on the park's part, I give it two thumbs up. =D>
It really has an overall different presence as it looms over that area.
This might provide a good idea of how it will look from Valravn/whatever they're building.
I feel like it's partially themed with the watery foresty location and the howl and that AWESOME sign, but I think they could have done better. Would it really have cost that much to have it smash through a crappy wooden bayou shack?
You're looking at the new lock screen on my phone!
Really like this view, shame it's really out of the way.
Around...
...and down into the swamp!
Really like the row numbers on the floor for some reason.
New t-shirt!
And a new glass!
First off, it looks a thousand times better than it did as Mantis. I like the orange track and the green on the supports is fabulous. They also have wolf howling/growling sound effects and some fog by the first drop. I like the graphics on the station but I give them five years before they look horrible.
Modeling the test seat. See the double straps? Only on the big boy seats, the rest just have one strap and one buckle.
They really did a nice job with the station. I can't even tell it used to be a vile standup.
Rougarou rocks! I already like the capacity boost that the floorless trains give the ride right out of the station, and having the floor drop out from under you really starts the ride in a dramatic fashion. The climb up the lift is great with your feet just dangling there as you get such a nice, unobstructed view of the park and Breakers. Cresting the top, I much prefer taking that turnaround sitting down with nothing below me than I do standing on a platform with an uncomfortable bicycle seat. In the back, the predrop is pretty nice but since it just crawls around the turn it doesn't do as much as the predrops on other B&Ms since you aren't pulled as fast. The drop is much better with the trim off and I personally like the fog at the bottom if it's on. The first loop isn't balls-to-the-wall intense but it's a decent one and it doesn't cause the leg tingling you got on Mantis. The dive loop was another element that was fixed by the conversion. It's really intense and awesome but no leg discomfort! The turnaround over the station was decent but forgettable, didn't do much for me. But the next one is now my new favorite element on the ride: the inclined loop. I've always wanted to try an inclined loop sitting down and it was just as awesome as I was expecting. No leg discomfort, good intensity, and the visuals are so weird it's awesome! Unfortunately, after this is where the renovation stopped being as effective. The transition into the turn into the MCBR is much better on the floorless and has plenty of classic B&M snap to it. Coming out of the MCBR you go into this corkscrew that's absolutely vile unless you stick your head forward a bit. The final turns on the ride are nice and intense and yes, no leg tingling which is nice. Still a bit of headbanging on those transitions but I find it much easier to brace and stick my head forward with those new trains. Finally, you hit the final brakes and that's the end of an awesome ride. Coming off of Mantis the one time I rode it for the cred, my legs really hurt with all the blood getting sucked to them by some of those intense elements. With Rougarou, you get a bit of that (a bit less severe than it is on Raptor) and can definitely feel that blood was sucked to your ankles, but not on the massively painful scale you got on Mantis.
Is Rougarou the new greatest coaster on the planet? No. Is it in my top 10? No. Would I travel across the country to ride it? No. But did they take a ride that I used to really dislike and make it one I liked? Yes. I always thought Mantis wasn't on par with the rest of Cedar Point's rides and it was my least favorite ride in the park. Now it's a good supporting ride to hit up if you want to stray away from a flagship. Not to mention that high winds had shut all of the flagships bar Maverick down when we went but Rougarou could run, so it can run in high winds and I think that's a major plus to have a decent ride that can. Great decision on the park's part, I give it two thumbs up. =D>
It really has an overall different presence as it looms over that area.
This might provide a good idea of how it will look from Valravn/whatever they're building.
I feel like it's partially themed with the watery foresty location and the howl and that AWESOME sign, but I think they could have done better. Would it really have cost that much to have it smash through a crappy wooden bayou shack?
You're looking at the new lock screen on my phone!
Really like this view, shame it's really out of the way.
Around...
...and down into the swamp!
Really like the row numbers on the floor for some reason.
New t-shirt!
And a new glass!
^ Thanks for the review Jarrett! Talking to a few other CFers who have ridden Rougarou, similar reviews coming back of a general improvement to the ride.
Now! The fun hunt to see where exactly Cedar point has stashed the Mantis trains if they indeed held on to them. Nothing back by Mean Streak, and haven't been able to spot anything in the warehouse behind Rougarou.
Now! The fun hunt to see where exactly Cedar point has stashed the Mantis trains if they indeed held on to them. Nothing back by Mean Streak, and haven't been able to spot anything in the warehouse behind Rougarou.
Jarrett
Most Obnoxious Member 2016
Thanks! Glad you enjoyed!Hyde said:
Jenny told me that at least one train was given to National Roller Coaster Museum and I remembered hearing that elsewhere (I forget where but I heard it), so that takes care of one of them. I think one of the other two could be used as a crashed roller coaster like they did with Son of Beast's trains at Haunt. The other probably gets dissected for parts like they did to Firehawk's third train, just send it to Carowinds or CGA.
So one was donated for historical purposes, the other two probably get appropriated for Halloweekends (unlikely) or scrapped entirely for parts for the chain's other two standups, maybe even sold to Six Flags for their standups. I could see maybe a car ending up in Town Hall by Maverick but they probably can't get an entire train in there.
Cedar Point really is a hoarder in that regard. They still have the animatronics from Disaster Transport. They still have the Frontier Lift cable cars. They still have Wildcat trains. They still have The Schwabinchen Lady.
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I'd anticipate a car making a Halloweekends appearance. Parts could also be scavenged for other Cedar Fair stand-ups. Afterall, they did decommission the third Mantis train and used that as parts for years.
I'd anticipate a car making a Halloweekends appearance. Parts could also be scavenged for other Cedar Fair stand-ups. Afterall, they did decommission the third Mantis train and used that as parts for years.