Bring back Rainbow!

[T-Rex]

I know so many people seemed uninterested in discussing classic rides, but this is something I feel I should bring up because the showgrounds are missing on some of the most important rides in amusement history. Now this is partly a talk, but partly a rant because I had to complain about the Ali Baba replacing the Rainbow, perhaps the most dumbest and retarded move anyone could ever do. Why you may ask, because the Ali Baba is a pile of putrid vomit! Call that a successor to the Rainbow? Successor my ass! It's more of a suckass version of the Rainbow! Before some of you can complain, let me make an analysis of the two rides, starting with Ali Baba. Like the 1001 Nachts, it is a ride duplicating the Rainbow. True, it runs a bit faster than the ride it tries to duplicate, but for some reason, it doesn't have the same thrill factor. Here's the 3 main reasons why. 1. Not many passenger seats. 2. Doesn't go as high as the Rainbow. 3. Not enough weightlessness and air-time sensation. This sums up what makes the Ali Baba a poor excuse for a Rainbow successor. What a piece of sh*t. A big round of applause to that ride for being a spectacular failure. Congratulations! Now compare it to the Rainbow. It may not run as fast as Ali Baba, but I learn that speed ain't everything. Three things that makes the Rainbow a noteworthy ride. 1. Up to 40 riders can go on it. 2. Takes you up at least 25m in the air. 3. Weightlessness and thrill factor is top notch. Considering that it's by HUSS, it shows that they really know how to manufacture rides, and what they try to accomplish with it. Additionally, the feeling that you'll get thrown off if you don't hold on to the lap bars really adds more to the thrill factor. This is what makes the Rainbow an interesting, fun, and timeless ride. Nothing, not even the 1001 Nacths could top it off. True that one of the reasons the Rainbow isn't showing up in showgrounds is because of the Liseburg incident 2 years ago, but even so, other Rainbows across the globe are still running as normal. My point is, why replace a gold nugget with a dog turd? The Rainbow is an instant classic, and it should never be replaced by cheap duplicates. If some of you riders prefer Ali Baba over Rainbow, then I don't care. It's your preference. This is just my preference, and I stick with it. To me, the Ali Baba is for those who are diehard riders. True riders like myself, will know which rides are great and which rides suck. Let's hope the Rainbow will return to 2011's RES to knock off its crappy duplicate Ali Baba off its pedestal. It must return as soon as possible. That's all I have to say. See you next time. Please don't make any flaming comments. T-Rex

[MickeyD]

The Rainbow was one of the better sideshow alley offerings in it's day. Half of the thrill was sharing the fun with the other passengers aboard. I certainly don't lose sleep over it's disappearance and as much as I loved my time enjoying the dusty carni rides when young they just don't do it for me anymore. Still, if I do go to the Ekka I can't resist a few turns on the latest spin and spew offerings. I would love to see a jumbo version of the classic Wave Swinger developed - one of my all time favourite midways

[T-Rex]

That's Sky Flyer. It's the biggest Wave Swinger we have here in Australia. Well, it's a tower Wave Swinger, but still. I still go to the RES even if the Rainbow's not there. The word must be spread anyway.

[T-Rex]

You know, I give up trying to find people who will raise sense into the showground organisers.

[Dazzleland]

That's Sky Flyer. It's the biggest Wave Swinger we have here in Australia. Well, it's a tower Wave Swinger, but still. I still go to the RES even if the Rainbow's not there. The word must be spread anyway.

The Wave Swinger spins & tilts, while the Sky Flyer only goes up & spins and goes down again.

[T-Rex]

The Wave Swinger spins & tilts, while the Sky Flyer only goes up & spins and goes down again.

Ok. Well, I meant to say that Sky Flyer and Wave Swinger are similar in terms of being a flying chairs ride.

[T-Rex]

I guess most people prefer Ali Baba over Rainbow. I know it's an old topic, and some of you may have different opinions, but honestly, the Ali Baba really is a poor man's version of the Rainbow, and that's not saying much. *shrugs shoulders*

Edited November 9, 2010 by T-Rex

[Gazza]

^Cool story bro.

Edited November 9, 2010 by Gazza

[T-Rex]

I hope you're referrring to my rant above, and not being sarcastic about it. Seriously, when it comes to making a ride that replicates another ride, they are horrible abomantions, unless of course it's a ride manufactured by Huss, KMG, or Mondial. Now some rides by other companies seem more thrilling than others no doubt about that, and to be fair, well, I can't be a good critic unless I know some good examples of good rides made by companies apart from the ones I mentioned. I know that the KMG Speed is a good version of the Fabbri Booster, and Mondial has added more to the thrill factor with their Boosters (No Limit), but that's as much as I can come up with. Yeah, it's difficult for me to back up my arguments on why I feel the Rainbow must come back to replace Ali Baba. To be fair, the Ali Baba does try to be more thrilling through going up and down faster, but A.R.M. forgot what made the Huss Rainbow a great ride, and that's the problem that lies with it. As a result, their lack of knowing what makes classic rides thrilling made their Rainbow clones a total flop.

Edited November 9, 2010 by T-Rex

[Gazza]

Seriously, when it comes to making a ride that replicates another ride, they are horrible abomantions, unless of course it's a ride manufactured by Huss, KMG, or Mondial.

So, has any manufacturer really been far even as decided to use even go want to do look more like?

[T-Rex]

What I would really like to know is, is the Rainbow really over and done with being in the showgrounds?

[T-Rex]

R.I.P. Huss Rainbow 1983 - 2008

[Gazza]

Have you ever heard of the double rainbow? People seem to get as excited over the double rainbow as they do the Huss Rainbow.

Edited November 13, 2010 by Gazza

[mickey_079]

[pin142]

Have to admit double rainbows are quite awesome. Not as awesome as a Skittles rainbow!

[T-Rex]

I guess that just one incident in Liseburg, Sweden, caused the Huss Rainbow to bite the dust.

[T-Rex]

I only wish someone in the ride community could shed some light on the subject or at least knows what's going on.

[themeparkgc]

Have you seen this particular post on Amusement Ride Extravaganza? Also have you seen the Facebook group?

I emailed a few people who operate State Fairs and the Wade Shows, who own a Rainbow. and I asked them if it was going to make a return (im in Oklahoma) and heres the reply I got: From: GBurchfiel@okstatefair.com First of all, thanks for being such an enthusiast that you actually know enough about riding to even recognize the rides and which ones make memories for you. I’m a rider myself—although I don’t always pay attention to the names, so I totally appreciate the fact that you’re missing your favorite. I’ll be honest with you about why it isn’t part of our current operator’s traveling inventory. It’s particularly due to an incident in Sweden in 2008 where the manufacturer and operators were charged with taking the Rainbow out of circulation for quite some time until the cause of the accident was determined. Resulting from that determination, owner/operators were told to reverse an earlier recommended repair procedure (if they had already done it) to the tune of tens of thousands of dollars and a many months wait for available parts. Quite simply, some opted not to currently throw that kind of money toward the ride since the confidence from the manufacture only came back with a “weak okay” to operate after this incident. In fact the one operating at the South Carolina Fair, which just ended I think, was involved in an electrocution – all the details aren’t in on that as to cause so a judgment is probably unfair, but still the ride has suffered some hardships post 2008. I don’t know that as many are actually in operation anymore. Due to these hardships, our owner/operator has benched the ride which you can imagine is a huge hit to his operation. Rides are EXTREMELY expensive and to have one sit idle is extremely unfortunate. We take great pride in doing the very best to put on a carnival of size and interest to as many people as we can. We have more than 70 rides, with many new and unique ones. I hope you can find something on which to have fun. While I know they are not exactly the same, I recommend the structure and experience of the Space Roller and Fire Ball which have similar feel in that it’s one arm rotation with a rider end that spins on another axis. This may have been more information than you cared to know, but I took the chance that if you are that specific with your complaint…you probably want our whole story. I’m sorry, again, that your favorite ride isn’t here and hope that you can give some other super-spectacular rides a chance. Thanks for taking the time to let us know about your concern and disappointment. Sincerely, Gina Burchfiel Vice President – State Fair Ray - October 21st, 2010 at 2:18 pm

Edited November 17, 2010 by themeparkgc

[T-Rex]

Thanks for the Facebook group, themeparkgc. Yes, I have seen the thread on that website. It does give me some relief that they're doing the best they can making updates on the ride to ensure that the same kind of incident won't ever happen again, but I'm still wondering when the ride would return. All the while, there's at least some good rides. Space Roller and the two KMG rides Extreme Speed and XXXL must have the same kind of thrill intensity as the Rainbow even they're not the same concept, so I will check 'em out next time I see 'em. All the same, if the Rainbow doesn't come for the 2011 RES, I at least would like them to have anything but that certain Rainbow duplicate ride manufactured by A.R.M.

Edited November 17, 2010 by T-Rex

[Gazza]

Considering that it's by HUSS, it shows that they really know how to manufacture rides, and what they try to accomplish with it.

If they are falling apart/electrocuting people, they clearly don't.....

[T-Rex]

Accidents happen, and these things could happen with any other ride, not just this one. So to say, it's a bit harsh for anyone to state that a well-established amusement ride manufacturer don't know how to manufacture rides, because they did try to offer the best thrills with the rides they made for the casual and hardcore riders. Besides, the incidents happened only recently, and if their rides do break down frequently, then it's safe to say that they didn't do a good job in manufacturing good rides.

Edited November 17, 2010 by T-Rex

[rappa]

Actually that above posted email pretty much goes to say that the Sweeden accident was caused by HUSS, as if they instructed an earlier modification to be reversed that pretty well says their instruction caused the accident. That actually makes me a little bit angry given I wrode that particular Rainbow only 2 years earlier.

[T-Rex]

Do you think Huss has anything to do with the incident at Sweden? I mean, they wouldn't intentionally do away with a ride they manufactured, would they?

[rappa]

Yes I do, read my above post. Huss instructed the park to make a modification which resulted in the accident.

[T-Rex]

Actually, what the posted email meant was that following the determination of what caused the Rainbow accident at Sweden, Huss told the owner/operators to reverse the earlier modifcation as they were going to provide them better machine parts so that it can be fixed without risking another accident. Now I don't mind other alternatives to the Rainbow, but don't get me wrong, the Ali Baba is a waste of space. The sooner the updates on the Rainbow can be done, the better I would say. I'm also seeing the funny side of it, because even though our Rainbow didn't turn up on the Australian showgrounds since 2008, there are a few, if not all, still operating across the globe. If it would make things better for the Rainbow fans here in Australia, why won't someone in the amusement business just purchase a pre-tested Rainbow being sold worldwide and add it into one of our theme parks here, like Luna Park? Seems like a valid solution. I know rides are expensive, but theme parks must make a lot of money to afford one. Check this out, a HUSS Rainbow from Poland is on sale, and has been reported being in good condition.

Edited November 19, 2010 by T-Rex