Kemah Boardwalk Developments

[houstonsemipro]

When is the grand opening?

[HtownWxBoy]

So when is it going to be ready to ride?!?!?! >

When is the grand opening?

Dangit... u beat me to it! he he

[lockmat]

The ABC article was written on 7/9 and said it was supposed to open in two weeks but bad weather was gonna push it back. So it should be soon then.

[HtownWxBoy]

I was in Kemah today at the Boardwalk... the coaster may not be huge, but it really looks like it's going to be fun! We ate lunch at the Saltgrass and the one part of the track goes right past the one side of windows... I wonder what that's going to be like for people inside eating?? ha ha Anyways... can't wait for it to open! >

Ooo... one other thing... I see they are testing trains now...

Testing Coaster

... so I guess it won't be long until it's open!

Edited August 6, 2007 by HtownWxBoy

[HtownWxBoy]

Any word on when the Bullet might be opening???

[Trae]

Damn! It still isn't open yet? School starts on Monday.

[HtownWxBoy]

Damn! It still isn't open yet? School starts on Monday.

They have been testing it for a few weeks now so it must be opening soon!

[Pumapayam]

Damn! It still isn't open yet? School starts on Monday.

They missed out on all that summer tourist cash.

[HtownWxBoy]

Maybe they are shooting for Labor Day weekend for an opening.

[Deut28Thirteen]

It would have been nice to go down when school was out but Kemha is not that far it would be a great day trip. Have not read all the post so if some one asked this my bad. Does any one know how fast it will be?

[flyingman]

From a friend:

"The coaster has been valleying because a portion of the track was 6 inches off so they have to rebuild 30 feet or so of track."

[Trae]

There is always next year.

[MexAmerican_Moose]

From a friend:

"The coaster has been valleying because a portion of the track was 6 inches off so they have to rebuild 30 feet or so of track."

well that's encouraging

[Pumapayam]

From a friend:

"The coaster has been valleying because a portion of the track was 6 inches off so they have to rebuild 30 feet or so of track."

I am surprised they screwed up. I always though the computer modeling takes care of these things, must have been a construction error.

[HtownWxBoy]

http://www.coasterphotos.com/maingallery/v.../2006/08282007/

According to this it's going to open in a few days!

They also have a website for it up...

http://boardwalkbullet.com/

$4.75 a ride... yikes.

[ProHouston]

http://boardwalkbullet.com/

$4.75 a ride... yikes.

Does that $19 all day pass include all rides + the Bullet or is it just for the Bullet?

[lockmat]

http://www.coasterphotos.com/maingallery/v.../2006/08282007/

According to this it's going to open in a few days!

They also have a website for it up...

http://boardwalkbullet.com/

$4.75 a ride... yikes.

Pennys compared to the $12.50 I payed for the New York New York coaster in Vegas.

And interesting facts they have that compare it to the Texas Cyclone

BB:

3236 feet long

96 ft tall

92 ft vertical drop

TC:

3180 ft long

93 ft tall

80 ft vertical drop

more facts:

most number of track crossovers ever in a wooden coaster - 42

pretty good stuff

Edited September 1, 2007 by lockmat

[HtownWxBoy]

Does that $19 all day pass include all rides + the Bullet or is it just for the Bullet?

$19 for all day / all rides.

[ChannelTwoNews]

From yesterday's paper...

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/5103258.html

[HtownWxBoy]

Woohoo it's open! Anyone ride it? How is it? I may try and get down there this week or next.

[sevfiv]

so it looks like these folks will be paying dearly for not selling out to Tilman:

For 12 hours a day, the family listens to the coaster's squeaks and rattles and the screams of 800 passengers an hour rolling by at 50 mph.

"It's such a shame, really. We all used to just love the peaceful quiet," said Carol Killion, who built the house in 1962. "It's what we enjoyed about it, away from the big city."

The compact roller coaster was built in a one-acre area because Carol and Coy Killion refused to sell their house to Landry's Seafood Restaurants Inc., which runs the boardwalk in Kemah where the ride is located.

http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/story?section=...&id=5630513

[Mister X]

They get what they deserve. The Killions were offered 4 times what that house was worth before the coaster was built and they wouldn't sell. Now they will be lucky if Tillman takes it off their hands for what they paid for it in 1960. Actually, that's still a pretty valuable house I guess. Just hope they get used to the smell of oil and barf. And the sounds of screaming and obscenities. They should open that house up to the public as a fun/mad house. Their weird story made the AP, so every crack pot coaster enthusiast and NIMBY sympathizer in the US will be marching across their lawn to get a look at the freaks that live in the house under the Boardwalk Bullet.

Just as I predicted, the coaster has opened to rave reviews from the coaster enthusiast community for it's unique design and insane speed through out the track course. After almost 2 years without a roller coaster, Houston can now re-join the rest of the civilized world of having a place for local thrill seekers to hang out.

[sevfiv]

They get what they deserve. The Killions were offered 4 times what that house was worth before the coaster was built and they wouldn't sell. Now they will be lucky if Tillman takes it off their hands for what they paid for it in 1960. Actually, that's still a pretty valuable house I guess. Just hope they get used to the smell of oil and barf. And the sounds of screaming and obscenities.

oil, barf, screaming, and obscenities - sounds like my kind of fun

the value of the property has been well over 300k since 2004, so they could have scored over a million if he offered four times the amount.

[texas911]

It was actually a blessing in disguise that the Killions didn't sell to Landry's. Much more interesting architecture happens when you have limited area to do things in. Architecture likes limits. Plus it makes for a more compact Boardwalk so its more pedestrian friendly. I love Kemah and Houston needs more places like it. Unfortunately, with no zoning, its up to individual corporations to create "districts" in Houston with a wonderful cohesive look and feel.

[Vertigo58]

I would make the best of the situation, build a roof deck where I could sit on a lawn chair and wave to everyone as they swirl around on the coaster. May as well enjoy both views the bay and the park.

Imagine having parties on your roof and having the coaster as a backdrop? How rare is that? When night falls the view wouldbe even nicer. Twinkling lights, etc. Make it a positive I say!

[tomv]

They should open that house up to the public as a fun/mad house. Their weird story made the AP, so every crack pot coaster enthusiast and NIMBY sympathizer in the US will be marching across their lawn to get a look at the freaks that live in the house under the Boardwalk Bullet.

Some people have difficulty moving on, I guess.

[Vertigo58]

Some people have difficulty moving on, I guess.

A deck like this is what I mean to wave to all the thrill seekers on the coaster as they pass by. Fun in the sun.

[Pumapayam]

A deck like this is what I mean to wave to all the thrill seekers on the coaster as they pass by. Fun in the sun.

You could also use that deck to pelt those loud screamers with water balloons to shut them up.

[Vertigo58]

You could also use that deck to pelt those loud screamers with water balloons to shut them up.

Are you kidding? I would love it if people threw water balloons at me while on the coaster! Especially in our heat. I would barf back at them in retaliation, cool.

In fact this ourdoor roof deck would temp nude sunbathing. Now were talking fun!

[Native Montrosian]

Ha! Read my mind! Or if one wanted to decrease ridership, find some Stimpy-looking guys in Speedos to hang out up there.

[pupsdaddy]

OK, full disclosure: I'm the guy in the Channel 13 story and also the guy in the Chronicle article.

I didn't get my 100 rides, but I did get 97. I forgot that they closed the coaster at 10pm instead of 11pm on weekdays, so I miscalculated my time.

Bottom line: the thing ROCKS. Yeah, it's just got the one big drop, but it's better than TxCyclone's. Yeah, it's mostly just turns, but you take them at blinding speed. It's relentless, intense, and FUN.

Is it a white-knuckler? Not to me, but I haven't been scared by a coaster in decades. I will tell you, though, that I rarely put my hands up on it. There is so much going on that it takes several rides just to figure it all out.

I recommend that you don't judge your enjoyment (or lack thereof) until at least 5 rides. Honestly, after my very first ride (in the front seat, no less!), I was pretty underwhelmed. The next couple of rides were a little better, but I attributed that to riding farther back in the train. The more I rode it, however, the more I liked it. It's now in my top 10 (out of nearly 500).

This is a singularly unique ride and an engineering marvel. I've never seen a coaster with banked turns right up against the building boundary. There are NO braces on the outside of some of these turns, all of the support structure is coming from inside the radius of the turn. There is significant flex in the structure, especially on the turns by the bay. When the train screams around the turn, the structure flexes about two feet(!) It's a blast to watch.

Oddly enough, waiting in line is almost as much fun as riding. The queue weaves in and out of the track layout, and trainloads of riders rumble around, over, and under you while you wait. Pay attention, because there are portions of the track that are nearly invisible from anywhere other than the queue... if you wait until you ride to discover these, they will kick your butt.

If you catch the Bullet on a sluggish day, it's a decent ride. If you catch it right after a good rain, it's world-class. "Dry" runs were going brake to brake at around 1:50. Rain rides were clocking a full 9 seconds faster at 1:41.

Word to the wise: if you simply HAVE to put up your arms on the first drop, bring them back down before you get to the bottom. The 15 or so seconds from the top of the first drop to the top of the next big hill is perhaps the most intense section of coaster track anywhere on earth. You'll want to hang on for that part.

[Vertigo58]

OK, full disclosure: I'm the guy in the Channel 13 story and also the guy in the Chronicle article.

I didn't get my 100 rides, but I did get 97. I forgot that they closed the coaster at 10pm instead of 11pm on weekdays, so I miscalculated my time.

Bottom line: the thing ROCKS. Yeah, it's just got the one big drop, but it's better than TxCyclone's. Yeah, it's mostly just turns, but you take them at blinding speed. It's relentless, intense, and FUN.

Is it a white-knuckler? Not to me, but I haven't been scared by a coaster in decades. I will tell you, though, that I rarely put my hands up on it. There is so much going on that it takes several rides just to figure it all out.

I recommend that you don't judge your enjoyment (or lack thereof) until at least 5 rides. Honestly, after my very first ride (in the front seat, no less!), I was pretty underwhelmed. The next couple of rides were a little better, but I attributed that to riding farther back in the train. The more I rode it, however, the more I liked it. It's now in my top 10 (out of nearly 500).

This is a singularly unique ride and an engineering marvel. I've never seen a coaster with banked turns right up against the building boundary. There are NO braces on the outside of some of these turns, all of the support structure is coming from inside the radius of the turn. There is significant flex in the structure, especially on the turns by the bay. When the train screams around the turn, the structure flexes about two feet(!) It's a blast to watch.

Oddly enough, waiting in line is almost as much fun as riding. The queue weaves in and out of the track layout, and trainloads of riders rumble around, over, and under you while you wait. Pay attention, because there are portions of the track that are nearly invisible from anywhere other than the queue... if you wait until you ride to discover these, they will kick your butt.

If you catch the Bullet on a sluggish day, it's a decent ride. If you catch it right after a good rain, it's world-class. "Dry" runs were going brake to brake at around 1:50. Rain rides were clocking a full 9 seconds faster at 1:41.

Word to the wise: if you simply HAVE to put up your arms on the first drop, bring them back down before you get to the bottom. The 15 or so seconds from the top of the first drop to the top of the next big hill is perhaps the most intense section of coaster track anywhere on earth. You'll want to hang on for that part.

That's great! Nothing like a true testimonial!

Can't wait to ride.

[Pumapayam]

OK, full disclosure: I'm the guy in the Channel 13 story and also the guy in the Chronicle article.

I didn't get my 100 rides, but I did get 97. I forgot that they closed the coaster at 10pm instead of 11pm on weekdays, so I miscalculated my time.

Bottom line: the thing ROCKS. Yeah, it's just got the one big drop, but it's better than TxCyclone's. Yeah, it's mostly just turns, but you take them at blinding speed. It's relentless, intense, and FUN.

Is it a white-knuckler? Not to me, but I haven't been scared by a coaster in decades. I will tell you, though, that I rarely put my hands up on it. There is so much going on that it takes several rides just to figure it all out.

I recommend that you don't judge your enjoyment (or lack thereof) until at least 5 rides. Honestly, after my very first ride (in the front seat, no less!), I was pretty underwhelmed. The next couple of rides were a little better, but I attributed that to riding farther back in the train. The more I rode it, however, the more I liked it. It's now in my top 10 (out of nearly 500).

This is a singularly unique ride and an engineering marvel. I've never seen a coaster with banked turns right up against the building boundary. There are NO braces on the outside of some of these turns, all of the support structure is coming from inside the radius of the turn. There is significant flex in the structure, especially on the turns by the bay. When the train screams around the turn, the structure flexes about two feet(!) It's a blast to watch.

Oddly enough, waiting in line is almost as much fun as riding. The queue weaves in and out of the track layout, and trainloads of riders rumble around, over, and under you while you wait. Pay attention, because there are portions of the track that are nearly invisible from anywhere other than the queue... if you wait until you ride to discover these, they will kick your butt.

If you catch the Bullet on a sluggish day, it's a decent ride. If you catch it right after a good rain, it's world-class. "Dry" runs were going brake to brake at around 1:50. Rain rides were clocking a full 9 seconds faster at 1:41.

Word to the wise: if you simply HAVE to put up your arms on the first drop, bring them back down before you get to the bottom. The 15 or so seconds from the top of the first drop to the top of the next big hill is perhaps the most intense section of coaster track anywhere on earth. You'll want to hang on for that part.

Great review!

A two minute ride ain't bad, but does that include the climb up the hill?

[Serrano]

for those people that dont like roller coasters you could still enjoy the catfish feeding frenzy.....

[BuilderGeek]

for those people that dont like roller coasters you could still enjoy the catfish feeding frenzy.....

click on the link below

KEMAH CATFISH FEEDING FRENZY

HOLY CARP!

...err...catfish...

[pupsdaddy]

re: two minute ride, include the lift hill?

It's only 60-70 seconds from the top of the lift to the brakes. I give it a big spread because it's a very temperamental coaster. I've actually seen it hit 75 seconds a time or two. The running speed that day will depend on the heat, humidity, how long the coaster has been running that day, whether it has rained recently, how much graphite they applied to the track that morning, etc etc etc. This coaster seems to be more susceptible to those factors than most, primarily because of the turn-intensive layout. There isn't any straight track after you clear the lift hill.

Oh, and I'm up to 233 rides now.

[Vertigo58]

HOLY CARP!

...err...catfish...

Exactly! What the heck are they feeding those male fish, Viagra?

The duck actually look more tasty.

[Serrano]

for those people that dont like roller coasters you could still enjoy the catfish feeding frenzy.....

click on the link below

KEMAH CATFISH FEEDING FRENZY

i think its dog food

[Vertigo58]

re: two minute ride, include the lift hill?

It's only 60-70 seconds from the top of the lift to the brakes. I give it a big spread because it's a very temperamental coaster. I've actually seen it hit 75 seconds a time or two. The running speed that day will depend on the heat, humidity, how long the coaster has been running that day, whether it has rained recently, how much graphite they applied to the track that morning, etc etc etc. This coaster seems to be more susceptible to those factors than most, primarily because of the turn-intensive layout. There isn't any straight track after you clear the lift hill.

Oh, and I'm up to 233 rides now.

Does it feel anything like the Texas Cyclone used to? I remember it would toss us around to where your bones or shoulders smacked the sides as we turned and junk.

What about the final spiral whip around? Does it do that like Texas Cylcone used to? If you sat in the last 3-4 seats you got the full impact of trauma and euphoria.

Silly question but can't help but wonder who was the 1st person to actually barf on The Bullet yet?

[Pumapayam]

Oh, and I'm up to 233 rides now.

How do you ride it that much, do you work for them?

[Pumapayam]

Wow, we can insert youtube videos directly. . . who knew?!

[ProHouston]

Wow, we can insert youtube videos directly. . . who knew?!

Evidently not, I don't see anything.

[Pumapayam]

[ youtube]

[/youtube ]

This is the code I use, update your flash player, and see what happens.

Edited September 26, 2007 by Pumapayam

[Guest Marty]

[ youtube]

[/youtube ]

This is the code I use, update your flash player, and see what happens.

Have you read this topic?

http://www.houstonarchitecture.info/haif/i...showtopic=12092

[ProHouston]

[ youtube]

[/youtube ]

This is the code I use, update your flash player, and see what happens.

FIFY

[pupsdaddy]

How do you ride it that much, do you work for them?

Nope. There is rarely a line on weekdays. I will sometimes go there after work and catch the last two hours of operation (8-10pm). Normally, I don't even have to get out of the car, since there isn't anyone waiting for my seat.

I average 20-30 rides every time I go there.

...and I'm at 261 now. I've been slacking, since I'm in the middle of buying a house.

[Trae]

I need to go out there and ride this thing.

[Pumapayam]

I need to go out there and ride this thing.

YES YES YES, I rode it yesterday!!!

That coaster is SO fast and SO shaky.

WAY WAY WAY better than the Cyclone!

[tomv]

The roller coaster has been shut down for a long time due to "off season maintenance" (per their web site). Wonder what's going on? I'm sure they would like to have it up and running during the holiday season.

[HtownWxBoy]

The roller coaster has been shut down for a long time due to "off season maintenance" (per their web site). Wonder what's going on? I'm sure they would like to have it up and running during the holiday season.

That sux. I drove all the way down from Houston several weeks back on my day off to ride it and it was closed! It was a weekday afternoon and noone was there... wasn't sure if that was why.