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It is possible that Six Flags Magic Mountain's coaster next year could be Six Flags New Orleans' Vekoma Roller Skater.
"Valencia, CA – Six Flags Magic Mountain will open their 17th roller coaster in 2010, tying Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio for the most roller coasters in a single park.
While park officials didn't reveal the name or theme, the roller coaster won't exactly be new. Six Flags is recycling this family coaster from their closed theme park in New Orleans, where it operated under the name Road Runner Express.
This roller coaster last operated in August 2005 and closed along with Six Flags New Orleans after the park suffered extensive damage from Hurricane Katrina.
After standing unused for several years, the roller coaster was recently moved to Plainview, Texas where it's being refurbished before moving to its new home at Six Flags Magic Mountain.
Known as a "Roller Skater", this 28-foot tall junior coaster has a single eight-car train that rides on 679-feet of steel track. The roller coaster is a product of Netherlands based Vekoma.
This family coaster will appeal to families, since both an adult and child can sit in the car, allowing parents to ride alongside their children.
Six Flags plans to position the coaster in the southwest corner of the park, beside Déjà Vu and Johnny Rockets concession. The park will remove an old theatre building to make room for the new attraction.
For Southern California thrill-seekers this family coaster may seem familiar. Two other Roller Skater models can be found at Castle Park in the Inland Empire and another, Gadget's Go Coaster, is at Disneyland Park in Orange County.
Six Flags Magic Mountain is expected to reveal the name and theme by the end of the month. There have been some Internet rumors circulating that claim the theme may be based on Six Flags mascot, Mr. Six."
http://www.ultimaterollercoaster.com/news/stories/20091118_01.shtml
This was not announced by the park, and is not official. Just an interesting little rumor...
I highly doubt this is true. Road Runner Express is a kiddie coaster, not a family coaster. SFMM already has two kiddie coasters, what they need more of is family coasters, which is why this does not make sense.
If this is true, though, I will be very disappointed. Like I said above, The Mountain needs more family coasters, not kiddie coasters. This is not a coaster that a whole family would want to ride, and is, in my opinion, a pointless addition.
Stay tuned for more updates on what this coaster could be.
Thanks for reading,
- David
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Rush N' Splash Vol 1
Beech Bend Expands in 2010
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11/15/09 at 12:12 PM - By: ttd rox -
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Welcome to the first ever addition of Rush N' Splash. I'll weekly keep you updated on things happening at water parks and theme parks every Sunday.
Beech Bend which has been around since the late 1800's has announced major plans for the 2010 season. This will include many new water rides and even new rides for the main park itself. Not only that, but a 400 capacity amphitheater.
The water park's new attractions will include a new water mega structure with slides and other family activities. There will also be a new wave pool and lazy river.
Also part of the park's largest expansion in the 110 year history is a new 400 person amphitheater. As part of the main park it will also two new rides. One is a large tea cups that will replace the former mini tea cups. There will also be new Quad Runners for the kids.
Thank you for viewing the first edition of Rush N' Splash.
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New for 2010
A look to the future
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With 2009 coming to a close, we look forward to what 2010 is to bring us. A quick look at RCDB.com will show that we have a lot to look forward to, and plenty of big attractions in that list to satisfy the most seasoned coaster enthusiast. A few new overseas parks on top of the usual American parks are the recipients of the next season of roller coaster riding.
The first and by far the most impressive addition will be located at the newly built Universal Studios Singapore. In an effort to resemble Islands of Adventure in Orlando, Florida, Singapore’s version was to include a ride similar to Dueling Dragons. Vekoma was hired to design a state-of-the-art dueling coaster, with one side inverted and full of intense inversions and maneuvers, while the other side is less intense and more for those not up to stomaching the inverted side. The ride is to be named and themed to Battlestar Galactica, a popular science fiction series. Not only is the ride impressive, but it shall utilize Vekoma’s new track systems and trains. Both the inverted side and sit down side shall feature 4 across trains and speedy lifts for a unique experience that Vekoma has only begun to venture. Many speculate it will be a direction in which Vekoma can put behind the reputation of building head banging coasters and put up designs in league with B&M and Intamin.
Back in the US, two Cedar Fair located coasters show the continued effort to expand on their newly acquired Paramount Parks. Kings Dominion and Carowinds are both to receive coasters with racing themes with the NASCAR legend, Dale Earnhardt. Both coasters are awe inspiring in their own right. First, let’s look at the Carowinds’ version. Bolliger and Mabillard are the designers of this new hyper coaster, continuing the additions of B&M hypers to the chain, with Behemoth and Diamondback the two previous additions. Intimidator at Carowinds will be 230 ft tall with a 210 ft drop. A 10 drop course will be ready in spring to totally change the skyline of Carowinds forever. The most unique aspect is the use of s-curves, which are dominant in the second drop and turn around. The trains shall be painted to resemble Dale’s #3 Monte Carlo stockcar.
Kings Dominion is taking the idea a bit further. They chose Intamin to build their steel beast. And, by going a bit further, I refer to the fact that it is 100 ft taller than Carowinds’, as Intimidator 305 will be the world’s third giga coaster. Standing 305 ft tall, an 85 degree drop will send trains to 92 mph. After a high speed curve right, a second hill will feed the stockcar shaped trains into a plethora of air time hills and helices, a similar course to Intamin’s megalites at parks around the world.
Not every coaster as of this writing is named yet, but details do leak out and early construction can leave many to speculate. Six Flags Magic Mountain has teased about adding a 17th coaster to tie Cedar Point in having the most coasters at one park. As time passed, it was apparent that it would be a family style coaster, which is a change in direction from the last few additions in Scream, Tatsu and Terminator. It is said it may be a Tony Hawk spinning coaster or perhaps a small kids coaster.
Kennywood has cooked up something interesting in their 20 years since Steel Phantom entered the park. Premier Rides has been contracted to build what looks to be one of their most unique launchers to date. Though only 2100 ft in length it will cram a ton of elements into it including a 50 mph launch, a 95 ft vertical lift, an inverted top hat, and a corkscrew. The ride is rumored to be named Sky Rocket.
Alton Towers in England has been busy with something, code named Secret Weapon 6 in line with their past projects code named along the same idea. It has been put out by Alton Towers that it will be designed by Intamin, and their signature lattice work track has already been put up, including a multi-layer track structure, a tire driven lift, and a few swooping drops in the woods. The name Surrender has popped up in an effort to find a name.
Two big relocations are also in the works. The former Orochi of Expoland in Japan will be moved to Walygator Park in France under the name Monster. This inverted coaster is a duplicate of Raptor of Cedar Point, being 137 ft tall, featuring 6 inversions, and a top speed of 56 mph. Also spotted is the former stand up coaster Chang, once a dominate ride at Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom, now in the Chicago area at Six Flags Great America. Many theories to where it may be going are still buzzing around even though it’s at Six Flags Great America as the park already houses a stand up in Iron Wolf.
Stay tuned next week as my monthly coaster review will be available.
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Chang to Six Flags Great America
Chang is being stored at SFGAm
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11/14/09 at 10:52 AM - By: ttd rox -
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© RobSFGAm
Chang:Chang being unloaded at SFGAm. | <
/tr>
The possibility of Chang at Six Flags Great America is still up. It's being placed at SFGAm for storage and might be put up at the park later on. If it were to go up, the best possible spot would be to completely demolish the Space Shuttle America building and move the go-karts to the former Splash Water Falls spot so there ride could fit there and extend into the parking lot. Rumors still say it might be repainted and re-themed to Green Lantern.
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Polish Coasters
Happy Polish Independence Day
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Happy Polish Independence Day! A much more important holiday than Veterans Day (just kidding), because without it, we may not have an interesting history of Solidarity and even your own Pius in your driveway wouldn't be there, as some parts of the car are made there. In this brief look, we get a virtual tour of the roller coasters in Poland!
Though in all reality, there are not many. However, in the South of Poland near the city of Katowice, lies a park known as Śląskie Wesołe Miasteczko. Can't pronounce it? Only my Polish friend can, and he says it translates into Silesian Amusement Park. Anyways, they are the largest park in all of Poland, with five roller coasters. The first one, Blizzard, is one of those obscure traveling coasters. It was either made by Top Fun or Cavazza Diego, nobody really knows for sure. It has a curved lift hill, a small, steep first drop and two helices, a short but unconventional ride! Thee of the other rides don't need explanation in detail. Cyclon is a Cyclon, Funny Mouse is nothing other than a wacky worm, and Mini Roller Coaster is just an oval coaster.
But as we move through one of Eastern Europe's largest parks, we stumble upon Tic-Tac Tornado. This corporate sponsored ride is made by the unique Soquet. Any Brits in here? Remember American Adventure and its Twin Looper? Well, guess what, this is it! The star of the Polish parks, it is a masterpiece in its own respect. From its sweeping drop, to its circular loop, and its obscure helix. Hey, I just accidentally typed something wrong. Where was I again? Oh yes. So in basic wording, if you go to Poland, this ride is your best bet for a great coaster! However, judging by its reviews in Britain, it may be the worst coaster in Poland!
The closet park to the Silesian Amusement Park is Rabkoland in Rabka, near the Slovakian boarder. This park has a nice website, but I can't read it, I can't read Polish! Anyways, they have a spinning coaster called Thunderbolt but that's all I know about them. Mysterious place. I have distance relatives in law (please don't ask how I know this) who live just a few kilometers away, maybe I should get in contact with them, and go to Poland to discover this unknown roller coaster. Though I'll probably be disappointed with a Reverchon Crazy Mouse.
Near Lodz, the third largest city of Poland, there lies a park called Luna Park. A generic name for a park, they have a once generic coaster in the amusement industry, the Jet Star. This legendary Schwarzkopf model coaster is sadly but quickly going extinct. Its a shame because this model looks like an excellent coaster. If even in Lodz, ride one of these before this one disappears!
The final park is located in another Luna Park, but is known as Luna Park Sowiński, located in Władysławowo on the Polish Coast. After reading the really long and random Polish names, you must wonder what name its roller coaster must be! Its name: Tajfun. What a random name. Its your typical galaxy layout, but it isn't fully known if its an actual Galaxi. Its another Polish mystery coaster! Yay!
So there you have it, the parks of Poland! Parents want to go? Maybe you wanna explore the country yourself? Well, now you know your coaster options! Happy Polish Independence Day and enjoy!
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Mitch Hawker Wooden Coaster Poll 2009
Time to vote!
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Yep, it's finally that time of year to vote in the most reliable coaster poll, the Mitch Hawker Coaster Poll (right now for wooden coasters).
I strongly encourage EVERYONE to vote, no matter how many coaster's you've been on.
Go here to vote: http://www.ushsho.com/bestrollercoasterpoll.htm
Also go here for a very helpful voting guide:
http://www.themeparkreview.com/mitch.htm
Happy voting!
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Big update for theme parks...and water parks!
Loops, flumes, and company
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11/10/09 at 07:20 PM - By: ttd rox -
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© Cedar Fair/Cedar Point
TITLE:Track arriving at Cedar Point for the new Shoot the Rapids log flume. | <
/tr>
Early September of this year, Cedar Point (CP) announced Shoot the Rapids. The first hill reaching 85ft at a 45 degree angle. The second hill reaching only 45ft, but packs a surprising end to that drop into more water gushing through rocks and well-placed scenery. It is assured to be CP's best water ride since the park debuted in 1870.
More water is gushing your way with the newly announced "The Scorpion's Tail". It's the first looping water slide in America. Check back on another blog coming soon for more info!
Meanwhile as Chang was removed a couple months ago, the question now is where it will go. That is still unknown to the public, but wherever it goes, it won't be resurfaced until 2011 as stated by Mark Shapiro from Six Flags Inc. Rumors say they have spotted Chang's train and now pictures are up proving a staircase matching Chang's colors at Six Flags Great America. Check out my blog later this week for more info on this.
Thanks,
Ty
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The Future of Mega-Lite's
What's next?
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In 2008, some of Intamin's greatest creations were built. Kawasemi (http://www.rcdb.com/3799.htm) and Piraten (http://www.rcdb.com/4038.htm), the world's first two mega-lites opened. In the 2008 Steel Mitch Hawker Coaster Poll, these coasters ranked #4 and #5. In 2009, we saw two more, Fly Over Mediterranean (http://www.rcdb.com/4220.htm) and Mega-Lite (http://www.rcdb.com/4225.htm).
I think these coasters look amazing. They're smooth, filled with ejector air-time, and include several forceful turns. I just can't help but wonder what the future of this coaster type will be like.
- All four of these coasters have the same layouts. Will we begin to see different layouts, and if so, what do you think they will be like?
- Will we even see any more Mega-Lite's? So far, there are no plans for another one to be built in 2010. Will we just see this idea die, or will it take several more years for more to be built? (Ex: Maverick and Atlantis Adventure, two great creations that have not been repeated yet.)
- If we do see more Mega-Lite's, what park's will they go to? Will they eventually make their way into America or stay in Europe/Asia?
- Can anything be done about the low capacity these rides have? From what I know, Kawasemi only runs one train and Piraten, which runs two, only gets 810 riders per hour.
I have posted this on the forum here,
http://coaster-net.com/forums/index.php?/topic/10324-the-future-of-mega-lites/page__pid__216982__st__0&#entry216982
Feel free to discuss any questions/ideas you may have about Mega-Lite's.
Thanks for reading,
- David
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True Test for Timberliners
The Inclined Loop - 11/10/09
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Gravity Group's self-designed rolling stock will get its first true test next year when Holiday World opens up for the 2010 season. Earlier, Holiday World allowed Gravity Group to run some live tests with the new trains on the Raven without guests being able to ride. Rumors flew that it would soon feature the trains permanently. Well we guessed the right park but got the wrong coaster.
Now Holiday World has announced that next year will feature a new and improved Voyage. That's right the highly acclaimed, 163' tall, 67 mph, 6442' long wooden coaster built by the Gravity Group will be the first coaster anywhere to get the new trains. Since its installment back in 2006, there have been some complaints of roughness. The new articulated rolling stock promises to deliver a smoother, as well as a faster ride.
This new style of train, in addition to their single-bench, articulated design will also feature padded seats that have been ergonomically designed for greater comfort. The individual seats are designed to accommodate riders with wider hips and longer legs which is a great improvement for taller coaster enthusiasts such as myself.
While this installment will be just the base model Timberliner. The Gravity Group says that their rolling stock is capable of accommodating everything from on-board audio to launch capabilities. Hopefully this will be just the first Timberliner we see put in to production because I personally would love to see how far these new trains allow engineers to take the wooden coaster experience.
-CC
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Six Flags Magic Mountain 2010
New Family Coaster
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http://www.sixflags.com/magicMountain/rides/FamilyRides.aspx
http://www.sixflags.com/magicMountain/info/2010PlayPass.aspx
My guess is a Tony Hawk's Big Spin clone, just because there aren't many other family coaster options and these coasters are usually compact and cheap.
Stay tuned, I'll keep you updated.
Thanks for reading,
- David
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