211 replies to this topic

[Tori Finlay]

Holy whoa have I been out of the loop! B&M? Talk of a wingwalker?! Guess I know where i'm going in 2012

[BJ KoasterKooK]

^ Ha Tori, you go pretty much everywhere, so no doubt you'll get back there next year (yeah, i'm still jealous).


Also see your heading to a couple of three parks very soon...i would seriously luv to ride Boulder Dash this season, please give a TR on it's current greatness after you get back.


Back on topic, i keep seeing/reading things that continue to point ever stronger towards the states first Wingwalker. So now i think i'll be truly surprised if it turns out to be anything else. Honestly, i still think a terrain hugging custom Invert would be my choice and a bigger thrill, but i'm definitely not complaining. A Wingwalker fits Dollywood's unique and eclectic listings of rides...at least in my opinion.

[BJ KoasterKooK]

To follow-up on my statement of a Wingwalker being most likely...at this juncture, here are a few pics showing track, supports, and huge catwalks. I know most B&M models have large catwalks, but i think these are DM & WW size, from looking at all the models i've seen.

Of course, I could be grasping at straws here ya know


 Track2.jpg   353.52K   64 downloads


 Track4.jpg   284.22K   79 downloads


 Supports2.jpg   336.16K   55 downloads

* Credit for pics on pictures themselves.

[The BeastFan]

I think I may add dive machine back to what this thing could possibly be since Krake at Heide Park is a narrower version of the type and with the catwalks, it makes sense, though at the same time, they have Mystery Mine that goes beyond vertical. The catwalks could also be a center piece for inverted/flyer catwalks as well.

[TexasCyclone]

I think I may add dive machine back to what this thing could possibly be since Krake at Heide Park is a narrower version of the type and with the catwalks, it makes sense, though at the same time, they have Mystery Mine that goes beyond vertical. The catwalks could also be a center piece for inverted/flyer catwalks as well.

I just think it's too improbable for Dollywood to add another 90 degree drop coaster.

[Your's Truly]

I just think it's too improbable for Dollywood to add another 90 degree drop coaster.

You never know. La Ronde added another invert last year and Magic Mountain's getting its 2nd 4D coaster.

But by those catwalks, it has to be either a wingrider or dive coaster.
Personally, I'd like to see Dollywood put in a wingrider because it's a newer design by B&M (look at the reception Raptor got) and it fits the park better than a dive.

[biZarRo]

^But those examples are Six Flags, there are known for this.

I agree that this is not going to be a dive machine and will definately be a wingwalker. Mystery Mine is a 90 degree drop coaster, so another one would not be good if you can just experience basically the same thing across the park.

[Your's Truly]

^But those examples are Six Flags, there are known for this.

Never rule out the possibilities. Even though it's a 99.9% chance this is a wingrider (out of a dive coaster and wingrider), Dollywood could surprise us and say it's a dive. But like most (if not all) of the people here, I'm going to stick with a Wingrider!!!

[steel-Rock]

I really think that we can leave out the possibility of a dive coaster. The only three in the whole country would be within four states of each other and all in the south. Who would want that? Besides the one at Heide Park is the only one with a drop, track, and train that small. I know that MM and TT are below average in length, but I don't see Dollywood keeping that tradition going. I don't think that they want to be known as the biggest park with the smallest coasters.

[The BeastFan]

One thing I would like to chime in about is the sign at Dollywood which reads as such...

"The sky is not the limit"

This makes me think this thing will be quite tall. At the moment, Tornado holds the height title at Dollywood at 128 ft with a 163 ft drop. Granted that is built onto a hillside, but 128 ft isn't too much to beat. That has me questioning how tall B&M will go with the wing riders at this point. They don't have the luxury to heartline them so making them go too fast might be an issue. Take note that Raptor isn't exactly an intense ride. Its rather 'graceful' in the pacing department.

[Thunderhead]

CoasterFusion just put out this update. http://coasterfusion...1.20#post_12071

In the update, the article says:

Now you have seen all of the photos but we have more! After riding Mystery Mine for the last time the park was closed. We decided to walk around to Tennessee Tornado to see if we could find anything more. As we made our way around Adventure Mountain we ran into a maintenance crew member. So one of our party members went ahead and gave a shot asking him if they were building a flyer, he replied, "No..." So we asked if it is a Wingrider... I guess he didn't know what we meant, however, he stated, "It is the same type of coaster that was just built in Italy..."

The only B&M opened in Italy in 2011 was Raptor.

The rest of that article goes to say that the crew member said it will crest at 220' and there will be 3-4 inversions. Credibility? You judge.

[TexasCyclone]

Wow I'm surprised they were that lucky. That worker was definitely not afraid to give away details. Everything he said makes me more excited for this coaster. As to whether he's telling the truth, I'd believe him, sounds like he knows what he's talking about.

[MorganFan]

If only they had asked how long it was. They wouldn't want to pull a Volcano.

Edit: wow, I feel really stupid today.

Edited by MorganFan, 22 June 2011 - 06:22 PM.

[Thunderhead]

If only they had asked how long it was. They wouldn't want to pull a Volcano.

Before leaving him he also told us the coaster would be almost 4,000 feet long and include 3 or 4 inversions. When I asked him, "you know for certain that everything you have just said is the truth?" He said he helps the crews every few days and he has seen the blue prints for the new coaster.

[TexasCyclone]

Yeah here's everything that the worker "leaked":

- Wingrider ("It is the same type of coaster that was just built in Italy...")
- Station will be in clearing by SkyZip
- 220ft tall
- Drops into 180ft Loop ("This loop will be seen from all ends of the park including the parking lot")
- Almost 4,000ft long
- Include 3 or 4 inversions

Sounds like a pretty awesome coaster to me

[Vater]

Take note that Raptor isn't exactly an intense ride.

Not trying to sound like a jerk, but how do you know this?

[Reapers Ashes]

How do we know these are not lies? I do not believe a word of this until there is hard evidence.

[Coasterholic14]

I'm not going to believe anything like that until it is confirmed, especially about the ride being so visible (like BGW, Dollywood is one of those parks that likes to keep everything hidden and not visible from any real distance). Not only that, but if all that were true, I imagine that employee no longer has a job, as most employees who actually know something must sign a confidentiality agreement...so my guess is it's purely speculation on the employees part. Now it could all be entirely true what he said, but i'd take it with a grain of salt and don't let it build up your expectations too much, let the official announcement do that.

[The BeastFan]

Take note that Raptor isn't exactly an intense ride.

Not trying to sound like a jerk, but how do you know this?

I'm going off of the POV shots. Its rather tame at pacing from the looks of it (I allow myself to judge off of that).

[Daniel Westfall]

Right, this site isn't built on speculations and rumors....it's focused on NEWS! Let Screamscape handle the rumors, we'll stick to and report the facts!

That doesn't mean you guys aren't free to discuss your ideas, hopes, dreams, and aspirations for what a specific project will be, or even what you believe the hints point to it being. but you shouldn't be claiming that you know with absolute certainty until the announcement is made. Even if you had inside information and DID know, it would be unwise to share that information on a forum such as this, as your source would probably get fired, and we could possibly loose standing with the park (affecting our ability to get press releases, interviews, or discounts).

In other words, rumors are best kept totally ambiguous and hidden in the cloak of "personal opinion" with NO reference as to a "leak" or source.

Oh, and that goes DOUBLE for anyone with "STAFF" under their name.

[BJ KoasterKooK]

Time to jump back in the water, first...

Take note that Raptor isn't exactly an intense ride.

Not trying to sound like a jerk, but how do you know this?

Mike's statement is basically the general opinion on a multitude of sites of enthusiasts that have ridden the coaster since it opened. The consenus is that the ride is very enjoyable, with incredible themeing, but flows with a less than intense pace through it's layout...kinda like how Cheetah Hunt is being bantered about by most now. Overall a sweet and unique experience, it just doesn't blow people away with any intense thrill.

That being said I have no doubt Raptor and CH would both rate very highly to me...they have attributes that i look for in a coaster, nuff said.

OK, so what to believe as fact or not with this "revelation".

If all this is true, for the sake of discussion, and this is a Wing Coaster (rcdb's term for the model), then this one will have approximately twice the dimensions as Raptor, the only other coaster of this type out there. Let's look a little closer to what was said. That 220' height is not from the top of the hill as it's starting point, it's from the "bottom of the large cliff" as it heads down the hill...that's an important fact to remember.

That means, again, if it's true, that a 110' lift height would/could be totally factual. Also, the 1st drop flows into a 180' loop...thats humongous, and Raptor doesn't even have a loop, it's 3 inversions are a Corkscrew, 0-G Roll, and an Inline Twist.

How about speed ? Raptor hits ~56mph with a 108' drop...will this coaster hit the same speed as a B&M Hyper of the same height/drop? That would be in the 70-75mph range for the most part. That's a big step up from 56mph, isn't it .

The almost 4000' length sounds about right looking at the area from overhead, Raptor is around 2500+' so that's another big difference.

Sooo, it's a rumor, something from a source that can't be confirmed, but, it could all turn out to be true...or only parts of it, we just don't know for sure.

Personally, i think it's probably more accurate than not, at least I hope so . What a coaster this has the potential to be, regardless of all the dialogue.

[Daniel Westfall]

Agreed, 'Kook...there is great potential for everything there to be true, but, I'm not about to get my hopes up to find out that the official announcement doesn't meet my expectations. Either way, this should be another great coaster for our From Dreams to Screams documentary series. Fingers crossed that the park will let us take some construction footage, invite us on the hard hat tour(s) and all us to have a full video team there on Media Day.

[Thunderhead]

I wasn't saying that it was true. I was just relaying a message. I want to believe it, but I agree with Kook 110%. The length seems right, but the 220' height seems farfetched, but with Kook's reasoning, it makes more sense.

As for me, I'm planning to take this with a grain of salt. These facts that the worker layed down are incredible, and would make for a great coaster, but I don't want to get all hyped up and then be disappointed with something less than what we have here. (I just read back and realized Brandon said the same thing )

[Vater]

This general rule is a good one to keep in mind when the rumors start flowing:

Those who know don't talk.
Those who talk don't know.

[BJ KoasterKooK]

^ A wise saying that i've always enjoyed hearing and using...and it seems that at least 3 members think it's a grand statement that covers all the discourse here, and that's "more than fine", to quote my Switchfoot friends song title.

But...it is also human nature to share what you know, or think you know...so i can't be too critical about what's been shared about this conversation from someone onsite there.

I was on the site last month, i saw the overall terrain they were developing, i've seen the pics of the track, the supports, the catwalks. I've seen the "cliff" they're refering to as it drops down the hill...and thus far, nothing stated has been totally unreasonable.

It..is..a..rumor, and it should be taken as such until it's confirmed, just like every other park's new rides that we've had dialogue on in all the time i've been here...i mean, many people thought BGW was getting a Giga coaster to replace BBW, cause it was reported that was overheard or spoken at a meeting, and i'm sure some folks actually took that as fact, when it obviously wasn't.

But nothing i've heard with this seems unreasonable. A Wing Coaster from B&M seems more than likely, we know it's a terrain coaster for sure. We know it's got a huge elevation drop as it goes down the hill. We know that it's themeing will reflect something to do with the sky, and it not being the limit. We know it'll have blue track and lighter supports.

We don't know if it'll have a 220' drop, or a 180' Loop, or be 4000' long...but all three of those could be more than possible, and the length seems the most likely to me of the three.

Sometimes here, it's a shame to me that "quips and quotes" get more respect than thoughtful, reasonable, indepth debate...but hey, that's the way it works here i guess.

Keep an open mind folks .