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RollerCoasters
- Man entered restricted area and critically injured after being struck by Banshee at Kings Islandabc13.com Man critically injured after being struck by roller coaster
A 38-year-old man was critically injured at a Mason, Ohio amusement park Wednesday night after being hit by a roller coaster.
The guest ignored the direction of staff and various restricted area signs and entered the ride area to retrieve items he lost and was struck by either the train or a rider on the train. Entering this area likely required climbing over an 8ft tall fence.
- Hyperia is closed for the 3rd timewww.bbc.com New Thorpe Park coaster shut for third time in a month
Hyperia has been operational for just seven of the 27 days since it launched.
They have been trying but it just doesn't seem to stick. Hyperia broke down again today.
- Epic Universe Development District is now 2,000 acreswww.laughingplace.com Universal Nearly Triples Acreage For Epic Universe District Plans - LaughingPlace.com
Documents filed May 29 by Universal City Development Partners Ltd., a subsidiary of Universal Orlando Resort, show the original plan to include 700 acres in the planned development of the Epic Universe district has now expanded to over 2,000 acres. What’s Happening: The Orlando Business
Universal isn't commenting on what they are planning to do with the additional land and the zoning will adapt as Universal's plans change. Sunrail will be expanding into the area as well.
- Mayflies gone wildwkfr.com Mayflies Overwhelm Cedar Point Customers in Viral Videos
You will not believe the massive number of mayflies swarming Northern Ohio at night. These videos are shocking.
Anyone that's been to Cedar Point knows the hell that mayflies bring but this last weekend they seemed to step up their game
- The Oasis in the Ozarks begins construction on rides including at least one coasterwww.lakeexpo.com Roller Coaster Construction Begins At The Oasis, New Lake Of The Ozarks Amusement Park
LAKE OF THE OZARKS, Mo. — The skyline in Osage Beach is about to change: crews on Thursday began assembling the roller coaster rides at The Oasis at Lakeport, the
Looks like another new park really is coming to the US. The track looks like it could be Vekoma but the supports in the pictures are confusing (maybe they are for another ride).
- Woman calls 911 when her daughter's seat belt wouldn't unlatch at Beech Bendwww.wbko.com UPDATE: Richardsville Fire Department responded to reported trapped riders at Beech Bend Park Sunday night
A park employee told WBKO that there were no trapped riders.
Apparently a rider's seat belt wouldn't unlatch on a ride a Beech Bend and the rider's mother called 911. Fire department responded to find that -- no one was trapped because the issue was already resolved.
- Top Thrill 2 will remain closed for nowwww.wxyz.com Cedar Point: 'We do not yet have a reopening date' for Top Thrill 2
Cedar Point has some bad news for roller coaster fans hoping to take a ride on their newest thrill ride - Top Thrill 2.
Cedar Point has announced that they still have no new information or reopening date for Top Thrill 2
- Hyperia could remain shut for two weekswww.bbc.com UK's tallest rollercoaster could remain shut for two weeks
Thorpe Park says it is "unable to commit" to reopening the ride before 8 June.
Hyperia at Thorpe Park only operated for a single day before being closed and will remain that way for at least a couple of weeks.
- Vekoma files suit against B&M over pipeline
Few details are accessible without deeper searches but it looks like Vekoma is filing a lawsuit against B&M regarding the Pipeline coaster at Sea World Orlando.
- Pacific Park in Santa Monica has been sold to LeBron James' holdings companyktla.com Pacific Park on Santa Monica Pier sold
Santa Monica’s iconic Ferris wheel has a new owner. On Thursday, Santa Monica Amusements, the operator of Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier, announced it had been sold to an investment fi…
SC Holdings purchased the park today and is promising a $10 million investment. The former CEO of Tivoli Gardens also is joining the advisory board.
- Fuji-Q Highland to Close Do-Dodonpajapannews.yomiuri.co.jp Fuji-Q Highland to Close Do-Dodonpa, Fastest Roller Coaster in the Industry; Enjoyed by 9.3 Million People Since Opening in 2001
<p>Fuji-Q Highland, a theme park in Fujiyoshida City, Yamanashi Prefecture, announced on Wednesday that it will cease operations of its Do-Dodonpa roller coaster.<p/>
Very sad news. After multiple injuries previously Do-Dodonpa had been closed for investigations and modifications but Fuji-Q has now announced that it will be too difficult to remedy the ride and therefore will cease operations.
- Six Flags Shareholders approve mergerwww.qcnews.com Six Flags shareholders approve theme park merger
Cedar Fair’s shareholders do not have to vote for the merger.
The Six Flags shareholders have approved the merger of Cedar Fair and Six Flags. Cedar Fair unit holders do not need to vote. The merger is currently under review by the DOJ.
- Kentucky Kingdom has a new Christmas event comingwww.wlky.com Kentucky Kingdom will be open in winter this year for its first-ever 'Christmas experience'
The new event will feature more than a million lights, the park said.
Not withstanding the typical Herschend over-reaction to low key announcements, I guess this is cool?
- Drayton Manor Announces The Wave
Hold on tight for the thrill of a lifetime as we introduce The Wave🏄
Get ready because this spring, we’re making waves for sure!🌴
More info from Manchester Evening News below:
An iconic rollercoaster at Drayton Manor theme park has been given a major makeover with new look and name - and younger visitors will get to ride it for the first time. The iconic Shockwave ride will become "The Wave" when it opens for the first time this Spring.
Bosses say the new attraction maintains many of Shockwave’s original features, while adding a new double corkscrew and "unique zero gravity roll". When it reopens as The Wave it will also have a lower height limit, meaning children as young as 5 or 6 may be able to ride depending on height.
- Cedar Fair shareholders want to derail the merger with Six Flags -- but can they?www.cleveland.com Cedar Fair shareholders want to derail the merger with Six Flags -- but can they?
Among the opponents: New York City-based Neuberger Berman Investment Advisers, one of Cedar Fair's largest shareholders, which recently sent a sharply worded letter to the company's board and management, outlining numerous objections.
- Knott's Berry Farm Announces "MonteZOOMa: The Forbidden Fortress" for 2025www.coaster101.com Knott's Berry Farm Announces "MonteZOOMa: The Forbidden Fortress" for 2025 - Coaster101
The reports of the demise of Montezooma’s Revenge at Knott’s Berry Farm may have been greatly exaggerated. (okay, we’re absolutely a guilty party here, and we’ll own that.) Earlier today, Knott’s Berry Farm announced that reimagination has “re-zoomed” on MonteZOOMa:...
- Phoenix Rising Construction Update at Busch Gardens Tampa - Coaster101www.coaster101.com Phoenix Rising Construction Update at Busch Gardens Tampa - Coaster101
This Phoenix Rising construction update gives an overview of the construction site of Busch Gardens Tampa's new-for-2024 B&M family inverted coaster.
- New Seats and Restraints on Skyrush Coaster at Hersheyparkstories.hersheypa.com New Seats and Restraints on Skyrush Coaster at Hersheypark
Hersheypark amusement park is upgrading the Skyrush roller coaster flight experience to first class with all-new seats and restraints this spring. Passengers will now board Skyrush from a reimagined station platform featuring an all-new paint scheme, lighting effects and custom soundscape. The inves...
Hershey has announced they are putting new seats and restraints on SkyRush. I'm excited about the station improvements they talk about but I really don't know that the new restraints are going to make it a better experience..... SkyRush consistently scared the shit out of me and I loved it for that. I guess time will tell.
What do you think? Are you excited for more comfort or do you think the more secure feeling will take away from the ride experience?
- Is Carowinds teasing a RMC?www.carowinds.com Behind-the-Scenes: Hurler Receives New Track
For 2024, Carowinds' in-house maintenance team is rebuilding Hurler's back curve to enhance the ride experience.
This is a perplexing one. It looks like perhaps they are rebuilding with wood track but that's also potentially just sub structure. The fact that they are using RMC is odd.... This is either a really clever misdirect or a troll that is so blatant that it's meant to be it's own misdirect...... or, most likely, we are all about to read way too much into something that doesn't mean much lol
EDIT: This video kinda seals the deal that it was a troll https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qgYbY6IS8TE
- Liseberg to rebuild Oceana water park after devastating fireblooloop.com Liseberg to rebuild Oceana water park after devastating fire
Swedish amusement park Liseberg has announced it will rebuild the Oceana water park after a huge fire broke out at the new attraction.
After last week's tragic fire which resulted in the death of an employee and complete devastation to the newly built water park, Liseberg has announced that they are going to work to rebuild the park.
- Lakemont Park closing all rides for 2024 including Leap the Dipswww.wtaj.com Big changes coming to Lakemont Park; closing rides for 2024
ALTOONA, Pa. (WTAJ) — Lakemont Park is making some big changes to their 2024 season — including closing down their rides. Park officials announced that the amusement rides, including Sk…
Extremely disappointing news. Lakemont Park will not open any of their amusement rides in 2024 which includes Leap the Dips which is the world's oldest coaster.
- Introducing Universal Epic Universem.youtube.com Introducing Universal Epic Universe
Some of the creative team behind Universal Epic Universe introduce details about this amazing new theme park, opening 2025 at Universal Orlando Resort. The f...
It's finally (officially) announced. Probably nothing new mentioned that we don't already know but it does solidify How to Train Your Dragon, Ministry of Magic, Super Nintendo World, and Dark Universe as well as a few other details.
- 2023 Year in Review
Now that 2023 is coming to an end, what were everyone’s coaster highlights from the year? What was the best new coaster you rode this year? Did it dethrone your previous favorite? Were there any surprises? Is anyone still planning final trips before the year ends or ringing in the new year at a park?
This year, I was able to visit 10 new parks and ride 81 new coasters along with revisiting a few favorites from the past. Of these new credits, the best is Iron Gwazi (I know, not a very controversial opinion haha). In the same trip I got to ride Velocicoaster too and those became my new 1 and 2, respectively.
The best new park I visited was Hersheypark. I have been wanting to go to this park for years and had two unsuccessful attempts (including one earlier this year) due to weather or poor planning. Luckily this park’s top-tier coaster lineup lived up to the hype. A couple of coasters were closed including Sooperdooperlooper, but I was able to get two rides on Skyrush in a back right wing seat. I actually only thought Skyrush was okay after my first ride in the morning but I snagged another ride at night with a full train and it was a completely different experience with crazy intensity and airtime.
My biggest surprises were Screamin’ Eagle and Boss at Six Flags St. Louis. Those two coasters were much more intense than I expected. I swear I spent more time out of my seat than in it on Screamin’ Eagle. For Boss, it was a slow day so the train was only about half full. Despite that, it was still hauling. I can’t even imagine what a full train is like.
With the new coasters this year, my total credit count is now around 228. Next year, I’m hoping to visit some smaller parks such as Adventureland in Iowa and Indiana Beach along with a couple of Cedar Fair and Six Flags parks but no concrete plans yet.
- New Plans Reveal the Full Layout of Kings Dominion's Yet-To-Be-Announced Launched Wing Coasterkdfans.com New Plans Reveal the Full Layout of Kings Dominion's Yet-To-Be-Announced Launched Wing Coaster
Disclaimers The following reporting is based upon actively in-development plans. Subsequent revisions could change many of the details described below. The following should be viewed as a desc...
KDfans have leaked information related to KD's Volcano replacement..... a B&M launched wing coaster.
- Cedar Point must turn over police recordswww.wkyc.com Cedar Point ordered by Ohio Supreme Court to turn over police records to WKYC, TEGNA sister stations
The park's police must turn over documents about an injury that occurred near the Top Thrill Dragster in 2021, plus reports of sexual misconduct over five years.
A recent ruling is forcing Cedar Point to turn over all records relating to sexual assaults and the Top Thrill Dragster accident to local TV stations. This is the result of an ongoing investigation and the argument that Cedar Point Police were acting as a police department as a public institution. I expect a lot of interesting stories to follow in the next few weeks and months.
- [Top Thrill 2 - Cedar Point] has begun testing!
YouTube Video
Click to view this content.
It doesn’t feel like it was that long ago that construction on the spike started and now here we are! I’ll definitely miss the original, but I’m still hoping to make it out to Cedar Point this year to ride its reincarnation. Hopefully we have a more reliable ride this time.
- Plans Reveal Busch Gardens Williamsburg's Long-Anticipated, New-for-2025, Festhaus Park Roller Coasterbgwfans.com Plans Reveal Busch Gardens Williamsburg's Long-Anticipated, New-for-2025, Festhaus Park Roller Coaster
Disclaimers The following reporting is based upon actively in-development plans. Subsequent revisions could change many of the details described below. The following should be viewed as a desc...
BGWfans is at it again..... They show a lot of evidence of what BGW is currently working on and right now their best guess is a family B&M.
- All American Triple Loop is ready to go
YouTube Video
Click to view this content.
The short trains are kind of hilarious but the ride looks great. I'm so glad to see this ride was saved from being scrapped.
- Kennywood themeing their bumper cars to Potato Patch for 2024www.kennywood.com Latest News | Stay updated | Kennywood
Be in the know! Stay abreast with Kennywood's latest news, updates, and announcements. From new attractions to park improvements, hear it first here.
This is almost as interesting as Good Gravy ;)
- Hersheypark gets news trains for Comet... without buzz bars :(stories.hersheypa.com Hersheypark Reveals New Comet Coaster Trains
Today at the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) Expo 2023, Hersheypark and Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters Inc. (PTC) unveiled new trains for Comet, the oldest continuously operating coaster at the largest amusement park in Pennsylvania.Comet was the last coaster pur...
This is actually really disappointing for me and I think a lot of others. Comet is such a classic and the fact that it had Buzz Bars made it even more so.
- Top Thrill 2 train reveal
YouTube Video
Click to view this content.
20 inch wheels is all I'm really taking away from it..... well, that and how similar the restraints are to the new Intamin, S&S, Mack, and like everyone else lol
- Cedar Fair and Six Flags ARE mergingwww.cleveland.com Cedar Fair, Six Flags agree to merge; new company will be headquartered in North Carolina
The new company, which will be called Six Flags, will feature a combined 27 amusement parks, 15 water parks and nine resorts across 17 states, Canada and Mexico. A press statement called the transaction a “merger of equals.”
Richard Zimmerman becomes CEO and the majority of the company will be half and half. The new company will use FUN but will retain the Six Flags name.
- Cedar Fair and Six Flags potentially merging
(Sorry, the link may be paywall for some) The Wall Street Journal is not only reporting that the two park chains are potentially merging but are stating that the deal could go through as early as this week. Not sure how anyone else feels about this but I think this could really hurt the consumer..... sure, everyone wants to think about a unified season pass but the cost to the consumer would likely skyrocket and we'd see less competition which would likely mean even less major rides being built.
From the article: "An agreement could be finalized as soon as this week assuming there is no last-minute snag, according to people familiar with the matter. Cedar Fair is scheduled to report quarterly results on Thursday morning."
- It looks like Kings Dominion has given up on year round operationswww.kingsdominion.com Park Hours & Calendar | Kings Dominion & Soak City
Planning a visit to Kings Dominion? View our up-to-date calendar of operating hours on our website and begin planning your next visit to the park today!
- Gerstlauer shipment to Dollywoodwww.importgenius.com Gerstlauer Amusement Rides Gmbh | See Recent Shipments | ImportGenius
US Customs records available for Gerstlauer Amusement Rides Gmbh, a supplier based in Germany. See exports to Knott's Berry Farm.
A shipment from Gerstlauer is on it's way to Dollywood and the HS code indicates it is roller coaster related. For me, the references to axles and 8 containers makes me think this could be new cars for Mystery Mine. Anyone else have any thoughts?
- ETR explains and demonstrates Six Flags' new on-ride video/picture system
YouTube Video
Click to view this content.
The tech looks really cool as does the resulting video clips and images.
- Epic Universe gets..... a special tax district
I haven't read through all of this yet but after skimming it appears that Universal is getting a special tax district not long after Disney's was.... Well, I don't even know what to call that mess. It seems that this could be a "less-isolated" situation than Reedy Creek was but it's still enough to raise an eyebrow at.
EDIT: More information here that takes away most of the hype at the end: https://mynews13.com/fl/orlando/news/2023/10/11/orange-county-approves-special-district-tied-to-universal-s-epic-universe
The district will be limited in power and will not be able to adopt its own land development or building codes. It also doesn’t have its own police powers.
- PSA: If you get a UOAP skip the FlexPay option
I've had one of my worst experiences in the last week ever in dealing with Universal Orlando. When I bought my pass last year I opted to do the FlexPay program - it wasn't even a month before I realized that was a mistake but the gravity of the situation didn't become as evident as it did in the cancellation process..... Actually, I didn't want to cancel but.... Well.
So halfway through my 12 month term I upgraded to premier at the park... I paid the difference of the 2 passes in full and then just continued to pay the monthly payment for the power pass that I initially got.... I had thought that the excess paid would be credited -- it wasn't. That wasn't the really upsetting thing.... The notification that my 12 month term was up was realized when my credit card was charged $80. In calling customer service to cancel they initially told me that I was unable to cancel because I entered a new 12 month term and I'd be able to cancel in November 2024..... I told them that's not what was indicated when I signed up because, as I understood out, I was in month to month terms. My ultimate goal was to cancel the Flex Pay but renew (at the renewal rate) a Power Pass via a one time payment.... I was told I can only do that if I stop by guest services...... An absolutely unreasonable thing to ask of anyone but especially someone that lives numerous states away. Incredibly the company that always had one of the best customer service teams of any major theme park became just like Comcast (who would have thought, huh?) and clearly didn't care in the slightest about their guest..... I was told to just keep my pass active until I could visit again...... Absolutely not an option at the higher prices.
In the end I was forced to cancel my pass.... But
ComcastUniversal had one last trick up their sleeve. You can't cancel FlexPay over the phone.... It has to be done in writing and you are responsible for continuing to pay until they get around to canceling your pass which meant I ended up paying another $80 payment.All said and done I completely pissed away $160 and received absolutely nothing in return..... And if/when I want another pass I have to pay full price.
As much as I love Universal these little Comcast games keep creeping in..... I suppose it's been a miracle that Universal survived as long as they did without Comcast dictating stuff but it feels like that's starting to change with this and the mandatory mobile ordering (requiring you to install an app that hoards data from your phone).