Category: Polls

Poll Results: Most Anticipated Wing-Rider

Posted on January 4, 2012 in Polls by

The last poll asked which under-construction B&M Wing-Rider you are most excited for in 2012.  The three competitors of this global showdown included The Swarm at  Thorpe Park, X-Flight at Six Flags Great America, and Wild Eagle at Dollywood. Each had their own merits, which was shown in the relatively close poll.  However, the winner with 45% of the votes is Wild Eagle at Dollywood.

Which 2012 B&M Wing Coaster do you think will be the best?

  • The Swarm at Thorpe Park (23%, 22 Votes)
  • X-Flight at Six Flags Great America (32%, 30 Votes)
  • Wild Eagle at Dollywood (45%, 43 Votes)

Total Voters: 95

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[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8cbL5hFsWDw’]

Its understandable why Wild Eagle has so much appeal; it is the largest of the three wing-riders and features a breathtaking view from the top of the lift hill.  However, it can be argued that the other two will be more successful in different aspects; X-Flight is expected to have the most intense layout, and The Swarm’s elaborate theming is more impressive than anything we have seen before from Thorpe Park.

It is exciting to see more of these new models show up at parks around the globe.  The cantilever style seating makes each side of the coaster (left of the track, and right) a slightly different experience with a change in forces depending on the side one rides.  Plus, as these are distinct experiences that are incomparable to any other B&M model, it could compliment every park’s coaster collection (no matter how many B&M’s they have) nicely.

For 2012, I’ve determined that since we strive to update the sidebar poll every two weeks , to make the polls about the latest trending topic in the amusement attraction industry.  With that, I’m proud to introduce the first Park Thoughts Poll of 2012 building on from yesterday’s post:

Do you agree with Universal's decision to replace JAWS with the rumored Harry Potter expansion?

  • Yes; I'm interested in seeing more Harry Potter in the parks (31%, 18 Votes)
  • Yes; It was time for JAWS to go (26%, 15 Votes)
  • No; I disagree with bring Harry Potter to the Studios park (19%, 11 Votes)
  • No; JAWS was a great attraction that shouldn't have closed (59%, 34 Votes)

Total Voters: 54

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With Universal closing JAWS just two days ago, the ride’s demise is still a fresh wound for many enthusiasts.  However, for others, the thought of a Harry Potter themed replacement is an welcomed replacement.  But, for any of the 11 million Universal Orlando visitors, it will surely have an impact on their future visits.

The soon to be demolished entrance to JAWS at Universal Studios Florida. Source: Inside the Magic

I’m obviously aware that Universal has not officially announced the Harry Potter expansion, however there is plenty, and plenty, and plenty of evidence supporting an imminent announcement of a Universal Studios Hollywood Harry  Potter addition.  So take this poll with the assumption that Harry Potter is in fact being added to the Studios park (highly probable).

Also, since there is multiple reasonings for one’s opinion towards the rather straight-forward question, I’ve added multiple “Yes” and “No” responses.  Note: All are allowed to vote for up to two options in the poll. So if you feel either “Yes” or “No” and agree with both reasonings, you can fully express this.

Poll closes January 18th.  Until then, the poll will be live on the sidebar, and embedded in this post.  Want to express your opinion with more than just a vote.  Leave a comment with your Park Thoughts below.

Header image from Dollywood’s “Wild Eagle Virtual Ride” JAWS entrance image from Inside the Magic’s Flickr stream

Poll Results: Skyrush vs Leviathan

Posted on October 12, 2011 in Polls by

Since “Announcement August”, the two super coasters of 2012 have quickly been established: Canada’s Wonderland’s Leviathan and Hersheypark’s SkyRush.  Obvious comparisons make these two coasters ideal “rivals”: Bolliger & Mabillard vs Intamin, Giga-Coaster vs Mega-Coaster, giant overbanks vs airtime hills, Canada vs USA (well, perhaps not that extreme).  It is certainly possible that these two coasters could each rank in the Top 20 on the planet.

Which do you predict will be the better 2012 coaster?

  • Leviathan at Canada's Wonderland (81%, 38 Votes)
  • SkyRush at Hersheypark (43%, 20 Votes)

Total Voters: 47

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So which is more anticipated?  According the most you, the readers, the undisputed winner is Leviathan. SkyRush’s innovative winged-seating, and top-ranked coaster manufacturer was unable to save it from the sheer power of the Canadian beast.  Leviathan’s 306 foot drop, 90 mph top speed, and nearly mile of track are all impressive and provide for tough competition.

Construction on Leviathan is well underway.  The ride’s lengthy brake run, as well as station and transfer track have all been erected.  Construction is slowly progressing on the coaster’s 306 foot lift hill; Bolliger & Mabillard has even introduced a new type of lift track unique to Leviathan.  Additionally, Canada’s Wonderland announced that two cranes will be used to install the “crowning” segment of the lift-hill.  Certainly, this is a coaster to look out for!

Continuing 2012 anticipation, the next poll puts 3 same-style coasters head to head to head.  In 2011, Bolliger & Mabillard debuted their first Wing-Coaster.  Featuring cantilever seating, guests ride with nothing above or below them.   This year, the first Wing-Coaster, Raptor, opened at Gardaland in Italy.  Fortunately for many coaster fans, three Wing-Coasters are being built by B&M for 2012 much closer to home.  Time for the tale of the tape for the 3 contenders:

The Swarm at Thorpe Park:

  • 127 ft, head-first inverting first drop
  • 4 Inverisons: Dive Loop, Zero-G Roll, Corkscrew, Heartline Roll
  • Elaborate apocalyptic setting including giant crashed airliner.

X-Flight at Six Flags Great Adventure:

  • 120 ft, head-first inverting first drop, 55 mph
  •  5 Inversions: Dive Loop, Zero-G Roll, Immelmann, Corkscrew, Heartline Roll
  • Key-Hole element where train squeezes through a narrow opening in a structure

Wild Eagle at Dollywood:

  • Tallest with 210 ft lift hill, and 130 ft first drop.
  • 4 Inversions: Loop, Zero-G Roll, Immelmann, Corkscrew
  • Spectacular views of surrounding Smokey Mountains

Which 2012 B&M Wing Coaster do you think will be the best?

  • The Swarm at Thorpe Park (23%, 22 Votes)
  • X-Flight at Six Flags Great America (32%, 30 Votes)
  • Wild Eagle at Dollywood (45%, 43 Votes)

Total Voters: 95

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So which B&M Wing-Coaster do you think will be the best?  Vote in the poll above or on the sidebar.  Voting will be open for the next two weeks.

 

 

Poll Results: Best Busch Gardens B&M

Posted on September 7, 2011 in Polls by

In the latest poll, we asked for you, the readers, to decide what is the best Bolliger & Mabillard coaster at a Busch Gardens park.  Busch Gardens, has developed a love for the Swiss manufacturer over the years, importing a total of six coasters between it’s 2 parks: Tampa and Williamsburg.  The models ranged from the hyper style of Apollo’s Chariot, to the sitdown looper of Kumba, the two inverted coasters known as Alpengeist and Montu, and most recently the two dive machines, SheiKra and Griffon.

Proving to be one of our closest polls, it appears that fans were certainly divided over this collection of undoubtedly great coasters.  However, the readers have spoken, and with 27% of the votes, Apollo’s Chariot earns the title as the best.  The airtime filled coaster utilizes the park’s terrain for large drops with a relatively short lift hill.  Despite the inversions filling the other coasters, it appears airtime wins once again with Apollo’s 8 camelbacks.

Finishing out the poll  were Montu with 18%, Griffon with 17%, Kumba with 15%, Alpengeist with 11%, and lastly SheiKra with 12%.  This proved to be a much closer poll than many of our others showing just how solid of a collection each park has.  It’s also interesting to note that, in to this poll, Williamsburg claimed 1st, 3rd, and 5th place coasters, while Tampa claimed 2nd, 4th, and 6th place.

Best Busch Gardens B&M coaster?

  • Apollo's Chariot at Busch Gardens Williamsburg (35%, 25 Votes)
  • Alpengeist at Busch Gardens Williamsburg (13%, 9 Votes)
  • Griffon at Busch Gardens Williamsburg (21%, 15 Votes)
  • Kumba at Busch Gardens Tampa (17%, 12 Votes)
  • Montu at Busch Gardens Tampa (23%, 16 Votes)
  • SheiKra at Busch Gardens Tampa (13%, 9 Votes)

Total Voters: 71

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 2012 is clearly going to be a huge year for the amusement industry.  The biggest, most anticipated additions are the coasters that will soon dominate their park’s skylines, ones that represent a first of it’s kind, and certainly, additions that are expected to provide the best experience.  Two of the top contenders for 2012 are airtime filled, inversion-less models are SkyRush at Hersheypark and Leviathan at Canada’s Wonderland.

Leviathan is B&M’s highly anticipated burst onto the Giga coaster front.  Towering at 306 feet, Leviathan will reach speeds of 90 mph.  In addition, the designers have taken a more distinct approach to the layout by eliminating the constant airtime hills with high-speed low to the ground turns, while still maintaing a few large camelbacks.

Hersheypark’s SkyRush will also be a first for it’s manufacturer.  The hyper coaster model will feature winged outer seats where riders on the outer most rows will have no floor below them as they race at speeds of 75 mph, over 5 airtime hills. Despite it’s size (compared to the competitor), Sky Rush is created by Intamin, who is proven to generate top of the line coasters.  Could this be yet another?

Which do you predict will be the better 2012 coaster?

  • Leviathan at Canada's Wonderland (81%, 38 Votes)
  • SkyRush at Hersheypark (43%, 20 Votes)

Total Voters: 47

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So which of these super coasters do you think will be superior?  Vote now and on the side bar!  Leave a comment with your Park Thoughts below.

Poll Results: Best pre-2011 Gravity Group coaster

Posted on August 24, 2011 in Polls by

For the past two weeks we asked you what was your favorite Gravity Group coaster? However since not all of the company’s 2011 additions are quite open yet, I decided to exclude the 2011 additions and save those for later. As a result the options included: Hades, The Voyage, Boardwalk Bullet, the Ravine Flyer II, and Fireball.

Emerging the clear victor...

Poll Results: Favorite Amusement Park Treat

Posted on August 10, 2011 in Polls by

The latest poll asked what was your favorite amusement park treat.  Options included a variety of classic amusement park sugar snacks including cotton candy, funnel cake, the corn dog, and ice cream. Emerging the victor with the most votes is the delicious but delicate funnel cake.  An amusement park staple, the funnel cake is a fried nest of batter that with powder...

Poll Results: ZacSpin vs Euro-Fighter

Posted on July 20, 2011 in Polls by

In our most recent poll, we’ve been comparing two compact thrills: the Gerstlauer Euro-Fighter type, and Intamin’s new ZacSpin model.  Several smaller parks are looking for relatively affordable, yet high-quality thrill coasters that can boost park attendance.  Both Canobie Lake and Six Flags Over Georgia sought how the compact, Gerstlauer Euro-Fighter model.  With it’s signature beyond vertical drops, the Euro-Fighter is a...

Poll Results: Which ‘Goliath’ reigns supreme?

Posted on June 29, 2011 in Polls by

For entirely too long, we’ve asked our readers what was their favorite roller coaster named ‘Goliath’. At Six Flags Magic Mountain, the original Goliath is one of the tallest and fastest coasters on the planet reaching speeds of 85 mph, and a height of 235 feet. Trains dive under ground and over huge elements in the first half, before a twisted...