Kentucky Kingdom, Sunday, August 9

I’m looking forward to seeing how the rebirth of Kentucky Kingdom is going, as I used to live in Louisville as a child and was a season pass holder. I interviewed Ed Hart several years ago during his first go at getting back the park and he has so much passion to make it a solid destination once again for the Louisville metro.

Holiday World, Monday, August 10

Where do I begin with Holiday World? 3 world class wooden coasters, the brand-new Thunderbird (which we named #4 on top coasters we’re excited for), and one of the best waterparks in the world. The park has won the “Cleanest Park” Golden Ticket award every year since the Golden Tickets started and “Friendliest Park” for 13 of the 16 years it’s been awarded. But I’m most excited about the unlimited soft drinks.

Kings Island, Thursday, August 13

With 14 roller coasters, Kings Island is one of the most coaster-filled parks in the world. While there are only a few standout coasters (Banshee, The Beast, and Diamondback), it’s a great place to easily increase your coaster count. I always wanted to visit Kings Island when I lived in Louisville, but never got to go. Excited to finally cross this park off my list.

Cedar Point, Friday, August 14

The mecca of all coaster fans, this will be my 3rd time to Cedar Point. My last visit was in 2009, so I have yet to ride Gatekeeper, Rougarou, Shoot the Rapids, and Windseeker. Cedar Point is my favorite amusement park and offers a great variety of things to do. It’s one of the few parks where it’s a challenge to get it done in one day. I wish I could spend more time, but my schedule doesn’t permit an extra day.

During my trip I will be doing my best to Tweet throughout the day and occasionally Periscoping. I’m still on the fence about bringing my Cannon T1i, so we’ll see. It’s been several years since I’ve ridden a major roller coaster, so I’m excited to feel the rush again.

Image via ACE

When construction images of Silver Dollar City’s “its-not-really-there” Rocky Mountain wooden coaster emerged, it was undoubtedly one of the most spectacular projects we’ve seen in a long time.  Never before has wood been twisted in such extreme ways, from the immensely steep drop to the immediately following twist.  As more bents went up, the track appeared to be going into a zero-g roll.  It would be the only inversion on any wooden coaster in the world, since Son of Beasts had its removed in 2006.

But when the above image surfaced on ACE’s Facebook page, users were even more surprised to see that it was in fact not a zero-g roll.  Right when the ride is about to invert, the track swings back in the direction in came from flattening out.  Without a doubt it is a first of its kind element.  Things got even more “twisted” when Theme Park Review posted this image earlier this morning:

Image via Theme Park Review

Now the element appears to function the same as an overbank, but at the crest of the turn, reverses its banking before return back to its original entry direction.  Rocky Mountain Construction Co. clearly wants to push the boundaries of coaster design, especially with this element.  But it does leave one questioning:

Is it an inversion?

The element clearly does not reach 180 degrees, but many of today’s inversions don’t either.  Nearly all modern imelmanns, dive loops, and cobra rolls do not achieve exactly 180 degrees on all axises.  But is the ride banked significantly enough that is more than just an extreme, quasi-overbanked turn.  With that, is there even a way to quantify an inversion?  Lets do a few quick measurements on the above two photos:

Images via Theme Park Review and ACE

After measuring each image, multiple times, it was clear from those two images, the angle of the highest bent is 33 degrees.  Meaning, that according to these measurements, the track is inverted at 147 degrees.  Now, obviously we can’t achieve that degree of accuracy with the images provide, so we’ll round and assume a range of 140-150 degrees.

Before anyone cries fowl over these measurements I’ll share with you exactly how these were taken: I created a horizontal guide in photoshop and then aligned it to the wooden cross beam directly below the metal bent.  As a whole, the image was tilted about a degree or so.  Then, I used another, parallel guide and moved it up so it was clearly intersecting the bent.  With the ruler tool, I drew two lines, one exactly on the guide the other following the edge of the metal bent.  After doing this 2-3 times on each image, I always got an angle between 33.0-33.9 degrees.  The lines drawn above are simply mock ups, not the actual method of measurement.

So does that qualify as an inversion?  Well my first thought would be “Not really…” as its a full 30+ degrees off from being truly inverted.  The vast majority of inversions are more banked than this element.  However, there are certain examples that make me question the conclusion, most notably, the inclined loop.

Image via Flickr user CoasterMadMatt

This element is the inbetween of a vertical loop and horizontal helix.  As far as the question of inverting goes, I would say its difficult to argue for the older models that the element isn’t an inversion.  But nowadays, B&M seems to use the term very loosely, as The Swarm advertises having 5 inversions, with one of them being an inclined loop.  But as CoasterMadMatt’s photo clearly shows, the trains barely crack 90 degrees, let alone 150.  Additionally, Hydra’s “inclined dive loop,” which is also considered an inversion by the park and RCDB does not come anywhere close to inverting.

Image via RCDB

So where does that leave us?  While RCDB is a great resource, I question its classification of inversions.  Even Bolliger & Mabillard a manufacturer seems to very loosely define them. From the message boards, it is clear there is a large following that believes its an inversion. So, will I consider this an inversion? No.

The reason is rather simple.  If Rocky Mountain Construction wanted an inversion, they would have clearly made an inversion.  Between the rapidly change banking and the general directional changes of this element, its far more complex than had they just built a traditional zero-g roll with a straight entrance and exit.  The marketability of the “World’s Only Wooden Coaster” is huge and having this “questionable” element would not cut it.  Silver Dollar City would have ordered a clear inversion if they wanted to market it that way.

But does it really matter?  Inversions don’t make or break rides.  Many of the world’s top coasters are inversion-less, and its not as if classifying this element as an inversion or not an inversion will change the overall experience.  Its a matter of words on paper (or webpage), and nothing more than that. Discussing whether or not this is an inversion is turning into the new, “Is El Toro a wooden coaster?” topic.

Who knows what the park will call it? I’ve been dead wrong about coaster construction in the past, and Rocky Mountain has continued to blow peoples minds time and time again with construction of this wooden behemoth.  Perhaps the ride will have 3 corkscrews, a vertical loop, and drop section.  Who knows.  Either way, the rumored name Outlaw seems very fitting as this ride is certainly breaking all the laws of current wooden coaster design.

So what do you think? Is it an inversion? Does it even matter? Leave a comment with your Park Thoughts below.

Despite seemingly countless delays, it appears Cedar Fair has decided to move forward with adding more “Windseeker“‘s to their parks in 2012.  Carowinds, being the first to announce. With the Wright Brothers creating the first successful airplane in the Carolinas, it is natural that the park will continue the theme of flight with Windseeker.

Reaching a maximum height 301 feet, Windseeker will become the talest ride in Carowinds.  Other facts about the ride include: 32 arms with 2 passenger swings for an hourly capcacity of approximately 960 guests an hour, the arms will reach an angle of 45 degrees at a top speed of 30 mph, an onboard audio system playing more than 18 different tracks, and the Windseeker’s now trademark LED light show on the ride’s structure all for a cost of $6.5 million.

Unfortunately Carowinds has appeared to have gone with the ugly and typical grey-blue-red color scheme used at the northern parks.  However, when Knott’s announced their Windseeker it also showed the same color scheme which was later changed to a far more attractive Orange, blue, purple and red color scheme.  Hopefully Carowinds also finds a more attractive color appropriate for the park.

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Speaking of Knott’s Berry Farm’s Windseeker, the first (and so-far only) Windseeker on the west coast is finally open.  After changing locations, and the prototype nature of the ride, Windseeker was greatly set-back from it’s original early summer planned opening.  While the 3 other other Windseekers opened in late May or early June, Knott’s officially debuted their Windseeker early last week.

Windseeker is certainly not revolutionary for neither Carowinds or Knotts however, it’s a solid family ride addition that brings another ride to the park’s line up.  Nothing to complain about there.  If anything, Windseeker will create a more exciting skyline for each of the parks.

So far Windseekers are or are planned to be installed at Cedar Point, Kings Island, Canada’s Wonderland, Knott’s Berry Farm, and Carowinds.  Is this the end for Windseekers? I highly doubt it. Rumored parks to soon add Windseekers include both King’s Dominion and Worlds of Fun.

Have you ridden a Windseeker? Is it at your local park? Will it be at your local park? Leave a comment with your Thoughts below.

Today, I’m happy to announce that a Disney Park staple has been returned to it’s former glory and is now open to guests: Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room has now reopened at the Magic Kingdom.  After a fire in January of this year, Disney has been refurbishing the attraction to restore it to it’s original show.

Many amusement park enthusiasts may not be familiar with the Enchanted Tiki Room and assume its just some other theme park show. However, the Enchanted Tiki Room historical significance expands to all theme parks, as it revolutionized technology of dark rides, shows, and most every other themed attraction. So “Come to the Tiki Room! Hurry to the Tiki Room!” as its time for a short history lesson on Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room.

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When it opened at Disneyland in 1963 (Behind the scenes video from YouTube user freedogshampoo), it was the world’s first introduction to Audio-Animatronics. What is an Audio-Animatronic?  The invention (and coined phrase) were developed by WED Enterprises (today known as Walt Disney Imagineering) and in a nutshell, Audio-Animatronics are robotic figures synced to music.  This allows the robots to achieve the effects of singing, dancing, and producing life-like sound effects.  Audio-Animatronics would later go on to be used in nearly all major Disney attractions including The Haunted Mansion, Pirates of the Caribbean, it’s a small world, and many, many more.

The show itself stars four charismatic birds, each with their own distinct colored feathers and accent.  Jose, Pierre, Michael and Fitz host a magical musical journey including sweet-singing birds, serenading flowers, chanting tiki totems, and drumming tiki gods.  The show concludes with a thunderous storm spontaneously appearing outside the hut’s walls due to all the celebrating. Music for the show was composed by the Sherman Brothers whose other projects with Walt Disney include Mary Poppins, it’s a small world,  and The Jungle Book.

 When Walt Disney World opened in 1971, a version of Disneyland’s Enchanted Tiki Room opened under the name “Tropical Serenade“. While the show remained almost un-touched from the original, the new Floridian version included a new wrap-around queue that surrounded a preshow.  Instead of an assortment of Tiki Gods around a courtyard, the new preshow focused on two birds who hinted at the Floridian location with mentions of Florida’s famous orange groves.

The show became a success in the newly opened Magic Kingdom, complementing the lushly themed Adventureland.  Tropical Serenade would continue to make a strong run until the park “re-imagined” the Tiki Room with The Enchanted Tiki Room: Under New Management opening in 1998 starring the shoe-horned in Iago from Disney’s Aladdin and Zazu from Disney’s The Lion King. Gilbert Gottfried’s blarring commentary did not mesh well with the sweet-singing birds of the Tiki Room creating a mostly-loathed show that diminished the charm and entertainment from the original

On January 12, the ill-guided “New Management” caught fire, and no guests were harmed, it did cause signifiicant damage to the attraction. The Enchanted Tiki Room would shut it’s doors for repairs for an unknown period of time.  4 months later, Disney announced it would be re-opening the attraction once again to become the Enchanted Tiki Room, inspired by both the Califorinia version and the original Tropical Serenade show.

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Today marks the official re-opening of the Tiki Room at Walt Disney World.  The video above, captured yesterday during a preview by Inside the Magic, shows this latest incarnation of the attraction is a beautifully updated version of the original Tropical Serenade.  Removed is some of the unnecessary commentary from the California version, the enchanted fountain is replaced by a floral center piece, the windows now reveal the hut’s spectacular beach setting, as well as a number of fantastic lighting effects update the attraction while staying true to the original.

Enchanted Tiki Room is a refreshing break from the super-massive, movie based dark rides of today and goes back to the company’s roots in putting on an entertaining, original show that the whole family can enjoy.   If you’re in the parks be sure to stop by, and check out this refreshed, but still classic, attraction.

The 2011 summer season is hitting it’s final stretch over these next few weeks, and while most parks are contiuing to coast on their 2012 additions, some parks are just finally opening their new rides. Two parks in particular, Knott’s Berry Farm and Busch Gardens Williamsburg, have had their fair share of problems.

Knott’s announced their Windseeker the same day as the other 3 Cedar Fair parks but immediately some set-backs arose.  First, the original planned location to replace the park’s Sky Cabin was abandoned and a new location by Silver Bullet was declared.  the park then had to drain the below lake and modify one of Silver Bullet’s supports to accomodate the ride.  In fairness of the park, they did make some very good decision in having it not replace Sky Cabin, giving it an awesome color scheme to match the rest of the park’s skyline, and some nice thematic touches to blend into the surrounding Fiesta Village area. The park also released great nighttime test footage to maintain anticipation. After yet another week of delay, the park has set Windseeker’s opening for next weekend.  Keep your eye out Windseekers!

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Busch Gardens Williamsburg has had their hands full with their own tower ride, Mäch Tower. Created by Moser’s Rides, the 200+ foot drop tower is sure to provide spectacular views and a thrilling drop…when it finally opens.  The ride’s manufacturer made several stops by the park causing months and months of tiresome delay.  Rumors even seemed to indicate that the ride had major foundation damage.  Moser has finally signed over the ride to the park, allowing the park to begin employee training and their own set of testing.  BGWFans captured a full test of the ride (skip to 3:55) for the drop, and while it doesn’t appear to be any Intamin drop tower, it will have some nice views of the best landscaped park on the planet.  No opening has been announced but we do appear to be approaching that unknown date.  Shortly after, the park is also expected to announce their 2012 multi-launch coaster plans.

Despite their very very late arrivals, both seem like good additions to the park.  And for future seasons, it will be yet another attraction that guests can enjoy all season long (hopefully).  Plus, with each park having elaborate Halloween events, it will be marketable (and open) during the popular Fall season. So sure it’s late, but better late than never. Keep that in mind.

August is announcement month and while many parks have already had their plans leaked or revealed, 2012’s best kept secret (that we know of) is Canada’s Wonderland 2012 coaster.  With no rumors or hints of any sorts, earlier this Summer the park began construction on footers near the the employee parking lot and the area around Dragon Fire.  Footers continued to spread like wild fire and the employee parking lot is now closed off.

The most exciting news is that supports have now been spotted on site. CWMania has a gallery showing off a closed off section of the parking lot filled with teal-colored I-beams. In addition, various labels list the customer as “X-WORKS”.  Most bars are also labeled with “Top Coat” and/or “Primer” which seems to be indicative of some sort of future paint job however almost never is a coaster painted on site.

Supports for Canada's Wonderland 2012 mystery coaster are now on site. The teal I-beams show no distint features that point to any specific manufacturer. Image from CWMania

According to one source, “X-WORKS” is also on the labels for Thorpe Park’s 2012 The Swarm coaster track, however I doubt that Bolliger & Mabillard is building 3 Wing-Riders in one year (if Dollywood proves true of course).  However, on one of the footers, section is labeled “Giga Coaster Cap”.  Although it seems strange to have a title like this out in the open it seems indicative of my expectations: a new version of Intimidator 305.

After the huge success in a non-franchise Cedar Fair park, I do believe that a number of parks have been eying on how they could build similar versions of Intimidator 305, the world’s #1 coaster.  The relatively short I-beams could be either low to the ground, low-stress brake run or station supports, or also could be apart of a large lift support structure similar.  Eitherway, the park which now boasts 15 coasters, including Behemoth, the country’s tallest and fastest, could be stepping up as the 2012 coaster in North America.

All will be revealed when the park announces plans on August 18. Stay tuned…..

B&M Track has now been spotted in the employee parking lot. Image from a CWMania.

UPDATE: Friday, August 11 – Today, CWMania discovered teal Bolliger & Mabillard track on site.  The standard track size eliminates the possibility of a large scale dive macine (e.g. Griffon or SheiKra).  Fans are now trying to decipher the “placement” of the track and how it may indicate that the ride is an inverted or flying coaster. However, while I was dead wrong with the Intamin prediction, my next guess would be a floorless coaster.

With this new track on site, what type do you think it is?

More tags on coaster track seem to confirm it's a Giga Coaster, B&M's first Giga-Coaster. Image by Theme Park Review member CedarFair21

UPDATE: Wednesday, August 18 – Theme Park Review member CedarFair21 has an update from the park. It appears that the tag on the footer was correct, or Canada’s Wonderland has pointed even more false tags (doubtful).  Either way, on some of the latest track that has arrived it does seem to indicate that Canada’s Wonderland is in fact building the first B&M Giga-Coaster.  The park also updated their website with yet another preview indicating the ride will break records.  The rumored name is also Leviathan which matches the shadows in the background of the teaser.

The standard sized track rules out a 8 or 10 abreast Dive Machine like Griffin/SheiKra. At the same time, I’m thinking the park isn’t building some sort of giant hyper style coaster because Behemoth is just across the park.  So I will change my predication yet again (it’s only my third time right?) and call for a B&M Giga-Coaster with inversions and a new style of train.

What do you think it is? We will find out tomorrow! Check back for more!

UPDATE: Thursday, August 19 – The wait is finally over. The park has pulled back the curtain on Leviathan, a 306 ft, B&M giga coaster with 2 camel backs, 3 over banked turns, two high speed turns, speeds of over 90 mph, an 80 degree drop, and over a mile of track. Read more here:  Canada’s Wonderland announces “Leviathan” B&M Giga Coaster

It’s been a while since I visited my home park, California’s Great America, opening day in fact.  However, with very little happening in the park since, I felt no rush to return to the park.  With some friends I made a visit today, with picture taking, new gathering, etc not being a priority.  In addition, activity is minimal on property with little to no note-worthy news available for posting.  However one ride at the park continues to be plagued with problems.

FireFall, will it ever run properly?

Installed in 2008 from the now-wasteland that is Geauga Lake, FireFall has always had it’s issues.  When the ride opened, several weeks delayed, it was missing fire effects, and since then the ride has struggled to continue proper operation.  On opening day 2011, the ride opened sans-gondola with just the support arms being hoisted above the water.  The gondola was brought on installed, and the ride did eventually open.

However in recent weeks, the ride has continued to be problematic.  Today the attraction was closed during the period I was in the park (from 10:30ish – around 3:00) and while at one point it was testing with a mechanic on site, it’s hard to believe that this ride can have such a huge problem.  But, perhaps that’s what the park deserves for getting an old-new ride instead of forking over the cash for an entirely new attraction.

As for construction around the park, there is none.  And while crowds are lite, some days this summer have brought huge attendance  In short, I don’t see Cedar Fair doing away with the park in the near future, but I also don’t see a big new coaster being added either.  I can see a Windseeker or some other flat ride being added in the near future, but nothing too grand.  We’ll keep our eyes out.

Leave a comment with your Park Thoughts below.