ORLAND, FL

​Yesterday April 14th in the early afternoon SeaWorld Orlando playfully teased an image with the caption, “Some beautiful palm trees right there…”. However just beyond the palm trees was a tractor trailer hauling two segments of ice cool blue Bolliger & Mabillard track. It looks like the long rumored Project Penguin has come to roost. This coaster was first rumored  to be in production in January of 2020 when a permit was filed with local planning offices to clear land for an upcoming project. With Ice Breaker already announced it looked like this coaster was being planned for 2021. However we all know what happened next and timetables were shifted.

Now in the spring of 2022 with Ice Breaker open the track for this unannounced coaster has started showing up in Orlando. This coaster back in 2020 was rumored to be a new model supplied by B&M that was being called a surf coaster. When you look at B&M’s available models it is difficult to know what a surf coaster might be. We joked at the time on Coaster-net that we would be on our bellies sliding along like a penguin. However not long after we got additional clues.

A series of construction liens (see below) were filed against SeaWorld parks by their various vendors in the spring of 2020. A curious one popped up for Orlando from Swiss manufacturer, B&M. The lien was for services and  materials supplied to SeaWorld Orlando for a “custom Launch Coaster”. The paperwork referred to the project as Penguin Coaster so we had the code name for the project again and a description of a launch. At the end of the summer of 2020 in September another clue surfaced, a patent for a new generation of stand up coaster chassis. It isn’t a secret that the stand up coaster is uncomfortable and unmarketable. Did this new patent reveal that B&M had solved the issues holding this model back and were ready to reimagine it?

At this point we have more questions than answers. Is a surf coaster a rebrand of the stand up? Is it the beginning of a series of launched B&M’s. Is the Project Penguin both a stand up and launched coaster. With no official information it is really too soon to say, but we do know that whatever it is, it is arriving. And that is an exciting start.


Author
Jeff Goodman

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ORLANDO, FL

​One of the largest attractions coming to Epic Universe is believed to be based on the British Ministry of Magic, as seen in the Harry Potter films. There has been some mystery as to what this massive new attraction might be like, including what type of ride system it will utilize and what the story might be about.
With new details for the current version, as well as how the concept may have evolved over time, here’s everything we think we know about the Ministry of Magic ride at Epic Universe. See the video version of this story for additional visuals.

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WILLIAMSBURG, VA

​Busch Gardens wants to move forward in building by far the tallest ride in the park’s history, but they need the green light.
The James City County Board of Supervisors initially approved the project back in 2019, but the pandemic delayed any action. Now the board will meet again on Tuesday to vote to extend approval of the height waiver.

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ORLANDO, FL

​Walt Disney World is getting ready to debut its newest attraction at EPCOT this summer, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind. The new ride is set to be a first-of-its-kind at Walt Disney World with a reverse launch. With the new attraction. Disney fans are going to be asking why there are not more Marvel-themed rides at Walt Disney World, especially with the high praise for Disneyland’s Avengers Campus.


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CHARLOTTE, NC

Carowinds will showcase some of the best food, music, and fun from the Carolinas when it debuts the new State Line Celebration on Saturday, April 9. The limited-time event, which will run on select days through Sunday, May 8, capitalizes on Carowinds unique distinction as the nation’s only amusement park straddling two states. Carowinds’ State Line Celebration will feature the Carolinas’ best food in a Southern food festival, complete with live music and fun activities from around North Carolina and South Carolina. “We are so excited to welcome guests to our brand-new State Line Celebration,” Ryan Allen, director of live entertainment at Carowinds, said.

“We cannot wait for guests to join us on the State Line for some of our favorite recipes and Carolina fun. With four unique shows, delicious dishes, and more local beer and wine than you can shake a stick at, this special event shows why there is no place finer than the Carolinas.”

The State Line Celebration is located on the state line, which runs down the middle of the park, and will have six Carolina tasting tents (three for each South Carolina and North Carolina) with tastings available for guests to enjoy on the State Line Farm Table. With a State Line Celebration Tasting Card, with the option available to sample either six or nine tastes, guests can sample authentic food, including barbecue, inspired by regions throughout the Carolinas. Carowinds has partnered with breweries and wineries from around the Carolinas, and the State Line Celebration will feature craft beer from more than 20 breweries.

It is a one-of-a-kind Charlotte event featuring everything that makes the Carolinas home. Activities with State Line Party Planning Committee characters include a Shag dance-a-thon, a paint-by-number mural, miniature golf, a “foodie” photography lesson, trivia, a basketball shootout, a paper plane challenge, and a “stock car race” for children. In this springtime event, live music commemorates the most talented and influential musicians from the Carolinas. Entertainment offerings include Carolina ROCKS!, Brew Beatz and Carolina Roots, and State Line Jugglers.

For the full list of food tasting tent menus, live music selections, Carolina-themed activities, and attractions, visit www.carowinds.com/events/state-line-celebration.

State Line Celebration is open daily for spring break activities Saturday, April 9 to Sunday, April 17.

Gold Season Passes are available and include unlimited visits, free season-long parking, unlimited visits for Carolina Harbor Waterpark, admission into seasonal events like State Line Celebration, discounts on meals and merchandise, and Bring-A-Friend discount offers.

The 2022 season at Carowinds will be highlighted by a series of special seasonal events. Notable events include Carolina Harbor Waterpark opening day on May 27, Celebrate America Fireworks Show (May 28, July 3, July 4, July 5, and September 3), Grand Carnivale from June 25 to July 10, SCarowinds on select nights from September 16 to October 30, and WinterFest, opening on November 21.

Carowinds continues to hire seasonal associates, with hourly wages starting at $15. Job opportunities are available in all park operating areas, including rides, merchandise and games, park services, food and beverage, admissions, safety and security, and entertainment. Carowinds offers flexible schedules and many perks for its associates, including discounts, reward and recognition programs, exclusive events, and free admission to any Cedar Fair amusement park.

To apply, please visit jobs.cedarfair.com/carowinds.

About Carowinds
Carowinds, a 400-acre amusement park located on the North Carolina-South Carolina state line, is home to toprated roller coasters, including Fury 325, the world's tallest and fastest giga coaster, as well as more than 60 rides, attractions, and live stage shows. Carolina Harbor, a 26-acre waterpark, features a variety of water slides, wave pools, large play structures and a three-acre children’s play area. Carowinds Camp Wilderness and SpringHill Suites by Marriott at Carowinds are guest accommodations located on-site. For information on attractions and accommodations at Carowinds, visit www.carowinds.com or call 704.588.2600. Carowinds is owned and operated by Cedar Fair Entertainment Company (NYSE: FUN), one of the largest