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There's another aspect of excitement in the world of thrill rides. There's the excitement of the latest announcements of upcoming rides from an industry as secretive as the military at times, and the excitement of all the latest happenings at parks around the world. Sometimes the news is good, sometimes the news is bad, but our aim is to bring you the fairest, timeliest, most accurate details on everything that concerns you. COASTER-net's team of journalists is hard at work around the clock to bring you the in-depth scoop!
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Kings Dominion preparing to dismantle HyperSonic XLC
The S&S launch coaster will be removed in coming weeks
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© Devin Olson
Time's Up: The first air-launch coaster by S&S Power is being removed from Kings Dominion. |
With the ride having been listed for sale for over a year, Kings Dominion officials have confirmed that HyperSonic XLC will be dismantled prior to the 2008 season.
HyperSonic, built by S&S Power in 2001, was the first ever roller coaster to utilize a compressed air launching system. This launch system catapulted the ride's 8-passenger trains from zero to 80 miles per hour in 1.8 seconds and up a vertical climb, cresting 165 feet in the air and then plunging down a 133-foot drop, which starts out vertical at 90 degrees. Following the drop, the ride maneuvered through two fast curves and over a hill into the brake run.
The ride, which remains available for sale through ride broker Ital International LLC, will start coming down in the next few weeks. The coaster was originally built at a cost of 15 million dollars.
The ride had received modifications in 2002 in order to increase its reliability. The most visible change was the new, larger seats installed on the trains.
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Hasbro, Paramount developing 'Transformers' ride
No word yet as to where themed experience would be installed
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According to a recent article published by IESB.net, a popular website that focuses on movies, has stated that Paramount Studios and Rhode Island based toy company Hasbro are working together on developing an indoor dark ride based on the popular 2007 movie "Transformers."
The attraction is still in its very early planning stages. The ride may open up in time with the announced 2009 sequel to "Transformers," titled simply "Transformers 2." If not then, then it may be launched around the time of the announced third "Transformers" sequel.
But the question remains, where will the attraction be heading? Although not confirmed, the source claims that either Disney or Universal will be getting the ride. Even though Universal has their hands full with the whole Simpsons ride and Harry Potter mess, Universal seems to be the most likely choice as of now. It could be installed at either of the American parks or even into Universal Studios Japan, where in Japan, everything having to do with giant robots fighting would be sure to please thousands of guests a day.
"Transformers" hit theatres on July 3rd, 2007, in the USA, and premiered in London on June 22, 2007. It grossed over $700 million worldwide and became the 28th highest grossing movie of all time.
The movie is focused on a group of extra-terrestrial robots who can change shapes into earth objects. There is a group of good robots, the Autobots, and a group of antagonist robots, the Decepticons. The Autobots have come to Earth to protect the All-Spark, which is the greatest power in the universe, from the Decepticons.
"Transformers 2" is scheduled for a June 26th, 2009 release, with very high expectations of becoming one of the greatest, highest-grossing film franchises of all time.
Doug Lane contributed to this article
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Darien Lake runs full speed ahead with the MotoCoaster
Prototype launch roller coaster to debut this summer
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© Darien Lake Theme Park Resort
Race To The Top: The MotoCoaster will be the Darien Lake's seventh roller coaster but the park's first launched roller coaster. |
Darien Lake Theme Park Resort last constructed a new roller coaster back in 1999 when the park, which was then known as Six Flags Darien Lake, unveiled Superman – Ride of Steel, which currently operates under the name Ride of Steel. Now finally after nine years of waiting, park guests at Darien Lake will be able to climb aboard a new roller coaster this summer, the MotoCoaster.
The MotoCoaster will debut in May of this year and is actually a prototype, motorcycle themed, launch coaster from the Italian amusement ride manufacturer, Zamperla. With the addition of the MotoCoaster, Darien Lake will operate a total of seven different roller coasters this season.
Darien Lake’s new MotoCoaster was originally assembled and tested at the Zamperla factory in Italy where they then allowed members of the media to ride and document the new attraction to help advertise the ride’s design. Since then the ride has been dismantled and is currently be shipped overseas to Darien Lake.
Zamperla’s MotoCoaster is a compact launched steel roller coaster that stands 44 feet high and features a figure eight style design with three layers of twisting and turning track. The single motorcycle themed train will race 12 riders through the 1,198 feet of track at a top speed of 38 mph.
The MotoCoaster uses a flywheel and clutch launch mechanism to accelerate the ride’s train from zero to 38 mph in three seconds. Zamperla is advertising the coaster’s flywheel launch mechanism as being a very reliable and an easy to maintain launch system. They are able to back up this advertising campaign with the fact that flywheel launch systems have been used on roller coasters since the 1970’s.
Darien Lake’s MotoCoaster will be one of three Zamperla MotoCoasters to debut this year. Another standard model will be built at Xetulul in Guatemala, and a custom-designed model called the Pony Express is being assembled at Knott’s Berry Farm in California.
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Roaring Falls has set sail for Celebration City
The park’s newest addition will be a wet one
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© Herschend Family Entertainment Corporation
A Wet Celebration: Roaring Falls, once known as Shipwreck Falls, becomes just the latest of Geauga Lake's rides to be rolcated to another amusement park. |
Celebration City earlier today announced what will be the park's largest and most expensive single ride expansion since the park was remodeled back in 2003. This new attraction will hold the title Roaring Falls and promises to get its riders wet.
Roaring Falls is a traditional Chute-the-Chutes style ride that will plunge a raft full of 20 passengers down a 50-foot drop before splashing down into the large pool of water below. The ride is designed to get its riders soaked while being thrilled by the 50-foot drop.
Roaring Falls is actually the Shipwreck Falls water ride from the now defunct Geauga Lake amusement park, which closed following the 2007 season. The ride is being relocated to its new home at Celebration City and will open later this spring.
This new multi-million dollar expansion will also replace Celebration City’s only other water ride, the Shoot-D-Chute log flume style ride. Roaring Falls was originally built at Geauga Lake by O.D. Hopkins in the year 2000 when the park operated under the name Six Flags Ohio.
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Zippin Pippin to live past its days at Libertyland
Libertyland’s wooden roller coaster to be relocated and renovated
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© Libertyland
Elvis's Favorite Coaster: The Zippin Pippin, originally named the Pippin, had operated at Libertyland since 1923 before being closed in 2005. |
To the delight of coaster enthusiasts across the US, it was announced by earlier this week by Steve Mulroy of Save Libertyland! Inc. that an agreement with the Ericson Group is in place to relocate and also renovate the Zippin Pippin wooden roller coaster that once was the signature attraction at the now defunct Libertyland amusement park.
This agreement secures the future of the Zippin Pippin, which has been heavily debated by many enthusiasts and government officials since the coaster closed along with Libertyland amusement park in late 2005. As part of the contract, the Ericson Group, run by Greg Ericson, has received permission to relocate the Zippin Pippin and have it renovated to reopen as part of Ericson’s $250 million plan for The Pyramid, Mud Island, and other new attractions surrounding the Memphis riverfront area.
The Ericson Group had been known for the proposition of the project once entitled the Pyramid Adventure but recently renamed the Pyramid Harbor. It’s proposed that the 85-year old wooden roller coaster would be part of an amusement park built on Mud Island, which could eventually be renamed Harbor Island.
Mulroy, who’s also a local commissioner, estimates that it will cost approximately $1 million to move the Zippin Pippin and the renovation would cost another $65,000. Ericson has also confirmed that The Pyramid development will also feature a new steel coaster, which will cost approximately $25 million.
This agreement is just the latest attempt by the Save Libertyland! organization to have the Zippin Pippin relocated. The coaster was originally sold at an auction the to Carolina Crossings, which planned to use it as a centerpiece for their amusement park. However, after a legal dispute the Zippin Pippin's ownership right were then handed over to the city and the coaster was never relocated.
Ericson is scheduled to present the Pyramid Harbor proposal to members of the Memphis City Council January 22nd. In December, he presented the same plan to County Commission members. He is also hoping that they will soon reach agreement with the city to have the Grand Carousel at Libertyland join the Zippin Pippin and become part of Mud Island.
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Mega Wedgie slides into Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom
Louisville park debuting new bowl slide in 2008
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Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom, Louisville, KY 01/15/08 - By: Donald Flint -
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© Donald Flint
Get Wet: Kentucky Kingdom's Splashwater Kingdom water park will receive a new slide this summer. |
Pack your swimsuits and prepare to get wet this summer at Kentucky Kingdom.
The Six Flags park is preparing to debut the Mega Wedgie bowl slide, which will be located in the Louisville park's Splashwater Kingdom water park.
Mega Wedgie will start off with a climb to a two-story loading platform, where riders will climb into their rafts and take off down a 100-foot tunnel culminating in a 30-foot-wide bowl. After spinning around the bowl, the riders will spiral down through a chute and drop into a splash pool.
Construction on the slide will begin immediately, as long as the weather permits. Mega Wedgie will be located near the Deluge water coaster, which was installed in 2007. It will open with Splashwater Kingdom on May 24.
While not disclosing an exact amount, Carolyn McLean, public relations manager for Kentucky Kingdom, says Mega Wedgie will be a multimillion-dollar investment for the park.
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Water Country USA rocks out with new themed section
Williamsburg park debuting Rock 'n' Roll Island in 2008
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Water Country USA, Williamsburg, VA 01/08/08 - By: Donald Flint -
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© Water Country USA
Rockin' Out: New section will be themed to the '50s and '60s rock culture. |
Get ready to rock out in Williamsburg! Water Country USA, a Worlds of Discovery property, will be debuting a new section of the park in 2008, dubbed Rock 'n' Roll Island.
Following several months of construction, Rock 'n' Roll Island will open at the start of Water Country's 2008 season on May 10. The new area will be themed to the rock culture of the '50s and '60s, and will feature a lazy river, three body slides, and a children's attraction.
"I think Rock 'n' Roll Island will be a guest-favorite in 2008," commented Mark Pauls, Water Country USA's vice president.
"The addition of Rock 'n' Roll Island continues Water Country USA's commitment to fun in the sun with new slides, a cool pool and great music."
Jammin' Juke Box, a 33-foot-tall slide tower, will be the new area's main attraction. Three body slides, The Hully Gully, Funky Chicken, and The Twist, will shoot out from the top of the tower. The slides, which will be nearly 200 feet long and end in 9,000-square-foot splash pool, are named after popular rock-and-roll dances.
A 700-foot-long lazy river will surround Rock 'n' Roll Island. The children's slide Little Bopper will round out the new additions.
Photo updates of the construction will be periodically posted on the park's official Web site, www.watercountryusa.com.
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