 With all the strong rides being introduced for the 2020 season there is a lot to look forward to. There is the overdue, the divine, the sweetest, the shortest, a dive coaster, an ice breaker, a splash, the first, and some Legos. But sometimes it is more fun to be bad... Don't forget about the Jersey Devil.
-Jeff Goodman (This image is a composite with a photo credit to Six Flags Great Adventure)  My current phone lockscreen is this shot of Steel Curtain the Pittsburg Steelers themed coaster at Kennywood in West Mifflin, PA. I loved this new for 2019 ride last season on my first visit to Kennywood. I know that not everyone's' favorite team made it into the Super Bowl today, so let's all be Steel Curtain fans instead.
Author Jeff Goodman  Dear Coaster Friends,
I know the term clone has a negative connotation to it, but clones allow a manufacturer and a park to spread out the risk of a new concept. Batman: The Ride was the stepping stone for B&M to create the invert an undeniable all-star of their product line. The invert coaster not only flipped the track over but the experience, putting the emphasis on extreme positive G forces instead of the airtime many riders associate with roller coasters. It is hard for a coaster to feel relevant, modern, and smooth for almost three decades however Batman: The Ride delivers. Author Jeff Goodman  EDITOR'S NOTE: The author of this article is a community member and not a member of the site staff. We encourage all members of our community to submit similar op-ed pieces by e-mailing them to blogs@coaster-net.com for review by our editorial staff. Greetings water park enthusiasts! 2020 is going to be a big year for waterparks and enthusiasts alike. From the first dueling launched water coaster, to the longest mat racing slide complex, we have a lot to look at for 2020. So join me as I break down the top 3 slides that are sliding into my bucket list in 2020! I want to preface this by looking at what is a “waterpark revolution”. The waterpark revolution is a movement towards having the tallest, longest, or fastest slide around. Having the most of a certain type of aquatic attraction is another sought after superlative. I am optimistic of this movement that emphasizes innovation in the waterpark industry. Over the past decade we have seen many new types of slides and new attractions being introduced. 2020 in my opinion will be another year that this “Waterpark Revolution” continues to push on in the waterpark industry with my top three slides for 2020. Riptide Raceway at Worlds Of Fun’s Oceans of Fun Riptide Raceway is slated to be the latest waterpark addition coming to Worlds of Fun’s Oceans of Fun waterpark. This mat racer slide is slated to be the longest mat racer slide and will boast a whopping 486 foot long race that takes racers through dips, and turns all the way to the finish line. For myself, this deserves my #3 spot as this is going to be the longest mat racer slide anywhere. If you don’t know me, I’m a big fan of the longest, or fastest of the waterpark industry as I’m always looking for a more thrilling ride for my list. With all of this being said, Riptide Raceway is definitely on my 2020 bucket list and I’m looking forward to checking it out soon! Tsunami Surge Water Coaster at Six Flags Great America’s Hurricane Harbor Tsunami Surge Water Coaster is sliding into 2020 at Six Flags Great America’s Hurricane Harbor. Tsunami Surge Water Coaster is advertised to be the tallest water coaster in the world with a staggering height of 86 feet in the air. Tsunami Surge Water Coaster will propel riders at speeds of 28 mph and will take riders through twists and hair pin turns before the ride is over. I cannot lie I am a water coaster enthusiast above all else. To be the tallest of the water coaster class is a big deal for me, even greater is that it will feature the hair pin turns akin to the Saucer models. With such an advancement, this is a key sign that Six Flags, while still installing similar models, is continuing to strive for the best of the waterpark industry. Cheetah Chase at Holiday World’s Splashin’ Safari Cheetah Chase is arguably the best of the waterpark class in 2020. Chasing into Holiday World’s Splashin’ Safari, Cheetah Chase is the first ever dueling and the first launched water coaster takes everything we love in water coasters and puts them into one major attraction. From the RallyPOINTS, to the FlyingSAUCER elements, Cheetah Chase will be the most innovative and, in my opinion, have the best of every water coaster in two tracks. This is the latest pinnacle in advancement at Splashin’ Safari, as the waterpark already has two spectacular water coasters in Wildebeest and Mammoth. Both still today have accolades from all over the waterpark industry. I would argue that if you didn’t already have Splashin’ Safari as your main waterpark to get to in 2020, you should now. 2020 has a lot to look forward to, from record breaking water slides, to innovative firsts, there is all of this and so much more to see from waterparks in 2020. It is without a doubt that the Waterpark Revolution is in full force in 2020. However, I don’t think we should expect anything less in 2021 as we are only getting started. I still have a big wish list for the future, from Cedar Point Shores getting a water coaster, to Holiday World’s Splashin’ Safari finally getting a Drop Box; there are still many things I see us getting in the years to come. In conclusion, get out there to the waterparks this year, bring a bathing suit and catch some sun on some of the most thrilling slides in 2020! Stay tropical, Brad the Waterparker  EDITOR'S NOTE: The author of this article is a community member and not a member of the site staff. We encourage all members of our community to submit similar op-ed pieces by e-mailing them to blogs@coaster-net.com for review by our editorial staff.
On December 11th, 2019, Cedar Point revealed their 150th-anniversary plans. I know that there was a whole lot of underwhelmed enthusiasts, with Cedar Point's announcement. I, like most, was expecting something more provocative, and was like, “That’s it???? Some food, drinks, and a boat?” Now that some time has passed and I have had a chance to contemplate all Cedar Point showed us. I came away reasonably impressed, I mean, they threw a whole smorgasbord (Pun Intended) of stuff at us. Just look at some of the edibles that are coming next year. French Quarter Confections Powdered sugar, fresh-made fudge, cotton candy, waffles, funnel cakes, and a cascading chocolate fountain comes together just inside the park's main entrance at the new French Quarter Confections. Let your imagination run wild with over ten sweet, customizable toppings for the park's famous funnel cakes, elephant ears and a new delicious addition. This is the most crucial part, WAFFLE-ON-A-STICK! The Corral Some of Cedar Point's favorite foods, like cheese-on-a-stick, chicken fingers, and hot dog-on-a-stick, have always had their home at The Corral. In 2020, it's undergoing an extensive transformation, along with upgrades to its famous treats. New hand-breaded chicken tenders, gourmet pizza with a focaccia crust, another crucial addition, cheddar cheese, jalapeño, or classic hot-dog-on-a-stick and the famous mozzarella CHEESE-ON-A-STICK!!! The Mac Shack (AKA Carb Coma) Food personalization continues at the new Mac Shack. Where you can create your ultimate mac & cheese bowl. The Mac Shack turns up the heat when fresh, macaroni noodles are tossed into a massive cheese block, and the hot noodles delicately melt the cheese around them. Then fresh cream, along with other, ingredients are folded together for the grand finale of a hearty and decadent treat. Optional toppings for each bowl include brisket, pulled pork, bacon, and more. I don't know about you, but for me, food is right behind the rides at a park for the enjoyment factor. And over the last several years, it seems to me that the parks are trying to move past just typical Theme Park/Ball Park offerings. Let's be honest; you can get chicken strips and hot dogs anywhere. Heck, you can get them for a lot less money anywhere as well. Now on the Ride Warrior Discord, we have talked about this extensively. No, I am not talking about only Cedar Point, I am talking about food. And not only the food at parks but food in general. Come to find out that lots of enthusiasts are foodies as well. So we started to share some recipes, and that has evolved into the makings of a pretty nice collection. There are some delicious edibles for your eating pleasure. If you care to join us you can join in our recipes channel. Over the last few years, we have seen parks add Barbecue, Asian, even healthy food choices. All to give us more options and better park experience. With this however, comes sacrifice when you demolish several large buildings and build new ones to replace them. Along with a complete renovation of another. (I think The Mac Shack is replacing Pinks) This takes a significant amount of their yearly budget. And you end up with Snake River Expeditions and not The Lake Erie Monster. Of course, we all want rides like Steel Vengeance and Rise of the Resistance. However, parks have to create balance. And Cedar Fair has gone, all in on creating a more resort feel. And me being an older enthusiast, find better food, drink, and accommodations. Very appealing. I do not do the running of the bulls. I do like sitting down and being served. I do not like being up 20 straight hours. I do like taking a nap on site. You get the idea parks are trying to make a better overall experience for everyone. So kudos for Cedar Point for thinking outside the box for their 150th anniversary. I am so excited to try all of the new food options and to ride Snake River Expeditions. Now if we could only get the Steak, Lobster AND the Lake Erie Monster in the same year. That would be the ultimate having your cake and eat too. Author: Michael Flynn  Dear Coaster Friends,
Since it is both the end of the year, I just completed my Thrilling 32 rankings, and Friday the 13th. I thought it would be fun to look at the most “unlucky” of my coasters in both wood and steel. These aren’t cursed or haunted coasters just the ones that occupy the 13th place on my rankings for 2019. Since 13 is a pretty good spot just outside my top 10 these are both coasters that I fully enjoy and hope to see on the Thrilling 32 when the bracket is released. My 13th wood coaster has been in the bracket before, however it may be a long shot this year. It is Wooden Warrior from Quassy. This junior wooden coaster from the Gravity Group was the smallest project they had ever done when it was completed in 2011, but it delivered full size fun. The Wooden Warrior would end up being very influential in North America and four of these family focused wooden coasters have been developed. It really showcased how fun the ride could be if it was just built right, and while it isn’t that fast or that tall it is more fun than rides that are taller and faster. I feel like it also made rides like Switchback and Mineblower easier to sell as high thrill rides since they were able to show off how they could deliver a solid experience in a smaller than expected package. My thirteenth steel coaster is Wicked Cyclone from Six Flags New England. This was the first Iron Horse conversion on the east coast and my first taste of what RMC could do. I love this ride and as a frequent visitor to SFNE feel like I know this ride really well. I find it has a similarity with Wooden Warrior, not only geographically, but in stature. The ride stats do not accurately describe the experience. The smooth ride is full of a varied bunch of stalls, drops, airtime hills, and rolls. RMC really packed a lot of variety into a very compact footprint, and I always get off each ride feeling like I survived a storm. Both of these “unlucky” rides happen to be close in proximity, and can easily be visited in the same day. They both deliver excellent rides and maybe are undervalued because of their stats. These two current residents of my 13th place may not be ranked 13 next year two, but luck has a way of surprising you. What is your “unlucky” 13th coaster? Author Jeff Goodman  For the last several seasons SeaWorld has been making waves in the amusement industry. However, it isn’t their signature sea life exhibits that have been leading the brand it is the attractions that have been added and planned. They have gone through a number of leadership changes during this time and the rides have been added more aggressively during these last few years. They started out with a series of Skyrocket II models from Premier, a junior wooden coaster from Gravity Group, a small GCI woodie, a Skywarp from Skyline attractions, and a smaller scale launch coaster from Intamin. None of these additions by themselves are that impressive, however as a group they represent a significant change. They have also earmarked 2020 as a major construction year building much larger rides at all major parks. They are building a full size GCI woodie, a large multi launch coaster from Intamin, a larger Premier multi launch coaster, a B&M dive coaster, and an RMC Iron Horse conversion. Some parks are even getting back to back coasters. The real question is if this is the exclamation point on their building boom or are they just getting warmed up?
It is starting to look like their may be more construction planned across the chain from planning documents that are being revealed for 2021 and perhaps even beyond. Let us look at the left coast first. SeaWorld San Diego is one of the parks getting back to back coasters. In 2019 they got Tidal Twister from Skyline and next year they will be adding Emperor from B&M. The rumors are already starting to churn for a possibility of a third coaster in as many years. Behind The Thrills have uncovered planning documents and a preliminary layout that they have published on their site. The rumor suggests an arctic themed multi launched family coaster where the Wild Arctic simulator ride currently is. Their information suggests the ride will be about thirty feet tall, have four launches and a top speed of around 42 MPH. SeaWorld San Diego is currently building their fifth coaster so another one would be more than welcome, but I was initially confused when I saw the stats. Manta was installed in 2012 by Mach Rides and is a multi launch coaster with a thirty foot height and a max speed of 43 MPH. These similarities make me feel that something is missing with this rumor that will better differentiate these two coasters or has SeaWorld gone off the deep end? Maybe let’s head over to Busch Gardens Williamsburg next. BGWfans has long been tracking another large project they feel is in the works at Busch Gardens Williamsburg for 2021 as well. They have a drawing and a very detailed article on their site. The 2020 coaster for BGW is a multi launch coaster called Pantheon, their 3rd, that looks very exciting. The 2021 rumor right now points to a launch coaster as well. So on the surface this 2021 rumor seems redundant as well. Since we know limited details of both coasters and the plans could change, and the information could be incorrect it is hard to say but the fact that they both have me scratching my head is a funny coincidence. The BGW project is rumored to reuse the old Drachen Fire station, it has an FAA height clearance of 355 feet, and it will be placed in an area too small for a traditional lift hill. So how could these two rumored coasters differentiate themselves? The other similar coasters at the parks could be clouding our perspective. In San Diego they have a building to start with, perhaps this could be a ride more similar to Verbolten at BGW than Manta that they currently have. The ride could feature dark ride portions at the beginning, maybe even going in and out of a new show building at the far side of the layout. With four launches the ride can also be slowed to look at show elements during the ride and then the speed can be restored the same way Hagrid’s at Universal handled show scenes. At Williamsburg they have to get a train over 300 feet, so perhaps the launch will be the central element like Kingda Ka or Red Force. While they do have several launch coasters none of them focus on the launch. If it isn’t a launch coaster perhaps it is a new generation of vertical lift coasters. If the manufacturer is Intamin they have said that it could be done with LIM instead of a traditional chain. While we have not seen this technology used in this fashion yet it would be consistent with their claims from the polar coaster concept. It is fun to think that with all of the construction planned for 2020 it may be the beginning of a larger plan. The fact that we are again seeing rumors very far in advance, it shows that they are working on projects that require more than one season to plan out and complete. I don’t know about you, but I have my fingers crossed that Sesame Place builds a Giga in 2022. Big Bird deserves it. Author Jeff Goodman  EDITOR'S NOTE: The author of this article is a community member and not a member of the site staff. We encourage all members of our community to submit similar op-ed pieces by e-mailing them to blogs@coaster-net.com for review by our editorial staff.
The Thrilling 32 and Ride Warrior Choice Awards voting has commenced, and I have sent in my ballot. (Please don't forget to vote!!) After talking with some fellow enthusiasts who I know voted. I was fascinated at how different our rankings were on common coasters that we have ridden. And we have had some fun and spirited debates over them. At the Ride Warrior Discord (Shameless plug.) However, I have also noticed that when enthusiasts start talking about rankings, or coasters in general. It can turn toxic quickly "Are you brain dead how can you have Skyrush ranked higher than Steel Vengeance!" That is just one example. And I started to think, why is that wrong? Other than it is not my opinion. I have a friend, and he is blessed to have ridden hundreds of coasters in multiple countries. We have had many conversations on the Ride Warrior Discord, (Shameless plug #2.) I respect his opinion, and he has helped me look at critiquing coasters in ways that never crossed my mind. At Holiwood Nights 2019, we finally had a chance to meet up. We rode The Voyage several times. (Trimless Voyage is a near-religious experience.) Afterward, he asked, "So is Steel Vengeance this good?" As well-traveled as he is, he had not yet been on Steel Vengeance. I replied, "I think it is better, but if you tell me that trimless Voyage is better, I won't say you're wrong." Now my friend was on a big North America coaster trip last Summer, and he would be at Cedar Point a couple of weeks later. He was keeping us up to date on Discord(Shameless plug #3), and when he finally arrived at Cedar Point, we were all interested in how he would rank Steel Vengeance. I was confident that, at worst, it would be a new top five coaster. To all of our astonishment, Steel Vengeance was not his new #1. It was not in his top 5. Fantastical absurdity, you say. Heck, it was not even in his top 10!!!! Steel Vengeance, the overwhelming #1 coaster in multiple polls, was #14 in his ranking. No that was not a typo #14 Now some intense conversations started to happen, to put it lightly. Some thought he was trolling, and others thought that his love of Intamin was blinding him. A few felt that his disdain for all of the obnoxiousness of the RMC fanboys. Made him rank it lower than it should. For myself well, while I had some of those same thoughts, I was curious as to why? So with an open mind, I talked to him when he got home. Now we don't have time to go over the whole conversation. I will tell you there was a lot of back and forth dialog. But in the end, although I did not agree with all of his reasoning. I understood where he was coming from, and I have no problem with his ranking. Looking at my own experiences, I know there are few surprises. For instance, I like Magnum more than Millennium Force. I have Shivering Timbers higher than Mystic Timbers, and X-Flight over Gate Keeper. I am positive that it is just the beginning. I mean, what does it matter that person (A) likes/doesn't like Steel Vengeance more than person (B). Are we so obsessed that our opinion is the right one? Does our arrogance blind us so much that we cannot allow other views to help us form ours? Or Heaven forbid have to admit we may be wrong? Our coaster rankings made with subjective logic are exactly that ours. And guess what they are all equally right. You spent the time to go to the park. You made an effort to ride. You are the one that criticized/praised and ranked the coasters you have ridden. YOUR rankings are the correct ones!!! Now comes the hard part to digest. My rankings are the correct ones, as well. And I have a strong feeling they look nothing like yours. We, as a community, have to able to start accepting that. And instead of attacking someone's rankings, ASK, LISTEN, UNDERSTAND someone's rankings. This doesn't mean you have to agree, heck you can strongly disagree. But you might look at your rankings a little differently. And maybe, just maybe, there will be a slight tweaking to them. Author Michael Flynn  Goliath, no not that Goliath the other Goliath. You know, the best Goliath...Please enjoy my phone's current lockscreen of Goliath. The picture was taken during the COASTER-net patreon meet-up last summer when I was introduced to this awesome RMC woodie. I couldn't get enough of this ride and now I see it every time I take out my phone. Feel free to make it yours too.
Author Jeff Goodman  In 2018, at IAAPA, GCI unveiled a very interesting model that showed a dueling hybrid coaster with inversions. With it they introduced the Infinity Flyer, a next generation train that could handle more extreme forces and tighter maneuvers. A year has passed but there was no news about this new concept, however off the trade show floor at Fun Spot Orlando after IAAPA 2019, GCI unveiled their version of steel track. The fact that it is not in their product catalogue and not unveiled at the IAAPA trade show may signal that this is not a product that they are ready to sell, but like many of you I am already interested.
At first look of the track it looks very similar to the Iron Horse track system RMC produced, it is steel, a shape beam, and most importantly flat. The flat track that RMC has been using has been widely praised by riders for the smooth yet intense rides. The GCI track has some unique details that sets it apart. The track system that GCI showed off contained no welds, everything was riveted and bolted together. GCI has been very proactive about assisting customers with maintenance work, and providing retracking services even to parks who do not have GCI coasters. GCI did extensive work in the past on the Dragon Coaster at Playland Park, Legend at Holiday World and Ghostrider at Knotts. A steel track that isn’t welded together to create a seamless and continuous track could change how aging coasters are maintained, even leaving open the possibility of retracting elements to restore them. The other detail that stuck out about their construction was that the surface where the road and guide wheels would touch are removable and replaceable. (I did not attend the event and am basing my impressions on images and video I have seen. I do not know if the upstop wheels have a removable surface as well, however it is likely) This would also lend itself to simplifying maintenance and of course creating a replacement part that is proprietary, unlike wood. While we do know the new track and Infinity Flyers will offer new possibilities that GCI could not offer with their Millenium Flyers and traditional wood track, we do not know how versatile this new track system may be to GCI’s business. The impressive model that was unveiled at the GCI booth last year was back this year and shows that they want to create ground up coasters with this new technology that would push boundaries. However this new track system could advance their restoration business as well. GCI has re-tracked coasters and replaced old PTC trains with their Millenium Flyers, with mixed results. Ghostrider’s renovation has been enthusiastically praised by those who have visited, however the heavier trains have been blamed for making the ride on other projects worse. Since the trains are heavier the span the laminated track covers between bents, or structural supports deflects. This deflection creates movement that was not part of the original design and basically created a bouncy rough experience that devolves into jackhammering. If the steel track was used to re-track a ride that was going to receive modern trains this issue would be eliminated and the track system would be rigid, and not susceptible to deflection between supports. There is another more exciting possibility. Could GCI be looking at edging into RMC’s Iron Horse conversion business? Could GCI reimagine an existing coaster’s layout and add elements like inversions to create a new experience? This is a truly dynamic shifting possibility. Even though RMC was the innovator and pioneer they have created the roadmap and example. While some of RMC’s crazy elements have influenced the competition this would be a step farther if a competitor was to be moving into this unique space RMC created. So the question stands, when will the first RMC be GCI’d? Author Jeff Goodman |
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