After January 6th, you'll have to wait a while to take a spin on the wildest ride in the wilderness at Disneyland, because Big Thunder Mountain will be receiving a full refurbishment that will last until Fall, 2013.
The park will be giving the famous coaster some serious TLC, including all new ride track, ride vehicles, and a fresh coat of paint for the mountains themselves. Replacing the track of the ride, which first opened in 1979, will help to bring the ride up to modern standards much like the park did with Space Mountain in 2005. It stinks to have the ride closed for almost a year, but the renovation will allow the ride to operate for decades into the future.
Disney does not regularly make announcements about ride manufacturers that are involved in projects like this, but it is said the the new coaster track will be provided by Dynamic Attractions, who built the track for Space Mountain, as well.
20 Aralık 2012 Perşembe
Big Thunder Hiatus at Disneyland
Flying Scooters Headed to Michigan's Adventure
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| The Flying Scooters at Knoebels |
The official name for the ride has not been announced yet, nor has the location in the park where it will be located.
Michigan's Adventure will also celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Wolverine Wildcat roller coaster, and the 15th anniversary of the mighty Shivering Timbers in 2013.It is nice to see the Flying Scooters popping up at more parks lately, this is one of several already announced for next year. The Great Escape, Knott's Berry Farm, and I believe Fun Spot will build them as well in 2013.
Even more interesting to me is how late this announcement came after Cedar Fair's 'big' rides were revealed. I had heard that Mr. Ouimet was taking a hard look at some of the plans for parks, and making some changes. Perhaps this announcement is the result of one of those careful evaluations. Or perhaps not, but it's a nice addition for the park either way!
Detail Emerge on Rides for Kings Dominion's Planet Snoopy
When Kings Dominion announced their bigger, better Planet Snoopy for 2013 the park wasn't quite ready to release the full details on all the new rides and attractions that would be located in it. With details finalized, the full list has now been announced. Brand new rides include:
• Snoopy’s Rocket Express: An aerial monorail that gives families a view high above Planet Snoopy.
• Flying Ace Balloon Race: Hot air balloons that lift up 15 feet into the air, as you spin around. Each balloon represents a different country throughout the world.
• Linus Launcher: This ride will give families a sense as if they are flying around together in Planet Snoopy.
• Charlie Brown’s Wind Up: Families will hop in and swing around on this baseball-themed ride.
• Snoopy’s Junction: It’s all aboard a Snoopy-themed railway, with Woodstock leading the way.
• Lucy’s Tugboat: Come on board a rocking tugboat, as guests set sail with the entire family by their side.
• Snoopy’s Space Buggies: Defy gravity, as families hop into moon buggies that bounce up and down and rotate in a circle.
• Woodstock Whirlybirds: Spin around in the classic teacups, with a new Woodstock-themed twist.
The ride collection almost appears to be a "best of" from the already existing Planet Snoopy areas at other Cedar Fair parks. Ten additional existing, re-themed rides will also be in the expansive 14 acre Planet Snoopy, giving it a grand total of 18.
The park is currently holding a contest to locate a "kidcaster" for Planet Snoopy updates throughout the winter, to be used in videos, Twitter and Facebook updates. Folks can submit their kid into the contest through January 7th.
Roller Soaker No More at Hersheypark
Finally - it has been confirmed that Roller Soaker is being removed from Hersheypark before the start of the park's 2013 season. And one better, the park has also said that the ride will be replaced with new "water attractions" for next season.
No further details at this point, but for anyone who has been at Hersheypark during the summer and seen the popularity of their water park, it is obvious that the expansion is needed. Roller Soaker doesn't take up a ton of room, in fact part of it swings out over the wave pool, but it's still enough space for at least one slide tower, I would think.
The park's website has been changed to reflect their new count of 11 roller coasters - still quite a collection if you ask me. There was a lot of talk earlier this year of the park selling the ride, so for anyone who missed out taking a spin on Roller Soaker, perhaps you'll still have a shot in the future!
Rye Playland: Legoland New York?
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| Rye Playland sits on the Long Island Sound |
And the possibility comes with a huge investment figure, as much as $200 million according to this news report. That's roughly six times as much as any other company who has expressed interest in taking over Playland has said they would pony up. Those other developers include Central Amusements - Zamperla's park operating arm - and Standard Amusements - led by former Cedar Fair executive Jack Falfas.
While all this is going on the County Executive is still moving forward with Sustainable Playland, a non-profit that has committed to redeveloping the park. Their plan involves the addition of sport fields and removing roughly half the amusements at the park in favor of a large open park area.
Could you imagine if Playland became a Legoland? That's quite an idea to wrap your brain around. I would think a lot of the character of the park would have to go, which is a shame, but at the same time the Legoland folks seem to be rather good at success. Interesting development, even if nothing comes of it, eh?
16 Aralık 2012 Pazar
Still Freezing: Antarctica Video Update
SeaWorld Orlando has taken the next step in revealing some of the technology that will be used in Antarctica: Empire of the Penguins. The latest video in their Behind the Freeze series is shown above, and it gives away a lot of the details behind what the attraction's ride vehicles are capable of.
I really like the fact that several vehicles will make their way through the ride in a cluster, allowing guests to see other riders as they go. The series promises to reveal more of what the ride experience will involve in the next video, and from a couple quick shots in this update it appears as though vehicles will pass several large media walls.
Waldameer Welcomes Their Musik Express
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| © Waldameer Park |
The park has already constructed the ride's concrete pad, and will quickly work to assemble the new ride. The park actually would like to open the new ride soon for guests who come to the park to purchase their season passes, and will be offering hot chocolate as well.
The Musik Express will be set in the former home of the park's Scrambler, which has been moved and updated. The new area will feature additional gardens, a fountain, and a new bronze statue, continuing the theme at the park.
The park has shared some new photos of the ride's arrival on their Facebook page. To check those out, click here.