Friday, April 20, 2018

Interesting Read: The History of the Original "Bat," Kings Island
| April 20, 2018 | No Comments

Interesting Read: The History of the Original "Bat," Kings Island

This has got to be one of the most interesting reads from Kings Island yet. 
The Bat and all suspended arrows will forever hold a special place in my heart, they are and always will be an incredible ride type that delivers some crazy swinging and a ride like no other. But what was the original Bat like? Read to find out! 

This thing seemed out of control!! What an awesome article! 
Even with the newer-style banked track, parks still complain of high stress to the supports and track, and blame these issues on the removals that keep occurring over this coaster-type. Still, what an amazing company Arrow was, if they were still around today it'd be fantastic to see what they would try and push the limits towards. 

Saturday, March 24, 2018
| March 24, 2018 | 1 Comment

Cobra is finally coming down at La Ronde

La Ronde's Cobra Coaster is Officially Being Dismantled.

After years of sitting on its nice plot (of now inevitable weeds) over green grass, the head-ache inducing Cobra is being removed from La Ronde, leaving a nice plot of land open next to one of the many other empty buildings at La Ronde.
La Ronde Cobra, being removed 2018
Picture from instagram: amusement_industry_review
What's next for La Ronde on the coaster front, a relocation? A new custom coaster? Or possibly a dark ride? Who knows, but after 5+ years of the coaster rarely being seen open, and finally being removed from the park's website in late 2016, many coaster fans have been speculating. The coaster was one of only two Intamin Stand-Up coasters left operating in the World. 
Cobra as seen from Google Maps. Two seasonal-use buildings can be seen near the coaster. May this area see new life? 
La Ronde Cobra, being removed 2018
Picture from instagram: amusement_industry_review
La Pitoune, the parks Log Flume, has also been almost completely removed according to the same source. The park opens on May 19th for the season.

The old grass-covered area has transformed into mud and snow. Picture from instagram: amusement_industry_review
The ride is unlikely moving to a new home by looking at the pictures. Picture from instagram: amusement_industry_review
More pictures can be viewed on the amusement_industry_review instagram.

Friday, March 23, 2018

Are these the new Gaurdians of the Galaxy Trains?
| March 23, 2018 | No Comments

Are these the new Gaurdians of the Galaxy Trains?

Disney Guardians of the Galaxy Trains spotted?

Over on the Theme Park Review forum images were posted of a new coaster type spotted from the Vekoma Testing Facility. They closely match the description of the new coaster going into EPCOT at Disney World.
The new coaster is replacing Ellen's Universe of Energy ride, a much overdue addition to the ailing park.
The coaster is also rumored to have a controlled spin feature, which appears to be shown on the bottom of the cars.


Nothing is 100% confirmed at the time.
"The Guardians attraction is part of EPCOT's ongoing work to transform into a place that’s more family, more relevant and more timeless. “As we build upon its core mission of optimism and hope to inspire the world, the real will become fantastic and the fantastic will become real—in whole new ways at Epcot,” Bob Chapek, Chairman of Walt Disney Parks & Resorts, said." - Disney World.

Monday, March 19, 2018

Disney World Adds Parking Charge for Hotel Guests
| March 19, 2018 | No Comments

Disney World Adds Parking Charge for Hotel Guests

Walt Disney World Now Charging Guests New Parking Fee


 Guests staying overnight will now have to pay nightly fees to park overnight at their resorts.
Ranging from $13 to $24 per night depending on the resort, the fee's are an unwelcome new charge for on-site vacationers. Gate ticket prices were raised last month as well, something that's becoming all too familiar.

 At this time their FAQ website has not updated the change.

 However, the following prices are from Disney World themselves:
Overnight Self-Parking
  • Effective for reservations made March 21, 2018 and thereafter, standard overnight self-parking is available to registered Guests for a fee that will be applied to their hotel folio upon check-out. All parking fees include applicable tax.
Standard Overnight Parking charges per Resort Category:
  • Disney Value Resorts: $13 per night
  • Disney Moderate Resorts: $19 per night
  • Disney Deluxe and Deluxe Villa Resorts: $24 per night
Complimentary standard parking is available to Guests staying at the Campsites at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort. Each campsite provides parking space for one (1) motorized vehicle.
Valet Parking 
Valet Parking is available at select Disney Deluxe Resorts and Disney Deluxe Villas for $33 per night (sales tax included).
Disney Charges $24 Parking For Resort Guests
Disney's Famous Grand Floridian Resort went from $0 to $24 Parking Overnight.

Friday, March 9, 2018
| March 09, 2018 | No Comments

Drone footage gives us a peek into Star Wars at Disney

Disneyland's Star Wars Land Begins to Take Shape

Disneyland and Disney's Hollywood Studios are both in full swing with Star Wars construction. Today Disneyland released some great drone footage of the new land taking shape.
Star Wars Galaxy Edge Model
Star Wars Model (c)Disney
At the new Star Wars themed land coined "Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge," guests will transport themselves into a fully immersive Star Wars themed area themed after the Planet of Batuu. Once a busy crossroads, the remote outpost along the old sub-lightspeed trade routes will feature two E-ticket attractions. Take the controls of a Millennium Falcon on a secret mission or be placed right in the middle of a battle between the First Order and the Resistance. The area is also rumored to use drones to fly above the area, bringing the immersion to a whole new level.
Check out the incredible video from Disney showing off the amazing detail that can already be seen in the construction area.
Star Wars at Disneyland and Walt Disney World are slated to open in 2019. 

Thursday, March 8, 2018

World Oldest Roller Coaster to be SBNO another year.
| March 08, 2018 | No Comments

World Oldest Roller Coaster to be SBNO another year.

Lakemont Park to remain closed through 2018.

Lakemont Park's current plans have the park closed through 2018, with a plan to reopen in 2019 under a new operating plan, after renovations planned to be complete for this spring were put on hold. 

 The current amusement park plans to turn into a family fun center, offering a miniature golf course, batting cages, and go-karts. 
Changes planned for Lakemont Park include replacing some of the older amusement rides with a new miniature golf course, batting cages, playgrounds, basketball and sand volleyball courts and expanded picnic areas, while keeping and enhancing attractions such as the waterpark, paddle boats, train, roller coasters, antique cars and go-karts. 
“Our vision is to rejuvenate Lakemont Park and have it be a community centerpiece for connecting with family and friends,” said operations partner, Ralph Albarano. “The steps that we are taking to make Lakemont Park a family experience for patrons of all ages will be well worth our time, effort, and investment.” -WJACTV
Renovations will begin this April. 
The oldest roller coaster in the world.
Leap The Dips will be Standing But Not Operating during the 2018 year.
Lakemont Park is currently home to the oldest operating roller coaster. Located in Altoona, Pennsylvania, the park is also the eighth oldest theme park in the United States of America.

Wednesday, February 14, 2018
| February 14, 2018 | No Comments

Interesting Read: The Kings Island Monorail Safari

Perhaps the most unique attraction at Kings Island was the Safari Monorail. Lasting 20 seasons, the park’s immensely popular attraction gave millions of guests the chance to see wild animals up close. However this attraction was no zoo – here the humans were the ones enclosed while the animals roamed around. - Kings Island Blog.

Tuesday, January 23, 2018
| January 23, 2018 | No Comments

Interesting Read: The History of Joyland

Joyland, Kansas.
Joyland was a small park in Witchita with a big history. Read about it on 360 Witchita here. It's a long and interesting read with some awesome photos.

Sunday, December 10, 2017
| December 10, 2017 | No Comments

Six Flags Cancels Snowball Fight Due to Snow

It's No Joke, Six Flags Had To Cancel Their Snowball Fight Due To Snow.

Six Flags Ofer Georgia had to cancel their Holiday in the Park event due to a snow storm. 

Six Flags in Austell had this 1,000-person snowball fight with fake snowballs planned for Saturday, right? But when real snow blanketed metro Atlanta with the real stuff, it got real really fast. And so, Six Flags announced on Twitter that the Cobb County amusement park would not open Saturday and reopen Sunday. The Six Flags tweet came at 1:17 a.m., about 12 hours before the event was supposed to occur. And it really wouldn’t matter because the Georgia Department of Transportation is still asking folks to remain off the roads. 
Six Flags Cancels Snow Ball Fight, Too Much Real Snow on Ground.
(Six Flags Over Georgia)

And it wasn't only Georgia, Six Flags Great Adventure also canceled their record-breaking snowball fight due to the snow storm.

Tuesday, December 5, 2017

Monday, December 4, 2017
| December 04, 2017 | No Comments

Alton Towers New Videos + Time Lapse

Alton Towers has released new videos on their Youtube page. One is another challenge video, with the other being a time lapse. Check them out below! Check out Alton Towers Youtube here.

Time Lapse Video Screenshot



Thursday, November 30, 2017

Holiday Park New Indoor Area
| November 30, 2017 | No Comments

Holiday Park New Indoor Area

New Indoor Area from Holiday Park in Germany to Open Summer 2018.

An indoor area is planned to be built at Holiday park for the 2018 season. The 6000-square meter (64,000-square foot) building is 12-meters high and features a family roller coaster, a giant slide, and two carousels. The new area will have a total of 7 new rides and is estimated at a cost of 7.5-8 million Euros. 
CEO Steve Van Den Herkhof said Monday to rheinpfalz.de that the new indoor area is the parks largest investment ever since it was taken over by Plopsa in 2010. Theming of the indoor area will include characters from cartoons and animated films.
Artwork from Holiday Park of the new area.