OT: Amusement Park Discussion

dragonoffrost

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So day one of Parktrek 2024 (8/29) went well. Left at 4 AM since I wanted to be south of DC by 6:30. Got to Spotsylvania by 7AM and hit Cracker Barrel for breakfast. That's a must stop on any road trip.

Got to Kings Dominion by 9:30 ooooops find out parking isn't opening until 10:15 due to park opening at 11. Oh well better sitting here with the car off than on the highway in traffic. Crank so tunes and chill out awaiting security to unlock the parking lot. Nice security lady comes and explains the lines that will be open are the ones with the cones tipped over and unlocks the gate. Yep people didn't listen and go to the lines with cones standing.

Park close to the gates and go through security... my battery and ear buds set the metal detector off so I get the second check. But still get to the gates before they let people in.

Gates open and off to Twisted Timbers I go. I love Rocky Mountain Construction hybrid coasters and this one packs serious air time. Great first couple rides of the day. Yes I took 3 laps then decided to move to Project 305. I understand the change came late but what lame temporary name. Get in line and Yep this temperamental coaster decided to say nope not running right now. So I find a Kings Gold Lager by Center of the Universe, the local brewery they use for crafts. Then chill out on some flat rides and find the heat kicking in.

It's almost 1pn so I grab crispy pork and potatoes au gratin from grain and grill which wasn't as good as in the past. I had go back to the car and swap shirts, it was that hot In the park.

Coming back in I left the battery pack in the car as I wasn't using the music since the park was pretty much a walk on up to two cycle wait to any ride.

Go grab a quick lap on Grizzly a wooden coaster that they've been working on over the past couple winters and it's smoother but that end run is still abusive since it's not been shown the love yet.

Time to head back and ride Project 305 since it was open again. Got an insane back row ride as always but the line was growing so i decided to quick turn around for another go wasn't in the plans. Followed this with their two fun launched coasters Flight of Fear and Backlot Stunt Coaster. Both are great fun and present rides for smaller kids to ride coasters.

I was getting tired as the day was getting long so i headed over and finished the day on Reptilian, a bobsled coaster that actually gives a great view of the new construction for next year. Then grabbed pasta and meatballs for dinner before calling it a day at 7PM. Due to being worn out from the long day and the heat.

Today is very cloudy and calling for rain at dinner time so I'll probably be headed over to Center of the Universe for some brews after dinner.

20240730_102126.jpg
 

Cody Webster

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Jul 18, 2014
26,331
24,809
So day one of Parktrek 2024 (8/29) went well. Left at 4 AM since I wanted to be south of DC by 6:30. Got to Spotsylvania by 7AM and hit Cracker Barrel for breakfast. That's a must stop on any road trip.

Got to Kings Dominion by 9:30 ooooops find out parking isn't opening until 10:15 due to park opening at 11. Oh well better sitting here with the car off than on the highway in traffic. Crank so tunes and chill out awaiting security to unlock the parking lot. Nice security lady comes and explains the lines that will be open are the ones with the cones tipped over and unlocks the gate. Yep people didn't listen and go to the lines with cones standing.

Park close to the gates and go through security... my battery and ear buds set the metal detector off so I get the second check. But still get to the gates before they let people in.

Gates open and off to Twisted Timbers I go. I love Rocky Mountain Construction hybrid coasters and this one packs serious air time. Great first couple rides of the day. Yes I took 3 laps then decided to move to Project 305. I understand the change came late but what lame temporary name. Get in line and Yep this temperamental coaster decided to say nope not running right now. So I find a Kings Gold Lager by Center of the Universe, the local brewery they use for crafts. Then chill out on some flat rides and find the heat kicking in.

It's almost 1pn so I grab crispy pork and potatoes au gratin from grain and grill which wasn't as good as in the past. I had go back to the car and swap shirts, it was that hot In the park.

Coming back in I left the battery pack in the car as I wasn't using the music since the park was pretty much a walk on up to two cycle wait to any ride.

Go grab a quick lap on Grizzly a wooden coaster that they've been working on over the past couple winters and it's smoother but that end run is still abusive since it's not been shown the love yet.

Time to head back and ride Project 305 since it was open again. Got an insane back row ride as always but the line was growing so i decided to quick turn around for another go wasn't in the plans. Followed this with their two fun launched coasters Flight of Fear and Backlot Stunt Coaster. Both are great fun and present rides for smaller kids to ride coasters.

I was getting tired as the day was getting long so i headed over and finished the day on Reptilian, a bobsled coaster that actually gives a great view of the new construction for next year. Then grabbed pasta and meatballs for dinner before calling it a day at 7PM. Due to being worn out from the long day and the heat.

Today is very cloudy and calling for rain at dinner time so I'll probably be headed over to Center of the Universe for some brews after dinner.

View attachment 898006
Sounds like an awesome day. Been the KD once, like 20 years ago at this point, but can remember some of the rides. If I remember correctly, they used to have a volcano themed coaster, but that is now gone.

What are they planning for next year?
 

dragonoffrost

It'll be a cold day...
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Sounds like an awesome day. Been the KD once, like 20 years ago at this point, but can remember some of the rides. If I remember correctly, they used to have a volcano themed coaster, but that is now gone.

What are they planning for next year?
Next year is being announced tomorrow but known to be a launched wing style coaster. It's going where Volcano was.


Obligatory beer picture to draw eyes
20240730_161927.jpg
 
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Cody Webster

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Jul 18, 2014
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Next year is being announced tomorrow but known to be a launched wing style coaster. It's going where Volcano was.


Obligatory beer picture to draw eyesView attachment 898094
When did volcano close? Thought it was a while ago

Thought they had a ride called center of the universe but now that I think about it, I think that was a Disney blue sky concept
 

dragonoffrost

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When did volcano close? Thought it was a while ago

Thought they had a ride called center of the universe but now that I think about it, I think that was a Disney blue sky concept
Volcano closed in 2018 per

All you mention was on that space.
 

Cody Webster

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Jul 18, 2014
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Disney is having their big Expo this weekend and tonight is park night:

Indiana Jones and Encanto are going in Animal Kingdom and replacing Dinoland

Monster's Inc Land is going in Hollywood Studios

Carsland, a new ride different from radiator springs at Disneyland, is going in Frontierland in MK
 
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Cody Webster

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After I fell asleep last night, the last announcement of the night was Villainsland coming to MK! They've been kicking this idea arounds for YEARS. Glad to see it's finally, hopefully, going to happen
 
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dragonoffrost

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Anyone go to action park in the 1980s?
Traction Park?
Class Action Park?


Yeah and I still have scars to prove it

Disney is having their big Expo this weekend and tonight is park night:

Indiana Jones and Encanto are going in Animal Kingdom and replacing Dinoland

Monster's Inc Land is going in Hollywood Studios

Carsland, a new ride different from radiator springs at Disneyland, is going in Frontierland in MK
The door vault ride with the suspended coaster has me intrigued.
 

dragonoffrost

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This is a shock to about no one who loves amusement parks.

Then I dig deep and really it's number 1. The others are a marine life experience not really what I would call a theme park and a stand alone mountain coaster...

Number 10 on that list is also a great lesser known to outside locals amusement park, Holiday World and Splashing Safari in Santa Claus, IN.
 
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dragonoffrost

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Happy National Roller Coaster Day.

Some announcements made this week
Six Flags New England (Massachusetts)


Six Flags Great America (Chicago)
 

dragonoffrost

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The Golden Ticket awards, Kinda like all the other awards shows but for the Amusement industry, were given out this past weekend.

The winners were
CATEGORYWINNER
Best Amusement ParkEuropa-Park, Rust, Germany
Best Water ParkSchlitterbahn Waterpark Resort, New Braunfels, Texas
Best Family Park of 2024Dutch Wonderland, Lancaster, Pa.
Best Family Coaster of 2024Big Bear Mountain at Dollywood, Pigeon Forge, Tenn.
Best Water Park RideWildebeest at Splashin’ Safari, Santa Claus, Ind.
Best Wooden CoasterPhoenix at Knoebels Amusement Resort, Elysburg, Pa.
Best Steel CoasterFury 325, Carowinds, Charlotte, N.C.
Best Kids’ AreaDollywood, Pigeon Forge, Tenn.
Best Guest ExperienceDollywood, Pigeon Forge, Tenn.
Breakout Family Entertainment Center of 2024Adventure Park U.S.A., Monrovia, Md.
Best New Theme of 2024Good Gravy!, Holiday World
Most Beautiful Park Dollywood, Pigeon Forge, Tenn.
Best Food of 2024Knoebels Amusement Resort, Elysburg, Pa.
Best New Show of 2024“From The Heart” at Dollywood
Best Water RideChiapas at Phantasialand
Best Dark RideStar Wars: Rise Of The Resistance at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Best New Attraction Installation of 2024Fire In The Hole at Silver Dollar City
Best New Roller Coaster of 2024Voltron Nevera at Europa-Park
Best New Family Attraction of 2024Fire In The Hole at Silver Dollar City
Best New Water Park Ride of 2024Rise of Icarus at Mount Olympus Water & Theme Park
Best Innovation of 2024Audience participation drone show at Holiday World
Leadership AwardMorgan’s Wonderland

Not many shockers to those in the community but got to love the awards for Knoebels and Dutch Wonderland locally
 
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dragonoffrost

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Cedar Point is adding again....



and they may beat Cotaland in Texas to be the first of it's kind in the US.
 

Strawberry Fields

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Hit Knoebels for Halloween with some friends last weekend. Fun, incredibly crowded but not a huge deal when you're not paying to get in. And I think the pumpkin roll shake is one of my favorite things I've consumed at a park

I went to the second Oogie Boogie Bash of the year at Disneyland over two months ago now in late August. Hard to believe it's Halloween already.
 
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Adam Warlock

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Apparently Sunday is Kingda Kas last day of operation? Been rumored for a while that it and Green Lantern will be removed after the 25 season but a lot of the theme park "insiders/influencers" are claiming they will be removed this offseason. There are construction markings on site so there is some evidence.

Really wild if true. Removing such an iconic ride...esp without any notice...cant really think of a similar situation.

Id have to think they have to have something MAJOR planned to replace it. Another Jersey Devil/Flash type coaster wont cut it.
 

dragonoffrost

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Apparently Sunday is Kingda Kas last day of operation? Been rumored for a while that it and Green Lantern will be removed after the 25 season but a lot of the theme park "insiders/influencers" are claiming they will be removed this offseason. There are construction markings on site so there is some evidence.

Really wild if true. Removing such an iconic ride...esp without any notice...cant really think of a similar situation.

Id have to think they have to have something MAJOR planned to replace it. Another Jersey Devil/Flash type coaster wont cut it.
I'm hearing rumors of them converting the launch to Linear Sync Magnet and then adding to the layout or removal so I'm not sure what is up with Kingda Ka.

Green Lantern can go to the scrap yard for all I care. I rode it in Kentucky before it got to Great Adventure and it was a fun ride. Probably the best stand up I had ridden. Then it got moved and it became everything I hate about Stand-ups. If you don't get your ride position straightened out before they lock the restraints any male will hate a stand-up coaster. I am hearing of a rumor of it moving to a smaller park but losing the stand up train for a floorless train which the manufacturer has done on a few of their stand-ups.

Hit Knoebels for Halloween with some friends last weekend. Fun, incredibly crowded but not a huge deal when you're not paying to get in. And I think the pumpkin roll shake is one of my favorite things I've consumed at a park

I went to the second Oogie Boogie Bash of the year at Disneyland over two months ago now in late August. Hard to believe it's Halloween already.
Knoebels is just a fun day no matter the crowds thanks to the food and price point of the rides and free parking. Yes during the month of October it gets nuts. But I love the haunted Antique Cars and Pioneer Train. Plus nothing like Phoenix and Twister flying on a brisk fall day.
 
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Strawberry Fields

12x Calder Cup Champs
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I'm hearing rumors of them converting the launch to Linear Sync Magnet and then adding to the layout or removal so I'm not sure what is up with Kingda Ka.

Green Lantern can go to the scrap yard for all I care. I rode it in Kentucky before it got to Great Adventure and it was a fun ride. Probably the best stand up I had ridden. Then it got moved and it became everything I hate about Stand-ups. If you don't get your ride position straightened out before they lock the restraints any male will hate a stand-up coaster. I am hearing of a rumor of it moving to a smaller park but losing the stand up train for a floorless train which the manufacturer has done on a few of their stand-ups.


Knoebels is just a fun day no matter the crowds thanks to the food and price point of the rides and free parking. Yes during the month of October it gets nuts. But I love the haunted Antique Cars and Pioneer Train. Plus nothing like Phoenix and Twister flying on a brisk fall day.
The line for the train was nuts. We only managed the Haunted Mansion (30 minute wait, longest I've ever waited for a ride) and Chair Lift (no wait, but pretty damn cool going up the mountain in near darkness) but when you don't have to pay to get in, just walking around and taking in the atmosphere is good enough.
 
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Adam Warlock

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I'm hearing rumors of them converting the launch to Linear Sync Magnet and then adding to the layout or removal so I'm not sure what is up with Kingda Ka.

Green Lantern can go to the scrap yard for all I care. I rode it in Kentucky before it got to Great Adventure and it was a fun ride. Probably the best stand up I had ridden. Then it got moved and it became everything I hate about Stand-ups. If you don't get your ride position straightened out before they lock the restraints any male will hate a stand-up coaster. I am hearing of a rumor of it moving to a smaller park but losing the stand up train for a floorless train which the manufacturer has done on a few of their stand-ups.


Knoebels is just a fun day no matter the crowds thanks to the food and price point of the rides and free parking. Yes during the month of October it gets nuts. But I love the haunted Antique Cars and Pioneer Train. Plus nothing like Phoenix and Twister flying on a brisk fall day.

Yeah a makeover makes the most sense to me but I guess the assumption is after the fiasco with TT2 this year they might not be willing to do that. An extended layout with new trains and a new color scheme would be cool and well recieved I think.

I agree about Green Lantern...easy decision.
 

dragonoffrost

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Yeah a makeover makes the most sense to me but I guess the assumption is after the fiasco with TT2 this year they might not be willing to do that. An extended layout with new trains and a new color scheme would be cool and well recieved I think.

I agree about Green Lantern...easy decision.
I don't think the ownership wants to lose the 400' height barrier . That mark isn't one to be lightly discarded.
 

dragonoffrost

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Lol the latest rumor is the markings around Kingda Ka are for a cellular network distributed antenna system. Someone found the construction permit on Jackson Township web site.

Also on that site are the demolition permits for Green Lantern, Twister and the old parachute ride tower.
 

Cody Webster

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Lol the latest rumor is the markings around Kingda Ka are for a cellular network distributed antenna system. Someone found the construction permit on Jackson Township web site.

Also on that site are the demolition permits for Green Lantern, Twister and the old parachute ride tower.
So they're taring down Kingda Ka to put up a cellular network tower? :laugh:
 

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