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Is the Reeses Cup Dark Ride Getting an Upgrade?

Author: July 10, 2018

Earlier today, Hersheypark teased a new attraction for 2019. Putting aside the 2020 coaster rumors, this new addition seems to be focused on their Reese’s Xtreme Cup Challenge dark ride. Here is the photo released by the park:

As of right now, the Reese’s Xtreme Cup Challenge is an interactive dark ride where passengers shoot targets and rack up points. The ride is manufactured by the Sally Corporation, though in my opinion, it is admittedly one of their weaker shooting dark rides. The animatronics and scenery are in desperate need of an update, and despite coming out in 2006, the ride feels like something that was built in the 1990’s.

The “rad skater” theme is admittedly outdated

With today’s announcement, it is entirely possible that this ride will be getting a retheming. Based on the released picture, it will likely receive a new spy theme. Perhaps passengers will have to thwart a chocolate and peanut butter heist in Hershey’s factory.

There’s no word on if the Sally Corporation will be involved with the possible refurbishment, but if they are, we can certainly expect to see their new state-of-the-art dark ride effects. Such effects could include screens that interact with the ride vehicles and more elaborate and colorful props like those found on Sally’s Justice League dark rides in the Six Flags parks.

While the park may not be adding a big, new, thrilling attraction next year, the idea of fixing up and modernizing one of their existing attractions is very promising. It shows that Hersheypark values the presence of a dark ride and is eager to make it more presentable to park guests. A refurbishment like this would absolutely get a big thumbs up from me.

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S&S is Bringing Back the Steeplechase!

Author: October 31, 2017

In a surprise announcement, ride manufacturer S&S Worldwide announced the return of an old Arrow Dynamics classic.

The returning coaster model is known as a Steeplechase, a vintage variety of roller coaster that dates all the way back to the early 1900s.

As of right now, the only one of these currently in operation is the one at England’s Blackpool Pleasure Beach.

This coaster was made by Arrow Dynamics and opened all the way back in 1977. Shortly after the compamy went bankrupt in the early 2000s, S&S aquired the rights to produce Arrow’s designs. Therefore, they will be bringing back this concept for a whole new generation.

According to S&S, the new variation of this model will feature a new vehicle and restraint design. The new concept is set to be revealed at this year’s IAAPA conference in Orlando, Florida.

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3 Big Changes Coming to Cedar Point

Author: October 24, 2017

Hours ago, park officials at Cedar Point posted a blog detailing their plans for the 2017-2018 off-season. These plans involve tearing some things down and building some things up. According to the park’s official website, the following changes will be made:

1. Sandcastle Suites is being torn down.

Located at the tip of Cedar Point’s peninsula, this hotel will be completely demolished by 2018. The nearby Breakwater Cafe will also be torn down. It is unlikely that any sort of new ride will replace this hotel since it is a considerable distance from the park. Officials didn’t reveal what will replace the hotel. Considering the recent expansions to both the Breaker’s and Express hotels, it’s likely that they don’t need it.

2. The Extreme Sports Stadium is also biting the dust.

After a long history of dolphin shows and extreme stunt spectaculars, the Extreme Sports Stadium to being demolished. Located next to Wicked Twister and Windseeker, this venue was the location of an extreme stunt show called “All Wheels Extreme.” While the venue itself is being leveled, the show it housed may not be leaving too. According to Cedar Point’s official website:

“If you’re curious about the “All Wheels Extreme” show that called this venue home, we’ll have more on our entire entertainment lineup for 2018 as we get into the new year. Stay tuned.”

3. The Cedar Point Boardwalk is getting an expansion.

The park’s famous boardwalk, which runs from Sandcastle Suites to Windseeker, is being expanded to reach the main parking lot. Park officials say this will give guests excellent access to watersport activities (parasailing and jet skiing) as well as the newly renovated Cedar Point Shores waterpark. This expansion is set to be completed by 2018 and will allow for a much more efficient guest experience.

For more details on the park’s newest expansions, you can visit:

https://www.cedarpoint.com/blog/a-few-changes-to-discuss

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Toverland Releases Trailer for their NEW B&M Wing Coaster!

Author: September 26, 2017

Dutch coaster enthusiasts are in for a treat. Earlier today, the park released the following teaser on YouTube.

The stats for this coaster are as followed:

Top Height: 131.3 ft
Top Speed: 59 mph
Inversions: 3
Length: 2,667.3 ft

As you can see, it will be among the shorter B&M Wing Coasters, but for a regional park like this, such a coaster is an incredible fit. As I always say, you can never go wrong with a B&M.

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Sesame Place Teases Massive 2018 Attraction.

Author: September 12, 2017

 Sesame Place; the Pennsylvania theme park not too far from Six Flags Great Adventure known for being themed after Jim Henson’s classic children’s series. Owned by SeaWorld, this park isn’t known for its thrill rides, but it no doubt has a special place in peoples hearts. As of right now, the only roller coaster to ever open at the park is Vapor Trail, a Vekoma Junior coaster that was added in 1998. It’s been almost two decades since this park got a new coaster, but for young coaster enthusiasts in the making, 2018 may see yet another major attraction coming to Sesame Place.

The park recently teased a new attraction on social media, referring to it as the “biggest, grouchiest” ride. The teaser featured the famous Oscar the Grouch, indicating that the ride will be themed to him. A small family park like Sesame Place getting a new coaster may seem hard to believe, but when a park teases a ride as being their biggest investment yet, it usually indicates a new coaster.

As for what kind of coaster this could be, speculation is already running wild. Considering that Busch Gardens Williamsburg just got a family GCI named Invadr, some are suggesting that a new wooden coaster could be coming to Sesame Place. Kid-friendly wooden coasters are nothing new; we’ve seen rides like Woodstock Express and Idlewild’s Rollo Coaster. Personally, I’m predicting something like Roar-O-Saurus at New Hampshire’s Storyland; a small coaster that kids will get a kick out of and enthusiasts will happily seek to ride. For now though, the only way to find out what the park will receive is to wait until their announcement on September 20th.

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First Look at NEW Slinky Dog Dash Coaster Trains!

Author: August 29, 2017

One of the most anticipated family coasters of next year is without a doubt Slinky Dog Dash at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Orlando, Florida. This Mack launched coaster will be part of an all-new section of the park themed to Toy Story. We’ve previously seen the track, but check out these incredible ride vehicles!

This image comes courtesy of Reddit user golf4miami, and it shows everyones favorite spring-loaded canine in all his coaster glory.

As you can see, the ride vehicles feature his trademark spring between the cars, which is thin enough to not obscure the views of its passengers.

Its cartoonish appearance makes it resemble a kiddie coaster more than a thrill ride, but this coaster is said to be much more exciting than a typical kiddie ride. Think less Barnstormer (Magic Kingdom) and more Firechaser Express (Dollywood).

Im oersonally a sucker for a good family coaster with incredible theming, and this ride looks to deliver the goods in 2018.

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Kings Dominion Announces Twisted Timbers; an RMC Makeover of Hurler!

Author: August 16, 2017


Kings Dominion fans, the wait is over. The RMC re-do of Hurler has finally been announced. It will be named Twisted Timbers, and it’s scheduled to open in 2018. The story of the ride goes as followed. Located next to the park’s Candy Apple Grove, this coaster takes place in the once-thriving Hanover Hill Orchard, named after the park’s location in Hanover County. One beautiful day, half of the orchard was mysteriously destroyed by an unknown force that shook the ground, turned over tractors and shattered glass. Now this land of local legend is open to the public for one wild ride.

It will be 111 feet tall, it will be 54 miles per hour, it will have 20 airtime moments, and it will have three inversions. It will also feature a massive barrel roll drop similar to Kentucky Kingdom’s storm chaser.

Much like last year’s Mystic Timbers at Kings Island, the trains on this coaster will be modeled after vintage cars, which will add a classy touch to this coaster

But that’s not all the park announced. Kings Dominion will also be receiving Winterfest, a Christmas event that will turn the park into an all-out winter wonderland of lights, ornaments, cookies Christmas carolers, an ice skating rink and old Saint Nick himself.

Overall, 2018 is going to be an incredible year for Kings Dominion, but there’s even more amazing announcements to come today, so stay tuned.

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Hersheypark to Add New Water Coaster and Mat Racer!

Author: August 9, 2017

 

Hersheypark recently announced that they would be adding not one, but two amazing water park additions in 2018. Both of these additions will be manufactured by Proslides.

First we have Breakers Edge, which is a hydro-magnetic water coaster. This attraction will have several propelled saucer turns.

Next we have Whitecap Racer. This is set to become the longest mat racer in the world when it opens.

Surprisingly, they won’t be taking down their flume ride to put these attractions in. Instead, these attractions will be built right next to their wave pool and over the lazy river. It looks like Tidal Force is staying right where it is. 

What’s interesting about this announcement is that Hersheypark referred to it as their fourteenth coaster. Though they never said it was a “roller coaster”, just a “coaster” and it is a water coaster, so why not? Either way, these look like absolutely amazing additions.

Hersheypark fans, get ready for a big splash in 2018.

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Japan Rumored to get their first RMC Hybrid Coaster.

Author: August 2, 2017


Is Japan about to get an RMC hybrid coaster? Let’s take a look at the newest rumor to hit the web.

For six years, the acclaimed Rocky Mountain Construction company has been taking aging wooden coasters and remaking them into A-list thrill rides with their trademark I-Box track. So far though, the company has only done this to wooden coasters in North America. They’ve built a ground up wooden coaster in Sweden, but they have yet to give the so-called Iron Horse treatment to any intercontinental wooden coasters. However, according to a new rumor from Screamscape, that’s all about to change.

According to Screamscape’s sources, the White Cyclone wooden roller coaster at Nagashima Spaland is rumored to be getting the treatment next year. This ride is an Intamin wooden coaster that first opened in 1994. It is currently the seventh-tallest wooden roller coaster in the world and the longest wooden coaster outside of the United States. Unfortunately, several enthusiasts, including coaster veteran Sean Flaharty have criticized this ride for its extreme roughness. In this case, an RMC treatment would certainly make this a smoother and much more enjoyable ride experience, but how accurate is this rumor.

While Screamscape is often hit or miss with their rumors, there are a couple of reasons why this one is more plausible. First of all, Nagashima is already home to an S&S Freespin named Arashi, which RMC of course did the track for. Second of all, it has been wildly reported that RMC has seven projects coming out next year, including one in Japan. Could the company be heading overseas once again to give White Cyclone the i-box treatment? Right now, all signs point to yes. Of course, this would be another massive project for a company with already a lot going on, but considering they just opened up a massive new factory to keep up with demands last year, it’s clear that they’ll deliver the goods once again.

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