Gun to my head I would agree with the smaller back spike but I give up making assumptions about this because if you told me a year ago they would be adding a spike and a swing launch I would have laughed in your face and... here we are.
Only the very back of the very last car of the train would have to hit 500 to get a "legitimate" record, and if they put (presumably) LIMs the whole way up the spike, they could even move the train up there (at a decent pace, like Maverick's "lift hill") before releasing, then boosting on the old launch track.
Either way, it will be a smashing success for the park but I have to imagine a disappointment for fans of the rush of acceleration of the original (like me).
I would assume capacity wise it would make the most sense to launch backwards then forwards over the top hat. Having a long launch forwards just to go backwards again just to launch forwards again on that long launch track would take some time
You show your pass at the entrance of the ride. They will also stamp your hand, I presume so you don't need to show your pass every time. I only rode once so I cannot confirm but that seems to make sense why.
Haven't been on here for a while but wanted to send a quick update from KCCI. When they said Flying Viking would be the park's seventh coaster I had to double check... I remember growing up in Iowa when this place only had four! A lot has happened to Adventureland since I moved but it will be a good day when I'm finally able to visit again. Hoping for a successful opening day and 2023 season!