Loefet

Happy new 2013 everyone! And congratulations on the 90 year anniversary Liseberg!!

^^ I guess that you compare to the big English parks like Alton, Thorpe, etc? A few reasons that I can think about are: Weather, yes I know that Sweden isn't much further north than the UK, but weather wise we have it a bit cooler and a lot more unstable weather, winter times there are times where we have very cold weather with loads of snow. Most attractions will not work at those conditions so there isn't any real idea to open the park during these months. Yes of course there are a few attractions open during the winter season, but they are more or less only the kiddy rides the rest of the park are a big market with loads of food, handicraft and other stuff. There have still been times that they have been forced to shut some of the rides due to the weather. Visitors, most visitors come around the usual vacation period (July + first half of August), meaning that the park can be more or less empty outside this period (especially weekdays). Gothenburg and the surrounding area don't really have the number of residents to justify the park having a longer season as it is. Sure Halloween could draw in a number of people, since there is a school holiday around the beginning of November. From an economical stand point then having longer season will force the park to employ a larger staff, since most ride operators are just seasonal workers. The last one I can think of is that they may employ a different philosophy that they run the park, in comparison to say Merlin. Liseberg make good use of their off season, all the rides goes through the required maintenance, all constructions are completed, in essence you can say that everything is made ready for the next season. This means that on the opening day of the season everything is done, all rides works, the personnel is trained and ready, everything just works. Compare that to Thorpe or Alton where half the rides are still shut due to the fact that they haven't completed their maintenance, etc. The feeling of coming to a complete park on the first day is really satisfying. Even though all these reasons that gives the park the short season that it have, it still manages to bring in more visitors per season (about three million) than most of the parks in the UK, I think that only BPB may get more visitors (depending on how they count them) than Liseberg. So Liseberg don't really need a longer season as it is. And with the introduction of Halloween then the main summer season may be cut shorter as a result.

In yesterdays paper there were an article about the last day of the 2012 seasons, to wrap up everything for this year but also gives a few glimpses into the future of Liseberg. Nothing about new attractions or such but more about extended operating time. Like extending the winter season to include a few days after Christmas as well, not just close the day before. Also the concept of Halloween is also brought up, which here is a bag of mixed feelings. The good part is that most school kids are free around that time, so there is definitely people available to visit the park. I do like the Halloween park visits I have done, but if Liseberg goes for it then they should take the "good" parts of Halloween and mix it up with our more Swedish traditions around that time than just copying the American stuff. Also I really hope that they have more attractions than just the kids stuff open during that "season", along with some scare mazes Time frame for all this is, 2013 for extended Christmas time and 2014 as the earliest Halloween event. The final question though is that how on earth they should manage to fit it in into the schedule, since they usually close down for summer a week or two before and then open for winter about 2 weeks after. They may end up with cutting down the other seasons to get the time to set up everything. Unfortunately I can't give an source to this, since they paper haven't been able to update their web page due to the holidays, but I will get back to it once it does. Also, I did not get then chance to get to Liseberg during the winter season, so I am unable to post any construction update of Kaninlandet.

^ Which is about the same I got in Google Earth. I didn't really do this for exact measurements, but to get a feel on the rough size of the coaster so I could get a feel for it and see if there were space for it where Extreme were, but it was pretty clear that it couldn't be done.

It felt a lot bigger when I rode it at Drayton earlier this year compared to the measurements I got from Google Earth. Sure it's about the size of a wild mouse, but I doubt that they wouldn't have that much problem to fit it in the park if they really wanted to. Just look at Twister. I'm pretty sure if they were to get rid of the Oldtimer Cars and Nyckelpigan I'm sure that they could easily fit it in that area.

I have done some measurements in Google Earth, and while the boomerang is a really small ride, it won't fit in the "Extreme" area. But how are you all so sure that it must go in that specific area. It's a kiddy ride so why can't it go in another area of the park, like replacing something like Nyckelpigan (and maybe some other stuff). Or it can be a huge misunderstanding and it will end up at Skara Sommarland, Furuvik or some other place, since they share the same owner, but rumours have placed it here since they had some concept art about it earlier this year. Too bad that the images on Google Earth are so old, it would have been a lot easier since to judge the left space if it were to include all the changes that have been made since they were taken. EDIT: The Jr Boomerang were on www.Trips'N'Pics.com yesterday as a new ride for Gröna Lund, and even it they post really strange rumours about rides at parks they usually come true. However they have removed the Boomerang so it may not be happening at this point.

Gah, 19/20 Noticed my terror as i pressed submit on the one I got wrong.

Rode Rabalder at Liseberg a few years ago at the winter season, it was -15°C, never been so cold in my life. They had to close the water ride (Kaninresan) due to the fact that it froze. So yes some company's can make rides that work when it's cold, however most likely only for small rides, but then again it's not all that nice to go on a large coaster when it's really cold, especially when considering the wind chill factor. It's really bad that I haven't been there yet this winter, hopefully soon, so I can get some construction pictures of Kaninlandet and some more "glowing" images

We can always hope. But they would have to do some serious work for that to happen. Another news item that is related to Everland for 2013 is the opening of the EverLine in April (if it don't get delayed again). It's a rail line that will connect to the Seoul city Subway network and it will make it possible to get to Everland from Seoul by train, which will make it much easier to get there for people. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EverLine_Rapid_Transit_System

I'm not really fond of this change, they have removed some of the nice flow the old section had, but as long as it's not as slow as the video shows in the beginning then it might end up OK. I will be really sad if it ends up like Kanonen. Some other updates from the park: They are working hard to get ready for the winter season which starts next Friday. Added the star to the massive "Christmas Tree" Shows how much they are doing for the next season. The whole Kid area is more or less a building site, I really wonder how many of the attractions that will be open next Friday, since most of it is a pile of dirt. Images from the Liseberg Facebook page: Click

Themed to horses maybe, running between rocks and some stereotypical angry Indians or something... Or if you really want to keep with the Mexico theme, then dodging US Customs units??

Speaking of 4D coasters, could a normal spinner be counted as one? It also have 4 degrees of movement so in one sense they are one. Also an Zac-Spin only have 3 degrees of movement (track 2 dimensions and spinning seats) so they shouldn't really be called a 4D coaster, at least until Intamin put some lateral turns on them.

Aqua-Trax then??

Maybe it's something like Jet Rescue or Mick Doohan's Motocoaster? Fits with that it's an Intamin, the footers and the layout.

Liseberg don't allow you to go a second time, could be due to the fact that they have tickets to the rides and not only wristbands. Doesn't matter if you do have a wristband though, still no re-rides.

Oh my god whyyyyyyyyyyyyy Apparently it's really awesome. Absolutely, no head banging what so ever. Just really strange theming and possibility to loose your arms if you ride them in the air (as it is on many other Korean coasters).

And now for something completely different, an update for next year!! Liseberg posted an update on Facebook of their additions for it's 90 year anniversary. The "Rabbit Land": Ex Burger King restaurant While the Pony carousel is pretty new, it will be moved to a new location Some big rocks are relocated The Frog-hoppers are removed after 13 seasons in the park "Hedersplatsen", an area with hand/foot prints + signature of famous persons, is being removed. This was also the area where HangOver, Lisebergsloopen and Super8 once stood Aeroplane carousel is being removed after 22 seasons in the park Oldtimers cars are moved and updated to the next season, opened in 1974 All images comes from the Liseberg Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Liseberg/119312944764947

The Quickpass is being removed/replaced In an article posted on GP.se yesterday, Liseberg announced that the highly debated Quickpass system would be removed next year, in favour for another virtual queueing system that would be free to use for those that would plan their visit in advance. They aim to make it available for the next season. More details on how it will all work will be released in a couple of weeks time. Source: GP.se - Quickpasset läggs ner [swedish] __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ As it sound in that article then it will be more or less exactly the same as today (only for them who pre-books their tickets on-line), except it will be free. But then again I have only seen tens of people used the Quickpass system over the past few years. Will report back when I know more...

Hello everybody It seems like most of it is already out so I don't really have to post that much. Had a great time at the press day together with all the other great folks over at Liseberg today. A big thanks will go to Andreas Andersen for aiding us to go there with a personal invite, we really appreciated it!! So we arrived a few minutes before the start of the event, and were directed up towards Maxxima at the top of the Liseberg mountain. Once there we were greeted by the CEO and other officials, they supplied drinks and ice-cream while we mingled around. At 11:30 when it all started Andreas made a short introduction before we were guided into Maxxima for the video presentation of Project Helix. I have to say that I was expecting something less exciting because of the rumours that circulated before today. But as I saw the first few CGI images in the intro I, then my jaw really dropped through the floor. This will be an most excellent addition to Liseberg, especially seeing that Blue Fire is one of my absolute favourite coasters out there. After the video, it was back out again for interviews, etc. where we had loads of fun chatting around with the people there. So in all a short but really sweet time, where we witnessed something really great for the future of Liseberg. The ride itself looks to be everything I dream of a new coaster at Liseberg. They have really used the space well and really expanded the park in a direction that haven't been utilized before (apart for some path and garden features). Most of the big things will be located on the west side of the mountain (direction at the park) so that they can reduce the noises the ride will produce from those that live just outside the park, the ride itself were also chosen because it's silent operation. The best thing of the location is that there is still plenty of space at the southern end so that they have space for some future attractions, especially when they decide to remove the old Ferris Wheel. Many of the main elements are in such locations that they line up to certain points to create some spectacular views of the ride from inside the park. It will also interact with Lisebergbanan at some points, like diving under the lift (which was really interesting since my brother and I was just talking about such concept this Sunday when we visited the park at the final day, like we always do) and the pre-brake run at the end. Really looking forward to the ride since it have all the great things that Blue Fire has, but also a lot more. Can't wait for this ride to be finished!! The only thing that is a bit off, is that Kanonen now feels a bit redundant, even though it's nothing I really care about Oh, of course, expect photo updates when they start construction. Divv: The pandavision were ditched a few years ago. They have been showing Sammy's Adventure 1 & 2 in the past few years. JonnyRCT3: They did this since there is so much work they have to do on site before the erection can begin. First of all there is not that much time in the off season, many of the foundations will be located in tricky places, in and around several rides and trees, so you can't bring in big machinery to do this quickly, but rather take your time. Also the construction of the station and queue area will take some time so that's one of the first things that will undergo construction.

I don't think so, it's going to hug the terrain even more and really blend in due to its dark green paint job. Sure some of the hills and inversions might stick up a bit. More on this as I get home and havet a look through the data.

Now live from Maxxima Just saying Mack Mega Coaster 6 inversions 2 launches 1.4 km length All on the mountainside

Overheard a family that had loads of interesting discussions going while queuing for Balder yesterday. Two of the highlights were that: The daughter asked the son if it was OK to bring her mobile phone on the ride, since she had heard that the G-Spot caused things to fall out of pockets... She quickly corrected her statement, but the "damage" was already done Later on her mother asked why they rode it again, since they already had ridden it before. At that point I was trying hard not to laugh out loud, but that last one is a typical GP though I guess.

Balder on the last day of the season just before the closing fireworks.

A big ride would be awesome especially seeing how much money they are sinking in to it, and if it's a prototype of some sort they might get a good price for the ride since it's done for testing the system at a full scale. Just 20 hours to go, and best of all. I got confirmation that we were very welcome to attend the event Now I have to figure out how to use twitter so I can live tweet to TPR so that everyone can get the info fast. Or on second thought, will probably do this through Tapatalk so watch this thread. If everything fails then there will at least be a full report tomorrow afternoon/evening.

So you mean the two that apparently are going to the new park Vialand in Turkey don't count?