robbalvey

How old is their Giant Loop?

Yes it is. That very sentence is hateful, obnoxious and stupid. This entire discussion, in fact this entire forum would have been better off without it.

Kings Island introducing 'Orion,' the world's newest giga coaster Ride Manufacturer: Bolliger & Mabillard Coaster Type: Steel Classification: Giga Lift/Launch System: Chain lift hill Duration: 3 minutes Trains: 3 trains with 8 cars. Riders are seated 4 across in a single row for a total of 32 riders per train Capacity: 1,650 riders per hour Minimum Height Requirement: 54 inches Ride Opening: Spring 2020 Track Length: 5,321 feet Height of First Drop: 300 feet Length of First Drop: 447 feet Total Number of Hills: 8 Height of Hills: 287 feet, 174 feet, 202 feet, 56 feet, 147 feet, 125 feet, 90 feet, 83 feet Top Speed: 91 mph Thrill-seekers will experience a new level of excitement when they visit Kings Island in 2020. Joining the world-class line-up of roller coasters at the park is Orion®, one of only seven giga coasters in the world, a class of roller coasters having a height or drop of 300-399 feet. Themed to the park's new Area 72, the ride features the latest prototype vehicle developed by the Project X initiative. Scientists are in a race against time to develop technology capable of weaving transport vehicles through a coming meteor storm and traveling to a new planet within the Orion constellation. For the program to be successful, it needs volunteers to help with testing. Riders on Orion will plummet down an exhilarating 300-foot first drop, sending them on a high-speed journey over seven more hills and 5,321 feet of track at speeds up to 91 mph on Kings Island's tallest, fastest and longest steel roller coaster. Orion was exclusively designed for Kings Island by Switzerland-based Bolliger & Mabillard, which also designed the park's popular Banshee and Diamondback roller coasters. https://www.visitkingsisland.com/explore/orion

So you DON'T actually know for sure if they have all the track or not... you're just "guessing" and making stuff up, right?

Introducing Coconut Shores New Area Coming in 2020 We're making waves in 2020 with three exciting additions to our water park! Our newly redesigned area, Coconut Shores, provides the perfect place for families to cool down and have fun. Kids of all ages can explore their way to the top of Lighthouse Landing, a 45-ft tall multi-level aqua play structure featuring hundreds of interactive elements for a splashtastic time. The little ones can find their own piece of paradise at Sand Dune Lagoon, a 3,000 square foot wave pool with playful 1-foot tall waves and interactive splash elements. And, a new dining experience showcasing a variety of flavors designed by our executive chef will bring families together for a relaxing meal.

In the future, please don't make crappy posts like this. Just posting a link offers nothing to the group. The above post took me 90 seconds to make, and that is how we prefer announcement posts to look. If all you are capable of doing is posting a link to the forum, don't post to our forum. Have I made myself clear?

Introducing Camp Snoopy - Coming Spring 2020 Michigan’s Adventure will debut its new Peanuts® themed kids’ area, Camp Snoopy, for Spring of 2020. Camp Snoopy will feature five family rides, including a family-friendly roller coaster and beautiful natural landscaping with plenty of shaded seating and pathways that offer something to explore around every corner. Camp Snoopy will feature five new rides aimed to please families with kids from toddlers to tweens: Woodstock Express: Little thrill seekers can join parents and grandparents on this family roller coaster with plenty of ups and downs, just like the flight of Snoopy’s best bird buddy. Beagle Scout Lookout: Adventurers will board a version of a colorful hot air balloon and float high in the sky. Mud Buggies: Kids will climb aboard their very own all-terrain vehicle for a bouncy ride. Camp Bus: This fun family ride takes passengers soaring up and down and all around on a wacky bus with Snoopy in the drivers’ seat. Trail Blazers: Riders will buckle in and zoom around a track, like an off-road expedition. In addition, the new Beagle Scout Acres will feature a large climb-and-play structure with lots of interactive features and things to climb. More info on the official website: https://www.miadventure.com/explore/camp-snoopy

It's unfortunate how bad the guest service has become at Universal Japan lately. It used to be one of my top favorite parks in the world, but when you end up having a better visit to Fuji-Q than Universal Studios Japan... that really says something. The trouble I had with the park goes well beyond what Nick mentioned in the report, and while I won't go into many details, I will say that this was now my SECOND experience where things have most certainly gone south at this park, and some of the issues I encountered happened BEFORE the earthquake, so it wasn't just a one-off happening. I'm hoping that maybe the park will be able to redeem themselves during our upcoming October visit...

Disney owns ESPN and ESPN does a lot of work with the NBA. So that part makes sense. And yes, that is Kareem!

This exactly! It is not a "requirement" for a park to build something that will appeal to 100% everybody. Sometimes it is "okay" to have attractions, shows, etc, that might appeal more to once audience than another. I mean, case in point, not everyone is going to want to see the "Disney Junior" show and that is perfectly fine. Theme park resorts need a "balance" of things to do. And if the NBA Experience has its audience and they love it, then job well done! People who don't like it can simply move on to the next thing...

We were invited out by Disney to check out the new NBA Experience at Walt Disney World's Disney Springs. While I'll let the photos and the video showcase most of the new attraction, let me touch on a couple of things here... First of all, this is the building that replaced DisneyQuest, however oddly enough, the new attraction feels a lot like DisneyQuest, but basketball themed. It was almost as though while the deal was being made, they took a look around DisneyQuest with the intention of just re-theming it, but probably realized that with the experiences they wanted to create, they probably would have had to do some major re-construction of the existing building that it was probably easier to just demolish the old one and re-build. But even from the start, where you walk into the center of the building to a staircase that leads up to the other level, and the different "attractions" are around the perimeter of the different levels, it still feels a lot like DisneyQuest! (This is not a bad thing!) Here is the official press release from Disney and I'll let you chew through this before getting to the photos and the video we put together... LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – NBA Experience, the brand-new destination on the West Side of Disney Springs at Walt Disney World Resort, opens to guests Aug. 12, 2019. Disney developed this one-of-a-kind environment in collaboration with the NBA, where guests enter the world of professional basketball. The high-energy, family-friendly venue is packed with 13 different basketball-related activities across 44,000 square feet and two floors. “When we were young, we played basketball in our driveways or in the park, creating those imaginary moments of making the game-winning shot for a championship,” said Stan Dodd, executive producer, Walt Disney Imagineering. “We want to take that energy and help you feel what it’s like to be an actual NBA or WNBA player.” Upon entry, guests will feel as if they’re walking through the players’ tunnel at an NBA or WNBA arena. Once inside, guests can: • Feel what it’s like to be part of the NBA Draft • Improve their ball-handling skills • Step onto the court to make clutch shots and highlight-worthy slam dunks • Play basketball-themed arcade and video games • Enjoy two different 180-degree cinematic experiences • Take photos with NBA championship and MVP trophies • Make the right call just like a real-life replay official NBA Experience also provides ample opportunities to learn more about the NBA and WNBA via interactive displays, films and trivia. The destination offers something for everyone. A ticket to NBA Experience grants access to every activity, in any order guests choose, and they can return to stations to improve performance or learn even more about the game, players and teams they love. They can also customize many of their experiences to showcase their favorite NBA or WNBA teams. The adjacent NBA Store features NBA apparel, collectibles and more, along with Disney products designed specifically for NBA Experience. NBA Experience Highlights • Dribble! – Test ball-handling skills with an interactive coach who leads a variety of dribbling routines • Dunk! – Execute the perfect slam just like a superstar, captured by cameras surrounding height-adjustable baskets • Slingshot – Use an oversized slingshot to launch balls at hoops of varying heights, making as many baskets as possible before the clock runs out in this thrilling timed challenge • Shoot! – Step onto the court and hear the roar of the crowd while maneuvering through a series of last-second shots before the clock expires • Combine – Compare wingspan and vertical leap to NBA or WNBA players with this series of tests that replicates NBA Combine drills • Draft – Experience one of the biggest milestones for a basketball player at the NBA Draft with a photo moment that re-creates the electric atmosphere of the Draft stage • Replay – Take a seat at an interactive, multi-screen module to watch replay clips from NBA games and use tools at the station to make the right calls • Players – Enter the off-court sanctuary of the lockerroom and explore current team rosters, records and highlights • Champions – Be immersed in the rich legacy and history of NBA and WNBA championship teams and take a photo with replicas of the NBA championship and MVP trophies • “Game Time” – Watch a heartwarming film about the in-arena game experience and the impact it has on a young woman and her father • “Together” – Discover the amazing on- and off-court story of an NBA superstar in this inspirational, 180-degree cinematic presentation • Arcade – Play interactive games, from the fan-favorite Pop-A-Shot to the latest NBA video games • Trivia – Demonstrate knowledge of the NBA and WNBA – past and present – during a multi-player, real-time contest And now onto our photos & video! Be sure to watch the video as it will give you a pretty good overview of what the entire building is like! Video: [fbvideonew] [/fbvideonew] Good morning from Disney Springs! An "opening moment" is about to happen at the new NBA Experience! Countdown.... 3... 2... 1... and the new attraction is now OPEN! Disney & NBA execs and of course Mickey & Minnie! Watching these two dance was amazing! When you first walk inside, you can't help but to think that the layout of the building has some serious DisneyQuest vibes. The different experiences range from "Dribble..." And they are all labeled easily so you won't get lost. Classic Pop-A-Shot video games are also here. "Slingshot" may have been my favorite activity. It was this interesting "game of skill" themed to Basketball. I do wonder if the reason why I liked this one so much is because it kind of reminded me more of the stuff you'd find at DisneyQuest? "Shoot" allowed you to do just that... shoot baskets with a virtual audience that reacted to how well you played. You can take your picture with a wax figure of the NBA Commissioner in "Draft!" Here's a look at the layout of the building. There are areas where you can see trophy's, uniforms and more from different teams. Wingspan, reach, and jump! Draft Combine puts your different skills to the test. Yay! We got to meet NBA Minnie! Love the look of her Jersey! Huge THANK YOU to Disney for inviting us out to check out this new Disney Springs attraction! If you're a huge NBA Fan, this is most certainly something you'll want to visit! To "Dunk!" And the opening of the NBA Experience is sealed with a kiss!

The Tallest Raft Ride Drop in the Western Hemisphere! 4.5 Stories to The Wettest Splashdown in the Park’s 60-Year History! Mystic River Falls will be the highlight of a new themed area of the park, Rivertown, where 1880s townfolk are caught up in a high-spirited celebration, representing Silver Dollar City’s Diamond Jubilee. The all-new Rivertown Smokehouse, the largest dining investment in the corporation’s history, will serve the park’s famous BBQ plus new favorites, providing 450 viewing seats along the banks of the Mystic River. (Investment $4 million) And to think, it all started with a hole in the ground. Marvel Cave in Branson was among the most popular “show caves” in the 1950s and 60s. In fact, the Herschends started Silver Dollar City so tourists to Marvel Cave had something to do while waiting for their tours. The family quickly learned they had entered into the theme park business! Mystic River Falls calls upon that rich history for theming and backstory, intermingling fact and fiction, legend and lore, to arrive at an attraction that celebrates the spirit of adventure that’s part of Ozark culture. An underground body of water that seems to come from and go nowhere, Mystic River truly appears on the park’s historical maps as discovered and documented by botanist S. Fred Prince in the late 1800s, and to this day, flows in Marvel Cave. For the new ride, guests will be transported back to the 1880s in a storyline that revolves around a historically-based fictional character named Pearl Brazen, an intrepid explorer who’s eager to take them on a bold quest to find the headwaters of the Mystic River. Silver Dollar City’s 60th Anniversary Diamond Jubilee will begin in March, 2020 along with park opening; an Anniversary Celebration will launch the weekend of May 1, 2020, followed by Mystic River Falls opening during the summer season. As is tradition, cave tours are offered daily, so in 2020 park guests can step into the past by exploring the cave, and then look toward the future by experiencing a record-breaking, game-changing water ride that reminds us all that The Greatest Adventures Lie Ahead! Mystic River Falls, itself a $23 million investment, will be a River Adventure that is themed to the history and legend of the great Marvel Cave, which was the catalyst for Silver Dollar City six decades ago. Riders will splash through nearly a half-mile (2100’) scenic journey, navigating hairpin turns, high tides and a hidden mine shaft on more than a 5-minute trek. Plus, Adventurers will discover industry-leading special features: - 82’ Tall Lift Tower River Adventurers will ascend a more than 8-story lift tower, exposed to the open air as their rafts rotate during the climb! The rotation elevator lift of 4 platforms is unique to this ride and will be the only one like it in the world to go up so high. - More than 6-Story Elevated River Channel, 180’ Long The rafts will connect to an elevated river channel suspended in the air 66’ high and travel within the channel for 180 linear feet. - A Grand Finale Waterfall of 4.5 Stories of Thrilling Adventure! Racing down and through the ride’s queue building, River Adventurers will brave the Mystic River Falls finale… [fbvideonew] [/fbvideonew]

It's true! I don't like riding roller coasters much less photographing them.

I'm happy this report has started already... and it's off to a great start!

It goes without saying that "riding roller coasters in Russia" was one of the more interesting things I've done. Also interesting because this park was so nice! Well landscaped and the rides seemed to all be in really good shape. I wasn't really expecting that. Actually had a really good time at this park!

Here is my final ride on "Bob!"

Is Fantastic Beasts really that popular? I feel like most people I know who are Potter fans are quite “meh” on those films. I don’t see that franchise being “theme park land worthy” in any way.

While I doubt this is a full, 1-to-1 of what is coming I really doubt park chains are in the business of releasing fake renderings. But this seems to come up everything a plan is leaked or not much is announced so . . . I am of the opinion that this seems like a very “high concept” rendering of the park and I personally would expect quite a bit of it to change by the time any details are released.

How many of you have ridden a classic "Enterprise Wheel?" Post below the ones you've ridden!

We rode Speed at Energylandia the other day and it was BY FAR the wettest I've ever gotten on any roller coaster or water ride! This is just INSANE! Watch this whole video:

Hersheypark Announces “Candymonium” Hypercoaster for Summer 2020 Hershey’s Chocolatetown to Feature Park’s Tallest, Fastest, Longest and Sweetest Coaster https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ByFSdBYztJY (Hershey, PA - July 24, 2019) - Hersheypark amusement park, a 121-acre theme park with more than 70 rides, a water park and a zoo, today unwrapped the details of the Candymonium hypercoaster, its 15th coaster. The hypercoaster will feature a lift height of 210 feet, max speed of 76 mph and track length of 4,636 feet - making it the tallest, fastest, longest and sweetest coaster in Hersheypark. Candymonium will open in summer 2020 as part of the all-new Hershey’s Chocolatetown region, Hersheypark’s $150 million transformational expansion. The addition of this 15th coaster also means Hersheypark will have the most coasters of any park in the Northeast in 2020. “As The World’s Sweetest Coaster, Candymonium will truly merge fun and iconic Hershey brands to provide a thrilling experience our guests can only get in Hershey,” said John Lawn, president and CEO of Hershey Entertainment & Resorts Company (HE&R). “We worked with leading industry manufacturer Bolliger & Mabillard (B&M) to assemble a one-of-a-kind hypercoaster with the most airtime of any coaster in Hersheypark.” Candymonium will span 7 acres at the new entrance of Hershey’s Chocolatetown, a new region at Hersheypark where guests can play, eat, shop and gather year round. Guests will be welcomed by the signature milk chocolate-colored track and candy-themed trains representing the world-renowned Hershey Company brands of Hershey’s Kisses, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups and Twizzlers. The thrilling 2 minute and 26 second ride experience on Candymonium will begin as soon as guests 54” and taller (Twizzlers height requirement and above) enter the Park’s most immersive coaster station to date with extensive theming. Riders will embark on a heart-pounding, 210-foot ascent up the tallest hill in Hersheypark before dipping into thrilling drops, including seven camelback hills and a 123-degree hammerhead curve that serve up the ultimate feeling of freedom with the most airtime in Hersheypark. The finishing touch is an impressive panoramic banked curve that wraps around the new iconic Kisses Fountain. Guests can experience a thrilling point of view video of Candymonium and learn more about the next chapter of Hersheypark at www.hersheypark.com/chocolatetown/coaster.php. Candymonium will join other marquee elements of Hershey’s Chocolatetown in 2020, including a new arrival experience and front gate; restaurant, bar and patio; ice cream parlor and confectionary scratch kitchen; a Starbucks® store; and a flagship retail store with the largest collection of Hersheypark merchandise. For more information on this transformational expansion, explore www.Hersheypark.com/chocolatetown and follow along using #HPChocolatetown.

Seriously? It was a magnet. And TRUST ME, it was done in jest and for fun. And if you honestly believe we need to “promote our site” like we don’t already have 3.5 million followers and 1 billion YouTube views, well that’s where you’re wrong. We were allowed to touch the supports and the track. No one was doing anything wrong. Best part about all this? No one is forcing you to be a member here and you are welcome to leave anytime and absolutely NOBODY will care. Honestly, we really don’t give a shit what you think.

So Fury completely kicked ass! The whole "voting" thing was a super fun gimmick and on top of that the ride was AWESOME! I think I preferred going backwards just because it was so crazy and intense, but it was an awesome coaster going forwards as well! Take a look at this video! It pretty much explains everything!

^ Thank you!

Can someone maybe make a REAL post about this instead of just posting a stupid URL to a news story like some lazy asshole? Thanks.