Mr Stratosphere

Part 3

Part 2

Hey everyone! Since the track is now complete, I believe now is a good time to do a major update from the past year at Adventuredome. It has been a real blast doing updates for this ride from the get go. Enjoy the photos below! 1/15/2013 - Parkworld-online.com shares a manufacturer update with and S&S El Loco ordered for Adventuredome. 1/18/2013 - Photo update with some POV Photos taken from Rim Runner. 2/3/2013 - Rim Runner Closes 2/4/2013 - Rim Runner Boats Moved Outside. 2/7/2013 - El Loco Press Release World-Class, Record-Breaking Roller Coaster Speeding to the Adventuredome at Circus Circus Las Vegas MGM Resorts International MGM | 2/7/2013 7:56:00 PM World-Class, Record-Breaking Roller Coaster Speeding to the Adventuredome at Circus Circus Las Vegas America's Largest Indoor Theme Park Prepares for Thrilling New Ride LAS VEGAS, Feb. 7, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Coming soon to The Adventuredome at Circus Circus Las Vegas, roller coaster fans get ready for negative G drops, gravity-defying turns and over-the-edge twists! Only the second of its kind in the United States, El Loco, The Adventuredome's newest roller coaster, will offer thrill seekers a unique and exhilarating ride experience in a custom and compact design guaranteed to excite all. The Adventuredome will begin construction on El Loco in the coming weeks and the coaster will be ready for screams and thrills in December. Designed by S&S Worldwide, Inc., the world's leading manufacturer of vertical and family thrill rides, El Loco roller coasters are famous for their record-breaking steep first drops and one-of-a-kind moves. With only five other El Loco coasters worldwide, the addition of the ride to America's largest indoor theme park will provide Vegas visitors an exclusive opportunity. "The addition of El Loco to The Adventuredome is a significant move in our efforts to entice a new generation of roller coaster lovers," said Tom Nolan, vice president of operations for The Adventuredome. Accompanied by a customized soundtrack, El Loco will deliver new and unique coaster elements that drop, turn and twist the rider in ways not previously experienced. Riders will ascend 70 feet before diving over and under in a backwards motion, delivering a negative 1.5 "vertical-G". The ride's unique elements, including a 45-degree outwardly banked turn, a greater-than-straight-down diving drop, and a 180-degree turn that races over the edge into a barrel roll, will provide guests with an extraordinarily thrilling adventure. Offering one of the smoothest rides in the business, El Loco's innovative, four-person cars feature an open design which will give riders the feeling of flying during the 75-second ride along 1,300 feet of track. The El Loco design pushes the limits of what can be accomplished in a small footprint, maximizing space with a soaring, eye-catching structure set to be the new focal point of The Adventuredome. While The Adventuredome says "hola" to El Loco, it waved "adios" to the iconic Rim Runner. The new action-packed El Loco will take the place of the Rim Runner flume ride, one of the park's four original attractions. "We are committed to reinventing The Adventuredome experience with fresh and exciting rides for new and repeat guests," said Nolan. El Loco, designed by S&S Worldwide, Inc., will have riders dropping, turning and twisting in some unique ways. The ride includes a 70-foot ascension before plunging over and backwards in a 95 degree motion and delivering a negative 1.5 “vertical-G.” Guests will be sent on a 45-degree outwardly banked turn, a greater-than-straight-down diving drop, and a 180-degree turn that races over the edge into a barrel roll. (In case you wondered, this all sounds like a pretty typical day at momentum World HQ.) The new, 75-second yellow and black ride features open design cars that will make the four riders feel like they are flying along the 1,300 feet of track. The other four El Loco roller coasters are in Indiana, France, Australia, U.K. and China. Riders will have to be at least 48 inches tall to go on El Loco, which joins The Adventuredome’s 25 other rides and attractions spread throughout five acres. Circus Circus Hotel, Casino and Theme Park – Las Vegas The hallmark of the 3,767-room Circus Circus Hotel, Casino and Theme Park in Las Vegas lies under the legendary Big Top, where celebrated circus acts perform on the Midway Stage as part of the world's largest permanent circus. The Adventuredome, America's largest indoor theme park, offers five acres of climate-controlled fun for all ages. Guests of Circus Circus may dine in a variety of restaurants including THE Steak House, rated the best steakhouse by Zagat and recognized a record 20 times in Las Vegas Review-Journal's "Best of Las Vegas" awards, and Rock & Rita's, where flair bartenders and live music enliven the scene. Circus Circus also offers a casino, wedding chapel, meeting and convention space and a 30-acre RV park. Circus Circus is a wholly owned subsidiary of MGM Resorts International (NYSE: MGM). For more information and reservations, visit circuscircus.com or call toll free at (800) 634-3450 or find us on Facebook and Twitter. SOURCE Circus Circus Las Vegas PR Newswire February 7, 2013 - 7:56 PM EST 2/8/2013 - Demolition of Rim Runner Begins and the drop is already gone! 2/15/2013 - Rock Work starts to come down around the Rim Runner Station and Canyon Blaster first turn. Trough demolition beings near the station as well. 3/17/2013 - Demoltion continues.Splashdown pool completely gone. 3/22/2013 - Rim Runner signage removed. Work continues on demolition. 4/18/2013 - Start of Rim Runner trough completey removed for El-Loco Finale and final brake run. First clear view of Canyon Blaster first turn before the lift. 4/28/2013 - El Loco site clear and prepped for constrution. 5/18/2013 - El Loco coming soon signage added, remainder of Rim Runner trough camoflauged. Air ducts removed for height clearance. 6/7/2013 - Footer Markings appear. 6/7/2013 - Holes drilled in prep for footers, footer boxes appear on site. 7/16/2013 - Footers ready for concrete. 8/27/2013 - Footers poured 9/6/2013 - Steel Arrives 9/27/2013 - Steel moved inside park 10/4/2013 - El Loco Vertical 10/7/2013 - Crane moved inside park 10/9/2013 - Supoorts added for Finale - Track installed in the station. 10/10/2013 - Track installed above station, start of final twist and dive. 10/21/2013 - Track installation begins in the main arena of the ride, the bottom of the first drop. 10/26/2013 - First drop complete 11/3/2013 - More construction in the main arena of the ride. 11/8/2013 - Construction is up to the first block brake. 11/16/2013 - Lots more track installed - Lift installation begins. 11/24/2013 - Lift Complete 11/26/2013 - Bottom of second drop complete, scaffolding installed over bridge as second block brake awaits installation. 11/27/2013 - Truss in place for second block brake. 12/2/2013 - Second Block Brake track in place, as well as the "trick track" 12/3/2013 - First El Loco car on site. 12/4/2013 - IAAPA El Loco car now on display at the front of the park. Mountain is patched up and looks fantastic. First drop track is being installed. 12/7/2013 - Track in the main arena of the ride is complete. 12/12/2013 - Final piece of track is in place.

Alright that's it for track installation, El Loco is now a full circuit coaster! Looks to be an insane amount of hangtime for the final twist and dive! Can't wait for testing to begin!

I'm looking forward to how much time you will be upside down for the finale!! That last dive looks super tight!

From Adventuredome's Twitter. The last piece was installed this mornkng!

I have to say the Tower of Terror rides. They all have a story and it is followed all the way though the experience. Queue and all.

For some of us that live south and parks are still open, or some of us that can travel! For the month of December, mine has to be Canyon Blaster at Adventuredome.

For once, this is a B&M Coaster I really want them to clone and build in the US! We sure do need more quality coasters here in Vegas!

They knew Dan was coming.

When I drove past the park today, I saw that the crane has been moved outside of the park, so I'm assuming the track has to be complete by now! I will be sure to shoot an update tomorrow!

I totally forgot about the X2 Campout at SFMM, we got to ride the ride late the night of the event. But late that night while we were all camping in the picnic pavilion it just poured that night! I remember some of the campers were soaked in their tents, but some of us slept on top of the picnic tables and were able to stay dry. Man was that a cold night!

Exciting!!! If I lived in Florida, I would probably do the same thing!

American Pie

I totally agree with you, I find TTD a much better ride, the lap bars are a bonus while I found the rattle on Kingda Ka to be a bit much. I also prefer the launch of TTD to Kingda Ka, Kingda Ka has that weird stepping acceleration, while TTD is just a straight out launch.

Lightning Bolt at MGM Grand Adventures had 3 different incarnations in one park during its lifespan. First, it opened as an indoor coaster. Space Mountain like. Second the ride was relocated outside when the park size was shrunk to make way for the MGM Grand Pool Complex and Convention Center. Third, Arrow designed an extension of the coaster over the rapids ride making the ride an Intamin/Arrow hybrid. So Vegas' roller coaster history has been an interesting one to say the least. And two coasters have been involved with magicians that performed in Vegas. Desperado - Lance Burton was tied down to the tracks and had to escape before an approaching train ran over him. Canyon Blaster - Criss Angel Mindfreak - A train "goes through" Criss' body while he stands on the track after the corkscrews and Criss ends up in the front seat. Canyon Blaster was also featured in the movie Baby Geniuses. Part of the fictional "Joyworld" theme park, Sly starts the ride with two scientists on board and restraints still open. Both fall from the ride.

It is going to have to be an SLC for me, I am really easy going with any ride, but I had such a massive headache after the last one I rode and I was riding defensively.

^7/10??? HAHA thats funny because yours is a 7/10 split! I rate 9/10 because that happened to me on the last frame of bowling in a tournament and it was for a clean game...

Vegas in general, I hate the fact that so many places have been "de-themed", if they all have a modern feel etc. then what is the allure? Have a theme, have a gimmick that makes you want to visit the hotel/casino. Stratosphere is a great example, the tower should be the biggest form of advertising, however on all of the billboards etc, you don't see the tower, heck it isn't even in the logo anymore, why do people think it is doing so badly? The tower should be the first thing people see, instead it is such a tiny icon. strat.bmp Old Logo New Logo (TERRIBLE)

Gravity-Max

A lot of them are gone, but if you get to Vegas, the one at the Adventuredome still looks and operates like it is brand new! There seems to be a lot of pride with that ride there!

Lotion

WOW!!! Thanks for the great report and awesome photos! There seems to be a lot of attention to detail! Looks like Knott's is now on my list of things to do during the Holiday Season!!

Favorite On-Ride: Space Mountain Disneyland Favorite Background Music: Pre-Show music for Terminator 2: 3D (will get stuck in your head for days!)

That has been an enjoyable read so far! Thanks for sharing with us!