Sk610

Why would DL put in a Chance hyper lite? They already have ROS. Something like the Eurofighter or spinning coaster would at least provide a relatively new experience. I think that is what DL needs to concentrate on with their coasters is new experiences. A wing coaster, launched looping, dive coaster, wooden twister and yes even the spinning coaster would all be very good additions

At this point, just about anything could be on the table. There is more than enough time to plan and build a major coaster or do a major overhaul to any section of the park. For all we know they very well could be surveying today...

Trust me, if they want you to ask this far out, chances are that it will be something good. I am sure they would not be putting out teasers this early if they were adding a tilt-a-whirl.

I agree ^ totally that CNL is the root cause of the problems. I believe that they are not giving the park enough of an operating budget for the management team to work with. I think whoever buys the park from CNL will invest what it takes to make things right. Some may even invest more than that...

My initial guess is that if they are selling a park or two, it would probably to HFE since they wanted DL in the first place. If that is the case, DL will be a great park in a while. I also would expect them to light the giant wheel along with building some very intricate and well themed rides.

The video game theme idea is a pretty cool idea. The only problem is that video games zre so intricate that the themeing would have to be very intense

^This is exactly why i was asking. If the park has to invest to repair one train, how much do two new ones cost? Or how much do new updated restraints cost? Making ME more rideable could do alot for the park.

I thought they said the orientation of rolling thunder would be parallel to the giant wheel in the press release, thus creating two large circles on the same plane when looking at the park. This does not look to be the case at all. I am however glad that they could get construction started early and maybe be able to do an extra small project or two if the money is there. Also does anyone know if vekoma ever built newer trains for slc's to not create so much head banging? If so that would be a great investment in the future

Darien Lake actually had a pretty good past under Premier management. It was when Premier acquired Six Flags that things went south. Premier added coasters almost every year 4 years in a row and waterpark expansion at least two of the years. I am hoping for one of two things. Premier owning the park at which they will continue to add coasters and thrills to the park. The second thing would be HFE to buy the park from CNL or from whoever CNL sells to and then adds great themeing that they already started and turns the park into something like Silver Dollar City. It will not be major coasters and thrils, but the overall park atmosphere will be fantastic and the park will be very well rounded

I wonder what 'significant weather challenges' they are talking about? It is hard to remember the summer with the winter that we are having, but I thought it was decent. I am sure that the operational challenges had to do with the overall park operations and two train operation on the costers. I think we all knew they would throw HFE under the bus, and fully back the new management team they brought in. Only time will tell if Premier is actually doing more to better overall park operations though.

Yes DL definitely needs more thrilling flats. My only thing would be why put all the family style rides together? All that does is create separate area of the park. If you look at good parks with actual themed areas like CW and BGW they put some thrills and some family in each area to cater to everyone. This sort of how DL is currently set up, and should continue to be

I agree that the park is definitely on the right track, but do think HFE had much better overall future vision for the park. With that said, I do hope that whoever buys the park turns around and sells DL alone to HFE and recoups some of their investment. I do not want to see CF buy the park as I think it would turn into the same as Michigan's Adventure. Anyone who thinks that if CF purchased the park they would automatically turn it into another CP or even CW are severly mistaken. All of the large chains favor the largest and most attended parks in their chain and always will. This is why DL would do so well under HFE management as DL would fit with attendance of their larger parks like Dollywod and Silver Dollar City. If premier bought all CNL parks, DL would be the biggest park and get the best treatment in the form of rides. I am hoping for either Premier or HFE to buy the park

I think that the majority of Hussmridesmare now getting older and not mechanically sound anymore. Huss used to be the main flat ride manufacturer. In todays world you have tonsmof flt ride manufacturers and price comes into play much more. Companies like Mondial and Zamperla build great flats at less cost than Huss. Plus I also think all the problems Huss had with the topple towers did not help their situation much. I never did hear that they fully went out of business though.

Yes the two additions this year are erfect for the ark. I fully expect Ranger to be removed sooner rathermthan later. It was SBNO for the majority of the year last year, hence the need to remove. I am sure parts for Ranger are probably very difficult to come by, hence by adding rolling thunder this year they can have the same experience as ranger in a new ride and allow for the removal of ranger On the idea of removing part of the campgrounds for expansion. I only like the idea if the removed area can be reclaimed in another spot on the property. The campgrounds make a lot of money for DL and are pretty much pure profit. The park definitelyneeds to expand, but there are other spots to expand first. I see the old cuda falls area and into the front parking lt as area number one. Second in line would either be over by scrambler and over towards the two islands and along predator and the lake edge. Third I truly think the area between Predatr's turn around and Rte 77 and over towards the hotel will provide open space that can easily be used first without having to infringe on the campground areas. Eventually, i do like the campground expansion idea, just not yet

Wow if that is true that the ride cannot operate in the rain, that is a pretty major downfall. I know that this isnt disney, and when it rains most people go inside or go home, but even still...

So rolling thunder is going to be a trailer mount ride just installed in the park? Does anyone know how Elitch Gardens did theirs? I have a hard time believing that SF would add these to a large portion of their parks without being a park model.

My guess is that construction will not start until the snow melts. Unfortunately, this year that may not be until late April. Even so, the super loop should be able to be built in a week or so and the same with the waterslide complex. The only question will be how long will it take to build the queue areas and pavement around the waterslide area.

Even last year the park was closed before halloween. I think the first weeked of october was the last weekend if I remember correctly.

I think all of us believe that DL,needs a new coaster very badly. The problem is that costs have skyrocketed putting even small coasters out of reach. I saw the other day that Lagoon, a small park in Utah is adding a basic three inversion Eurofighter. The cost was over $20 million for something that nobody would consider a huge coaster. I can only imagine how much a coaster like Kumba would cost in todays money. I think ROS only cost 10-12 million when it was built, today may be three times that much. Also, I would expect the next coaster to be a wooden coaster as they do tend to be cheaper Unfortunately, DL just does not bring in enough guests to pay off an investment like that quickly. Basically if they add a coater, it may very well be the only addition for 2-3 years. I would like to see DL do like they are now and add some flats and get the park in better shape before making a major additions. Also, the waterpark needs some attention, and slides tend to be relatively cheap and popular additions

I will say that this just goes to show you that no matter what the park installs, people will not be happy. I for one think that both aditions will be very good for the park. The waterslides will be a very needed addition to the waterpark. DL really needs more to do in the waterpark and almost any addition on that side will be a good thing, and this one has the box launch system, which will be unique to the area. I just hope that they do it right and plan ahead so that next year they can add the speed slides off the same tower they are building this year. On the super loop...yes it is a carnival staple, but it is almost a perfect replacement to the ranger. It doesnt do anything to replace ufo, but it is almost an exact replacement for ranger. Also, a good number of larger parks are adding these rides this year. With that DL is on the mark with some of the other park across the country, which is exactly what they did when they added hornets nest

Also, if you look at all the old coasters from Astroworld, only two were actually put up within the chain and stayed that way. Most were either scrapped or sold to parks outside the US or Canada. Two of the coasters were sent to SF parks and still never built. Basically Astroworld had junk coasters and SF knew it but had to try to do something with them when they sold the property.

If the ridemstands no more chance of operation, then let's sell it for scrap and ise the extra money towards park improvements like painting ROS and Mine Eraser and maybe some new stamped concrete like they put in at Rowdy's Ridge and Boardwalk areas

I agree that these additions look pretty good. I also like the idea of the placement of the new waterslide. I think its a perfect location. My only question will be if it will have the dual free fall slides in the middle or not. If not does anyone know if that would be something that could be added to the tower next year? If so, then these additions also plan for the future, which is great to see.

I have to admit that this really doesnt surprise me all that much and is a fantastic and uch needed addition. The first time Premier owned the park, they averaged a coaster and new water ride just about each year. They are holding true to that same plan again. I think the speed slide is something that the park was definitely lacking, and the special launch looks pretty cool and unique. Now if they can just buy the park and add a good coaster, all would be right with the world

Of those things, my best guess would be the EuroFighter or premier compact launched coaster. i am not sure why I think this, but I do. The EuroFighter coasters seem very popular these days, and fit nicely into a compact space and look to pack a decent punch for thrills. The Premier compact coasters are the same. Plus, my guess is that the overall costs are not that terrible compared to a brand new B&M mega looper that would cost 25 million or more.