OrlandoGuy

How would it be ironic since CP isn't a SF park? Aside from the "refurb" of t2, I'm pretty sure that's all the have planned for next summer. I don't know if they even have room for Mantis Because Kentucky Kingdom used to have a mirror version of Mantis with Chang...which is now Green Lantern at SFGAdv

This conversation is funny because I think it applies to another one of CPs rides...Magnum. Such a ridiculously fun ride that gets a good amount of criticism because it "hurts". Rides like Magnum and Maverick are meant to be thrilling. Every roller coaster has a sign outside warning guests that it is an aggressive thrill ride. Aggressive. I mean, what is it people expect from a ride specifically meant to thrill people? Roller coasters arent supposed to be cruises.

And you know this based on your how many years of experience designing and building roller coasters? I would certainly imagine the turnaround for a new coaster would largely depend on what kind it is. Also, I'm stupid so I'm probably wrong. All I'm saying is that I've seen projects get turned around faster than you can imagine. I mean, hi, the built Transformers at Universal Orlando in 10 months and that included the complete demolition of a building, new foundations, a new building that houses a two-story dark ride, a full themed queue AND a shop! Look how quickly they turned around Kentucky Kingdom which included a new roller coaster and a giant new water park area. All I'm saying is this - if a park (any park, not just CP) wanted to attempt to turn around a brand new ride in a few months, there are PLENTY of examples you can point to where a park has been successful at it. Yes, this is true, but its not fair to chastise moneygrabber just yet, as his post did have some basis to it. Most of the new rides announced for 2015 have already begun construction, CP would have to start in 2 months...thats a lot of catching up they would have to do. Yes, Transformers in Orlando was built in 10 months, BUT -it was a clone -Orlando is suitable for year-round construction -it did not involve any complex demolition, just ripping out a building on a city block and starting over Meanwhile Mantis would need a full disassembly, along with the time it takes to build a brand new ride (vs a clone where all the kinks have been smoothed out beforehand...sure a Mantis replacement could be a clone, but its unlikely given its footprint). Then you have to add to that the fact that its built in a marsh, in an odd plot of land. And then theres the fact that Midwest winters have a tendency to be pretty brutal and full of delays. Yes, KK did it and it was very impressive, but the infrastructure was mostly there and Lightning Run was built on a plot of flat asphalt rather than a swamp. I wont rule out the possibility of CP adding in a completely new roller coaster in Mantis' place, nor will I pretend to be an expert engineer. But I wouldnt discount the opinion that Mantis isnt going anywhere, either.

^Thanks for the comments, I'll try focusing on making the water/shores more realistic. As for the Cyclone's station…I never really thought of it as ugly--looks like there may have to be a serious re-model in the future! Back to the park…it's here. The season that changed it all. This year, Laguna Island made its largest expansion ever. They're joining the ranks of major amusement parks. This…is 1961. 1961 brings about some HUGE changes to the park, as you can tell! The first addition were these buildings--they serve as dormitories for the park's part-time staff. Because of blossoming attendance, the ferries meant to transport guests to the park have become somewhat overwhelmed, making the commute for the park's employees a bit unbearable. With the addition of these units, Laguna Island workers can spend the entire summer on-site and not worry about an unnecessary commute The complex also comes with this building, which hosts a rec center and laundromat. A wider view of the employee housing area Now onto the fun stuff…Laguna Island's newest roller coaster!!!!! Behold…The Lakeside Racer! A look at the new midway, including Lakeside Racer's entrance and exit plaza The Lakeside Racer is self-explanatory…a racing wooden roller coaster right along the shore. And they really do race! The layout utilizes the hilly shoreline terrain. The terrain makes for some interesting dips and double-ups/downs There's even a trick-track element thrown in for good measure Lakeside Racer is a real beauty right on the beach of Laguna Island Lakeside Racer's simplistic station. Laguna Island also added a new dark ride…The Pirate Ride The Pirate Ride is an overall improvement on The Scary Dark Ride…the elaborate entrance suggests this before guests even board their vehicles. A new restaurant, Festhaus (a cafeteria-style restaurant) was also added. Festhaus and The Pirate Ride are built into one large building. The building is built into the hillside, making for some slight elevational changes. Along the midway are some game booths and refreshment stalls Another perk of the expansion was the opening up of the pathway along the beach This food stand opens up to a dead-end…could this be the site of a new ride in the near future? Why not, Laguna is on a roll! The entrance/exit plaza for the Lakeside Racer is quite grand, and represents a step up from Laguna Island's previous simple aesthetic. The first scene in The Pirate Ride reveals a mock pirate ship in a set that includes real water! (This is still the 1960's, but this is still much more grand than anything in the park's other dark ride). Another scene in The Pirate Ride The Pirate Ride is also packed with swashbuckling figures equipped with audio and even a small range of movement!!! The cannon-firing pirate blasts guests toward the end of the ride The climactic treasure room The expansion looks great at night... …as does the rest of the park, of course! Laguna Island has nearly doubled in size with the legendary 1961 expansion. Laguna Island has proven itself as a full-fledged amusement park. Needless to say, the future is very exciting! Here's to a great 1961 season! The Lakeside Racer is a serious success…a train full of riders can be seen here climbing up the lift hill The beautiful view from the top of the lift True to its name, Lakeside Racer races right along the lake The out-of-control feel of the layout can be attributed to the island's terrain and the Racer's low-to-the-ground elements Zooming through the wood! This one ended in a near-tie…every race is a good one. The Lakeside Racer is a behemoth…the large, beautiful structure offers a unique experience that is fun for everyone. It wonderfully compliments the nearby Laguna Cyclone.

Leave the guy alone. I enjoyed the pictures and cant wait to see the ones from Great Adventure. I always love pictures from that park!

The US will likely not get a Mega-Lite because its a low-capacity ride thats too large an investment for the small parks they would actually fit well in. Imagine the lines for a Mega Lite in a park that could justify its cost, like Cedar Point or Great America. Thats my theory anyway.

Height restrictions. Falcons Fury is over 300 feet...

Simply put, what is the best park in each of the major chains? The best Disney park, Six Flags park, etc. Mine: Disney: Disney California Adventure (although if I went to DisneySea I'd imagine that would be my favorite) Universal: Universal Studios Florida Six Flags: SFOG (although I think SFGAdv would take that spot pending a visit) Cedar Fair: Cedar Point (obviously everyone will pick this, so....) ...non Cedar Point Cedar Fair: Knotts Berry Farm Herschend: N/A SeaWorld: Busch Gardens Williamsburg Independent: N/A

I asked the same question just after the announcement since the length described confused me that two sides just over 4000ft each would become one ride of 5000ft even with bits cut out of the ride and I think it's understandable that people are confused. I mean i'm probably going to have to eat my words on this since so many people have already poked fun at the people who were unsure but i'd just assumed that the video was just for illustration purposes and had combined them for whatever reason and wasn't 100% accurate. I got it after some-one else explained it but I think its understandable people are confused, not something that is easily apparent within seconds of the video starting. Fair enough, but wouldnt you think that two separate tracks and two separate roller coasters would be marketed as such, rather than as having "2 lift hills"? That would be such an odd way to market two separate racing roller coasters. Not to mention that at this point the topic has been discussed ad nauseam.

LOL!!!! Watch the video again. You can CLEARLY see that the blue side becomes the green side. You DO get to ride both sides in one ride without having to go back to the station. Its a continuous 2-lift track that seems to be confusing the hell out of everyone just because the two lifts are side by side. Setiously people, it doesnt take a genius. This should have been apparent within seconds of the opening of the announcement video, and its seriously baffling how so many people just dont understand a non-issue.

How has it been 20+ pages and people are still trying to figure out what was made ridiculously clear within the first 30 seconds of the announcement video?

^^while records bring people in initially, I doubt that a ride losing its record would make people actively stop riding. After the initial hype has worn off, a record-breaker's staying power has to do more with if its a good ride or not, a factor which doesnt change no matter what the current records are.

Actually, while its a popular opinion for those who have the most basic understanding of marketing that complainers are the only people on the Internet, many outlets are changing this in big ways. A lot of review sites have implemented reputation systems so that people are motivated to review based on credibility rather than for the sake of complaining. If youre an avid user of a review site, you arent tempted to only complain, youre tempted to review as many things as possible to get your post counts up to achieve different "rankings" and then write your reviews honestly so you are marked up and "rewarded" with credibility points. Sure, a lot of one- or two-time Internet critics will write something online specifically to complain, but their low post counts damage their credibility and many sites are taking measures to make sure posts like this are buried under more honest, credible reviews. But OrlandoGuy, what about random Facebook posts with no such system? When you delve past basic marketing and into psychology, you will also begin to notice a trend for people to gravitate away from the general "groupthink". Certain people are more likely to defend something the majority shows disdain for, or criticize something receiving high praise, ESPECIALLY on social media. You can even see this sort of trend happen on this board. In the age of the Internet and social media, what used to be commonly known as groupthink is beginning to work against itself in quite an interesting phenomenon. Ive barely scratched the surface of these sort of sociological marketing principles, but they definitely exist. Not all people posting on the Internet are there to complain, nor are they as simple-minded as many might think. All that being said, lets look at this announcement. Its criticism could stem from many things--the fact that Scandinavian locals likely have little to no knowledge of what an actual RMC ride is like; people's general dislike of status quo change (in this case, several devoted fans may be troubled at a large roller coaster potentially destroying the charm of their original zoo); or the aforementioned anti-groupthink, where something that has attracted much praise combined with the two former-mentioned examples is bound to attract criticism.

I don't know about that. But now that you mentioned the drive tire launch I remembered (even though it might be a coincidence) it was just after that that B&M started using pairs of drive tires from their rides in a horizontal position instead of the vertical ones that intamin (for example) still uses. Not that it's very important, more of a curiosity. The drive tires are from another company. I remember someone saying that should that company ever go out of business, The Hulk would be in trouble...but since they buy the tires so frequently, theyre keeping them in steady business and its a moot point.

At the time, launched coasters were relatively new technology. The park opened in 1999, and the roller coasters had to be built and completed well before then so the extensive theming around the park could be completed. In fact, if you look at construction pictures of IOA, Hulk was one of the first things completed. I dont know an exact date, but the Hulk had to be built a good amount of time before 1999 rolled around. Meanwhile, Premiere had just debuted Flight of Fear in 1996. And they had one layout, the spaghetti bowl. I dont think that by the time FoF opened, Universal had time to modify their extensive pre-existing concepts for what would become the most technologically-advanced park in the world. The zero-G roll into the cobra roll is an iconic structure that UC wanted to serve as the weenie of the lagoon. Im not sure Premier was well-known enough yet for Universal to depend on them to venture so far off from their go-to design. Also, in the late 90's B&M were coaster kings, and IOA wanted the most sought-after (and most reliable) manufacturer to build the rides. I imagine going with them for Dueling Dragons also had something to do with their decision to contract them for Hulk.

While it doesnt look that forceful in the concept art/video, I wouldnt discount it just because its B&M. I have greyed out before on the Incredible Hulk Coaster quite a few times, and Im sure a select few other Beemers have done the same.

1960 Well, the 1960 season is here and there's not much to report. However, big things are coming to Laguna Island. Minor improvements have been made all over the park. One particularly noticeable change is the addition of ramps for those confined to wheelchairs…it's as if Laguna is expecting to become more of a destination park and attracting a wider demographic of people….but what could be coming? Here's a wheelchair ramp leading to Carousel Plaza This ramp leads to the new expansion The stairs leading up to the Scary Dark Ride have been replaced with one large handicap-friendly sloped sidewalk The Laguna Cyclone's station has been retrofitted to include an exit path for guests confined to wheelchairs/those who can't make it up and down stairs A clearing has been spotted near the beach. It seems pretty certain that something big is coming for the 1961 season…but what could it be? Recent improvements to the park, as well as the large plot of land being cleared, seems to suggest that the next expansion to the park is going to be a big one! Laguna Island Pleasure Park, circa 1960. Stay tuned for the next big thing. . . . .

Knowing Six Flags, they'll market it as a coaster. Since you know Six Flags so well, what non-coasters have been marketed as coasters at SFGAdv? Uh he's actually right though...Six Flags America is promoting it as their 10th roller coaster, looks like SFGAdv will do the same.

Wow, thank you for these awesome photos! Youre right, Worlds of Fun doesnt get a lot of attention, yet Ive always been interested in learning more about it. Your post has really provided a lot of insight to a rather well-hidden and what looks to be beautiful park.

I would guess something happened to one of the LR cars, and there wasnt an immediate replacement available...so they went with a GCI car that most fit. White Lightning...Lightning Racer...it would kinda make sense in an emergency situation

Maybe they just want to stay accident-free and be as safe as possible... It hasnt detracted from dispatch times or the overall experience so I dont see the problem.

I'm sorry that I don't think this coaster is amazing. I just think Intamin would done way better if they done this project. Even though I highly doubt Cedar Fair will ever build a Intamin again, I still think they could have done way better. Now I think if Cedar Fair wanted to be original they would have made the first B&M "Giga Twister". Something Raging Bull, but 10x better. That just my opinion though. Intamin would have done way better with a project that nobody has ridden yet and was just announced today? What if B&M had built Skyrush. I just dont see why anyone puts so much emphasis on the manufacturer. The layout and statistics are what matter.

How do you figure that? Leviathan is ranked much higher than Behemoth in polls.

Name one similarity besides being built by the same company. Also, lets not forget that Carowinds knows what theyre doing. Canadas Wonderland tried this whole hyper/giga B&M combo and it was a success. So theres 0 reason to think this wouldnt be the case at Carowinds.

Always wondered about why parks build something so similar in the same park (Leviathan & Behemoth, Intimidator & Fury325). It would just seem logical to switch it up. Then again, I am not in charge of theme park. Once again, they arent similar besides manufacturer. Ill ask again, would it be different if Fury 325 had the EXACT SAME layout but was made by Intamin? Is it really that dumbfounding for a park to have two coasters built by the same person in the same park? Is Holiday World making confusinh business decisions by having three wooden roller coasters in the park? I mean, same materials, same track type, must be all the same ride then right?