neil009

I still think if it was going to be a coaster, A) they'd have started the hype campaign earlier, and B) the poster would suggest something more scary and extreme, and less "nostalgic". Just not getting a coaster vibe at all. Not a major coaster anyway, but I could see it being a spinning wild mouse. I think you're probably right that this won't be a major coaster but my argument against your statement would be that some large coasters don't even get hinted at until right before the announcement such as Goliath at SFGam. With the last two coasters at Hersheypark having arguably the greatest viral marketing campaigns in the history of history, it would be very surprising if they didn't build on that tactic again for their next. To be fair, it's only a year before the normal four-year schedule would have them getting one. I'm also not sure that Vekoma even builds madhouses anymore, or why Hersheypark would even consider buying one in this day and age. I read the 'candy apple and a bag of popcorn' to be a hint at boardwalk food, and maybe the firework to be a hint at a launch. Put those together, and I'm guessing a ProSlide electromagnetic water slide - a new take on an old classic. I don't know if Vekoma still makes mad houses, but if they did it would make a fine family addition for Hershey. The one at SFGAdv is popular enough, I mean it's possibly the only ride they've ever saved just because of how mad people were when they said they were going to get rid of it. There's nothing particularly outdated about that style of attraction. Anything that gets rid of that terrible Reeses Cup Challenge ride would be practically as good as a coaster. That being said, I'm thinking it could be any type of large flat ride, seeing as most of them spin. Mega Disk'O maybe? As far as "old classic" is concerned, Hershey has a lot of history and defunct rides that they could use as theming, kind of like when they "recreated" Wildcat. And as much as I hate to say it, a big new water ride going in RollerSoaker's old spot would make the most sense. If I had to put money on it, it would be on a Boardwalk addition.

Too soon for a new coaster. Given the fortune teller and the phrase "a new spin on an old classic", my guess is Vekoma mad house. An indoor spinning wild mouse would be much more preferable though.

But it says the rust is blasted away and the pieces are painted before being sent out.

^Note that I have basically zero knowledge when it comes to coaster construction, but... why would they be getting coaster parts covered in rust?

Now the only question is why is the kid wearing a shirt in the picture of the ride on the website? http://dorneypark.accessomobile.com/Home/Page/1260640?pageid=1313912

It is kind of a shame that the nicest part of the park (with the most trees) is Planet Snoopy.

They're announcing the major new ride on the 24th because there's going to be a delivery (probably track and supports) the very next day that will give away what they're building. They're not going to announce it August 1st.

What would be the point of making an announcement themselves after the ride has already been announced by the park? Do we know if they even have a buyer for whatever it is they're announcing? They described the product has officially "launching" August 1st, that suggests to me that's simply the date it goes on the market. If there was an installation already planned that would've most likely been in the press release.

This is how I felt with Lex Luthor at SFMM. The drop really didn't do anything for me. All I felt was the speed. I prefer Supreme Scream at Knott's. Could somebody explain why this might be? All the ride does is take you to the top and then drop you, why wouldn't it feel like an exciting dead-weight drop? Are the gondolas too light or what?

Could it have something to do with rider comfort, not wanting the rider to get whipped from side to side by their torso a la Skyrush? Not saying this is a concern of mine, just saying this could possibly be B&M's reasoning.

I think this is a big part of it, considering Thunder Hawk at Dorney got the exact same treatment for its trains and I seriously doubt anyone would argue that ride was in danger of ejecting anyone. They probably just saw it as "modernizing", no different from replacing incandescent bulbs with LEDs/fluorescents. For what it's worth, I think Blue Streak is still a great ride, and Thunder Hawk never really was (at least in my lifetime).

This is a good question, I think it probably speaks to an overall design philosophy of making the safest, most reliable rides possible. They would probably justify this by the fact that I don't believe they've ever had a single ejection incident. Either way I doubt we'll be seeing lapbar-only tains on any of their looping coasters any time soon.

^Where's El Toro Ryan to swoop in and tell you you're wrong and everything about the park is great and well if it isn't then there's 100 reasons why it isn't the park's fault?

Took the words right out of my mouth, if "less restrictive" is what you want out of a restraint then those vests are the opposite of good. And I have never had a problem with head banging on any B&M.

^^^That's some pretty heavy speculation though. Pretty sure that could still be a break run, and new track type doesn't necessarily imply a new kind of coaster (just look at the difference in track between Millennium Force and I305), or what that new kind of coaster might be. Just saying we might be getting ahead of ourselves to hope for a product that, as far as we know right now, doesn't exist. Also, if it is a B&M, you can bet it'll have OTSR, seeing as they've never built a looping coaster that doesn't have them.

Wait a second, where did this idea of B&M's first launched coaster come from again? I figured once we were pretty sure it was a B&M we could scratch "launched coaster" off the list. I mean if we think it's going to be a prototype then it could be literally anything.

I kind of expected they would've had that meeting way before they got this far.... But at least this should put any wing coaster or generic looper fears to rest.

How could a single position lap bar possibly have maintenance issues? It seems like should be about as complicated as the lock on a washing machine lid.

You couldn't pay me to ride Stinger again, once was definitely enough. It may be my least favorite coaster of all time (probably between that and Corkscrew at CP). The seats are really what get me, they're so shallow and small, like they forgot people were going to be sitting in them.

^Turkey-themed, eh? Turkey as in gobble-gobble? Really?

Laser was a good ride but nowhere near the best ride in the park. I miss it, but Possessed is definitely a better ride. Stinger most definitely is not.

That could be the difference I guess, I've never been all the way in the back. The ride is rough but not rough enough to actually cause headbanging, for me at least. You want to know what I really think they should do? Add a couple more air time hills and gigantic inversions to the end. Think about it, they couldn't do it when the ride was first built because it was such a massive investment to begin with. But now it probably wouldn't cost much more then a regular coaster installation, maybe even less, and can you imagine the reaction to that? People would freak out.

Personally I don't understand why the restraints on KK are an issue. They don't even touch you, the ride has zero headbanging, they're thin and skinny so they don't obstruct the view. Why should they spend money on changing them? I mean, I do like the lap bar on TTD better, but only slightly. I didn't find it changed the ride experience much at all.

Am I the only one thinking "gee, I sure hope it isn't a B&M"? Just a question, I know I can't be the only one.

Nice that you took the time to see the Rodin. The Gates of Hell is one of my all-time favorite works of art, and very appropriate for Philadelphia.