Las Vegas' first wooden roller coaster on the drawing boards

[kraxleRIDAH]

Before I get to the main point --- for those that are unfamiliar with Las Vegas Wet, it's a 200-plus-acre development on the southern tip of world famous Las Vegas Boulevard that's currently underway. Unlike other resorts and entertainment venues on the strip, these developers want to target every demographic there is -- so that's there's something to do for EVERYONE (completely unlike the "luxury luxury luxury" mindset the rest of the strip is doing).

 

This huge Casino/Resort/Entertainment Complex is slated for completion in 2011 and will consist of (bear with me here):

 

1) North America's largest indoor water park at 350,000 square-feet with certain sections extending outdoors and will feature numerous themed-lands and over 25-water attractions.

 

2) Largest indoor snow dome in North America at 150,000 square-feet for year-round snowboarding and skiing.

 

3) Performing arts center with three separate theaters; the smallest one with a 500-person capacity and the largest with an astonishing 3,400 person capacity.

 

4) Four hotels each with WELL over 600 rooms and condominiums.

 

5) 100,000 square-foot casino.

 

6) Two sports arenas --- one with 18,000 seats; the other with 5,000 seats.

 

6) 5,000 square-foot "Childrens Zone" featuring venues like Chuck E. Cheese and Discovery Zone.

 

7) Two "themed streets" at 250,000-square-feet --- featuring retail stores, bars, nightclubs, and restaurants (Route 66 and Rue du Monde) --- think CityWalk and Downtown Disney.

 

7) 12-plex Cinema with 3 auditoriums designated for 21-and older patrons featuring cocktail service and leather seating.

 

8 ) "Hidden Riviera" --- exclusively for the 21-and-older crowd where adults can relax in an international atmosphere with resort features often found in Europe and Asia.

 

9) A nightly spectacular featuring water, pyrotechnics and lighting all set to a musical score and live performers (think Fountains of Bellagio, but on Ecstacy).

 

10) 60-acre theme park utilizing a "internationally recognized theme park brand."

 

Got your attention yet?

 

Then there's...

 

11) "The Beach" -- inspired by The Wavehouse in San Diego...where people can surf man-made waves, rollerblade along the beach and ride a classic wooden roller coaster.

 

Looks like Project CityCenter has a massive rival on the playing field...and another place for thrillseekers and credit-whores to patronize.

 

Other cool notes about this project:

 

- Will feature the world's largest parking structure...with a capacity of 18,000 cars.

 

- "With the fluctuating costs of energy, coupled with a community that is undergoing rapid growth, the Project has chosen to generate its own electricity using fuel cells (the first installation of this kind in Nevada) and microturbines. This "green" technology allows the Project to have an almost zero carbon footprint, and creates the opportunity to sell tax credits to other businesses. In addition to electricity, the Project will have its own fleet of hydrogen busses and vehicles, and may even generate its own hydrogen for these vehicles."

 

For more detailed and comprehensive information about the project...click here.

[deano]

Sounds great! I really enjoy going to Vegas, the more of this kind of attraction the better it is IMO. Talk about setting a high standard with a totally green footprint.

[darklingscribe]

It looks interesting but it doesn't look like its set in stone yet. As the most recent press release says that they just made an offer for the 200 acre piece of land.

 

So let the speculation begin. As it says that the park will be one an internationally recognized brand where does that leave us?

 

Six Flags (unlikely, but they do have parks in Canada and Mexico)

 

Cedar Fair (Even more unlikely since they just purchased the paramount parks)

 

Universal (Not sure how plausible this is, I haven't kept up, information wise, with who own universal)

 

And of Course Disney. (In my view the most likely company, though what do I know? I'm just an enthusiast.)

[ginzo]

350,000 sq ft indoor water park? That's fricken massive!

 

My hats off to whomever is pitching this for wanting to go with a woodie. The real question is what company are they going to hire to build it, if the project goes through as planned. I'm hoping for an Intamin woodie. There are not enough of them, and these developers apparently have serious money to burn.

[Vffreak07]

That's fricken massive!

I was very tempted to crack a "your mom" joke right there, but I don't feel like it. I think this sounds awesome. Any other rides planned?

[snorkymn]

Is this one of those too good to be true things? I guess you never know with developments in Vegas.. they seem to have more money than they know what to do with...

 

And if they generate their own power, how are the Oceans 11 crew going to shut down their power to rob them?

[ECZenith]

Sounds interesting, let's hope it comes to fruition!

[ParkTrips]

Vegas just needs a good ride period. Please go with Intamin or GCI!

[Airtime&Gravity]

Great to hear that more "family friendly" activities are being built in Las Vegas. Hopefully this project comes true, but Las Vegas doesn't seem like the place a family would go on vacation unless they were going to Los Angeles. The amusement park has a lot of potential, and a large indoor water park would be great for the area since Wet n Wild closed.

[IceDragon]

No moshpits? :O unheard of!

[spaceace12]

Vegas just needs a good ride period. Please go with Intamin or GCI!

 

or Gravity Group.

[ParkTrips]

ok let me rephrase it... a good ride that will still be good in 5 years. I'm sure all of the Vegas rides were good when they first opened, they need something to last! They need one that can take the year-round operation as well. Not sure it a Gravity Group woodie could do that, hell the Voyage needed to replace 20% after just 6 months

[OldJJman]

11) "The Beach" -- inspired by The Wavehouse in San Diego...where people can surf man-made waves, rollerblade along the beach and ride a classic wooden roller coaster.

 

Just remember, California Screamin was billed as giving classic wooden roller coaster ride, before it opened.

 

Fuel for thought.

 

(Amongst the 2 bazillion other times they've talked about doing a wooden coaster in both Vegas and Primm.)

[ginzo]

ok let me rephrase it... a good ride that will still be good in 5 years. I'm sure all of the Vegas rides were good when they first opened, they need something to last! They need one that can take the year-round operation as well. Not sure it a Gravity Group woodie could do that, hell the Voyage needed to replace 20% after just 6 months

 

No woodie is going to be great in 5 years without proper TLC. Wood rots. The Voyage is an especially large woodie, which means that the wood is going to wear out even faster due to the greater forces. And they could have just bought some cheap ass wood. The entire project was only $6.5 million, which is peanuts for a coaster that size.

 

The Intamin woodies might have an advantage with the laminate wood they use. Maybe it holds up better. Anyone know?

[haiderodes]

I'm still skeptical about this project. We have had a lot of proposed and planned project go down the drain like the WWF and Harley Davidson hotel proposals.

 

As for a wooden coaster, I think it would be to hot and dry, plus we have strict earthquake codes just like California so that's working against it. Granted a steel/wood combo like Mega Zeph and Villain (only better) could work.

[robbalvey]

I would rather NOT see a woodie go up in Vegas for all ^ those reasons. Unless it's an Intamin laminated woodie I just fear it would ride like total crap in a couple of years.

 

And if that's the risk I'd MUCH rather have a kick ass steel coaster that has a better chance of survival.

 

--Robb "I don't think this project will happen anyway..." Alvey

[Twister II]

It won't happen.

 

Look what happened to the wooden coaster in Arizona!

 

Legend City purchased the Sea Serpent for $2,750.00 at Pacific Ocean Park's auction. They planned on installing it for the 1970 season and calling it the Sidewinder. The park later decided it would be too difficult to maintain a wooden roller coaster in the dry Phoenix climate.

[Jew]

...and Garden Grove is going to have a theme park too!

 

Right now this development is all talk.

[gisco]

This has as much chance of being built as the world's largest ferris wheel on the North end of the strip. Why? They don't have the money.

 

I knew a guy who was going to build a theme park in Atwater, California on the old AFB. He dropped names like you wouldn't believe. He mistook their interest as wanting to invest which wasn't the case. The project fell apart because of no money. He lost like a $100,000 on it. Had lots of cool ideas like a water park for the summer then in the winter they would freeze the slides so they could be used then too.

 

I talked to a guy last October about a theme park he was going to build here in Fresno. He too dropped names. Said the had the log ride from the old MGM theme park in Vegas, had a 16 trailer Shwarzkopf a dark ride etc. Park was going to be open this Summer. Hasn't happened.

 

It is easy to dream the reality sets in.

[Disney Dood]

11) "The Beach" -- inspired by The Wavehouse in San Diego...where people can surf man-made waves, rollerblade along the beach and ride a classic wooden roller coaster.

 

Just remember, California Screamin was billed as giving classic wooden roller coaster ride, before it opened.

 

Fuel for thought.

 

(Amongst the 2 bazillion other times they've talked about doing a wooden coaster in both Vegas and Primm.)

Good point! I could see a coaster like CC being built there.

 

I have a question. Would an actual wooden coaster survive inside of Circus Circus?

[Calvin]

Ever since they took down Wet 'n' Wild there has been pretty much nowhere to go for waterparks in Las Vegas, excepting a couple YMC, and those defenitely can't beat Wet 'n' Wild, which was an awesome park.

[haiderodes]

Good point! I could see a coaster like CC being built there.

 

I have a question. Would an actual wooden coaster survive inside of Circus Circus?

 

Granted the weather is pretty constant inside the dome (except for when it rains). I dont think a wooden coaster would work inside the dome, mainly for the space required for a stable enough structure. As it is the dome floor shakes a bit each time the Canyon Blaster or Rim Runner operates.

 

I think the Adventuredome, despite it being borderline ghetto, has done a pretty good job given its size...and they have Disk'O on the way! Having worked there, I dont think wooden is territory they would delve into.

[DenDen]

When I lived in Vegas, (1992-98) there were numerous companies that tried to get this idea off the ground. Especially during the family-megaresort-boom. It always falls short in funding. I believe it will again, since Vegas has returned to it's adult-styled roots.

[asr]

Good point! I could see a coaster like CC being built there.

 

I have a question. Would an actual wooden coaster survive inside of Circus Circus?

 

Granted the weather is pretty constant inside the dome (except for when it rains). I dont think a wooden coaster would work inside the dome, mainly for the space required for a stable enough structure. As it is the dome floor shakes a bit each time the Canyon Blaster or Rim Runner operates.

 

I think the Adventuredome, despite it being borderline ghetto, has done a pretty good job given its size...and they have Disk'O on the way! Having worked there, I dont think wooden is territory they would delve into.

 

If space and structural stability would be a big problem, what about a steel support, wood track hybrid? I know you said that they wouldn't build a wooden coaster, but how technicaly feasable would it be to build a hybrid woodie?

[haiderodes]

^If money weren't a factor, I'm still not certain it would be a feasible venture.

 

First, you have the remnants of the former 'Grand Slam Canyon' theme. While they have been slowly chipping away at the rockwork to add this and that over the years, the mountain/canyon is still a part of the park and not something I think they would get rid of completely. Additionally, most of the rockwork is not solid and underneath lies many things such as piping, ride supports, storage areas, and portions of rides. To overcome all this for the sake of having an indoor wooden coaster...unlikely.

 

Now for a compact or custom coaster akin to a spinning or wild mouse coaster that has minimal support structure, that would be a different story.