larrygator Posted February 1, 2010 Share Posted February 1, 2010 I didn't see this posted anywhere else so I thought I would share with you that Nick Universe is receiving a Unicoaster from Chance Morgan. They are getting the standard prototype and it will be placed in the large area currently occupied by Blue's Skidoo's (Blue's is being moved next to the main support between Tree Swing and where Blue currently is). I wouldn't expect a press release for this but there is a flier posted with a picture and a youtube link: I didn't hear anything about an opening date but I'd say it'll definitely be open by summer! Without any substantiation (news link) on this we are going to have to move this to the Rumor Super Thread. It is quite odd that the park or Chance would not issue a press release that would be picked up by a local news source. I did not see the flier on the youtube link, at what time does it appear? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
larrygator Posted February 1, 2010 Share Posted February 1, 2010 Nickelodeon Universe has added the Flying Dutchman Ghostly Gangplank and adventure maze above the amusement park last July, ut it hasn't been discussed here previously. Below is the article from the Minneapolis Star Tribune. Nickelodeon Universe adds Ropes Course A high-strung attraction at Nickelodeon Universe offers a choose-your-own adventure in the rafters of the Mall of America. By STEPHEN REGENOLD Last update: January 24, 2010 - 4:43 PM Neon lights blinked in the distance. A set of small hands gripped a rope tight. The boy on the wobbly line above was screaming, "I'm not gonna die!" It was a Thursday night at the Mall of America. My daughter and I were resting on a platform, gazing up at a white-knuckle drama unfolding atop the megamall's latest attraction. Touted as the tallest ropes course of its type in the world, the Flying Dutchman Ghostly Gangplank course is a unique mental and physical challenge. For about $6, any adult or child who is at least 42 inches tall can ascend the course's vertigo-inducing heights, including obstacles, tightrope crossings, planks and an apex perch towering six stories above the carnival scene. "Falls are pretty rare," said Ann Jennings, 21, an attendant who has overseen safety on the Flying Dutchman since its opening last July. My daughter, Gwen, and I met Jennings about 30 feet up in the air. It took five minutes -- and several obstacles crossed -- to reach the operator's station. Jennings was roped in and offered tips of the "don't look down" type. Jennings' job as a roaming ropes-course attendant has her leading kids and timid adults up and down the crisscrossing course. She climbs to the aid of people in trouble. "There are occasional freakouts," she said. My daughter, who turns 5 next month, was nervous as we approached the attraction's entrance gate. "Is this like mountain climbing?" she asked. In a way, yes. Flying Dutchman climbers suit up in a webbing body harness. An operator at the base of the attraction cinches buckles and affixes an overhead lanyard into a track. As you head up the initial stairway, the safety line above trails along to keep you always "on belay." You can fall on the Flying Dutchman, to be sure. But the rope will catch you a few inches below, letting you grab and pull back onto the stunt. Alissa Blaeser, an attendant working at the start of the course, reassured Gwen as she was fitted and buckled up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jive Posted February 1, 2010 Share Posted February 1, 2010 I did this a couple of weekends ago and it was pretty cool. The park was dead so we walked right on and had the course to ourselves. The harness takes away any fear that I might have had with regards to height. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
megamatt Posted February 1, 2010 Share Posted February 1, 2010 That looks pretty fun! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SharkTums Posted February 1, 2010 Share Posted February 1, 2010 I'm glad to see more and more of these 'do it yourself' ropes courses springing up. Can't wait to see the concept evolve further! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goliath513 Posted February 1, 2010 Share Posted February 1, 2010 My brother and I did this when we were there at Christmas. It was nice to have a free run of the place and not be limited to any specific time or direction to go while up there. More parks should add these since they are fairly inexpensive to build and operate compared to other up-charge attractions and this one was very popular at the mall. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monsterfan99 Posted February 1, 2010 Share Posted February 1, 2010 While what ride is still nothing more than a rumor, I am very interested to see what the new ride coming into Nick universe is this year. The spot of land for it is a decent size. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vffreak07 Posted February 2, 2010 Share Posted February 2, 2010 The new ride will be a first of its kind in the US. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SharkTums Posted February 2, 2010 Share Posted February 2, 2010 ^Is this the rumored 'Uni-Coaster'? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vffreak07 Posted February 2, 2010 Share Posted February 2, 2010 That's what people have been saying . . . I guess we won't find out until it's announced though! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Looty Posted February 2, 2010 Share Posted February 2, 2010 Yeah I wouldn't count on an announcement from the park for the new ride (unicoaster). That news article on the ropes course was printed in January and it was actually installed over this past summer with no press release (in fact, I know I tried it for the first time in late July). I should have been more specific regarding the flier I mentioned earlier...it is a flier that is posted in the Operations office for all of the employees to see...not out in public. All of the ops employees have been informed of the new ride...it is by no means confidential information. I believe it was even printed in the employee newsletter. When Nick U was announced, the park held a meeting for all 300+ employees to attend (I was an employee at the time) to showcase the new rides. I saw artist renderings and video simulations that never made it to the public...and in fact, I don't believe that an official press release with specific ride details was ever released by the park. There was a vague release that just mentioned 5 new rides, two of which are roller coasters (1 of which has a 90 degree lift and inversions). I would be quite surprised if there was a press release for this new ride because they don't issue press releases!!! I could give a damn about credibility and I know that it's technically a rumor...but I guess I'm just telling you to trust me that it is a Chance unicoaster Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monsterfan99 Posted February 2, 2010 Share Posted February 2, 2010 ^Man, Nick Universe needs to hire new PR people then. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Looty Posted February 2, 2010 Share Posted February 2, 2010 Nick Universe doesn't have PR people. There is PR for the entire mall that handles Nick U as well...but yes, they should have PR specifically for the park. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vffreak07 Posted February 3, 2010 Share Posted February 3, 2010 Here are some photos courtesy of Valleyfairzone - Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
holyblakbelt Posted February 3, 2010 Share Posted February 3, 2010 Looks good so far. I can't wait to ride it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vffreak07 Posted March 1, 2010 Share Posted March 1, 2010 More photos, taken today by Vfhauntfreak on Valleyfairzone: The Main Frame has gone up More Scurvyness Brain Surge will be the first of its kind in the U.S. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
triggernel Posted March 2, 2010 Share Posted March 2, 2010 How could I not know about this until now. They must really be keeping it under wraps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jojo19799 Posted March 2, 2010 Share Posted March 2, 2010 (edited) Where is this new ride going to be? I was at MoA back in October, and Danny Phantoms Ghost Zone was being worked on. Are they putting the new ride there? Edit: Sorry, I just found out that the Blue Skidoo ride was supposedly taken out for this new ride. Edited March 2, 2010 by Jojo19799 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vffreak07 Posted March 2, 2010 Share Posted March 2, 2010 They simply moved a kids ride over (Blues Ski-Doo's). It fits right into the area. Perfect size! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jojo19799 Posted March 2, 2010 Share Posted March 2, 2010 ^ Thanks. I guess I was just editing my post as you were posting yours. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Looty Posted March 2, 2010 Share Posted March 2, 2010 How could I not know about this until now. They must really be keeping it under wraps. No...they just suck big time at the whole marketing aspect. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deathbydinn Posted March 2, 2010 Share Posted March 2, 2010 Did they even announce that it would be a uni-coaster before they started constructing it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vffreak07 Posted March 2, 2010 Share Posted March 2, 2010 Nope, no announcement has been made by the park. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jerrykoala2112 Posted March 2, 2010 Share Posted March 2, 2010 How did I not notice this construction back in September? Unless they started it after... I'm heading back here for Spring Break, but I highly doubt it will open by then. I guess I must come back later this year Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Starr Posted March 2, 2010 Share Posted March 2, 2010 The park just really needs a PR department, they could really use good advertising for JUST the park, as it would probably bring more people in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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