Best Amusement Industry Highlights of 2010?

[Geauga Dog]

The two that stand out to me, though I haven't ridden them yet....

 

1. Intimidator 305 - to see another giga built ten years after the original, and surprisingly in the same chain, is probably the biggest highlight of the year.

 

2. SFGAm saving Kiddieland's Little Dipper - who woulda thought SF would pull off a class act of preservation?

 

On a personal level...

 

1. Going to Six Flags St. Louis for the first time and falling in love with the park and adding eight more coasters to my list. Was quite impressed with several of their coasters - American Thunder (Evel Knievel), Screamin' Eagle, Mr. Freeze, and The Boss. Even Tony Hawk was a complete surprise.

 

2. Going to Martin's Fantasy Island for the first time. I have a few mixed feelings about the park overall but was surprised with Silver Comet. They take very good care of this coaster and was quite an enjoyable ride. I'm somewhat planning on returning next year.

[adavis]

1. This one's by a mile. Getting my then six year old daughter on Millennium Force for the first time. Yes, she loved it.

 

2. Going to Hershey Park and Kennywood. As rough as bits of those trips were, I loved getting to go to those two parks, as did the usual traveling posse. Although both parks were busy, I scored ten credits on some amazing rides.

 

3. Halloween at Cedar Point, even though we didn't go in a single haunted area and ninety percent of the coasters were closed due to wind. But Maverick wasn't!

 

4. Though I didn't get near either, the mere idea of two parks so close together, building rides by two of the top coaster building firms in such close proximity to one another, with essentially the same name and themeing is beyond cool. Whether you liked one and hated the other, or trims ruined your trip, you have to admit that it's a really cool concept, especially when we got to see a true Intamin versus B&M face off, and not in an ugly, internet fanboy kind of way. I cannot wait to ride them.

 

Edited to add: Not park related, but getting a book deal was amazing, and I cannot wait for March when my novel comes out.

Edited December 25, 2010 by adavis

[BarryH]

Regardless of how we feel about IOA's Wizarding World of Harry Potter, it did increase attendance by 36%. I've never seen a new ride or land increase attendance by that much.

[nay]

I know that some of these were on the "biggest disappointments" list, but...

 

1. Wizarding World of Harry Potter at IOA. I'm not a die-hard Potter fan, but I enjoy the books and movies. I absolutely love the theming in this section of the park. Sure, the stores are tiny and crowded, and the Dueling Dragons queue lost some of its awesomeness. But having been there a few times now, I've gotten over that. The Forbidden Journey ride is among my favorite dark rides now. Other than the queue and the name change, Dragon Challenge is still a kick ass coaster. And I always thought that Flying Unicorn was a fun kiddie coaster, and remains that way as Flight of the Hippogriff. And then there's butterbeer - yum!!

 

2. World of Color. When I first heard about this show, I wasn't terribly excited. Even after seeing the live webcast of the premiere, I didn't think it was all that great, and it appeared to be just a bigger version of Fantasmic, with some of the Bellagio fountains thrown in there. However, seeing it in person completely changed my mind, and I thought it was quite an impressive show.

 

3. SFGadv having Houdini opening during the regular season. It is a unique dark ride that isn't at many US parks. I haven't been keeping track of what next season looks like yet, but I hope it stays open!

[TheStig]

Water Vortex and Triceratops Encounter working again!

[DBru]

^^Is Houdini a Vekoma Madhouse?

[robbalvey]

3. SFGadv having Houdini opening during the regular season. It is a unique dark ride that isn't at many US parks. I haven't been keeping track of what next season looks like yet, but I hope it stays open!

I guess that depends on how much they are paying for the Houdini license! It might open next year as "Magical Spinning Room!"

 

And yes, it's a Vekoma Mad House.

 

--Robb

[Skycoastin Steve]

The highlights for me were undoubtedly my trip to the West Coast in March for WCB, two separate trips to Kennywood, a trip to Knoebels, and being at opening day for both Intimidators. There were plenty of other great moments, but those stand out above the others.

[Perilous Chris]

I think Wildebeest was definitely a highlight of 2010. I was impressed with how fast the uphill portions were. Those who do not care for staircases and high water slide platforms, will love the conveyor belt lift hill.

[matteocrepaldi]

These are a couple I can think of:

General:

- Gardaland builds a B&M for 2011!

- Mirabilandia announces a new coaster for 2011!

- Rainbow Magicland is finally being built.

 

Personal:

- Rode the world's tallest water slide!

- Marathon Katun for the TV commercial.

- Visited EAS in Rome!

[RandyV]

The 2010 highlight for me was taking my 9 year old daughter (who is finally tall enough) on her first B&M inverted -- Dragon Challenge at IOA. She also easily (and willingly) tackled Hulk multiple times (once in the rain no less - OUCH). That, and taking her to Wizarding World at IOA in general was a true thrill.

 

You really get a different perspective on parks like IOA when you go with a kid.

[larrygator]

Visiting Wiener Prater and riding the World's largest Star Flyer along with dozens of great flat rides, dark rides and walk throughs.

Traveling solo through Europe for a week via rail

Another great TPR Europe Trip

Morey Piers building the longest permanant haunted walk-through in years.

Watching Texas Giant Construction updates

[Philrad71]

#1: Getting to Knoebels for the first time (but, definitely not the last) and riding Phoenix to see what the hype was all about.

#2: Visiting Lake Compounce and riding Boulder Dash (insane at night!)

#3: I-305 - despite my gray-out, the industry needed another Intamin giga!

#4: The water park at Kings Dominion with my partners grand-kids. What a riot!

#5: Blue Streak re-opening at CLP. Even though it hurt, I'm still glad that it is being refurbished. I can only hope that more track work will help!

#6: Riding Leap the Dips at Lakemont - cool!

#7: The swim-up bar at CP's Soak City on a hot day!

#8: Visiting all of the Disney parks in Florida as well as Universal, IOA & Busch Gardens in January despite the cold weather.

#9: Houdini re-opening - a pleasant surprise when we visited SFGA.

#10: Buying my first CF Platinum Pass for 2011 during Halloweekends!

[chadster]

TEH BIG DIPPER

[SoCalCoasters]

The opening of the world's first, but not last, Legoland Water Park.

 

Seriously, the waterpark is absolutely fantastic, and I hope to see them at the other Lego parks soon!

[imawesome1124]

-Intimidator 305

 

-East Coast Bash

[coasterbear30]

Getting more credits this year than I have in a while (26)

Riding both Intimidators (one sucked, one didn't-I'll let you guess which)

Riding 305 4 times with absolutely no wait and then 4 more times troughout the day with maybe a 10 minute wait (2 of those in the pitch black the weekend before Halloween-amazing!)

Getting to ride Diamondback, Beast, Voyage, Raven and Kentucky Rumbler for the first times. Oh and did I mention Delirium? Love it!!!

Having a partner and friends that I love to ride coasters with!

Oh and finding out my home park is getting the first Eurofighter with only lap bars. Stoked!

[BeemerBoy]

Prince Desmond.

[PKI Jizzman]

Six Flags Chicago with TPR!

[ernierocker]

-Rocky Mountain Coasters and their work on the new Texas Giant. While we don't know if it will be a success or not, it has definitely captured the attention of the entire industry and enthusiast community.

 

-IAAPA returning to Orlando. While Las Vegas is a perfectly capable venue for hosting such a conference, it just makes a lot more sense for the largest amusement park convention to be located in Orlando.

 

-Adventure Mountain at Dollywood. Dollywood continues to prove that a park doesn't have to build the tallest and faster roller coasters to bring in guests. Another fantastic addition to a park that is already loaded with activities for the entire family to do.

[jedimaster1227]

Legoland Florida being announced--set to be the largest Legoland to date

Knight Valley GCI construction updates- that coaster just looks awesome

The introduction of Coca-Cola Freestyle Machines at parks and resorts around the world

The re-introduction of Disney's Magic, Music and Mayhem fireworks show as the Summer Nightastic! Fireworks Spectacular

The return of the Main Street Electrical Parade to the Magic Kingdom

Space Mountain's refurbishment at Walt Disney World

Fantasyland Expansion announced

Star Tours II announced

Last Tour to Endor extra ticket event, featuring the Star Wars/Indiana Jones mashup, stars of the films and much more

Hyperion Wharf finally announced, set to replace Pleasure Island

SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment (formerly Busch Entertainment Company) purchased by the Blackstone Group

elecTRONica at Disney California Adventure

Disney's California Adventure dropping the "'s" from its name

Disney California Adventure expansion/revamp

[downunder]

From the list:

 

I think the Rocky Mountain re-work of Texas Giant may open the door for a new coaster hybrid that could be amazing. Some of those TG photos don't look real, like an RCTer's wet dream. If Texas Giant turns out as good as it looks, then in the future we may be talking like giddy school girls with a crush about Son of Beast and Mean Streak (pure speculation on may part that they may get Rocky Mountained).

 

Both Intimidator 305, and later in the season, Intrimidator 305, both look awesome. I wish I'd had time to go on the TPR trip, and there's plenty to look forward to in the future with the re-profile. It's great to see another huge Intamin go up, B & M are getting a bit too cookie cutter with their hypers, even though they are good rides.

 

Not on the list:

 

Hollywood Halloween Horror Nights: The huge success of Hollywood Halloween Horror Nights, I went fairly early in it's run and it was sold out every night, even Sunday. I get the feeling they want to get some completely new film properties on the roster for 2011. I saw a message from John Murdy saying he was looking at what new properties to get, I replied "Evil Dead, Evil Dead, Evil Dead..." and then he replied "I hope, I hope, I hope." Booking my plane ticket right now for October.

 

Busch Tampa HOS: I thought the whole MyX concept at Busch Gardens Tampa's Howl O Scream was a deft, creative touch. I really liked the concept. Although I thought it was little pricey, the Alone maze was also a nice development.

 

Formula Rossa at Ferrari World looks exciting, it's good to see a coaster going up that pushes the envelope a bit, hopefully something like this will go up in a location I'd actually go to.

 

Dark Harbor at the Queen Mary, although I didn't get to this, it looked like an awesome haunt. Combining Sinister Pointe creative with the Queen Mary location. If they do it again, I think Long Beach will be on my itinerary for October 2011.

Edited December 29, 2010 by downunder

[cal1br3tto]

Industry

The Intimidators--A new hyper is always nice, and a new giga is even better!

Texas Giant project--Maybe it's not the best idea to get caught up in the hype, but the layout just looks so amazing.

New coaster experiences for SFMM--Looking forward to having a ZacSpin on my coast!

Silverwood running Timber Terror backwards for Scarywood--I hope this continues!

Blue Streak reopening--I'll admit it, I (almost) always love to see a classic coaster saved.

 

Personal

WCB

Middle America Trip

Riding 103 coasters, 95 for the first time

Reaching #100 and #150

Riding coasters for the first time in six states and one province

Riding a decent selection of highly regarded wooden coasters (steel will have to wait for next year)

Several firsts, better late than never: 4D, flyer, hyper, Eurofighter, etc.