NEWS: US Thrillrides LLC unveils new Skyscreamer ride concept

[jedimaster1227]

US Thrillrides LLC has announced a new thrill concept called the Skyscreamer, a sister attraction to the classic SkyCoaster ride.

https://www.usthrillrides.com/skyscreamer

INTRODUCING THE EVOLUTION OF A LEGEND

The Skycoaster was one of our founder, Bill Kitchen's first mega-hit inventions.  After 20+ years of success you can find over 200 still in operation around the world with an impeccable safety record.  Now, US ThrillRides is introducing version 2.0: the Skyscreamer, which takes everything great about original and amps it up several levels while simplifying and streamlining operation. A win with customers and a win for venue owners means the Skyscreamer is set to break every record set by its predecessor!     

Skyscreamer amplifies the thrills by seating 6-24 riders side-by-side on a circular platform before raising them off the ground and then building the tension by reeling them hundreds of feet in the air.  After a few moments of anticipation, the ripcord releases and sends patrons into a momentary free fall before the swing motion catches them and sends them soaring over the enthralled onlookers.  A patented pendulum damper then gently and effectively reduces the swing arc, bringing the breathless riders to a stop before lowering them to earth - no doubt raving about the rush and ready to go another round!     

SPECIFICATIONS

Core Stats:

• Height  200 - 350 Feet
• Riders  6 - 24 (Configurable)
• Ride Duration: 4 minutes
• Capacity  81 - 324+ People per hour
• Three-tower design wrapped in ETFE for a striking and cost-effective design  
• US and Foreign Patents Granted     
  
                      

 

https://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/news/2021/04/22/skycoaster-inventor-bill-kitchen.html?ana=twt

Orlando ride inventor Bill Kitchen, who invented the SkyCoaster ride seen around Central Florida and beyond, has a new tall thrill ride on the way.

Windermere-based US Thrillrides LLC, which was founded by Kitchen, unveiled the Skyscreamer, a sister attraction to the SkyCoaster that can accommodate more guests than the typical three riders of its predecessor. The ride, which can range from 200-350 feet in height, can accommodate up to 24 riders — or more than 324 people per hour — and generate an estimated $2.2 million in gross revenue for an operator, based on a roughly $10 per rider cost, according to the company's website.

Here's more from the company's website: 

Skyscreamer amplifies the thrills by seating 6-24 riders side-by-side on a circular platform before raising them off the ground and then building the tension by reeling them hundreds of feet in the air. After a few moments of anticipation, the ripcord releases and sends patrons into a momentary free fall before the swing motion catches them and sends them soaring over the enthralled onlookers.

As the attraction free-falls, it will rotate to add to the thrill sensation for riders. It has a "pendulum damper" that helps the swinging ride gradually decrease in momentum until it comes to a stop, which eliminates riders needing to grab a self-stopping device often seen installed on existing SkyCoasters.

The cost of the ride varies based on the height and size of the ride platform, Kitchen told Orlando Business Journal. For example, he said a 200-foot version costs about $1.8 million for a 6-person ride system; while the 35-foot versions can be upward of $4 million with a 12-person saucer.

In addition, the ride has already grabbed some attention, from "several interested parties out of state — amusement parks and mega-malls," he told OBJ. That includes a potential first installment somewhere in Orlando, but no specific location was provided.

New rides like these can help bolster the appeal at amusement parks or other entertainment outlets. In fact, that may help as the overall industry seeks to recover from the Covid-19 pandemic that ravaged business.

The overall U.S. amusement parks industry market value dropped to $71.6 billion in 2020, compared to $73.5 billion in 2019, according to Statista.com. That decrease was "mainly due to the economic slowdown across countries owing to the coronavirus pandemic and the measures to contain it," said the site. However, it added that the industry should see a resurgence to beyond $89.5 billion by 2023.

[SharkTums]

Too bad it doesn't seem like this can be a retrofit to existing structures?

[KBrylczyk]

I get it, but I also don't get it.  Wasn't the major thrill of Skycoasters being in the flying position and staring straight down during the entire ride?  The ascent is the most terrifying part, IMO.  This just looks like they threw a Frisbee vehicle on a cable and said "good enough."

[tinaalsgirl]

If Six Flags or any amusement place near/in St. Louis doesn't get one of these and theme it to the Gateway Arch, that's a huge missed opportunity.

[ytterbiumanalyst]

^ Six Flags St Louis should get one and put it where the go karts were so they can have two arches next to each other.

[DoinItForTheFame]

I don’t know how to feel about this....

 

While it’s amazing that they are updating the design..... I feel like most of the thrill from the original design was laying in the soft fabric harness feeling “exposed.” This new design seems to take away that “fear factor.” 
 

I would be interested in riding one.... But I don’t think they can ever replace traditional sky coasters.

[Nrthwnd]

1 hour ago, tinaalsgirl said:

If Six Flags or any amusement place near/in St. Louis doesn't get one of these and theme it to the Gateway Arch, that's a huge missed opportunity.

Ha! When I first saw the art concept, I immediately thought of the St.Louis Arch.

In three pieces, lol.

[BRTeller]

I think what I like about this overall is that it will be a completely different experience than traditional sky coasters. While certain aspects might not be as tension building. I still think this is going to give a very different type of ride then we've ever seen before. Hopefully a park takes a chance with this and it works as advertised.

This reminds me a bit of the Terror Dactyl in Colorado. It's still hands down the scariest (and one of the best rides) I've ever done and I feel this could mimic that feeling.

[grsupercity]

Seems like it could push through a lot more people then the originals 

[Jew]

On 4/22/2021 at 7:03 PM, KBrylczyk said:

I get it, but I also don't get it.  Wasn't the major thrill of Skycoasters being in the flying position and staring straight down during the entire ride?  The ascent is the most terrifying part, IMO.  This just looks like they threw a Frisbee vehicle on a cable and said "good enough."

Broader appeal=more up charge money.

For the folks who may still want the thrill of the height without the fear of the sky coaster harness and free fall.  
 

kind of reminds me of when S&S did the sky shot. I never even thought to go on the slingshot rides since they looked too sketchy for me, but 100% trusted the S&S sky shot.

[BotanicalStig]

I've never seen an up charge attraction with a line. They're expecting full capacity at $10 a seat.... Where? This won't work in any park I can think of. Maybe some random outdoor mall in Myrtle Beach? Even then... 24 seats to fill per cycle at $10 a pop? I think their 220,000 riders/year sounds... Optimistic. 

[disownedpear]

I've never seen Go Karts without a line. But if you mean attractions like this, yeah I've only ever seen it once. But there's nothing stating this is an upcharge attractions right? With 24 riders I don't see how that could be.

[tndank]

Are they really planning to put these in parks that have an actual frisbee/disc ride?  This seems like a janky, half assed replica of one of those and it's an upcharge?  No thanks, I'll just walk across and ride MaxxAir.  The fun part about the sky coasters is that first half second where you fall before the slack hits.

I would imagine these go places where these other rides don't exist?  Branson/Dollywood parkway?  Fun Spots?  Smaller regional parks?

 

 

[Hilltopper39]

Don't forget that if one of these gets installed at a FEC or waterpark or go kart place somewhere in America, most of the potential customers there probably have no idea what a Sky Coaster is. This thing will just be the new ride to them.

Just because this thing is capable of a 24 passenger capacity I'd guess we're more likely to see some 6 person and 8 person installations. Wherever this thing goes I'm sure it will print money no matter how similar or different the ride experience is from something that's already out there.

[BotanicalStig]

On 4/27/2021 at 9:37 AM, disownedpear said:

I've never seen Go Karts without a line. But if you mean attractions like this, yeah I've only ever seen it once. But there's nothing stating this is an upcharge attractions right? With 24 riders I don't see how that could be.

I don't know if it *has* to be up charge but the article pitches it as $10/rider. As far as gokarts... I've seen plenty of empties in theme parks. Not so much at your average mini golf place or fun spot where you can buy a band and ride as much as you want. I'd argue that this is quite different and appeals to a wider crowd, regardless. 

 

 

I guess we will see. Maybe people will be more willing to try given the seating arrangement feels more secure. Something like a slingshot may be more popular than a sky coaster for the same reason.