Knott's Berry Farm 2012 Giga?

I know it's been long since we heard a rumor of a possible 2012 coaster for Knott's Berry Farm, but now Screamscape has reported that Knott's could be building... what is perhaps in my opinion... their biggest investment yet. It's supposedly huge and will be very fast.

I'll let you read the report:

2012 - Giga Coaster - Rumor - (6/27/11) This rumor is a bit out there… so please take it all with a big chunk of salt in case it’s entirely bogus, but I’ve been sent a short list of very impressive stats for what Knott’s next coaster project MIGHT BE. As I said… this is all very out there right now, and if these stats are even close to being true for a possible 2012 project, Knott’s is going to have to start work on this project very soon.
Now, you might be asking yourselves, if the rumor is so wild, why do I post it at all? Simply because the stats match up with what I’ve been hearing about for the past year… that Knott’s was in the process of designing their version of version of Intimidator. This is said to be an Intamin Giga-coaster of the highest degree, with a custom layout inspired by both Intimidator 305 and Millennium Force. In short, Knott’s could be on the verge of building what many might consider to be the best roller coaster in the world.
While I don’t know anything really solid about the layout, it very well could travel throughout quite a bit of the park. Many might recall all those crazy survey markings that appeared throughout about half of the park about a year ago. The overall length of the ride is rumored to be just shy of 6000 feet, putting it just slightly behind Disney’s California Screamin’ coaster in overall length. As for the height… we’re talking about a coaster that could stand just shy of 340 feet with an amazing 85º first drop back down to Earth. As long as the actual height of the first drop was at least 328 feet, I believe the top speed of this coaster would hit at least 100 mph. That would make this ride the tallest and fastest NON-LAUNCHED coaster in the entire world. One for the record books for sure… now if only our crystal ball is clear on this one. Wait and see… wait and see…

But wait, that's not all! From Jim Disney at Westcoaster:

Hopefully soon we'll find out if the numbers 337, 85 and 5900 are true. If they are, it could be a very fun turn for Knott's!

*faints and screeches like a banshee*

Oh... I rode I305... it was... awesome... and if Knott's builds one...

Now I'm glad I didn't get to go to Knott's last winter (due to a stormy day)! I'm guessing:

337 = height
85 = drop degree
5900 = length

And the ride may hit at least 100 mph... OH MY GOD! The last I heard before this was that the project was on hold, but now that the rumor mill is working up again... I might just have to go to Knott's sometime in the future!

If the rumors from last time prove anything, I believe the station will take the place of the Kingdom of the Dinosaurs building and it will travel through the south backstage area with an overbanked turn a little bit next to the Knott's hotel and I'm guessing the lift structure will be like I305's.

Like Screamscape said, if this rumor is true, construction should start pretty soon, whether it be next week or the week after, or sometime in July-August. I305 started real construction in June (though I believe there was some kind of land clearing before) and Millennium Force started construction in July, so I don't think it's too early.

But either way, this is definitely a project to keep an eye on! I think I'm going to faint from excitement! =O

Canada's Wonderland 2012 Rumor

From Screamscape:

2012 - New Attraction - Rumor - (6/16/11) Screamscape has heard from a reader that Canada’s Wonderland may be working on adding some kind of new steel coaster, possibly from Intamin, that would feature eight inversions. While the record for inversions globally is ten, an eight inversion coaster would take the record for the most inversions in North America. The ride’s rumored location would have it runnin from the Dragon Fire area over towards the old dolphin theater. While this may be a good idea... I have to admit I’m a bit skeptical myself about this rumor too. So far Cedar Fair has never proven to be ‘inversion” crazy with any of their coaster, so this is a bit out of character. More on this when I find out...

That would be neat! Here is an example of an Intamin 8-inversion Coaster:

http://www.rcdb.com/3448.htm

It has a loop, a cobra roll, a double corkscrew, and a triple heartline roll. This seems like a cool addition to Canada's Wonderland! =D

Six Flags Updates

Six Flags Great Adventure:

From Screamscape:

2012 - New Flat Ride Package or Medium Thrill Ride - Rumor - (6/24/11) According to the latest rumors, Six Flags Great Adventure definitely seems to be leaning towards adding a Sky Screamer in 2012. While I don’t have a firm lock on the location (ie: a new site or replacing the Parachute tower ride) it does seem that everyone agrees that if SFGAdv gets one, it better be a damn tall ride. How tall exactly? Wouldn’t it be fun to be eye level with Kingda Ka? Just an idea… stay tuned.
(6/14/11) Yesterday we talked about a possible flat ride package in the works for Six Flags Great Adventure, though now I’m told that is just one of a couple of possible plans under consideration. Another plan is to bring in a Sky Screamer style ride (Star Flyer) as we’ve seen already become instant hits at Six Flags St. Louis and Discovery Kingdom this summer. While they could drop this ride in just about anywhere, there is one rumor claiming that they may consider removing the old parachute tower for it as well, but again… nothing is confirmed. Just ideas being thrown around at this point, so stay tuned.

I would rather put SkyScreamer in another place in the park other than the parachutes. I'd rather see expansion than replacement. I also hope there are other flats too. ;)

But on the subject on SkyScreamer, ever since the WindSeekers (Cedar Point, Kings Island, Knott's Berry Farm, and Canada's Wonderland), I'm getting a bit obsessed with Star Flyers and WindSeekers. SkyScreamer would be a wicked addition to SFGAdv! =)

Six Flags Magic Mountain:

From Screamscape:

2012 - New Thrill Ride - Rumor - (6/24/11) Over the last couple of weeks, I’ve been sent a few rumors suggesting that Six Flags Magic Mountain may be working on adding their own version of the Sky Screamer (Star Flyer) to the park for 2012, which would be a big crazy with Knott’s putting in Windseeker just to the south. I’m happy to report that Screamscape sources have confirmed that this is a bogus rumor… something is in the works for SFMM for 2012, but not a Sky Screamer.

I don't really think it matters about Star Flyers and WindSeekers being too close. I mean, SFMM and Knott's both have B&M Inverted Coasters: Batman and Silver Bullet.

However, with SkyScreamer out of the rumor mill for SFMM, I will keep my fingers crossed for a really tall drop tower. I actually rode KD's Drop Tower (Intamin Gyro Drop) and I tied it with Dr. Doom as the best drop tower I've ridden. A Gyro Drop would look amazing at SFMM! =D

Six Flags America:

No Iron Wolf for 2012 after all it seems (Screamscape):

2012 - New Attraction - Rumor - (6/16/11) Good news for everyone it seems… as SFGAm’s Guest Services is quickly trying to put out the fire that Iron Wolf could be leaving their park anytime soon. According to letters sent out by the park, Iron Wolf “will be around for your enjoyment for years to come. There is no truth to the rumor that the Iron Wolf will be taken down or moved anytime in the near future.”
So good news for SFGAm and even better news for SFA… which seems to indicate that the new 2012 coaster may be a brand new ride instead of a hand-me down. Stay tuned!

So Iron Wolf is safe... for now. And this gives me new hopes that SFA will get a B&M Floorless or Wing Coaster! =D

Intimidator and Intimidator 305

It's been a while since I last posted. Why? Because I went up north (I'm in Pennsylvania now), and while I was at it, I went to Carowinds and Kings Dominion: Yes, I rode Intimidator and I305.

So first off, Intimidator at Carowinds:

I really loved Intimidator at Carowinds (went on it 3x)... probably the best hypercoaster I've ridden (tied with Goliath at SFMM with its epic drop). Definitely the best in the park (tied with Nighthawk, a Vekoma Flying Dutchman, which I've ridden 2x)! =D

Seriously, if you love coasters and are going up north, you need to try this ride! It's so fun and I adore the airtime! This really makes me wish we Floridians have a B&M or Intamin Hypercoaster! >=( Oh well...

My rating: 5-Star (4 if you go in the back, but 5 in total) (and that goes for Nighthawk too).

Intimidator 305:

So you thought Intimidator at Carowinds was fun... wait until you see I305. If you haven't ridden this ride... ride it now!

I305... let's see what it has. Awesome drop, a very intense first turn that makes you gray/black out, probably the best airtime I have found on a coaster yet... yep, I loved it!! =D This is the only coaster (other than X2 at SFMM) that gets a 6-Star from me and you know what 6-Star means... the best coaster yet (tied with X2)! =D

This coaster blows away any coaster in Florida (yes, even SheiKra). The first turn was so intense that I had to close my eyes and other parts of the ride were intense too. The first airtime hill (the one that goes under the lift) has the best airtime I had on a coaster. I am now officially in love with both B&M and Intamin! <3 And after riding I305, I am very excited as to what Hersheypark is building for 2012.

It's not just the coaster though: the entire park was all sorts of fun too! I liked Carowinds quite a lot, but Kings Dominion is tied with Islands of Adventure, Busch Gardens Tampa, and Six Flags Magic Mountain as the best park I've visited. The only coaster that was "meh..." to me was Anaconda. I like the drop into the tunnel, but otherwise it could be way better. Otherwise:

I305 > Anything coaster wise that is not X2 or itself
Volcano > Montu
Dominator > Kraken
Shockwave > Riddler's Revenge (surprise, surprise! But Shockwave is not as bad as people are claiming)
Flight of Fear = ROTM (they are both awesome)

Their woodies are also cool too!

Kings Dominion is such a fun park and you need to hit this park now! =P =D

Some Really Big Six Flags Rumors

Screamscape posted updates about 3 Six Flags parks getting new rides for 2012. And when I say "rides," I mean one gets a coaster and two get some flat rides. So those three: Six Flags Magic Mountain, Six Flags Great Adventure, and Six Flags America.

Six Flags Magic Mountain:

2012 - New Thrill Ride - Rumor - (6/13/11) While I don’t know too many details, I’m hearing that a new thrill ride is on the way to Magic Mountain for 2012 for sure. However… this will not be a coaster, or so I’m told. Since the park has been lacking a good tower ride for some time now, I’m kind of hoping they install a three or four leg S&S Space Shot / Combo tower creation myself as I think anything less may just lack the capacity needed here.

So Screamscape is reporting a SFMM 2012 thrill ride, and will not be a coaster. For some reason, this quote from Screamscape seems to shed some light on the subject:

(7/27/10) The latest rumors suggest that the clearing in the old Sierra Twist spot is for a new restaurant location only and not a new ride. Even more bad news… I’m hearing rumors suggesting that not only is Thrill Shot going to be removed later this year, but this may be the last season for Tidal Wave as well. Between the removed Tidal Wave and the former Freefall location, that does open up a large spot of land for something new at least.

Of course, Thrill Shot is still in the park, but rumors are still spreading about its demise:

(2/21/11) The one rumor that keeps coming back over and over to me is that a new track for the Go-Karts may possibly be added to a section of the old Bugs Bunny National Park area. I’m not 100% of this one, so keep your eyes peeled for any activity in that area as spring approaches. One more odd rumor has come in as well, claiming that the park could be looking at bringing in the S&S Thrill Shot from SF Magic Mountain as well later this season.
On a side note, I’ve also heard a rumor that the old Great America Raceway (antique cars) ride may also not operate for the 2011 season. Given that the cars run around perimeter of the former shoot the chutes ride removed a couple of seasons ago, I’ve got a feeling that if this is true, this is likely going to be the site of the rumored 2012 coaster project.

Well, the Thrill Shot spot seems perfect for a drop tower or SkyScreamer clone. I would prefer a drop tower, but those SkyScreamers sound sick (Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, Six Flags St. Louis).

Six Flags Great Adventure:

2012 - New Flat Ride Package - Rumor - (6/13/11) The latest buzz on Six Flags Great Adventure claims that the park may be looking to obtain a nice small Flat Ride package for the 2012 season to help offset some of the lost capacity as various other rides have been removed over the past several years.

Hmmm... I wonder if they are going to fill in some empty spaces in the park. I hope for bumper cars or something.

Six Flags America:

2012 - New Attraction - Rumor - (6/13/11) I’m really not too sure about this particular rumor… so take this with a grain of salt, but one e-mail sent in claims that Iron Wolf may be moved from SFGAm and sent to SFA as the new coaster for 2012, where I believe it would fit into the site rather easily. I’m just not sure if SFGAm is ready to let go of another coaster just yet, unless they’re getting something better to replace it, so for now just keep this one in the back of your mind.
(5/24/11) I’m not sure how solid this rumor is, but I’ve heard it said that B&M may be in talks with Six Flags America about a future project. Earlier this year we did hear that the park was on the short-list of parks for consideration for a new coaster as early as 2012. Stay tuned.
(4/18/11) I don’t have any details, but the early rumors suggest that Six Flags America may finally get a much needed new addition to the park in 2012. Stay tuned!

Park News - (6/10/11) In a surprising bit of news, Six Flags America has announced that Skull Mountain, the flume ride formerly known as the Typhoon Sea Coaster, will close forever after July 10th to make way for a large new attraction in 2012.The park will put on a few special opportunities to bid the ride farewell, such as placing a boat on the midway for pictures and a special Fair Thee Well Weekend sendoff on July 9-10, special pirate makeovers and even a “Last Ride” auction with the proceeds going to fund the National Roller Coaster Museum. You’ve been warned… so get to the park now for one last ride before Skull Mountain is forced to “Walk the plank!”
While we’re on the subject of Six Flags America, CoasterFusion has also published a very detailed trip report from the park this week, so click here and take a look at what’s going on this season at the park.

While I'd rather see a brand new B&M at Six Flags America than a relocated one, I've always thought (since the Chang fiasco at SFGAm) that if Iron Wolf were to be removed, it should be relocated, not scrapped. At least SFA is finally getting something related to a new coaster (relocated counts to me). =)

I kind of feel a little bad for SFGAm though... =/