I'm Back From Another Amazing Trip...

Last year, I visited 3 parks (Carowinds, Kings Dominion, and Cedar Point)... this year I visited 5 PARKS (BGT, Kings Dominion, Hersheypark, Cedar Point, and Six Flags Great Adventure)... and yeah, pretty chill... or should I say SUPER AWESOME COMBO!

I've probably ridden around 50 coasters in this trip, including Hersheypark's newest addition, Skyrush (which on the wings is just a whip of an experience! I really loved it)! These last 4 weeks rocked (I came back Wednesday July 11th, and the trip started on June 16th)! Visited BGT on June 17th, Kings Dominion on June 20th, Hersheypark on June 22nd, Cedar Point on June 26th, and Six Flags Great Adventure on June 30th. I visited Hershey again on July 9th (just last Monday).

So for my ride lists:

BUSCH GARDENS TAMPA (6/17/2012)

Here we have just spent it as a normal BGT day, except we didn't go south... but north...:

1. Gwazi (Lion) - GCI Wooden Coaster (dueling)
2. Gwazi (Tiger) - GCI Wooden Coaster (dueling)
3. SheiKra - B&M Dive Machine
4. Tanganyika Tidal Wave (2x) - Intamin Shoot-the-Chutes
5. SheiKra (2nd time) - B&M Dive Machine
6. Kumba (2x) - B&M Sit-Down Coaster
7. Ubanga Banga Bumper Cars - Bumper cars ride
8. Skyride - Vonroll Sky ride
9. Cheetah Hunt - Intamin LSM Blitz
10. Montu - B&M Inverted Coaster
11. Phoenix - Intamin swinging ship ride
12. SheiKra (2x) - B&M Dive Machine

KINGS DOMINION (6/20/2012)

Last time we were here was last year. This year, we rode Eiffel Tower (so I now know how an observation tower in a park is, as this is my first one), we dug further into the water park (Pipeline Peak), and completed the ride collection credits with Crypt and the two water rides (Shenandoah Lumber Company and White Water Landing). We also knew what not to waste our time on (Anaconda) from last time. We also rode their WindSeeker (which opened this year):

1. Eiffel Tower - Observation tower
2. Intimidator 305 - Intamin Giga Coaster
3. Volcano - Intamin LSM Inverted
4. Crypt - HUSS Top Spin
5. Intimidator 305 (2nd time) - Intamin Giga Coaster
6. Scrambler - Scrambler ride
7. Baja Bends - Water slide combo
8. Pipeline Peak - Tubed/non-tubed water slide combo
9. Tornado - ProSlide Tornado
10. Triple Spin - Orbitron ride
11. Shockwave - TOGO Stand-Up Coaster
12. Drop Tower - Intamin Gyro Drop
13. WindSeeker - Mondial Wind Seeker
14. Hurler - Intl Coasters Wooden Coaster
15. Grizzly - TAG Wooden Coaster
16. Shenandoah Lumber Company - Log flume
17. White Water Landing - River rapids
18. Rebel Yell - PTC Wooden Coaster (back row just pushed this ride up from a 2-Star, to a high 2-Star! Just insane)
19. Dominator - B&M Floorless Coaster
20. Volcano (2nd time) - Intamin LSM Inverted
21. Crypt (2nd time) - HUSS Top Spin
22. Flight of Fear - Premier Indoor Poltergiest layout
23. Intimidator 305 (3rd time) - Intamin Giga Coaster

HERSHEYPARK (6/22/2012)

Huzzah! New park, new credits (very nice park BTW)! However, that day, it was raining around the area, and we ended up not doing everything we wanted, so we got an "after-sunset pass" and came back July 9th (towards the end of the trip) after 5:00 pm. This was a good day though. Skyrush was a great ride that day, but the restraints weren't changed (yes, they added more padding later) so it was kind of bad for the legs. After two rides, the restraints became too much to bear, and we ended up saying "no third Skyrush ride." But the airtime, speed, and whipping rocked (especially when you get the winged seats)! Next time however (July 9)... well, you'll see. After our second Skyrush ride, it ended up raining, so we watched "Rock the Jukebox" in Chevrolet Music Theater. Then we rode Fahrenheit, and it was great! It was forceful, and even had some nice airtime in the middle! Afterwards, the water park (which became my favorite water park at this point). Awesome slides, and Tidal Force won the award for "Through My Eyes' Best Water Ride). TF guarantees you get soaked with a giant splash which rains down on you after the splashdown. Then it rained, and everything was down for the rest of the day (well, other than the Music Express, a few others, and the Hershey Factory Tour). =( I liked the place though. Definitely a recommended place:

1. Skyrush - Intamin Winged Hyper Coaster
2. Sooperdooperlooper - Schwarzkopf Looping Coaster
3. Great Bear - B&M Inverted Coaster
4. Skyrush (2nd time) - Intamin Winged Hyper Coaster
5. Chevrolet Music Theater (Rock the Jukebox) - Musical
6. Fahrenheit (2x) - Intamin Vertical Lift
7. Vortex - Proslide Bowl
8. Whirlwind - Proslide Tornado
9. Tidal Force (2x) - Shoot-the-Chutes (AWESOME RIDE!!)
10. Hershey Chocolate World - Dark ride (outside the park)

CEDAR POINT (6/26/2012)

Here, we focused the day on riding our favorite coasters (Top Thrill Dragster, Millennium Force, Maverick, Magnum, etc). Also finally rode MaxAir (OMG, this ride kicked butt), Skyhawk (kicked butt too, but not as much as MaxAir!), and Power Tower (great drop tower combo). Also, like in KD, we avoided the crap rides (like Disaster Transport, though I did visit the area to take pics of new markings for the 2013 coaster)! However, some rides we just forgot or just didn't have time (like Blue Streak. =( I liked it last time). Maverick was down for a while, but went back up. Amazing as usual. Couldn't ride TTD at the end of the day, but this is the first time during the day! =) So we wrapped it up with Millennium Force (just as great!). Also got a new credit (Mine ride):

1. Raptor - B&M Inverted Coaster
2. MaxAir - HUSS Giant Frisbee
3. Troika - Troika ride
4. Wicked Twister - Intamin LSM Impulse
5. WindSeeker - Mondial Wind Seeker
6. Mantis - B&M Stand-Up Coaster
7. Top Thrill Dragster - Intamin Accelerator (Strata)
8. Millennium Force - Intamin Giga Coaster
9. Maverick - Intamin LSM Blitz
10. Mean Streak - Dinn Wooden Coaster
11. Cedar Creek Mine Ride - Arrow Mine Train
12. Skyhawk - S&S Screamin' Swing
13. Gemini - Arrow Hybrid Coaster
14. Magnum - Arrow Hyper Coaster
15. Power Tower - S&S Combo Drop Tower
16. MaxAir (2nd time) - HUSS Giant Frisbee
17. Millennium Force (2nd time) - Intamin Giga Coaster

SIX FLAGS GREAT ADVENTURE (6/30/2012)

So we were in New York City, and we went to another new park, filled with more new credits! Their best coasters, however, blow me away (Kingda Ka, El Toro, and Nitro)! Kingda Ka was short, but that launch packs a great punch! It was just super (probably, dare I say this, my favorite coaster. Smooth, forceful, insane speed and height. Could be longer but... the launch just makes it)! El Toro is a wooden coaster, but here's a twist! It's really smooth and packs an awesome punch (and AIRTIME)! I love my rough woodies, but El Toro just devoured every wooden coaster I've been on! Intamin Plug n' Play, come to Florida!! BGT I'm looking at you (big Timbuktu refurbishment maybe squeezing in one of these, destroying Rhino Rally even more (and relocate Phoenix and Scorpion)? YES PLEASE!)! Nitro = amazing Hypercoaster w/ AMAZING AIRTIME! Overall, great park. Also, in this SF park trip, we've been on 19 rides (counting re-rides), the most we've done at any Six Flags park! SFMM was 9 rides (counting re-rides) and SFOG was 4 rides (lines were awful there, but it was after BOA so...). SFGAdv = Epic win. Only issue is the water rides... the log flume was okay... the river rapids was just awful and stupid! I didn't get wet that much... probably least favorite in this park. If you're looking to waste your time, ride Congo Rapids! XP :

1. Kingda Ka - Intamin Accelerator (Strata)
2. El Toro - Intamin Plug n' Play Wooden Coaster
3. Rolling Thunder - Rosser/Cobb Wooden Coaster (lame ride...)
4. Kingda Ka (2x) - Intamin Accelerator (Strata)
5. Skyride - Vonroll Sky Ride
6. Congo Rapids - River rapids ride (WORST RIVER RAPIDS EVER!)
7. Nitro - B&M Hypercoaster
8. Batman: The Ride - B&M Inverted Coaster
9. Dark Knight - MACK Wild Mouse (indoors)
10. Skull Mountain - Intamin Custom (indoors)
11. Blackbeard's Lost Treasure Train - Zierer Kiddie Coaster
12. Saw Mill Log Flume - Log flume ride
13. Bizarro - B&M Floorless Coaster
14. Superman: Ultimate Flight - B&M Flying Coaster
15. Green Lantern - B&M Stand-Up Coaster (formerly Chang at Kentucky Kingdom. This is a nice ride!)
16. Nitro (2nd time) - B&M Hypercoaster
17. El Toro (2nd time) - Intamin Plug n' Play Wooden Coaster
18. Kingda Ka (4th time) - Intamin Accelerator (Strata)

HERSHEYPARK (7/9/2012)

So, here we had unfinished business. We accomplished a lot more that day! We first rode the ones we didn't ride. Also, Skyrush's new restraints (while they could still work on it a little) were much better. Afterwards, Skyrush took the throne as Hershey's best, as it should have (...so for the final phase of destroying Rhino Rally, we should tear out the whole ride for a version of Skyrush, but taller. Also, for a WindSeeker and a dark ride, all in a new area of BGT...):

1. Storm Runner - Intamin Accelerator
2. Sidewinder - Vekoma Boomerang
3. Tidal Force - Shoot-the-Chutes
4. Coastline Plunge - Water slide combo (w/ Vortex and Whirlwind)
           Riptide - Water slide
           Vortex - Proslide Bowl
           Surge - Water slide
           Whirlwind - Proslide Tornado
5. Wildcat - GCI Wooden Coaster
6. Lightning Racer (Thunder) - GCI Wooden Coaster (dueling) (Lightning won)
7. Lightning Racer (Lightning) - GCI Wooden Coaster (dueling) (Lightning won! Haha!)
8. Fahrenheit - Intamin Vertical Lift
9. Skyrush - Intamin Winged Hyper Coaster

Overall, GREAT TRIP! Go to these parks, they are wonderful! =)

KD's Next Coaster: When, where, and what?

We're in the middle of 2012, and Kings Dominion, while they are not overdue just yet, will soon be due for a new coaster. 2013 is rumored to be a Planet Snoopy expansion, while Volcano's station may get a redo, so it looks like no coaster next year (which is fine for now). However in 2014, it will be 4 years since Intimidator 305 opened (dang, that moved fast!). So this leaves the question: will KD open their next coaster in 2014 or possibly even a year later? It certainly seems possible for a 2014 coaster to be built, but probably no later than 2015.

Where will it go? Apparently reports have Shockwave being removed by the end of the season (from this morning):

Park News - (7/17/12) According to a post at CoasterCrewNetwork , the time may have come to remove Shockwave . To be honest, I’m surprised this Togo Stand-Up coaster has lasted this long as it’s sister ride (King Cobra) at Kings Island was removed years ago. If true, the only remaining Togo Stand-Up coaster in North America would be the SkyRider at Canada’s Wonderland which will likely find itself on the chopping block before too long as well.

The Dippin Dots guy told me today that Shockwave is on its way out the door. Now this is not throw some of my normal channles so I don't know if its true or not.

Later in the day, however, reports show Shockwave staying. Actually, IMO, removing Shockwave (despite the lack of lines) is a stupid idea, especially if they were putting up a new coaster (and I actually enjoy this ride. Unlike other stand-ups, this has awesome airtime. It also has great forces. If you ask me, take out Anaconda). Last season, the park repainted the ride (green and blue) and removing it so soon would mean all that money for the repaint would go to waste. Also, this ride doesn't take up the biggest space in the park... maybe an Intamin Impulse or something like Superman: Ultimate Flight (in SFDK) can fit good (though that can still be cool)... but I think the maximum that can fit in the area is probably a GCI Wooden Coaster (involving the end of Flying Ace and Snoopy's Splash Dance). Then again, SFGAm surprised me by plopping a Wing Coaster (X-Flight) in the old Splashwater Falls plot, so maybe this can happen here to. Still, I'd rather see Anaconda bite the dust, way before Shockwave.

However, let's evaluate the sections of the park. Congo has the most coasters in the park (Intimidator 305, Flight of Fear, Volcano, Backlot Stunt Coaster, and Anaconda) so no need for a coaster in that section (if they take out Anaconda, though, that will open up a large plot. Maybe a Wing or Flying Coaster that interacts with the lake). Maybe Old Virginia, possibly squeezing a coaster by White Water Canyon, and having it sneakily travel behind Dinosaurs ALIVE, Grizzly, and Hurler, and go back through the old Hypersonic lot. Or the Grove, where they can plot one taking over the rest of the old Hypersonic lot and the plot behind Hurler (of course, keeping the trees).

Another possibility is relocating the part of the water park before Rebel Yell with the rest of the water park (possibly an entrance by Hurler and Ricochet). That would open up a decent plot of land, and an even bigger plot would open if Anaconda gets torn out. However, I'd rather they not knock down Anaconda for a coaster there, as much as I dislike Anaconda. I'd want to see something else take Anaconda's space, possibly interacting with the lake.

What will it be? My gut tells me they want a "big" coaster again, so it can be a few possibilities. An Intamin Blitz can do wonders. I think a B&M would be perfect though, as there is only one (Dominator). A Wing Coaster would be an awesome addition, a Flying Coaster (though I think they should save one for Anaconda's replacement), or even a Hypercoaster (traveling from White Water Canyon to the back of Grizzly and Hurler). The difference with Canada's Wonderland installing Leviathan while they have Behemoth is that one has mostly airtime (Behemoth, just airtime hills) and the other has mostly speed (Leviathan, speed curves). I305 has mostly speed (mostly speed curves with airtime hills) and this hyper can have mostly airtime (just airtime hills). Though I think a Wing Coaster has a huge possibility (let's see how Cedar Point's 2013 Wing Coaster will go)!

I'm sure wherever the next coaster will go, the park will make as much necessary space as possible. Look at what Six Flags Great America did! They squeezed in a Wing Coaster in a plot that was home to a small shoot-the-chutes ride, and it still looks to pack a punch!

For now, we shall wait and see what happens next year... But 2014 should be an interesting year!

Other Cedar Fair Announcements

Carowinds:

Carowinds will be building their own WindSeeker in 2012 in the Carolina RFD section of the park (presumably in one of the lakes by Nighthawk):

WindSeeker will send riders soaring 301 feet above the park at over 30 miles per hour and provide dramatic views of the greater Charlotte region.

WindSeeker’s three minute ride begins when the ride’s carriage, featuring 32 two passenger swings, slowly rotates while climbing to the top of a 301-foot tower. Riders will experience a sense of weightlessness as the swings reach speeds of up to 30 miles per hour and the arms extend outward at a 45-degree angle.

Located in: Carolina RFD

http://www.carowinds.com/public/park/rides/thrill_rides/windseeker.cfm






























































Kings Dominion:

For 2012, Kings Dominion will also build a WindSeeker (presumably in the space occupied by El Dorado, which has been put up for sale) as well as Dinosaurs Alive (by Grizzly):

WindSeeker is a 301-foot-tall tower that spins riders nearly 30 stories above the Central Virginia Countryside. Seated in two-person swings that will allow their feet to dangle, riders slowly begin rotating in a circular motion as the swings ascend the tower. At the top, the swings reach speeds between 25-30 mph, flaring out almost 45 degrees from the tower.

WindSeeker will be joining Kings Dominion’s “300-Foot Club,” Intimidator 305, Drop Tower and the Eiffel Tower. These iconic and elite attractions help Kings Dominion stand tall above the rest as the Premier Amusement Park in the Mid-Atlantic.

Year Opened
2012

Location
Grove Section of the Park near Juke Box Diner

Ride Stats
Height – 301 feet
Diameter – 81 feet
Diameter with swing arms extended – 110 feet
Swing Arm Angle – 45 degrees

Seating
Number of seats – 32 two-person swings; 64 total riders
Restraint System – Individual over-the-head lap bar with interlocking seat belt
Capacity – 960 riders per hour

Speed
Rotation Speed – 25-30 mph (8 rotations per minute)
Ride Time – approximately 3 minutes

Cost
$6.5 million

Special Features
Arms are installed with an elaborate LED lighting package, which will make for a dramatic and exciting ride for riders and spectators.

On-board Audio playing 18 different music tracks during the ride

Manufacturer
Mondial, a Dutch-based ride manufacturer

http://www.kingsdominion.com/rides-attractions/ride-detail.cfm/ride_alias/Windseeker/ride_category/Thrill-Rides

Dinosaurs Alive! is a multi-sensory and interactive dinosaur park that brings inspiration, science and technology together at Kings Dominion. Guests also hear the sounds and see the movements of 36 full-size creations made to replicate nearly every feature of the dinosaurs.

Location
Old Virginia

Entrance
Near Grizzly roller coaster

Attraction area
6-Acres

Distance of walking path
3000 feet

Number of Dinosaurs
36

Interactive Dinosaurs
3

Types of Dinosaurs
Huayangosaurus Deinonychus Triceratops
Mamenchiasaurus Tenontosaurus Tyrannosaurus Rex
Ruyangosaurus Giganteous Hererasaurus Amargasaurus
Parasaurolophus Carnotosaurus Monoclonius
Ouranosaurus Baryonyx Dyoplosaurus
Olorosaurus Irritator Pachycepholsaurus
Pachyrhinosaurus Spinosaurus Albertosaurus
Kosmoceratops Allosaurus Yangchuanosaurus
Mojoceratops Stegosaurus Chasmosaurus

Scenes Pack Attack Predator Ridge
Fish Eaters Frills, Clubs, Platees
Predataor Trap Flash Flood
Kids Paleontological Dig Site


Dinosaurs Alive! is a pay-per-experience attraction and is not included with general admission or a season pass to Kings Dominion.

Manufacturer
Dinosaurs Unearthed
British Columbia, Canada

http://www.kingsdominion.com/rides-attractions/ride-detail.cfm/ride_alias/Dinosaurs-Alive/ride_category/Family-Attractions
























































Kings Island:

For next year, Kings Island will transform their Boomerang Bay water park into Soak City (like Cedar Point, Knott's, and Valleyfair):

The Kings Island amusement park in Mason announced a major expansion at its Boomerang Bay water park, changing its name to Soak City.

Kings Island, which is owned by Cedar Fair Entertainment said it will add 3,000 square feet to its wave pool and make enhancements to its volley ball courts and lawn areas. It also will add 1,000 lounge chairs, more shaded areas for pool-goers and new family dressing rooms. The new improvements will be ready for the 2012 season, the park said.

The water park expansion is the latest enhancement at Kings Island, located just north of Cincinnati. The park this year added a swing attraction called Windseeker and the Dinosaurs Alive animatronic dinosaur park.

http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2011/09/02/kings-island-to-double-size-of-water.html













Dorney Park:

Looks like Dorney Park has confirmed Stinger, the former Invertigo coaster from CGA:

Feel your heart pump with adrenaline after experiencing this scorpion's sting! Sit back and find yourself dangling from the scorpion tail seated face-to-face with your friends as you each sit witness to the others terror. You'll scream your face off as you are lifted up a 138-foot lift hill and then released to soar at speeds reaching 55 miles per hour through three inversions both forward and then backward.

http://www.dorneypark.com/public/park/rides/roller_coasters/stinger.cfm

Cedar Point:

Next year, Cedar Point will also build Dinosaurs Alive on Millennium Island (on the right side of the island, which contains part of Millennium Force and Shoot the Rapids) as well as a new water slide:

Cedar Point announced Friday morning that it will take the Sandusky amusement park back to prehistoric times.

Dinosaurs Alive! on Adventure Island will be introduced to the park in summer 2012, park officials say. The new attraction will be located on four acres on the wooded island in the lagoon area where the Paddlewheel has operated.

In addition to the dinosaur exhibit, park officials say a mat-race slide will be added to Soak City next summer.

The new dinosaur exhibit will cost about $1 million and will include 50 life-size animatronic dinosaurs. A Dinosaurs Alive! exhibit was installed at Kings Island this year, and has been popular, park officials said.

"We are extremely excited about introducing Dinosaurs Alive! to our guests next summer," John Hildebrandt, vice president and general manager of Cedar Point, said in a statement Friday morning. "Our guests will have the opportunity to visit the Jurassic Age up close and see some amazing creatures that called it home. Dinosaurs Alive! will be educational and fun, too."

There will be an additional admission fee of $5 for the Dinosaurs Alive! attraction.

http://www.sanduskyregister.com/sandusky/news/2011/aug/19/dinosaurs-alive-coming-cedar-point-2012

Of all the above announcements I'm most excited about, I'm excited about the two new WindSeekers the most (Worlds of Fun is also rumored to get one next year)! I really enjoyed the Cedar Point one, and I honestly wouldn't mind if one eventually came to the Sunshine State! =)

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

Park Updates #7

Harry Potter USH:

From Screamscape:

???? - Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Under Consideration - (12/13/10) The buzz about the possibility of a second Wizarding World of Harry Potter coming to Universal Hollywood has got some of the big Hollywood gossip hounds talking now. The news we revealed even made the headlines over at Perez Hilton, though for some reason they chose to link to our news indirectly through a posting at MuggleNet instead of coming right to the source, but what can you do, right?
Of course from what I’ve been told, Universal is 100% at this point, and like the Universal Orlando project, the fate of it all lies once again in the hand of JK Rowling. Of course this may not be the end-all either as there may be another mystery project in development between Universal Creative and JK Rowling as well… hmmm. More on this later.

Well, if this is true, HP is bound to come to California soon... I hope so! With me being a huge Harry Potter fan, I think "the more Potter, the better!" =D

Trike Encounter Returns:

Well, after months of speculation, the Trike Encounter in Jurassic Park (at IOA) has reopened today:

http://orlandoparksnews.blogspot.com/2010/12/breaking-news-triceratops-discovery.html

Well, JP does need more things to do... I hope this is their first step. Then maybe a Raptor Encounter, a Pteranodon Flyers redo to Canopy Flyers, and a B&M 4D/Wing Rider using the Pteranodon theme.

I305:

From Screamscape Twitter:

PKD Fans, John Pagel (PR Mgr) will be live on In The Loop tonight at 8pm EST, talking about Intimidator 305.

I can't see the video tonight (because its almost bedtime), but I wonder if this involves the rumored reprofile. I can't wait to see.

Cheetah Hunt:

As of now, the track has been complete from the final brake run, through the station, the first launch, first turn, first trench, second launch, and half of the Windcatcher Tower (with the supports for it up too). I wonder if before winter break, they will complete the tower and the second trench, or if they'll just complete the tower.

Either way, I'm getting excited! =D

X-Raptor:

http://www.themeparkreview.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=56021&start=400#p971151

As of December 5, 2010, X Raptor is complete, with the over-banked turn after the first drop up.

Hmmm... I wonder when I'll see one of these go up in the USA (I know, I keep saying it)...

I305 Reprofile??

From Screamscape:

Park News - (12/2/10) RCPro has posted a great story about what kind of changes we can expect to see take place on Intimidator 305 over the off season. This report also matches up with what I’ve also heard from my our sources as well. In short… the turnaround and second hill will be reprofiled to remove the excessive G-forces. The good news is that the plan is to remove the brakes from the first drop and let the coaster run wild as intended.

From Mike T at RCPro:

It seems like we're the only people in the enthusiast community that actually know whats going on with the reprofile. So once again... Intimidator 305 was designed to reach speeds of 94 miles per hour, which was the ultimate goal in designing the attraction. Unfortunately when you design a roller coaster of that height with space constraints you tend to run into issues that aren't always going to render as expected - as with the first 270 degree high speed turn. The issue that the park is having with the turn is both mechanical and detrimental to passengers. From a mechanical perspective it's wearing out the road wheels rather quickly, and from a guest perspective the turn is offering an uncomfortable force thats causing riders to black out.

The immediate solution to this issue was to install temporary trim brakes on the first hill, solving these issues but slowing the ride down to a pace that it wasn't designed for. So when the park closed for the season, IntaRide and the team and Kings Dominion began the reprofiling process that will eventually call for the removal of the trim brakes and a return to its previous top speed. Essentially what the park wants to do is widen the turn's diameter to provide a more comfortable riding experience, as well as to reduce excessive wear on the trains themselves.

The bottom line is that Intamin has always been known for pushing the limits - that's their style, and from the sounds of it that's what they will continue to do in the very near future. Back in 2007 when RCPro uncovered the true issues surrounding Maverick's Heartline Roll removal, the circumstances were very similar. High stress on not only the trains but the riders were discovered in preliminary tests - resulting in a modified section of track replacing the element all together.

But regardless of the current situation that Intimidator 305 seems to be in, our immediate sources tell us that the attraction will be better than ever when it reopens for the 2011 season, providing rides that sustain the insane pace that the coaster is known for. This will also be the first time that riders can test out the new restraints with trains moving at their designed velocity.

Wow, this is exciting!! =D

I305 and Cheetah Hunt Updates

Intimidator 305:

From redfoot12 at KDFansite:

So it looks like Robb Alvey from TPR spoke with Sandor Kernacs from Intamin at IAAPA. He posted the following:

"Sandor tells me there will be some changes in i305, and I'm not allowed to mention what I was told, but let me tell you the locals will not be disappointed!!!"

Hmmm... so something big is possibly happening with I305!!

Hopefully this is an overbanked turn addition, and the removal of the trims. =D

Cheetah Hunt:

So recently vertical construction has finally begun on Cheetah Hunt. Here's some links to RCPro's recent updates:

http://www.rcprocommunity.com/showthread.php?2421-RCPro-Busch-Gardens-Tampa-Update-Mega-Thread!-New-update-11-20-10&p=39543&viewfull=1#post39543

http://www.rollercoasterpro.com/updates/bgt11.19.10/

http://www.rollercoasterpro.com/updates/bgt11.15.10/

Here's an Orlando United update:

http://www.orlandounited.com/?p=547

And a JohnnyUpsideDown update:

http://www.johnnyupsidedown.com/cheetahunt4.html

So the final brake run, transfer track, and station track is now up. Can't wait till they start on the launch tower! =D

Speaking of which, BGT posted an update behind the construction walls, where they describe the launch tower as the "Windcatcher Tower." Could this be the name of the launch tower??

It seems pretty cool! =D Can't wait!

I305 Update

Theamusementwire posted a video update. It looks like half of the airtime hill is down. Still wondering what they are doing. I'm pretty excited to know (please be a Millennium Force-style overbanked turn)... =D

What's Up With Intimidator 305??

Okay, before I go to the topic, I'm just going to say what has been happening so far with I305 (this season).

April 10, 2010 - Anti rollback problems (later got fixed).

May 14, 2010 - Trims have been added to the first drop to reduce the intensity.

May 19, 2010 - A new test seat has appeared, showing a softer restraint system (I don't know when, but later it disappeared that month).

June 23, 2010 - I305 only ran one train today, as the other was in tarps. Rumor has it, there will be new restraints on the trains.

June 24, 2010 - New straps have been added to the train.

Now today, Coaster Crew posted an interesting pic:



Now, now, don't panic. Just because the track pieces have been removed doesn't mean a removal of this ride, as there are no rumors of a removal.

Now, the current rumors range from a variety of possibilities, from the removal of the first drop trims to a new Millenium Force-style overbanked turn (the first turn). In any case, it should be interesting to see what will happen. Hopefully a new turn (though I kind of doubt it)! =D

A Great POV of Intimidator 305

From themeparkreviewTPR.

Robb Alvey from ThemeParkReview rode I305 in the second part. The first part shows off a POV of the coaster.

I think it's pretty much safe to say that BOTH coasters rock in POVs. =D

The Updates of the Intimidators #8

This is the last update of the Intimidators. So, no more after this one, now that the coasters are pretty much set (Intimidator at Carowinds is open, while I305 opens at the end of the week).

Intimidator at Carowinds is open. See a POV from RollerCoasterExpert:



I'm very emotional. I've been watching the coaster since last summer. Now it is open. It looks very neat!

Intimidator 305 at Kings Dominion opens tomorrow for Media Day (and just in time for April Fools), while officially opening to the public as well on April 2nd. Speaking of I305... here's a teaser video from Clint Novak of CoasterCrew (including some real POV of the coaster):



That second hill looks steeper than I thought it would. Also, once again... the webcam paused (since March 15th, 2010). But I don't care now... it's pretty much done now. Testing started March 14th, BTW.

So now that the Timmies are pretty much taken care of, all that's left is Busch Gardens Tampa... AND YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN RIGHT BUSCH?!?! DON'T LIE... I KNOW WHAT YOU'RE DOING!!! GIVE US THE DANG COASTER!!! I'm expecting an announcement from you, Busch... I know it! Sesame Street's done! And you said Intamin or Vekoma track would arrive after Sesame Street is done! And NO TRACK!!! BLEH! I expect an announcement from you, Busch, by the end of this school year... or else!

Sorry, I just had to do that... I'm too excited for that Blitz Coaster... XD

Anyways, this concludes "the Updates of the Intimidators." Glad you stuck around for my humor.

And now... I will start throwing buckets of water on Busch Gardens' head, unless they announce that coaster now! XD

I305 FAIL?

From Mark Newman at ThemeParkInsider on 3/5/2010:

"A good friend works for Cedar Fair. He stated the winter storms at both parks have had some impact on construction. However, Carowinds is ahead of schedule and their coaster will open on time. KD was supposed to start testing this week, and that hasn't happened because of issues with the pull through. If testing does not start by next week, the April 2 opening will be in jeopardy and may be pushed back until April 17."

Uh-oh, another Maverick/Rip Ride Rockit problem...? =|

From bill_s at KDFansite 3/6/2010:
"I think it was clear there was some problem at the top of the lift, where the pull-through train spent so much time. I noticed one morning a bucket from the crane next to that spot, on the side away from the webcam and not seen on it, as well as the morning I reported the train was on the drop either going up or down."

OMG... THEY'RE TAKING OFF THE LIFT LIKE THEY DID WITH ROCKIT LAST JUNE?! O_o

Only joking guys... Sometimes I just have silly flashbacks to when they had all those problems with Rockit.

I really hope there is not a problem with Timmy 305...

Intimidator 305 Testing Next Week?

From Intimidator305kd at the KDFansite:

"I do want to say that John Pagel said if all goes well (ie: no inclement weather) testing will begin around the 1st of March."

I hope this is true...