Leviathan Complete

On February 7, 2012, the last piece of Leviathan at Canada's Wonderland, B&M's first Giga Coaster, has been installed. Here's a video of this moment from Canada's Wonderland Facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=339784509394799

And kunpc1 at CWMania posted some nice photos too:

http://www.cwmania.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=51608#p51608

Here are some photos from the above link:















































































































































I am just in ultimate AWE of these photos. The station is receiving stone work/theming too. I can't think of the last time Cedar Fair themed a station (I guess Maverick in 2007). That 4th photo is the old Cyber Central arcade, which will become a gift shop for Leviathan.

And overall... this looks menacing. This looks to be the new signature attraction of Canada's Wonderland, and I hope more of these go up in other parks (like Knott's possibly, or even Kings Island). The colors are nice looking too!

Now, hopefully testing starts at the end of February, or early March!

New Theme Park News

Again, I do apologize for neglecting the blog lately, but I have been terribly busy. Now I finally have the opportunity to update some things.

First off I will start with the name of B&M's new design that debuted this year. Yes it's official: it will be called the Wing Coaster. This pic is from IAAPA Trade Show 2011 (from ThemeParkReview):
























So we have our Wing Coaster name! I actually really like the name. =)

Dollywood:

So to start things off, let's look at our current Wing Coaster construction. Dollywood recently completed their Wild Eagle as of November 2, 2011. Here's two pics from ernierocker at ThemeParkReview from a recent backstage construction tour:





































This looks to be one of the most photogenic rides, especially when trees or flowers get added to that last pic.

Thorpe Park:

Swarm was also completed recently, on November 18, 2011 (from The Swarm - Developers Diary on Facebook):

















Keep in mind, when the plans were first seen, it showed some thematic elements installed, including an airplane at the bottom of the first drop (headchopper I think). With those installed, this will look incredible (not that it doesn't already, ESPECIALLY with that twist n' dive on top).

I know I keep saying this all the time, and it might sound repetitive, but FLORIDA NEEDS ONE (that and a hyper, giga, stand-up, and more Intamins and launched coasters)!!

Leviathan:

Getting out of the Wing Coaster zone, let's look at another one of B&M's impressive new coasters next year: the giga coaster, Leviathan, at Canada's Wonderland. Recently vertical construction started, and on the 18th, the 306 ft. lift hill has been topped off. It really towers over the park, and here are some pics from CWMania (the last one is from ThemeParkReview):






































































When I first saw the topped off lift hill, I dropped my jaw. The monster is literally dominating the look of the park, and I love it! This is the most exciting coaster next year for me! I hope I can experience this bad boy soon!

In the second picture, notice how the big box track above transitions into the standard B&M box track. Apparently this is a new design for B&M: essentially, their version of I305's support structure. Once the big box track separates from the main track, the big box structure goes to the ground, acting as a support. Hopefully B&M uses this in one of their future hyper/giga designs!

Skyrush:

Don't worry Skyrush, haven't forgotten about you! Vertical construction has begun for the new Intamin hyper winged coaster at Hersheypark on November 17, 2011. On the 19th track was already installed (with vertical construction being worked on the turn after the main drop):



















Just that turn alone makes me drool with anticipation! I305's turn after the drop was pure awesomeness, and I think this will be neat as well! This ride experience will be very unique (remember how the trains look like? ;) )!!

The more they come, the more I want one in the Sunshine state (come on, at least a hyper)!!

Six Flags Magic Mountain 2013:

Now the rumor side of things begin. Recently, SFMM has removed one of their log flumes: Log Jammer. Rumors are pointing towards the replacement being a record breaking coaster... possibly a giga (from TheCoasterGuy):

Brand new gigacoaster to be built were Log Jammer sits today @SFMagicMountain. Will debut for 2013 season.

It does seem possible to build a Giga, since the last coaster built that is Mega Coaster related is Goliath back in 2000. Also keep in mind, the farm in Buena Park is also rumored to build a Giga (yes, I mean Knott's) however the park will not get a new ride next year (according to a recent Cedar Fair press release). This makes me think it got delayed to 2013 (that or by next year, they mean when the 2012 season starts). So if it was delayed, we could be seeing a giga coaster war, almost similar to the 2009 coaster war in Florida (Rockit at Universal, Manta at SWO, and an all-new Space Mountain at MK). In short; if you go to SoCal, you will be in for quite a big treat in 2013!

Here is an overview of the Log Jammer plot of land to give a better idea of what may occur:

















I think some interesting rumors are coming soon.

Leviathan at Canada's Wonderland

http://articles.latimes.com/2011/aug/18/news/la-trb-canadas-wonderland-leviathan-coaster-08201118

Canada's Wonderland will move into the top echelon of the world's roller coaster parks in 2012 with the addition of Leviathan, the Toronto-area amusement park's 16th coaster.

The $28-million inversionless Giga coaster will include an 80-degree first drop followed by a series of camelback hills and a 115-degree overbanked hammerhead turn that will cross over the front gate of Canada's Wonderland.

Set to open in May 2012, the 3 1/2-minute ride will feature lap-bar restraints and over a mile of track along an L-shaped layout.

With 16 coasters, Canada's Wonderland will move into third place behind Six Flags Magic Mountain (18) and Cedar Point (17) in the battle for the coveted title of "Coaster Capital of the World."

Leviathan will be among the top 10 coasters in the world for height (306 feet) and speed (92 mph), according to Roller Coaster Database.

The new ride will be created by Switzerland's Bolliger & Mabillard, which also built the Behemoth hypercoaster at Canada's Wonderland in 2008.

The new metal beast already has the coaster community salivating.

"The name Leviathan comes from an Old Testament scripture in Job which refers to it as a monstrous sea creature whose combination of strength and grace no man could control," Ryan Shrout wrote at Coaster-Net. "Certainly the name sounds fitting for what Canada's Wonderland is about to unleash."

The next pics will come from the Leviathan website:
























































































































































































The station will be in the cleared site right next to Speed City (SC will stay), and the ride will start with a right u-turn out of the station. Afterwards, the ride will enter a 306 ft. lift hill, towering over Dragon Fire and then drop into the employee parking lot. It will then enter a 168 ft. "barrel roll" (I wouldn't call it a barrel roll though, more like a giant overbanked turn) turning right towards the front gate, followed by a high-speed turn to about 76 mph into a 185 ft. airtime camelback. Then it will go through a 147 ft. 115-degree overbanked turn in front of the entrance gate turning back, into another high-speed turn to about 60 mph into a 124 ft. airtime camelback and into a highly banked turn (turning towards Dragon Fire) next the Courtyard Catering area. The ride ends with a final brake run starting 60 ft. in the air (weird, but okay). And yes, B&M is building it, making it their first Giga Coaster.

Now for my reaction... awesome, awesome, AWESOME! Not only is this a huge investment for Canada's Wonderland, but it is also yet another step forward for B&M! This year, they built their first ever Wing Coaster (Raptor at Gardaland), added a vertical loop to their flying coaster concept (Starry Sky Ripper at World Joyland), and at the moment, Parc Asterix is building a B&M Invert with a dive loop. Now B&M is building a Giga Coaster! =D I really want to ride this someday (too bad it won't be anytime soon)!

For those who think it is too similar to Behemoth (B&M Hyper in the park)... think about it. Behemoth is about airtime hills, this ride seems to take advantage of speed more than airtime hills.

This makes me wonder what could eventually come to Kings Island and Carowinds... but for now, let's enjoy this sick ride! B)