Six Flags Great America- 2014 New Coaster? UPDATE

Well we've got more news coming from Six Flag Great America today. It isn't official but it does speak volumes about what the park has in mind for the 2014 season and their newest construction project.

Rumor has it American Eagle may be up for an Rocky Mountain Coasters refurbishment. They are the well known builders of Wood/Steal hybrid coasters such as Iron Rattler and New Texas Giant. However, what is odd is that American Eagle is a Racing Wooden Coaster. It has both a Blue and a Red side. Rumor states that RMC will be re-building and re-tracking the blue side of the ride but no word on the red side yet.  I'm not entirely sure how this will work considering this is a racing coaster, could one side be going steel while the other remains wood? That would be a new trick for Rocky Mountain Coasters to accomplish.

 InSanity lurks Inside will keep updating as more information becomes available as well as when the park decides to do their reveal of what the plan is for 2014 and American Eagle!


UPDATE 8/29/13: 
Six Flags Great America Announces Goliath- Worlds Tallest, Fastest and Steepest Wooden Coaster!


UPDATE 8/22/13

Image from Screamscape

Well is Screamscape is to be believed, the new coaster coming in 2014 will be wood and built by Rocky Mountain Coasters.  One person there reported from somekind of meeting saying the ride will be 165 feet tall with a 13 foot drop underground, making the first drop a total of 178 feet. While this won't break a record for height, it's still remotely possible they could go for speed.

They are also reporting a weird 'track element' of the ride, something that could possibly be an inversion with a boost launch involved. It's the blue circled portion of the blueprints.








UPDATE 8/19/13

It looks like the rumors around American Eagle being the "New Coaster" for the 2014 season isn't true. Apparently the pictures have been faked (Gee Folks, you might have said so rather then name-calling cause that's really mature). Sources aren't exactly sure if that project is for 2014 or some others season.  Which leaves the question of "What is the 2014 New Coaster"?
We've got some more rumor news about the 2014 project for Six Flags Great America. Rumor has it that the "New Coaster" for 2014 will be wooden and that the park may be after some kind of record breaker. It may or may not be 'speed" which they are after, which brings in a host of problems. According to a meeting docket we found posted at Screamscape, the coaster may be 165 feet tall and in the location of the former "Iron Wolf".
Stay Tuned for More Updates!

Busch Gardens Williamsburg Announces NEW Stuff for Howl-O-Scream

 After all the insanity going on down in Tampa, Busch Gardens in Williamsburg Virginia has finally announced their Howl-O-Scream 2013 line up!  I have to admit, it looks pretty insane. They've really taken requests for more themed areas to another level with some of the new areas. Starting on September 13, 2013 Busch Gardens Williamsburg will open for their 15th Halloween season and we've got the information about what's new straight from the park's press release!

Disneyland Paris- The Disgrace of Disney

 Recently it was brought to my attention about the disgraceful shape of Disneyland Paris. I've heard the grumbling over the years that the resort was going downhill but never paid it much mind for a few reasons. I've never gotten the chance to travel there myself nor have I had any real interest in visiting France at all (I even tend to by-pass it at World Showcase). However, I've recently seen pictures that show the blatant disrepair and completely shabby state of the park, it shocked me.

  Now, if you know anything about me I'm normally the first one to point at Epcot and raise a stink about getting that fixed. For the moment, I'm going to put my beloved Epcot Center and World Showcase aside because this is a problem just as bad and it needs to be addressed. People need to know about it.

Dollywood 'New Attraction' Announcement Coming Soon? UPDATE

UPDATE 8/21/13: 
FireChaser Expressed Announced for Dollywood in 2014 as well as a new Resort Hotel! 

Image from Dollywod's Facebook Page

 Wow, the "new something" announcements are flying thick on the air this month and Dollywood isn't about to be left out of the loop.  Something new is coming to Dollywood in 2014 and the big reveal with come on August 21st at 11am.

 The rumor mill is speculating that this may not be an entirely 'new' ride but a massive refurbishment of an older attraction. Some say it could be the old mine train "Thunder Express" which is defunct while others are pointing to a completely new attraction, probably a roller coaster. Honestly, I've seen guesses that range from "A NEW Dollywood Park in Florida" to "Resort Hotel" so this one is entirely up in the air. However, keep in mind that Dollywood last built in 2012 when they put in "Wild Eagle" which is a terrain wing coaster.


Update 8/20/12
 We've managed to compile the clues up which have been given about the Dollywood Announcement which is coming tomorrow at 11am. I admit, the clues are confusing. Do they mean a new attraction or perhaps a resort hotel attached to the property? The Rumor Mill is leaning to this being a multiple announcement, meaning more then one thing will be announced for the park in 2014.

One Reader, Megan, Suggested a Snow Park. While a good thought, it looks like today's big clue puts all our wondering to rest. It looks like it's confirmed to be a roller coaster! Today's big clue was "Duel Launch" which could only mean we're looking at a brand new coaster coming to Dollywood in 2014!

Either way, here are the current clues up to today's!

-Aug. 5: “Express”
-Aug. 6: “in 2014″
-Aug. 7: “make Dollywood”
-Aug. 8: “thanks to”
-Aug. 9: “ultimate”
-Aug. 10: “beautiful”
-Aug. 11: “new”
-Aug. 12: “and my”
-Aug. 13: “thrilling”
-Aug. 14: “family”
-Aug. 15: “Dollywood’s”
-Aug. 16: “opening”
-Aug. 17: “vacation”
-Aug. 18: “in 2015″
-Aug. 19: “destination”
-Aug. 20: "duel-launch"
-Aug. 21:



 ISI will be following the rumors and bringing you the news of Dollywood's newest attraction as soon as the announcement hits (or someone spills the beans to us)!

Howl-O-Scream 13- "Evil Comes Out To Play" in Tampa- UPDATE

"Once every century, precisely on the thirteenth year.. Evil Comes Out To Play"

 Howl-O-Scream at Busch Gardens Tampa is ramping up, with all 13 of their 'evils' now announced it's looking like a new and fun theme for the parks 13th annual Halloween event. While not all of the houses are fully annouced we know generally what we've got to work with, so let's take a look at these "13" and what houses we already know about!

Update for 8/16/13- All Haunted Houses and Scarezones Announced, Check the Bottom for info.

Why the Busch Gardens Parks are NOT going anyplace..

 If your out there on the internet and stumbled upon some of the "Doom and Gloom" crowd, I'm sure you've seen the folks crying the downfall of these parks.  Oh yes, the sandwich boards are out of the closets and people are screaming "the end is nigh" from the rooftops which I believe are completely untrue.

 Okay, let me explain.

1. Busch Gardens Tampa
 Folks are citing the closure of Crown Colony Restaurant and the Garden Gate Cafe as signs of impending doom.  I've dug into this and let me enlighten you, Crown Colony isn't closing, it's the table service area which is shutting down for the slow season. This happens every year folks, it's nothing new. It's been happening since Anheuser-Busch owned the parks, generally end of August through March this would close as it just wasn't needed. Also, Garden Gate Cafe is NOT closing, it's the Orang Cafe which is closing for the season. Personally I'd expect both of these to re-open about the time of spring break (late March-early April) and run through the spring/summer season once again.

 It's also out there that closure of the skyride is another sign but folks, this closes seasonally too. It's always closed during Howl-O-Scream season as it was once used as a haunt and sometimes the queue line is re-purposed for a haunt, plus the ride over the area sometimes gave away some of the haunts. Rhino Rally is another example, this ride is EXPENSIVE to operate and it's always been plagued with issues. I can't tell you if it's completely normal these days to see it closed during off-season but in the past it was fairly common. However, I admit it is closing a little earlier then normal.

 The other point is the $50 weekday passes. To me, if your not getting the numbers you want, this makes sense. Busch Gardens shouldn't have huge prices nor should Seaworld. Before Blackstone took over these parks never played much in the "price hike wars" which happen seasonally in Florida.  Not only will a cheaper weekday ticket get the tourists in the door, your going to bring in more locals also. This goes hand in hand with cutting out their "late night" hours, which have been reduced.

 Now let me point out something, a park that is in "serious trouble" as some are saying, doesn't build new rides. Yet that's exactly what Busch Gardens Tampa is going. A new ride is coming in 2014 called "Falcons Fury" which is a unique take on a drop ride. Troubled parks don't build, they cut building projects.

 Nor do troubled parks work to re-open rides yet that's exactly what I've heard is going on with Gwazi. It wasn't operating at all for a time as the park was waiting on a vital ride part to be shipped in, I'm told it's now operating on at least one side. I can't honestly tell you the future of the ride as stated in my "The Gwazi Situation"  post but for right now, it was repaired and one side is running.

Blackstone may be tightening the reigns, that's obvious by some earlier-then-normal closures but I don't think the park is going into decline.




2. Williamsburg
 Oh Boy, this is Doom and Gloom central. Now, I can see why some of this is being said but a lot of it is just plain nonsense.

 Let's begin with the closure of some attractions. The most obvious is "Europe in the Air" which is a film simulator type ride. This has never been something impressive and the attraction really hasn't had a line of any substance in years aside from the fact it's air-conditioned in the summer. This entire attraction has gone through 3 different versions, none of which stuck around very long. They just haven't been popular with tourists. Apparently it closed rather suddenly in July, this could be for two big reasons. The first is simple, it's broken or they've opted to remove it (which I wouldn't blame them for, it's dull). The second and most likely answer is the fact that the "Europe in the Air" queue and part of the building is used for a haunt during Howl-o-Scream.  The next 'closure' is the Globe Theater which is simply being re-vamped for a new show. They are removing the 4D show and setting it up for live performance which does take time and some considerable effort to produce.

 The next point of contention is the live shows. Everyone (and I do mean EVERYONE) dislikes the entertainment director. I admit, his shows are pretty crappy and dull enough that even kids aren't amused by them. The "Entwined" show which is now in the Festhaus is enough to make your eyes cross. Top this off with rumors that none of the performers have had contract renewals and folks are being fired for anything at the drop of a hat, that doesn't look too good. Double that up with the new show going into the Globe theater and we all know what to avoid in favor of roller coasters. Personally, I don't see this as "Doom and Gloom" but Williamsburg always had excellent shows and it seems like this is a downhill sign.. at least until he gets booted.


Frankly,  I don't see "Imminent failure and closure' in these signs. I just don't, what I do see is budget cutting were is isn't going to hurt the parks in a massive way.  Remember, we're not playing with Anheuser-Busch money anymore and we're playing with a company that isn't used to operating a proper theme park. They either learn it takes money to make money or they'll sell the parks to someone who has a clue what it takes to operate a proper theme park but I don't believe we'll see them fail in the least.  Plus I don't believe that August Busch III would allow that to happen, unlike August Busch IV (aka "Junior" or "That Idiot") he loves the parks and was displeased about their sale.