Today BGW Fans has reported that musicians have walked from the "Mix It Up" show which puts the "Dig It Up" Howl-O-Scream show in major jeopardy. Rumor has it that the show has been completely cancelled for the 2013 season and 2014 is now in question. This is yet another issue with their entertainment director, Scott has caused yet another problem for the park.
According to the owner of BGW Fans, one major player was fired on the spot. Due to this many other folks just walked out. To follow this up, the "Italian Ensemble" which has a show in "Italy" of Busch Gardens Willimasburg has also lost their lead female singer. BGW Fans is one of the most reliable sources for information coming from Busch Gardens Williamsburg, they aren't know for posting anything that isn't concrete. They have my up-most respect.
What in the hell is going on?!
We don't know but we have intention of finding out and reporting back!
To say our day at Kings Dominion was "wet" would be an understatement. Two very heavy thunderstorms moved through during our day visit, which while it kept crowds very low also created a rather odd atmosphere to review in.
Kings Dominion is located in Doswell, Virginia. It's about a 20 minute ride from Richmond, VA and about an hour from Washington D.C. which gives the park a pretty prime spot. It began life as a 'Family Liesure Center" park and opened to the public in 1975 with 15 attractions. Much like it's sister park 'Kings Island' it too switched ownership more then once, the second time too Kings Entertainment Company in 1983 and later to Paramount Parks in 1993 which made the largest expansions to the park. As we all know, Cedar Fair bought the Paramount parks in 2006 and is the current owner. The park is now home to more then 60 rides, shows and attractions with 14 roller coasters and a large waterpark on property.
We now now what is going into the side of Wonder Mountain up at Canada's Wonderland!
In May of 2014, Canada's Wonderland will open the side of Wonder Mountain to reveal the mountain's guardian! In an all new, interactive 4D dark ride, guest will get a chance to explore the myth of the guardian.
"Wonder Mountain's Guardian begins with a perilously climb up the side of Wonder Mountain then plummets into the core traveling through five different layers of this dimensional world. Riders will encounter mythical creatures as they navigate 1,000 feet of coaster track through a desolate forest, underground lake and the Draconian city. The quest culminates as riders enter the dragons lair for the ultimate battle and heart-stopping finale that will shock thrill seekers of all ages".
The ride is being built by Montreal's TRIOTECH who is a leader in supplying these types of multi-sensory rides for the amusement industry and has developed new and updated systems for this newest addition to Canada's Wonderland. The ride will simulate wind, movement and more. It will also have the fastest and most accurate targeting system.
We've spoken to Canada's Wonderland this afternoon, Thunder Run will remain intact and will not be removed! This is good news as Canada's Wonderland will remain tied with it's sister park, Cedar Point for coasters. With this addition I'd imagine that Canada's Wonderland will be an even more magical place then before, we can't wait to bring you coverage of this new attraction next season!
Well, Six Flags Great Adventure located in Jackson, New Jersey has gone completely batty. It seems today all of the 2014 projects for all the Six Flags amusement parks have gone live and Great Adventure isn't to be left out.
Coming in 2014, they are sticking not one but THREE drop tower cars to the Kingda Ka track. Sitting at 415 feet tall with a top speed of 90 miles per hour, 'Zumanjaro' will plummet riders straight down the structure of the Kingda Ka Coaster.
At which point they claim "Kingda Ka will zoom around you as you drop". I assume that means they expect the giant lawn-ornament to run more in the 2014 season. Although I admit, I'm wondering a lot of this new and massive addition to the structure will also be subject to random closures during windy periods of time? This is often what close's down Kingda Ka.
Image from Coaster-net.com
Sadly, this new drop ride is coming with a very steep price. The classic wooden coaster "Rolling Thunder" (often called 'Rotting Lumber' as Six Flags has willfully neglected this ride for years now) will be removed to make room for this addition. Honestly, I'd rather they put the money into fixing Rolling Thunder then put a Drop Tower onto the lawn ornament. Rolling Thunder was and is a great ride, it has just always need a lot more love and affection then Six Flags has ever shown it.
The last day of operations for the classic wooden coaster will be September 8th, not giving fans much time to say their goodbyes. So I suggest you head over there quickly and get your last rides in now.
While Carrie is a bit unavailable at the moment, I'm stepping in to fill you all in on some huge news out of Six Flags Great America. This morning, along with a ton of other announcements, Six Flags unveiled it's newest coaster, Goliath. While just one of a ton of other announcements, this one has to be one of the biggest for park chain and they definitely aren't disappointing anyone with this one!
It takes the crown away from El Toro at Six Flags Great Adventure in quite a few areas...
Goliath Stats:
Top Speed: 72mph Drop: 180ft Drop Angle: 85 degrees Elements: 3 overbanked turns, inverted drop, zero-g roll, inverted zero-g stall.
This is a massive addition to the Great America park just outside of Chicago, IL and certainly is the most extreme wooden coaster on the planet. It looks like the rumors of Rocky Mountain Coasters being in the park were dead on and instead of a retracking, they've come up with this insane monster of a ride.
One of the more interesting elements (if I had to pick just one that is) to this insane new ride is the "zero-g stall" element of the ride. Whie it may look like a normal camel back, you'll be quick to realize that you're going over this one completely upside down! Can't imagine what that's going to feel like at all.
Judging by the picture to the right, it's going to be completely mental to experience.
Overall, this looks a little like the same layout of El Toro at Six Flags Great Adventure in New Jersey with a ton of new twists and elements. Almost as if this was the ride they wanted there all along...
Goliath will start construction in just about a month and is planned to be open in the Spring of 2014! Keep it here for more updates as we find out more information about this amazing and ground breaking wooden coaster from Six Flags Great America!
Legoland Florida which is located in Winter Haven will be offering free admission during the month of September to Police, Firefighters and EMS staff. This offer is valid for both active and retired persons who have an official ID or ID from a profession organization.
image from Legoloand.com
Tickets can be obtained from the ticket windows at the park entrance. Discounted tickets can be purchased for family members at a steeply discounted $40 each (normal admission is $75).
Legoland also offers all active military personal a single day of free admission as thanks for their service through the 2013 year. This ticket can be picked up at the ticket window at the front of the park with an active military ID, discount family tickets can be purchased through your base. (Military Information Page)
It's always nice to see a theme park remembering to give back to those who serve. Be it in the Military or the Public Sector!
Not sure if this was suppose to have a big announcement for Six Flags or not but the cat is out of the bag when it comes to Six Flag's America's 2014 additions.
If the spy network over at Screamscape is to be believed, today new signs went up at Six Flags America, located in Upper Malboro, Maryland today. These new signs proclaim that the new area will be themed "Mardi Gras" which to my odd mind, doesn't send the best idea considering the state they left their park "Six Flags New Orleans" in after Hurricane Katrina (it left a lot of bad feelings for SF to many people).
The new area is going to play host to 2 new rides, including the moved 'Ragin' Cajun' which I believe, will be coming from it's sister park Six Flags Great America. The second of the two rides is rather a surprise, a new Flyer called "French Quarter Flyers" will be placed in the park.
This is the second new flyer announced in as many days. I'm very pleased to see these classic attractions returning to parks rather then being removed!
Just a quick update for all you folks out there following the Banshee News coming from Kings Island.
Kings Island has officially gotten the very first piece of track for their record breaking new coaster, Banshee, into place!
Now, I can't say for sure but this looks a lot like either station track or part of maintenance track to me. I simply must admit, I'm loving the color scheme for this ride! Either way, progress has begun on the build and we personally can't wait for this rides opening day to come! We sure hope that progress continues at this fast pace and that the ride is ready for April, because I promise you, we here at ISI will be there with bells on for it's opening day!
(Special Thanks to ISI's own Alex for spotting this today!)
Today Dorney Park and Wildwater Kingdom announced their big 2014 project. Major expansions are coming to Wildwater Kingdom in the form of a massive slide tower which will feature 6 new slides and the catchy name of "Snake Pit".
This new slide tower will feature a series of slides. The first is a series spiral slides called 'Boa Blasters' which will have turning twists on 325 feet of slide. A single slide series of tube slides called 'Constrictor' which will use single and double tubes, down a series of hills. It's 449 feet long with a height of 50 feet and a 360 degree turn.
The most impressive set of slides are called 'Python Plummet' which is a count-down slide. Enclosed in a tube, your counted down then dropped into a steep incline of slide. It is also the tallest point of the 'Snake Pit' addition at 65' tall on the six story slide tower.
With the addition of 'Snake Pit' Wildwater Kingdom will total 26 slides, two wave pools and two lazy rivers.
In addition to the big Wildwater Kingdom news today, Dorney Park isn't left out either. Returning to the park in 2014 the "All Wheel Sport Show" will return to the 'Good Time Theater'. In the press release they state the show will feature special effects along side bikers, skaters, aerialists and gymnasts who will be performing gravity-defying stunts. The show is reported to be "High Energy and High Thrill" by the parks VP and GM, Michael Fehnel.
So the big news in a nutshell:
Big Shiny New Slide Tower with 6 new slides.
Dorney gets "All Wheel Sport Show" to their 'Good Time Theater".
Cedar Fair is really out to spend money this season.
On August 26th, Cedar Fair announced that over the next three years they will be investing more than $50 million dollars into their Carowinds park, a former paramount property. This is a long needed growth for the park which hasn't seen nearly as much attention as it's other sister properties. The investment project is to last over the next three years.
This massive investment is to include:
-Newly created full-time and part-time jobs
-Significant investments in both the Carowinds park and their waterpark Booomerang Bay in the form of new attractions and ungraded infrastructure improvements and upgraded food locations.
-A new 'satellite' corporate office for Cedar Fair in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Rumor is also saying that this large investment could see the acquisition of new land for the Carowinds park. Screamscape is reporting this 61 acre area could even be a new resort hotel for the park.
While all of this is excellent news for the park, the downside for this rumor is that $50 million doesn't buy a lot of new attractions of the roller coaster variety. Carowinds hasn't seen a new coaster added to their pack since 2010 when they received a scaled down version of Intimidator.
Well this morning was the 'Big Announcement' for 2014 involving Cedar Point amusement park in Sandusky, Ohio. I hesitate to call it a 'Dud' of an announcement but I think all of us were expecting a lot more then what we got.
For 2014 Cedar Point is adding "Family Style" Flat Rides to improve the Gemini Junior midway area.
In the image we find a new "Flyer" is being added to the park called 'Lake Erie Eagles'. This is kind of a surprise addition, 'Flyer' style rides are often removed from parks these days, not added. The next addition is another flat ride called 'Pipe Scream' which is an adult version of the popular kids 'spinning tugboat' attraction. The other move will be Frog Hopper which is being relocated from the midway to Planet Snoopy and renamed to "Woodstock's AirMail".
Up next on the 'Big Announcement' from Cedar Point is the much needed upgrade of Hotel Breakers, which has been falling in quality for years now. Over the winter the hotel will receive what is the equivalent of outside face-lift, cleaning up it's dingy appearance. In the winter of 2015 the hotel will begin renovations and upgrades inside. Personally, it seems like Cedar Point got this backwards. Upgrading the inside should be your first and most imporant move to get people back into your high-priced doors, outside can easily be completed in the summer months while open. Again, just my opinion there.
Honestly, I don't consider this it be 'big news' at all. Badly needed resort upgrades and fixing an already cluttered midway, don't really fall under 'big news'. Oh, good news for sure.. just not the big news they hyped it up to be.
What about that 'Dark Ride' rumor?!
No word on the mystery 'Innovative Dark Ride' we all suspected would be involved in this announcement. Perhaps
this really was just a rumor born out of hope or maybe it's a 2015 addition? Right now,
we have zero answers and the park isn't like to talk.
UPDATE 8/30/13 Today we found out news that Canada's Wonderland, NOT Cedar Point will be getting a dark ride. Canada's Wonderland is the most 'seasonally attended' park in the Cedar Fair family. Could they be testing this up at Canada's Wonderland, only to add it to Cedar Point later? We don't know but check out the dark ride Canada's Wonderland is getting! Canada's Wonderland- New Dark Ride for 2014 "Wonder Mountain's Guardian"
We've just received word that Dorney Park and Wildwater Kingdom, located in Allentown, Pennsylvania, will be making a big announcement about an major addition to Wildwater Kingdom for the 2014 season. On Wednesday, August 28th, 2013 at 9:15am the park will be announcing what this new multimillion dollar project will be.
After consulting with my expert on Dorney Park and Wildwater Kingdom, this could be a potentially massive
expansion. Possibly taking over several areas already owned by the
park. I've complied a quick map (via GoogleMaps) of the possible areas which may see new construction soon.
While unable to attend the media conference in person, we hope to bring you this breaking news as quickly as possible. Please stay tuned for updates!
UPDATE 8/28/13:
Dorney Park and Wildwater Kingdom have made their big announcement, follow the link below for more information.
Rumors have been thick on the ground lately in the theme park and amusement park world, everyone is making announcements and most of us are speculating wildly about what's really going on! So I've tired to compile a decent collection so you can keep up-to-date with who may be doing what for 2014 and beyond!
In 1992 Hurricane Andrew decimated Miami Zoo, causing thousands in damage and killing some animals. Since then it seems the now called "Zoo Miami" has been in talks with various companies over the years above changing the zoo and the land around it. Theme Parks/Amusement Parks and the Miami Zoo have a rather long history, rumors have been around since the 1970's.
This week it came to light that two projects are competition for the rights to build at and around Zoo Miami. Beginning this Monday, both companies will begin trying to pitch their plans to the Miami-Dade County Leaders. Theme Parks/Amusement Parks and Zoo Miami have a rather long history, rumors have been around since the 1970's in some form or another.
"Dinosaur Park International" which is proposed by a German company which runs a similar style site in Neumuhle Park. They state their project could be complete in around two years from ground breaking. Their German park website states the following:
The Garden Fair is home to the largest open air dinosaur exhibition in Europe. More than 80 life-like dinosaur replicas populate the Neumühle Park, including the only 30 centimeter long hylonomus and the 27 meter long diplodocus.
The other proposed project is much larger and more intimidating called "Miami Wilds" and is backed by none other then 20th Century Fox. The newspaper states their proposal is "a theme park with rides based on its blockbuster movies. It would
include an Ice Age-themed water park; 30,000 square feet of space for
stores and restaurants; an outdoor space for concerts and sporting
events; and, a 400-room hotel". 20th Century Fox states their project would be two phase, complete 'possibly' by 2020 after groundbreaking.
One thing that strikes me as odd, neither of these 'proposals' address the fact that this is a working, breathing zoo. What will happen with the animals who call Zoo Miami home? Will the 'zoo' be kept, intact and operating or will this new project demolish the zoo? Personally, before Hurricane Andrew happened the Miami Zoo as a gem, an amazing zoo with amazing animal care programs. Afterwards, I can't tell you much as I was never able to return there in the following years since.
InSanity lurks Inside will be following up on these proposals and will report back when more news or rumors come to light.
Rumors are flying left and right about a possible new "dark ride" style attraction being added to the park in 2014. The park is suppose to announce whatever this 2014 addition is on Tuesday, August 27th at an unknown time.
Lately everyone has been gossiping about a dark ride, possibly going in above the arcade which is in the coliseum building. Located right on the main path through the beginning of the park, this is one of the biggest buildings left standing in the park today. One report found from Screamscape is "An innovative, interactive dark ride" which to me just screams another "shoot'em up" style dark ride, such as many parks are currently hosting. Another report also states the park was looking for a family to announce the new attraction, so it's likely going to be a family style ride.
However, one has to wonder if this building will be enough space for something truly 'innovative"? It's unknown if the arcade will also leave and if it will take up both floors of the building or just the second story area. I know many parks of stuffed shooter style dark-rides into small spaces but that often limits the ability to theme an immerse environment, in my opinion.
We'll have to wait and see what the park announces about this newest addition coming in 2014!
InSanity lurks Inside will be reporting as more information becomes available!
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