Carowinds new coaster update: July 17th

Hello peoples,

So back on July 7 the blueprints were leaked regarding the new coaster to be built at Carowinds Amusement Park.

Now, Carowinds has released some new photos of  two banners announcing the coaster inside the park.

Now, I hope that all you smart people out there can read Roman Numerals but if not the date on the banner is 8.21.2014.  I'm going to guess that is this the date of the official announcement from the park of the coaster and it's name.

We did say that Cedar Fair trademarked the possible name Fury 325, and since I love Roman mythology, the only thing I can come up with in regards to the name is the Furies, the goddesses of vengeance. They've also trademarked Centurian as well.

Of course, I'm going out on my own happy limb with that one but I'd love to be right.

Once I have more information to share I'll pass it on so until then have a wonderful day.

As always: be nice to us and we'll be nice to you!!

Park Review- Waldameer Park

Park Review- Waldameer Park


Over the last year or so we've been working on a project, one which will bring the smaller and more local amusement parks into the limelight. Often these small parks surpass the service of the larger ones, leaving them a true hidden gem.

As part of this project, we've been touring smaller parks and giving them the attention they so rightfully deserve.

We've heard about Waldameer, we knew it was up in Erie and that they had a world-class coaster.. but that was it. What we walked into was a happy surprise!

Day: Sunday
Date: July 6th, 2014
Weather: Warm and Windy
Overall Rating: Very Good
Rides Rating: Very Good
Overall Opinion:  Totally Worth It!
Website: www.waldameer.com
Review Team: Carrie, Kitsune and Alex

**NOTE: We where invited by Waldameer to do a park review, this has in no way altered or changed our opinions of the park. All opinions are our own.**

Like many small parks, Waldameer started life as a picnic and scenic spot at the end of a trolly line. The name is German and means "wood by the sea" and needless to say, the park still follows that with plenty of shade and lots of beauty from the lake.

Over the years, the park grew and added attractions to keep guests coming long after the trolleys had ended service.



Along with the amusement park and rides, they also boast a large water park called "Water World" and are currently adding in the largest wave pool in the tri-state area for 2015.

Today, it's what I'd consider a 'hidden gem' park. Meaning it's known but not widely outside of the Western Pennsylvania, North-East Ohio and Western New York areas. While small, it's enchanting and has it's own kind of life. That isn't to say you won't find some classic rides as well as plenty of thrills to keep yourself busy... but I'm getting ahead of myself.

Our visit to Waldameer was packed into an already over-full week of driving and park reviewing. Since it was small we figured we would likely only need a few hours, WRONG.  We arrived around 4pm and easily spent the rest of the night, right up till 10pm in the park and wished for more time. We're also already making plans to go back and visit again, easily spending an entire day or possibly two between the amusement park and the water park.

Solving the B&M Track at Clermont Steel Fabricators - Where's it Headed and What's it to be?

For those that don't know, Clermont Steel Fabricators is the location where Bollinger & Mabillard (aka B&M) manufactures all of their track for coasters around the world. B&M is responsible for some of the best steel coasters in our opinion as well. Rides such as, Leviathan, Manta, Kumba, Griffon, and the newly opened Banshee.

In the past few months there has been an uptick in activity around the facility and several different colored track segments have been spotted laying outside. This has gotten the rumor mill all abuzz in the coaster enthusiast world and we're here to help try and decipher the madness of it all, or at least try to.

Image via ThemePark.nl

While we know that the white track is headed to Italy for Gardaland's new Dive Machine Coaster that's set to open in 2014, the other sections aren't so clear. In addition to the track headed overseas to Italy, there's also been yellow, orange, red and a blueish/teal colored track spotted in recent weeks as well.

That's 4, maybe 5, coasters and while we know who is getting something shiny from B&M in 2015, we're just not sure which is going where just yet.

Many insiders and coaster enthusiasts believe that at least one of these is bound for Carowinds and their rumored B&M Giga coaster coming in 2015. So, that leaves the others for contention between various parks. Some believe that one is headed to somewhere in China and the other headed to The Netherland's Efteling for their "mini Dive Coaster" that's slated for a 2015 opening as well.

Official POV from ALTAIR at Italy's Cinecitta World

Italy's newest theme park, Cinecitta' World, opened to the media not long ago and will be opening to the public on July 24th.

That said, there's already some very interesting footage from one of their centerpiece attractions. Their hot off the line Intamin 10 inversion coaster, ALTAIR. Parksmania obtained a front of the train POV showing future visitors just what they can expect and it looks nothing short of spectacular.

The 108.3' tall coaster features 10 different inversions spread out over it's 2,870ft of track. Riders will hit speeds of around 52mph as they slam through a loop, cobra roll, double corkscrew, heartline roll and then go for a spin through the quad heartline at the tail end. It's compact size means there's no time for breathing on this one.

So, without further ado, here's your first look at ALTAIR!


Also, have to say, the ride building for this one is completely insane as well. I mean just look at that, it's like something out of a Sci-Fi flick or video game. Loving the detail and overall look of this, can see a good view of what the overall building looks like from the image taken below by Theme Parks Italia.

Gardaland 2015 Coaster Construction Update

Two weeks ago we reported on the possibility of a Bollinger and Mallibard Dive Machine coaster coming to Gardaland in 2015.

Well, new pictures have surfaced of the construction and it definitely appears that is indeed the case. The white track that appears in the photos is definitely B&M track and has recently been spotted at the Clermont Steel Fabricators plant in Ohio.

Just what elements, style or other details of this new coaster coming to Italy are unknown at this time.

Here's a look at just what I'm talking about in regards to the track that's shown up in the park over the past couple of weeks, courtesy of RollerCoasterRevolution.eu:

You can see more pictures of the site on RCR's website here.

With more track showing up at the park regularly and construction soon to start going vertical, it's only a matter of time before some kind of announcement comes out of the officials at Gardaland so stay tuned!

Park Review- Six Flags Magic Mountain

Hello peoples! So, yes this review is months behind BUT there are reasons for that. Most of which have to do with that no one wanted to write it, but since it was decided that I'm "good with the bad" here I am. 

Let me start with the obvious: we were not invited by Six Flags nor given passes so my opinions are my own. We did ask for media passes, but according to the park you need a certain type of credential that is given to TV and Newspaper reporters and the City of Pittsburgh does not require nor issue.

DATE: March 9, 2014

STAFF: +Carrie H.C., +Kitsune Hazard, and myself.

RATING: Broken heart

RECOMMENDATION: Until the MANY issues are taken of; it's a pass.

We started off our morning super excited for the park, we all wanted to do was ride X2 and Colossus.  As you pull into the parking lot you can see the coasters just laid out for the picking and see the fire effects on X2 going off.  We park, grab the cameras (no filming of ANY type is allowed on rides, so no need for the Go-Pro, or so we thought), and head for the tram.
We get into the park, set our plan for the day, and start out.

The first order of business is riding Revolution, the first looping coaster in the world.  As we walked up to the entrance you can clearly see that this ride needs a good cleaning, it is very very rusted.  The ride itself also needs some help because one of the ride cars didn't even line up with the station queues.  In summing up the ride: "Ow Ow Ow pain Ow."

After dropping some pain killers, and cracking joints back into place, we headed to Tatsu.  

This coaster is a B&M flying coaster with a dual load station and a queue that included TVs playing classic Looney Tunes. At the entrance everyone is given a numbered ticket so you can't line jump and if you leave and reenter then new ticket for you. So the wait was a hour and a half, but since we wouldn't be back out to California for a while, it would not be skipped. We played phone charades to pass the time when it finally kicked into our consciousness that we hadn't moved in a while nor had we heard a train move either. It had now been two hours when the ride ops finally decided to mention that Tatsu went down about 45 minutes ago and there was no ETA on reopen. We made the decision to continue on with our day.

Next came the "Big Hill of Death" so we could ride Ninja*. I think Kitsune got the biggest laugh watching Carrie and I walk up this hill, you really have to work for the ride. The theming that was left was wonderful; it was supposed to be a temple. But unfortunately this was also left to deteriorate, you could see where tapestries had once hung from the ceiling and the ones hanging on the walls weren't in great condition. The ride was fun and probably would've been cooler if the water effect was working.

We worked our way down the "Big Hill of Death" and over to their mine ride called Goldrusher.  While this surprising little ride was fun and very fast, the ride ops were distracted and not doing their jobs, one ride op was on their cell phone and didn't notice the couple in front of me that pulled out their cell phone, IN THE STATION RIGHT IN FRONT OF OPS! (trust me a few looked right at his big ass phone and waved), and commenced taping the ride. I spent much of the ride praying that the guy didn't let go and that I wouldn't get a face full of phone. When we got back to the station there were many, many unhappy words.

Finally it was lunch time and it was recommended to us to try JB's BBQ; which we did and it was really really good. Almost surprisingly so, which was a bit funny since most people seem to complain about the food, at least that's what some regulars to the park told us afterwards. While eating we adjusted our plans for the rest of the day.

Apocalypse: Down.

So we headed into DC land because Batman was running backwards...for season pass holders only.  You had to walk up the to ride line to find this out from the park employee; it wasn't posted at the park entrance and since the coaster is in the back of the park it's unfair to guests to not have that out there.  Apparently their stores here also only cater to the main four: Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, and the Flash.  With only the Joker as the only villain making a major appearance.  FYI Six Flags: DC Comics has a huge variety of heroes and villains...take your pick. 

I will give them some credit here because the theming was straight out of a comic book and with a little knowledge you could find Dick Tracy's office and other little tidbits mixed throughout the area. Definitely a nice touch to see.

After walking past Scream and vetoing it (we've ridden these types before so why wait and ride it again?) we came to Colossus. This where Carrie and I said "To hell with this" in regards to our day at the park. 

Now understand that it is a great woodie and was a fun ride, but there was epic line jumping going on and as people were leaving the ride station and even going up the ride hill there were cameras, cell phones, and we think a DS out filming. 

Kitsune pulled out his camera and got photo proof of the passengers going up the ride hill holding camera.  There was no way in hell that the main ride operator could miss it because there are cameras filming you as you go up the hill.  They just didn't care about it and trust me there was epic bitching in line about us being told no filming of any kind and yet this is going on.

This led us to go to share our grievances with Guest Services.  It was here we learned that X2, Tatsu, and Apocalypse had been down pretty much all day; Superman was off and on all day; and here was where we found the sign saying that Batman was closed to the general public.  The woman working was very nice and understanding, but she did try to brush us off regarding her employees actions until it was mentioned that we had photographic evidence from Colossus, which we gladly showed to her.  You could see the poor woman go pale looking at the photos, once of which you can see to the right.


She gave us exit passes, three for rides of our choosing (except Batman), one for Tatsu, and one for X2 (should they come back up).  We chose Goliath, Superman, and Green Lantern.

We headed toward the park's people mover: Orient Express instead of walking up the big damn hill again. Since Superman is on it's own platform the overlook is a hell of a view, but that's all we got to enjoy since right when we got to the ride, mind you again we had to walk all up to the queue line, before the employee standing there decided to tell us that Superman went down again. 

As we were walking away we at least told others so that they knew what was going on.

Since we were already in DC land we headed for Green Lantern, which is a weird little 4D coaster.  Seriously, look this ride up sometime and watch it because riding it is even weirder. The cars only seat four and we are three, I choose to ride with the group of three already in a car because it made life a little on the ride ops.  Lucky me I sat on the side the went down first and I screamed bloody murder, suddenly I'm facefirst looking at the ground.  Kitsune and Carrie have said they were in the station waiting to go (it runs only one car at a time) and I was so loud that they knew when I went over. This was a surprisingly fun little coaster and we are glad we picked it for a freebie.

We used our last exit pass and went straight to Goliath. I loved the ride entrance signage and theming and this was a wondrous coaster and we thoroughly enjoyed our night ride. 

I think the funnest bit with this ride was the kid that bullshited his way on with us, no Flashpass or exit pass just straight bullshit. It was very impressive to be honest but not something we endorse, get on a ride honestly.

 
At this point the park was closing down for the night and as we were heading out we had to walk past Full Throttle; Magic Mountain's new coaster.  Since most park close lines at the end of the day and cycle the riders left we didn't think we'd get on especially because there were fences up and security standing there but nope..we walked right past them and into the line. This was probably the most entertaining line of the day and none of us will ever look at Power Rangers the same again.

But, here again were ride ops and security issues because when riders would get off the ride they would just get right back into the now closed line. And it's not like they couldn't see it happening because the area in front of Full Throttle is wide open and people were running to get back in line with security standing right there. This was a great closer to a really crappy day because the coaster has a loop that it goes through, a part where you get launched backwards, and for the finish it travels on top of the world's largest loop too.

By the end of day we were disappointment all around and except for the bare minimum which we used for food we spent no money. None. We just wanted to put the day behind us and move on.

FINAL COUNT: Over the whole day a total of 7 coasters went down and stayed down or went down and came back up repeatedly. This is nearly half of Magic Mountain's coasters breaking IN ONE DAY!

PROS: The good was stated above where it needed to be.

CONS: Horrible ride ops, dirty bathrooms, dirty walkways, signs for stores that no longer exist, general employees who don't know their own park when asked for directions, foliage WAY too close to rides, general unsafety all around.

To close, we do not recommend this park until they get their shit together and clean up the rides, staff, and the environment for the safety of all involved.

As usual we try to find the bright side of things but Magic Mountain made this rather difficult.

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*Yes, we at  ISI have heard about the accident at SFMM and that's one of the reasons to get this out there so that people can see how much this park needs work. Please read about the Ninja accident here: Article 1 and Article 2.

Hershey Park- New Teaser and More Info on 2015 Attraction

Hershey Park- New Teaser Image and More Info on the 2015 Expansion

 Well on Tuesday Hershey Park released another teaser image to go with the new attraction which will be coming to the park in 2015.

 Although I'm still leaning towards from of dark ride (simply based on the bright and neon colors) I have to admit, the theme is rather confusing at this point. The park has also launched a "Clue" webpage where they will post up all the hints for the attraction as their published. They are also giving away a 2015 season pass, which you can register for on the same webpage- Hershey Park 2015 Attraction Clues

  In other news from Hershey Park, a reader to Screamscape reports that they spoke to park management, expression concerns about the possible removal of both 'The Whip' and 'Music Express'. Management responded. They told the guest not to worry, the rides would either be relocated within the park or another site for the new attraction would be found.

Off the Rails Chat- Safety Announcements and You!

Off the Rails Chat- Safety Announcements and You!

In a new series of chats and rants, which I've decided to call "Off the Rails" we're going to discuses topics facing the theme park and amusement park worlds. As well as guests, special events and anything else which requires off-topic conversations and rants.

 Considering over the weekend some idiot decided to NOT follow those handy 'Safety Announcements' which we all hear while riding our favorite attractions and as a result lost the tips of two fingers while on Disney World's 'Pirates of the Caribbean'.

 No really, it's completely true!

 Now, what do you want to bet this one tries to sue for his own stupidity? Let's throw all forms of common sense out the window and stick our hands in the water! While on the drop! Apparently forgetting the boats don't just 'free float' through these rides, there really ARE rails under the water. Plus really, have you smelled pirate water? It's not the best smell (but you learn to love it), why would you really have a need to stuff your fingers into it?

Nope, I don't know either.

Which brings us to the topic of "Safety Announcements and You". 

 Seriously, these things really shouldn't need to exist. Common sense should tell us 'let's not do anything really stupid because, you know, ouch'. Alas, this isn't the case. I've watched plenty of people do some highly stupid shit while on rides and at parks in general, normally followed by a look of 'are you kidding me?".

Nope, they really did just do that.

 Folks, just because your on vacation.. don't forget to think.

 Don't pack your brains in the truck of your rental car to keep them safe, you need them. These parks do the best they can to keep you safe but you need to do your own part in protecting yourself, because it's really not their job to keep you from doing incredibly stupid acts of stupidness. Follow the rules, use your brain. It's really not that difficult and plus it keeps all your body parts attached and makes for a much better environment for the rest of us.

 When someone tells you to "keep off the walls" or "keep your fingers out of the water" they probably have a very, very good reason for it. They aren't 'targeting' you or 'trying to embarrass you'.. their trying to keep you and yours safe.  You may think your kid is perfect safe climbing all over that wall but when they fall, who are you going to blame? Not yourself, blame the park.  Nevermind that sigh which said "keep off the walls" nor the person who told your kid to "please get down from the wall". At least these days that's what seems to happen, when I was growing up your parents would help you up and then you'd get a hardy "now what did you learn" speech. Well, that or you'd get plucked off the wall and a warning swat for not reading the signs on your own.

..but that's neither here nor there.

Listen to those safety announcements, if they say to keep your limbs inside- keep them inside (or in the air). Although I have to woner about the "keep your feet inside" part..because what would posses a person to stuff their foot out of a ride? That rather boggles my mind but somehow I'm sure someone did it along the way.

 By following the basic rules which generally tell you to NOT be an idiot, everyone has a much better time. Who would want that kind of memory on a vacation? How would you like to explain that to your kids or loved ones?

"Sorry baby, the not-so-smart man had to put his hands in the water and the pirates ate his fingers"

Cause that sounds great.

 So really folks, enjoy your trips and vacations. Ride the rides and have a blast.. but don't forget to use your heads, pay attention and keep yourselves (and as a result those around you) safe this summer!

Holiday World- New Construction Camera ahead of Announcement

Holiday World Adds New 'Construction Camera' just ahead of New Attraction Announcement.

 Well, it looks like Holiday  World is getting ready for their big announcement on what's coming in the 2015 season.

 A new 'Construction Camera' has gone live on the HoliBlog this weekend. This comes just ten days ahead of their big announcement and the end of their '66 Days at Sea' teaser campaign. The new construction is part of the 'Thanksgiving' day area of the park, which is getting the new attraction after the removal of Pilgrim's Plunge.

 For those following the '66 Days at Sea' teaser, we've been going 55 days so far. Facing all manner of unpleasant situations such as storms, darkness and rough seas. Just ten days away from land-fall and the big reveal, which has lead to a ton of speculation that this could be another water ride. Perhaps a water-coaster or some other form of a wet attraction, other rumors seem more far-flung but with the current 'sea travel' theme I'd expect something water related.

 More news when we come across it!

Disney World- Monorail Evacuated *UPDATED*

Image from +WDW News Today 

Monorail Evacuated at Disney World.

 Last night around 6pm, Monorail Gold was evacuated while stranded between the 'Transportation and Ticket Center' and 'Epcot Center', Around the area of Fort Wilderness Lodge.

 Early reports stated this was due to a lightning strike, while the official report doesn't mention that, it does state the monorail system lost power multiple times during the evening. Mostly due to heavy thunderstorms which where moving through the area, it also states that other monorails on the system had to be 'restarted multiple times'. Which suggests either the suspected lightning strike or a power system surge, which stopped the transportation system in it's tracks. While others where able to make it back into their respective stations, Monorail Gold had to be evacuated by Reedy Creek Fire Department.

 Guests where safely removed and bused to their respective locations. No word on the status of Monorail Gold or if the Epcot/TTC line will be up and running this morning.

**UPDATE**
A Disney Spokesperson announced that the monorail lines and fully up and running today for standard operations.

 Info from Orlando Sentinel