Valravn Set to Smash Records as it Screams Over Cedar Point

Cedar Point announced today that Valravn, the park's first dive machine roller coaster will be coming to the park in 2016. This marks the park's 18th coaster and it's the first time one of these coasters is being built outside of a Busch Gardens park in North America and they're definitely upping the ante with the latest from Bolliger & Mabillard with this one. It will be the tallest, fastest, and longest of its kind anywhere in the world, fitting for B&M's 100th coaster.

The new coaster, named after a supernatural raven from Danish folklore, will be located where there the Good Time Theater once stood and offer plenty of new thrills for all who seek to tame the insanity. Just what can we expect from the newest shrine to thrills to grace Cedar Point's skyline? Well, here's the breakdown.

Riders will be arranged in an 8 across seat arrangement as they rise 220 feet before plummeting 214 feet back down to earth and reach speeds 75 MPH. You'll go through 3 inversions over the length of the 3,415 foot long course.

It not only features the world's tallest immelman inversion, standing at 165ft but it will bring the over 200ft club up to 5 total for Cedar Point as well.

Stay tuned as we get more information on this breaking announcement!

And now for the official POV from Cedar Point!


And for those looking for something a bit different, a Panoramic POV!


Here's a couple more pictures of the coaster from Cedar Point:

SeaWorld Announces Mako, Florida's Tallest, Longest and Fastest Coaster, for 2016!

SeaWorld Orlando has just announced the newest addition to their coaster line up and it's a big one. Their two coasters, Kraken and Manta are considered two of the best coasters out there and now they've shot for the moon and are bringing in the 73mph, 200ft tall Mako for

Named after the fastest shark on the planet, it should bring some big time thrills to the Central Florida area without question. So, just what do we get this new coaster at SeaWorld Orlando? Well, here's the breakdown of just what the ride will include. 

After a 200ft drop, riders will race across 4760ft of track at speeds of up to 73mph and full of plenty of awesome airtime. The layout definitely looks like it's gonna be interesting, and reminds me of Nitro, which is never a bad thing at all.

Not only that, but the ride will also be the cornerstone to an all new area of the park that's 100% dedicated to world of sharks. That's not even getting into how awesome the entrance plaza for the coaster looks.

This, combined with Manta, makes two of my favorite coaster themed entrances out there. Sure, this one hasn't been built yet, but if it's anything like that? Yeah, I'm sold.

This is a huge investment for the park and it will be the tallest, fastest and longest coaster in all of Florida. Yep, you read that right, and their hashtag of "Nothing Faster" is true, at least within the state. This now gives SeaWorld their third coaster by the venerable design house of Bolliger & Mabillard, and from the looks of it, B&M have done another bang up job in the park.

Stay tuned for more updates on this one as we get them from SeaWorld Orlando and be sure to follow along with us on Twitter, Google+, Tumblr and Facebook for all the latest!

Baron 1898 Goes Vertical at Efteling

Well, it hasn't been too long since our last update, but the folks at Efteling are moving ahead and things are starting to get really interesting with the construction of Baron 1898. We've already covered what the ride is all about before, but now the question of just how close to the concept art the ride will look has been answered.

Holy crap.

Yep, that deserves it's own special little line there. Why? Well, the work has been progressing well and so far it looks like things will be extremely close to the concept art shown above. This is gonna be one helluva coaster to see once it's complete. Okay, enough rambling, let's get on the most recent set of pictures straight from the folks at PlarkPlanet.nl!

First up, a look at the queue and station building, gotta say, coming along really nicely here and definitely gonna be the nicest station house out there by a long shot.

Final Piece of Track Installed at Carowinds for Fury 325!

Well, it's official. The final piece of track for the Carowind's newest coaster, Fury 325, has gone into place. Earlier today they finished off the 6,600ft long track with the final piece being installed. Seriously, this is one big and long coaster that boasts a ride time of 3min 25sec and is going to be one helluva ride with that drop from 325ft and speeds reaching 93mph+. 

So, here's a look at the final piece of track going into place for the world's tallest and fastest traditional coaster. Congrats to B&M and Carowinds. Now we wait for testing and opening day!

B&M Dive Machine Coming to Cedar Point in 2016?

Well, it would appear that the rumors are circulating something fierce on this one thanks to a memo that was leaked/uncovered by the Sandusky Register. It would appear that a communication from the famed Bolliger & Mabillard (B&M) coaster design firm is firmly hinting at a new coaster coming to Cedar Point in 2016.

So, just what is in the uncovered document? Well, it would seem like one of the design firm's dive machines will be coming to the park. At a price tag of around $15mil, it does seem like a likely fit and the park already has a healthy stable of coasters from B&M, as do many Cedar Fair parks around North America.

One of the things that makes this rumor a little more concrete is that the area the park has currently marked for redevelopment isn't that large. By design, most dive machines are compact in nature thanks to steep lift hills and their typical 90 degree first drops, allowing for a much smaller space to be utilized by them.

Given the fact that demolition has started on the Good Time Theater, the area around it could be a good fit. This is in spite of a couple of other rides in the area. I'm sure that they could work around them if they wanted or possibly go in other directions with the layout as well.

Interestingly enough, the proposed ride from B&M also included specs as well. According to the report, the coaster would feature a height of 223 feet with a total length of 3,625 feet and a top speed of 80 mph.  The ride will feature several elements including a vertical drop in a tunnel, an Immelmann, a 270-degree roll, a banked curve, a “looping,” an Immelmann with a half-roll exit, a second drop, a camel back and a spiral with a total of four inversions.

If those stats are anything to be believed, it would not only make it the tallest and longest coaster of its type in the world, but also with the most inversions and tallest. The tallest currently, Busch Gardens Williamsburg's Griffon at 205'. The only other coaster of its kind in the United States is Sheikra at Busch Gardens Tampa.  Curious what it's like to ride one of these beasts? Got ya covered from our ride on Griffon earlier in 2014.


Now, this is only one proposal the park is looking at for 2016, and we won't know for sure if this is exactly what's coming, but it would make sense if they wanted to get another record breaker for the Cedar Fair family of parks.

Stay tuned for more info out of Cedar Point and what could be coming in the future and everywhere else across the globe right here and follow us on Twitter, Google+, Tumblr and Facebook for all the latest!

Efteling's Baron 1898 Dive Coaster Construction Update

It occurred to me while I was about to start on this update that we hadn't covered this ride at all from it's announcement through now. Sure, there was some speculation quite awhile ago when we were still figuring out where all the track at B&M's fabrication plant in the state of Ohio was going, but the announcement for this one came and went.

image via Screamscape.com

Good news is, that according to Screamscape.com, track for the new coaster has appeared on the lot and should soon be making its way across the pond. Either way, we missed it, so now to make up for lost time because that concept art is just way too awesome not to talk about.

I'm not a huge steampunk aficionado, but that design is probably one of these coolest and well thought out stations and opening lifts for a coaster I've seen out there. Really, if it even looks remotely close, just viewing this one from a distance is gonna be pretty awesome. Judging by the videos below, it seems they're going to nail this one too.

Anyway, Baron 1989 was announced way back in October so we're a little late. Let's get back up to speed some here. This dive machine, built by famed Bolliger-Mabillard, will feature a 37.5m (127ft) vertical drop down into a mine shaft element. Seating on the trains will be arranged six across, similar to Krake at Heide Park. Other than that? Not a clue. So far the folks at Efteling have been mum on the other elements that ride will include.

image of Witte Wieven via Wikipedia

However, we do have a bit of back story for the ride, which is definitely interesting. Riders will "play the part" of miners that work for, Gustave Hooghmoed, the greedy and vile owner of the mine. Why are you there? Well it seems that Gustave has a little problem with Witte Wieven, the ghostly "Wise Women" of Dutch Mythology. They've sent warning to the workers and Gustave that they should not take gold from the caverns of the mine.

Turns out the works ran away scared, and likely for good reason. However, you're in luck, and have now been volunteered to go down there.

Track Completed, Testing to Begin Soon for Gardaland's New Dive Coaster?

Well, there's still no official announcement from the folks over at Italy's Gardaland on their newest coaster, a B&M dive machine. That said, it hasn't stopped construction one bit and by the looks of things, everything has been finished up now for a few weeks. Pretty quick work on this one! Almost as fast as Holiday World's Thunderbird, also a B&M coaster. Makes ya wonder, right?

Anyway, here's a bit of video, from Airtimers.com, of the final piece of track going to into place and a whole slew of construction photos after it from the folks over at Roller Coaster Revolution.


And now...the pictures. First up is one of the first shots of the actual trains that will be in use. Definitely in the testing phase here as the water dummies can easily be seen strapped into the seats. Going to bet that they've either started testing or are getting ready to do so very, very soon.

Image via Themeparks.it

Now for the construction pics! Again, we're kind of not in Italy, but the folks at Roller Coaster Revolution are, so thanks to them everyone else can get a glimpse of what's been going on.

FuryWatch 12/4: Carowinds Tops off Fury 325's Lift Hill

Lots of new projects going on all over the US this off season and Carowinds is no exception with their record breaking coaster, Fury 325. Just earlier today, the park posted up pictures and video showing off some of the construction progress but more importantly, that of the top of the massive lift hill for their newest coaster.

Just to give you an idea, the top of the drop here is 20ft taller than the Statue of Liberty. Yeah, that's pretty high up there and makes Fury 325 the tallest "traditional coaster" in the world. It's another massive project from Bolliger & Mabillard and if it's anything like it's sister coaster, Leviathan at Canada's Wonderland, it's going to be one helluva ride.

If you're curious about just what a ride on Fury 325 will be like, check out our coverage of Carowinds announcement just a few months ago.

Things are looking good from the site and definitely going to be one wild ride once they unleash this one on the public in the Spring of 2015. Anyway, enough babbling, let's get on with the pictures. But first, a little ride one of the sections of track as it makes it way to the top!


More after the jump!

Thunderbird Watch: Holiday World Caps Off Thunderbird Track with Piece Number 77

It's been just a little over 5 months since the announcement of Holiday World's first steel coaster, and world's first launched wing coaster, and they've really put the pedal to the metal getting this one done. How fast? Well, just the other day, the folks over at Holiday World posted images and video up of the final section of track going into place. Yep, that's right...the track is 100% complete now.

Gotta say, I'm pretty impressed with how fast this one went up and it looks like they'll be well on their way to getting everything in order for their scheduled preview night on April 24th, 2015. They've still got quite a bit of work to do and testing to get finished, but with just about 5months to go, it seems they'll be just fine in that department.

Let's get on with the pictures, but first here's the latest Hard Hat Chronicles from the park that shows the final track piece going into place. Pretty cool that the crew signed it as well.


Check out all the ride details, videos and other goodies from our coverage of the announcement or just keep on scrolling down for the latest pictures out of Holiday World, including a few fun snow covered pics.

More after the break!

Thunderbird Construction Continues at Holiday World

It's been a while since we've checked in with Holiday World and the progress of Thunderbird, the world's first launched wing coaster. Now, however, there's been a few new pictures released from the park and they're definitely well under way to get things opened on time for the 2015.

Thunderbird, unveiled earlier this year, is the park's first all steel coaster and features a unique launch system that's definitely going to be interesting to experience.

Anyway, before we get to the pictures, here's the latest Hard Hat Chronicles video from the folks at Holiday World.


And now...here's the pictures of construction so far from Holiday World's Facebook Page!

First Piece of Thunderbird Track in Place at Holiday World!

Well, that didn't take long as just last week the first sections of track for Holiday World's newest scream machine, Thunderbird, arrived. Today, the Holiblog posted up a few pictures showing the first piece of track going into place for their newest and first ever steel coaster.

Thunderbird is not only the park's first all steel coaster, but also the world's first ever launched wing coaster as well.

Have to say, the orange track is going to be incredible to see snaking through the woods, and night rides are going to be insane. Anyway, the first section of track to be installed, as pictured below, is for the station and as they say "only 76 more to go!"

Check out the Holiblog, Holiday World's official blog for more pictures here!

Stay tuned for more updates on the construction of Thunderbird and we can't wait to get a chance to take flight in April of 2015!

Centurion vs Fury 325 - What is Coming to Carowinds in 2015?

Okay, now we can officially say that we're confused. We know it's a coaster and we know it's likely to be from B&M, but outside of that, no clue at all. Carowinds has leaked yet another logo out there somehow and it's not Centurion. This time it's for Fury 325 and it seems a little more official since their main website even has a similar honeycomb/hive pattern on it as well. Of course, this could be all one giant ruse to throw us all off again before the announcement this Thursday.

So, we're back to square one here it would seem. Well, not entirely since we do have two logos which are both possibilities for the name of the new coaster now. That's more than we had at the start of this whole thing as well. The only question is which, if either, will be the name.

There's a good case to be made for both, so let's take a little look at just what evidence we have to support both. Centurion leaked first and it's a good a place as any to start this off here. Something Roman themed would make sense in quite a few ways.

For starters, there were the banners seen inside the park as well as columns and even Roman numerals out there.

I mean come on, the thing even says "Rome wasn't built in a day..." right on it followed by the date of August, 21st, 2014 in roman numerals right below. If that's not a good indication, then I don't know what is. The fact that the Centurion name was also trademarked by Cedar Fair makes a strong case for this as well.

So, there's that much of things and then there's even more evidence to support the whole Centurion name with the columns going up in the construction area and even a website leak showing the countdown with logo and and all too. Interestingly enough, the website leak, sporting the countdown splash page image below, was after the whole beekeeper thing.

However, this is just the first side of the puzzle and the website that was leaked had a little of the old publishing trick of "Lorem Ipsum" going on with at as well. So, while it looks like Centurion is coming for sure...there is another way. A much more...stingy way.

Just released was another logo image this time featuring the Fury 325 name with a hornet over top of a honeycomb/hive background. Before this was another series of clues that had some people thinking that it could be themed after the Charlotte Hornets. Phrases like "You can't stop it, only contain it" and other clues led folks to believe that was happening.

However, the one thing that really had people wondering was the bee keeper deliveries that happened on and around August 6th. This was the first thing along with the quote above that happened which was really against the Centurion/Roman theme that had been hinted at all along.

The boxes that were delivered had the same quote on them and inside was a net and a card, the writing on it not known at this time at all. Though, it's probably nothing of significance here either.

Around the same time, the splash image on Carowinds website showed up with a honeycomb/hive background. So, it would appear that whatever is planned has something to do with bees or hornets from the looks of it.

Curious indeed. It seems as if there's two entirely different things happening here and none of us here at ISI can make heads or tails of this. Is it possibly two new rides coming, like Kings Island did with The Bat and Banshee, or is it just a very complicated distraction to throw folks like us off? Again, not sure at all.

The new logo that's shown up today definitely fits with the new line of images and events, but until Thursday there's just no way of knowing.

However, that's not all that's been going on either. There's been even more clues and hints as to possible elements and other things going on from the park too.

Three days after the whole beekeeper stuff was going on, another image was sent out via Twitter from the park and this time they were talking about, what I assume is a ride element.

Definitely seems like they're talking a possible tunnel or something else going on with the coaster. Which, if the earlier fan made video based off of the blueprints of the ride are any indication will be part of the layout and this sign at the park entrance just seems to confirm that.

So, we have two possible names, and a bunch of clues that support both. We also know that it's likely going to be built by B&M, who also built Intimidator. The whole bit about lightning striking twice could be that it's is another B&M hyper.

The 325 in the newest name could also be hinting at the height, which would make it the tallest traditional non-launched coaster in the world as well, topping Millenium Force at Cedar Point and Leviathan at Canada's Wonderland.

UPDATE: A Cedar Fair Coaster Construction Facebook Fan Group has posted up this image of track being spotted at the park. Teal with green/yellow and white supports...yeah, at a total loss here too.

And there ya have it, pretty much everything we know and have speculated on so far as Carowinds has slowly streamed out the info to us. Anything is possible here and either name/theme could easily happen at this point.

Stay tuned as we'll be bringing you all the information from Carowinds on Thursday, August 21st as they reveal to the world just what they're up to. Be it Fury 325 or Centurion, based on what we know it is going to be truly awesome either way!

Could a B&M Flying Coaster be Coming to Six Flags Fiesta Texas?

More clues have been coming out of Six Flags Fiesta Texas about their 2015 project in the past week or so. We now have confirmation that Motorama will be closing down for good soon too and we're pretty sure that Hustler is going as well.

Recently the messages at the phone numbers for Rockville Reality have changed a little bit and it's definitely sounding like something big is on the way. Additionally, new heights have been mentioned by the park in regards to their huge 2015 balloon that's been seen in the park the past few weeks.

From the sounds of things, it looks like a flying coaster is coming. So, let's get down to unraveling a few things here and seeing just where the clues lead us to, shall we? First up is the new message from Rockville Reality. In it we find the opening has changed to include a mention of "flipping", so something that loops is definitely coming at least.

Now, also in the message is the something that was pointed out by one of our readers. The words "Boring" and "Mundane" have been somewhat emphasized. Normally this wouldn't mean much of anything but considering they start with initials of Bolliger & Mabillard, it's a little more significant here.

So, where do we get the flying? Well this tweet sent out by the park mentions it in all caps, so that's gotta have something to do with things. So far we've had "dropping and diving" and "OUT OF CONTROL" and now "FLYING".

#SFFT2015 is FLYING at a height of 106'! I was surprised by something I saw on the balloon. @aceonlineorg @AboutThemeParks @TexasThrills
— Fiesta Texas (@SF_FiestaTexas) July 30, 2014

Now we've also got a new height to deal with as well. The first was 92.5ft and now this one is 106ft. I would imagine that we're seeing heights of different elements for the new ride. If it is a B&M flying coaster, it could be largest Six Flags has built yet. That of course depends on if the 106ft height is for the lift hill and not something else. Granted, if any element is 106ft and it's not the lift hill, it still would be the largest since it'd need a very strong start...unless of course they go crazy and try a launched flying coaster.

Gardaland Dive Coaster Hype at Full Throttle

Construction of Gardaland's newest coaster, what is heavily believed to be a B&M dive machine, is underway and they're not wasting any time getting the word out there that something is coming. Not only is there a whole teaser website set up for the new coaster, but they've been tying it into displays in the park as well.

The display, pictured left, was empty for a while but that didn't last long. Once the teaser site went up, there was a strange orange glowing crater inside the structure as well as two uniformed staff standing outside of it. Weird, huh?

Now, this does make a lot of sense given what was shown in the video on the site in the form of a fake news report talking about some kind of otherworldly disturbance appearing over the park.

There's actually three videos, one of them going back to the beginning of the park's construction and the weird crater showing up then. Then, in the newer newscast, some kind of giant rift in the sky can be seen, taken from a "German tourist's cell phone". You can catch the videos here, if you don't understand Italian, there's a slider at the top for English subtitles.

Since then, another video has surfaced on the site as well. This one interviewing people who spotted yet another sighting of the strange vortex in the sky with hints that this happened back in the '70s as well and reports of seeing the beams of light coming from it as well.

Since we know it's a B&M coaster, the hints being given are a bit obvious at this point but it's still fun to follow along with the clues and all that. Then again, we have no idea what the ride will be called or it's theme and size either really. So, that's still a good mystery to try and solve. Stay tuned for more updates out of Gardaland and their new coaster for 2015!

First Pieces of Thunderbird Track Arrive at Holiday World

The first pieces of track have arrived at Holiday World for their newest addition to the park, Thunderbird. Announced last Thursday night, their newest coaster is not only their first steel coaster in the park's history, but also the first launched wing coaster from B&M in the world. It will take riders through three inversions after shooting from 0-60 in just 3.5 seconds.

The new track segments that have made their way to Holiday World also solve another mystery, where some of the track spotted at the Clermont Steel Fabricator lot in Ohio is headed. Now just for the other colors...

Image from @HolidayWorld on Twitter

Either way, going to be fun to watch this one get built over the course of the next 8 months or so and can't wait to get a chance to ride the madness in the Spring of 2015! For more details about Thunderbird, check out our coverage of the announcement here.

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.

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!

Gardaland Building a B&M Dive Coaster for 2015?

Italy's Gardaland Resort is definitely building a new coaster for 2015 and from all accounts out there, it looks to be a B&M Dive Machine coaster. This would be the park's second coaster from B&M as they already have a wing coaster, Raptor, in the park.

While nothing has been formally announced from the park other than a cryptic question mark that appears on the park map, the folks over at Themepark.it have uncovered permits for the new ride. The biggest news about them? The plans are labeled as “Attrazione “Dive Coaster”". If anything, that's pretty convincing stuff. That and the teaser image looks and feels like a Dive Coaster as well.

Interestingly enough, this one would be going right behind where their other B&M, Raptor, sits. According some rumors, this could even have a similar look and style that of Alton Towers' "The Smiler" at that. I'm a little skeptical there as there's not much known in that department as of yet.

Regardless, construction has begun on the new ride with land being cleared and we expect an official announcement to be made soon in regards to just what this new B&M Dive Coaster will be like. For those unfamiliar, check out Sheikra at Busch Gardens Tampa and Griffon at Busch Gardens Williamsburg...or the original, Oblivion. at Alton Towers. If it truly is the case (and it looks like it) coaster fans in Italy are in for a treat!

Here's all we have to go on, let the speculation commence!

Fire at Clermont Steel- B&M Ohio Coaster Plant

Fire at Clermont Steel, B&M's Ohio Fabricator.


 Not good news for American Roller Coaster Fan this morning as older news tends to hit late.

 Cincinnati's WLWT is reporting that two alarm fire broke out at Clermont Steel Fabricators recently. This is the Ohio Plant which produces many of the United States collective of B&M Roller Coasters. The fire departments reports the fire started in a 'bag house' in which the company stores recyclable items. They also report no injuries but also not damage assessment either. As you can see from the image, coaster track is stationed outside the plant for delivery... no word of if this will effect future coaster deliveries.

Info from: WLWT Cincinnati 

Coaster Giant B&M to build their First Family Inverted Coaster

Image from RCDB

 Coaster Giant B&M to build First Family Inverted Coaster.

 While the coaster company Bolliger and Mabillard may be known for their giant ride, it seems their doing a first for the Happy Valley Park in China.

 The company isn't known to build smaller, family style coasters but according to Roller Coaster Database it seems they are now. These small, inverted family coasters are normally the mark of Vekoma Coasters but it seems B&M is now getting into the game. They normally run only a single coaster train and sit only two people per row.

 The currently unnamed coaster is being installed at Happy Valley Park in Shanghai, China.