Coaster Update - September 2011

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Reese here. I just wanted to give you an update about some of the biggest coaster projects under development that should be coming your way in the next year or so. I’ve chosen what I think are some of the biggest projects for the 2012 season.
Leviathan
Canada’s Wonderland will be receiving the highest coaster designed by B&M in May of 2012. Leviathan will have a lift hill of 306 feet with an 80 degree angled first drop. There are a few camelbacks, but it seems to be more of a speed-based coaster instead of being all about the dips. This will be B&M’s first coaster to reach the 300 foot mark. What with the great history behind Canada’s Wonderland, I’d say they picked a great park for it.


Verbolten
Busch Gardens in Williamsburg has what looks like a great themed coaster. This was just announced recently, so details are sparse, but it seems to be themed around a drive through the “Black Forest” with the coaster car shaped like a convertible. Multiple launches up to 50mph are promised as well as some thematic elements and special effects. The name, by the way, is a play on the German word “Verboten,” which means “Forbidden.” With other great thematic attractions that Busch has been putting out recently (such as DarKastle), this one looks like it will be promising. Really excited for this to open.


Skyrush
It’s been a while since Hersheypark has had a new coaster. At 200 feet tall and 3,600 feet long, Skyrush will be drastically changing the look and feel of the midway. Located next to Roller Soaker and the Wildcat woodie, the new yellow behemoth will be blocking many a view of the American Midway area. A 75 mph launch and an 85 degree drop are not record-breaking figures, but this is quite for jump for a park as small as Hershey. I haven’t heard too many opinions on this one, but there seems to be some complaints on the design and layout. We’ll just have to wait and see how it pans out.


X-Flight
No, not the former name of my favorite flying coaster. This X-Flight is a new “wing coaster” set for Six Flags Great America sometime next year. What’s a wing coaster, you ask? It’s a new design where the seats are suspended on both sides of a track with the middle of the coaster keeping them in place. Sort of like the wing of a bird. At 3,000 feet with 5 inversions, it looks like another winner from B&M.


Just wanted to point out one more thing. We won’t be seeing a new coaster at the Point until 2013. This would tie CP and Magic Mountain’s coaster counts which I find very interesting. Having said that, I predict a new MM coaster in a year or so to keep the race going. That’s it for today. Keep checking back for more.

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