2007 Countdown
The 2007 is quickly approaching, and for some of us, it has already started. Last year we saw the release of the most anticipated wooden coaster ever built, Voyage, along with the release of dozens of other coasters. With the 2007 season just getting underway, it’s time to preview some of this years biggest rides.
Maverick at Cedar Point
If you don’t know anything about this coaster, you must of been sleeping under a rock. Cedar Point is opening its 17th
coaster this season in Maverick. Maverick is an Intamin coaster featuring 4450′ of track, 3 inversions, and a 95 degree angle first drop. This is not the typical ride that has been appearing at Cedar Point over the past few years. In no way is it a record breaker, rather, it is a ride for everyone. It is not exceptionally tall, fast, or wild ride. It looks to be a ride that everyone will just enjoy.
Mystery Mine at Dollywood
After the huge success of Thunderhead, Dollywood is opening a new coaster this year, Mystery Mine. This coaster is the most heavily themed coaster for the 2007 season. Mystery Mine is a Gerstlauer custom Eurofighter. It features 1811′ of track, 3 inversions, and two 95 degree angle drops. While the layout of the ride looks to be lacking, the theming of the ride makes up for it. Again, this looks to be a fun ride that everyone should be able to enjoy.
Griffon at Busch Gardens Europe
Griffon is the largest coaster (that I will discuss) for the 2007 season. Standing at 205′ tall, this B&M dive machine is sure to please. It also features the first ever floorless dive machine trains. The layout is very similar to that of SheiKra, which has been a very big hit down in Florida.
Boardwalk Bullet at Kemah Boardwalk
This is my sleeper pick for the 2007 season. Kemah Boardwalk is building a custom Gravity Group woodies that is sure to impress. The layout twists over itself multiple times and looks thrilling. Gravity Group has outdone itself with this layout. The ride promises to be fast paced and twisted. I only wish that a ride like this was closer to me.
There you have it, at quick preview of some of the best of 2007. All of these rides are unique and most importantly, appeal to the whole family. This year is different then most, in that the focus is on fun rather then record breaking. This trend has been growing ever since the “coaster wars” have died off with the building of Kingda Ka. I can only hope that the fun aspect continues to grow in the coming years.
April 24th, 2007 at 10:43 am
Nice post Nate. Am I alone in thinking that Maverick will probably outdo the rest of this years entries as far as industry recognition? Everything at Cedar Point gets mad attention and love, but Maverick actually looks really good and like Nate pointed out it should be FUN. If Voyage can climb to number one at the Golden Ticket Awards in its opening year, then I don’t think it’s inconceivable that Maverick could at least hit the top 5 for steel coasters. It’ll easily be the shortest coaster of all the GTA coasters.
April 24th, 2007 at 2:48 pm
I would have to agree that Maverick will be the big industry hit of the year. I have a feeling that it is always going to be packed, and with its success, we will be seeing more of these types of rides down the road.