With the 2007 coaster season coming to a close its time to reflect on what has gone on over the past several months. We’ve seen new rides constructed, new parks open and close, theme park weddings and deaths. It has been a good season over-all, with minor tragedies and some triumphs along the way.

We’ve also seen the debut of some of the greatest thrilling and family attractions yet, this year! The standouts including: Maverick, Griffon, Renegade, Mystery Mine, Sierra Sidewinder, and the Tony Hawk Big Spin coaster. Maverick wowed riders with two inversions, a 95* drop, two “twist and dive” elements and a 70 mph launch! Griffon on the other hand is a B&M masterpiece that encompasses the largest drop on a Dive Machine to date. It was also the first dive machine to be built completely floorless. Featuring two immelmans and a great water splash, Griffon is a must ride. Mystery Mine is a Gerstlauer Eurofighter that takes you through a themed experience featuring a couple of vertical drops and a nice number of inversions making it a nice addition. A brand new wooden coaster was constructed in Valleyfair! located in Minnesotta, named Renegade. Designed by GCI, Renegade features a unique twisting drop that whips you from one side to the next in a fraction of a second. Than it leads you through an airtime filled out and back style course, featuring a station flyby and some great airtime hills. The last two rides are spinning coasters. The difference between the two is not only the company, but the type of spinning that each performs. Sierra Sidewinder is a Mack free-spinning coaster while Tony Hawk is a Gerstlauer controlled spinner.

I have thoroughly enjoyed my coaster season. I had the opportunity to go to a park I had never been to before (Cedar Point) get tons of new credits and ride two brand new roller coasters (Maverick and Sierra Sidewinder). I also had the chance to revisit some old favorites including: Disneyland, Knott’s Berry Farm, Universal Studios Hollywood, Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and more! My top ten list has been dramatically changed, and I have nearly doubled my coaster count! Definitely a great coaster year for me so far, but it doesn’t end there! Living in California my coaster season never ends! That means that when it ends for the rest of you guys, it starts for me! The winter brings many things, but it drives away the summer crowds, giving me the chance to explore the parks at my leisure.

While that may end the 2007 season, new rides will be coming to parks in the 2008 season as well! There are many rumors out there but two things we know for sure are these. Canada’s Wonderland will be receiving a B&M hyper named Behemoth and Hershey Park will be getting a new ride of some kind next year. It has been a great coaster year, and I look forward to deciphering new roller coasters and other attractions with you next year. So make the most of the rest of your season, and enjoy your coasters!

This entry was posted on Wednesday, September 5th, 2007 at 10:46 am and is filed under Editorials. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.