An announcement came today announcing that Nickelodeon will be arriving at The Park at Mall of America in Spring of 2008! The plans include an Avatar: The Last Airbender “looping” coaster. The big question – is this coaster the originally-planned Euro-Fighter? It seems to fit the theme, but something else could be on the way. We’ll have to wait and see.
With the announcement also came news of a drop tower addition to the park. It seems the owners of The Park at MOA are beginning to …

Is it a coaster?
This new Mack water coaster being installed at Seaworld San Antonio this year has brought up a new debate – Is it really a coaster? Being someone who needs some more credits on their list, I would count it. Why? Most log flumes or shoot-the-chutes do not have long portions of dry, coaster-like track. In my opinion, the ride cannot be compared that well to rides such as Splash Mountain or Dudley’s at Islands of Adventure. Or even Jurassic Park River Adventure for that matter.
It might not be 100% …

…but is it the right one?

Six Flags recently announced it was removing two of its seventeen coasters – Flashback, a ride that has sat nearly abandoned for several years, and Pysclone, a wooden coaster that had a reputation for being on the uncomfortable side. Park officials stated that the move was done for additions that would appeal to a “wider audience”. These possible additions are thought to be a Wiggle’s World, Thomas the Tank Engine area, or a Johnny Rocket’s restaurant.
These would appeal to a wider audience, and hopefully will …

KINGS ISLAND, Ohio – Kings Island celebrates its 35th anniversary in 2007 by soaring to new heights with its 14th roller coaster, Firehawk. Debuting Memorial Day Weekend, this innovative flying coaster propels willing test pilots 115 feet in the air and through five inversions at speeds of more than 50 mph – all while facing the ground, experiencing the inconceivable feeling of human flight.
The best of the best begin their mission just behind Flight of Fear roller coaster in Coney Mall. After boarding their four-across yellow and red pilot seats, …

“Florida’s best ride is about to raise the rush.”  Later this week Busch Gardens Africa will be announcing their new plans for their biggest coaster.  Sometime this year, the Tampa, Florida park is going to receive a pretty major upgrade. This upgrade will make it’s trains floorless to match Busch Gardens Europe’s Griffon. The major construction for this to happen will of course be in the station which will have to feature the unique load/ unload platform other floorless coasters have.

Aurora, OH’s latest roller coaster will be getting a new home within the next couple of years. Workers have already begun dismantling the Vekoma Flying Dutchman. This decision comes after another lackluster season for the park and it kind of surprises me that they would rather move it to another park in the chain and brand it as a new coaster. As to where it will go they have yet to announce it.
Along with Dominator, that coaster was the parks flagship attraction. Hopefully they add a bigger attraction or have …

A wonderful bit of news here. Bolliger & Mabillard Consulting Engineers Inc. is designing a roller coaster together with Hard Rock Park for a tentative opening when the entire park opens in Spring 2008. In a quote from IAAPA, the coaster “takes the audio experience to the next level by truly choreographing the entire ride experience to an incredible Hard Rock classic.”
This should make for a unique and incredible experience. I wonder if parts of the ride will take place indoors and what type of Beemer it will be. …

Apparently, the Son of Beast roller coaster at Paramount’s Kings Island had a bit too much fun with its riders. After one of the rides drops, a large jolt was felt that caused these injuries. You can read more here.
Cedar Fair has recently completed the purchase of Kings Island — not to mention the rest of the chain — and this is what happens. I really hope Cedar Fair can come in and fix the overly rough ride Son of Beast gives. When a ride is so rough that it …

Today in a Toledo Blade article, CEO Dick Kinzel has stated that Cedar Fair is considering buying CBS Corp’s Paramount’s Kings Island.
“After the meeting, Mr. Kinzel revealed Cedar Fair is considering buying Kings Island, an amusement park near Cincinnati that was put up for sale by its owner, CBS Corp. That park is one of five in CBS’ Paramount Parks division.”
This is very interesting news and I won’t be surprised if it ends up happening. Cedar Fair has recently bought out Michigan’s Adventure and Geauga Lake which they have turned …

The 2006 season is finally here. Cedar Point has opened Skyhawk to the public, and who would have thought that it would break down the first day of operation? Cedar Point had to order a part to be able to fix her up, so until then Skyhawk will not be running. Hopefully this will take care of all the possible problems, but with a new ride of such caliber it is really hard to say.
Construction is also underway at the park for the 2007 attraction which looks to be a …