A quote in another thread the other day had me thinking:
... and then, other times, nothing happens after the prototype. One brilliant coaster is built, or maybe a handful, but the concept isn't explored further, despite the original coaster receiving rave reviews. And we're left wondering "why didn't anybody build anything like this again?"
The first coaster that springs to my mind is Cedar Point's Maverick. A brilliant "combo coaster" that seemingly had everything: A launched lift, a beyond-vertical drop, ground-hugging, airtime, a couple of inversions, and a mid-course second launch (I'm not sure if it was the first coaster to feature one, but it was certainly among the first). This style even had a marketing name: A "Terracoaster".
And yet, almost 15 years later, Maverick remains the world's only Terracoaster. Helix at Liseberg is a sort of spiritual successor, but it was built by a different company and doesn't feature all the "signature elements", if you can call it that. Maverick is still a crowd pleaser at Cedar Point, and sat in 11th place among CF's favourite coasters last year. It is clearly well-liked, but apparently not enough to copy. Why didn't anybody build more Terracoasters?
I've got a few other examples for future posts, but I'd like to hear yours first. Are there any other coasters you're waiting to see sequels for?
I've realized that for quite a few years, I've waited for such "sequels" myself, for a whole lot of coasters. Occasionally, some park/manufacturer gets a brilliant idea and builds a unique coaster everyone loves. Often, this brilliant idea is followed up with more iterations that take the concept even further. Some of our most beloved coasters are follow-ups to innovative prototypes. New Texas Giant might not be the best RMC conversion anymore, but the others would not have come without it. Many of the best-liked B&Ms follow up the novelty that was Kumba. Mack shifted gears completely with Blue Fire, and is now a powerhouse manufacturer of thrill coasters.Fingers crossed for mine blower 2
... and then, other times, nothing happens after the prototype. One brilliant coaster is built, or maybe a handful, but the concept isn't explored further, despite the original coaster receiving rave reviews. And we're left wondering "why didn't anybody build anything like this again?"
The first coaster that springs to my mind is Cedar Point's Maverick. A brilliant "combo coaster" that seemingly had everything: A launched lift, a beyond-vertical drop, ground-hugging, airtime, a couple of inversions, and a mid-course second launch (I'm not sure if it was the first coaster to feature one, but it was certainly among the first). This style even had a marketing name: A "Terracoaster".
And yet, almost 15 years later, Maverick remains the world's only Terracoaster. Helix at Liseberg is a sort of spiritual successor, but it was built by a different company and doesn't feature all the "signature elements", if you can call it that. Maverick is still a crowd pleaser at Cedar Point, and sat in 11th place among CF's favourite coasters last year. It is clearly well-liked, but apparently not enough to copy. Why didn't anybody build more Terracoasters?
I've got a few other examples for future posts, but I'd like to hear yours first. Are there any other coasters you're waiting to see sequels for?