Small News From The Theme Park Industry

[Nicky Borrill]

Not sure if it’s worth bumping the accident thread for this, but the infamous Orlando Freefall is being listed for sale on amusement-rides.com:

Skyfall - Funtime | Used Rides for Sale! | Amusement-rides.com

Find used amusement rides for sale or rental. Worldwide operations. Contact us now! Roller coasters, ferris wheels, carousels, family rides and more! The best rides for your theme park!

www.amusement-rides.com

Good... Nothing wrong with the ride type or that particular ride... Let's just hope it ends up in the hands of a maintenance team that don't think they know better than the ride's designers and manufacturers...

 

[Lori Marie Loud]

Chaos at Adventuredome is gone, F: https://www.reddit.com/r/rollercoasters/comments/17drtsk
That was the final Chance Chaos in the US, and in North America. A previous (2022) Screamscape rumor suggested it could be replaced by another Chaos, but that appears to have changed. The only Chaos left worldwide appears to be a traveling version currently in the UK, and thus the park model is now extinct. RIP

EDIT: nevermind, from the comments:

UPDATE: Just talked to one of the office workers at the Adventuredome. She said Chaos is in fact gone and was the last one in the world. She says they tried to keep it going but they just couldn’t anymore. I brought up the possible traveling one in the UK and she believes that’s no longer operating.

So.....yup, that's the end of the Chance Chaos. 1996-2023.

 

[cookie]

On the subject of ride models going extinct, apparently Tidal Twister at Sea World San Diego is being scrapped. Thus closes the book on the OG SkyWarp.

Coaster Hub on Instagram: "Tidal Twister at SeaWorld San Diego has started being removed. This Skyline Attractions Horizon was known for its downtime, bulky restraints, and shaky ride experience. Although it had numerous problems, we actually enjoyed

747 likes, 29 comments - coasterhub on October 22, 2023: "Tidal Twister at SeaWorld San Diego has started being removed. This Skyline Attractions Horizon was known for its downtime, bulky restrai...".

www.instagram.com

 

[Lori Marie Loud]

Pour one out
https://www.reddit.com/r/rollercoasters/comments/17g99pa

 

[cookie]

On the subject of ride models going extinct, apparently Tidal Twister at Sea World San Diego is being scrapped. Thus closes the book on the OG SkyWarp.

Coaster Hub on Instagram: "Tidal Twister at SeaWorld San Diego has started being removed. This Skyline Attractions Horizon was known for its downtime, bulky restraints, and shaky ride experience. Although it had numerous problems, we actually enjoyed

747 likes, 29 comments - coasterhub on October 22, 2023: "Tidal Twister at SeaWorld San Diego has started being removed. This Skyline Attractions Horizon was known for its downtime, bulky restrai...".

www.instagram.com

Yup, it's going bye-bye. Maybe a decent-sized flat can take its spot.

https://www.reddit.com/r/rollercoasters/comments/17ik1wu

 

[davidm]

Not sure this belongs here, but wasn't going to start a thread because of it...

Very strange story coming out from Glenwood Caverns this weekend;

Law enforcement in Colorado is investigating after they said a "heavily armed" man was found dead inside an amusement park over the weekend "wearing body armor" with "multiple improvised explosive devices" on him.

Armed man found dead at Colorado amusement park with multiple guns and explosives identified

Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park employees notified authorities after the body of a 'heavily armed' man was found Saturday prior to the park opening.

eu.usatoday.com

Colorado man with explosives, wearing tactical gear dies at Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park

A coroner has identified a man found dressed in tactical gear and surrounded by weapons, ammunition and explosives -- both fake and real -- in the popular Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park as a 20-year-old from Carbondale.

www.cbsnews.com

 

[ECG]

Not sure this belongs here, but wasn't going to start a thread because of it...

Very strange story coming out from Glenwood Caverns this weekend;

Armed man found dead at Colorado amusement park with multiple guns and explosives identified

Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park employees notified authorities after the body of a 'heavily armed' man was found Saturday prior to the park opening.

eu.usatoday.com

Colorado man with explosives, wearing tactical gear dies at Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park

A coroner has identified a man found dressed in tactical gear and surrounded by weapons, ammunition and explosives -- both fake and real -- in the popular Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park as a 20-year-old from Carbondale.

www.cbsnews.com

It appears that the man hiked up the gravel road (that delivery drivers use to get to the park) during the night and committed suicide in one of the public toilets. Authorities suspect that he had planned an attack on park employees and guests that would arrive in the morning, but then took his own life before the park opened.

 

[ECG]

My first double post after 15 years.

Because of construction associated with a multi-million-dollar expansion, Morgan’s Wonderland amusement park will be unable to hold its “A Wonderland Christmas” this year. However, SeaWorld San Antonio has stepped up to the plate (baseball analogy) by allowing 2023 Morgan’s Wonderland membership and season pass holders free unlimited admission to SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration.

 

[Rob Coasters]

RIP top spin

Pretty sure this is the 107 flip one too if I'm not mistaken

 

[cookie]

Looks like Bagatelle in France received quite a bit of damage from Storm Ciaran over the week. Apparently the park was hit with over 100mph winds. Hopefully the cleanup won’t be too costly.

 

[cookie]

Efteling will be investing 8 million euros in renovating their river rapids ride Piraña over the winter months, including adding new theming elements such as more rockwork around the course and tons of new water effects. The renovation will also allow the park to repair cracks in the concrete trough, replace all four water pumps, and ensure the ride uses its water more sustainably and reliably. The work is expected to be completed in Spring 2024.

Efteling investeert 8 miljoen euro in opknapbeurt Piraña: dit gaat er veranderen

De Efteling steekt maar liefst 8 miljoen euro in wildwaterbaan Piraña. Om ervoor te zorgen dat de bekende waterattractie nog jaren meegaat, is de...

www.looopings.nl

 

[Hutch]

Efteling will be investing 8 million euros in renovating their river rapids ride Piraña over the winter months, including adding new theming elements such as more rockwork around the course and tons of new water effects. The renovation will also allow the park to repair cracks in the concrete trough, replace all four water pumps, and ensure the ride uses its water more sustainably and reliably. The work is expected to be completed in Spring 2024.

View attachment 28167
View attachment 28168
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Efteling investeert 8 miljoen euro in opknapbeurt Piraña: dit gaat er veranderen

De Efteling steekt maar liefst 8 miljoen euro in wildwaterbaan Piraña. Om ervoor te zorgen dat de bekende waterattractie nog jaren meegaat, is de...

www.looopings.nl

Just walking around the park for the first time a few weeks ago, it's incredible how much money and effort they put into maintaining and updating their rides.

 

[JackFish]

Just walking around the park for the first time a few weeks ago, it's incredible how much money and effort they put into maintaining and updating their rides.

I love parks that maintain their rides and the whole environment as a whole. I'm looking at you SDC and Dollywood. Parks that don't care, or just do it poorly (Cough Cough most Six Flags parks or Cedar Fair now? parks just don't do it for me as much as parks that do care.

 

[Lori Marie Loud]

Oh hello parque del cafe
https://www.reddit.com/r/rollercoasters/comments/17pb249
EDIT: Also a new Maurer concept
https://www.reddit.com/r/rollercoasters/comments/17penbi

 

[roomraider]

Sounds like this model based off the stats on RCDB. although the inversions are a bit off unless they count overbanks

 

[Rob Coasters]

Kings Island 2024 operating calendar has 11 days of closure in August for reasons unknown





The park also now has 6pm closures during the week in May, and no longer closes at midnight on July 4th

Doesn't look very good does it.

 

[KristofWB]

Walibi Belgium has shared an image of what they intend their new winter event to look like:

View attachment 23783

The park also has plans to be open for the February break next year as part of the move to become more of a year-round destination. Activities for the Christmas and February events will be announced at a later date.

Walibi Belgium presenteert ontwerp voor eerste volledige winteropening

Walibi Belgium gaat dit jaar voor het eerst volledig open in de kerstperiode. Hoewel de winteropening nog meer dan acht maanden op zich laat wachten,...

www.looopings.nl

The park has now announced their winter opening under the name 'Walibi Winter', with the park opening from December 16th till January 7th.

All of their rides will be operational, except for water rides Flashback and Radja River. Vampire will remain closed aswell.

Walibi Winter will have 4 winter themed lands:

* Glowing Greetings
* Alpine Village with a Christmas 4D movie and a Christmas market with souvenirs and food.
* Frozen Land has a 750 m2 indoor ice rink, a winter ice show and a magical walk in the forest.
* Polar Playground for the kids and a meet and greet with Santa Claus.

Some concept arts for the event:

 

[Pokemaniac]

Kings Island 2024 operating calendar has 11 days of closure in August for reasons unknown

View attachment 28206
View attachment 28207
View attachment 28208

The park also now has 6pm closures during the week in May, and no longer closes at midnight on July 4th

Doesn't look very good does it.

Isn't that period of August the back-to-school season? Makes sense to keep the park shut on weekdays then. Likewise, May is exam season.

 

[Rob Coasters]

Isn't that period of August the back-to-school season? Makes sense to keep the park shut on weekdays then. Likewise, May is exam season.

I did not consider this! Thanks for pointing this out

 

[Nicky Borrill]

More rumour than news, but how cool would this be...

Ripsaw returning to Alton Towers (In some form or another.)

Yes it's a rumour, but with the park already reviving Sub Terra, would it be too surprising if they revived one or more of the other post Smiler casualties? Also, the park have have apparently confirmed that they've purchased 3 permanent flats to replace the Retro Squad. Also, apparently Huss confirmed at IAAPA that they were in talks with Alton Towers regarding a package of rides.

Sorry if this is not news to anybody, I am a bit behind and catching up on things, haha. And with so much happening right now at Towers, there's a lot to catch up on... Crazy times!!!