Hello hello hello, fancy seeing you here.
I guess you want the news?
We’ll, here we go!
Something we missed in last week's episode was the fact that Southport Pleasureland in
the UK is getting a new roller coaster - hopefully.
The park has submitted a planning application for a new ride, what type of ride you ask?
It’s a Zamperla Lightning Coaster, aka a clone of Thunderbolt at Luna Park.
It’ll stand 35m 115ft high and reach speeds of 90kmh 56mph.
The very thin plot for the new coaster sits at the front of the park, parallel to Southport’s
seafront.
The first of this coaster, Thunderbolt, isn’t exactly known for its rave reviews.
However, Zamperla has since updated the model with new trains, so fingers crossed everyone!
From a Gerstlauer-like roller coaster from Zamperla to an actual Gerstlauer roller coaster
from, well, Gerstlauer.
Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park, you know, that park that sits on Iron Mountain, just
1300ft 400m above the nearby town - it’s getting a new coaster.
The ride, named Defiance, will be the world’s newest hilltop roller coaster.
Manufactured by Gerstlauer, the attraction is the company’s famous Eurofighter model.
It features a 110ft drop, at the beyond vertical angle of 102.3 degrees (very specific) - that’s
the steepest freefall drop in the Western US apparently (also very specific).
You’ll then blast through three inversions, including a personal favourite of mine, the
banana roll - how fantastic.
Defiance will be the park’s largest ride investment to date - so much so that the park’s
general manager said ““We thought this would be out of our league… it is a bit
of a stretch.
But the view will be absolutely phenomenal.
And the drop will take your breath away.”
I’m sure it’ll all be worth it for them, the coaster looks *chefs kiss*.
Here’s another 2022 coaster for you.
Farmyard Flyer, the new kiddie coaster coming to Paulton’s Park, is testing.
Already!?
Now we’ve got to wait like 7 months before the new season, so sad.
The ride is a Zierer force coaster, so it won’t blow your socks off, but the station
is absolutely huge, so that’s something I guess?
Alright we’ve done the happy news, so we must move on to something less exciting.
Cedar Point has announced the closure of Wicked Twister.
On Monday the 6th September 2021, that’s less than a month away, Wicked Twister will
twist its last set of riders.
The coaster opened back in 2002 as one of the world’s largest impulse coasters built
by Intamin.
Since then more than 16 million riders have been able to experience its impressive 116kmh
72mph launches.
So Cedar Point, what’s replacing it huh?
Well, they haven’t said anything, yet.
The real question you should be asking is: is it gone for good or will it pop up at another
Cedar Fair park?
Well we don’t know that one either.
So, er, yeah.
Here’s some more sad news, kinda, this time for Star Wars fans.
You know that Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser hotel we spoke about recently?
Well it costs $6000 dollars to experience, for four guests, for drum roll, two nights
- now that’s value for money!
Fortunately, all food and drink is included within that price (not alcohol though, they
apparently don’t let you drink for free in space).
Obviously there’s more to it than just food.
The hotel is an experience, so each guest will stick to a strict events schedule.
This includes various ship-related training, droid racing competitions, lightsaber training,
and various ‘unexpected story moments’.
That could be, for example, arranging to steal a ship from the first order, or hiding a stowaway
to help the resistance.
Now that is the definition of immersive, and perhaps it’ll help you forget the fact you’re
paying $6000 for it.
In other news, Skyline attractions have introduced their next generation of compact steel roller
coasters.
The company began to make a name for itself selling the Skywarp, a hybrid between a flat
ride and roller coaster - which gave guests coaster-like thrills in a flat ride-like footprint.
However, they weren’t apparently very good.
Many complained about their reliability, and also the comfort of the ride experience itself.
So to fix their rides Skyline has released the mark II of their Skywarp, Horizon and
Orbit models.
These include modified drive systems, updated controls to reduce downtime and a new track
design for a smoother ride.
The biggest change perhaps comes in the form of the rides’ train, which will feature
more comfortable vest restraints, bringing the model in-line with many other modern roller
coasters.
Finally, yesterday Drayton Manor revealed that their recently upgraded rapids ride will
open today.
Short notice, but sure, I dig it.
The ride, which has remained closed since 2017, will open with brand new modern boats,
alongside a bright colour scheme and updated water effects.
So, if you’re watching this, why not experience the River Rapids at Drayton Manor right now,
it’s open guys!
That’s it, another week’s news all wrapped up.
I’ll see you next time where I’ll pitch my idea for a new themed hotel so I can scam
$6000 off people - it’s a fool proof business idea, just ask Disney!