It’s time to start looking forward to next season. While we’re likely to have a number of official announcements from parks in the coming weeks, a few roller coasters have already been announced for 2014. Let’s recap them:
Banshee at Kings Island
(Cincinnati, Ohio)
Kings Island will finally have a replacement for Son of Beast in Banshee. The record-setting inverted coaster will be the longest of its kind. Banshee will boast seven inversions and a top speed of 68 mph. Read more and watch two videos of Banshee at Kings Island.
Seven Dwarfs Mine Train at Walt Disney World
(Orlando, Florida)
Announced back in 2012, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train is part of the large multi-year Fantasy Land revamp that’s been going on at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom. Seven Dwarfs Mine train will have cars that sway left and right. More on Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
Thunderbolt at Luna Park
(Brooklyn, New York)
Luna Park at Coney Island has been growing over the past few years. The seaside park’s largest addition to date will be a unique steel roller coaster with an elevator lift and some exciting loops. Borrowing a name from the past, Thunderbolt will open in 2014 adding to the growing screamscape of Coney Island. Watch a video and see more on Luna Park’s new Thunderbolt
Helix at Liseberg
(Gothenburg, Sweden)
Helix was another ride that was announced last year. It’ll be a massive launched-looping roller coaster from Mack; reminiscent of bluefire Megacoaster at Europa Park. It’ll be Mack’s largest project yet at over 4,500 feet in length. Riders will experience 6 inversions and 2 launches while the ride uses the park’s terrain. Liseberg’s also home to top-rated Intamin pre-fab woodie, Balder. Read more about Helix at Liseberg.
Firechaser Express at Dollywood
(Pigoen Forge, Tennessee)
Dollywood is set to announce a new attraction for 2014 next week. Word is that it will be a roller coaster called Firechaser Express. Screamscape has reported that the ride may be a launched family roller coaster. We’ll find out details soon as the official announcement is set for August 21st.More at Screamscape.
Lake Monster at Darien Lake
(Buffalo, New York)
Lake Monster has not been officially announced by Darien Lake, but it was mentioned in a survey conducted by the park. If details in the survey come to fruition, we could be looking at a world-class roller coaster in Western New York next year. Lake Monster sounds like another rule-breaking Rocky Mountain Construction wooden coaster a la Outlaw Run; with wild maneuvers including a corkscrew. Read more on Lake Monster.
Kentucky Kingdom’s New Roller Coaster
(Louisville, Kentucky)
The troubled Louisville, Kentucky amusement park is now set to finally make a return in 2014. The revitalization of the once abandoned park is already underway and the Kentucky Kingdom’s leader has promised a new steel roller coaster for it’s grand re-opening year. There are no details yet as to exactly what type of roller coaster it’ll be. More about Kentucky Kingdom’s return.
It’s still early, but this is a pretty short list. Might we be seeing a quieter than usual year for new roller coasters?