Theme Park News Update – Late October/Early November
I’ve been away from the blog for quite some time. So, I thought that I’d share some of the biggest news stories of the past couple of weeks. In a good old TPS Report (TPS = Theme Park Syndicate), here’s what’s been happening in the theme park world:
Accident on The Smiler: Riders Hit By Debris (Guide Wheels)
In what had to be a pretty frightening incident, four riders on the multi-looping monster, The Smiler, were hit by debris during the ride. The debris just happened to be the car’s guide wheels! Thankfully, no one was injured or needed to seek treatment. More at the BBC: Alton Towers Smiler shut after wheels hit four on ride
Lawsuit in New Texas Giant Accident Now Includes Gerstlauer
The lawsuit filed by the family of the woman who died after falling from the New Texas Giant has now been amended to include German roller coaster designers Gerstlauer. While the roller coaster was designed by Rocky Mountain Construction, the rides’ trains were designed by Gerstlauer. According to the Dallas News, “Six Flags has denied claims of negligence and other misconduct.”
Read more at the Dallas News: Six Flags wrongful death suit amended to include ride maker
Could Carowinds New Giga Coaster be Called Centurion?
Cedar Fair has filed a new trademark for the name “Centurion”. There’s a a thought that this could be the name for the 2015 giga roller coaster planned for Carowinds. In other Carowinds news, the park has started to remove the Skycoaster. It has been rumored to be relocated another location within the park; possibly between Nighthawk and Windseeker. More at Screamscape
Kings Island’s Flight Deck will be re-themed as The Bat
In a move that’ll delight roller coaster enthusiasts, Kings Island’s suspended coaster Flight Deck will be re-themed as The Bat borrowing its name from Arrow’s short-lived prototype suspended coaster. The original Bat operated at Kings Island from 1981 to 1983. The new Bat’s track will be orange, with supports that’ll be two shades of charcoal for the columns and structure. The trains will be black. Read more at Coaster101: The Bat Flies Again at Kings Island
Seabreeze Two New Rides for 2014
Rochester, New York amusement park, Seabreeze has announced that they’ll be adding two new rides for 2014. They’ll be a Wave Swinger and Great Balloon Race. Read more here.
Lagoon’s 2015 Roller Coaster
Roller coaster track has been spotted at Utah park Lagoon. According to Screamscape the ride is rumored to have: “at least three inversions, a tunnel (pit can be seen already) and a possible elevator style lift system”. This Lagoon Is Fun thread, has images of the track.
What’s your take on these news stories? Leave a comment below.
More of the Latest News at Theme Park Syndicate
Throughout the off-season, I’ll be posting intermittently. Yes. You might have guessed it. I’m in the lab once again cooking up something new. Anyway, you can to stay up-to-date with all of the latest news at Theme Park Syndicate, my theme park news aggregator.
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