Workmen finish track work on Diamondback

KINGS ISLAND, Ohio – Workmen finished installing track on the new Diamondback roller coaster at Kings Island on Monday. Track piece number 129 was the final piece of track installed on the 5,282 foot-long $22 million steel coaster.

Diamondback stands 230 feet at its highest point with a first drop of 215 feet at a 74-degree angle. The ride features 10 vertical drops overall, including drops of 193, 131, 129, 110 and 106 feet; two helixes and a splashdown ending. Riders will travel at speeds in excess of 80 miles per hour.

Designed by Bolliger and Mabillard of Monthey, Switzerland, Diamondback is the tallest, fastest and meanest roller coaster to ever strike Kings Island.

Diamondback opens to the public April 18.

General Manta Update

© 2009 RollerCoasterPro

It's been a while since I've really checked out a lot of Manta at Sea World Orlando updates since the main track construction was completed.

That doesn't mean crews haven't been hard at work on the ride, and the latest update from RollerCoasterPro proves this point. The station, maintenance, and transfer buildings are all making nice progress, along with the ride's landscaping and water features.

There's lots of details to see, so why not go check out RollerCoasterPro's update?

Daily Spin 1.25.09

Let's start with Six Flags Magic Mountain, who is just flying along with the construction of Terminator Salvation. Tons of bents are already up, and the GCI Intern website has some very recent photos posted! Check them out here.

Wild Adventures has released details of some exciting promotions that recently took place at the theme park. Linda Jensen has recently been appointed to the position of Vice President of Marketing and Sales and Steve Cruz has been named Director of sales. Both have long histories of success in the industry and we congratulate them both!

TGESource has some video of the Magic Kingdom's newest parade, titled Celebrate A Dream Come True. Tied into Disney Park's latest marketing campaign asking guests what they will celebrate, the parade is very upbeat and features a lot of dance performances. Click here to see the video from TGESource.

Carowinds has published some photos of the new Vekoma trains that have been built for the Carolina Cobra. These new style trains feature modern restraints that hopefully will provide a more enjoyable ride for passengers. Here's the photos.

Don't forget that if you are able to go, Morey's Piers will have a ceremony for the Golden Nugget ride on January 31st at noon. Anyone is welcome according to the park and attendees will receive a special commemorative souvenir. It's so wonderful the park is doing this for the ride!

Legoland California has been granted preliminary approval to build a 250 room, Lego themed hotel outside the theme park's gates. The property already opened the Sea Life Park aquarium this past summer and is now seeking to keep guests on property even longer as a vacation destination. Always positive to hear a park expanding, even if just a hotel, in these times!

Saw The Ride Testing Video

Thorpe Park Mania has some exclusive footage of Saw: The Ride at Thorpe Park testing. You can get to the video by following this link.

The ride really keeps a very quick pace after completing the first drop. You can also see in the video the massive saw blades that await riders at the bottom of that drop! Looks like a fun ride, and the first, indoor, section continues to be a mystery for now.

Quick Rockit Progress

© 2009 OrlandoRocks.com

Rockit at Universal Studios Florida has been making quick progress again this week, as a great portion of the later half of the ride is now complete.

Seen above, the helix that extends out toward the CityWalk section of the Resort Property has been completed and looks pretty wild. This will really liven up the area!

Head over to OrlandoRocks to see all the progress.

Wildfire @ Silver Dollar City

Wildfire is a B&M that a lot of people have been on, being located at the popular Silver Dollar City theme park in Branson, Missouri, but is not often talked about.

The ride is just over 3,000 ft. long and has a substantial 155 ft. first drop with five inversions after that.