Scott And Carol Present - Great Coasters International, Inc. Inks A Deal With DreamEast

DreamEast began  implementing some big plans at IAAPA. Emphasizing Chinese culture and owning their own intellectual properties, the goal is to develop a cultural industry that will include theme parks, a family entertainment center, large-scale shows, animation, and technology-based entertainment and games all based on the five thousand year history of China.

There are currently three theme parks planned, Legend World, Future World, and Zhoukoudian. Legend World will present the essence of Chinese culture surrounded by some of the most advanced theme park attractions. Future World will showcase exploration and innovation, where guests can learn about aerospace technology science and technology through interactive experiences. Zhoukoudian will present the culture of the region with highlights from both the ancient and modern civilization of Zhoukoudian.

Of course if you are building a theme park, you must include the king of the midway, a roller coaster. That is where Great Coasters International enters the project. Here is the contract signing for GCI's part of the project with He Yijie and Clair Hain doing the honors.

The planned development also includes a global shopping center and an entertainment technology center to further develop DreamEast’s intellectual property through games, feature films & animation projects, and large scale stage shows featuring what they already have been developing.

So with the large scope of this project, complete realization will be in the future, but Mr. Hain teases us with a little information about his part of the project. 

The renderings behind Clair Hain and He Yijie are beautiful, and we can’t wait for the next release for the project.

Scott And Carol Present - AirSurfer From Ride Entertainment Group

The AirSurfer offered by Ride Entertainment is a new way for guests to soar above any type of attraction. With almost unlimited theming options, guests do not have to ride a surfboard, though that would be the best element of cool for their participation. The ability to use an onboard battery powered electric motor to climb up hills adapts the AirSurfer to any terrain.

Adam Sandy and Andy Greenberg, the "A" team from ride entertainment explained how utilizing proprietary turning technology, unlimited course layouts are available. A soft blocking system keeps riders safely separated and the motor recharges the battery during braking similar to the systems used in Formula One racing cars.

Here is their presentation.

Here is the animated ride experience. Notice how guests are attached with an ASTM harness.

With an estimated capacity just under 100 people per hour, AirSurfer is projected as an  up charge attraction that can utilize any terrain, such as zoos, water parks, or any spot where stimulating vertical imagery can give guests a new perspective on the attractions. Adam and Andy are ready to help anyone "catch the wave," with AirSurfer.

Scott And Carol Present -The IAPPA 2014 Hall of Fame and Applause Awards

IAAPA inducted two of its legendary industry veterans into the IAAPA Hall of Fame. Bob Cassata, creator of Bob’s Space Racers, and Dick Knoebel, recently retired from Knoebels Grove.

Bob Cassata created his first game in on the Daytona Beach Boardwalk but he named his company after the first Apollo Lunar Mission. He has continued to develop games, the embedded diagnostic and accounting software, but most important thing they had in common is that they are fun to play. He improved the reputation of game operations, and his games were the first to be installed in an amusement park.

Richard “Dick” Knoebel grew up in the amusement business. His parents established Knoebels Grove in 1926, and until his retirement, Dick never left the business. He has created living history by moving famous rides, like the Rocket from Texas, recreating the Twister from Colorado, and most recently, the Flying Turns. Knoebels Grove is a living amusement history park where you can still grab the brass ring, and walk through the woods on a gravel path in the shade. Good fun and good food are the hallmark of this eastern Pennsylvania park, and the next generation is continuing the legacy. 

The French theme park Puy du Fou is the recipient of the 2014 Applause Award, presented by Liseberg. Puy du Fou has created a new business model, consisting only of extravagant shows based on French history.  For daring creativity, this park has no peers, for everyone thought they could not prosper with this type of entertainment offering. Instead, they are expanding into new countries, and doing it their way.

Congratulations to all of this year’s winners.

Scott And Carol Present - Twisted Colossus at Six Flags Magic Mountain

Alan Schilke and Fred Grubb are teaming up yet again to repurpose and iconic wooden roller coaster, this time at Six Flags Magic Mountain. The Colossus is no more, being replaced by Twisted Colossus.

Bonnie Rabjohn, President and General Manager of Six Flags Magic Mountain talks about the latest to her park, continuing their dominance as the park with the most roller coasters in the world. She wants everyone to come and ride all four trains.

Les Hudson is responsible for theming and generally making the parks somewhere you want to visit. He explains how Rocky Mountain Construction accomplished the correct vision of the train.

 

Here is the leaders of the team that put Twisted Colossus together.

Alan Schilke talks about the layout of Twisted Colossus, and of some of the twists in the creative process journey he took to bring the project to fruition. It's not easy to convert a racing coaster into a Mobius coaster, with many interacting elements.

No people, just some Twisted Colossus train goodness. Opening this coming spring, this remake of Colossus will combine new technology with classic airtime. With this to wait for, it's going to be a long winter, even if it should be warm in Southern California. 

Scott And Carol Present - Knott's Berry Farm's Voyage to the Iron Reef

Just last week Knott's Berry Farm let the steampunk-sea-creature out of the bag and announced Voyage to the Iron Reef, a new "3D adventure enhanced with 4D effects and interactivity."

Now though a presentation at the IAAPA Trade Show the company behind the ride, Triotech, has revealed some additional details and artwork. 

These beautiful images are from the attraction's scenic development, creating the underwater setting of the ride.  Triotech will design and produce the ride's animation and gaming system, which will feature a high level of clarity when compared to their prior attractions.

Ernest Yale, Triotech's President and CEO states that they are "thrilled be recognized as the industry leader when it comes to interactive media-based attractions. This vote of confidence from the Cedar Fair group and specifically the team at Knott’s Berry Farm confirms this recognition and motivates our team of over 100 creators, software specialists, and engineers to surpass guests’ expectations and give them an experience that will make them want to come back over and over again."

During the Voyage to the Iron Reef riders will board four person submarine-inspired vehicles and head to the bottom of the ocean to fight steampunk looking sea creatures that are trying to destroy Knott's.  Above is a rendering of one of those, a large mechanical (and evil) looking crab.  Riders will blast at this and other creatures using a freeze ray, and earn points as they do.

Triotech also released this short animation study, showing how they have created the undersea creatures.  This, of course, is just one of the Kraken Queen's many soldiers that riders will 'freeze' as they move though 600 feet of track, past eleven separate scenes and other special effects.

The Voyage to the Iron Reef represents the largest contract ever awarded to Triotech in their 15 year history.

New Switchback Wooden Coaster Headed to ZDT's Amusement Park

The IAAPA Trade Show featured the announcement of a brand new "classic" ride by The Gravity Group - the Switchback at ZDT's Amusement Park in Seguin, Texas.

The information card, seen above, that was handed out at the announcement gives a fitting representation of the idea behind the ride, as it will be a modern day switchback railway - only with the thrills needed to keep 2015 audiences interested. 

If you haven't heard of ZDT's Amusement Park, that's probably because they're a family entertainment center that just recently started adding rides and water slides, transforming them into a full amusement park.  They're on quite a roll though, and the addition of Switchback will certainly get their name out there!  Scott was able to interview the park's owners:

Above is a layout of the new coaster.  The ride will start with a traditional lift hill to a height of 63.5 feet, then a 180 degree turn and a plunging first drop.  The coaster will then zoom along several tight curves and air-time hills, the furthest turn will be banked beyond 90 degrees.

After the train covers the 1,175 feet of track it will fly up the 64.5 foot tall Grand Spire, a tower that will deplete the train's momentum while it slowly banks to the left.  When gravity eventually wins the battle, the train will plunge down backwards, and head through the course once more.  This will make the total track length that the trains cover 1,980 feet.

Here is a virtual rendering of the Switchback:

The Gravity Group has released this drawing of the Switchback's over banked turn at the far end of the ride, which maxes out at an impressive 104 degrees.  The ride will be designed to have a total of 8 moments of air-time, five when the trains are moving forward, and three backwards.

Speaking of the trains, there will be two eight-seater Timberliner trains running the course.  This will be possible due to a switch track that is expected to be located on the straight track after the first drop.

Here is a photo of the coaster's train being revealed at the IAAPA Trade Show.  The front car features some great looking custom locomotive theming.

One more photo from the ride's announcement, with eager crowds gathered around to check out what will definitely be one of 2015's most unique new coasters.

Scott And Carol Present - The Justice League Battle For Metropolis 4D at Six Flags St Louis and Six Flags over Texas

The battle to save the world from Lex Luther and The Joker is so big, Six Flags has enlisted guests from two different parks, Six Flags Over Texas, and Six Flags Saint Louis, to help ensure the triumph of good over evil. All rider will have their very own stun gun to stop the bad guys, and they enjoy this 2015 attraction.

The official announcement was made on the IAAPA show floor earlier today, starting at the Sally booth, where they were very happy to share the credit with all the manufacturers involved in the project.

Sally Corporation, will utilize their 35 years of experience in the dark ride industry to bring the battle to life. Special effects include, but are not limited to, black lights, sound effects, an immersive story line, and 3-D glasses. With over 300 years of experience in the art department, each member uses their specific medium to thrill the rider.

The new ride vehicle will be supplied by Oceaneering Entertainment Systems. With over 20 years experience and an extensive selection of dark ride vehicles, the villains will not have a change, because the advantage will lie with the park’s guests.

Scott was able to get some of the inside scoop on the design process. But, Rich Hill was very careful not to share to much information.

Since these rides are coming to both Six Flags Over Texas and Six Flags Saint Louis, we propose a home and home contest, where the park’s respective general managers ride together for a good old-fashion shootout, with the winner getting bragging rights at the next general managers meeting. Any takers?

And in the fashion side of things Sally's  Marketing Director,  Lauren Wood shows off the latest in Justice League footwear. Carol would break both ankles and her neck trying to walk around in those shoes!

Scott And Carol Present - Holiday World Unveils Thunderbird's Train

Today was a special day for both Holiday World and Bolliger & Mabillard at the IAAPA Trade Show - the world got its first look at the new train design for Thunderbird.

Here we see the train for the wing coaster, complete with members of the Koch family and park manager Matt Eckert!  The colors of the train are mostly cool, a mix of blues and greens with yellow accents.  The colors will look great speeding along the orange track that Thunderbird has.

No need to miss an opportunity to spread the Thunderbird word, this decal was added to the train shortly before the big reveal.  If you haven't already been to the park's website for Thunderbird, click here to check out the ride.

Scott was able to catch up with the Thunderbird project manager, James Holloway to find out some more about the nation's first launched wing roller coaster. 

Scott And Carol Present - Give Kids the World

Give Kids The World has been helping children facing life-threatening illnesses dreams come true since 1986. Originally dependent on the hospitality of Orlando area Hoteliers, the GKTW Village opened in 1989 and serves over 7,000 families annually.

IAAPA and its members have been a mainstay of support for the charity through gifts in kind, fundraisers, and immeasurable donations of free access to its member facilities throughout the world.

Today we learn about another donation, from Zamperla S.p.A, www.zamperla.com, a longtime supporter of GKTW. Although Antonio Zamperla was inducted into the IAAPA Hall of Fame in 2005, he will also be remembered for bringing smiles to the faces of the young visitors to the GKTW Village as they enjoy the latest attraction, the Flying Bicycle.

The Flying Bicycle has been modified so that any child will be able to enjoy the ride!

Congratulations to both organizations, for their service and their support of the children. You can also help bring a smile to a child’s face, by going to the Give Kids the World website and continuing the mission.