ReedObsessor

This thread hasn't been updated since March, but I don't see any others. The one topc that had a more recent post focused specifically on Falcon's Flight. Anyway, Six Flags Qiddiya has an official opening date that just barely opens this year. I'm talking about New Year's Eve. Here is the link to the video. Huh. I feel like at 25 seconds, this turns into a ripoff of another commercial. I'm talking about that Visit California commercial. That said, I would love to experience that, but I don't see it as feasible in the short term. Also, for next summer, my eyes are on taking a trip to Canada, which includes Canada's Wonderland, Niagara Falls (both sides), stuff in Toronto, and a stop (back in the US) at Darien Lake before I return home.

If it goes private, things will be even worse than legacy Six Flags could do. Wikipedia has a list of companies that went bankrupt under private equity ownership, and I know there's at least one example (Chuck E Cheese) missing from the list. If Six Flags is acquired by private equity, expect a lot more downgrades to the parks, and an even worse debt load.

I was thinking about the rumors regarding ride relocations and stuff, and when you think about it, the amount of saved rides will barely exceed the amount saved from Six Flags New Orleans if these rumors are true. And that's considering the fact that SFNO was drenched in salt water! With the exception of Ragin Cajun, Great Chase, Wonder Woman, Harley Quinn, and Steamwhirler, I see it possible that everything else could just get torn down. It's all older stuff, and there's nothing really unique about it except for Wild One, and even that likely gets scrapped.

I feel like discussing something that hasn't been discussed in this forum as far as I know: the music. I actually went to Cedar Point last month (it's a long story, and I wanted my TT2 and SC rides). When I was there, I got curious about the music and used Google to identify tracks. With the exception of the intro, which used a remix of Crazy Train, I found that most of the music came from Midnight Syndicate. I researched them, and found that their music was often used across major amusement park chains, and that there were times that the duo performed live at Cedar Point. (BTW, I opted not to go to the Conjuring thing there). My parents decided to go with me last weekend to the KI Haunt. It seemed like the music there was quite different, with more traditional songs. The fountain played instrumental music, but my app indicated a different source: Rok Nardin. Some tracks included Rumbling, Apocalypse, and Destroyer of Worlds (the first two seem to be inspired by Attack on Titan). I've been building a Halloween playlist on Spotify, and both Midnight Syndicate and Rok Nardin are part of it. Have you heard any other notable Halloween music at Kings Island? (BTW, we did do the Conjuring there, and I ended up carrying Annabelle)

https://www.wesh.com/article/woman-sues-seaworld-bird-duck-strike-mako/69184159 The incident occurred March 24 of this year. She is alleging that the park was negligent, and that the roller coaster was placed in an area known to attract waterfowl. She is seeking $50,000 in damages. She said the strike knocked her unconscious. "I know how you feel," said Fabio.

Funny thing is that when I saw the name of this, I thought first of The Bat species known as the Flying Fox, rather than crop-duster Jeb Fox (I'm not familiar with the pilot this is named after). It made me think of my trip to Columbus Zoo a couple of years ago. I saw some of those flying foxes yawning, and it kind of looked like a puppy yawn. Anyway, I looked at this coaster and see it (and Dragonflier at Dollywood) more as a kiddy coaster than a family coaster. This is because of the SFC at KI (the original SFC) being part of the Snoopy area (Woodstock's Air Rail, which began as a Rugrats ride). I don't see B&M Family Inverts the same way though; to me, they are closer in nature to Arrow Suspended Coasters (the Big Bad Wolf is a factor here).

I decided to add in the other parks that received surveys. SFDK is a repeat, but only because I decided to add in the other options. (Content has been removed since the original poster added in the data at the first post) Parks that don’t have surveys: Frontier City*, Knott’s Berry Farm, La Ronde, Michigan’s Adventure, SF Darien Lake*, SF Great Escape, SF Mexico, SF St. Louis, Valleyfair, Worlds of Fun *Owned by EPR Properties (I excluded the two doomed parks, along with the yet to open SF Qiddiya) I haven’t been to any of those parks, and I don’t feel like looking into them and picking my favorites of the choices at this time. That said, I wonder if all of the ones without surveys are going to be closed and/or sold off. Knott’s, SF Mexico, and SF St. Louis are the larger of the omitted parks, and you would think at least Knotts would be safe.

I've been to half of these parks (CP, Great America, KD, KI). I will provide input on all of them, though. Canada's Wonderland: Hybrid Coaster. It's a tough call between Mack and RMC, but I feel the RMC is better in the short term. Carowinds: Wing Coaster. Dives are more common these days. A Wing feels like a better choice to me. (BTW, I've been on 4 of 5 B&M Wing Coasters, excluding Thunderbird) Cedar Point: Multi-Launch Family Coaster. I'm thinking more like Big Bear Mountain style. If Mine Ride or Iron Dragon go away, this feels essential. Dorney: Star Flyer. Just bring in the one from SFA. Great Adventure: Drop Tower, maximum height possible. This is, in a way, part of replacing Ka. Great America: Family Thrill Launch Coaster. I feel like this park lacks more mild coasters. Kings Dominion: Dark Ride. Boo blasters in any form is outdated. Looks like the Anaconda replacement will have to wait. Kings Island: multi launch coaster. If the indoor outdoor is inverted, it doesn't work given Banshee. This could be KI's GateKeeper as far as I know. (...and The Vortex plot remains empty...)

I lived in Virginia during its days as Wild World and Adventure World. Yet I never went to the park back then. I only went last summer, mainly due to its impending demise. Still, I remember TV commercials for the park. The last one I remember before my move to Ohio was a commercial promoting Mind Eraser. I can't seem to find that commercial online. I did end up riding it as Professor Screamore's Skywinder. It had its roughness, but the newer trains meant this wasn't one of those SLC horror stories. I wonder if the trains will go to Canada.

X-Flight...erm, Firehawk debuted in late May 2001, with Batwing opening a few weeks later. Unless the relocation of the former shortened it's service life, then the latter was 7 years past its service life. Firehawk may have only seemed more reliable due to the fact it was scrapped much sooner than the others.

If Indiana Beach really wanted a Flying Dutchman at their park, they would have bought Firehawk at the end of 2018.

From what I have been hearing from various people on social media, the ride has been fixed and is able to operate for the 7 or 8 weekends it has left. But corporate has refused to even consider reopening it. I don't understand why; it's not like the front plate is going to fall off again. If Batwing did reopen, would it have increased attendance enough for the final weeks of the park to make it worthwhile? If so, then it creates the feeling (in my mind) that Six Flags isn't that serious about fixing its financial problems. ------------------------------------- I've had a bad time lately with roller coasters being closed down, dating back to last August. In fact, I've had eight times this has happened (twice with TT2, being a week early with Siren's Curse, the Christmas Day Anaconda removal news, and between the 3 near DC parks this year , being denied Darkoaster, Pantherian, Superman, and Batwing). This count could still go up; I went the Gold Pass route given the deals offered, and I may try again at CP soon. Hearing this with Batwing is just more salt in the wound, even with the fact that I rode its clone at both Kings Island and Geauga Lake (and it's one of my most missed coasters).

Theme Park Brandon just covered this, and he brought up the idea of both a Boo Blasters replacement and a new ride in the Crypt building. Though the possible ride coming to the Crypt building might not be "new"...

I haven't been to Over Texas yet. I've been to Great America, and I did like the Battle for Metropolis ride, but I do recognize the screen dependency, and using screens on a Boo Blasters replacement may be as popular as having Tylenol as a sponsor for an SLC. Two other thoughts: - My "Darkoaster at KI" remark wasn't even original... Someone bumped a thread that began in February. - If a Boo Blasters replacement is for 2026, how is this a "family thrill attraction"? What you are saying lacks thr thrill component.

This could be a KI version of Darkoaster, but with Zamperla.

I feel like this site gives a better picture of Siren's Curse's operating status. The media can make things sound worse than they are.

What was once the biggest part of my vacation plan this year is now the most expendable. Having not been to KD since 1994 or 95, when I was just a kid, Anaconda was a bucket list coaster for me. The removal news came on Christmas Day. It sometimes felt like it was designed specifically to make me miserable at the worst time possible. Then there's the elimination of Winterfest and the Pantherian situation, which makes KD feel a bit like Six Flags Adventure in New Jersey, which had the great taken out of it. As of now, nothing is even being done to Pantherian, and rumors are suggesting things like August or even 2026. Busch Gardens Williamsburg (last visit 2006), the other 50th anniversary park, is more important to me. So is Six Flags America (never been there), given that it will be my only chance to ever go there. So I am willing to cut out KD from my vacation plan if there are too many bad weather days during my vacation. Crappy Anniversary!!!

Actually, from what I am hearing, it's a lift motor replacement they are waiting for. It seems that the one they had broke down last March and it's a custom part that isn't easy to replace.

As of now, I have planned a vacation for July 26 to August 3 to the Virginia/DC area. The plan is to visit 3 parks (KD, BGW, SFA). I've set things up so I can still cancel hotel reservations in the middle of July if I need to (and postpone my trip until later in August)... this depends on Pantherian primarily, along with BGW's Verbolten. There are rumors of Pantherian not opening until August, or possibly not at all this year, so I am taking that into consideration. I already had a nice big lawn ornament to deal with last summer (Top Thrill 2 @ CP), and I don't want to visit another one this year.

A Screamscape post indicated that Six Flags Darien Lake is getting a second train for their Ride of Steel coaster (the original source is behind a paywall). They suggest that that second train was originally intended for SFA's Ride of Steel, but diverted it due to SFA shutting down for good at the end of the season. The Darien Lake and SFA coasters are identical. This, to me, may also be a sign that the SFA Ride of Steel is going to end up as scrap. I don't see this as coming to Michigan's Adventure or any other spot with the potential space available for it.

As a person who grew up with Cedar Point, I feel like the Nebulaz should go there. There haven't been a lot of new flat rides added since 2014, and there are at least 3 spots I would consider: 1: the Boardwalk area, replacing the 3 Point Challenge. Also the former site of Chaos and Schwabinchen. 2 or 3: Near Corkscrew, where Matterhorn and Scrambler were before being relocated to the Boardwalk. As for Kings Island, I would aim for Ragin Cajun, though I am not sure where it would be located.

Unfortunately, I think most of these coasters will be scrapped. Batwing is obviously getting scrapped. Firebird (the first ever B&M) has aged like milk. So has Roar. Wild One and Superman have large footprints, and may not fit anywhere else. Joker's Jinx is just as much on death watch as four other Premier LIM coasters. Professor Screamore: does anybody really want an SLC? Rajun Cajun and Great Chase are the only two I can see getting relocated. Att the same time, it seems like SLCs manage to keep going. Only two outright removals have taken place, and both of those ended up with Kumbak trains. ...and I have this weird thought that Screamore will go to KD where Anaconda was, as their "Scorpion" ride. But that would hardly be any better...

OK, I have a different Pantherian question. Is the re-theme still being built, or is it done? In the case of the latter, it likely means they need to repair or replace the lift motor (and are waiting for parts).

They brought the Hall of Justice to a KI roller coaster. The original Hall of Justice.

My thoughts: B&M: less so due to saturation. An exception would be the Family Invert, which could potentially replace Arrow suspended coasters. RMC: not that likely. There's room for conversions, along with new rides, but I think the relationship won't improve anytime soon. Intamin: Zimmerman isn't over the rocky past with Intamin. That said, I cannot rule them out for a Ka replacement. Vekoma: this new era does seem to be the next big thing. However, to me it doesn't feel like there are that many modern Vekomas right now. Zamperla: after Top Thrill Lawn Ornament, I see them being restricted to flat rides, mice, and smaller scale rides. Mack: it feels like this is the one that is going to be getting a lot of newer rides, with the extreme Spinners leading the way. Of course, this is just rumors at this point. S&S: In terms of ride experience, I would love to see more of these. Unfortunately, with many of their coasters being problematic, I can't see anything more than 4D Free Spins at this point. Some names you left out: Premier: though AlpenFury is just the first new Premier coaster in legacy Cedar Fair parks (the others were Paramount era), I can see growth there. This includes potential retracking of rides like old Arrow loopers (not including mega-loopers). Gerstlauer: Not many coasters as of now, and I don't see many coming. I'd love to see a 15 inversion Infinity Coaster one day. That said, does Hangtime at Knotts have a lot of downtime. GCI, Gravity Group: not sure how to answer that, since wooden coasters often get maintained and re-tracked using their parts. I'm not including SBF Visa (primarily kid/family oriented), Zierer (family oriented with two exceptions) Jinma (Chinese manufacturer with a lot of copycats), or Skyline Attractions (they earned this.)