originally posted on 7/1/2024
Photos: Tim Baldwin. View full-sized image.
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Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Celebrates Giant Dipper’s 100th Anniversary
In honor of Giant Dipper’s 100th anniversary, Wednesdays between May 29 and August 7 will be designated as Dipper Days. On those days, rides on Giant Dipper will only be one dollar.
Built by Arthur Loof in 1924, Giant Dipper was designated a National Historical Landmark by the U.S. National Park Service in 1987. Continuously operating in its original location at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk (California), Giant Dipper is the fourth oldest coaster in the United States, one of the top ten oldest in the world, and has thrilled more than 68 million riders thus far. It was dedicated as an ACE Roller Coaster Landmark in 2007.
Image: Courtesy Universal Studios Hollywood. View full-sized image.
Fast & Furious Speeds Into Universal Studios Hollywood in 2026
The Hollywood Universal Studios park (California) differs greatly from its Orlando, Florida, counterpart. While both properties concentrate on movie history for their main focus, the Florida property gets the major rides.
Universal Studios Hollywood has two coasters, Flight of the Hippogriff and Revenge of the Mummy – The Ride. Both are fun, but tourists will eventually get something flashier.
The park has announced that Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift will feature some nifty maneuvers, including a groundbreaking 360-degree rotation of the individual ride vehicles. Supplied by Intamin, this coaster has capabilities that make enthusiasts question how exactly it is different from other spinning coasters. Hopefully, the term groundbreaking will truly be something impressive.
Rendering: Courtesy London Hospitality Management. View full-sized image.
St. Louis Union Station Plans to Add Rides
Downtown St. Louis (Missouri) might be seeing a new coaster. Union Station announced that it will be adding more rides to become even more of a destination.
Union Station has been around for 130 years. Its classic architecture brings visitors in, but new rides will add to the appeal. Three additions to other entertainment activities include a swing ship, a Wave Swinger and a spinning coaster. The theme is centered around the 1904 World’s Fair. A large Ferris Wheel already operates at Union Station.
The coaster manufacturer is reported to be Zamperla, and the ride itself is expected to be a copy of HuriHuri at TusenFryd (Vinterbro, Akershus, Norway).
According to officials, the target is Memorial Day in 2025.
Rendering: Courtesy Maurer Rides. View full-sized image.
Maurer Coaster at Six Flags Qiddiya to be called The Sea Stallion
Although many years ago, enthusiasts put the grandiose plans of Six Flags Qiddiya (Saudi Arabia) on the wait-and-see backburner, the park is rising in impressive stages.
Maurer Rides has stated that its Spike coaster headed for the park will be called The Sea Stallion.
The roller coaster will be located in “Discovery Springs,” which will be themed around the timeless relationship between the desert and the sea. This attraction epitomizes the fusion of the elements of earth and water, offering visitors a wild ride on a sea stallion through a magical land of waterfalls, caves and geysers. Or so the press jargon conveys.
The Spike Coaster System is relatively new for most ACE members, although some have experienced it in isolated locations and on cruise ships. This one also remains in far-flung regions.
The twin tracked Sea Stallion will parallel in certain parts of the Möbius layout, making for some fun interaction between riders.
— Tim Baldwin, ACE News
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