originally posted on 8/21/2020 1:10:23 PM
POSTED AUGUST 21
Primeval Whirl.
Photo: Michael Horwood. View full-sized image.
Goodbye to Primeval Whirl
When Walt Disney World (Lake Buena Vista, Florida) closed down on March 15, so did Disney’s Animal Kingdom’s Primeval Whirl — possibly for good! Opened in 2002 as not one but two coasters in a single attraction, Primeval Whirl was a pairing of Reverchon spinning coasters that were placed side by side.
Nestled into the DinoLand U.S.A. area of the park, the coasters were — curiously — themed to a carnival set up in a parking lot. In fact, Disney built a parking lot just for the attraction.
No official reason was given for the closing of the attraction. There have been reports of maintenance issues, and following a refurbishment shutdown in 2019, the ride had only operated sporadically on the park’s busiest days. Devoted fans may speculate it is for something bigger for a DinoLand U.S.A. re-do, while others feel it was because the level of experience did not match the caliber of the other attractions that followed. Primeval Whirl was the park’s first coaster. Now, Disney’s Animal Kingdom offers only one, Expedition Everest.
Although it has been removed from the park map, it technically would be listed as “Standing But Not Operating” for enthusiasts. Disney has made no statement as to whether the ride will officially be coming out.
Twisted Timbers.
Photo: Courtesy Land of Make Believe. View full-sized image.
Land of Make Believe
While one whirl is out, another is in. Twisted Timbers is yet the latest addition to the “Why-didn’t-we-buy-stock-in-these?” Visa spinners that have populated the nation. Opened in July at Land of Make Believe (Hope, New Jersey), it joins Thriller, an E&F Miler children’s coaster, operating since 1994.
Photo: Courtesy Carnival Cruises. View full-sized image.
Bolt Installed on Mardi Gras
The cruise industry has taken a serious hit with the ongoing global pandemic, but construction continues on the Mardi Gras, Carnival’s largest ship to date. Atop the ship will be Bolt, dubbed “The First Roller Coaster at Sea.” Supplied by Maurer Rides, Bolt is a powered ride under the product line known as Spike Coaster. Two riders will be positioned motorcycle style and have some level of control over the speed of their experience. The track is 800 feet long and encircles Carnival’s iconic funnel on the upper deck. The powered ride will reach 40 mph and stand 187 feet above the ocean.
The 18-deck cruise ship has a capacity of 6,500 passengers. Its launch had been delayed until November of this year. It is uncertain with both the cruise industry and the world itself in recovery mode when the actual date might be. As construction continues, the coaster has already been installed.
Photo: Bill Linkenheimer III. View full-sized image.
Knoebels Continues Work on Two Coasters
Visitors who have enjoyed a day at Knoebels Amusement Resort (Elysburg, Pennsylvania) this summer have noticed two coasters currently not operating. Flying Turns is undergoing modifications. A small fourth lift will eventually improve the ride’s operation and capacity. The world’s only wooden trough bobsled coaster is not expected to open during the 2020 season.
Photo: Bill Linkenheimer III. View full-sized image.
Photo: Bill Linkenheimer III. View full-sized image.
Impulse is expected to return to operation later in the year. Currently, the four-inversion coaster by Zierer is receiving new trains. Impulse opened in 2015 as the park’s only looping coaster. It joined a globally recognized arsenal of three famous wooden coasters and the only steel coaster (indoors) built by Philadelphia Toboggan Company.
Image: Courtesy Knoebels. View full-sized image.
In other Knoebels news, the park is extending its season with Joy Through the Grove, a drive-through Christmas light event that begins November 27.
Joyland Park repairs its Musik Express following a severe storm.
Photo: Courtesy Joyland Park. View full-sized image.
Mother Nature Gets Nasty
As if 2020 wasn’t chaotic enough, several parks have had to deal with a range of weather-related issues.
In July, Joyland Amusement Park (Lubbock, Texas) was forced to close because of damage that was a result of a summer storm. It took about two weeks for the park staff to make repairs, but it did so in dedicated fashion and has resumed operation.
Tropical Storm Isaias swept up the East Coast in early August causing wind damage, power outages and flooding to many areas. Some parks were affected as well. Lake Compounce (Bristol, Connecticut) had a tree limb fall that prevented the operation of Boulder Dash. The ride was not damaged, but the exit walkway was. The coaster returned to service on August 13. Dorney Park (Allentown, Pennsylvania) and Bushkill Park (Easton, Pennsylvania) found floodwaters rushing through their properties. Knoebels spent time clearing the walkways before being able to open, but the park quickly resumed daily operation.
And in the opposite direction of too much water is the case of Glenwood Caverns (Glenwood Springs, Colorado), which was temporarily closed because of the Grizzly Creek Fire that swept the area. Video can be seen: www.facebook.com/watch/?v=299064161374944. After reopening, the park then had to be shut down owing to poor visibility and a closure of I-70. It is uncertain when the park will be able to welcome guests back.
— Tim Baldwin, ACE News Editor
POSTED JULY 17
Pearly Whirly Coaster.
Photo: Courtesy Craig’s Cruisers. View full-sized image.
Craig’s Cruisers Michigan Adds First Visa Big Air Coaster
As seen on the IAAPA Expo show floor last November at the Rides 4 U booth, Visa has introduced a new variation of the spinning coaster. Called the Big Air Coaster, the ride features four spinning vehicles and a lead car nicknamed “the hamster wheel.” Along the route, a drive tire causes a pair of riders in the circular vehicle to flip upside down.
Craig’s Cruisers in Silver Lake, Michigan, has opened the first of this new model. Uniquely called Pearly Whirly Coaster, the new ride is now among the family entertainment center’s attractions lineup. A single ride cost $8.
Silver Comet.
Photo: Tim Baldwin. View full-sized image.
Fantasy Island’s Second Chance?
The purchase and reopening of Indiana Beach (Monticello) seemed like a miracle. When Apex Parks closed numerous properties in early 2020, the loss of such a unique park was hard to accept. Thankfully, the park has been revived. But can a second Apex property see a brighter future as well?
Fantasy Island (Grand Island, New York) was a sister property owned by Apex. It too was shuttered during the bankruptcy. While Fantasy Island does not exhibit the extent of charm and character as Indiana Beach, its loss, as that of any park, is unfortunate. This is particularly true when Fantasy Island’s big marquee attraction is a sensational wooden coaster. Silver Comet was built by Custom Coasters International and opened in 1999.
Recent news of a group of businesspeople operating under the name Empire Adventures expressing interest in buying and reopening the park offers new hope for Fantasy Island. According to the new company’s website, Empire Adventures views the future in three phases. The remainder of 2020 would be dedicated to cleaning and beautifying the park grounds. Phase 2 would be the reopening of the park in 2021 with new family rides purchased to accent the lineup. Silver Comet would continue to feature as the star attraction. From 2022 onward, management would look at adding new attractions annually, building the park into a world-class destination for the region.
ACE hangs on to hope that this new team will be successful and bring this park — and fantastic woodie — back to life.
Formule 1.
Photo: Justin Garvanovic. View full-sized image.
Death at Parc Saint Paul
On Saturday, July 4, a woman fell from a roller coaster at Parc Saint Paul (Saint-Paul, France) and could not be revived. Such incidents bring a hush to enthusiasts as tragedies such as these are in such sharp contrast to the outstanding safety records held by the amusement industry.
The roller coaster was built by Pax in 2005. It was not the first incident on the ride called Formule 1. An accident also occurred in 2009. Crisis situations as a guest death are always hard on parks but are particularly severe for family-owned operations. Parc Saint Paul is cooperating fully with the investigation. It is uncertain how the passenger was able to come out from under the lap bar restraint.
A French news outlet reported that the park’s owner and manager was being charged with involuntary homicide.
To even further dampen spirits for the country, a park worker at Family Park (Monts, France) was struck by Gold Rush and killed. This is particularly heartbreaking as the ride was less than a week old, having opened on July 1. Gold Rush is a Zierer four-man bob coaster, which had entertained guests at seven other locations prior to moving to Family Park. Among its previous homes were Flamingo-Land, Alton Towers, Movie Park Germany and Pleasure Island Family Theme Park. ACE News does not have details as to where and how the worker was struck by a coaster car.
Photo: Courtesy Anthem and Aria. View full-sized image.
ACE Gets Plug on “America’s Got Talent”
NBC’s “America’s Got Talent” is one of summer’s most highly rated programs. On the episode that aired June 30, ACE member Anthem Flint noted in his backstory that he was a roller coaster fan and was a proud card-carrying member of American Coaster Enthusiasts. Although the act, Anthem and Aria, didn’t move forward in the competition, the pair’s mix of magic and love story was judged as “cute” and “sweet.”
ACE gives them the golden buzzer for the kind shout out.
Photo: Courtesy Funplex. View full-sized image.
Funplex Myrtle Beach Also Doing Flips
Another Big Air Coaster is scheduled for the new Funplex Myrtle Beach in 2021. The South Carolina family entertainment center is under development. The coaster is to be one of seven rides, along with a restaurant and a walk-up bar. Its location is to be mere steps from the beach, which will help it to be easily seen by its target audience.
This will be the third location for the family-operated chain. The first opened 23 years ago. Both previous locations are in New Jersey, one in Hannover and one in Mount Laurel.
— Written and compiled by Tim Baldwin
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