originally posted on 3/19/2021
Genting SkyWorlds will open later in 2021 with some innovative attractions.
All images Courtesy Genting SkyWorlds. View full-sized image.
It’s not every day that a park closes to reinvent itself.
Genting Theme Park opened in 1978. [See issue #127 of RollerCoaster!] One of the park’s key attributes is its location in Genting Highlands, Malaysia. Part of a vacation complex, the theme park was a component to a resort that features hotels, retail, gaming, international shows, and the like. It’s all just 6,000 feet above sea level. So, it’s a vacation in the sky.
Management and top brass hoped for more, so the outdoor theme park closed its doors in 2013. In its ambition to become a world-class destination theme park, a reported $800 million was invested. That’s a chunk of change. But what was supposed to take a few years has taken eight.
There have been challenges. The park was fully prepared to use 20th Century Studios intellectual properties (IP). Then Disney purchased those assets. So … that’s a wrinkle. Apparently, this was resolved to some satisfaction as upcoming attractions will use such known movie properties such as “Ice Age,” “Night at the Museum,” “Rio” and “Planet of the Apes.” Another big obstacle has been the global health crisis, and the park has done its best to navigate through that.
So what was there before? From a roller coaster standpoint — credits. Production models of a Zyklon, Zamperla Volare flying coaster and a Vekoma corkscrew. The only thing coming close to a signature coaster was a Soquet mine train with a length of 2,000 feet. Enthusiasts wouldn’t be much more heartbroken over the loss of them than just the sadness of losing any other typical park.
View full-sized image.
The rebranding of the new park comes with a new name: Genting SkyWorlds.
So what’s coming? According to press announcements, 26 rides and attractions will be in the mix. But there are some questions. In a press conference, they didn’t talk about many. Allusions to a water ride didn’t offer much, and none is in the renderings. The target audience is families with children, but officials say there will be “something for everyone.” What is evident is outstanding theming and boasts of world’s-first attractions.
The centerpiece appears to be Mad Ramp Peak. A few years back, Dynamic Attractions introduced the Duel Power Coaster at the IAAPA Attractions Expo. [Editor’s note: officials at Dynamic Attractions have since renamed the terminology of the product to Synergy Coaster; apparently, it was confusing.] It’s a very sophisticated piece of equipment, and it appears the first will finally appear at Genting SkyWorlds. While some could consider it a powered coaster, even that is somewhat of a stretch. (Does anyone consider Radiator Springs Racers at Disney California Adventure Park a coaster?) But that is NOT to dismiss the attraction at all. It looks extraordinary.
The terms “trains” and “vehicles” don’t really convey how unique these conveyances are. Much like extending out of a retro children’s slot car racing toy, the supports are below a “street” carved into a California-style canyon. Riders sit atop motorcycle-type vehicles in groups of six with supports going down into the slot where the bases are attached to the track. Yes, it’s confusing, but that’s what makes it groundbreaking. Sections of switch track can let “trains” move onto separate sections of track so that eventually two different groups can line up on parallel tracks at rally points for moments of racing. If it sounds very complicated, it is. The price tag for this attraction alone is more than $50 million, according to a park official.
There are two gravity-driven coasters. Acorn Adventure (with a quirky name like that, one can assume it relates to the “Ice Age” IP) is built by Beijing Shibaolai Amusement Equipment. This is not a name familiar to most ACEers, but according to Roller Coaster DataBase, the company has built more than 100 coasters. A park insider insinuated that the technology is a bit dated (think old Arrow) but that it should serve its purpose well and deliver an enjoyable ride. This coaster winds through a mountain, much like a mine train.
The other coaster is by Setpoint. Called Samba Gliders, the four-passenger cars are suspended below a track.
View full-sized image.
Along with that is a mix of themed flat rides that children enjoy and what will be an impressive flying theater from Dynamic Attractions. An S&S tower has been confirmed to feature a world’s first maneuver, but that too is undisclosed. There is still much under wraps. The park is almost complete and is preparing for its operational tests. Pandemic restrictions are one of its latest hurdles, but hopes are that the park will open this summer.
This article wouldn’t be complete without one last mention. The park is exceptionally quiet on it, but pictures clearly show roller coaster track emerging from a building. This is another ride provided by Dynamic Attractions. Considered a SFX Coaster, the ride is to include launches, inversions and special “tricks.” When it is done. Whenever that is. It is expected to be the largest investment in the park in terms of capital outlay, but mum’s the word on anyone talking about it further. Its debut could be considered a Phase 2 opening in later years. Until then, the park should prepare for a lot of finger pointing with questions like “What’s that?” Inquiring minds want to know.
When the park does open, guests should expect something completely different. With its altitude, there will be days when the park is literally in the clouds. A huge selling point is the year-round climate that is consistently mild, with lows in the 50s and highs in the 70s.
— Tim Baldwin, ACE News Editor
View full-sized image.
@#$%&!
#ACENews