originally posted on 6/18/2021 12:58:44 PM
View full-sized image.
World Roller Coaster Appreciation Month Winners
As ACE celebrates World Roller Coaster Appreciation Month, winners in some contests have been finalized.
What would Arrow Development build today? In the No Limits Simulation Contest, top prize was taken by Justin Barlow for “Drachen’s Revenge.” Josiah Evaristo took second for “Big Dipper,” and third place went to Aidan Brown for his creation of “Wilderness Adventure.”
Take a virtual ride on all the submissions.
Prizes were provided by S&S Worldwide.
For the Roller Coaster Trivia Challenge, winners were Nathan Ward, Bill Linkenheimer III and Doug Perry.
Challenge yourself anytime this month:
https://kahoot.it/challenge/07191567?challenge-id=ba46ff45-3a69-40a1-a7db-ef382357d280_1623019842170
Rocky Mountain Construction Project Teased for Fun Spot America Atlanta
View full-sized image.
Fun Spot America Atlanta (technically in Fayetteville, Georgia, just south of Atlanta) raised some eyebrows with its recent announcement of partnering with Rocky Mountain Construction of Hayden, Idaho, on a new coaster project for 2022.
Coaster fans might assume it would be a cloned project, such as the recent Raptor Track installations, but the announcement teases words like “unique” and “new roller coaster design process,” so it is easy to assume the scuttlebutt about something original being a strong possibility.
Other encouraging remarks are that the coaster is the “first of many marquee attractions,” and it is reported to be Fun Spot’s largest roller coaster investment ever.
Although originally announced that the park was seeking a sports franchise tie-in, ACE News has learned that a different direction will be taken.
Yankee Cannonball Receives a New Look for Its Queue
Yankee Cannonball.
Photo: Emery Picotte. View full-sized image.
A patriotic flair has been added to the queue of Yankee Cannonball at Canobie Lake (Salem, New Hampshire). Offering both vivid color and shade, the new look is quite striking and gets two thumbs up.
Two Minor Occurrences Bring Coasters to a Halt
GateKeeper.
Photo: Gary Slade. View full-sized image.
On June 12, the lift chain on Cedar Point’s (Sandusky, Ohio) GateKeeper became separated, bringing a train to a halt on the lift. As the chain began to form a pile at the bottom, the crew stepped in to evacuate those stopped on the lift. Park spokesperson Tony Clark noted the safety systems worked exactly as they were designed to.
On May 29, a failed launch on Poltergeist at Six Flags Fiesta Texas (San Antonio) caused the train to valley in one of the upper parts of the ride. Park officials said the evacuation was textbook and everyone was off quickly.
Speaking of Poltergeist …
Poltergeist.
Photo: Alex Dickey. View full-sized image.
As made official at the recent Roller Coaster Rodeo enthusiast event, Six Flags Fiesta Texas Park President Jeffrey Siebert officially announced that the Premier launched coaster is receiving an entire makeover. Starting with the queue, guests will be drawn into a storyline of a new owner (with no good intentions) acquiring the property. Riders will pass through a mausoleum, a hedge maze and other themed elements before entering the porch, which will now be enclosed. The story further develops with new props and effects, and the station will be enclosed with flickering lights adding to the atmosphere — and air conditioning. The trains will be completely redecorated with a more supernatural look.
Those who walked into the bowels of the ride at the recent event saw two colors of the new paint scheme that will cover the entire ride. Attendees were told the darker green won out in a vote.
Attendees at the Roller Coaster Rodeo event could see the paint samples for Poltergeist’s new color scheme. The darker green won.
Photo: Tim Baldwin. View full-sized image.
Siebert was clearly excited that 22 years after the ride opened, it will finally live up to its true potential.
New Park and Coaster Coming to Arizona
Graphic: Courtesy Crystal Lagoons Resort. View full-sized image.
Crystal Lagoons Island Resort will soon be an oasis in hot Arizona. Located in Glendale, the resort will feature numerous options — world-class hotels, restaurants, live entertainment and branded destination attractions being some that were mentioned. Among those will be Mattel Adventure Park, whose ride collection will include a roller coaster with a Hot Wheels theme. The rendering shows a coaster featuring a loop. While not specified in the announcement, industry sources indicate it will be manufactured by Chance, similar in style to Lightning Run at Kentucky Kingdom (Louisville).
The resort is slated to open late 2022.
https://vimeo.com/561464210/018d8531ad
— Tim Baldwin, ACE News Editor
#ACENews