originally posted on 10/8/2021 1:35:21 AM
All images courtesy of Skyline Attractions. View full-sized image.
When a handful of associates from Great Coasters International, Inc. (GCII) stepped aside to form their own company — while still assisting GCII with engineering work — Skyline Attractions made a goal at its first appearance at the IAAPA Expo in 2014. The group vowed to bring something new each year. With the cancellation of the Expo in 2020 being a given, the young company has stayed true to its word.
This fall, Skyline Attractions announced something that just might be its true niche. Considering the success of the figure-eight spinner from SBF-Visa that has proliferated in family entertainment centers (FECs) all over the country, clearly there is a solid demand for junior coasters that can fit both indoors and outdoors. Adopting one of the catchiest names to come along in ages, P’Sghetti Bowl is the newest idea from Skyline Attractions. Following the announcement in September, the company saw immediate interest.
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“It’s not even just FECs,” said Jeff Pike, president. “Zoos are a huge market for us. There are several places looking to augment the amusements they have.”
The International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) will sometimes chart its memberships in different categories. In recent years, IAAPA has shown that the biggest section of its membership is FECs. Because of that, P’Sghetti Bowl could very well be Skyline Attractions’ smartest move.
Already, the team has designed four layouts ready to roll. They range from 14 feet in height to 22 feet. Of those four models, the length varies from 185 feet to 420 feet.
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Custom layouts are something that definitely intrigue the Skyline Attractions team. Among their concepts is the opportunity to do a racing coaster, which is brilliant for a children’s attraction.
“Lines can be long for kiddie coasters, and the only way to increase the capacity relatively easy is to put another one right beside it,” said Chris Gray, vice president. “One operator could have the controls for both trains, and you’d have a pretty stunning looking little coaster.”
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The nature of the track is a single-rail concept that was developed for GCII’s Titan Track being offered for wood track enhancement. It has no rivets or welds, and the possibility of theming the track with a look of wood, snakeskin or even LED lights lends another selling point to the new product.
The single-rail construction provides opportunities for theming concepts.
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“It’s based on the same principles as the GCII track,” said Pike. “There’s no tubular bending, no welding, no heat input or warpage or post-weld treatment. There’s no special welder certification required. We have a super-efficient process that allows us to create a finely tuned ride centerline. It’s a big advantage in durability and our ability to get it to market.”
The name (clever as it is) came from, believe it or not, Skyline Chili. “Tyler Mullins is on our team. He is from the southern Ohio/northern Kentucky region,” said Gray. “He thought it would be a cool, fun tieback to our name Skyline Attractions. When he said it at the meeting, we went ‘Yep, that’s it.’” P’Sghetti Bowl is the name of Skyline Chili’s kids’ meal.
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ACEers can appreciate new credits spread throughout the globe with the compact spinning coasters, but with P’Sghetti Bowl, a wider variety of junior rides will certainly be appreciated by coaster fans. Enthusiasts will look forward to the first installations eagerly and are wishing Skyline Attractions big success with its new product.
— Tim Baldwin, ACE News Editor
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