originally posted on 1/20/2023
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As winter’s chill settles in, off-season blues can sink in for enthusiasts who are not in warmer climates. While a handful of parks have extended shoulder seasons to include weekend operation year-round, it’s easy to long for opening day of a new 2023 season.
Enthusiasts have much to look forward to on the North American home front.
Tron Lightcycle Run at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom (Lake Buena Vista, Florida) led the charge in announcing opening dates. This long-in-the-making Vekoma coaster with its nifty blue glow has drawn spectators for years. It will debut officially on April 4.
Also from Vekoma is Big Bear Mountain at Dollywood (Pigeon Forge, Tennessee). It’s the park’s biggest investment, and Coaster Con 45 attendees look forward to enjoying this fun new ride that targets all demographics.
Speaking of long in the making, Aquaman: Power Wave is poised to finally debut after many seasons of changes and delays. Tested at the close of last summer, this Mack Rides PowerSplash coaster should thrill Six Flags Over Texas (Arlington) visitors in the spring and delight hot patrons once summer rolls around.
Also expected in the spring is Pipeline: The Surf Coaster at SeaWorld Orlando (Florida). The last stand-up coaster from Bolliger & Mabillard was in 1999, so this next generation model debuting more than two decades later should be interesting to watch. The two-abreast trains as well as modernized “seating” (if you will) are new features of the updated design.
Two Intamin coasters featuring snowmobile seating will expand to SeaWorld/Busch arsenals. Arctic Rescue at SeaWorld San Diego (California) repurposes the park’s former Wild Arctic simulator building, but most of the ride is outside. DarKoaster at Busch Gardens Williamsburg (Virginia) also repurposes a building, the former DarKastle dark ride. Guests also board snowmobiles (which the chain is having fits of fun, terming it a straddle coaster), but this one is completely indoors. Switch track allows riders to circle through the dark building twice.
Zambezi Zinger brings a new woodie to the United States, although bits and parts will feature steel Titan Track, most notably the spiral lift. This ride pays homage to Worlds of Fun’s (Kansas City, Missouri) original Schwarzkopf speed racer. With a new layout twisting through the tree-filled terrain, it should be a huge hit for those in the heart of America. It is being manufactured by Great Coasters International, Inc.
ArieForce One at Fun Spot Atlanta (Fayetteville, Georgia), which people have seen testing online, is expected to open soon. This dynamic thriller from Rocky Mountain Construction (RMC) is sure to vault this family entertainment center into true amusement park status — in a big way.
Also from RMC is Wildcat’s Revenge at Hersheypark (Hershey, Pennsylvania). This steel makeover of the former Wildcat makes the ride bigger, taller and faster. Could Milton Hershey ever have envisioned 14 roller coasters and a towering skyline more than 100 years ago?
Mattel Adventure Park (Glendale, Arizona) is opening two coasters from Chance this summer: Hot Wheels Boneshaker and Hot Wheels Twin Mill Racer. Although the former has the more formidable name, it is a family coaster. Twin Mill Racer is a Hyper GT-X such as Lightning Run in Kentucky.
Then there is Primordial, the enigmatic project at Lagoon (Farmington, Utah) that enthusiasts have been watching for years. For something so big and so massive, details have remained elusive on this mountainous project. It will be exciting to finally see it all revealed in 2023.
With more than a dozen listed above, the delayed Matugani (Lost Island Theme Park, Waterloo, Iowa) and American Dreier Looping (Indiana Beach, Monticello, Indiana) will hopefully be up and running for their respective parks this season.
Family coasters are becoming key draws for parks, since not everyone is ready for the towering skyscrapers. Snoopy’s Racing Railway will be Canada’s Wonderland’s (Vaughan, Ontario) 17th coaster (plus a powered ride), Flying Viking at Adventureland will offer tamer thrills for Adventureland’s (Altoona, Iowa) younger crowd and Wild Mouse gives Cedar Point its first spinning coaster. The latter two installations are from Zamperla, with Cedar Point’s already erected.
In addition to these new attractions, various kiddie coasters and smaller installations are planned. These rides will also be fun for their respective regions.
All in all, considering the world still deals with ongoing issues from a global pandemic, 2023 should give enthusiasts much to dream about as they endure the doldrums winter can often bring. Coaster season will be here soon.
— Tim Baldwin, ACE News Editor
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