Here’s a list of some of the attractions we fans have to look forward to in the year ahead:
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Busch Gardens Tampa
Cheetah Hunt – an Intamin AG, multiple launch coaster
Busch Gardens Williamsburg
Mach Tower – a 245 foot tall, free-fall drop tower
Cedar Point (also at Canada’s Wonderland, Kings Island, Knotts Berry Farm)
Windseeker – a two-seater waveswinger ride mounted on a 300-foot tower
Disneyland (also at Disney’s Hollywood Studios)
Star Tours: The Adventures Continues – a re-imagined, 3D version of the classic simulator ride
Disney’s California Adventure
The Little Mermaid: Ariel’s Adventure – a dark ride from the masters of the genre
Goofy’s Sky School – re-themed wild mouse coaster
Dollywood
Barnstormer – an S&S Power Screamin' Swing pendulum attraction
Knoebels
Flying Turns – a bobsled coaster
Black Diamond – a combination dark ride & coaster (formerly the Golden Nugget at Dinosaur Beach)
Lagoon
Bombora – a steel, sit down, family coaster
Legoland Florida
On the land formerly occupied by Cypress Gardens, this new park will open in the second half of 2011 with over 50 rides, shows, and attractions, including four family-friendly coasters
Six Flags Great Adventure
Green Lantern – a B&M stand-up coaster (formerly Chang at Kentucky Kingdom)
Six Flags Magic Mountain (the new Coaster Capital of the World)
Green Lantern – an Intamin AG ZacSpin coaster
Little Flash (working name) – a Vekoma Junior coaster
SUPERMAN: Escape from Krypton – a re-imagined Intamin AG freefall launch coaster
Six Flags New England
Gotham City Gauntlet: Escape from Arkham Asylum – a Maurer-Söhne Wild Mouse coaster (formerly Road Runner Express at Kentucky Kingdom)
Six Flags Over Georgia
Dare Devil Dive – a Gerstlauer Euro-Fighter coaster
Six Flags Over Texas
Texas Giant – a retracked, wood-steel, hybrid coaster
Six Flags Saint Louis (also a smaller version at SF Discovery Kingdom)
Skyscreamer – a 236 foot tall Funtime Star Flyer attraction
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So, what new attraction (feel free to discuss something that is not included on this list) has you the most excited as you look forward to 2011?
Me and mine are hoping to head back to Florida this next year to hit many things that are new to us: Manta, Rip Ride Rockit, Simpsons, and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Granted all those attractions pre-date 2011, but we have not had a chance to enjoy any of them yet.
As for the new stuff, perhaps a side trip to BGT and Cheetah Hunt is possible, and if the timing is right, a day at DHS to visit the re-imagined Star Tours 2 could be in the books.
Locally, Worlds of Fun and Silver Dollar City are adding stuff for the younger crowd, and Six Flags Saint Louis is bringing in a StarFlyer... nothing too exciting, imho, so I think I may hold off on season passes this year...
How about the rest of you?
Great Adventure is my home park, and although I am not a big fan of stand-up coasters, I AM looking forward to riding Green Lantern. When I rode it in Kentucky in '07, it was the only stand-up I REALLY ever liked.
As far as Knoebels goes, I'm not holding my breath on Flying Turns. Obviously, they've spent a lot of money, but I wouldn't be completely surprised if it fails to open this year, too. Black Diamond, on the other hand, holds some nostalgia value for me, having rode the Nugget as a child in Wildwood.
Sorry I forgot the Zippin Pippin at Bay Beach, Zack!
Ryan, I saw that you never voted on Busch Tampa attractions. They have, as you may know, 7 coasters (Sheikra, Kumba, Montu, Scorpion, Cheetah Chase, Gwazi Lion and Gwazi Tiger) now and Cheetah Hunt next year. That's 8 of your 30 in one park. Good luck.
Robert, I presume you will be invited to some sort of special Little Mermaid event for the "press"? I can't wait for your report!!
Hmmmm. Suppose they ARE all opening the same day. I smell a challenge!
I would say Star Wars and the Little Mermaid!
EDIT: I fixed it!
I'm sorry, but that's one of my favorite typos of 2010.
Incidentally, isn't Battlestar Galactica at Universal Singapore supposed to open (finally) in 2011?
It's not what I'm most looking forward to, but I was most shocked to see Star Tours 2 up there. Has Star Tours even closed? How quickly could they possibly refurbish that attraction? I seem to recall The Simpsons Ride, which is basically the same type of overhaul, took at least one year from the closing of Back to the Future to the soft opening.
Some details:
1) The attraction will be digital and 3D.
2) It will be set between the events of Episode 3 and Episode 4.
3) It will have 50+ possible experiences, including a pod race and a trip to Coruscant.
4) Additional new music will be composed by Michael Giacchino.
5) It is supposed to open in Mid-May at both DHS and Disneyland.
Check out studioscentral.com and our very own TPI DHS page for more info and videos.
EDIT: Fixed, Josh! Thanks!
I didn't mean to call it a refurbishment, but you have to admit that an implementation period of 8 months is very short.
USO's Rip, Ride, Rockit was announced to the public on March 19, 2008. In July of 2009 it (sort of) began operation.
SW's Manta was announced to the public in May of 2008 and began operation in May of 2009.
DHS' Toy Story Midway Mania was announced in January of 2007 and opened to the public in June of 2008.
MM's Terminator Salvation as announced in October of 2008 and opened to the public in May of 2009.
KI's Diamondback was announced in August of 2008 and opened to the public in April of 2009.
Wof's Prowler was announced in August of 2008 and opened to the public in April of 2009.
Star Tours 2 was announced during the D23 expo and it already has its building, queue, and theme, so now it is just a matter of implementing the new technology and upgrading the aesthetics. And with Star Wars weekends in May, you can bet Disney will push hard to have this attraction ready for those rabid fans who descend on the park during that popular event.
Knoebels is a great park. Their two OPERATING wooden coasters are good and better. Most "enthusiasts" I've run across seem to prefer Phoenix, but I'll give my money to the Twister ticket booth anyday. I don't know if you gathered this, but they've been working on Flying Turns for three years now. I do hope it will open in my lifetime. They also have the best Skooter bumper cars, best haunted ride-through outside Disney, and a nice collection of flat rides. Food's good too. Rides are individually ticketed, although you can buy a POP during certain periods. The park..be forewarned..is in the middle of nowhere.
