Six Flags Announces Record Breaking Coaster
Six Flags Great Adventure today announced KINGDA KA, what will be the world's tallest and fastest roller coaster. It is the same type as Top Thrill Dragster at Cedar Point and looks almost identical except that it will have a small (relatively) bunny hill.
Height: 456 ft.
Speed: 128 MPH (in 3.8 seconds at launch)
It will run 4 trains (unlike the 5 that run for Dragster (which was supposed to run 6 when it was announced)) out of a dual load/unload station. Unlike Dragster which has all it's trains staying in line, the Kingda Ka station splits (like Batwing) into two areas. Riders will load and unload there (so 2 stops instead of Dragster's 4).
It should also be noted that Kingda Ka will have over the shoulder restraints (like those found on all looping coasters) unlike the simple lap bars found on Dragster and Xcellerator (which have been giving them problems as noted in this blog before).
Check out information, video, and pictures here.
Hersheypark Announces TURBULENCE
A brand new ride for Hersheypark and a brand new ride for the industry.
It will be nice if this ride catches on and is built at other parks. It is a high thrill ride for a low cost and small space needed to build.HERSHEY- Blend the excitement of a roller coaster with the thrill of a free-fall ride, and you create an entirely unique amusement attraction. The name of that new ride is TURBULENCE, and the experience will be available ONLY at HERSHEYPARK in Hershey, PA!
This innovative style of drop coaster is the creation of Interactive Rides, Inc. of Logan, UT. A pivoting four-person vehicle takes riders up the side of the 150-foot structure, which is equivalent to a 15-story building. Upon reaching the top height, the vehicle moves straight out from the vertical lift and travels along the upper level of track. Then, suddenly, the vehicle drops 20 feet in a freefall curve. The vehicle levels out and then continues along the next section of track, which leads to the next freefall drop. This movement continues through a total of five drops.
TURBULENCE, the Park’s eleventh coaster, will be located adjacent to the famous historic HERSHEYPARK Carrousel, which has been a guest favorite since it came to the Park 1944. The area surrounding the Carrousel, now known as Carrousel Circle, will be refurbished and renamed Founder’s Circle -- in honor of Milton S. Hershey, chocolate magnate, philanthropist, and founder of the Park. Total cost for the new ride and the renovation is approximately $4 million.
Of RCT3 And Music
I'll be posting RCT3 Demo thoughts. First up, music:
I know each person will have a different view on this, because I have heard of people not getting sounds at all... but...
A) I would like the ability to turn the "game music" off. That tune that plays no matter where you are in the park. Its on the same volume control as the park music so (unless there is a hidden speaker in my park somewhere) I can't just turn it down.
B) There seems to be some kind of bug where the ride music will start playing for me at random times when I am near the ride (inverted swing in this case). I can be a little bit away from the ride and it will play full volume or I could be near it and hardly hear anything.
C) Anyone know if we can import our own music into the demo? Do we have to put the files into the RCT3\Music directory (or hopefully just shortcuts too it) ala GTA. Or can we keep them where they are and go to their location in game some how?
UPDATE: After some testing it looks like all you have to do is put your music files in C:\Program Files\Atari\RollerCoaster Tycoon 3 Demo\Music (or where ever you installed RCT3).
Unfortuantly, shortcuts to your files wont work (like they do in Grand Theft Auto 3/4). That means you would have to move (or COPY, increasing the space used in your hard drive) your entire music collection or just ones you want to use, limiting your music selction.
Not to mention that the music selector would be hard to use after you added a lot of music files.
Roller Coaster Tycoon 3 Demo Out
It is 188.9MB in size and can be found at many websites:
http://gamesdomain.yahoo.com/pc/rol...n_3/files/45624
http://download.boomtown.net/en_uk/...iew.php?id=6301
http://www.gamershell.com/news/17516.html
http://www.3ddownloads.com/Strategy...s/rct3_demo.exe
http://www.3dgamers.com/news/more/1096285803/
Disney World Closed Again
For yet another hurricane, Walt Disney World will be closed today (Sunday).
Man Dies After Falling At Universal Orlando
It seems a man was trying to get onto Revenge of the Mummy when he fell into the area in front of the train. He hit his head and complained of stomach and leg problems. He went to the hospital and died after surgery.
It isn't really the park's fault, but expect to see some trouble from this. Expect more safety features in the loading area (especially if there is bad press/lawsuits over this).
Great Adventure Ready To Set Record
Six Flags Great Adventure sent out a media invite for the announcement of their new ride. On one side is a picture of Top Thrill Dragster (although you can't really tell) and on the other side is a tiger. All over is text about this breaking all records for speed and height. We can say for sure now that this new ride will be a Intamin rocket coaster and will beat Dragster's records. It also seems it will be animal/jungle/tiger themed.
The announcement will be September 29th at 11:00am.
Hersheypark Flooded
Screamscape has pictures of the current state of Hersheypark. It seems that the leftovers of hurricane Ivan flooded the lower sections. No news on when things will be back to normal.
Subs Back At Disneyland
Al Lutz's update today has a few pictures of the old Disneyland submarines back out in the water. They are currently working on new show effects and plan to open the ride sometime in 2007.
Geauga Lake Value Down?
Looks like Six Flags is doing something funny with their tax returns. In 2002 they reported that Worlds of Adventure had property value of $13.6 million but in 2003 they said it was $3.8 million. A huge drop considering they didn't take things out, they added rides that year. The county is now asking the state to look into the matter.
Dorney Park Officially Announces HYDRA: THE REVENGE
Not that we haven't known this ride was being built. Or what kind it would be. Or what color it would be. Or even its name. But now that Hydra has been announced they have a bunch of information on the website. Some interesting bits from the press release:
The ride begins with a unique feature park officials call the jojo roll, the first-ever pre-lift hill inversion where riders twist upside-down after exiting the launch station.
...
HYDRA The Revenge is named after the nine-headed monster of Greek mythology. In the myth, Hydra battles the hero Hercules, who succeeds in cutting off all of Hydra's heads. However, one head is immortal and Hercules buries it under a huge boulder by a lake. In Dorney Park mythology, Hydra has risen from Dorney Park Lake and has taken its "revenge" on Hercules, the wooden roller coaster the park retired after the 2003 season. Hydra The Revenge is located in the same spot bordering Dorney Park Lake where Hercules once stood.
Disneyland Goes Public About Submarine Voyage
In an interview with the OC Register, Disneyland Resort boss Matt Ouimet made the first public mention of the Submarine Voyage rehab:
Nothing people "in-the-know" haven't already heard, but it is nice they are publicly saying it now. Meanwhile, 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea at Disney World is almost completely gone.
Next week, he gives Disney fans a bit of hope for the return of an old favorite. As a result of Ouimet's campaigning for more attractions, Walt Disney Imagineers will begin "testing the waters" at Submarine Lagoon, exploring how the ride might be revived after a six-year hiatus. If it reopens, the theme is expected to be from "Finding Nemo," the hit movie from Disney-Pixar.
PS: There are a few other interesting tidbits in the interview as well.
Foreign Six Flags New England Workers Claim Mistreatment
Another interesting story from Six Flags. Foreign workers were promised 50 to 60 hours of work at a "summer beach resort" but were instead sent to Six Flags were they only got 40 hours a week. This story wouldn't involve Six Flags if there wasn't more:
But more than anything, Yasar complained about a double standard for international employees and American workers.
Yasar also feels he was unfairly fired last week by Six Flags New England for what park spokeswoman Mary Ann Burns called an "extreme safety violation." Yasar grabbed onto the rearview mirror of a shuttle bus carrying foreign workers from the park to their dorm.
Yasar admitted he grabbed the mirror. But he said he did so because the bus was half-full and he was furious at the driver, who frequently drove away as people chased after the bus and who often called the foreign workers "animals."
"The main point is their attitude towards us. We don't like it," Yasar said, standing across the street from the dorm-style building on Mill Street in Springfield where he and the other international students working at the amusement park have lived this summer. "They have no respect for you."
Fellow workers clustered around Yasar on the street recounted similar, unpleasant experiences this summer.
"It's terrible," Amanda Pessoa of Brazil said. "We've been treated very badly."
Pessoa and others recounted being denied bathroom breaks for one hour, forced to use separate entrances from American workers or being sent home early without warning if there was not enough work for them.
Six Flags says nothing like that happens and without evidence there really isn't much to say on the topic. International program workers always have complaints but I believe this is the second year in a row of complaints like this from Six Flags New England. Read the whole story at the link above.
Two Years Is A Long Time
Jim Hill's article about why Eisner stepping down isn't the perfect thing to be happening.
Don't break out those party hats just yet. Jim Hill points out the less obvious aspects of today's announcement that Michael Eisner will be stepping down as head of the Walt Disney Company effective September 30, 2006.Read the whole thing and get a better understanding of why this is far from over and how Disney is far from safe.
Disney CEO To Step Down
Michael Eisner says he will step down when his contract ends in 2006. More as this continues.
The Fallout
Walt Disney World Resort safely withstood Hurricane Frances and maintained power throughout the storm. After a visual inspection of the entire property, we discovered only minor roof damage to a single backstage structure and minimal horticultural damage.
We will open the following theme parks and other locations on Monday, September 6:
Magic Kingdom 10 a.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Epcot 10 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Typhoon Lagoon 10 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Downtown Disney 10 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.
Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex Open for Events
Disney's Animal Kingdom Closed
Disney-MGM Studios Closed
Blizzard Beach Closed
Pleasure Island Closed
Walt Disney World Resort will return to normal operations in all areas Tuesday, September 7.
All Cast Members scheduled to work on Monday, whether or not their work area is open, should contact their local area hotline.
Guests who have questions should call 407-WDW-INFO or 407-939-4636.
Open
Disney plans to return to a normal schedule on Monday. I assume the same for the other Orlando parks.
If you are interested CNN has an article about the effects on Florida tourism in general because of this storm.
CLOSED
Based on updated information from the National Weather Service and consultation with emergency preparedness officials, Walt Disney World theme parks and water parks will be closed Walt Disney World theme parks and water parks will be closed Saturday, Sept. 4, 2004.
Walt Disney World also looks like it will be closed on Sunday.
Although I dont have any official word, I assume the same thing for all other Orlando/Tampa attractions.
Woman Beaten By Line Jumpers At Valleyfair
Line Jumping is BAD. It is against park rules (not to mention rude) and can get you banned from the park if you do it. In some states (like Ohio and California) you can even be arrested for it, failing to follow park instructions is a misdemeanor. If you see someone line jumping I encourage you to yell at them and try and get as many other people to yell at them as possible. If thousands of people are screaming those jerks are going nowhere. That said, this is just sad. Why did no one help her?
(WCCO) A Minnesota mom says two girls attacked her at Valleyfair this summer, after she scolded them for cutting into line for the Steel Venom ride.
Lara Max is a nurse, and the mother of three children. On a recent Saturday night, she, two of her sons and their friends went to Valleyfair.
They wanted to ride Steel Venom, despite the hour-long wait in line. Max saw two girls cut in line, so she said something to them.
“I said you guys are cutting in. You need to follow the rules like all of us,” Max said.
Suddenly, the girls attacked Man, her 14-year-old niece and her 12-year-old son.
“At one point, both girls were beating on me and there was, I was curled in a ball on the floor and my son came to my rescue and he got pushed back to the rails and his glasses got knocked off,” said Max.
A spokesman for Valleyfair said that night was one of the busiest of the season. As they heard about the incident, they responded with their officers.
“We try to respond to incidents before they get to this point. It was a circumstance that we responded to as fast as we could,” said Bill Von Bank the marketing manager for Valleyfair.
Max said she asked for a cell phone, but no one would give her one or help her.
“I am feeling great disappointment that the people of Minnesota stood and did nothing while I was being beaten in public by a 12 and 16-year-old girl in public,” said Max.
The police report indicates the girls admitted they cut into the line. The case is now in the hands of the Scott County Attorney, who will decide if charges will be filed.
Disney World To Shorten Operating Hours
Based on updated information from the National Weather Service and consultation with emergency preparedness officials, Walt Disney World theme and water parks will operate on an abbreviated schedule on Friday, September 3, 2004.
Current forecasts indicate tropical force winds will not reach the Walt Disney World Resort until daylight on Saturday. Based on this information, we anticipate closing on Saturday. Additional schedule announcements will be made as updated information becomes available Friday.
This schedule will allow us to feed and care for the more than 75,000 Resort guests who will be staying on Walt Disney World property throughout the weekend.
HOURS OF OPERATION
Magic Kingdom: 9 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Epcot: 9 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Disney-MGM Studios: 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Disney's Animal Kingdom: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Blizzard Beach: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Typhoon Lagoon: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Disney's Wide World of Sports: Open for scheduled events
Downtown Disney: 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Pleasure Island: Closed
Cirque du Soleil: 6 p.m. show only
All Walt Disney World Resort hotels will remain open throughout the storm. Guests staying at Disney's Ft. Wilderness Resort & Campground will be relocated to other hotels on property.
We have an extensive hurricane preparedness plan and are staffed and prepared for a realm of possible impacts that this type weather could have on our property.
All Walt Disney World Resort Cast Members scheduled to work on Friday should report to work. Cast Member questions will be answered upon arrival.
Walt Disney World will be sending non-operations personnel home on Friday in phases.
Guests who have questions should call (407) WDW-INFO or (407) 939-4636.
Bill Gates Vows To Improve Six Flags
Bill Gate's investment company, Cascade Investments, owns 12% of Six Flags said today that they are unhappy with how Six Flags is currently being run. They are planning on taking a more active role in the company now. This comes on top of Washington Redskins owner Dan Snyder announcing that he bought 9% of Six Flags and plans to improve it by either restructuring or merging with another company.
This has, interestingly, caused the stock price to rise almost 25%. We can assume this is because the market has faith that Gates and Snyder can improve the company, which will be a challenge:
•Mature industry. Unlike technology and even football, the amusement park business is growing slowly. Last year, overall park attendance fell 2 million to 322 million people.
• Track record. Six Flags' performance has been so sour that some portfolio managers have written it off. Derek Rollingson, of the Icon Leisure and Consumer Staples fund, in 2002 removed it from a list of stock he'd even consider buying.
•Crushing debt. The company ended the second quarter with nearly $2.2 billion in debt, roughly twice the equity invested in the business. The debt has put Six Flags in a straitjacket, preventing it from adding rides that get visitors' blood boiling, says James Zoltak, editor of Amusement Business magazine.
It's exactly those odds Snyder relishes, and the industry needs his entrepreneurial attitude, Speigel says. "(Snyder is) an out-of-the-box thinker," he says, adding that Six Flags' current "management has gotten away with this too long."
