Park News
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More WindSeekers for Cedar Fair
Two more Cedar Fair operated parks in North America are to add a WindSeeker by Mondial. Carowinds in North Carolina and Kings Dominion in Virginia have been chosen for such an attraction next year fol- lowing the installation this season of rides at Knott’s Berry Farm, Cedar Point and Canada’s Wonderland.
Like the other three, these latest versions will stand 301ft (91.7m) tall. Each $6.5 million (€4.7m) attraction will feature 32 two-passenger swings, providing capacity for 64 passengers per ride, or 960 an hour. Riders will experience a sense of weightlessness as the swings reach speeds of up to 30 miles per hour and the arms extend outward at a 45-degree angle. As well as LED lighting, each machine will also be equipped with speakers on the main ride carriage, providing a musical soundtrack high up in the sky. At Carowinds, WindSeeker will be located in the Carolina RFD section of the park, near to Snoopy’s Starlight Spectacular. The ride will climb 69ft (21m) taller than Intimidator, the massive B&M coaster introduced in 2010. A portion of the lake near the Nighthawk rollercoaster will be filled in to accommodate this massive tower ride, construction on which will begin this autumn/fall. Over at Kings Dominion,
WindSeeker will be located near the current site of the Extreme Skyflyer attraction and the Juke Box Diner. The new ride will climb just above riders on the popular Drop Tower, whilst dwarfing Wave Swinger, the park’s original swing ride that opened in 1975, standing a relatively short 31ft (9.5m) tall. “The sense of soaring 30 stories into the air will be both exhilarating and breathtaking at the same time,” believes Carowinds’ vice-president and general manager Bart Kinzel. “This new addition will give guests an unparalleled view, making it a must-ride attraction for both families and thrill-seekers alike. The immense scale of this ride alone will be truly stunning.”
WindSeeker at Knott’s Berry Farm
Europa-Park woodie takes shape
Construction has started on the new wooden coaster at Germany's leading theme park. The as yet unmanned ride at Europa-Park will be over 1km long and, when it opens in spring 2012, will become the 11th rollercoaster at this popular venue in the Black Forest. The attraction is being built by Great Coasters International (GCI) in the Iceland themed area of the park.
Occupying a 1.6-hectare site, the ride will feature 1.05km of track and boast a highest point of 35-metres. Riders will race along at up to 100km/h, experiencing maximal vertical acceleration up to 3.5 G. Riders are promised heart-pounding sequences, tight bends and plenty of airtime during the ride, which will cross over both Blue Fire Mega Coaster and Atlantica SuperSplash.
Weymouth Eye
Merlin Entertainments is to step up it operations in the English coastal resort of Weymouth in time for the London 2012 Olympics, when the town will host various sailing events.
Plans have been approved for an ‘Eye’-branded observation tower as part of
the Festival Pier redevelopment. Construction work is expected to begin next month on the ride, believed to be by Huss Park Attractions. “We believe that the tower will be a must do attraction in Weymouth,” says Craig Dunkerley, general manager of Merlin’s Sea Life aquarium, which itself was expanded a few years ago to include an outdoor park area. “We are also confident that it will prove an economic catalyst, helping to keep people in the town longer and benefiting many other businesses.”
10
SEPTEMBER 2011
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