Cover story
www.parkworld-online.com
Hoosier Hurricane at Indian Beach (Monticello, Indiana) for the now defunct Custom Coasters, and with 40 years of experience in the amusement history between them, Clair and Mike launched GCI.
In 1996 it launched its first design – Hersheypark’s Wildcat. The ride contained many of the elements that would become GCI’s signature including the tight sweeping curves that paid homage to the coaster designers of the early 1900’s, such as Harry Traver. Next came a revolution for the modern wooden coaster industry: their Millenium Flyer trains. GCI spent much of 1998 designing the trains and debuted them in 1999 on Roar (later renamed Joker) at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom. The design of the trains truly allowed GCI to take their twister wooden roller coasters to the next level.
That next level received unparalleled international attention and critical acclaim with the debut of GCI’s Thunderhead at Dollywood (Pigeonforge, Tennesee) in 2004. The wild ride was the first coaster to feature a station flyby and was named ‘Best New Wood Coaster’ in the 2005 Coaster’s Choice Award. It went on to win ‘Best Wooden Coaster’ for two consecutive years rat the Golden Ticket Awards (2006, 2007).
The next phase
2005 saw Mike retire and hand the title of GCI’s lead designer to Jeff Pike. Pike’s first coaster as lead designer, the Kentucky Rumbler at Beech Bend, Kentucky, continued the company’s traditions of quality,
Great Clients
GCI’s client list includes… Alton Towers Arnolds Park
Attractiepark Toverland Beech Bend Boomers
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Busch Gardens Williamsburg California’s Great America Canobie Lake Park Carowinds
Celebration City
John Arie Jr. (left) with his father, Funspot founder John Arie, Sr.
Speaking exclusively to Park World editor Becci Knowles, John Arie Jr, chief executive officer, Fun Spot America Theme Parks said: “We are proud to partner with GCI on the new Titan Track. That part of the track is as smooth as glass and lightning fast!! Clair and his team did a great job engineering this new type of track. I am so impressed with how strong it is and I see no maintenance necessary in the future. Good job GCI, you have a winner!”
reliability, smoothness, and comfort in design, as well as maintaining the curved first drop it had become known for.
The accolades continued with both The Prowler at Worlds of Fun (Kansas City, Missouri) and Mystic Timbers at Kings Island (Kings Mills, Ohio) taking home Golden Ticket Awards for ‘Best New Ride’ upon debut, while many of the company’s refurbishments also opened to rave reviews.
In 2018, GCI hit the headlines again when Wicker Man, the first wooden roller coaster to be built in the UK for 21 years opened to worldwide, critical acclaim at Alton Towers.
Now with the introduction of the Titan Track, GCI begins another exciting chapter.
Clementon Amusement Park Dollywood
Dutch Wonderland Efteling
Erlebnispark Forellenhof Plohn Europa-Park
Farup Sommerland Fun Spot America Happy Valley Chengdu Happy Valley Chongqing HersehyPark Holiday World Indiana Beach Kings Island Knight Valley Knoebels
Knott’s Berry Farm Lagoon
Lake Compounce Legoland Florida
Luna Park at Coney Island Magic Springs & Crystal Falls Michigan’s Adventure Morey’s Pier
Parque Warner Madrid Playland Park
Plopsaland De Panne PortAventura PowerPark
Sea World San Antonio Six Flags America
Six Flags Discovery Kingdom Six Flags Magic Mountains Six Flags St. Louis Terra Mitica TusenFryd Valleyfair!
Walibi Holland Walygator Parc Wanda
Wild Adventures Worlds of Fun
Did you know? For its wooden coasters, GCI primarily uses Southern Yellow Pine harvested from renewable forests.
WINTER PART 1 2021 23
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52
