During the IAAPA Expo, I met Zamperla’s Head of Engineering and Service, Jay Crisler. It wasn’t a scheduled meeting, we just happened to share a charter bus seat on the way to Disney’s Animal Kingdom. During the 40 minute ride,...
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Is Sub Sea Systems’ Aquaticar the Next Great Dark Ride Concept?
For more than 30 years, the family-owned Sub Sea Systems has been a world leader in innovative products and underwater experiences for the marine tourism industry. Last month, at the IAAPA Expo in Orlando, Florida, Sub Sea unveiled their newest...
Continue reading...Matt Schmotzer’s Incredible 3D Printed Roller Coaster Model
We’ve covered our fair share of realistic roller coaster models over the years, but this is the first time we’ve seen a fully functional 3D printed roller coaster model – and it may just be the best model yet! 3D printing is...
Continue reading...What it Takes to Light a Roller Coaster with Andy Versluys of KCL Engineering
In 2016, Adventureland, located in Altoona, Iowa, opened The Monster, the first Gerstlauer Infinity Coaster to open in the United States. One of the most notable features of The Monster, outside of its beyond-vertical drop and five inversions, is the elaborate...
Continue reading...An Inside Look at Skyline Attractions’ New “Horizon” & “Eclipse”
It was a busy IAAPA Expo last week for Skyline Attractions. Not only did the unveil the lead car for their first ever Skywarp, Harley Quinn Crazy Train at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, but they also debuted two new models...
Continue reading...How Skyline Attractions Developed One of 2018’s Most Anticipated Rides
When Six Flags announced the new attractions coming to their parks for 2018, one of the most exciting was a never before seen ride coming to Six Flags Discovery Kingdom. Harley Quinn Crazy Coaster, designed by Skyline Attractions, will be...
Continue reading...Inside an Abandoned Geauga Lake with Photographer Alice Heart
Ten years have passed since Cedar Fair announced that Geauga Lake in Aurora, Ohio, would not reopen for the 2008 season. Remnants of the park, once owned by Six Flags, still dot the 550-acre property, which has yet to be...
Continue reading...Jeffrey Scott’s Amazing Theme Park and Roller Coaster Models
Jeffrey Scott started building roller coaster models when he was only nine years old. And 23 years later, he’s still building them — bigger and more complex than ever. His inspiration? “Raptor at Cedar Point inspired me when it first...
Continue reading...Q/A with Ride Entertainment’s Ed Hiller, 2017 Bright Lights Award Winner
From roller coasters and extreme thrill rides to multi-media attractions and record-breaking amusements, Ride Entertainment has sold, operated and installed entertainment fixtures internationally for more than two decades. They’re a local Maryland business with an international reputation and the latest winner...
Continue reading...How to Keep Track of Your Roller Coaster Credits
With nearly 4,400 roller coasters operating across the globe (according to RCDB), counting the ones you’ve ridden can become tedious, especially when that number of coaster credits reaches the hundreds. Some enthusiasts don’t care about the number, others — myself...
Continue reading...How Sally Corp is Bringing Top End Dark Rides to Regional Parks – Interview with John Wood and Rich Hill
On July 12 (ie. tomorrow), Six Flags Magic Mountain is opening the latest of their “Justice League: Battle For Metropolis” 4-D interactive dark rides (EDIT: The ride is now open, tell us what you think!), the seventh in the park...
Continue reading...Behind The Menu: Busch Gardens Williamsburg’s Chef Justin Watson
More and more, food is becoming a larger part of the overall theme park experience. From food festivals to “one-of-a-kind” menu items, you can rarely visit a park these days without taking part in some sort of culinary masterpiece. In...
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