Coaster101’s 2018 Year in Review
Where did the time go? It’s that time of year again — 2018 is coming to a close and the calendar is turning to 2019. Every year we take a look back and reflect on...
Dec 31, 2018
2018
OSU Theme Park Engineering Group to Host Conference for Students Interested in Themed Entertainment
Ohio State University’s Theme Park Engineering Group is planning on hosting their first conference designed for students looking to pursue careers in the themed entertainment and amusement park industry. Students in Themed Entertainment, or S.I.T.E., will...
Dec 28, 2018
Is Sunset Seasons Greetings a Worthy Replacement for the Osborne Family Lights?
For twenty-one years, it was a tradition of families around the world to visit Disney’s Hollywood Studios during the holiday season, all to see The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights. Originally imported from an Arkansas family...
Dec 27, 2018
Elitch Gardens’ Future Uncertain After Zoning Change
Is Elitch Gardens closing? The long-term future of Elitch Gardens is uncertain after Denver’s city council voted to approve a development and rezoning agreement that brings the massive “River Mile” project one step closer to...
Dec 21, 2018
Blazing Fury Behind the Scenes, Lights On at Dollywood
Recently, I took a behind-the-scenes, lights-on tour of Dollywood’s Blazing Fury indoor roller coaster. Walking the track of this quirky ride has been near the top of my roller-coaster bucket list ever since I first...
Dec 16, 2018
Hut, Hut, Hike: Inside Steelers Country at Kennywood with JRA’s Rick O’Connell
After months of teasing, Kennywood revealed plans for not only their newest coaster, the S&S-manufactured Steel Curtain, but also for the new land where the coaster would reside, Steelers Country at Kennywood. This immersive new land...
Dec 15, 2018
Carnival Cruise Lines to Debut “Bolt,” The First Roller Coaster At Sea
The cruise industry is always looking for that “next” innovation, and Carnival Cruise Lines has announced an industry first. When it debuts in 2020, Carnival Cruise Line’s Mardi Gras will feature the first-ever roller coaster at sea,...
Dec 13, 2018
Adventureland Adding A Maurer Spinning Coaster in 2019
After wowing crowds with the Gerstlauer Infinity Coaster, Monster, in 2016, Iowa’s Adventureland has made the announcement for their next roller coaster: The Phoenix. Phoenix will be a family-style spinning coaster, built by Germany’s Maurer Rides....
Dec 11, 2018
What Makes Avatar: Flight of Passage So Immersive
A year in a half after opening, I finally made it on Avatar: Flight of Passage at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. I immediately asked myself, why did I wait so long? More than four million people have...
Dec 11, 2018
REVIEW: The Sights And Sounds of Kings Dominion’s Inaugural Winterfest
On August 16, 2017, Kings Dominion made their announcement for what was coming to the park in 2018. While everyone was excited that the park was getting the Mid-Atlantic’s first hybrid coaster in Twisted Timbers...
Dec 10, 2018
Toy Story Land’s Slinky Dog Dash Review
This year we’ve been fortunate to review multiple “new for 2018” roller coasters, from the incredible Steel Vengeance, to the kid friendly Merlin’s Mayhem. Last week I was able to ride Slinky Dog Dash at...
Dec 5, 2018
Buy A 2019 Coaster101 Calendar, Support Give Kids The World!
We’re proud to announce that our 2019 Coaster Calendar is now available for purchase, with a portion of sales benefiting Give Kids The World! Featuring 13 images from 13 unique parks around the United States, our...
Nov 23, 2018
