Recently, members of the Coaster101 team took three separate trips to Busch Gardens Tampa – some repeat visitors, some first time visitors, and we’re here to bring our experiences to you. C101 Founder John and one of C101’s newest writers...
Continue reading...Andrew Stilwell
Knott’s Berry Farm Announces “MonteZOOMa: The Forbidden Fortress” for 2025
The reports of the demise of Montezooma’s Revenge at Knott’s Berry Farm may have been greatly exaggerated. (okay, we’re absolutely a guilty party here, and we’ll own that.) Earlier today, Knott’s Berry Farm announced that reimagination has “re-zoomed” on MonteZOOMa:...
Continue reading...Carowinds’ Intimidator Renamed to Thunder Striker
In a surprise announcement from Carowinds, the park’s B&M Hypercoaster, formerly known as Intimidator, will receive a new name and backstory in the 2024 season. The coaster will now be known as Thunder Striker. According to Carowinds – Thunder Striker was...
Continue reading...Total Solar Eclipse of the Park: Amusement Parks in the Path of April’s Celestial Event
For many coaster enthusiasts, springtime means the phased opening of amusement parks around the United States on an annual basis. This year, many others are looking forward to spring for a different reason – a total solar eclipse that will...
Continue reading...The Coaster101 Podcast: 1 on 1 with “Mr. Theme Park,” Dennis Speigel
When you have the opportunity to connect with a long-time industry veteran, you’re bound to get some incredible stories. When that industry veteran is Dennis Speigel, the stories are even better. A former Kings Island and Kings Dominion General Manager,...
Continue reading...The Coaster101 Podcast – Pleading The FITH: The Coaster101 Guide to Silver Dollar City
Nestled deep in the Ozark Mountains of Branson, Missouri is a park that has long been on Andrew’s theme park bucket list – Silver Dollar City. A park with an immensely rich history, Silver Dollar City is celebrating 64 years...
Continue reading...Is it Officially the End of Montezooma’s Revenge?
In early 2022, Knott’s Berry Farm announced a multi-month refurbishment project for the park’s iconic shuttle loop, Montezooma’s Revenge, that would see the coaster close for the entirety of 2022, and reopen at some point in 2023. If you’ve been...
Continue reading...Disney Reveals New Animatronic For Tiana’s Bayou Adventure
Earlier today, we got the first look at the new Princess Tiana animatronic that will be appearing inside the new “Princess Tiana’s Bayou Adventure” at both Walt Disney World and Disneyland, scheduled to open later this year. The new animatronic...
Continue reading...The Coaster101 Podcast: An EPIC (Universe + More) News Update
After we dropped our most recent episode, a good amount of news dropped in the theme park industry, and in true podcast fashion, we’re a few days late in covering said news. Nick and John join Andrew to talk all...
Continue reading...The Coaster101 Podcast: The SeaWorld Parks Coaster Draft
There’s not a lot of news in the industry this week, which means it’s a perfect time for a good ole-fashioned coaster draft, and this time, we’re taking the coasters SeaWorld Parks – SeaWorld, Busch Gardens, and Sesame Place. C101...
Continue reading...The “Hidden” Details of Lost Island’s 2024 Tease
After a whirlwind first two years of operation, which saw the park’s annual attendance double from year one to year two, people are wondering what’s next at Iowa’s Lost Island Theme Park. We might now have an answer, or we...
Continue reading...The Coaster101 Podcast: Carowinds’ Hurler is Getting RMC’d – No, Not That Way.
Hurler at Carowinds is getting RMC’d. Pause for gasp. But not quite in the way you’re thinking those letters typically represent, where Rocky Mountain Construction is involved. Instead, Hurler is receiving Routine Maintenance by Carowinds. This week on the podcast, we’re joined by Steve Jackson,...
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