In one of the most last-minute roller coaster announcements I’ve ever seen, Busch Gardens Williamsburg finally acknowledged the giant mass of blue and orange steel rising into the Virginia theme park’s skyline. Yesterday, the park announced that Tempesto, a Premier...
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Tempesto Rising at Busch Gardens Williamsburg
Although not officially announced, Busch Gardens Williamsburg’s new-for-2015 Premier launched coaster is taking shape in the Festa Italia section of the park: Track and supports on site at Busch Gardens Williamsburg for Tempesto, their new Premier Rides coaster coming in...
Continue reading...A-Z Coaster of the Week: Mr. Freeze
This week’s A-Z Coaster takes us to Six Flags St. Louis for Mr. Freeze. The premier launched coaster, inspired by one of Batman’s greatest arch-enemies, launches riders “from zero to chill” (aka 70 mph) in less than four seconds thanks...
Continue reading...Six Flags Great America Planning Coaster for 2014
Six Flags Great America’s 2014 plans include a 165-foot-tall roller coaster, according to this Gurnee, Illinois Planning and Zoning Board meeting agenda. The park is asking for a height variance to build taller than the current 125-foot limit. The excerpt...
Continue reading...A-Z Coaster of the Week: Full “YOLO” Throttle
We travel to California for this week’s A-Z Coaster of the Week: the soon-to-open Full Throttle at Six Flags Magic Mountain, sometimes called the “YOLO coaster.” The “YOLO” (You Only Live Once) motto was first introduced in the Full Throttle...
Continue reading...A-Z Coaster of the Week: Outer Limits
The A-Z Coaster of the Week is Outer Limits: Flight of Fear found at Kings Island and Kings Dominion. Both roller coasters opened in 1996 and were the first to use Linear Induction Motors (LIMs) instead of the traditional chain...
Continue reading...Superman Rises at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom
Move over Dark Knight, there’s a new superhero rising! Six Flags Discovery Kingdom is working diligently to make sure that the new Superman: Ultimate Flight coaster is opened as soon as possible, and it’s looking spectacular so far. The park update their...
Continue reading...Dan Guy Interview: Part II
Today we continue our interview with Penn State Mechanical Engineering student Dan Guy. In case you missed it, click here to read part one. C101: How complicated is it to drive the monorail at Walt Disney World? Doesn’t it have...
Continue reading...Both Mr. Freeze Coasters to Run Backwards
Mr. Freeze at both Six Flags St. Louis and Six Flags over Texas will run backwards this year. Six Flags announced that the trains of both coasters would be reverse to provide a totally new experience: “The new reverse launch...
Continue reading...Dan Guy Interview: Part One
Many aspiring engineers dream of designing roller coasters and thrill rides one day. Dan Guy is an engineer pursuing a career in the amusement park industry and, despite the fact that he’s still in school, he has had a number of...
Continue reading...Premier to Build Tallest Indoor Coaster
Premier has been chosen to build the tallest indoor coaster in the world, which happens to be inside what will be the largest mixed-use development project in the world, the Great Mall of China (clever name, right?). The press release from...
Continue reading...Sky Rocket Launches at Kennywood
Airtime while upside down?! Monday, June 28th was media day for Sky Rocket at Kennywood and Coaster101 was invited to attend. The clouds were threatening rain but, thankfully, it held off for the duration of the event. After some opening...
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