Friday 26 August 2011

ProSlide Goes HUGE at Beijing Happy Magic Waterpark

The Beijing Happy Magic Waterpark located in the Fengtai District of Beijing, China has recently opened with some of the most unique and innovative water ride complexes in the world which entertains a huge amount of guests daily, up to 35,000! This Waterpark has the largest amount of water rides built in 2011 and has been touted as the World's Largest Waterpark, with all major rides and complexes by ProSlide Technology.

No other Waterpark or Water Ride manufacturer has produced such industry-changing complexes and world firsts. ProSlide provided Beijing Happy Magic Waterpark with 7 major ride complexes, Thirty-five water rides and the World's Largest RideHOUSE active Ride n' Spray structure which boasts 12 slides, over 65 active water play features, a 400GAL dumping bucket and over 150 themed sculptures and features.

Beijing Happy Magic Waterpark has the World's First TornadoWAVE (pictured), the next evolution of ProSlide's thrilling line-up of extreme water rides. With a 45 degree drop in and near vertical hang time there is nothing on the market that comes close to sweeping weightlessness sensation that the TornadoWAVE creates. This complex is even more impressive with the addition of the IAAPA Best New Waterpark Ride and Industry Impact Award winning BehemothBOWL!

In total ProSlide built a triple funnel TantrumALLEY, the iconic TORNADO, a MACH 4 complex, BehemothBOWL, Duelling CannonBOWLs, OctopusRACER, TornadoWAVE, a SpeedZone complex with FreeFALL, Turbo TUNNEL and a MultiBUMP, as well as a KIDZ Zone and a RideHOUSE!

The most iconic and Award-Winning Water Ride in the World, the TORNADO, goes even bigger in Beijing as now it holds the spot as being the world's tallest. At over 20.5m, or 67ft, the TORNADO towers over the park. Sharing in its massive stature is the TantrumALLEY. In doing so it establishes another world first by having these two rides share the same complex.

The MACH 4 complex features four ProSlide PIPEline slides and combine to give guests over 360m, or 1200ft. of rider excitement on board their 2-Man tubes. For even greater speed and slide length the 8-lane OctopusRACER combines to produce over 880m, or close to 2,900ft. of high speed, side-by-side racing!

The rides, innovative complexes and sheer size of the Beijing Happy Magic Waterpark are something that truly needs to be seen to be appreciated. When you combine all these innovative ProSlide water rides and structures with one of the world's largest wave pools, the result is simply one of the most impressive waterparks in the world.

Press release by email | Image Link

Wednesday 24 August 2011

WindSeeker for Carowinds in 2012

While Kitty Hawk, North Carolina became symbolic to the Carolinas as the site of the “first flight”, Carowinds will follow down a similar path as the amusement park announces plans to debut WindSeeker in the Spring of 2012 - a $6.5 million, thirty story tall swing ride designed to give riders the sensation of flying.

WindSeeker’s three minute ride begins when the ride’s carriage, featuring 32 two passenger swings, slowly rotates while climbing to the top of a 301-foot tower. Riders will experience a sense of weightlessness as the swings reach speeds of up to 30 miles per hour and the arms extend outward at a 45-degree angle. WindSeeker will give riders an astonishing panoramic view of not only the park, but also of the greater Charlotte region.

“The sense of soaring thirty stories in the air will be both exhilarating and breathtaking at the same time,” said Bart Kinzel, Carowinds’ vice president and general manager. “This new addition will give guests an unparalleled view, making it a must-ride attraction for both families and thrill-seekers alike. The immense scale of this ride alone will be truly stunning.”

WindSeeker will be located in the Carolina RFD section of the park near the entrance of Snoopy’s Starlight Spectacular. A portion of the lake near the Nighthawk rollercoaster will be filled in to accommodate this massive tower ride.

To complement the recently added Snoopy’s Starlight Spectacular, WindSeeker will be built with an elaborate LED lighting system. Aside from the LED spotlights that will be located at the top and bottom of the tower, the carriage of the ride will be equipped with LED light strands that will run out from the tower and down each of the ride’s steel arms. At night, as the ride ascends to the top of the tower, the light display will come to life with a kaleidoscope of colorful patterns and shapes. In addition, WindSeeker will be equipped with speakers located on the ride’s carriage. This on-ride audio can play up to eighteen different music tracks.

WindSeeker will climb sixty nine feet taller than IntimidatorTM, the tallest, fastest and longest coaster in the Southeast, introduced by the park in 2010. Construction will begin later this Fall, continue throughout the winter months and is expected to open in the Spring of 2012.

WindSeeker has a ride capacity of 960 passengers per hour, a 52-inch minimum height requirement and is designed and manufactured by Mondial, a 24-year-old Dutch based company focused on developing unique and innovative amusement rides.

Press Release Link | Image Link

Friday 19 August 2011

The Anticipation Is Over - Mach Tower opens at Busch Gardens Williamsburg

Busch Gardens’ Mach Tower officially opened today, ending months of anticipation from guests eager to ride the parks’ newest and tallest thrill attraction.

“We know our guests have been eagerly awaiting the debut of Mach Tower,” said Park President Carl Lum. “During the manufacturer’s initial testing, some mechanical issues were discovered that caused the delay. Now that the ride is open, we are excited to share this amazing experience with our guests.”

Mach Tower offers an incredible view as its 30-seat rotating carriage climbs nearly 240 feet above the park’s Oktoberfest village. Thrill elements experienced during the ride keep riders from becoming complacent on their journey to the top. Once riders get a few seconds to take in the view, the carriage plummets at breathtaking speed straight down the massive maypole-themed tower attraction.

“We’re pleased our guests will be able to ride Mach Tower before the summer comes to a close,” said Lum. “We allowed our guests a sneak peek earlier this week and the overwhelming comments have been, ‘it’s been worth the wait.’”

Ray Beyer and his son Brandon were some of the lucky guests who experienced Mäch Tower during the sneak peek.

“I thought it was great,” said Brandon, adding that the drop took his breath away. “Not being able to look down sort of freaked me out.”

Mach Tower anchors a newly rejuvenated Oktoberfest village featuring new game areas, performance spaces and a pretzel bakery serving some of the best pretzel-themed cuisine in the region.

Press Release Link | Image Link

Thursday 18 August 2011

Leviathan for Canada's Wonderland in 2012

Vaughan, ON (August 18, 2011) - In 2012, Canada’s Wonderland will unveil one of the biggest and tallest roller coasters in the world: Leviathan. When the Park opens in May 2012, Leviathan will dominate the Park’s landscape, taking riders to breathtaking heights and speeds never experienced before at Wonderland.

The excitement begins on Leviathan’s first lift hill as riders climb to a record breaking height of 306 feet (93.3M) followed by an exhilarating 80 degree drop. Reaching a top speed of 148 kilometers per hour, riders will experience extreme coaster thrills on 5,486 feet (1,672M) of track that includes a series of giant camelback hills reaching heights up to 180 feet (54.9M), and an astonishing overbanked hammerhead turn at 115 degrees that will cross above the Park’s front gate at 147 feet (44.8M) high.

“Leviathan will be our 16th coaster and now positions Canada’s Wonderland as one of the top three coaster destinations in the world.” said Raffi Kaprelyan, Vice President and General Manager, Canada’s Wonderland. “We will go higher, longer, and faster than ever before when we launch Leviathan in 2012. With the addition of this new coaster and our diverse collection of rides, shows and attractions, we continue to show why Canada’s Wonderland is the destination of choice for those seeking world class thrills and family entertainment."

Leviathan is designed and manufactured by Bolliger & Mabillard, of Monthey, Switzerland. The highly recognized industry leader in roller coaster development also constructed Behemoth, which premiered at Canada’s Wonderland in May 2008.

Construction is well underway at the park, with a completion date of May 2012. Guests who would like to experience Leviathan before the Park opens next year can visit leviathan.canadaswonderland.com to view ride renderings, specifications, construction updates, and experience a virtual ride simulation.

Press Release Link | Image Link

Tuesday 16 August 2011

Nickelodeon & Nick Jr. are coming to Sea World & Sea World Resort this Christmas!

Village Roadshow Theme Parks (VRTP) and Nickelodeon have joined forces on an exciting new partnership that will bring the world’s first-ever SpongeBob SquarePants parade to Sea World on the Gold Coast this summer. A large-scale attraction for fans of all ages, the parade will be developed exclusively for Sea World by the creative team behind SpongeBob SquarePants and will feature key characters and design elements from the hugely popular animated series.

The multi-year deal between VRTP and Nickelodeon will also include a live stage show of Nick Jr.’s Dora the Explorer that will feature character appearances to entertain pre-school aged kids at Sea World. The Nickelodeon and Nick Jr. brands will also be integrated into the Sea World Resort water park and kids’ club. Additionally, a range of SpongeBob SquarePants and Dora the Explorer consumer products will be available as part of the Nickelodeon integration, including some items offered exclusively at Sea World.

“The Nickelodeon and Nick Jr. brands have a unique resonance with families and are the perfect fit for the Sea World and Sea World Resort properties,” said Dale Stratford, Executive Director of Marketing, Village Roadshow Theme Parks. “This is a fantastic union of world-class entertainment brands, which will be of great benefit to both parties.”

“Nickelodeon is thrilled to be teaming up with Village Roadshow Theme Parks on these new attractions,” added Ben Richardson General Manager for Nickelodeon Australia and New Zealand. “This is a major milestone for our burgeoning local recreation business and an important next step in our brand expansion across all facets of entertainment for Australians.”

"We are looking forward to bringing Nickelodeon attractions to kids and families in Australia,” said Gerald Raines, Senior Director, Nickelodeon Theme Parks and Attractions. “Sea World is a premier family park on the Gold Coast and the ideal location for a one-of-a-kind entertainment experience featuring the pop culture icon and the world’s most optimistic sea sponge, SpongeBob SquarePants.”

Further details of the SpongeBob SquarePants, Dora the Explorer attractions and Sea World Resort attractions will be revealed in the coming months, with launch planned for late 2011 during the peak summer holiday period.

Press Release Link | Image Link

Wednesday 3 August 2011

Mammoth for Holiday World in 2012

Coming in 2012! What’s the largest animal found on the safari? Lion? Gorilla? Elephant? Think back further in time … it was the great and powerful Mammoth. This immense beast once ruled the safari … and now he rules Splashin’ Safari!

Our Wildebeest claimed the title of World’s Longest Water Coaster when it opened in 2010. But Wildebeest bows to the mighty Mammoth and turns over the title. For Mammoth is taller and longer and wider..

Wider?

That’s right. Mammoth boats will be new six-passenger boats. Round boats. Nine feet in diameter, flying up and down hills in the 15-foot-wide slide. That means your thrilling trek on the World’s Longest Water Slide may be facing forward, facing sideways, or facing backwards.
Facing backwards? Yes, and in the dark. There are five enclosed slide sections. And many twists and turns. Plus air-time, that incredible feeling of being lifted off your seat.

What powers these six-passenger boats up the hills? As with Wildebeest, we use Linear Induction Motor (LIM) technology. In total, eight LIMs will magically propel the boats on their way through this 1/3 mile, air-time filled water coaster.

Just as with Wildebeest, the massive Mammoth begins with a conveyor ride up the water coaster’s lifthill. Following the breath-taking five-story drop at a 28-degree angle, LIMs will fly your boats back up hill after air-time-filled hill.
Mammoth will tower seven stories from highest to lowest point and cover more than two acres.

With bright yellow, round, six-passenger boats, your whole family will be able to challenge Mammoth together – and watch each other’s delighted faces as you conquer this epic ride together.

Opening May 2012, Mammoth – the World’s Longest Water Coaster – rules!

Ride Facts
  • Type: HydroMagnetic Water Coaster
  • Height: 69 feet
  • Length: 1/3 mile (1,763 feet)
  • Highest Drop: 53’ at 45-degree angle
  • Drops: 6 drops, totaling 282’
  • Linear Induction Motors: 8, including the world’s longest LIM on a water-coaster
  • World Record: World’s Longest Water Coaster (Wildebeest is #2)
  • Boats: Six-passenger round boats
  • Theme: Mammoth, the immense beast which once ruled the safari
  • Designer: ProSlide Technology Inc., Ontario, Canada

Press Release Link | Image Link

Tuesday 2 August 2011

Hersheypark to Debut Its 12th Coaster in 2012 Season

200‐Foot Thrill Ride Will Feature the First Trains of Their Kind in the United States.

Rising out of the earth at Hersheypark will soon be a whole new breed of roller
coaster – Skyrush, a mega/hyper coaster with winged seating. It will be the tallest,
fastest and longest coaster in the Park.

The train cars of the 200‐foot‐tall steel coaster will feature two floored seats
flanked by two floorless, winged outer seats that will offer a staggering 270‐degree
panoramic viewing perspective.

Skyrush, which will feature cantilevered trains that are to be the first of their
kind in the United States, will cost approximately $25 million and raise the number of coasters in Hersheypark to an even dozen.

The train will begin its skyward climb – at 26 feet per second – before it even
leaves the station. Upon cresting the track’s peak, the train will plunge down an 85‐degree descent and send riders rushing into the first of four high‐speed, high‐banked turns as they travel at speeds up to 75 mph.

Riders will feel the rush of five exhilarating airtime hills and transition from
positive to negative gravity as they cross over the entire length of Comet, the oldest roller coaster in Hersheypark. Skyrush will travel over Spring Creek, the body of water that was a centerpiece when chocolate magnate Milton S. Hershey opened his park in 1907, and race along nearly 3,600 feet of steel track back to its station.

The third Intamin coaster in the Hersheypark arsenal, Skyrush will join crowd
favorites Storm Runner, built in 2004, and Fahrenheit, built in 2008. It promises to
deliver the same high‐intensity thrills that Park guests have come to expect from this renowned coaster manufacturer.

Skyrush will also bring a new coaster sightline to the Comet Hollow section of
Hersheypark, where it will interact with Comet, a classic wooden out‐and‐back coaster that dates to 1946; sooperdooperLooper, which opened in 1977 as the first steel looping coaster on the East Coast; and Great Bear, which debuted in 1998 as the first looping, inverted steel coaster in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Hersheypark, which is well known for blending the past with both the present
and the future as it offers guests a one‐of‐a‐kind experience, is reclaiming about three acres of land that have been closed to the public since 1972. The land is the site of the Park’s former “Sunken Gardens,” a popular place for early visitors to Hershey to take a stroll. The area is now being transformed not only by the new coaster, but also by a renovation that will result in the creation of a scenic observation path that’s lined by globe streetlights, fencing, trees, landscaping and flowers. The area will allow guests to reflect on the Park’s history while watching riders on a state‐of‐the‐art mega coaster.

The coaster’s station house is being modeled after historic train stations in the
Hershey area. New restroom facilities, games and food stands will replicate the Park’s buildings of yesteryear, and a new floating fountain in Spring Creek will bring back memories of days gone by.

Press Release Link | Image Link

Monday 1 August 2011

The Swarm for Thorpe Park

The UK's first winged rollercoaster, THE SWARM, takes you on a death defying flight through apocalyptic devastation.

Be picked up and dragged on the wings of THE SWARM as you’re left exposed and vulnerable to the extreme near misses and gut wrenching inversions as it rips through the sky on its
mission of complete annihilation.

Experience the unique head first, inverted drop from 127ft as you are flung into this merciless flight for your life. War is coming... Spring 2012.

Press Release Link | Image Link