When Silver Dollar City (SDC) in Branson, Missouri, opened “Time Traveler,” I was among the first to put the new ride through its paces. What a rush! It is the world’s fastest, tallest, and steepest complete-circuit spinning coaster, as well as the first to include three inversions and two launches. But its most intriguing feature may be its controlled-spin mechanism.
SDC President Brad Thomas told me that when he and his team first journeyed to Germany to try the prototype car Mack Rides had developed, they weren’t too keen about the dizzying spinning they experienced. Mack resolved the issue by creating onboard magnetic controls to limit the rotation speed. The breakthrough system enables the newfangled spinning coaster to deliver a singular, satisfying, and comfortable ride experience.
Mack’s ingenious solution got me thinking about the designers in our industry and their boundless creativity. Roller coasters have been thrilling riders for a long time. The basic concept—trains rolling on tracks—has more or less remained the same. But like mad scientists tinkering away in labs, designers keep dreaming up ways to tweak coasters and delight parks and their fans.
In addition to Mack’s spinning coaster, this year is bringing a host of other innovative thrill machines. Skyline Attractions is scheduled to roll out its first Skywarp when “Harley Quinn Crazy Coaster” debuts at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom in Vallejo, California. One extra-long train runs the entire length of the contraption’s figure-eight track. Passengers in two sets of cars soar past one another multiple times before encountering two inversions. Crazy!
Rocky Mountain Construction continues its woodie makeover program on a number of rides this year, including “Steel Vengeance,” the reborn “Mean Streak” at Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio. But the pioneering company is also debuting two of its original Raptor Track coaster creations: “RailBlazer” at California’s Great America in Santa Clara and “Wonder Woman Golden Lasso Coaster” at Six Flags Fiesta Texas in San Antonio, which will be the first to incorporate RMC’s intriguing single-rail track. The company says the rides should include surprisingly abrupt transitions between elements while maintaing RMC’s super-smooth calling card. I say it should be super cool.
Using an everything-but-the-kitchen-sink approach, Dynamic Attractions says its first SFX Coaster, “Mission Ferrari” at Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, could include anything (and possibly everything) from LSM launches, tilt tracks, side slides, gyro tables, drop tracks, tumble tables, and inversions. Dark ride features that might include large-screen media, puppetry, and practical effects would combine with the track elements to tell a story.
Tried and true is great. But keep tinkering away, designers. And parks and attractions, take advantage of their inventiveness, and don’t be afraid to bring something bold and different to your visitors.
I’ll see you at the parks. I’ll be the one taking the latest ride for a spin.
Source: http://bit.ly/2LOvdDq
Via: Funworld
