Oldiesmann

The other two rides are from Zamperla, so maybe one of these? https://www.zamperla.com/product/train-rio-grande

It's good to see Herschend jumping in and working hard to revitalize the park. First the Christmas event, now this. It sounds like the fair board finally found the right people to run the park

Here's more information about the plans for the display. If everything comes to plan, the new place should be open either late next year or early 2026. Sounds like it'll be a lot of fun. https://www.trains.com/mrr/news-reviews/news/firecrown-acquires-entertrainment-junction-plans-new-family-interactive-transportation-museum-in-chattanooga-tn/

I saw that. Going to be interesting to see what they do with that.

According to the admin of the Carowinds News and Updates group on Facebook, Nighthawk is now officially retired. Obviously just a rumor at this point since the park has yet to confirm anything, but it looks like another Vekoma flying coaster could be on the chopping block. This one was originally installed at California's Great America in 2000 and moved to Carowinds in 2004. One of Firehawk's trains was sent to Carowinds for use on this ride, or at least for parts, after it closed in 2018. https://www.facebook.com/groups/531478427908046/posts/1245994156456466/

Bonus points if it includes a bridge over the roadway from one side of the park to the other

Same here, but I've never been in the expo center either. The only time I'm down there is for Kentucky Kingdom.

I'm glad I decided to take that side trip to Great Adventure back in July (I had already planned to revisit Hershey, Dorney and Knoebels, and decided I might as well do Great Adventure while I was in the area since it's 9½ hours from Cincy). I got two rides on Kingda Ka and at least two on Green Lantern as well.

This happened a week ago but the cause is still unknown as far as I know. https://www.nbc4i.com/news/local-news/columbus/hotel-at-fort-rapids-waterpark-suffers-massive-fire-days-after-sale/

I'm hoping to make it down there for this event. Possibly on January 4th, but it will depend on my work schedule.

Speaking of coaster nerd stuff, I drove by Baynum Solutions when I was in Newport recently. They've painted their building since I was last by there.

I don't blame the owner for wanting to retire at all. I'm just disappointed in the outcome. I thought surely someone else would step up to take over at some point. It's going to be sorely missed.

Paging our resident Coney expert @CoastersRZ

My problem is I've been on a major park-hopping spree over the past eight years. I've now hit all but about 6 parks within 7 hours of Cincinnati, plus some that are further away. I'm running out of places within driving distance to visit As much as I'd love to see the Christmas event at SDC (or any other non-local park for that matter), that's really not an option for me because of working in a warehouse (we can't take time off during peak season and usually work six days a week as well)

I seriously need to get out there at some point. Maybe I'll make that planned MIssouri coaster trip in 2026...

Tomorrow (Wednesday) at 8am central time (9am our time)... https://www.facebook.com/sdcattractions/posts/pfbid0HDQp5qfcD55yvckfeyCSgYUZ6SQzXGUcDgeSZsEaw4FBevbDpRV4pVM3Bheewbthl

Interesting cryptic post from Kings Dominion on Facebook earlier. Looks like we might finally get to see what they're doing with the coaster formerly known as I-305. https://www.facebook.com/kingsdominionva/posts/pfbid034hAEKUgWVJXEL3qDgrwwTswvXnpuAgmcYXcoRUijyrcUB54zrxBWE8eXG5RVDuoal

It wasn't there when I visited in July. I'm not entirely sure where it was though as it was only my second visit to that park (and my first in 6 years).

I grabbed two rides on Kingda Ka when I was there in July. Didn't get Zumanjaro because it was closed (supposedly for routine maintenance and to allow them to get it re-certified by the state). I doubt I'll make it back up there next year as I already have plans to head out to Virginia instead.

Back in June, Oaks Park's "AtmosFEAR" ride, got stuck upside down on the first day of the park's season: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2024/06/15/oaks-amusement-park-portland-ride-stuck-upside-down/74076733007/ The ride reopened about a week and a half later but they never determined the cause of the malfunction: https://www.koin.com/news/portland/atmosfear-open-again-oaks-amusement-park-ride-malfunction/ Now the park is suing Zamperla over the incident. https://www.oregonlive.com/portland/2024/09/oaks-park-blames-italian-roller-coaster-maker-for-ride-malfunction.html Interesting that this comes 3 months after the incident. I wonder if they found something with the ride or they're just trying to pass the blame to cover the costs of a lawsuit by one of the guests involved in the incident.

I personally like GeisterWolf myself

I didn't see the announcement live but I read about it from various FB friends and BGW pages I follow. That will give me at least 5 new coaster credits on my VA trip next year (2 at KD and now 3 at BGW - possibly even 4 if I make it over to the kids' area and grab the Grover coaster credit). I really wish BGW were closer.

The thing is, Coney wasn't trying to compete with Kings Island at all. With proper marketing and management it could have survived. Management made a huge mistake by removing the rides at the end of 2019, despite whatever reasons they had (publicly stated or otherwise) for doing so. Without the rides it was just a park that happened to have a giant pool with a few slides. a mini golf course, a few games and some activities for the kids. Not much to do when you were done swimming, nothing to do on days when it was a bit too chilly to go swimming...

I did the same thing this summer (with Great Adventure between Hershey and Dorney). If I weren't planning to head down to Virginia next year I'd consider it again. The Chocolate Town area they built is really nice.

Definitely great placement, but difficult to beat the one at BGW where you're swinging out over the edge of a large cliff.