Park News

BUSCH GARDENS WILLIAMSBURG, VIRGINIA, USA

BG Williamsburg's new multi-launch, horizontal dropping, partially indoors, heavily themed Zierer coaster opened quietly this weekend for a practise run with the public before the big opening on Friday 18^th.

We stopped by unawares and got a chance to try out this unique new ride for ourselves!

It’s a completely different style of ride from everything else the park has to offer, presenting a fully themed experience as you’re taken on a story through the queue and onto the ride. Everything, including the station floor, is themed! The details are impressive and a jump from Busch’s usual approach to roller coasters. This is presented more like a dark ride.

The really special thing is that both times we rode there were different effects in the indoors section! There are at least 3 different potential effects possible. More on this later in the week when we’ve ridden it some more…

The staff were doing a great job with the dual loading station and the queue, which was the longest in the park but moved fast despite it’s length.

Expect a review in the near future!

PortAventura, Tarragona, Spain

PortAventura has confirmed that their new Shambhala rollercoaster will open at 3pm on Saturday 12th May. 

When the coaster opens, it will become the tallest coaster in Europe, measuring 249' 4" (76mtrs) tall, beating the 239' 6" (73mtrs) tall Silver Star at Europa Park, Germany.

The park have released a video showing the trains in motion. It contains plenty of shots showing the silky drops and sweeping turns. Will it ride as well as the park's renowned Dragon Khan, or will it end up being another force-less B&M? With a 83mph (134kph) top speed, we wait with baited breath for the reviews to roll in.

Busch Gardens Williamsburg, VA, USA

Busch Gardens Williamsburg have released a YouTube video showing their new heavily themed horizontal drop coaster, Verbolten.

The video is narrated by Larry Giles, Busch Gardens VP of Engineering, and shows various elements of the ride, including the inside drop, the station and trains. Those who love to see great theming should enjoy the snippets of theme throughout the video.

It anchors the park’s newly rejuvenated Oktoberfest village and joins last year's problem-riddled-at-the-start-of-the-season Mäch Tower as the park’s newest thrill attraction. Verbolten opens to the public on May 18th.

Hersheypark, PA, USA

Hersheypark's new $25m rollercoaster, Skyrush, started testing yesterday so it was only a matter of time before videos popped up on YouTube.

To the right is a 59-second long video filmed by park visitors showing the ride in action. Airtime hills and curves galore. And those trains look fab!

Skyrush offers riders a 3,600ft long, 63 seconds jaunt up a 200ft lift hill, down a 85° drop, through four high speed-banked curves and airtime hills at a top speed of 75mph.

The new coaster - Hersheypark's 12th - is scheduled to open this summer.