Small News From The Theme Park Industry

[Niles]

Pretty terrible way to evac a rapids at SFOT.

[Roaring Rapids, SFOT] prime example on how NOT to do it...
by u/UpstopCoasters in rollercoasters

 

[davidm]

^ that's crazy but it looks more like the guests fault than a bad-evac.

In that, the rafts are clogging up and the ride-op is there (presumably just to help de-clog it, as the pumps are still working then) but then the guests in the first raft seem to panic and try to climb out (cut in the video then), whereupon they stop the ride/pumps and then the guests all start jumping into the water as the rafts move back. One person is even contemplating jumping into the water as the raft drifts off screen.

If it were a proper evac they would have told the guests to stay put, then shut the ride - so looks to me like guests did not follow instructions (perhaps bad instructions)?

(not a good look in any event though!)

 

[ECG]

Firefighters rescue 28 people stuck upside down on Oregon ride

The AtmosFEAR ride, which opened in 2021, operates like a pendulum, with the capacity to swing riders completely upside down.

news.sky.com

How does it get stuck like that, I would have thought stafety systems would have been in place to get it back down at the very least? Would gravity have been impossible/unsafe?

Oaks Amusement Park has reopened AtmosFEAR after closing it due to an incident that left 28 guests upside-down for roughly 25 minutes. Zamperla and an independent inspector have given the go-ahead for the attraction to resume operations, but it will only function in 180° or 260° modes for the time being instead of its full 360° mode. Source

 

[ECG]

Double post

Valleyfair has closed Excalibur, Thunder Canyon, and Renegade "due to significant flooding,". Other attractions remain open with "the vast majority" of the property above the current projected crest of the Minnesota River. Guests are also advised to park at the overflow lot at nearby Canterbury Park and utilize a shuttle to the park, as the Valleyfair lots are closed. Source

 

[Rob Coasters]

A car has crashed into a Taron support beam. The ride is closed, but no further information.

EDIT: I am hearing the ride has reopened

 

[Tonkso]

That is exactly the car you expect to crash into a wall.

 

[Ollie]

Finally got an update on Hex from Towers. A new behind the scenes video hosted by Bianca has been published by the resort giving a look behind the scenes at all the updates and changes. Currently scheduled for an Autumn opening.

 

[VonRolland]

Finally got an update on Hex from Towers. A new behind the scenes video hosted by Bianca has been published by the resort giving a look behind the scenes at all the updates and changes. Currently scheduled for an Autumn opening.

Interesting how they have a new door into the batching/first preshow room

 

[Efteldingus]

More details came in this afternoon: The worker was doing maintenance work on one of Taron’s trains when they were apparently struck in the head by a moving vehicle. He was pronounced dead at the scene before ambulance could arrive. The park also put out an official statement:

Phantasialand on Instagram: "Wir sind erschüttert. Fassungslos. In tiefer Trauer. Das tödliche Unglück eines geliebten Kollegen, das eine klaffende Lücke in die Phantasialand-Familie gerissen hat, lässt uns sprachlos zurück. Euer Mitgefühl und die

14K likes, 690 comments - phantasialand on March 26, 2024: "Wir sind erschüttert. Fassungslos. In tiefer Trauer. Das tödliche Unglück eines geliebten Kollegen, das eine klaffende Lücke in die Phantasialand-Familie gerissen hat, lässt uns sprachlos zurück. Euer Mitgefühl und die einfühlsamen...

www.instagram.com

Phantasialand is still set to open for the season on Thursday, but wether some form of tribute to the deceased worker will be held is unknown

This is, unfortunately, getting a bit of a tail now. Two employees of the park are suspects in a legal investigation into the accident, on the count of negligent homicide.

Source:

Phantasialand: Nach Taron-Drama geht es juristisch in die nächste Runde: Kollegen des Toten sind Verdächtige

Der Tod des Phantasialand-Mitarbeiters im März 2024 hat jetzt ein Nachspiel. Zwei Kollegen des Toten sind in den Fokus der Staatsanwaltschaft geraten.

www.express.de

 

[Ollie]

ACE has awarded the Big Dipper and Grand National rides Rollercoaster Landmark Plaques; a special recognition reserved for rides of historical significance.

PLEASURE BEACH RESORT’S Big Dipper and Grand National receive landmark plaque in UK first
Two iconic rides at Blackpool’s Pleasure Beach Resort have scooped a prestigious award – making Pleasure Beach the first attraction in the UK to receive this honour.
ACE (American Coaster Enthusiasts) has awarded the Big Dipper and Grand National rides Rollercoaster Landmark Plaques; a special recognition reserved for rides of historical significance.
Only 48 coasters in the world have ever received Rollercoaster Landmark plaques, and Pleasure Beach is only the second park in Europe to be given the awards – the 49th and 50th respectively.
The only other European coaster to be awarded is Rutschebanen at Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen.
Pleasure Beach is also the second park in the word to receive two Rollercoaster Landmark Plaques at the same time; the first being Kennywood in Pennsylvania, USA.
61 members of ACE Europe travelled from across the globe (including the US, Belgium, Germany, Canada, Portugal, Netherlands, Czech Republic and Slovenia) to Blackpool, Lancashire to personally present the plaques to Pleasure Beach board directors, James Cox and Andy Hygate.
The plaques are a permanent historical marker which will be put on display at Pleasure Beach Resort, aiming to educate park guests about the extensive history of the rides.
ACE Communications Director Derek Perry said: “ACE members are extremely excited that the Big Dipper and Grand National are now ACE Roller Coaster Landmarks. I can't think of two more deserving wooden coasters which reside in the same park. This unique duo has the perfect mix of exhilarating drops, thrills and classic charm.
“With two ACE Roller Coaster Landmarks and all the other fantastic attractions at the park, Pleasure Beach Resort is a must-visit destination for enthusiasts from around the world!”
Amanda Thompson OBE, CEO of Pleasure Beach Resort, said: “It’s an honour to receive the ACE Rollercoaster Landmark Plaques for both Big Dipper and Grand National. These rides hold a special place in the hearts of our guests and we’re proud that the importance of their heritage has been recognised.
“The blend of our modern, industry-leading rides like ICON and Valhalla, with these older, one-of-a-kind rides is an integral part of Pleasure Beach Resort’s identity and something that we believe truly sets us apart.”
Founded in 1978, ACE is the largest and longest-running organisation for rollercoaster enthusiasts, with more than 7,000 members worldwide.
The world-famous Big Dipper is over 100 years old, celebrating its centenary year in 2023. Grand National opened in 1935 and is one of only two single-track wooden racing coasters still operating today.
Guests can receive discounted entry to ride these iconic coasters and more by booking in advance online at www.pleasurebeachresort.com

Source

 

[Munchy Road Hippopotamus]

ACE has awarded the Big Dipper and Grand National rides Rollercoaster Landmark Plaques; a special recognition reserved for rides of historical significance.



View attachment 32434
Source

Doesn't make them less painful unfortunatley....

 

[cookie]

An unfortunate (but cuddly) incident befell Heide-Park today. A plush elephant fell on the track for the Mack powered coaster Grottenblitz and got lodged beneath the front car of the train. No injures were reported among riders, but the plush elephant sadly did not survive the slow-moving collision. The plush elephant is survived by whoever its owner is.

 

[VonRolland]

An unfortunate (but cuddly) incident befell Heide-Park today. A plush elephant fell on the track for the Mack powered coaster Grottenblitz and got lodged beneath the front car of the train. No injures were reported among riders, but the plush elephant sadly did not survive the slow-moving collision. The plush elephant is survived by whoever its owner is.

Who tf decided lets run it over rather than just pick it up, hope it damaged the belts

 

[CanobieFan]

Yeah, that seems like a ride stop / e stop and removal would have been the better option.

 

[cookie]

Disney has submitted a patent for a two-dimensional guiding system that would allow boats on water rides to turn to face specific show scenes as opposed to always be locked straight ahead, while still being propelled by the waterflow rather than any other method of propulsion. The vehicle would be fitted with a square bogie that would come in contact with ride elements placed underwater, allowing the boat to turn any which direction the ride designers so choose. According to the patent, this solution would allow for tighter turns and more control over the riders’ point of view while maintaining the traditional flume set-up.

Source:

Disney Patents Next Generation of Water Flume Ride; Showcases Moana-Style Implementation

Disney has filed a patent for a next-generation water flume ride that would allow for more dynamic show scenes

blogmickey.com

 

[Peet]

Disney has submitted a patent for a two-dimensional guiding system that would allow boats on water rides to turn to face specific show scenes as opposed to always be locked straight ahead, while still being propelled by the waterflow as opposed to any other method of propulsion. The vehicle would be fitted with a square bogie that would come in contact with ride elements placed underwater, allowing the boat to turn any which direction the ride designers so choose. According to the patent, this solution would allow for tighter turns and more control over the riders’ point of view while maintaining the traditional flume set-up.

Source:

Disney Patents Next Generation of Water Flume Ride; Showcases Moana-Style Implementation

Disney has filed a patent for a next-generation water flume ride that would allow for more dynamic show scenes

blogmickey.com

Doesn't the Shanghai Pirates do something like this?

That's clearly the boat from Moana, and with Moana 2 coming out later this year it would make sense for them to roll out some Moana boat rides, my 3yo would love it.

 

[Absimilliard]

La Recre des 3 Cures, an amusement park in western France, will add an 80-meter-tall (262 feet tall) Funtime drop tower in 2025. The name and theme haven't been determined for now, but to give you an idea of the scale of this ride, it will be the third drop tower in the country. Nigloland (100 meters) and Parc Spirou (90 meters) are the taller ones, and like La Recre, they are Funtime drop towers.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/C9C3TXBoOfb/

La Recre des 3 Cures is home to Vertika, 2020 custom Eurofighter from Gerstlauer and Jeep-O-Dino. It is a Family Coaster 92m from Zamperla that opened a month ago.

 

[cookie]

Doesn't the Shanghai Pirates do something like this?

I believe Shanghai Pirates uses two sets of wheel assemblies that ride along independent guide rails, so it needs to have space for two separate tracks whenever Disney wants the boat to turn to face a specific direction:

(from the Shanghai Pirates patent)


The new patent looks to be a simplified version that only uses one bogey, so it can ride along one set of rails while still turning in whichever direction Disney wants it to at that time. In turn, it would require less space and less track to be manufactured.

 

[TPoseOnTantrum]

Bit of a serious one, but a bunch of showmen have come out with accusations that Höllenblitz is in dire condition right now, to the point that it's unsafe to run. They're saying everything from poor maintenance, parts in need of replacement, and multiple accidents being swept under the rug. The operator is painting this as a "with hunt" and smear campaign, stating that it's been passing inspection and that his competitors are trying to ruin his reputation. Bad news if half of this is true; https://www.waz.de/lokales/herne-wa...age-vorwuerfe-von-hoellenblitz-betreiber.html

 

[Matt N]

If these accusations are true; these Schwarzkopf coasters are having a rough few years for safety, aren't they?

Jetline derailed, Quimera derailed, All American Triple Loop slid back down the lift hill, and now these accusations about Hollenblitz... that is quite a few incidents and/or safety concerns in a short time period.