CookieCoasters said:
^I assume you mean get rid of the log flume, rather than build a new one. I like log flumes, and i feel they should not be the first rides to go, when a new ride is needed. They are great classic rides and its a shame that lately log flumes have been closing more frequently
Yeah, that was sarcasm. :wink:
I am going to pull my rough equation of mandatory rides every major amusement park should have from the Banshee discussion:
I know I have previously posted a personal "ruberic" of rides required for every successful park - a cross analysis of rides typically found at major U.S. parks. I'll try to recreate that line-up here:
Mine Train
200 ft. Steel Coaster
Out-and-Back Wooden Coaster
Twister Wooden Coaster
Racing Coaster
Older Steel Multi-Loop Coaster (e.g. Arrow, Vekoma, Schwarzkopf)
Stand-Up/Floorless/Inverted Coaster (can have multiples)
Flying/Winged Coaster (can have multiples)
Hybrid/Specialty Coaster (e.g. X2, a winged multi-looping steel coaster)
Launch Coaster
Shuttle Coaster
River Rapids
Log Flume
Splash Boat
So if we cross reference to what KD has:
Mine Train - N/A
200 ft. Steel Coaster - I305
Out-and-Back Wooden Coaster - Rebel Yell
Twister Wooden Coaster - Grizzly, Hurler
Racing Coaster - Rebel Yell
Older Steel Multi-Loop Coaster (e.g. Arrow, Vekoma, Schwarzkopf) - Anaconda
Stand-Up/Floorless Coaster (can have multiples) - Dominator, Shockwave
Flying/Winged/Inverted Coaster (can have multiples) - Volcano
Hybrid/Specialty Coaster (e.g. X2, a winged multi-looping steel coaster) - Avalanche, Ricochet
Launch Coaster - Volcano, Flight of Fear, Backlot Stunt Coaster
Shuttle Coaster - N/A
The missing gaps in KD's lineup are first and foremost a Mine Train or Shuttle Coaster. However, we have not seen either ride type built at a major park in the U.S. for quite some time (such as the Intamin Impulse wave of the early 2000s), so I wouldn't expect such attractions. Wooden coasters seems to be covered plenty as well, even though the quality of such is lacking.
The one area that is of specific interest is the Flyer/Winged/Inverted category. Yes, Volcano is an inverted roller coaster, but arguably is first and foremost a launched roller coaster. A large inverted or winged roller coaster would make a lot of sense at the park (even a flyer if Cedar Fair wanted to venture that way), and fill a definite area which can be popular with park guests. I would air towards the side of large inverted roller coaster - maybe the world first 200 ft. B&M Invert or most inversions? (That is, KI retains length and speed record for B&M Invert, KD takes height or inversion record)
Again, I reference to our interview with Cedar Fair CEO Matt Ouimet, which makes me pessimistic about a winged coaster for other Cedar Fair parks in the near future.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BSLs8_lKiYs[/youtube]