Coney Island’s Scream Zone to boast two thrilling roller coasters

by Joel Bullock on


Coney Island is about to get a much needed boost in the thrills department. Once home to cutting edge amusement rides and the World’s fastest roller coaster in the famed Coney Island Cyclone, the area has closed rides and had few roller coasters of note. Scream Zone looks to change that with two new roller coasters.

Steeplechase Horses Coaster might be considered the headliner for the new park. While launch coasters have been around for years, they still freeze onlookers in their tracks. Many are still used to seeing traditional lift hills versus a coaster rocketing out of the station. After boarding horse-shaped seats, Steeplechase will launch riders to 40 mph. As launch coasters go, that’s a benign launch, but it will still impress your average park guests and offer a fun family-friendly ride. Steeplechase should be similar to Knotts Berry Farm’s Pony Express (pictured above).

Flying roller coaster Soaring Eagle will put riders in a face-down flying position. Similar to Playland Park’s Super Flight, it will feature a spiral lift hill and two loops. The ride has just made a cross-country trip from Denver’s Elitch Gardens where it was known as Flying Coaster.

Both roller coasters are compact and don’t come anywhere near record speeds or heights, but they’re a step in the right direction. If Scream Zone does well, then bigger attractions could be around the corner. When I visited Coney Island a few years ago, I got to experience the iconic Cyclone, but after that I left the area. Tourists and locals looking for more thrills on the boardwalk should be excited. Sign up for updates about Scream Zone’s opening at their website.

[Image credit: Flickr user – Magic Madzik]

Michael Jackson theme park planned for Gary, Indiana

by Joel Bullock on

A Michael Jackson theme park has been planned for the late Pop star’s hometown of Gary, Indiana. The developers announced that the theme park will be part of a larger $1 billion project that will also include a museum, golf course, 300-room hotel, and a performing arts center. Spokesperson Odie Anderson shared that they hope to break ground later this year.

The theme park and surrounding attractions will be built out in phases over the next decade beginning with the museum. Eventually, the park will include rides from Jackson’s Neverland Ranch and a roller coaster themed after his mega hit “Thriller”. I would have thought that a Micheal Jackson theme park would have sprung up out of the remnants of the Neverland Ranch in California. But, a park in Indiana has the advantage of being closer to more of the country’s population which will give more visitors a shorter trip to the park.

Elvis’ favorite roller coaster Zippin Pippin comes to Green Bay

by Joel Bullock on


Green Bay Wisconsin’s Bay Beach Amusement Park will soon be home to a classic wooden roller coaster known as the Zippin Pippin. The remains of the defunct ride were purchased from a Memphis, Tennessee park last year. It was known to be Elvis Presley’s favorite roller coaster as he often rented out the park so that he could ride it without being bothered by fans. Reports are that Pressley rode Zippin Pippin eight days before he died. To support the ride’s history, Bay Beach Amusement Park is working on adding Elvis’ favorite food, peanut butter and banana sandwiches.

According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Bay Beach Amusement park is aiming for the ride to open when the park opens on May 7th. Even with the harsh Wisconsin weather, recent construction photos show that Zippin Pippin’s track work is nearly complete. It appears that the park should be able to hit their target date. Bay Beach Amusement park is the ninth oldest operating amusement park in the U.S. according to ZippinPippin.org. The park is already home to historic amusement park rides, so this classic wooden coaster with an interesting claim to fame should be right at home.

[Image credit: Flickr user – theogeo]

Knoebels could add two new roller coasters in 2011

by Joel Bullock on

Central Pennsylvania amusement park Knoebels could open two roller coasters next season. For a park with only three roller coasters in operation, that would be quite a boost. The small park is a fan favorite among theme park enthusiasts as it offers free admission, classic rides, and a homey non-commercial feel.

Black Diamond was purchased from Wildwood, New Jersey’s Dinosaur Beach where it was known as Golden Nugget. The partially enclosed roller coaster sent guests on a themed mine car ride through the desert. The Golden Nugget operated from 1960 to 1992. And then it operated on and off until remaining closed since 1999.

After an unusually long construction period, Flying Turns, may finally open. It’s an interesting throwback to a wooden bobsled roller coaster that hasn’t existed in 40 years. After numerous setbacks hopefully 2011 will finally be the year when the ride’s ready to open to the public.

Knoebels’ calling card has been revitalizing classic roller coasters and these two new additions should perfectly fit the park’s old school amusement park feel. Knoebels is also home to the critically acclaimed Phoenix which was reborn at the park after a previous life at a park in Texas.

[Image credit: Flickr user milst1]

Lagoon Park to add new family coaster – Bombora in 2011

by Joel Bullock on

Utah’s Lagoon Park is building a new roller coaster that’s set to debut in 2011. Little is known about the ride, but the park has revealed that its name will be Bombora. A Lagoon Park spokesman also confirmed rumors that it will be a family roller coaster. This means that it shouldn’t be taller than three or four stories and its top speed should be rather tame. Lagoon Park’s website shares little information, but thanks to construction photos popping up on the Web we know that it will have traditional sitdown-style trains and a blue steel track. Also, theme park fan site Lagoon Is Fun has posted a Christmas card that the park sent out as a teaser.

Lagoon’s last new roller coaster was the thrilling Wicked in 2007. The Zierer-designed launched roller coaster boasts two launches, a zero-g roll, and a 90-degree drop. I know that many coaster enthusiasts want every roller coaster to be bigger and faster than the last, but Bombora should serve as a reminder that amusement parks need to cater to families too. Not every new roller coaster can be an intense, white knuckle thrill ride.

[Photo Credit: Flickr user zaui]