Jonathan wrote:I suspect the author of that article is coming to their own conclusions. It seems like the park used images of Gatekeeper as an example just because Gatekeeper is the chain's most recent major coaster. I don't know that it necessarily means the coaster will be a wing rider. This is definitely an interesting twist, though. How cool would it be if the coaster actually wrapped around the perimeter of the Paladium?
I agree 100% on this observation Johnathan. The company had to give the council something so they gave them Gatekeeper in the presentation. They may have revealed the height to win over support from the board. The location may not be firm either. Likely they penciled something in on the NC side for presentation purposes. Ripping out the Palladium and the excavation work seems kind of expensive. Isn't that thing a man made bowl dug into the ground?
Also the author likely jumped to the conclusion about suspended feet by looking at Gatekeepers pictures in the presentation. Honestly a novice would naturally think Carowinds is getting the same coaster, not knowing anything about the Wonderland coaster. Also consider this, the presentation works well in preserving some secrecy about the project. Journalist and the general pubic are going to go running half cocked thinking it is a Gatekeeper clone. But us smart *** enthusiast know better. 300 ft does not equal wing coaster. As mentioned a while back, this style coaster cannot currently handle the forces.
The news was not released, and won't be until it is announced. Construction may start in the spring but don't look for an announcement until next fall. This is basically detective work by a journalist trying to get a scoop, which he did. Many news outlet will not report some thing unless it is officially released by the party(s) involved.
