[cwgator]

SeaWorld & Aquatica San Antonio 2018:
https://seaworld.com/san-antonio/whats-new/


Sesame Street® Parade
The iconic brand expands out of the Sesame Street Bay of Play® and onto the pathways with the addition of a neighborhood street party parade. This daily event features everyone’s favorite Sesame Street friends, 10 themed floats, contemporary tunes including Sesame Street favorites and three show-stopping performances throughout the parade route. The Sesame Street Parade will make its debut in spring 2018.


Taumata Racer®
For those who prefer life in the fast lane, the new Taumata Racer high-speed racing water slide at Aquatica San Antonio will zoom riders down a slide and in and out of tunnels before crossing the finish line.

Also new for 2018 2 new events for the park:


Electric Ocean (Summer)
When the sun goes down, the night comes to life at SeaWorld’s new Electric Ocean spectacular. Immerse yourself in exotic worlds of light and music in this family-friendly event.


Bier Fest (September)
Raise a glass to toast the end of summer with over 100 craft beers from around the globe, including all your favorite local brews.

[tarheel1231]

SFOG will eventually get rid of Dahlonega Mine Train.

No, please no.

[gabed]

I love making fun of that coaster too much please don't take it out!

[cwgator]

Well...there is confirmation of the first (?) Dinosaurs Alive leaving at Kings Island Oct 29th. (photo from Ohio Valley Coasters on Facebook).

KIDAleaving.JPG (270.42 KiB) Viewed 7694 times

[tarheel1231]

Kings Island was the first park to open a Dinosaurs Alive attraction, and it's finally closing after 6 years. Can we reasonably expect the attractions at other parks to close next season, with Carowinds/Worlds of Fun/Valleyfair finishing them off in 2019?

[Edwardo]

I know the original license was for 5 years, I assume that's per park. So I'd guess they'll remove them at park when they need space. I think KI may just have a plan for that area in a couple years.

[cwgator]

Update on Busch Gardens Williamsburg 2018:
We now have a name for the new VR attraction that's replacing Europe In The Air: Battle For Eire

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=99Isr4VvhP0&feature=youtu.be[/youtube]

[Edwardo]

LoL someone leaked KI getting a skywarp early.

[Edwardo]

Or perhaps not...

[tarheel1231]

Trackwork on Steel Vengeance is done!

[gabed]

Holy crap that was fast. Any reason why it was finished this early? I know Sandusky has harsh winters and RMC had a lot of projects this year but... wow.

[Edwardo]

Fast? They’ve been working on it since last year when it closed...

[cwgator]

Darien Lake will be adding something....but they aren't saying what just yet.
http://www.thedailynewsonline.com/bdn01/darien-lake-keeps-next-ride-a-secret-for-now-20171006

Part of the article:

DARIEN — A new attraction is coming to Darien Lake, but the mystery and excitement that builds while in line for a roller coaster is accompanying the project.
Darien Lake General Manager Chris Thorpe told the Genesee County Economic Development Center Thursday that the theme park is “purposefully not disclosing what the ride will be at this time,” citing the need for it to be approved within the company and with the Town of Darien.
“It’s very hard for me to not come out of my skin in excitement, to talk about what we want to do,” Thorpe said. “We believe this ride, and the investment level into its size, scope and family thrill level will entice families from all over the northeast and into southern Ontario and Canada. People will reap the rewards of visiting Darien Lake and see what Genesee County has to offer.”
The ride will be Darien Lake’s first major investment since the RipCurl Racer waterslide in 2016. Thorpe said the project will invest roughly $5 million within the current footprint of the park and be operational by 2018.
“It’s in a spot dedicated for expansion,” Thorpe said.
Darien Lake Holdings LLC is requesting a $360,000 sales tax exemption from Genesee County to support the tourism project. GCEDC’s board accepted an initial resolution for the incentives, and is on track to act on the proposal later this year.

[cwgator]

Aquatica (Orlando) 2018: Ray Rush


https://aquaticabyseaworld.com/en/orlando/attractions/rides/ray-rush

Triple your fun with the three-in-one thrills of Ray Rush, new at Aquatica Orlando. Ray Rush is the fully-loaded water adventure with three ways to slide, splash and soar like never before. First, water jets launch your raft from zero to awesome in just seconds. Your adventure takes a twisting turn as you spin inside a colossal water sphere. Finally, dive into the giant manta wings, swooping up and down a different path each time. Fill your raft with family and friends for three times the thrills on the exciting Ray Rush at Aquatica, SeaWorld’s waterpark.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/travel/attractions/theme-park-rangers-blog/os-bz-seaworld-aquatica-new-water-slide-20171011-story.html

Aquatica, SeaWorld Orlando’s water park, is putting in a water slide, expected to be ready for visitors by spring 2018. The new Ray Rush will be a family raft ride on which passengers travel through enclosed tubes and transparent spheres before encountering an open-air half pipe shaped like a manta ray.

“It’s the first time that you’re going to see these elements combined, here in the state of Florida, on any water slide,” said Cathy Valeriano, Aquatica vice president.

Ray Rush will go up on the northern end of the attraction. It will take the place of HooRoo Run, a straight-shot raft ride, which will close permanently Oct. 31. The new ride will take off from the same existing tower as Walhalla Wave, which will shut down temporarily after Oct. 31. It will reopen with the launch of Ray Rush.

The footprint of Ray Rush will be wider than that of HooRoo Run. Construction will cause modifications to the perimeter road, but it won’t affect the attraction’s parking areas, Valeriano said.

Ray Rush also will share a splash-down pool with Walhalla Wave, she said.

“The trajectory in which you’ll come down does expand our bottom pool by 10 feet,” she said.

The ray-shaped section of the ride will be visible from the road that leads to the park’s entrance.

“We’re going to tease you a bit as you come through. You’ll hear the screams, for sure,” Valeriano says.

Ray Rush’s rafts will have a capacity of four people, and riders must be at least 42 inches tall.

“We have a very high demand for family thrill in our park,” Valeriano said. “We are very family-oriented.” She said about 75 percent of Aquatica’s attractions accommodate visitors who are 42 inches tall.

“If you experience that with your child and [are] able to see that expression on their face instead of maybe hearing it from down below … you’re never going to forget, and you’re not going to want to miss that,” Valeriano said.

Ray Rush will be the first new slide at Aquatica since Ihu’s Breakaway Falls, a multiple-lane drop slide, opened in 2014.

Aquatica’s announcement comes on the heels of news that Tampa’s Adventure Island is adding a drop-slide attraction. That water park, the adjacent Busch Gardens theme park and Aquatica are all part of Orlando-based SeaWorld Entertainment Inc.

Starting this weekend, Aquatica annual passholders can receive a one-time Quick Queue ticket allowing them easier access to say goodbye to HooRoo Run and “see you later” to Walhalla Wave.

[coasterbruh]

Im gonna miss that triple down slide . . .