Traveling the Globe for the Best Coasters and Theme Parks
Disney is truly in a league of their own when it comes to themed areas. Our recent podcast covered this in great detail, but we wanted to produce a follow-up article to make a couple changes and reiterate some of our key points.
Today we spent the day at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom. The day turned out to again be quiet and relaxing, allowing for rerides on some of our favorite rides. The highlight, however, was observing the active construction site of TRON: Lightcycle Run. Join us for a construction update of this highly anticipated new coaster: Continue reading “TRON: Lightcycle Run Construction Update – Magic Kingdom – Early September 2020”
We’ve seen parks of all types, locations, and architectural styles. Some parks, however, were just very weird. After a fun trip down memory lane we created this list of the 10 weirdest parks in the world. Enjoy! Continue reading “10 Weirdest Theme Parks in the World”
You may know that we traveled to the People’s Republic of China last fall to visit some of the world’s coolest theme parks. Every park stands out in their own way, especially in Asia. However, there is one park that ranked on our “worst parks” list but I can’t wait to revisit. I was in awe the entire time. In a way it was one of my favorite experiences ever. To set the mood, imagine a sprawling resort over mountains, spreading across a bay on the South China Sea. Golf courses, hundreds of villas, hotels, worlds to explore. Now imagine it all being abandoned. Continue reading “A Forgotten Report for a Forgotten Resort”
We’re fortunate enough to have ridden all traditional Giga coasters in the world (that means lift-hill followed by several additional elements). We figured we may as well create a ranking of them all! We know our opinion can be a bit shocking at times, thus we asked Instagram followers on @thecoasterkings to guide is in creating this list. Some of the poll responses we just couldn’t agree with, but thank you readers for making the ranking process fun. Continue reading “All Traditional Giga Coasters in the World – RANKED”
Alexander: Greetings! Who’s ready for another Coaster Kings Top 5? This time we’re looking at one of B&M’s most enduring product lines, the Flying Coaster!
Alexander: Everyone that knows us knows we live for a good Arrow coaster – especially their loopers. We love nothing more than getting rattled around on some of Arrow’s rowdier concoctions, which brings us to this fairly-exhaustive list of our favorites (though we’re still missing some cool ones, like Fantasia Special and HotWheels Sidewinder). Continue reading “The 5 Best Arrow Loopers”
Alexander: Beginning with resort-saving Space Mountain de la Terre a la Lune in 1995, Disney was the unlikely champion of the modern launch coaster; before Premier Rides, Intamin, and other industry juggernauts had their hand at next-generation launchers, Disney partnered with Vekoma to create the first new catapult-propelled coaster in over a decade (one that, unlike its predecessors, would run multiple trains on a circular track.
Sean: Disney loves their (mine) train themed coasters and every Disney Resort is home to at least one signature version! Today we take a look at five of the eight spread around the world to make our ranking. The selection ranges from classic Big Thunder Mountain Railroad installations to new-age versions such as Expedition Everest and Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. Continue reading “Our 5 Favorite Disney Mine Train Roller Coasters”
Alexander: We’ve made it to the final (new) park of our China trip! While a bonus visit to Shanghai Disney took place on the last day of our tour, Guangzhou Sunac was the last call for credits and new rides on the trip. Continue reading “Guangzhou Sunac Land – 2019 Trip Report”
Sean: I don’t think I was ready. Ready to be in awe around every corner. Ready to be flabbergasted by record breaking attractions and truly amazing shows. Ready to give a park such high praise upon the first visit. Our visit to Chimelong Ocean Kingdom was eye-opening. Chimelong created a product no other company has even gotten close to – join us at our new favorite theme park on Earth. Continue reading “Chimelong Ocean Kingdom – Pure Astonishment”
Join us as we travel to the Far East in search of some of the best parks and coasters in the world. This episode of Coaster Kings Radio: More Sean. More Alex. More China!
Continue reading “Coaster Kings Radio Special – Cathay Catharsis Pt. II – South China”
Alexnder: Now for something a little different! After a successful day at Chimelong Paradise with some bonus time at Chuanlord Holiday Manor, we spent the evening at the day’s 3rd major attraction: The incredible Canton Tower!
Alexander: I hope you all like surprises, because this next park as a total surprise for us. We didn’t even know Chuanlord Holiday Manor existed until about 20 minutes before we called a taxi to take us there!
Continue reading “Chuanlord Holiday Manor – 2019 Trip Report”
Alexander: We’re now in South China! A 3hr flight from the Shanghai area has landed us in the greater Guangzhou metro – the 9th largest metro in the world! in the heart of the region is one of the country’s largest parks, Chimelong Paradise! Continue reading “Chimelong Paradise – 2019 Trip Report”
Sean: One of our last Shanghai parks was the brand new Shanghai Haichang Ocean Park! Home to many exhibits, killer whales, and the signature Steel Dolphin Intamin Blitz coaster, we were very much looking forward to visiting. Upon arrival we slowly started figuring out that this park is *just* shy of being a hit, but somehow charges prices comparable to Shanghai Disneyland. Let’s go explore. Continue reading “Shanghai Haichang Ocean Park”
Sean: Wonder what China’s version of a studios–themed park is like? Wonder no more! The famous Huayi Brothers have major studio property right by the park, and recently opened a movie studios theme park with a wild mix of knock-offs, stellar world-class attractions, and bizarre dark rides. Let’s head in to this amazingly well–manicured park and see if polish alone can carry the place! Continue reading “HB World – 2019 Trip Report”
Alexander: Following a quick taxi ride from Joyland, we embarked on a fabulous afternoon at one of our new favorite parks: Dinosaurland! (also known as China Dinosaurs Park).
Sean: Welcome to the next installment of our China adventure. One of the many reasons 2019 was the year of this tour was because of the giant amount of new theme parks opening up in China at the moment. In order to keep up we’re trying to hit new parks within a few years from opening. Wuxi Sunac Land opened June 29th of this year and is best known for their giant B&M Wing Coaster: Falcon. Let’s head in! Continue reading “Wuxi Sunac Land – 2019 Trip Report”
Alexander: It’s time for us to spread our wings and travel beyond the immediate Shanghai metro and deeper into the Yangtze Delta megaopolis, (namely the Jiangsu province, which is home to the next several parks on our tour).