Traveling the Globe for the Best Coasters and Theme Parks
As we discussed in the last article on the Whizzer the Marriott’s Great America parks were bold designs that applied many lessons learned at other regional parks. Part of this was a plan and specific plots designated for expansion. In 1977, a year after its opening, the Santa Clara park was the first to receive a major coaster addition, the Tidal Wave.
Continue reading “Lost Coasters of California – Part 3: Tidal Wave”
In Part 1 of this series we explored Corkscrew which left Knott’s Berry farm in 1989 but lives on at Silverwood. Today we look at another steel classic that left the state a year earlier in 1988 and also lives on, albeit in spirit, at a different park.
Continue reading “Lost Coasters of California – Part 2: Whizzer”
The Golden State has long had the reputation as one of the recreation capitals of the world. Beautiful weather combined with a diverse landscape created an environment where leisure became a serious business. It is no surprise that California is home to some of the world’s most famous roller coasters. Unfortunately many great rides are no longer part of the California coaster landscape. In these series we will be exploring some of California’s great coasters that are no more!
Continue reading “Lost Coasters of California – Part 1: Corkscrew”
Since their creation amusement and theme parks have utilized landscaping and theming as an important part of the experience. The massive popularity of Disneyland standardized the idea of themed lands within a park. Most parks which opened in the resulting regional park boom incorporated this idea. Theme parks have the ability to transport guests to different times and worlds. A well-themed area can be an attraction in and of itself. But these areas often fall flat. The following are five of the weakest theme park areas. Also included are some ideas on how they might be refreshed. This is by no means an exhaustive list so please make your own suggestions, they may find their way to a part two!
Continue reading “Weakest Theme Park Areas”
It’s been 2 years since our last comprehensive countdown of California coasters, so for 2020 we bring you now a Top 20 for the Golden State. Things in California have changed a LOT in 2 years, and the landscape and hierarchy of its coasters is no exception. Continue reading “Coaster Kings’ California TOP 20 – 2020”
Following the launch of our Twenty-Year Top 20: The Best Coasters of 1999, we immediately decided to make it an annual thing – Here’s what we think are the 20 best coasters that turned 20 in 2020!
Continue reading “Twenty-Year Top 20: The Best Coasters of 2000”
In 1981 Dutch fantasy park Efteling decided to add their first roller coaster. Already a well established theme-park they chose to make an investment that would make a big impact on the European market. Working with Dutch manufacturer Vekoma they unveiled the largest roller coaster in all of Europe, Python. Although a copy of the existing Arrow Huss Carolina Cyclone, this 4 inversion monster was unlike anything in the region. It was only 2 years after Blackpool Pleasure Beach had unveiled Europe’s first modern looping coaster and the first time modern inversions appeared in continental Europe. Efteling had built something loopier, larger, and unlike anything else that Europe had seen and it became a phenomenon. Python has been featured in numerous Dutch TV programs, was used by Porsche to film a television commercial, and continues to be one of the most popular attractions in the park. So beloved is this ride that in 2018 the park spent an estimated 4.5 Million Euro ($5.3 Million USD) to re-track the majority of the ride and ensure it continues to run for future generations. Continue reading “5 of America’s National Coaster Icons”
America has a few regions that are “hotspots” for roller coasters, regions with 2 or more parks within a short distance from each other. The most famous include Central Florida, Southern California, and Eastern Pennsylvania. Though long outshined by the plethora of parks surrounding Los Angeles and San Diego, Northern California holds the distinction of being a region with three parks with major thrill roller coasters. The roller coaster landscape of Northern California has changed dramatically just within the past 10 years.
Continue reading “The Evolution of Northern California’s Coaster Landscape”
Carowinds is reopening in November with a new limited-time event, Carowinds Taste of the Season: An Outdoor Holiday Experience. The holiday celebration will feature dozens of sweet and savory tastings, festive themed areas, live shows, and popular rides throughout the park. The event will be open on select dates between November 21 and December 20. Continue reading “Carowinds Reopens with Taste of the Season Food Event”
Off the heels of Knott’s successful new “Taste” experiences, Knott’s Berry Farm is excited to announce a new seasonal food and retail event, this time celebrating the merriest season of all, with Knott’s Taste of Merry Farm. While the theme park remains closed, Christmas spirit still shines bright this year with holiday charm brimming out of every corner of the park, as Knott’s wondrously transforms with enchanted décor, thousands of twinkling lights, miles of festive garland, and a variety of picturesque holiday settings, all serving as a backdrop to the tastiest holiday foods around. Continue reading “Knott’s Taste of Merry Farm”
After months on top of months of waiting, California theme parks finally received reopening guidelines yesterday during the state’s weekly COVID-19 briefing. Governor Gavin Newsom along with other high-level representatives from the Golden State have decided to split up theme parks into “larger theme parks” and “smaller theme parks”. The placement of a theme park is based on its capacity. The state says it will allow smaller theme parks to reopen at 25% capacity (or 500 people, whichever is fewer) once the county the park resides in is placed into the orange tier. Reservations will be required, all park guests must live in the same county the park is in, and only outdoor attractions will be allowed to operate. For larger theme parks, the restrictions are even more suffocating, with the guidelines stating that the county the park resides in must be in the yellow tier in order to reopen. Like the smaller parks, reservations will also be required and the park capacity will have to be 25%. Continue reading “California Theme Parks – Where Do We Go From Here?”
We got quite some news this week from parks around the US, including seasonal events, food festivals, and combinations of both! Continue reading “Special Events News – United States Theme Parks – Week Ending September 13, 2020”
We’re on the second episode of the new season! After a quick conversation about the Jurassic World coaster and Waldameer, we discuss two highly popular Cedar Fair parks and how they compare. This time we based our discussions on Instagram polls and the results. Let’s see if we agree with our followers! Continue reading “Coaster Kings Radio – Cedar Point vs. Kings Island”
We couldn’t stay away from our favorite operating Cedar Fair park! Along with a visit to Cedar Point, we returned to Kings Island to enjoy some more rides on Orion and other favorites. This time we braved a 70-minute line to enter the Eiffel Tower, so we have a collection of great Kings Island shots ahead! Continue reading “Kings Island from Above”
Never content with leaving “good enough” alone, we’re back in Ohio for more quality time at Cedar Point and Kings Island! Continue reading “Cedar Point – Trip Report Late August 2020”
Greetings, all! Fresh on the heels of our latest Ohio adventure (and with another one impending to cap our 2020 regional park season), we decided it was time to publish our 2nd annual ranking of Ohio’s coasters!
Unfortunately, Canada’s Wonderland has been closed since last season and due to covid-19. However, that reminded me that we had a never published article about the park from my visit last year, including a review on Yukon Striker! And why is the European guy writing this? Well, it was summer and that meant going places (at that time). I didn’t do any specific theme park trips that year. But what would traveling for an enthusiast be without at least one theme park? So yeah, I went to Canada’s biggest to ride their newest coaster: Yukon Striker!
Continue reading “Canada’s Wonderland – Yukon Striker – July 2019”
Knott’s Berry Farm reopened their hotel, and Randy from the FUNnelcake Blog was there to check it out!
“Stay where you play.” The Knott’s Berry Farm Hotel has always been a favorite place to spend the night. Back in March, the hotel closed for what we all thought would be just a few weeks. Well, five months later, guests are finally being welcomed back into the 320-room facility, just steps away from Knott’s front gate. Continue reading “Knott’s Berry Farm Hotel Reopens – Take a Look Inside!”
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”
Sean: 2020 may have thrown all of our international plans out the window, but that does allow for more time to revisit our favorite parks (if operating) throughout the United States! We were honestly afraid that after the recent removal of our favorite, Vortex, Kings Island wouldn’t feel the same, but we had a great time. Continue reading “Kings Island – Early August 2020”