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Poor Boo Blasters. It’s the only dark ride in a Virginia theme park and it still gets no recognition 😔

In all seriousness, I’ve thought about a concept where Boo Blasters would get a Jungle X retheme with the entrance moved between Tumbili and Reptilian (with the Reptilian entrance and queue rerouted).

I think Boo Blasters is a terribly underutilized ride. It’s a lovely little ride, but I think most guests simply never think to ride it — or don’t even know it exists. It’s in possibly the most remote corner of the park, has zero curb appeal since you can’t see the ride or have any idea what it is from the path, and its location in Planet Snoopy gives the (false) impression it’s just for kids.

A revamp that moves the entrance to Jungle X could expand the ride’s appeal by putting the entrance in a higher traffic area, and the new location plus a new theme could make clear that it’s a ride for everyone, not just for kids. And I think a storyline easily be easily worked in to the Jungle X lore.

Plus, the building facade (which could be made to look a lot like DL’s Jungle Cruise queue facade almost effortlessly; the similarities are uncanny) and the outdoor queue could so easily get a jungle makeover with just minor changes. And considering Sally’s long resume of retheming their dark rides, even for smaller regional parks, I think the ride itself could get a total makeover on a fairly modest budget.

All in all, it would effectively give the park a “new” attraction on a moderate budget, and it would finally give the park’s dark ride the attention from guests it deserves. That’s what I’d like to someday see after the wing coaster.
Shh. We don’t want give away the best spot to go on those 90+ degree days!
 
Poor Boo Blasters. It’s the only dark ride in a Virginia theme park and it still gets no recognition 😔

In all seriousness, I’ve thought about a concept where Boo Blasters would get a Jungle X retheme with the entrance moved between Tumbili and Reptilian (with the Reptilian entrance and queue rerouted).

I think Boo Blasters is a terribly underutilized ride. It’s a lovely little ride, but I think most guests simply never think to ride it — or don’t even know it exists. It’s in possibly the most remote corner of the park, has zero curb appeal since you can’t see the ride or have any idea what it is from the path, and its location in Planet Snoopy gives the (false) impression it’s just for kids.

A revamp that moves the entrance to Jungle X could expand the ride’s appeal by putting the entrance in a higher traffic area, and the new location plus a new theme could make clear that it’s a ride for everyone, not just for kids. And I think a storyline easily be easily worked in to the Jungle X lore.

Plus, the building facade (which could be made to look a lot like DL’s Jungle Cruise queue facade almost effortlessly; the similarities are uncanny) and the outdoor queue could so easily get a jungle makeover with just minor changes. And considering Sally’s long resume of retheming their dark rides, even for smaller regional parks, I think the ride itself could get a total makeover on a fairly modest budget.

All in all, it would effectively give the park a “new” attraction on a moderate budget, and it would finally give the park’s dark ride the attention from guests it deserves. That’s what I’d like to someday see after the wing coaster.
I've already lost Lord Darkenon to rampant expansion of retheming—I swear if Boocifer goes jungle I riot.
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How did I forget Virginia’s best show building with blacklights I’ve experienced so far? But much as I’m liking the love Jungle X is getting, I’d rather see another area of the park get attention. Maybe the former Action Theater?
 
What’s interesting is KD got on the “family launch coaster” trend before it became a trend. I actually remember my younger self saying “why does the new Italian Job only launch 40 mph???”

Well, because the helix would murder people if it was TOO much faster. I was so naive.
I am just now realizing that BTSC is a family coaster in disguise. Also, I used to be convinced there was a loop in the tunnel, all the way down to attempting to bring a flashlight on the ride to "prove it".
 
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I am just now realizing that BTSC is a family coaster in disguise. Also, I used to be convinced there was a loop in the tunnel, all the way down to attempting to bring a flashlight on the ride to "prove it".
What’s even more bizarre it has the same height requirement as Twisted Timbers. I also know people who are shocked when I refer to it as a “family coaster” which it largely is. The helix is intense the rest of the ride is just smooth and fun.
 
What’s even more bizarre it has the same height requirement as Twisted Timbers. I also know people who are shocked when I refer to it as a “family coaster” which it largely is. The helix is intense the rest of the ride is just smooth and fun.
Yeah, when TT was announced with the height requirement it definitely threw me off guard. Typically the more intense rides have stricter height requirements, but NOPE! Not for Twisted Timbers!
 
What’s even more bizarre it has the same height requirement as Twisted Timbers. I also know people who are shocked when I refer to it as a “family coaster” which it largely is. The helix is intense the rest of the ride is just smooth and fun.
Backlot, to me, is a perfectly balanced family coaster, just enough of a kick to get a ride wimp like my 2016 self excited but not terrified.

Yeah, when TT was announced with the height requirement it definitely threw me off guard. Typically the more intense rides have stricter height requirements, but NOPE! Not for Twisted Timbers!
Before B&M, 48" was standard for full-intensity coasters. B&M tended to have 54" minimums, until the current era of vest restraints bringing it down to 52" minimum.
 
I like Backlot, except for the time I rode it in the back row. It really smashes you down on that last drop in the back row. It kinda hurt. Since then I always ride it not in back car.
 
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I like Backlot, except for the time I rode it in the back row. It really smashes you down on that last drop in the back row. It kinda hurt. Since then I always ride it not in back car.
Yeah, one of the few where the back isn't the best.
 
I’ve been eying Tripsdrill in Germany lately, I was thinking if KD ever wanted to go the “invert” route which even with 14 coasters they have 0 coasters below the track, one of these Vekoma STCs would be a GREAT fit for the park.
Are you thinking family or thrill?

Inversions would set it apart from BGW’s new suspended/inverted (what are we calling it?) but I think the next coaster should be a family ride. Vekoma seems like the best option for family coasters right now though so I guess it’d have to be sit-down.

I wonder if KD will do the smaller investment coaster followed by a major addition timeline again, because I like how Jungle-X turned out with Tumbili and the wing. If they focus on one area to receive investment the same way over the next few years, a family boomerang followed by a major thrill ride would revitalize either Old VA or Candy Apple Grove. Old VA seems more likely to have the space for that though. I only see flat rides in CAG’s future but maybe I’m not thinking creatively.
 
Counterpoint: Neither BGW nor KD has a spinning coaster, while Virginia will have two inverts after Holzfäller. I think a completely novel ride would be more interesting to guests than a design they’ve ridden before or that is easily available or elsewhere.
 
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Counterpoint: Neither BGW nor KD has a spinning coaster, while Virginia will have two inverts after Holzfäller. I think a completely novel ride would be more interesting to guests than a design they’ve ridden before or that is easily available or elsewhere.
I would more than 1000% be in favor of that. More of a hypothetical if they for some reason wanted to go that route. I could see one fitting in the lineup nicely. Not really saying it's "the best" option out of the very long list of potential investments.

I would gladly take a nice Mack Xtreme Spinner but also something like Sierra Sidewinder at Knott's would be cool as well.
 
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