Project 2022: Tumbili, Reptilian, Arachnidia, & Jungle X-Pedition

[wombat96]

Went out deep into Doswell to take these pics...


I apologize for the quality as the track is farther away from guest areas than I thought. Crews were moving the track back to the site fast and it was dissappraring more and more everytime I drove by. It’s really cool to look at S&S 4-D Freespin track during the staging process as it really shows how it was manufactured by RMC and just how different it is from S&S track. The pieces to the left are for the station, lift, and brakes. The pieces to the right will be used during the actual free spin portions, specifically the top half of the ride.

 

[Hokie305]

With the pandemic, I wonder how/when parks will handle the 2021 addition announcements?

Typically, Cedar Fair announces their big investment first anytime from early - mid August (National Roller Coaster Day is August 16), and then a ride of this size would have its official announcement by the end of August (Labor Day at the latest) with the launch of 2021 season pass sales.

 

[mwhinva]

I realize you might have a certain percentage of fans that might bitch and gripe about this addition; but, for me, I see this as a replacement for the Crypt top spin and has nothing to do with Volcano and its potential replacement.

I was initially surprised that KD would be getting this as a potential 2021 attraction. But, after giving this some more thought, Cedar Fair might have closed on this deal last fall before the pandemic was even a pin point on the horizon. Maybe KD was looking for quick turnover for the crypt ride site. It appears that this 4D free spin is an "off the shelf" attraction that could be fabricated and delivered within a short turnaround period.

To be honest, the ride experience is somewhat similar between the two rides. They both go in a back and forth linear fashion; the ride carriages flip forward/back along their own axis. The only big difference is that the Crypt elevation was controlled by the fixed rotating arms on each end of the ride carriage. Where as this free spin uses coaster track to change elevation during the ride cycle.

 

[warfelg]

@mwhinva I wouldn't be shocked either if this was a quick turnover decision, but I wouldn't also be shocked to hear if the decision for this was rushed last second when Volcano went dormant. I doubt the would replace Crypt with this and put 3 coasters within 150 feet of each other.

 

[mwhinva]

I am not so sure KD has intentions at this point to place another coaster in volcano's spot. Too many folks keep fixating on the idea that you must replace an attraction with the same type of attraction. Never heard of that being a business rule in the amusement industry.

The volcano ride site could end up with a flat ride package or a "Lost World II" themed structure with a major dark ride and a couple flat rides thrown in. We might be getting a new section called "Trashcan World" with paths criss-crossing each other lined with trashcans every 2 feet.

I think we need confirmation that the free spin is going on the crypt's ride site. If so, then the volcano site is open for anything to be installed in the future.

 

[bill s]

I think the 4D has a lot to do with Volcano and any other coaster they will be replacing -- it's called buying time. Also, it solves the layout issue of having Avalanche at a dead end, or nearly so with the Crypt losing popularity.

Also, a 4D is very comparable to Tempesto. Therefore KD's last 2 coasters, with TT, will be fairly comparable to BGW's most recent and 3rd most recent coasters.

 

[Dombot]

I do have a feeling that this 4D is going to be just one of a handful of attractions going into Crypt/Volcano's spot. Could totally see a mini-area of some sort with a bunch of flat rides/one giant coaster in that spot

 

[warfelg]

I do have a feeling that this 4D is going to be just one of a handful of attractions going into Crypt/Volcano's spot. Could totally see a mini-area of some sort with a bunch of flat rides/one giant coaster in that spot

I think this is very preferable. Plus it fits the latest change from CF in their strategy that focuses on the quality of what it put in and creating an experience over creating rides.

 

[mwhinva]

I think this is very preferable. Plus it fits the latest change from CF in their strategy that focuses on the quality of what it put in and creating an experience over creating rides.

I can go along with that. Given that a new "mini" Country Fair area at Carowinds was built 2-3 seasons ago with a flat ride package, I could see that happening at KD.

Carowinds refurbished the existing boomarang shuttle coaster that was already in the area and then added 4 new mid-sized flats (Music Express, Huss Triple Spin, Swings, and the ride with the long arm and the 4-5 short arms, each having a long passenger carriage that had 5-6 seats in a row. As the long arm rotated the short arms would rotate around the long arm). Anyway, the ride motion would cause the ride carriages to rock back and forth until they would actually flip completely over.

Given that KD already has the swings and a triple spin, they could pick a couple new flats or simply choose a whole new set of flat rides. Zamperla makes some great flat rides and I would love to see 2-3 of those rides come from them.

 

[mwhinva]

In my last post, I mentioned Zamperla as a source for flat rides. After giving it some thought, Zamperla does have a good working relationship with Cedar Fair and KD. I believe almost all of the new kiddie rides in Planet Snoopy are Zamperla rides. Plus, Canada's Wonderland just got a new Zamperla kiddie ride as part of their new for 2020 attractions.

I could definately see CF/KD working out a flat ride package deal with Zamperla. If KD were to get a flat ride package of four rides, I could see 2 of them being family oriented and the other 2 being thrill oriented.

The 2 family rides could be a Disk'o-coaster and maybe their new Nebulaz ride. The 2 thrill rides could be Zamperla's Endeavour ride and maybe one of their versions of the Air Race ride. Check out the Zamperla web site for ride descriptions, photos, and videos.

 

[ijerngvidsnvk]

Honestly I think it's a great addition. Replaces a flat ride, and buys the park more time for the Volcano Replacement. Plus, it provides depth for a lineup that REALLY needs it

 

[warfelg]

I'm wondering what this could be themed to with green track. Especially if we are looking at keeping the Safari Village theme in that area. I think the supports being brown and giving some sort of tree swinging/Tarzan type theme would be a good fit back in that area.

But my uninformed take of this:
I think Crypt's potentially planned removal, Volcano's unplanned removal, and the deterioration of FoF could mean that CF is about to sink big numbers into Safari Village and could result in something that looks completely different within 2-4 years from now. And if I were someone at CF with the pull, I would be encouraging just that. Let's just sink money into this area for a while and really make what feels like an entire new part of the park.

 

[madmax]

CF isn’t sinking big numbers into anything until 2030 after this pandemic

 

[bill s]

^^-- 2030 is quite believable on true big numbers, e.g. a giga. But after a suitable couple of years delay, you flat ride fans may get your wishes, and there may be a new generation of smaller coasters.

Obviously the 4D project was far along enough they were committed, but possibly Cedar Fair does see an opportunity as being on better financial footing than most. For example, going on and pay contractors to install rides they're already holding the bill for. And a 4D will transform that area a good bit just by itself.

 

[warfelg]

FWIW big numbers mean different things on different scales.

1 - @madmax is there anything to support this 2030 claim?
2 - 'big numbers' could be the same thing for 1 year vs a 4 year spending total. I rather see CF spend $30mil over 4 years revamping all of Safari Village over $20mil on a single coaster to replace Volcano.
3 - "big numbers" is also relative to expected ROI and projections. CF has expressed that their research shows spending less overall on little experiences but more in general in multiple renovations and experiences combined has a better ROI than a single large coaster.

 

[mwhinva]

FWIW big numbers mean different things on different scales.

1 - @madmax is there anything to support this 2030 claim?
2 - 'big numbers' could be the same thing for 1 year vs a 4 year spending total. I rather see CF spend $30mil over 4 years revamping all of Safari Village over $20mil on a single coaster to replace Volcano.
3 - "big numbers" is also relative to expected ROI and projections. CF has expressed that their research shows spending less overall on little experiences but more in general in multiple renovations and experiences combined has a better ROI than a single large coaster.

I agree, spending 18+ million dollars on a single attraction like a major coaster might not be in the cards for KD in the next 5-6 years. But, if the park spent that same amount over over 3-4 years, spreading attractions across the park, that sounds more in line with Cedar Fair's current operational philosophy.

I can see Cedar Fair providing 4-6 million per year to KD for something new that season (That money is for new capital expenditures - not for maintenance and refurbishments across the park). Maybe every 2-3 years CF might bump the amount up to 8-10 million dollars.

A flat ride package would fall in the 4-6 million dollar range. Now whether it would go on Volcano's site or in the Old VA Dino's Alive land is another topic.

Over the next 3-4 years I can see a flat ride package and another water park expansion (1 or 2 new slide towers) come to the park. The dark horses are what will end up on the site for Dino's Alive and for Volcano's site.

 

[warfelg]

@mwhinva I would see Volcano's old site being used first. It's a big blank canvass with the infrastructure from multiple rides already there. It's also right at the pathway. Dino's Alive site would require all of that to be built in. So would make less sense.

 

[Jonesta6]

@mwhinva I would see Volcano's old site being used first. It's a big blank canvass with the infrastructure from multiple rides already there. It's also right at the pathway. Dino's Alive site would require all of that to be built in. So would make less sense.

GG woody in the trees... Just saying

 

[warfelg]

GG woody in the trees... Just saying

I don't disagree, however if CF were looking at what ways can they minimize extraneous spending in terms of land clearing and infrastructure, using Volcano's plot is good. Do some of that and Safari Village refurbishment the way the did CAG and IS, and in about 3-5 years they would be in great enough financial position to do a GG Woodie in the old DA plot.

 

[DECoasteyGuy]

I don't disagree, however if CF were looking at what ways can they minimize extraneous spending in terms of land clearing and infrastructure, using Volcano's plot is good. Do some of that and Safari Village refurbishment the way the did CAG and IS, and in about 3-5 years they would be in great enough financial position to do a GG Woodie in the old DA plot.

Why do a gravity group when you can do a GCI?