News Project 2027/Purple: Delayed “World Record Breaking Coaster" (Phantom Spire?)

[AmyUD06]

Why is Drachen Spire even a conversation? It was a custom layout designed to fit into a very specific plot of land with very specific terrain. Only way it would work is if it was heavily modified, which at that point SF might as well buy a fully custom layout

Why is the strata spinner shuttle even a conversation? Because this park's fanbase has been so starved for anything resembling actual positive news for so long that they latch on to any rumor that pops up, regardless of how grounded in reality it might be.

I'm also going to remind everyone that the below concept was also featured in the same survey as the strata spinner, has the same likelihood of being built, would also break numerous records for "family coasters" (we know how SF loves their incredibly-specific "records"), and could also theoretically align with the "footers" we are seeing being built.

 

[xenithwav]

Really dumb question: how low are the chances that they bought the DrachenSpire plans?

The curve seems to make it a possibility, assuming we're reading the footer plans correctly; the main thing we would probably have to see IMO is a trench for where the track would have dropped into the ravine before the spire.

Very low. Not zero, but very low. Not a dumb question

 

[Nitro230]

Coaster Spot posted on his instagram story yesterday that the overhead view looked exactly like what he was expecting, he’s been saying that the spinner is the replacement since last August. He also clearly has connections given how he was one of the first to break the news of Ka’s closure. Nothing is a done deal until Six Flags officially announces it but personally can’t see this going any other way. The layout going into the parking lot also makes sense if you remember the talks about a hotel going on the plot of Ka’s tophat.

Why is the strata spinner shuttle even a conversation? Because this park's fanbase has been so starved for anything resembling actual positive news for so long that they latch on to any rumor that pops up, regardless of how grounded in reality it might be.

I'm also going to remind everyone that the below concept was also featured in the same survey as the strata spinner, has the same likelihood of being built, would also break numerous records for "family coasters" (we know how SF loves their incredibly-specific "records"), and could also theoretically align with the "footers" we are seeing being built.

View attachment 38861

I definitely think this is something we could see down the line, although likely not that layout as it looks like a Zamperla and I can’t see Six Flags buying another one of their coasters. However, the park needs a standout attraction more and not to sound like a broken record but VERY well informed people in our community have already told us repeatedly it was the Mack Spinner even if they didn’t like it either (El Toro Ryan has been vocal on his disapproval of the addition but has told us repeatedly that this is the 2026 coaster).

 

[xenithwav]

I definitely think this is something we could see down the line, although likely not that layout as it looks like a Zamperla and I can’t see Six Flags buying another one of their coasters. However, the park needs a standout attraction more and not to sound like a broken record but VERY well informed people in our community have already told us repeatedly it was the Mack Spinner even if they didn’t like it either (El Toro Ryan has been vocal on his disapproval of the addition but has told us repeatedly that this is the 2026 coaster).

I really don’t see the big fuss about the spinner. I understand people’s concerns about capacity and the gimmick, but I do think this is a great ride. Is it the greatest capacity wise? No. Have many rides Great Adventure has added in the past 10 years been great capacity wise? Not really. Joker, Flash, you name it. These rides do not have great capacity. Yes, they do get long lines.

Is it any skin off the parks back? In the big picture, not really. People still wait for them, and they still keep people coming through the gates whether we realize it or not. The park survives. It’s okay to have some lower capacity rides, as long as it’s not all of them of course. They have to keep it balanced.

I’m not advocating for another less-than-ideal capacity ride, but it’s not going to break the park in the grand scheme of things. And considering the situation we have to work with (Kingda Ka, all the removed rides, etc.) it’s one of the best additions. Its tall. It’s fast. It’s a little gimmicky. That’s everything Kingda Ka was, in theory. That’s all that the average park guest is going to look for, and I think that’s what the park is looking for. Not too make the average guests sound like cavemen, but people will see tall, fast, and a gimmick or two, and that will put heads through the door.

Great Adventure has become the villain in their own story. It’s not ideal, the way Kingda Ka went out wasn’t handled well, it will always hang over their head. You can feel that void left by Ka in the park, especially if you’ve been a regular.

But in my personal opinion (very important), I think the 400ft+ Mack tower coaster is the best concept on the market currently to replace Kingda Ka. It’s Kingda Ka packaged differently. It’s got the height, speed, marketability, and some cool elements. An upside down launch. Hanging over the ledge of a 400-ft tower is going to be a ridiculous experience if it comes true. Besides, Mack is absolutely killing it right now. Voltron, Hyperia, Helios. I have my full faith that they’d deliver a great ride. It wouldn’t be without its issues of course, but if anyone can do it the best, it’s probably Mack or Intamin.

We truly don’t know, too. This tower coaster could be part 1 of a massive expansion. We may very well see an Intamin Blitz or a B&M giga in the future, but considering this is the Kingda Ka replacement, they have my vote on the Mack tower coaster.

We’re not getting Kingda Ka back, we probably never will. But this is pretty damn close to that same crazy experience.

 

[warfelg]

Biggest reason I don’t live what might be coming is because it’s taking 4 real extremes:
Free Spin
Inversion
High speeds
High heights

And putting them all together. I feel like any combo of 2 of those with maybe a 3rd is fine. But all 4 feels like it’s going to end up a one-and-done or a never ride for a high number of people. I really think they would be better served doing a Copperhead Strike like spinner and then a first Giga with inversions in back to back years.

But the idea of being launched sideways at 70+ and upside down makes me motion sick just typing.

 

[Nitro230]

Biggest reason I don’t live what might be coming is because it’s taking 4 real extremes:
Free Spin
Inversion
High speeds
High heights

And putting them all together. I feel like any combo of 2 of those with maybe a 3rd is fine. But all 4 feels like it’s going to end up a one-and-done or a never ride for a high number of people. I really think they would be better served doing a Copperhead Strike like spinner and then a first Giga with inversions in back to back years.

But the idea of being launched sideways at 70+ and upside down makes me motion sick just typing.

I do think the motion sickness is a valid concern but I’m willing to bet Mack has done their homework and is able to control the spinning so that it’s the perfect balance. I think the problem with doing the back to back is the cost would be extremely high and the ride would take much longer to build because the design for both would need to be tailored to that space, whereas the spinner just needs a straight plot of flat land (like the parking lot)

 

[mkj3322]

They shouldn't be worried about replacing kingda ka, because it's not really realistic. The emphasis should have been on something interesting to lure people back to the park and getting the park running efficiently again.

The marketability isn't there when you have hundreds of comments calling something stupid looking (Not even saying this is my opinion, but to deny that this will happen or isn't already on concept videos/great adventures media pages is simply false. If* the original layout sticks). I've shown the concept videos to several friends (Not enthusiasts) and its the same response.

 

[xenithwav]

Biggest reason I don’t live what might be coming is because it’s taking 4 real extremes:
Free Spin
Inversion
High speeds
High heights

And putting them all together. I feel like any combo of 2 of those with maybe a 3rd is fine. But all 4 feels like it’s going to end up a one-and-done or a never ride for a high number of people. I really think they would be better served doing a Copperhead Strike like spinner and then a first Giga with inversions in back to back years.

But the idea of being launched sideways at 70+ and upside down makes me motion sick just typing.

As with Ka, Pantherian, and any other large ride, it’s inherently going to deter some people. And that’s okay.

I’m right there with you. I personally can’t do rides that spin, they make me motion sick pretty bad. That being said, I’ve had no problem on rides like Time Traveler. The spinning is free but still fairly controlled, and I was still very much able to enjoy the ride without getting dizzy or the cold sweat.

Who knows, Mack could even ditch the spinning, keep the layout, and just put normal trains on it. Maybe just the back car spins.

 

[paintervision]

I feel like any combo of 2 of those with maybe a 3rd is fine. But all 4 feels like it’s going to end up a one-and-done or a never ride for a high number of people.

I agree; I think more people are averse to spinning versus rides with extreme heights. But hopefully they can market this correctly as a "first of it's kind" thing.

 

[xenithwav]

They shouldn't be worried about replacing kingda ka, because it's not really realistic. The emphasis should have been on something interesting to lure people back to the park and getting the park running efficiently again.

The marketability isn't there when you have hundreds of comments calling something stupid looking (Not even saying this is my opinion, but to deny that this will happen or isn't already on concept videos/great adventures media pages is simply false. If* the original layout sticks). I've shown the concept videos to several friends (Not enthusiasts) and its the same response.

I hear you, and I agree. In an ideal world, I’d love for them to add a Mack Stryker or an Intamin blitz of some sort. And with the space they have, they could easily build, pound-for-pound, one of the best coasters in the world and maybe of all time.

It’s not realistic to replace Kingda Ka with Kingda Ka. I think it is realistic to replace it with something as close as we can get.

Marketability is tricky because it’s hard to tell what really gets people through the doors. Will an Intamin blitz or Mack Stryker get people through the doors? You bet. Will a Mack Tower coaster get people through the doors? You bet as well. Will the tower coaster bring in more people than a blitz or Stryker? It might. It might not. Short-term maybe. Long-term, also maybe. Truthfully, it’s hard to tell. It’s a long game to play, it doesn’t always have immediate results or feedback. Sometimes you’re confident, sometimes you might need to take a bit of a risk.

The surveys the park sends out also have biased responses. You’ve got a mix of people between enthusiasts, the general public, teens, people with families. The results are also, obviously, limited to who responds. It’s the best encapsulation of general consensus they can get, since everyone they send surveys to naturally won’t fill it out. We definitely know how enthusiasts feel about this concept, but we don’t know the full picture of the other side of things.

That said, I think the intimidation factor and sheer size of this ride alone will not only bring regulars/local people through the doors, but this would HELP make Great Adventure a destination park, the same way Hersheypark or Cedar Point is. Big emphasis on help; it’s not going to make it a destination alone, but coupled with the right promotion, as well as the future expansions they do, they can regain their market position and get right up Hershey’s ass again.

It will bring in new people on top of the attendance they already have. While it’s important to encourage repeat visits from locals and regulars, they also have to create a draw for new people to come.

 

[AmyUD06]

Biggest reason I don’t live what might be coming is because it’s taking 4 real extremes:
Free Spin
Inversion
High speeds
High heights

And putting them all together. I feel like any combo of 2 of those with maybe a 3rd is fine. But all 4 feels like it’s going to end up a one-and-done or a never ride for a high number of people. I really think they would be better served doing a Copperhead Strike like spinner and then a first Giga with inversions in back to back years.

But the idea of being launched sideways at 70+ and upside down makes me motion sick just typing.

I could not agree more.

 

[Nightmare Cinema]

The best choice was always Ka getting a TT2 makeover. It would preserve the iconic tophat and bring new life to the park...best of both worlds. I get TT2 had its issues last year...but seems like they figured it out and the ride is delivering. TTD had plenty of issues when it opened but that didnt discourage Gadv from getting ka.

 

[RDL]

The best choice was always Ka getting a TT2 makeover. It would preserve the iconic tophat and bring new life to the park...best of both worlds. I get TT2 had its issues last year...but seems like they figured it out and the ride is delivering. TTD had plenty of issues when it opened but that didnt discourage Gadv from getting ka.

TT2 only became a thing because of the favoritism Cedar Point receives compared to other parks sadly, it was never going to be a real possibility for any other park

 

[Fiender]

The best choice was always Ka getting a TT2 makeover. It would preserve the iconic tophat and bring new life to the park...best of both worlds. I get TT2 had its issues last year...but seems like they figured it out and the ride is delivering. TTD had plenty of issues when it opened but that didnt discourage Gadv from getting ka.

They were different chains at the time, and of the two, Six Flags was always the more "reckless" and less likely to spurn manufacturers for making mistakes.

TT2 only became a thing because of the favoritism Cedar Point receives compared to other parks sadly, it was never going to be a real possibility for any other park

TT2 happened because it was a relatively cheap way to renovate a problematic coaster while marketing it as a new ride.
KK2 (or whatever) didn't happen because after the disastrous 2024 TT2 opening, there was zero faith at corporate that such a conversion would be a good idea for KK, the even larger and more intense coaster of the two.

 

[Nitro230]

Kingda Ka 2 didn’t happen for two reasons. The first one being the disaster of TT2, the other one being it wasn’t even a consideration for legacy Six Flags because they had already approved a renovation of the existing launch, they were committed to tge hydraulic launch. Had legacy Six Flags started the LSM conversion prior to the merger things may have ended differently.

 

[dwillt]

I, for one, am glad that we're not getting KK2. I've been on KK several times, and yes, it was fun, but now I'm excited to get something new and different again. KK2, assuming it would be like TT2, wouldn't really feel all that new.

And hopefully whatever replaces KK will be a ride my friends will actually like... none of them enjoyed KK, so I had to ride alone.

 

[xenithwav]

From ElToroRyan on X. The two rebar cages after the launch track cages look noticeably larger.

 

[xenithwav]

Also, has anyone been able to tell whether the cages are rectangular or circular? With the angles we have it’s hard to decipher.

 

[DE_Creative]

Also, has anyone been able to tell whether the cages are rectangular or circular? With the angles we have it’s hard to decipher.

They look circular to me, but like you said it’s hard to say for certain

 

[Great Adventurer]

Also, has anyone been able to tell whether the cages are rectangular or circular? With the angles we have it’s hard to decipher.

This is one of the sharpest close-up pictures I've seen of the cages so far, but it's still hard for me to tell (third image in the set shows another angle).

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