From Arthur Levine,
Your Guide to Theme Parks.
FREE Newsletter. Sign Up Now!

Jul 22 2005

Throughout the 1990s and up until a couple of seasons ago, parks and roller coaster manufacturers unleashed a torrent of new, wild thrill machines each spring and regularly smashed records. But, in the up and down world of roller coasters, the past two years had been a bit on the down side. I guess we were spoiled.

Have no fear, adrenaline junkies. While it's not quite the heyday of the roller coaster renaissance, the thrill is back this season as a slew of new, innovative, and yes, record-breaking coasters will be rolling out. Start getting your throats in shape: There'll be plenty of screaming in 2005.

For more info about the parks listed below, you can search for theme parks by state, or search for U.S. theme parks by the name of the park.

Kingda Ka

• Six Flags Great Adventure, Jackson, NJ
• Hydraulic Launch Coaster

The big news this season, and I mean REALLY big, will be Kingda Ka (Swahili for "omigod, what a ride"), a record-shattering rocket coaster. How big? Well, at 456 feet, it will be tallest in the world when it debuts this spring. And to top it off, Kingda Ka will reach speeds of 128 mph, making it the world's fastest coaster as well. Like Ohio's Top Thrill Dragster and other launched coasters, Kingda Ka will climb a top-hat tower at 90 degrees. In this case, the apex of the tower will reach a staggering 456 feet, or 36 feet taller than Cedar Point's reigning (but not for long) champ. We're talking over 45 stories in the air. Kingda Ka will use some of its incredible height and speed to deliver the delirious airtime that coaster lovers crave. After zooming down the other side of the top hat, it will climb a 129-foot tall hill designed to induce weightlessness. 50.6 seconds after its rocket-like launch, the car will pull back into the station. It'll be short, but an oh-so-sweet ride.

Kingda Ka Overview

Kingda Ka Preview Video Animation
Kingda Ka Preview Photo Gallery
Kingda Ka Construction Video
To get a better sense of a top hat launched coaster, check out my Xcelerator review.

Mr. SixÕs Pandemonium

• Six Flags New England, Agawam, MA
• Spinning Wild Mouse Coaster

In other Six Flags news, Six Flags New England will be getting a spinning coaster in 2005. Spinning coasters have become quite popular the last few years. A variation of the venerable Wild Mouse coaster, a spinning coaster's cars freely spin on an axis as they navigate the hairpin-turn tracks.

SheiKra

• Busch Gardens Tampa, Florida
• Diving Coaster

North America's first diving coaster will climb 200 feet, momentarily hang precariously at the top, and then dive 90 degrees (that's straight down folks). Other features will include a second 90-degree dive, an Immelmann loop, an underground tunnel, and a big splash water finale. Want to see this beast in action? Check out the animated video rendering of SheiKra and the SheiKra photo gallery.

Powder Keg: A Blast in the Wilderness

• Silver Dollar City, Branson, Missouri
• Compressed Air Launch Coaster

Powder Keg will have a clever theme. Guests will board a "mine car" inside a turn-of-the-(last) century black powder mill and--kablooey!--an explosion in the loading area will propel them on a wild journey through the Ozarks. Unlike other extreme coasters that use cutting-edge compressed air launches to scare the daylights out of thrill-seekers, Powder Keg will keep the height and speed to a relatively tame 110 feet and 64 mph respectively. Silver Dollar City is calling the coaster a "family ride." Set to launch from 0 to 53 mph in 3 seconds, it will still require some fairly brave family members. Check out the cool Powder Keg preview video.

Italian Job: Stunt Track

• Paramount Canada's Wonderland, Maple, Ont. and
• Paramount's Kings Island, King Mills, OH
• Magnetic Launch Coasters

Based on the Paramount film, "The Italian Job," the twin rides will be highly themed launched coasters. The coaster trains will look like Mini Cooper stunt cars, and guests will experience explosions, helicopter chases, and crashes into water as they "audition" to be stunt drivers. I don't recall "The Italian Job" being a blockbuster film, but it looks like these will be wild rides and among 2005's most anticipated coasters. Check out the Italian Job photo gallery.

Next page: More new 2005 coasters at Hersheypark, Dorney Park, Knott's Berry Farm, and more.