It’s a new year and it’s fun to speculate what it might bring. In the beginning of 2023 we of course had some suspicion that Sand Serpent may be closing sooner than later (like we hear about Kumba today), but nothing was confirmed. We also had no clue there would be a second B&M invert coming in the form of Phoenix Rising to take its place. In checking building permits there doesn’t seem to be anything new for 2024 other than some modifications to the giraffe barn. It’s early though and it’ll probably be summer and after Phoenix Rising’s opening before speculation turns to what’s next. However, I believe something Big has to be announced in 2024 for 2025, probably something EPIC if you catch my drift…

I’m a huge roller coaster fan and even have a sister blog dedicated to 3D printing (this entry appears on both sites). One of the more recent advances in roller coaster technology has been the use of magnetic launches as opposed to the old school lift hill (think click, click, click up the hill). To be fair launch does go back 50+ years with examples like the Tidal Wave coaster I used to ride at Six Flags Great America as a kid. This defunct ride actually used a falling weight and pulley system to launch the train with a deafening “clank” as the weight hit bottom! One of my personal current favorite launch coasters in Cheetah Hunt at Busch Gardens Tampa where the launches are used to mimic the acceleration and movements of a cheetah.

Years in the hot Florida sun are not kind to paint and especially when it carries high speed objects with all the vibrations and movement involved. From time to time a coaster needs a fresh coat of paint to keep corrosion at bay and the ride looking sharp.