Seven Great New Rides for 2014

John Hensler sunkenanchor.com

Rides to Anticipate for 2014

2014 features a bunch of great rides to look forward to; here’s seven of the most

anticipated. From the shores of Lake Erie to the

outskirts of Paris, from high-tech thrills to a

throwback from almost 100 years ago, the lines will be long for thrillseekers this

summer.

Pipe Scream, Cedar Point, OH

Notable because it anchors a newly revitalized Gemini

Midway, Pipe Scream is a hybrid coaster and twirling

spin machine reaching 43 mph and twisting 43 feet above the midway at the

amusement park with the most rides in the world—72!

Flying Turns, Knoebels, PA

A full seven years in development, this labor

of love for coaster geeks is an authentic

recreation of an historic (1920’s) free-wheeling

coaster that slides through sloping,

twisting wooden track. Flying Turns is sort of

like a warm-weather bobsled.

Ratatouille, Disney Studios Park, Paris

A ride inspired by the Pixar hit Ratatouille makes perfect sense

for Disneyland Paris. An even better bet is utilizing Disney’s leading-edge “trackless” ride

technology that wowed guests at Hong Kong Disneyland’s Mystic

Manor. Bonus: there’s also a restaurant—Chez Remy—to

continue one’s culinary adventures after the ride is over.

Banshee, Kings Island, OH

From the ashes of the dear departed Son of Beast,

Banshee has risen to terrify visitors to Kings Island this

summer. The longest ride of its kind – an inverted coaster –

Banshee sends riders through over 4,100 feet of track, with

seven inversions and a blistering top speed of 68mph.

Seven Dwarves Mine Train, Magic Kingdom

It won’t earn any nods for speed or daring, but the centerpiece of

New Fantasyland at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom is a

stunner nonetheless. A sight to behold inside and out, this ride

features signature Disney attention to detail and

advanced audio-animatronics to entertain the young and

not-so-young alike.

Harry Potter and the Escape From Gringotts, Universal Studios Orlando

The competition for your vacation cash hits a new high in June with

the opening of Diagon Alley at Universal Orlando. The expansion

features a Hogwarts train that will take you to Hogsmeade, as

well as a trip inside Gringotts Bank. All signs indicate that

Universal Creative is pushing the envelope of ride technology &

design once again.

In a clever move by Universal, guests will need a park-to-park

ticket to experience both halves of Potter’s world.

Goliath, Six Flags Great America, IL

Saving the best for last, our last stop takes us just north of Chicago, where Six Flags is

creating a monster of a wooden coaster, with slick steel rails for track, three

inversions, and speeds expected to top 72 mph–the world’s fastest. Goliath will

also boast the tallest and steepest drop on earth.

It’s scheduled to open late spring.

Thanks for reading!

John Hensler sunkenanchor.com

@johnhensler IG: jhensler