Updates 12/21/17-1/10/2018 (Stinger Removal, SW8 Announcement, and more!)

Hello Coastal Thrills readers, we will be discussing what has happened in the amusement park community during this winter, so far. A lot has happened in terms of coasters.

First off, we have "Stinger" located at Dorney Park. In a recent blog post by Dorney Park, they low-key announced Stinger's closure and removal at the end of the off-season. It was in a blog post titled, "Behind-the-Scenes: Winter Update". It showed what Dorney Park was doing over the off-season. Here's a snippet of the article.

"The countdown is on: Dorney Park will open for its 135th season of operation on April 28, 2018!"

"Here is an update on our major projects that we will be working on over the winter: First, we are giving some additional TLC to Thunderhawk, our classic wooden coaster. About 150 feet of track will be replaced from the exit of the "figure 8" to the final approach."

"Second, construction is moving along according to schedule for the new Tidal Wave Café in Wildwater Kingdom... We will also be adding a new, larger shaded seating area to the project."

"Finally, from time to time we have to move things around or even remove them completely in order to look to the future. Stinger, which came to us from our sister park California's Great America in 2012, will be removed to make room for future planning opportunities. We don’t have details to share right now, but we are working on future planning and development of the park".

(Dorney Announces Stinger Removal; Pic: Dorney Park Blog)

So, in a quick review; Additional TLC to Thunderhawk, Construction on Tidal Wave Café, with Shaded Seating and Memorial Weekend Opening, New Executive Chef, and the Removal of Stinger.

In a future article, I will be discussing the future of Stinger and what could possibly come to the park.

Next topic is also in the Cedar Fair chain, is Cedar Fair, buying Kanonen. Kanonen was a coaster located in Liseberg that had an 11-year run. It's an Intamin Accelerator that closed in the final days of 2016. It was put up for sale, and Cedar Fair bought it. Now many rumors have been coming up about Kanonen and Stinger having the same sized footprint, so many people jump to conclusions and assume Dorney Park is receiving Kanonen. But currently, nothing is known about its current situation.

Heading to Six Flags Magic Mountain, they have started their 365 Days of Thrill, event which means the park is open all year! No matter what holiday, it will be open. And as for Crazanity construction, a little bit of land clearing has begun. Some of the New Boardwalk area is being refurbished as well.

One of the bigger things happened just a few days ago! Alton Towers has confirmed the name of their new GCI Wooden Coaster. "Wicker Man" was the SW8 name! Months ago, they announced SW8 as a GCI Wooden Coaster, as it would be the first Wooden Coaster in the U.K since Megafobia! They market it as it's the first coaster to combine Wood and Fire!

(Wicker Man(SW8) Poster; Pic: Burtonmail.co.uk)

Also in one of the European parks, Blackpool Pleasure Beach has closed and removed their wooden wild mouse coaster. It ran for 60 years and is being removed for future modern rides. Being one of the only wooden wild mice in the world, only a few remain after it's departure. They are definitely rare credits.

Going back to California, Disney's California Adventure park has now closed California Screamin'. A fan favorite which will be re-themed, re-painted, and most likely re-tracked to become the "Incedicoaster"! Along with this, are other Pixar Pier attractions.

And finally, Universal Studios has started construction on the new Harry Potter coaster in place of Dragon's Challenge(R.I.P). Not much has happened at this point. But that's where the current situation is.

Now, to talk about Coastal Thrills. Coastal Thrills has been taking a Hiatus. But, we will be back. We are back. We have new members, however, we're looking for more! So if you would like to apply, Applications will be available Valentine's Day! We also have an Instagram and Youtube Channel!

IG: instagram.com/coastalthrills

YT: (TBA)

Anyways, thank you for reading the article, I know for some people, they already knew this but this is just a quick update of a lot of the things that's happened so far this winter. Thank's for reading!

-Jacob Harris -Coastal Thrills Co-Owner