Six Flags parks are not the only amusement parks adding new coasters for the 2013 season. As winters go in the amusement world, cold season is when the roller coaster wars heat up as theme parks across the country and the globe vie for the newest and baddest coasters around. This year, Cedar Point finally returns to center stage with an all-new, record breaking winged coaster, and a couple of other favorite parks will be adding to the excitement. Check out what's in store for 2013:
Gatekeeper - Cedar Point
Cedar Point is home to some of the best roller coasters in the world. Groundbreaking rides like Magnum XL-200, Millenium Force, Maverick, Mantis, Raptor and so many more have helped to make "The Point" the consistent favorite theme park around. The park disappointingly hasn't added a new coaster since 2007's Maverick, but all that's about to change on May 11th.
Coming this spring, Cedar Point's newest record breaker will burst on to the scene with a flourish and coaster enthusiasts from all around will be flocking in droves to ride the park's brand-new thriller. Gatekeeper is the newest of so called "wing coasters" that have become the latest rage at theme parks all over.
The ride is being built on the site of the old Disaster Transport and will be one of the first things people will notice upon entering the park. A wing coaster is one where riders sit on either side of the track, giving them a whole new perspective of flying. These rides have become very popular and Cedar Point's is going to be a doozy, with the longest drop of any coaster of its kind at 164 feet, a 360-degree spiral, speeds of up to 67 mph, and tons of cool drops and loops. Also featured on Gatekeeper is the first of its kind Zero-G Roll, in which riders fly through two support towers right near the main entrance of the park. Gatekeeper looks like it's going to be another classic among one of the most classic collections of coasters around, and I only wish I were going there this summer to give it a try. In the meantime, check out a preview of this new monster.
Outlaw Run - Silver Dollar City
Outlaw Run is one of the most talked about new coasters for 2013. Branson, Missouri's Silver Dollar City's new wooden roller coaster is the first to be built by Rocky Mountain Construction and will feature three inversions, which is noteworthy news for any woodie, as well as the steepest drop of any coaster of its kind coming in at an impressive 81 degrees. The ride's first hill stands at 107 feet, but the surrounding terrain helps to heighten that drop to an even greater 162 feet. Check out Outlaw Run.
Hades (Revamped) - Mt. Olympus
The world-famous Hades roller coaster in Mt. Olympus Water and Theme Park in Wisconsin Dells is about to get a makeover. The fan favorite woodie will be adding an all-new "360 degree upside down barrel roll and a 110 degree overbanked turn," as well as new state of the art "liner" trains which will give riders of Hades the feel of a smooth steel coaster. The new innovation adds even more thrills to a great, great ride. Check out a preview of the revamped Hades.
Undertow - Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
Historic Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk amusement park will be replacing Hurricane with an all new ride. Undertow, the newest thrill ride at Santa Cruz, is a uniquely designed roller coaster, with disorienting positions, sharp banks and spins, and designed so that no two rides are ever the same. Check it out right here.
Coast Rider - Knotts Berry Farm
Coast Rider is a new family-style coaster brought to you by the folks at Knott's Berry Farm in Buena Park, California. The park's website says that this one is full of "hairpin turns, twists and spins" as it gives guests "the feeling of riding along California's coast."
So there you have it. Sounds like it's going to be an exciting year for new rides. Stay tuned for a preview of new coasters being introduced at theme parks overseas and subscribe to this page for more updates.
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