Park Connoisseurs

09/01/2025

Bummer. This thing was one of a kind - the most intense kiddie ride that we've ever experienced. That's a compliment, not a knock.

Insanity, the thrill ride atop The Strat Las Vegas is officially and PERMANENTLY CLOSED 🚨😭

02/01/2025

Is it just us, or does the Hershey's Chocolate World Tour Ride finale make you feel like you're supposed to be shooting "Reese's Spirit" all over the place?


Hersheypark
Reese's Cupfusion
Hersheypark Connoisseurs

01/01/2025

We were sorting through some photo files and came across a couple from Flying Falcon's final season at Hersheypark. Photo dated July 2016.

Flying Falcon was a HUSS Rides Condor model, which became popular in the late 1980's/early 1990's. It kinda' had an aerial Scrambler feel to it.

Many parks owned one, though only a few still have them today, including the final two in the United States at Six Flags Great America/Hurricane Harbor and Six Flags Great Escape and Hurricane Harbor. There are also a handful overseas. These are great rides - ride them wherever you can!

HUSS Rides still offers an updated, second generation of the ride:
https://www.hussrides.com/en/family-rides/condor-2g-2gh/

Flying Falcon opened at Hersheypark in 1990. It was removed after the 2016 season as part of a reworked area that would include the addition of HERSHEY'S Triple Towers drop ride package from S&S.

Wikipedia lists it as being in storage at Niagara Amusement Park & Splash World at Fantasy Island (we don't know how accurate that is) and also lists one as being in storage at Indiana Beach Amusement & Water Park Resort. Perhaps Mr. Staples is also a fan of this ride!

Hersheypark Connoisseurs, do you have any Flying Falcon photos? Share them here!

24/12/2024

Ooo... this one hurts. We certainly value Anaconda. We wish it had a little more time left... or that Kings Dominion or Six Flags would actually give us some sort of warning!

Kings Dominion Connoisseurs

https://kdfans.com/2024/anaconda-slated-for-demolition/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR31VGQ4fbqC7ybJ_BXXauskNh9L5df8uq7K6ojpCjJE96BPOMN4jnsl8E4_aem_Jg8Aw8-QkLByOGTiuAn4-w

On Christmas Eve 2023, KDFans broke the story of Kings Dominion's forthcoming launched wing coaster—now known to be Rapterra—wide open. This Christmas Eve, we're back with another massive bom...

19/12/2024

We're very excited to experience this in the Spring! The original Big Bad Wolf was such a classic. Let's see what the Wolf's Revenge can bring! Watch the video closely - we're loving the village being built to add theme to this .

Busch Gardens Williamsburg Connoisseurs

19/12/2024

Scream Weaver hurts the most. Let's hope it gets sold to another park! Those rides are rare!

19/12/2024

Check out this new ride coming to Adventureland Long Island in 2025! It looks WILD!

New ride coming to Adventureland Long Island in Spring 2025!

05/12/2024

The lack of self-awareness in this post is quite astonishing. At this point, Kennywood/Palace Entertainment can't guarantee that Steel Curtain, which was closed for all of 2024 with structural issues, will be open next year.

So, they shouldn't be using the ride to sell 2025 season passes. Use another of the park's many selling points to sell passes!

Pennsylvania's tallest coaster returns to the roster in 2025! Join us as we kick off the next chapter of the Steel Curtain. 🏈 Hurry! Save up to $60 today before our best Black Friday deals are gone: https://tinyurl.com/2czfrhph

Renew and save even more: https://tinyurl.com/mry9znkt

21/11/2024

We're ready to visit Kings Dominion this Spring - are you?! Rapterra took its first flight today!

Join us in our Kings Dominion Connoisseurs group!

19/11/2024

Seen at the today... Hulk freaking Hogan and Edge!

Any wrestling fans out there?

19/11/2024

18/11/2024

New Great Coasters International, Inc. trains for the Great White at Morey's Piers & Beachfront Water Parks !

Morey's Piers Connoisseurs
Wooden Coaster Connoisseurs

15/11/2024

Some good news out of the unfortunate closing of Gillian's - the iconic Ferris wheel and classic PTC Carousel will remain, operating on the redeveloped site.

Carousel Connoisseurs

Developer Eustace Mita is planning a 7 1/2 story hotel with 252 rooms on the Boardwalk in Ocean City to be called “Icona in Wonderland.”

10/11/2024

We love this photo. And we love this park!

Busch Gardens Williamsburg
Busch Gardens Williamsburg Connoisseurs

Today is your last chance to experience Griffon this year, we're open until 6pm for Member Appreciation Weekend! 🎢

Plus, tonight is your last chance to buy tickets during our Christmas Town Flash Sale. Save over 65% and grab single-day tickets for as low as $29.99 when you buy before 11:59pm. https://bit.ly/3NMhb6F

09/11/2024

By now, you've surely heard and seen most of the chatter about Six Flags Great Adventure closing the record-breaking and current record-holding Kingda roller coaster for good after it shuts down for the 2024 season this weekend.

We have some thoughts, and we'd love to read yours! How do you feel about this potential news? What's your prediction for Ka's future?

Given the lack of a closure announcement, given the significance of this ride, and given that both parks are essentially operated by the former Cedar Fair, we have to think that they're doing what Cedar Point did to Top Thrill Dragster.

You just don't close the tallest, fastest, and one of the most famous roller coasters in the world without saying anything publicly! It makes no sense! Particularly when you consider the recent public relations struggles Great Adventure has had, would they really do something this unpopular without informing their guests?

One of the common criticisms of this theory is the issues Cedar Point had with Top Thrill 2's inability to open this season. We don't think Cedar Fair is scared off by Zamperla, and they likely share some R&D responsibility for the present issue. They are in this correction together. And lessons learned from Top Thrill 2 would be implemented on Ka.

Kinga Ka's structure is simply too valuable to lose, not just because of Zumanjaro, but because of its status of being the tallest coaster on this side of the world. Reusing it seems like the far more logical option.

If the Green Lantern stand-up coaster is also closing, we wouldn't be surprised to see, and would love to see, an extended layout for Ka. That's our glass half full prediction.

As far as Green Lantern, scrapping it seems odd as well. We think it will be relocated to another Six Flags park and reopen with floorless trains, like has been done with several other Bolliger & Mabillard stand-up coasters.

To the Great Adventure Connoisseurs out there, we're sorry that you're losing that punchy, amazing launch on Ka. But, come 2026, we think and hope we'll all be happy with "KK2".

So, what are your thoughts? Please share! Or join the discussion in our Great Adventure Connoisseurs group!

04/11/2024

Found in the attic: Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom 's "Dorney Park-opoly - unopened. From sometime around 2005, is our best guess.

Dorney Park Connoisseurs
Park Merchandise Connoisseurs

29/10/2024

There's a lot to look forward to with Universal Orlando Resort 's new Epic Universe park in May. Monsters Unchained may be our most anticipated attraction

28/10/2024

The cat is officially out of the bag at Kings Dominion ! Looking forward to their 2025 season!

Kings Dominion Connoisseurs