We’re back with another 2023 construction update from Dollywood where the park is preparing for what is believed to be a new roller coaster. I visited the park over the weekend to see how the construction site had changed since...
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Dollywood 2023 Construction Progress – April 2022
Dollywood has yet to announce its 2023 theme park plans (it did announce HeartSong Lodge & Resort last June), but dirt is already moving for the (likely) 2023 expansion of Wildwood Grove, anchored by a new roller coaster. With last...
Continue reading...Sidewinder Safari Construction Tour at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom
Last Friday Six Flags Discovery Kingdom installed the final piece of track for their newest roller coaster, Sidewinder Safari. And on Saturday, we joined ACE Norcal for a behind the scenes look at the coaster and construction site. For anyone...
Continue reading...Dollywood 2022 Project Updates
Dollywood recently shared an update with us on the current status of all their ongoing improvement projects for the 2022 season. “As the stature of Dollywood—and our area in general—continues to increase, our guests’ expectations elevate also,” said Eugene Naughton,...
Continue reading...The Re-Tracking of Timber Wolf: Worlds of Fun’s Oldest & “Newest” Coaster
It’s been twelve years since Worlds of Fun christened a new roller coaster at the park, but after a multi-year retracking, the park’s oldest operating coaster, Timber Wolf, is essentially brand new, and in 2021, will be running like a...
Continue reading...California’s Great America South Bay Shores Construction Tour
UPDATE: The park announced South Bay Shores will open on June 5! Check out photos from our construction tour below. 📣 Just announced! South Bay Shores waterpark, located inside California's Great America, opens Saturday, June 5! Reservations for Great America...
Continue reading...South Bay Shores Construction Tour At California’s Great America
Although California’s Great America is closed until 2021, crews are still hard at work on their new, expanded water park: South Bay Shores. Yesterday I had a chance to take a tour of the construction with Great America’s Area Manager...
Continue reading...California’s Great America South Bay Shores Construction Update
California’s Great America might be closed for the 2020 season, but that doesn’t mean work isn’t happening at the park. With the 2020 season postponed, the park shifted the opening of their new, expanded, waterpark – announced last year –...
Continue reading...Disney’s Star Wars Hotel: An In-depth Look at Everything We Know So Far
The Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge land at Hollywood Studios and Disneyland was a big hit for both Disneyland and Walt Disney World, so naturally, the next steps for the parks are to figure out ways to expand the experience. At...
Continue reading...15 to 15: Our 15 Favorite Coaster Construction Tours
Over the last 15 years, the Coaster101 team has had the opportunity to tour numerous roller coaster construction sites. These tours have given us up-close looks at a new coasters’ shiny track, freshly cut timber or glistening trains. As we...
Continue reading...A Look Inside Kings Dominion’s Off-Season Maintenance
A common misconception about theme parks is that when they close for the season, there’s nothing going on at the park. That couldn’t be farther from the truth. Recently, we had the chance to see what was happening during the...
Continue reading...Hersheypark Tops Off Candymonium at 210 Feet
Hersheypark yesterday installed the topmost section of track of its new-for-2020 Candymonium hypercoaster. The Bolliger & Mabillard (B&M) hyper coaster towers 210 feet above the park. The Hersheypark Construction Services team carefully hoisted the surprisingly lengthy last section of the...
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