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Vekoma today launched their new website just in time for the IAAPA in Orlando! The revamp not only displays their new logo and branding, but most importantly displays their exciting new concepts: https://www.vekoma.com Among the revelations are a layout for the Suspended Thrill Coaster, the next generation of SLCs: Finally some info about the Next Gen Flying coaster has been shown too: Also announced are an upcoming Next Gen Motorbike coaster, and the Lech Coaster (Bermuda Blitz) and Formula designs are finally present online too. (Lech photo by Flex) Super excited about the developments at Vekoma as you may know. Lech is my personal favourite coaster in Europe (above the likes of Helix, Taron, Expedition GeForce and Nemesis...) and the improvements in smoothness and ride elements from the company are spectacular. I actually met their new lead engineer Benjamin Bloemendaal for a video interview last September, and he's definitely very talented but also skilled at communicating his passion and ideas for designing rides (shameless self-advertisement there, but hey it's an insightful vid I swear!) 😍

They have a custom coaster section - so they will build you whatever you like. That said, they weren't really selling many (if any) boomerangs anyway. There are so many of them at various parks, and some that have been removed and put in storage, that it is cheaper to buy one second-hand from another park or for a chain like Six Flags to move them between parks. But here's some possible reasons for why they wouldn't be making them anymore: Vekoma is now owned by S&S Worldwide - who produce 4D Freespins, El-Locos, and other Small Footprint launch coasters that are more exciting, smoother, and more popular than boomerangs. Most of the images on the website seem to indicate that Vekoma is abandoning the Arrow-style track design (wheels running inside the track like on SLCs and boomerangs) in favour of their new track design that makes better track profiling possible for a smoother ride and more exciting elements. The exception appears to be Mine Train coasters, but they have a different track design anyway. Offering new rides using the new track design means culling old designs that might be cheaper. If you want to sell a more expensive (but better) product, you simply stop offering an cheaper alternative. This also streamlines fabrication by focusing on one style of track and train. Vekoma seem to be targeting a 'mid-thrill' market rather than trying to out-thrill their competitors. Fun, family-style rides with a couple of 'thrill' elements that Parents and Tweens/teens can enjoy together. This is something that a lot of parks in Asia will be wanting. These reasons might be completely correct or completely wrong. It's just speculative reasoning on my part. But personally, I'm excited to see some new designs and better technology from Vekoma. They've been installing the same painful coasters all over the world for decades and trying to 'fix' them with new train designs, while companies like Gerstlauer and Mack eclipsed them on almost every front. I think some of these new rides would be a great fit for parks like Dreamworld and Sea World. Dreamworld could create an 'aviation' themed area with a flying coaster, the iRide and Tailspin. Sea World is not a 'thrill' park, so Thunderbird model would be a great fit (especially if MW removes AA in the coming years).

Anything that you project an image onto becomes a screen. To assist your interpretation, In the case of @Mc coaster's comments, what is being said is 'a mixture of physical sets and projections'.

Hi @themeparknut2011 Australia's Movie World never had a Neverending Story ride. When Germany's Movie wWorld opened some Aus MW originals were improved and altered slightly here and there.. They included Looney Tunes Dark ride (yours was set in the Black Forest, ours Australia) Gremlins (yours had 'Alf', we had Beetlejuice), Roxy Theatre (Germany debuted with Marvin the Martian which Aus didn't get till later), Batman Adventure (roughly the same but Germany ride had a couple more Motion Bases) and Bermuda Triangle (roughly the same as our version formally located at sister park Sea World). Our Lethal Weapon was a Vekoma SLC. Not sure what type/brand of Coaster Germany's LW was but I know it had duelling tracks and by all accounts was a very rough and unreliable ride. Neverending Story was extremely popular in Germany and so it made sense to open the Park with a major ride based on it. As you know it was a large river rapids ride that featured indoor sections and large sets. I worked with the Staff that assisted in preparing and opening Movie World Germany back in the late 90's. Likewise, Germany sent some of their Staff out to Australia to help improve standards in Germany's Park. While in many ways Germany's WBs Movie World was a Superior Park aesthetically and with more content than the original, the whole "Warner Bros." Association never washed well with the locals in Dusseldorf. Opening day was an absolute disaster and the Park really didnt get off on the right foot. There were Protesters, a Skydiving Accident and a Guest had a Heart Attack while in the Batman ride. Both Movie Worlds have long since distanced themselves from offering mostly themed "experiences" focusing more on big rides and Coasters nowadays, but it would seem MoviePark was a better fit somehow for Germany once all the WBs indicies were all but stripped away.

Its fine! you were perfectly clear - even using industry specific terms, based on explanations of this stuff that has been said on these boards previously. suffice it to say:

Interesting Vekoma is selling Brogent's I-Ride. Part of the Vekoma Rides’ success is having integrated strong partnerships in both our sales and purchasing process. In Brogent Technologies we have found a strong partner for media based attractions, enabling us to expand our product portfolio with well sought-after attractions, such as the very popular Panoramic Flying Theatre i-Ride, the v-Ride 306, m-Ride, d-Ride and many other innovative attractions. Based on Brogent’s years of experience both in the Entertainment industry and motion simulation technology, I-ride has become the leading Flying Theatre with a respectful number of projects world-wide. I-ride is a great addition to any venue and suitable for Theme and Amusement Parks, Shopping Centers, Zoos, Museums as well as Stand-alone attractions. The Theme and Amusement Park industry is continuously looking for creative solutions, safe and innovative high quality coasters and attractions that bring a high marketing value to their parks. The partnership between Vekoma and Brogent has already proven to be a great added value to both our companies.

Judging by the way the camera drops through the track (and the steel looks a little undersized for roller coaster track), I'd say that ad is an "artists impression".

Cool topic! I wonder if some sort of interactive media gadgetery could be possible in the future. So far you experience the ride as it was designed by the engineers and creative team... but what if you could decide and impact on the ride's course, video-game style? I guess interactive dark-ride already exist now I think about it, but is there more to do than just shoot and get a high score?

Heard some rumours from staff that training for the I-ride began this morning. - site induction - walk around etc.

Most of the work widening paths ect. seems to be done, concrete slab ready for the ride itself.

You are entitled to your opinion, however wrong it may be. Plenty of reasons why a venue such as the big top is suited to Luna. For starters, the changing attractions inside the venue gives plenty of flow-on patronage to the park. The venue is far cheaper to hire out than a concert hall in the Opera House, and to be honest, its easier to get to, and cheaper to park at too. I don't think anyone is claiming LPS as a theme park. Sure, there's themed elements, but this is far closer to an old school 'seaside pier amusement park' In other news - Dreamworld was right up the road, so why bother building Movie World? They're both just theme parks...

Something like Mystic Manor at HKDL is great! Great use of technology and practical theming.

Sea World's lack of attention was only second to Wet 'n' Wild Sydney, and now Village don't even have that excuse. I'd bet good money in the next shareholder call you'll get Burke blaming the pirates for illegal downloads and Sea World (which is kind of fitting actually.)

Hopefully less corners being cut.

The Sidewinder has now also been removed from the WnW attraction listing and is no longer on the maintenance listing either. Looks like the entire Mach 5 tower is no more.