Roller Coaster Freakonomics

I wrote an article featured in the latest issue of Theme Park Geekly where I attempted to analyize some roller coaster data in a unique way. I compared the speed of wooden and steel roller coasters versus their height and found that they were pretty much the same. Then, I looked at height versus length and noticed a very interesting trend. Joel, the Coaster Critic, was able to take my data and create a pretty cool interactive chart that you can play around with. Check it out for yourself!

Interesting Stengel Engineering Feature

I just posted an interview with Andreas Wild Stengel Engineering (an interview feature started back in September) to Coaster101. What really intrigued me was his response to this question: "At what stage in the creation of an amusement park attraction does Stengel Engineering become involved?"


And his response " ...sometimes the layout shows dramatically false guesses (in terms of accelerations, clearances, etc.) and we have to redesign the layout entirely. Sometimes this is too late to redo things completely and we have to find a compromise which works for all parties." 


Wow! Could he be referring to Intamin projects such as Maverick where they had to remove an entire inversion element? Or Millennium Force where they screwed up the clearance envelope by placing some of the roller coaster's supports too close to the track (pictured below)? I think so. Do you?

Read the full  interview here.

Disney World Vacation And Savings Travel Guide Review

What's better than looking up Disney ride layouts online? Going to Disney World and actually riding them! Disney World Vacation And Savings Travel Guide is a new book where an ex-Disney employee reveals insider secrets on how to have the best and most cost effective vacation to Walt Disney World resort. This book proves you don't have to be ultra-rich to have an excellent time at Disney World. Instead of spending $5,500 on the trip you could have just as much fun for only $2,700! The book is laid out very professionally and even includes worksheets to help keep your vacation organized. The Ultimate Disney World Savings Guide is updated on a monthly basis to keep up with the constant change around the resort.

Click Here to check it out!

Roller Coaster Tycoon 4 Suggestions

We've had many suggestions pour in about what new features should be added to Roller Coaster Tycoon 4 (if or when it ever comes out) as well as what was liked or disliked about Roller Coaster Tycoon 3 (RCT3) Listed below are some of the best suggestions from our readers:

• Paths which can curve (not just square corners)
• better UI interface and controls
• Remove lag and lock the game at 30FPS 
• Add catwalks and realistic stations to the coasters - more realism!
• keep the onboard camera mode
• More roller coaster types!
• Be able to add an extra train on a rollercoaster without closing the attraction
• More diverse park guests - different heights, weights, etc.
• Realistic supports
• More themes and themes from existing amusement parks
• Sit down restaurants
• More realistic track construction - can drop at any angle

Do you have any more suggestions or ideas for RCT4?


Learn how to design a coaster.

Update 7/12/12: A new website has popped which you can follow to get all the latest information on the RollerCoaster Tycoon 4 release date. 

Brochure Spotlight: Ontario Place 1999

After hearing the news that the Ontario Place rides will not reopen for the 2012 season I finally got around to scanning in my brochure and park map from Ontario Place 1999. I posted a video earlier of one of my personal favorite log flumes which will be missed. It was a very unique park so hopefully whatever happens to the property is just as unique!

What Would Walt Do? eBook Review

Attention theme park fans! What Would Walt Do? is a new eBook about the team members, construction workers, and engineers left with the task of building the Walt Disney World resort after Walt Disney's death in December of 1966. The book was written by project manage D. M. Miller and the question "what would Walt do" came up every time a decision had to be made. In the end it was determined that Walt would want to do the right thing. He would've selected the highest quality option available regardless of the cost. Download this fantastic eBook as a PDF file right to your computer today. A must read for all fans of Walt Disney and the Walt Disney World resort.

Click Here to Download!