SDC's 2013 Project

[BackInTime]

Is it selfish for me to wish for a drop that tops the 200ft. mark? Don't see it happening, and height certainly is not always an indicator or guarantee for a fantastic ride, but I'm just hoping this thing is a monster in relation to the other coasters SDC already boasts. I would be equally happy if it fits into that category by its length and overall size. Even without releasing any name, artwork, or teaser video(s), that's why I wish HFEC would at least just make a formal announcement/confirmation about the ride's construction, contractor and budget. The money alone would give us a pretty good clue as to how big this coaster will actually be. And obviously if that $12 million number that's been thrown around is shared with the other RMC project, or exclusively for this coaster, it will mean a dramatically different scale of ride in the end.

[Duelist]

http://www.midwestinfoguide.com/silver/project2013/04.21.12/

Photos from Saturday

Thanks for the photos!

[joshblakebran]

Swoosh....thanks a ton for the pictures. Looks like things are progressing quickly. Sadly I don' think I'm going to make it to SDC this year, however next year I'm going to be riding the new coaster like crazy. I'm very proud of Herschend for following through with the building of a new coaster....looks like it is going to be pretty good sized...

[cowboy]

Thank you Swoosh for the pictures.

Looks like they still have a ways to go on the lift though. I based this "obseration" on the width of the bottom structure.....the structure looks to be getting wider which could mean more height and it stays wide for several more feet. Of couse it could just mean there is additional runs of track in that area too, but I'm guessing (hoping) it's going to be for the height of the lift.

There does seem to be an illusion of the lift already starting to crest, but if you look at the installation of the last wood beam, it looks to be attached to the bottom of the cross beam, instead of the same location as the others....I think if it was attached in the same spot, you would see a continual rise between all of the bents.

Jay

[Junior]

Good job, Swoosh. They have made progress since I visited Thursday of last week. Seems like they are really moving on this project.

[BackInTime]

Anyone have any idea what will or could be going into the large open/cleared area in the last few pic Swoosh shared? based on the captions, I believe this is from the vantage point of Wilson's Farm, presumably in the area where access to the new coaster will begin. This open area looks huge, but without seeing it overhead, I'm confused about it's actual location and size in relation to the current construction and its surroundings. Just wondering if more coaster will be going here, will it become an expansion of Wilson's Farm, etc?

[shavethewhales]

^That's the station, queue line area. You can see the station foundations behind the truck.

It is strange that they leveled so much of it though. I don't think any of the actual coaster will go here besides the bit leaving and coming to the station, but the queue will have to be quite large, and they may have other things to throw in such as concessions, bathrooms, and (hopefully not) games.

[Swoosh]

The area will be used for the station, a retail place, ODV cart and some BOH buildings.

[BackInTime]

Thanks for the clarification. The area just looks huge even outside of footprints of the station/retail and potential transfer house. Seems like a ton of cleared area just for these buildings a the queue, but definitely hard to get a sense of the actual space without actually being there. Really appreciate the updates and pictures. It's really exciting to see this ride taking shape, and progressing so quickly.

[Swoosh]

Like I said, there will be at least one BOH structure in the area to help replace the one that was removed.

I should be down again next month.

[Ozarks Gal]

Pardon my ignorance, but ODV and BOH stand for what?

[Swoosh]

BOH = Back of House.
ODV = Out Door Vendor (cart)

Sorry, I get so used to the jargon that I rattled them off out of habit. 

[Grapeslie]

Well I can confirm it will not be a pure woodie. There is brown track on site. No photos as the track is still a "secret"

speaking of that. One if the main things I kept hearing from the employees at the park while I was there this past weekend is that this new coaster would have a inversion! Which made me cringe cause I immediately went thinking of SOB and I tend to hate gimmick stuff. However though I do also trust SDC and if they do something of that nature I'm sure they will do it right! But dear god let this be more wood coaster than gimmick!

[BackInTime]

Agreed. I sincerely hope they are not planning that type of element for this ride. Save the inversions for their steel counterparts. That's where they belong. I would hope and think the innovations RMC can bring to the table with this coaster can stay within their train system and topper track. If they're looking to make a splash or break records with an actual track element, give us drops, banks, airtime, etc. I think coaster enthusiasts would agree that what makes a coaster a great one, is a design that stays true to itself and utilizes a great design and accompanying terrain to accentuate the ride. I know they'll get it right with this coaster, regardless of the end result.

[chittlins]

Agreed. I sincerely hope they are not planning that type of element for this ride. Save the inversions for their steel counterparts. That's where they belong. I would hope and think the innovations RMC can bring to the table with this coaster can stay within their train system and topper track. If they're looking to make a splash or break records with an actual track element, give us drops, banks, airtime, etc. I think coaster enthusiasts would agree that what makes a coaster a great one, is a design that stays true to itself and utilizes a great design and accompanying terrain to accentuate the ride. I know they'll get it right with this coaster, regardless of the end result.

This coaster seems like an out and back type and if it has an inversion that will give them something to really hype but I'll not only pine for my spinniner but a tight twister type woody without going upside down.