A few important points to mention that jumped out at me. First, concept #2 makes no specific reference to anything spinning at all, nor does the concept art indicate so. Second, did anyone else not pick up on the one consistent element in each of the concept renderings? The same tower is shown in all three. Anyone else think it bears any resemblance to the old WB tower that's been sitting curiously unused for years now?
Lastly, there's no mention of wording suggesting a record-breaking, first of its kind, or an overly intense ride experience.
All things considered, I could just as easily see this being our version of Firechaser Express. And there's still room to add this as a family-centric anchor to FL. Not to mention, if part of the long term plan is to raze FM, it could provide more real estate near there to utilize for the circuit, or a heavily themed entrance/queue/exit area.
Just saying. Anything is still possible and I don't put an ounce of stock into any guarantees that a spinner of some sort is a forgone conclusion. It may seem trendy at the moment, but the PTB have to know how risky it would be to add an attraction with such a limited demographic appeal. And the bigger they would make it, the risk increases along with it.
There's inherent risk associated with anything they change, or add. However, I just cannot see them investing 10's of millions of dollars on something like this. They've seen first hand the value in bringing something like OR to the park. A record-breaking attraction that's thoughtfully planned and executed to the point of moving the SDC brand needle well outside of a 250 mile radius.
It's my hope that they've taken that learning to heart and are in the midst of applying it for their next major attraction.
I can't imagine them testing the focus group waters now with possible ride and concept art that's already slated to be added to the park in the next 6-18 months – let alone an attraction they've already broken ground for. The timing just doesn't make sense for 2017 or '18. But that's just my humble opinion.