Parc Astérix Opens New Family Launch Coaster - Pégase Express

© Parc Astérix

France's Parc Astérix has just opened their brand new launched family roller coaster, named Pégase Express.  The coaster has been designed by Gerstlauer Amusement Rides, and in many ways can be thought of as a sibling to Dollywood's FireChaser Express - it uses the same ride system, track style and elements.

Pégase Express actually features two mild launches, two separate tire-driven lift hills, and a backwards section.  From that description you can see how it is similar to FireChaser Express, if you're familiar that that coaster.

I was surprised by how long the track is for Pégase Express, RCDB has it at just over 3,000 feet.  It is a family coaster, so the dips and turns are more on the gentle side, but it still looks like a lot of fun and will appeal to a big section of the theme park's guests.  The below video was taken during previews (official opening was today), so the brief dark ride section when the trains change direction might have not been fully operating, but it looks like it has potential.

Ready to take a ride?

Aerial Antics: More New for 2012 Coasters

Moving Deja Vu from Six Flags Magic Mountain clear across the country to Six Flags New England was no easy task.  In order for Goliath, as the ride was renamed, to fit into the park a large section had to be cleared, and that included the park's shoot-the-chutes.

In the above image, via Bing, the park as it was last season is seen.  In the lower shot, from Google, Goliath has made its presence known.  It has been fodder for many jokes, but you can just see the edge of Flashback in the top of both images, positioned almost the exact same as Goliath eventually was.  In another twist, Flashback was also relocated to the park!

Ocean Park, located in Hong Kong, has undertaken a multi-year expansion that included several new themed areas, one of which is a traditional carnival themed land.  Part of it is the Hair Raiser, which is a custom designed B&M floorless ride that hangs on the edge of a really huge cliff.

In the foggy image on the left, from Bing, the entire project can be seen under construction.  Over on the right from Google is a view of the carnival area complete, along with Hair Raiser.  I'm not sure if that river rapids ride at the bottom is part of another themed section, but I do know that at the top is an arctic themed area that includes a powered coaster named Arctic Blast.  I believe that's scheduled to open this year.

France's Parc Asterix cleared a big section of woods to install this year's star coaster, a B&M inverted ride named OzIris.  The ride has a heavy Egyptian theme to it, and also a very unique layout for its class of coaster.

OzIris may look an awful lot like Montu from Busch Gardens Tampa in color and theme, but the ride is small and much more compact.  Like Montu, it even features a first of its kind element for a B&M inverted, a dive loop just after the twisted first drop.

OzIris Opens at Parc Asterix

© Parc Asterix

While some lucky folks got to try it out early, France's Parc Asterix has opened their new B&M Inverted coaster, named OzIris, to the public.  The ride is easily one of the most unique designs by the company in recent years, incorporating elements not seen before on an inverted ride, along with other tricks like a dive into an underwater tunnel.

And isn't the ride and it's associated theming just gorgeous at night?  The park is showing off the area in a series of photos which show off how the coaster interacts with the queue and ride plaza.

As for the coaster itself?  Well, take a spin!

OzIris Looking Good in France

© Parc Asterix

If the French cartoon Asterix had something along the lines of OzIris in it I may have been more inclined to pay attention in French class.  Alas, it did not, and even though I've retained very little of the language over the years I can still be confident in saying that the ride looks great.

Parc Asterix has shared a gallery of the just-about-complete ride, including the awesome dive below ground level seen above.  It's not the biggest or baddest of the B&M inverted coasters, but it looks like it may pack a bit of a punch at some spots, plus it has beautiful theming.

Also of note is that this is B&M's first inverted coaster to be built (not moved) since Phaethon opened in 2007.  This means that OzIris is the first inverted ride to not have the post-lift bump that was always found on B&M coasters!

Weekly Rewind 2.19.12

Canada's Wonderland has shared some photos taken from the top of Leviathan's lift.  Take notice of the fact that the Drop Tower, which is really tall, looks tiny.  

Fare thee well Jaws.  Universal Studios Orlando has wasted no time at all in turning the former Jaws attraction into dust.  Check out how sad the sharks look sitting amid rubble!

Micechat's latest In The Parks column has a great interview with the new General Manager of Knott's Berry Farm, Raffi Karprelyan.  Check it out to hear about his plans for the theme park, and the possibility of a new dark ride!

Although it's really a complete copy of the approach of Montu in regard to style of ride, color, and especially theming, I'm still pretty interested in Parc Asterix's Oz'Iris.  Airtimers has some new concept art showing off what the final product will look like.

Have you ever checked out Imagineering Disney?  If not, I'd recommend it for any Disney Park fan.  This recent post takes a hard look at the never built Rhine River Cruise at Epcot Center's Germany Pavilion.  Great stuff.

The amount of new photos being taken of Shambhala at PortAventura is amazing, but I'm not complaining.  The ride will be done before you know it, and be sure to pay attention to the one-of-a-kind turnaround.

Chance Rides recently delivered a brand new C.P. Huntington Locomotive, and refurbished two others, at the Toledo Zoo.  The trains are used on the park's Safari Railroad, and the refurbishments involved a complete disassembly and rebuild, new paint and brass trim.  Lookin' good!

Six Flags has released its 4th quarter earnings - a mix of both the good and bad.  Increased revenues and attendance, but a larger loss for the quarter than in 2010.  Here's some highlights.

Sounds like negotiations between Bluegrass Boardwalk and the Kentucky State Fair Board are going well, if this article is any indication.  Reports are now that the former Kentucky Kingdom could reopen in 2013.

Weekly Rewind 8.27.11

The birds are back at the Magic Kingdom - old school style.  The Enchanted Tiki Room has reopened after a refurbishment that returns the show to its origins, no longer "under new management."

Legoland California has announced the addition of a three story, 250 room hotel set to open adjacent to the park's main gates in 2013.  The hotel will feature themed rooms that are designed for families, a pool area and restaurant.

Some good news for the potential reopening of Kentucky Kingdom - a private investor has offered to back up to $20 million in loans needed to get the park reopened.  If the plan sticks, the park could reopen next Spring with only minor expansions in place.

With each new piece of track added to the new B&M Inverted ride going into Parc Asterix, the ride looks better and better.  Check out the latest update of the just about completed ride.

Universal Studios Singapore is planning on opening Transformers: The Ride in December of this year.  A new mini-site for the ride has been launched.

The expansion of Coney Island will continue next year, according to this report.  CAI is planning on developing more of the site, possibly including water rides, go-karts, and even another Ferris wheel. 

Details on rides and attractions opening at Shanghai Disneyland are still scarce, but the company has released some news on the park's signature castle - the biggest of any Disney park.

Six Flags Magic Mountain released a pretty mysterious hint about the park's next big addition at the end of this video.  Not sure what it is, but they point to the top of Superman - must be something tall!

Now that we are post-Skyrush announcement the hype has calmed down, but the work at Hersheypark rages on.  Check out the latest update, with more footers completed and some nice yellow track that has arrived.

Weekly Rewind 8.6.11

The new B&M Inverted ride being built at France's Parc Asterix is moving along at a rapid pace -  almost have the ride's track is now in place.  I have to say it looks like one of B&M's better designs in quite some time.

Legoland Florida has announced a new Senior Pass for guests age 60+, which is only $60 for a whole year of fun.  The park also recently had another media tour, showing off their progress.

Bill Nye The Science Guy was on hand for the launch of the Atlas Rocket at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, and attendance at the center for the day was double the usual. 

Busch Gardens has launched a new iPhone application that helps guide guests through both of the company's theme parks.  An Android version will be released soon.

Storybook Land, NJ, has opened a custom themed Frog Hopper from S&S called Beanstalk Bounce, and is themed to Jack and the Beanstalk. Another new ride, an SBF Drop N'Twist tower will open this year, too.

Excellent news from Silverwood Theme Park - they are on track to have another record breaking season if their current attendance trends hold up.  Things could finish in the 650k range this season.

Atlantic City's famous Steel Pier has been sold to the group that's operated it for two decades for $4.25 million.  Best of all, there's already talk of a new coaster for next year.

Cedar Fair has announced solid operating results for the second quarter of 2011, as well as the month of July.  The chain's Western parks, especially, are being noted for great results.

A nice treat for teachers - Six Flags America is offering educators from Maryland, Virginia, and DC free admission to the park this month.  Read more here for additional details.

California's Castle Park has opened a new waterplay area named Buccaneer Cove.  The 20,000 sq. foot play area features tons of interactive features along with a giant tipping bucket.

Here is a link to some recent and high quality shots of the expansion of Hong Kong Disneyland.  Things are coming together - the coaster in Grizzly Gulch look especially promising!

A lot of footings and one rather large trench, that's what I'm seeing from these new photos of Europa Park's construction of a new GCI wooden coaster.  Lookin' good!

Parc Asterix's B&M Going Up!

© 2011 PotionMagix

Parc Asterix is working hard on their large new B&M Inverted coaster, and the ride has now started the vertical construction phase with the station track and start of the lift hill in place.  The Egyptian themed ride sports colors similar to Busch Gardens Tampa's Montu, but will have a unique layout which will include an underwater tunnel.

Check out more photos from PotionMagix!

Weekly Rewind 4.16.11

Heide Park opened Krake today, and curiously the coaster does not feature a drop into the Krake's snarling mouth. Instead, the mouth is next to the drop. See the above video and these great photos over on TPR.

This weekend also marks the first in a long series of test launches for Cheetah Hunt at Busch Gardens Tampa.  The coaster will begin slow speed tests of the three launch sections, building up to full speed tests.  In all, the coaster will complete over 3,000 test runs before opening.

Kennywood may not have a big new attraction this year, but they are making sure the needs of families are met when at the park.  A new family food location was built in Kiddieland so that families can help their kids recharge before more riding.  Read more here.

Kevin shared some photos of Discovery Kingdom's SkyScreamer,  but Six Flags St. Louis is showing off theirs, too!  What an intimidating looking ride... see how small those chairs are up there!?

Parc Asterix in France will add a huge B&M Inverted coaster in 2012, and plenty of track and supports are already on site.  What a very Montu color scheme!  This promises to be an impressive ride indeed.

Opening day at Six Flags New England means that there's lots of changes to be seen.  If you're interested in seeing what's new, check out this report.

Dorney Park added their new park map to their website, and it includes this neat construction-zone where Laser used to be.  They've also been sharing Planet Snoopy photos on their Facebook here and there.

Is there room in the U.S. for any more major theme parks?  This article says yes, and even lists 4 cities they could go into - but do you agree that they would work?

The Wooden Warrior at Quassy Amusement Park has started testing, and the Gravity Group has video.  Looks like a speedy little family ride, indeed!

WhiteWater has partnered with Interactive Entertainment Concepts to create the future of interactive water park elements.  IEC is known for the MagiQuest interactive system, and will work on expanding SplashQuest , an interactive wet water park version, with WhiteWater.

The Fantasyland expansion at Florida's Magic Kingdom received a new castle recently - more specifically the Beast's castle.  Read more from Disney.

Sea World San Antonio will close the park's flume ride, named the Texas Splashdown, after 20 years of service.  The park isn't saying what will replace the ride just yet.  The flume will close for good on May 13th.