Earlier this week, I launched Theme Park Geekly. It’s an online community magazine for theme park fans with great editorial articles and interviews. More like a Rolling Stone or similar entertainment magazine, Theme Park Geekly won’t focus on reporting the latest theme park news. Instead, it’ll feature interesting takes on anything and everything related to theme parks from the viewpoints of some of the best theme park writers, bloggers, and web site owners around.

The first issue’s cover story is a behind-the-scenes look at Lance Hart from Screamscape. There are also articles on Halloween Haunts from Rick Davis of the DAFE and Rick West from Theme Park Adventure.

A special thanks to Rick Davis, John Hunt, and Lance Hart.

Also, I’d like to thank ThrillNetwork, Theme Park Adventure, The Coaster Guy, Coaster101, RollerCoasterModels, and Theme Park Thoughts.

Read more about Theme Park Geekly on my announcement post on The Coaster Critic’s Blog.

If you’re interested in contributing or helping out, you can contact me here.

Here’s a teaser video for Dollywood’s Wild Eagle:

Read more and vote in a first impression poll at The Coaster Critic’s Blog.

And, here’s more from a Six Flags press release:

Get ready to take flight! Six Flags Great America announces plans to add a state-of-the-art roller coaster for the 2012 season. X-Flight is a ground-breaking wing coaster featuring cutting-edge technology. The Gurnee theme park is the first to announce plans for a wing coaster in the U.S.

X-Flight will take riders on a flight that defies gravity, with no track above or below them. Riders sit in pairs, suspended on either side of the track with their feet dangling, as they begin their climb up a 12-story plunge launching them into speeds of 55mph through 3,000 feet of intense drops and five inversions, including a barrel roll and zero-g roll. One of the most adrenaline-pumping moments on the ride is an extreme fly-through where the coaster speeds straight toward a structure, before making a last-minute vertical flip to fit through a keyhole cut-out.

“Six Flags Great America has a long history of introducing legendary rides and first-of-its-kind roller coasters,” said Hank Salemi, Six Flags Great America Park President. “What makes
X-Flight so unique is soaring through 3,000 feet of high-speed drops, loops and turns, with nothing above or below you. The coaster’s train actually looks like a plane with seats suspended on either side of the track. It’s like nothing you have ever experienced before. We are thrilled to bring this revolutionary wing coaster to our guests for the 2012 season.”

Read more, watch another video, and vote in a first impression poll at The Coaster Critic’s Blog.

I’ll accepting entries through Saturday, August, 27th.

Read more about the giveaway here.

See the “Eat Sleep Ride” T-Shirt, the “Roller Coaster Geek” T-Shirt, and all of my other theme park fan stuff here.

Here’s a video showcasing the ride’s elements:

See a photo of the GCI survey marker.

Source: Carowinds Connection via ThemeParkHype

What do you think of this sleekly-themed roller coaster train?What do you think of Ferrari World? Leave a comment below.

The Texas Giant over at Six Flags Over Texas will be the first wood coaster to get the “Super Hybrid” classification. Check out Rocky Mountain Construction’s web site for more information and a virtual look of how this system will integrate into existing wood structures.

”This transaction allows Cedar Fair unit holders to realize significant value from their investment in our company over recent trading levels,” Cedar’s lead director, Michael Kwiatkowski, said in a statement. ”Apollo has a strong track record of growing businesses, and its desire to add Cedar Fair to its portfolio serves as a testament to our solid business model and the talent of our people.”

Cedar Fair, based in Sandusky, Ohio, owns and operates 11 amusement parks, seven water parks and five hotels. Its properties include Cedar Point in Ohio, Canada’s Wonderland near Toronto, Dorney Park in Pennsylvania and California’s Knott’s Berry Farm and Great America.

Read the full article.

Also, see more coverage: Sandusky Register | CoasterBuzz | The Coaster Critic’s Blog

What do you think of this big news? Leave a comment below.

Thirteen - A Psychoaster So Scary It Has Ride Restrictions

Alton Towers has started to reveal some details about their 2010 roller coaster, Thirteen. Billed as the world’s scariest ride, the psychoaster could require riders to sign a waiver, be between the ages of 16 and 55, and limit rides to once per day. The Coaster Critic’s Blog has more. Also, visit the official Alton Towers Thirteen web site.