Legoland Billund 2012. Polar X-Plorer is now open!

[MooseWhy do I still have a donkey title???]

While I am not saying the drop is not a gimmick, I did think it was fun on Th13teen. Overhyped but still fun. This isn't bring overhyped to the levels Alton did and I doubt it will be.

Even more exciting. Penguins!
I love how Lego mixes dark rides with coasters. Now they are doing it with a nature ride!

[better_by_designFull Fledged Donkey Enthusiast!]

Anyone else think this would be an awesome replacement for Wild Arctic at Sea World Orlando?

YES! This whole ride experience looks like a better twist on SeaWorld's integration of ride+animals. Wild Arctic was (IMHO) groundbreaking and awesome when it debuted... but simulators never age well. As great as the polar habitat still is, a better ride tie in would be very welcome.

The freefall element might be a gimmick, but for 98% of people, it will be a unique gimmick. Great marketing opportunity, plus adds some thrill without making the coaster too tall/loopy/scary looking for families to ride. Most importantly, the storyline actually sounds like it is supportive of the element in an interesting way.

And heck, anything with penguins gets my vote.

I personally am surprised that the drop concept has been picked up and more are being built. I really didn't think it would take off after TH13TEEN. Not that its a bad ride or anything but as its been said before its very much a gimmick.

Any guesses as to how reliable the Zierer one will be compared to the Intamin? What do people think more reliable or less?

[sammmmmyI wrote the book about donkeys!]

^ I'm not really sure. I mean hydraulically pulling down the track (Th13teen) seems a lot more complicated than just letting it drop. (Zerier)

^It is a lot more simple to just let the track drop yes but you still have alot of complexity in making sure the track is re aligned correctly and its all done with enough time for it to be ready for the next train.

[hydraWhich came first the turtle or the donkey?]

In my opinion Thirteen really kind of ruined this entire concept with the stupidest viral marketing campaign ever. I think for a family coaster at a family park it will be great. Cant wait to see how Zerier does with these two new rides next year. ishing them luck. Especially on Verbolten.

[dominoesDoes Jeff Johnson count this donkey as a credit?]

You see, if Th13teen was marketed like this, I would love it!

[sammmmmyI wrote the book about donkeys!]

In my opinion Thirteen really kind of ruined this entire concept with the stupidest viral marketing campaign ever.

I so agree with you!

In my opinion Thirteen really kind of ruined this entire concept with the stupidest viral marketing campaign ever.

I don't quite see how it has ruined the concept of a roller coaster with a drop section. It may have ruined its use in the context of the theme it was given, but thats not to say any other park cant get it to work given a different theme and less intense advertising campaign.

[Gerstlauer1A zonkey is a cross between a zebra and a donkey.]

^ Agreed.