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[sdcfan88]

Or even a small footprint low height terrain wood coaster like Prowler or Zambezi 2.0

[Swoosh]

I've been thinking about Grand Exposition, and I think that it would benefit from a small scale GCI-Gravity Group family wood coaster. Outlaw Run is terrific, but they need a gentle, family wood coaster to act as an in-between coaster between Grand expo coaster/FITH, and thunderation. Something like Oscar's wacky taxi at sesame place. Alternatively, since SDC loves RMC, I could see an RMC wild moose going there as well.

If anything gets added there look for a Dragonflier clone in the Insect area.  There's just not room for a wooden rollercoaster back there

[ColaSDC]

^ true, but how would they theme a suspended coaster? I can't imagine they pull a Dollywood with a "magic" or "fantasy" theme.
Plus, have you seen how compact Oscar's wacky taxi is? I feel like there has to be a way to fit it in.

[Swoosh]

They could do a c/p from Dollywood

I don't see HFEC building any new wooden coasters for the foreseeable future

[ColaSDC]

I understand that a new wooden coaster is unlikely, but I also don't think they will do what dollywood did with wildwood grove. If SDC got their own "dragonflier," people would not be happy. Now a family suspended coaster themed around something more "realistic" could work, but again, WildFire took the "flying machine" theme.

[ColaSDC]

Maybe something like a hangglider could work as a theme? Or have Dr. Horatio invent a smaller, tamer flying machine to feature at the expo. That could work into the park's "lore."

[shavethewhales]

I don't think theme is really an issue anymore... After Time Traveler, it's kind of all moot now. They do still dress the rides up nicely, but the theme of the park that we used to fuss over is kind of treading water. They do keep some of it up, but at this point there are rides everywhere you look, obvious electronics that aren't even hidden behind paneling, and of course the "cleaned-up" aesthetic that we've discussed. I don't think a vekoma jr suspended themed to a bug would be out of place at all anymore. As far as coasters go, it would be a great addition to round out the collection more.

[Duelist]

^ Although I agree that they are doing a lot of that they are at least, according to speculation, continuing the theme of the Society of Ozarkian Daredevils with the new ride.  That gives me hope that they are still keeping to the theme somewhat. 

[ColaSDC]

At least with time traveler, they had the "steampunk" theme to keep it semi-grounded in the 1800s theme. I don't think that SDC should completely go back to its original theme with minimal rides, but SDC needs to stay unique from Dollywood or even the high end cedar fair/six flags parks.
I do think a vekoma suspended coaster would be a great addition to the line up, and would easily fit into the expo, but a small-scale woodie would also be awesome. Yes a suspended is more realistic though.

[Swoosh]

I understand that a new wooden coaster is unlikely, but I also don't think they will do what dollywood did with wildwood grove. If SDC got their own "dragonflier," people would not be happy. Now a family suspended coaster themed around something more "realistic" could work, but again, WildFire took the "flying machine" theme.

I'm going to give you a break here because you probably don't go into that section of the Grand Expo, but the area past the swing ride entrance is literally called "Insectarium" so yes, Dragonflier would definitely fit as the rides in that area are bug themed (or frog)

[ColaSDC]

^ yeah, thats on me, I forgot about that section of the park. Dragonflier makes a lot more sense over there. Now I'm wondering if HFEC will want to clone a ride. Blazing Fury is the closest thing to a clone ride they have ever built. I know wild adventures has a boomerang and vekoma SLC clone, but with how little investment they get, that's kinda a moot point.

[Swoosh]

Dragonflier is a stock model. 

[ColaSDC]

Ok, so they probably won't do a custom model if its a kiddie coaster. But, a dragonflier clone gives me a reason to enter the grand expo! I am wondering when they would install one, and how "big" of a deal it would be. Would it get the same marketing as OR, TT, or project 2026? or be a more "low-key" announcement?  Can't imagine a ton of money spent on marketing a kiddie coaster, but IIRC Dollywood put money behind it, but that came with an entire new area of the park.

[ColaSDC]

I've also been wondering about how much longer Outlaw Run will be a wood coaster. The pothole at the bottom of the drop can be brutal, and the general public thinks its a "rough" ride. Personally, I like how it runs, but the ride struggles with ridership because of it's image. Plus, there have been reports of a car having a rollback on the Barrel roll, caused by the pothole. Considering how Lightning Rod had its track turned into IBox, I cant help but wonder if HFEC is considering that option. Outlaw Run is reportedly a maintenance nightmare, and I'm sure IBox would help, but then the coaster would lose it's uniqueness and world records. IIRC it still holds the wood coaster inversion record. I also think that SDC knows this and is trying to keep it a wood coaster. They could convert just the bottom part of the drop to IBox, as that is the area with the most trouble, but then the technicalities come in. Is it a full circuit wood coaster? Should it win "wood" coaster awards? LR had these issues before fully becoming a steel coaster.
I really hope that SDC can either keep it fully wood, or convert only the bottom of the drop to steel. The ride is my #1 because the wood track makes it feel "out of control." Unironically, velocicoaster might be my new #1 if outlaw run becomes steel.
If they have to convert it, so be it. But man would that be disappointing.