IAAPA 2014 Spotlight: Switchback

The annual trade show for the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (a.k.a. IAAPA) is underway in Orlando, FL.  This event is a chance for companies to show off their latest and greatest offerings and for parks to shop for future installations.  Many announcements are made throughout the four day event, and while a lot of them never come to fruition, it’s always exciting to get a view of the future of the amusement industry.

While we are not in Orlando to cover the event in person, we’ll be showcasing some of the big announcements and highlights right here on the blog.  First up we have a new style of coaster from The Gravity Group.  Touted as the first modern wooden shuttle coaster, Switchback was announced for ZDT's Amusement Park for 2015.  Take a look:

Great Coasters International made waves at IAAPA in 2012 when they showed off a simulation of a wooden shuttle coaster, but it looks like The Gravity Group beat them to the punch with the first real installation.

This announcement is surprising for a few reasons:

1. I had no idea The Gravity Group was working on a shuttle coaster concept
2. I have never heard ZDT's Amusement Park before

All surprises aside, this looks like a great ride.  I love the throwback name and theme, and the layout is fantastic. There's a lot going on for such a small footprint. From the overbanked turns and the pops of airtime to the big twisting spire, there's a lot to like about this ride.  You can see more concept art on The Gravity Group's website.

While this alone isn't enough for me to make a trip to Texas, it's exciting to think about what effect this announcement might have on the amusement industry.  This seems like a perfect fit for local Family Entertainment Centers looking to add a major attraction without breaking the bank or taking up too much space.  It will be interesting to see if more of these wooden shuttle coasters pop up over time.