WindSeeker

On their Facebook pages throughout August 2010, several Cedar Fair amusement parks hinted frequently at a new ride to be opened in 2011. On August 24, 2010, Canada's Wonderland, Cedar Point, Kings Island, and Knott's Berry Farm all announced that they would be adding a Mondial WindSeeker, to open sometime in spring 2011.

Construction of the WindSeekers at Canada's Wonderland, Cedar Point, and Kings Island began in late October and early November 2010. To install them, Canada's Wonderland's Jet Scream ride was removed and Cedar Point's Ocean Motion was moved to the former Demon Drop site. Construction was scheduled to begin around the same time at Knott's Berry Farm, where the Sky Cabin observation tower was to be removed to make way for it. On January 7, 2011, however, it was announced that their WindSeeker would not replace Sky Cabin but instead be located in the Fiesta Village section of the park. Work began almost immediately after this announcement.

Kings Island's WindSeeker was originally scheduled to be the first to open, on April 30, 2011, but the opening was delayed because of bad weather and eventually took place on the morning of June 21, 2011. It was the first WindSeeker to use the Fast Lane program.

{{Stack|float=right|File:Canada's Wonderland WindSeeker.jpg}}

The WindSeeker at Canada's Wonderland was originally scheduled to open on May 8, 2011, one week after that of Kings Island. On May 24, 2011, after problems were discovered during testing, Canada's Wonderland announced on their Facebook page that it would open to the public later that day, but it was quickly closed again when further mechanical problems were discovered. From May 24 to mid-June 2011, the ride was intermittently closed because of a variety of problems, most of which have since been resolved. At the beginning of October 2011, the hydraulic dampers used on the Knott's Berry Farm model were added to reduce the amount of swing movement even more.{{cite web|url=http://www.themeparkreview.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=1099419#p1099419 |title=Canada's Wonderland Adds Better Dampers |publisher=Theme Park Review |date=October 10, 2011 |access-date=October 14, 2011}}

Cedar Point's WindSeeker was originally scheduled to open on May 14, 2011, two weeks after that of Kings Island. After almost a month delays in construction and testing due to bad weather, it opened on June 14, 2011.

Before the decision to keep the Sky Cabin at Knott's Berry Farm and to place its WindSeeker elsewhere, their WindSeeker was to have the same color scheme as others. Also, instead of there being the red "UFO" on the top of the tower, original promotional materials show that a large purple "K" was to be placed on the top of the ride.{{cite web|last=Sim|first=Nick|title=Rumor: Knott's Berry Farm's Sky Cabin to get reprieve as Windseeker moved|url=http://www.themeparktourist.com/news/20110106/2902/rumor-knotts-berry-farms-sky-cabin-get-reprieve-windseeker-moved|publisher=Theme Park Tourist|access-date=February 14, 2012|date=January 6, 2011}} The ride opened in mid-August 2011 after three months of delays. In late 2011, Fast Lane became available on the Knott's Berry Farm WindSeeker. On September 7, the ride stalled for nearly three hours, and on September 19, it stalled again at the top of the tower for three and a half hours. Both incidents prompted Cedar Fair to close all other WindSeekers until an internal investigation is completed. After the investigation was complete, all WindSeekers reopened except Knott's' model which was dismantled by December 11, 2013, to be sent to Worlds of Fun.{{cite tweet|user=screamscape|author=Screamscape|number=410792621192540160|date=11 December 2013|title=And it's gone... RT @I305Evan: @screamscape Knott's Berry Farm's WindSeeker is now fully disassembled...}}

File:WindSeeker (Carowinds) 01.jpg

Throughout August 2011, the Carowinds web site had six different QR codes, each of which led the user to a website giving a clue as to what the 2012 attraction might be. When all six clues were put together, they made a picture that read "Voiceless it cries, wingless flutters, toothless bites, mouthless mutters, fun soars to new heights... August 24". On August 24, 2011, it was officially announced that Carowinds would receive the fifth WindSeeker, and on September 1, 2011, Kings Dominion officially announced that the sixth would open at the park in 2012. The WindSeekers at Carowinds and Kings Dominion have the same appearance as those at Canada's Wonderland, Cedar Point, and Kings Island and opened in 2012. Their construction started in early November 2011, after the parks closed for the season. At Carowinds, a section of the lake was filled near Nighthawk during construction to accommodate the ride's large footprint. At Kings Dominion, El Dorado was removed at the end of the 2011 season to make room for WindSeeker.{{cite web|url=http://www.themeparktourist.com/news/20110829/4681/kings-dominion-set-remove-el-dorado-end-2011-season |title=Kings Dominion set to remove El Dorado at end of 2011 season |publisher=Theme Park Tourist |date=August 29, 2011 |access-date=October 8, 2011}} Much like El Dorado, WindSeeker would sit in the same former spot as Hypersonic XLC.{{cite web|last1=Stilwell|first1=Andrew|title=A-Z Coaster Of The Week: Hypersonic XLC|url=https://www.coaster101.com/2016/11/07/z-coaster-week-hypersonic-xlc/|website=Coaster101|access-date=February 16, 2021|date=November 7, 2016}} The first WindSeeker tower piece was installed there on January 20, 2012, and at Carowinds on January 23, 2012.{{cite tweet|user=KingsDominionVA|author=Kings Dominion|number=160426025979883520|date=20 January 2012|title=First piece of #Windseeker is up!}}{{cite web|title=Wall Photos|url=http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150551946873599&set=a.125492718598.106289.91085023598&type=1|publisher=Facebook|access-date=January 23, 2012}} Carowinds soft-opened their version on March 30, 2012, to media and invited guests; it opened to the public on March 31, 2012. Kings Dominion officially opened their model on April 6, 2012.

On August 30, 2013, Worlds of Fun announced that they would be adding SteelHawk, the relocated WindSeeker from Knott's Berry Farm.{{cite news|last=Engle|first=Tim|title=Worlds of Fun to add SteelHawk thrill ride|url=http://www.kansascity.com/2013/08/30/4447686/worlds-of-fun-to-add-steelhawk.html|access-date=August 31, 2013|newspaper=The Kansas City Star|date=August 30, 2013}}

All six WindSeekers consist of the same parts in an identical structure. The {{Convert|301|ft|m|adj=mid|-tall}} center tower is made up of eight parts. The base section is different from the other seven tower pieces because it supports the rest of the tower. On top of the eighth tower piece, there is a steel platform where workers and mechanics can observe the operation of the ride and perform maintenance. Above this platform is an element called the "red UFO" or the "Crown". The gondola itself has a number of parts. In the middle of the structure there are wheels that allow the swings to rotate as they go up and down the tower. The gondola is raised and lowered by cables linking the gondola structure to four sets of yellow wheels, each attached to a different section of the steel platform at the top of the tower. Hydraulic dampers that were not in the original design were added to all the WindSeeker installations to reduce the movement of the swings while in operation.

{{multiple image

| align = center

| image1 = WindSeeker tower with annotations.jpg

| width1 = 215

| alt1 = Breakdown of the structure of WindSeeker at Kings Island.

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| image2 = WindSeeker upper structure with annotations.jpg

| width2 = 400

| alt2 = Zoomed look at the top of WindSeeker's structure at Kings Island.

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| footer = A breakdown of the structure of WindSeeker at Kings Island, including both a full-length shot of the tower (left) and a close-up of the ride carriage and the top of the tower (right).

}}

Inside the "red UFO" or the "Crown", a Tuned Mass Damper is hidden which is to counteract vortex shedding vibrations.{{Cite web |title=Windseeker |url=https://flow-engineering.com/projects/windseeker/ |access-date=2022-08-03 |website=Flow engineering |language=en-US}} Vibrations due to vortex shedding occurs at the critical wind speeds where the vortexes in the wake of the structure coincides with the structures natural frequency which causes resonance. The tuned mass damper adds damping which limits the vibrations.

{{multiple image |align = center |footer=Different dampers on two WindSeekers: Cedar Point's former hydraulic dampers (left) and Kings Island's long-rod dampers (right), which are used on all models in the 2012 season. |image1=Cedar_Point_WindSeeker_Hydraulic_Dampers.jpg |width1= 200 |alt1=A close-up shot of the hydraulic dampers on Cedar Point's version of the ride. |image2= New hydraulic dampers on WindSeeker Kings Island.jpg|width2= 200 |alt2= A close-up shot of the hydraulic dampers on Kings Island's version of the ride.}}

All the WindSeekers have speakers mounted to the inside of the gondola structure. They play 18 different tracks, among which are Hedwig's theme from the Harry Potter films, the theme songs from E.T., Star Trek: The Motion Picture, and Superman, as well as songs from Flight of the Valkyries. At Cedar Point and Kings Island, the WindSeeker sign changes colors during night operation. At Cedar Point, as the gondola makes its way up the tower, the LED lights at the top of the tower go out, making the tower invisible, though the LED lights on the gondola remain lit. When the gondola comes back down, the lights at the top of the tower come on again. At Canada's Wonderland, the LED lights at the top of the tower remain on throughout the cycle, keeping the tower visible at all times.

{{multiple image| align= left| footer= Variation among WindSeeker signs comparing Knott's Berry Farm (left) and Kings Island's (right). |width1= 99 |width2= 111 |image1= Knott's WindSeeker Sign.jpg |alt1= Knott's Berry Farm WindSeeker Sign |image2= Kings Island WindSeeker sign at Sunset.jpg |alt2= Kings Island WindSeeker Sign}}

The WindSeeker at Knott's Berry Farm differed from the other five in several ways. Rather than white, blue, and green on the tower, Knott's adopted a color scheme using orange, purple, and yellow to reflect the Spanish California theme of the Fiesta Village section of the park. The tower at Knott's had no lights at the top. The ride's sign had a Mexican theme and did not light up.

Riders sit in one of 64 seats placed around a central tower, which brings the gondola up and down. A restraint bar is fixed over the rider's lap to keep them firmly in their seat. There is no seat belt across the rider's lap, but there is one from the seat to the restraint bar in case the lock on the restraint bar fails. After the operators determine that it is safe to proceed, the gondola rises to the top of the tower to a musical accompaniment, beginning to spin slowly around the central tower and picking up speed as it ascends further.

File:Knott's WindSeeker In Action.jpg

By the time it reaches the top, it is rotating around the tower at its full speed of approximately {{Convert|30|mph}}. The gondola remains at the top of the tower for just over a minute before starting its descent and immediately beginning to slow down. By the time it reaches the bottom of the tower, all rotation ceases. One cycle of the ride lasts three minutes.

The four WindSeekers opened in 2011 are based on the same prototype design by Dutch amusement ride manufacturer Mondial Rides. The WindSeeker at Canada's Wonderland was the first to be completed and thus the first to be tested. It was discovered during testing that the swings could rock back and forth once rotation reached full speed, and were close to hitting each other in some cases. Therefore, hydraulic dampers not included in the original design were added to all four WindSeekers to reduce this rocking.{{cite news|last=MacDonald|first=Brady|title=Knott's Berry Farm hopes to open Windseeker thrill ride in July|url=https://www.latimes.com/travel/la-xpm-2011-jun-14-la-trb-knotts-windseeker-06201113-story.html|access-date=February 13, 2012|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=June 14, 2011}} Nevertheless, there were still incidents: on June 14, 2011, the swings on Cedar Point's WindSeeker began to sway in different directions, and some seats almost collided with each other. In one reported case, a rider had to extend his leg to stop the seat in front from hitting him. In another, a seat collided with the kneecap of a rider who had closed their eyes. Official explanations suggested that the hydraulic dampers could fail under high winds: apparently, high winds and the imbalance arising when some swings are full and others not could cause the swings to collide. On June 29, 2011, Jennifer Valentyne of Breakfast Television Toronto rode the WindSeeker at Canada's Wonderland for her "Live-Eye" spot on the show. When the swings reached the top of the tower, the seats began swinging and hitting each other. As the ride continued, Breakfast Television hosts Kevin Frankish and Dina Pugliese asked whether the seats were supposed to touch each other, but received no response.

Additional problems were discovered when the ride opened to the public. The WindSeeker at Canada's Wonderland underwent repairs for just over a week when it was discovered that one of the 32 pairs of seats had been removed for an unstated reason. They were replaced and testing began shortly after. In another case at the same installation, riders were stuck at the top of the WindSeeker tower for 20 minutes when the swings did not come down. Since these incidents, ride operations are suspended during high winds or heavy rain.

Aside from the many minor problems all WindSeekers had in 2011, the first major accident occurred on June 2, 2012, on the Cedar Point installation. According to numerous news and rider reports, WindSeeker operated normally as the gondola made its way up the tower. Attached to the tower and gondola are a set of electrical cables that are located inside a plastic casing and are secured by two side panels to prevent the cables from moving around. At the top of the tower, winds were reportedly strong enough to push the electrical cables out of the socket on the tower causing the cables to move around freely. According to a rider riding WindSeeker at the time of the accident, as the gondola made its way back down the tower, the cables got stuck in the rotating gondola. The plastic casing began to be ripped apart as well as the cables causing the ride to come to a complete stop just over halfway up the tower. Because the electrical cables had been damaged, Cedar Point employees had to manually bring down the gondola. Riders were stuck on the ride for over an hour and no one was injured. WindSeeker at Cedar Point remained closed until the cause of the accident was found and fixed.{{cite web|url=http://www.screamscape.com/html/cedar_point.htm |title=Cedar Point |publisher=Screamscape |date=June 4, 2012 |access-date=June 4, 2012}}{{cite web |url=http://www.wcpo.com/dpp/news/Copy_of_cedar-point-ride-malfunctions-strands-riders-150-ft-in-the-air |title=Cedar Point ride malfunctions, strands riders 150 ft. in the air |publisher=wcpo.com (ABC) |date=June 2, 2012 |access-date=June 4, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120604203253/http://www.wcpo.com/dpp/news/Copy_of_cedar-point-ride-malfunctions-strands-riders-150-ft-in-the-air |archive-date=June 4, 2012 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}{{cite web|url=http://fox8.com/2012/06/02/thrill-ride-malfunctions-at-cedar-point/ |title=Thrill Ride Malfunctions at Cedar Point |publisher= Fox 8 Cleveland |date=June 2, 2012 |access-date=June 4, 2012}} The ride reopened on June 5, 2012.{{cite tweet|user=cedarpoint|author=Cedar Point|number=210135557920137216|date=5 June 2012|title=@flamingscrubs Yes, WindSeeker is now open!}}

During the 2012 season, all of the WindSeekers except Kings Island's experienced incidents in which the ride stopped, stranding riders in the air. Two such incidents occurred in September at Knott's Berry Farm, in one case leaving riders stranded at the top of the ride for nearly four hours, prompting the California Occupational Safety and Health Administration to order the ride shut down indefinitely on September 19 pending investigation of both the length of time riders were stranded and the actual causes of the incidents. Two days later on September 21, Cedar Fair announced the closure of all other WindSeekers to conduct an internal review. The company said that until the review concludes, none of the rides would operate again. The rides remained closed through the remainder of the 2012 season at the five seasonal parks but reopened at all parks in 2013, excluding Knott's Berry Farm's version which was relocated to Worlds of Fun.

File:Windseeker at night (2).png

One week after the officially opening at Cedar Point, attraction reviewer Brian Krosnick of Theme Park Tourist submitted an online review saying that it was "truly breathtaking". The review applauded "the inclusion of on-ride audio and such an exemplary lighting package", commenting that it was "more than anyone expected or could've asked for". Krosnick pointed out that, because of the location of the ride beside Lake Erie and the hot summers, the lights on the ride attract massive "clouds" of bugs. He felt the ride cycle might be too short for the type of ride, particularly the time spent at the top. On July 13, 2011, Nick Sim, also from Theme Park Tourist, reviewed the ride at Kings Island and made similar remarks.

Los Angeles Times blogger Brady MacDonald complimented the "impressive nighttime spectacular from anywhere in the park". He reported having thoroughly enjoyed the ride at Knott's Berry Farm and said that he would ride it every time he visited the park. Tom Sherer of the Sandusky Register praised Cedar Point's WindSeeker for having one of the best views of the park and commented that it "isn't as extreme as a lot of people fear, unless you're afraid of heights." He criticized the name WindSeeker, pointing out that the ride closes in high winds. Another reviewer called the view from Knott's Berry Farm's version "simply breathtaking" and urged readers to "get a ride on it as soon as you can". The same reviewer, however, also criticized the choice of music, suggesting that the park should have used "themes from more 'southwestern' films" to fit with the overall theme of the Fiesta Village area. Members of the general public have also applauded the addition.

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{{Reflist|30em|refs=

{{cite web|url=http://www.facebook.com/#!/CanadasWonderland/posts/10150186858828924|title= Canada's Wonderland Announces Windseeker open |publisher=Facebook |author=Canada's Wonderland |date=May 24, 2011 |access-date=May 24, 2011}}

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{{cite web|last=Taylor|first=Robert|title=Wind Seeker at Canada's Wonderland Not Actually Open|url=http://www.coaster-net.com/news/1427-wind-seeker-at-canada-s-wonderland-not-actually-open/|publisher=COASTER-net.com|access-date=January 25, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111219202722/http://coaster-net.com/news/1427-wind-seeker-at-canada-s-wonderland-not-actually-open/|archive-date=December 19, 2011|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}

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{{cite news|last=Self|first=Jamie|title=Carowinds new 'flying machine' sends riders 30 stories up|url=http://www.heraldonline.com/2011/08/25/3317337/carowinds-30-stories-up.html|access-date=February 22, 2012|newspaper=Herald Online|date=August 25, 2011|archive-date=March 31, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120331210313/http://www.heraldonline.com/2011/08/25/3317337/carowinds-30-stories-up.html|url-status=dead}}

{{cite news|last=Worthington|first=Don|title=Carowinds in Fort Mill opens its sky-high ride, the WindSeeker|url=http://www.heraldonline.com/2012/03/30/3860772/carowinds-in-fort-mill-opens-its.html|access-date=March 30, 2012|newspaper=Herald Online|date=March 30, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120401205641/http://www.heraldonline.com/2012/03/30/3860772/carowinds-in-fort-mill-opens-its.html|archive-date=April 1, 2012|url-status=dead}}

{{cite web |url=http://ca.finance.yahoo.com/news/carowinds-open-2012-season-march-165900947.html |title=Carowinds Open for the 2012 Season on March 31 |publisher=Yahoo Finance |date=March 31, 2012 |access-date=April 1, 2012 }}{{Dead link|date=May 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

{{cite news|title=WindSeeker takes flight|url=http://www.sanduskyregister.com/news/2011/jun/14/windseeker-operational-find-out-tonight-sanduskyregistercom|access-date=June 15, 2011|newspaper=Sandusky Register|date=June 14, 2011 |first=Tom |last=Jackson}}

{{cite web|title=WindSeeker|url=http://www.cedarpoint.com/rides/Thrill-Rides/WindSeeker|publisher=Cedar Point|access-date=February 14, 2012}}

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{{cite news|first=Tom|last=Jackson|title=WindSeeker won't fly on park's opening|url=http://www.sanduskyregister.com/news/2011/may/05/cedarfaircalltj5xx11xml|access-date=May 8, 2011|newspaper=Sandusky Register|date=May 6, 2011}}

{{cite web |url=http://www.coasterforce.com/news/park-news/1582-cedar-points-windseeker-will-blow-you-away |title=WindSeeker Night POV at Cedar Point |publisher=Coaster Force |date=June 14, 2011 |access-date=June 19, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110929081600/http://www.coasterforce.com/news/park-news/1582-cedar-points-windseeker-will-blow-you-away |archive-date=September 29, 2011 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}

{{cite news|last=Brown|first=Tony|title=New ride at Cedar Point tops out at 301 feet, but (alas!) it's not a roller coaster|url=http://www.cleveland.com/onstage/index.ssf/2010/08/new_ride_at_cedar_point_tops_o.html|access-date=June 28, 2011|newspaper=Cleveland|date=August 25, 2010}}

{{cite news|title=Cedar Point's New WindSeeker Swing Ride Opens for the Summer!|url=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cedar-points-new-windseeker-swing-ride-opens-for-the-summer-123927419.html|access-date=August 12, 2011|newspaper=PR Newswire|date=June 15, 2011}}

{{cite news|last=Sherer|first=Tom|title=Belaboring the Point|url=http://www.sanduskyregister.com/files/www2.sanduskyregister.com/file_attach/2011/October/1.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120402011833/http://www.sanduskyregister.com/files/www2.sanduskyregister.com/file_attach/2011/October/1.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 2, 2012|access-date=October 13, 2011|newspaper=Sandusky Register|date=October 2, 2011|page=C1}}

{{cite news|last=Sherer|first=Tom|title=Belaboring the Point|url=http://www.sanduskyregister.com/files/www2.sanduskyregister.com/file_attach/2011/October/2.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120402011847/http://www.sanduskyregister.com/files/www2.sanduskyregister.com/file_attach/2011/October/2.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 2, 2012|access-date=October 13, 2011|newspaper=Sandusky Register|date=October 2, 2011|page=C2}}

{{cite news|last=Sherer|first=Tom|title=Belaboring the Point|url=http://www.sanduskyregister.com/files/www2.sanduskyregister.com/file_attach/2011/October/3.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120402011905/http://www.sanduskyregister.com/files/www2.sanduskyregister.com/file_attach/2011/October/3.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 2, 2012|access-date=October 13, 2011|newspaper=Sandusky Register|date=October 2, 2011|page=C3}}

{{cite web |url=http://www.kingsdominion.com/what-s-new/new-windseeker |title=WindSeeker |publisher=Kings Dominion |access-date=September 1, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120204231358/http://www.kingsdominion.com/what-s-new/new-windseeker |archive-date=February 4, 2012 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}

{{cite web|url=http://www.facebook.com/kingsdominionva/posts/10150272325326875 |title=Kings Dominion WindSeeker Announced |publisher=Kings Dominion |date=September 1, 2011 |access-date=September 1, 2011}}

{{cite web|title=Windseeker and Dinosaurs Alive make the line up for new 2012 attractions|url=http://behindthethrills.com/2011/08/windseeker-sails-out-of-the-bag-at-kings-dominion/|publisher=Behind the Thrills|access-date=February 22, 2012|author=Erik|date=August 31, 2011|archive-date=September 29, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150929094159/http://behindthethrills.com/2011/08/windseeker-sails-out-of-the-bag-at-kings-dominion/|url-status=dead}}

{{cite web|last=Sim|first=Nick|title=Image: Kings Dominion begins installing WindSeeker tower pieces|url=http://www.themeparktourist.com/news/20120124/5839/image-kings-dominion-begins-installing-windseeker-tower-pieces|publisher=Theme Park Tourist|access-date=February 22, 2012|date=January 24, 2012}}

{{cite web|last=Bacqué|first=Peter|title=Kings Dominion's new attractions on schedule|url=http://www2.timesdispatch.com/business/2012/mar/06/tdbiz03-biz-to-go-kings-dominions-new-attractions--ar-1742785/|publisher=Times-Dispatch|access-date=March 6, 2012|date=September 22, 2012|archive-date=April 10, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120410202549/http://www2.timesdispatch.com/business/2012/mar/06/tdbiz03-biz-to-go-kings-dominions-new-attractions--ar-1742785/|url-status=dead}}

{{cite web|url=http://www.visitkingsisland.com/rides/Thrill-Rides-12-14-11-44/WindSeeker-2 |title= Windseeker |publisher=Kings Island |access-date=February 14, 2012}}

{{cite news |url=http://www.middletownjournal.com/news/middletown-news/301-foot-tall-windseeker-is-kings-islands-newest-ride-877743.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101226231504/http://www.middletownjournal.com/news/middletown-news/301-foot-tall-windseeker-is-kings-islands-newest-ride-877743.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 26, 2010 |title=301-foot tall WindSeeker is Kings Island's newest ride |publisher=Middletown Journal |date=January 8, 2011 |access-date=April 18, 2011 |first=Justin |last=McClelland }}

{{cite web |url=http://www.coasterforce.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=31878 |title=Kings Island WindSeeker Opening Day |publisher=CoasterForce |date=June 22, 2011 |access-date=June 27, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110929081548/http://www.coasterforce.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=31878 |archive-date=September 29, 2011 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}

{{cite news|title=Kings Islands' Windseeker won't open with park|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/morning_call/2011/04/kings-islands-windseeker-wont-open.html|access-date=June 28, 2011|newspaper=BizJournals|date=April 29, 2011|author=Business Courier}}

{{cite news|title=Kings Island's new Windseeker ride to open today|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/morning_call/2011/06/kings-islands-new-windseeker-ride-to.html|access-date=June 28, 2011|newspaper=BizJournals|date=June 21, 2011|author=Business Courier}}

{{cite news|title=Kings Island to add Windseeker ride|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/stories/2010/08/23/daily14.html|access-date=June 28, 2011|newspaper=BizJournals|date=August 24, 2010|author=Business First}}

{{cite web|url=http://www.themeparktourist.com/features/20110713/4465/review-windseeker-kings-island|title=Kings Island WindSeeker Review |publisher=Theme Park Tourist |date=July 13, 2011 |access-date=August 9, 2011}}

{{cite web|title=WindSeeker|url=http://www.knotts.com/rides/Thrill-Rides-1-5-12-42/WindSeeker|publisher=Knott's Berry Farm|access-date=February 14, 2012}}

{{cite news|last=Mello|first=Michael|title=Work begins on new Knott's ride|url=http://ocresort.ocregister.com/2011/01/07/work-begins-on-new-knotts-ride/66222/|access-date=January 9, 2011|newspaper=The Orange County Register|date=January 7, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110111043359/http://ocresort.ocregister.com/2011/01/07/work-begins-on-new-knotts-ride/66222/|archive-date=January 11, 2011|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}

{{cite web|url=http://www.screamscape.com/html/kbf_-_2011_0.htm |title=Knott's WindSeeker Tower |publisher=Screamscape |date=June 17, 2011 |access-date=June 19, 2011 |first=Lance |last=Hart |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110723053459/http://www.screamscape.com/html/kbf_-_2011_0.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 23, 2011}}

{{cite news|last=MacDonald|first=Brady|title=WindSeeker thrill ride to alter Knott's Berry Farm skyline in 2011|url=http://travel.latimes.com/daily-deal-blog/index.php/windseeker-thrill-ri-7426/|access-date=June 28, 2011|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=August 24, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110526213512/http://travel.latimes.com/daily-deal-blog/index.php/windseeker-thrill-ri-7426/|archive-date=May 26, 2011}}

{{cite news|last=MacDonald|first=Brady|title=Knott's Berry Farm to relocate WindSeeker thrill ride, delaying launch|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2011-jan-07-la-trb-knotts-berry-farm-windseeker-01201107-story.html|access-date=June 28, 2011|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=January 7, 2011}}

{{cite news|title=PREVIEW CALENDAR: Dance, comedy, special events and theme park listings for Aug. 11–17|url=http://www.nctimes.com/entertainment/events-calendar/article_379a8e79-848d-5f44-8c0e-3e1e83fb48dd.html|access-date=August 12, 2011|newspaper=North County Times|date=August 11, 2011}}

{{cite news|title=Windseeker ride opens at Knott's Berry Farm|url=https://abc7.com/archive/8324770/|access-date=February 25, 2012|newspaper=KABC-TV|date=August 24, 2011}}

{{cite web|title=In The Parks – Knott's opens Windseeker, Disneyland and DCA, Universal|url=http://micechat.com/blogs/in-the-parks/3080-parks-knotts-opens-windseeker-disneyland-dca-universal-update-page2.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111104114233/http://micechat.com/blogs/in-the-parks/3080-parks-knotts-opens-windseeker-disneyland-dca-universal-update-page2.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 4, 2011|publisher=MiceChat.com|access-date=February 13, 2012|author=In the Parks}}

{{cite web |url=http://www.westcoaster.net/updates.php?updateCD=080911&page=9 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130222140650/http://www.westcoaster.net/updates.php?updateCD=080911&page=9 |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 22, 2013 |title=Knott's Mexican Theme WindSeeker Sign |publisher=Westcoaster |date=August 9, 2011 |access-date=August 9, 2011 }}

{{cite news|last=MacDonald|first=Brady|title=Review: WindSeeker soars at Knott's Berry Farm after flight delays|url=http://www.latimes.com/travel/deals/themeparks/la-trb-windseeker-knotts-review-08201123,0,229966.story|access-date=August 26, 2011|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=August 22, 2011}}

{{cite web |url=http://www.westcoaster.net/updates.php?updateCD=081611&page=9 |title=Westcoaster – Knott's Berry Farm |publisher=Westcoaster |date=August 16, 2011 |access-date=August 16, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140728011807/http://www.westcoaster.net/updates.php?updateCD=081611&page=9 |archive-date=July 28, 2014 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}

{{cite web|title=More Windseeker News|url=http://parkthoughts.com/2011/08/24/more-windseeker-news/|publisher=Park Thoughts|access-date=February 9, 2012|author=Justice}}

{{cite news|title=State shuts Knott's ride for investigation|url=http://www.ocregister.com/news/ride-372262-knott-down.html|access-date=September 21, 2012|newspaper=The Orange County Register|date=September 20, 2012|author=Tully, Sarah|author2=Quick, Sonya|author3=Salazar, Denisse}}

{{cite web|url=http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.460374703923.250283.95469803923|title=WindSeeker Construction Photos |publisher=Facebook |author=Canada's Wonderland |date=April 26, 2011 |access-date=May 30, 2011}}

{{cite web|url=http://www.screamscape.com/html/cw_-_windseeker_1.htm |title=WindSeeker Hydraulic Dampers Added |publisher=Screamscape |date=May 24, 2011 |access-date=June 14, 2011 |first=Lance |last=Hart }}{{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}

{{cite web|title=Windseeking across the continent|url=http://parkthoughts.com/2011/06/30/windseeking-across-the-continent/|publisher=Park Thoughts|access-date=February 25, 2012|author=Justice}}

{{cite web |url=http://www.mondialrides.com/products/Wind_Seeker/index.html |title=Wind Seeker |publisher=Mondial |access-date=April 23, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120424135413/http://www.mondialrides.com/products/Wind_Seeker/index.html |archive-date=April 24, 2012 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}

{{cite news|last=MacDonald|first=Brady|title=Problems at Knott's Berry Farm force ride closures nationwide|url=http://www.latimes.com/travel/deals/themeparks/la-trb-knotts-windseeker-riders-stuck-09201221,0,1284072.story|access-date=September 22, 2012|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=September 21, 2012}}

}}

{{Commons category}}

• [http://www.canadaswonderland.com/rides/Thrill-Rides/WindSeeker WindSeeker at Canada's Wonderland]
• [http://www.carowinds.com/rides/Thrill-Rides/WindSeeker WindSeeker at Carowinds]
• [http://www.cedarpoint.com/rides/Thrill-Rides/WindSeeker WindSeeker at Cedar Point]
• [http://www.kingsdominion.com/rides/Thrill-Rides/WindSeeker WindSeeker at Kings Dominion]
• [http://www.visitkingsisland.com/rides/Thrill-Rides-12-14-11-44/WindSeeker-2 WindSeeker at Kings Island]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20130903230124/https://www.knotts.com/rides/Thrill-Rides-1-5-12-42/WindSeeker Windseeker at Knott’s Berry Farm] (Archived)

{{Six Flags}}

{{Wonderland}}

{{Carowinds}}

{{Cedar Point}}

{{Kings Dominion}}

{{Kings Island}}

{{Knott's Berry Farm rides}}

{{Worlds of Fun}}

{{good article}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Windseeker}}

Category:Amusement rides introduced in 2011

Category:Amusement rides introduced in 2012

Category:Carowinds

Category:Cedar Point

Category:Amusement rides manufactured by Mondial

Category:Cedar Fair attractions

Category:Six Flags attractions

Category:Swing rides

Category:Towers in Ontario

Category:Towers in Ohio

Category:Towers in Virginia

Category:Towers in California

Category:Towers in North Carolina

Category:Amusement rides that closed in 2012

Category:Amusement rides introduced in 2014