4:51 The Lil' Dipper may not be the fastest or the tallest rollercoaster in the world, but it blatantly tells you "you will die" in a way other coasters only claim to.
Was Lil' Dipper once at Six Flags St. Louis? (back then Six Flags over Mid America) I know I gleefully rode that exact layout hundreds of times when I was a wee child.
The Whizzer at Great America was almost torn down to make room for Superman. However the community rose up in protest. So they kept Whizzer and took down Shock Wave instead so as to put in Superman. The Whizzer is a great starter coaster. The tandem seating allows a parent to hold the child. This way the child feels secure while experiencing their first roller coaster. It is also a great date night ride! For me a classic wooden coaster will always be my favorite. I am not a big fan of inversions, preferring good drops, air time and other feature. Currently the best wooden coast would be The Beast at Kings Island.
The sounds the Wizzer all-ways added to the ride for me. It is a unique audio experience. I could know where the train on the ride by sound alone since every section sounded different. From pulling in and out the station, to the lift, to the first long drop, and to the different curves. The visual aspect of the are great, no harness or high seat back to block the view. The top of spiral lift gave a nice view of the themed courtyard. During the ride ,you get a pleasant view of a pond ,bushes ,and trees. Trying the grab leafs is one of those local customs. From spring time to fall the leaves ,you would have the change of seasons and flowering of the bushes
Even though I've never liked getting swung around and jolting violently, these rides are still really fun! They may rip you a new one but its all in good fun :)
The rides in this video reminded me of some of the rides in the park I grew up going to, the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. I would highly recommend a visit (and a video) to the Boardwalk. It's home to one of the oldest roller coasters in the US (the Giant Dipper, built in 1924), as well as a carousel from 1911 (that at least, pre-covid, still had the rings that you throw into the clown's mouth as you go around), and many other rides that date probably back to the 1960s or so, such as the Cave Train. And it's right on the beach, if you need a break from riding rides. I haven't been in years, but it was a really fantastic park to grow up with.
“Old Arrow coasters can be a bit rough.” lol Being on the taller side, Arrow’s cars and restraints, combined with their track, provides some of the most painful looping coasters still out there and I generally avoided them when in a park.
I had just commented yesterday that I wish there was a park that would take on vintage rides rather than destroying them. I enjoy the weird and vintage attractions as a way to contrast modern design and typically contributed in some way in the evolvement of
Growing up, this was always the appeal of Vortex to me at Kings Island. It was an older ride for sure and you’d always come off with a little throbbing in your head, but this always made me want to ride it even more! Like you said, there’s just something about this feeling!
I've never been on an Arrow with that many inversions, though it does look interesting. The only Arrow loopers I've experienced have been Demon (obviously), CP's Corkscrew and the now demolished Python at BGT. I would certainly be interested in those older Arrow layouts though. I believe Great America had one that was replaced by Superman.
@@PoseidonEntertainment It’s always sad to see any of these classic arrows taken down. But that makes it all the more rewarding when you get to ride them.
It's really cool to hear about all of these older rides/attractions! The oldest coaster I've probably been on is the Giant Dipper in Santa Cruz, which if I remember is the oldest one in California.
Man. I’m so happy you mentioned Kiddieland, Illinois. I live right near where that park used to be, and where it’s now a Costco. I have a horrible memory, but I remember that ride being specifically my favorite. I wish Kiddieland was still around, it’d be amazing to head to a amusement park a bike ride away, rather than heading to the nauseating Six Flags that takes a good drive to reach. Great video, and glad you’re preserving more rollercoaster history!
The use of the song “spinning monkeys” while the ride vehicle spun around the tower was top tier. Thank you for riding the toboggan so I DON’T HAVE TO talk about hellish. I enjoy the non Disney content too! Love the video! Little America is such a contrast to Disney.
I'm glad that it was deemed worthy of preservation. Part of the charm was the 90 year old woman running it who couldn't understand how my GoPro worked.
Well done. We used to live 4 miles away from Little Amerricka and watched it develop over the years. Darrell Klompmaker is the driving force behind the park. He has worked extremely hard to make it what it is today. His passion is the 3 mile steam railroad at the park and he manufactures scale steam engines for anyone who wants one. Another video could be dedicated to that alone. Thanks for the history of the coasters I was unaware of.
It's really great that someone is preserving those older, smaller rides, especially the travellers. Those are just the sort of things that tend to get forgotten until someone notices none of them are left. That view of the graveyard is just awesome. I really want to see that park, now.
Lagoon, my local park, is an interesting park with a mix of some interesting new modern rides, and some interesting old classic rides. They have the Roller Coaster, a Miller model from 1921 (I think the 7th oldest coaster in the world?), a Jet Star 2, a Schwartzkopf double looping, one of only two Zierer tower coasters (and its the better one), and lastly of note, Cannibal, formerly holding the record for the steepest beyond vertical drop (before losing it to TMNT Shellraiser). All in all a decent regional park, just wish they didn't price it like it was a Six Flags. They're getting a bit big for their britches.
@@PoseidonEntertainment The Roller Coaster, or "white roller coaster" as we call it (though the nickname doesn't make much sense anymore) is pretty decent for such an old ride. The newer entries, Wicked and Cannibal are pretty good. The elevator lift on Cannibal and the Lagoon roll are fun elements. The other coasters are a bit middling however. There's a few family coasters. Jet Star 2 I'd personally only recommend for the credit. It is the only coaster I've legitimately felt unsafe on, and frequently has some too nearly real headchopper moments. The seating arrangement and seat belts, combined with the harsh brakes at the end are really uncomfortable. I think as an amusement park fan though it's a decent park that'll give you a good amount to ride and look at.
It's been a while since I've been to CP, but I don't think I've ever been on Blue Streak. What's bad about it? Just rough, or is it the layout? I can't imagine that anything is rougher or more intense after riding Hades at Mt. Olympus.
Nothing compares tonLake Compounce’s Wildcat. It’s over 90 years old but man it’s been a year and I still feel it. Blue Streak is nothing compared to that.
@@PoseidonEntertainment I was at CP a month ago, Blue Streak wasn’t running that rough. I’ve always found it to be a little jarring but never painful. It has decent airtime and is good for what it is
I remember the Tobaggon costers from when I was a little child. I was born in the late 60s and we used to go to the state fairs of Indiana and Ohio in the early 70s. This of course was back in the days before Kings Island or even Walt Disney World. When I think back on my earliest coster experience. I must admit it had to have been on a Tobaggon. It's a thrill to see it now. I remember seeing one back 20-30 years ago still on a traveling circuit once again at the Indiana State Fair. I have never seen one since till this one in your video. Thank you.
Idk what kind of essays you like to make the most but Im really enjoying these non-Disney ones. I find them a breath of fresh air and Id love to hear more talk about small parks, or something like seaworld which youve mentioned before. (a knotts video would be pretty cool if you ever get to this coast)
A hidden gem of a classic coaster can be found in Six Flags St. Louis, known as The Screamin' Eagle. It dates back to May 1976, and most of its layout takes place in the woods. You can also get a stellar view of the entire park from the top of the lift hill. Though others are quick to label the coaster as being rough and even a waste of space, I like to think that the coaster has quite a bit of historical value, as it was one of the last coasters designed by Philadelphia Toboggan Company, and was one of the many coasters that would inspire the designs of most modern hyper coasters.
We have season passes at Great America it was nice to see some of the older coasters get some love, even if they are too rough for us to ride often these days. Demon is an old favorite and always on my must do list to ride in the dark at Fright Fest. (It’s so much creepier lit up). Now that I know it exists I am totally going to check out Little Amerikka too.
I don't know whether this counts, but when you asked for older rides, I immediately thought of Dentzel carousels. They're exceptionally beautiful just as artworks, and even though they date from the late 19th/early 20th century, there are still a fair number of them around. (One is at Disneyland, strangely enough -- Walt bought it used.) They were truly built to last. I was lucky enough to grow up riding the Dentzels at Disneyland and Knott's Berry Farm, and they spoiled me for other carousels forever. There's a striking variety in the figures, and they're definitely good video. It seems weird and quaint that carousels are still a thing for anyone above the age of six, but a ride on a Dentzel will show you why. They're just FUN, in a way no other ride quite replicates. A good carousel is sui generis. Anyway, if you feel like a road trip, you can probably find a Dentzel or two. There's a list of surviving carousels on Wikipedia.
Meteor has a special place in my heart as the coaster that got me over my fear of them. The ride op just let me loop over and over because the park was so empty (which it usually is)
Unusual: 1st Gen Intamin Freefalls and in particular the very last one built by Giovanola which featured improved reliability and had a way faster lift. Installed at AstroWorld in '83. The other is the Togo Ultra Twister of which it is believed the prototype was the one installed at Six Flags Great Adventure. Then moved to AstroWorld where the lift was modified. Sadly, permanently damaged during the closing of the park. The more interesting Ultra Twister still around is at Rusutsu Resort Japan that has a dive loop at the end instead of a switchback.
The Intamin Freefalls are so strange. Are they rough at all? Also, the Ultra Twisters look awesome. I've always wanted to get on one since I encountered them in Rollercoaster Tycoon was I was little.
I am from Omaha and have very fond memories of Peony Park. I was just a kind when it closed and was very sad to see it go. I am delighted to see part of it still getting to be enjoyed.
Lagoon Amusement Park in Utah has a few older coasters, including "The Roller Coaster", a wooden roller coaster designed by John Miller and is over 100 years old. There's also Jet Star 2, a Schwarzkopf prototype for 1974. While the park doesn't have the biggest or most intense coasters out there, it definitely provides a lot of fun.
Lagoon is definitely a surprisingly good park for coasters and about to get its 11th next year. "The Roller Coaster" is a classic and love the Jet Star spiral lift and style. They got a Wild Mouse as well which I avoid for getting banged up in at the end.
Cannibal is a pretty thrilling ride, I'm not going to lie. One of the most intense coasters I've ever been on. The wooden roller coaster called "Roller Coaster" is also on the national register of historic places.
one of my favorite coaster growing up was Afterburner an Arrow Launched loop specifially the first one it definitly was one of the most interesting rides ive been on sadly there are only 3 of the model left specifically Sidewinder at ellitch gardens, diamond back at frontier city and revolution at blackpool pleasure beach
My local amusement park is Blackpool pleasure beach (which i would love a video on as it is a very unique park) and there is something so wonderful about riding older coasters. I love the combination of old woodies like the big dipper and grand national, Older dark rides like the Ghost train, River caves or Alice in wonderland, Some unique coasters like Steeplechase and Avalanche, The flying machines and when it finally reopens the iconic water ride that is Valhalla.
I've been interested in BPB since I first discovered Rollercoaster Tycoon when I was maybe 5 or 6. I would be definitely be interested in giving impressions from either there or Alton Towers eventually.
I'm from WI and my parents would take my brother and I to Great America every year from about 1984 through the early 90's. That was the highlight of my year going on the Whizzer, Demon, American Eagle, Shockwave, and Tidal Wave over and over again. The water rides Logger's Run, Yankee Clipper, Splashwater Falls, and White Water Rampage (now Roaring Rapids) were great too
If you ever travel to Northwest Texas, I definitely recommend checking out Wonderland in Amarillo and Joyland in Lubbock. Both parks are filled with classic and unique attractions very similar to the ones mentioned here.
I used to visit family in Arkansas every summer in the 70's and early 80's and we'd visit Dogpatch at least once during each visit. Back then the Swiss toboggan didn't have any padding. No matter how hard I tried to brace myself, the back of my head would smack into wall of the car when entering the "tree". Besides the headache I loved that ride!
I had the privilege of riding the swiss tobogan in Puerto Rico when I was young. It was an experience I'll never forget riding that by myself for the first time as an preeteen. Sitting in a roller skate with wheels basicaly.
Upstate New York there’s a park called SeaBreaze and it’s the greatest classic park that’s still around. Their signature classic woodie is the Jack Rabbit and for being almost a hundred years old it rides fantastic from what I hear. Haven’t been there in 20+ plus years. There’s of course Kennywood as well. As a coaster junkie and a member of ACE, I love this video!
I would strongly recommend visiting some older parks in Pennsylvania, especially Knoebels Amusement Resort in Elysburg, Lakemont Park in Altoona, Idlewild in Ligonier, Kennywood near Pittsburgh , and Waldameer in Erie. All of these parks have unique and unusual classic rides, some only found at each of their respective parks.
I agree. It's definitely geared towards little kids, but because the attendance was pretty low, it was cool to interact with the ride ops. They always seemed eager to share the history behind the rides.
For me, the ultimate classic coasters (at least in North America) are Giant Dipper at Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and Cyclone at Coney island. There are older coasters out there but these two really embody the feeling of an old boardwalk coaster and they are just rough enough to feel like classic woodies but overall they are surprisingly smooth. And frankly they hold up really well as impressive thrilling coasters. One addition I haven't ridden but I've heard good things about is Coaster at PNE Playland in Vancouver, BC. I've heard that it feels flat out dangerous because the airtime is crazy but you only have a buzz bar restraint sitting inches above your lap. I don't know whether or not that makes it feel like a classic, though it is quite old. But I've heard it's just an absurd coaster regardless of its age.
The most violent rides I've experienced have been at Universal in Florida. The Mummy and the HP Escape to Gringots slammed the hoo-haa out of us at the end of the rides. Our backs were sore as a sunburned polecat. So, we'll not be riding those anymore.
My friend and I live near that park in Wisconsin and are planning on visiting for the old coasters. Was just at lake compounce and road wildcat….. ooof that was the roughest coaster yet!
Don't take this the wrong way because I absolutely love everything about this Channel! But I would love a video about the things you love most in the Disney parks! I completely agree with all of your critiques and things that need to change / improve in the parks ... but I am also curious as to what things make you a Disney parks fan in the first place! Keep doing what you do ... appreciate ya! - Mike
That would be a pretty easy to write and produce. I have a few other video ideas in mind, but it might make sense to do something like that perhaps later next month.
I really enjoyed this video and love your content! I hope to get to both Little Amerricka and Six Flags Great America in the next few years. Leap the Dips at Lakemont Park is an odd coaster experience that differs from all others. I just got to ride it in May on a trip from Pennsylvania up through to Prince Edward Island. It is very simple and I can see how it would've been fun for 1902 when such an experience was completely new. The way it shakes during the ride almost made me feel like I was on a log flume more than a traditional wooden coaster. The dips are surprisingly violent even though they look small. The cars themselves are also very cool and the handle bar is one of my favorite handle bars on a coaster because it isn't stupidly placed and isn't awkward to hold on to. In terms of unique rides, my home state Colorado does have a couple. We aren't known for having the best parks or rides with Colorado having one of America's worst amusement parks Elitch Gardens and then the recent accident at Glenwood Caverns, but there are a couple diamonds in the rough. First up is Lakeside Amusement Park in Denver. This park isn't talked about much online in the coaster community despite its eclectic classic ride collection. This is mostly due to perception among younger enthusiasts or general public visitors that the park is sketchy which can be true at times with rowdy teenagers, and it is run down, but really is charming if you get past the small issues here and there. The rides also aren't falling apart like many say. The rides are safe, and the park is making efforts to restore rides and buildings that are showing lots of wear. The park features 4 technically 5 roller coasters depending on what you define a coaster as. There is the 1940 wooden coaster Cyclone build by Edward A. Vettel which is the oldest operating coaster in Colorado, a rare Miler Manufacturing wild mouse named Wild Chipmunk from 1955, Dragon which is a Zamperla powered family coaster that is usually SBNO and was purchased in 1986 to replace an old Fun House, a Miler Manufacturing kiddie coaster, and a Pinfari Zyklon Z64 model manufactured in 1973 and purchased in 2018. It was reconstructed but does not operate. Lakeside is one of the last operating in a slew of parks from the 1900's often nicknamed "white city" because of the 1893 Columbian Exposition inspired architecture and lighting styles that were originally found at the park. It opened in 1908 and has been owned by the same family since the mid 1930's. The park is filled with classic flat rides and neon covered art deco buildings preserved from that era onwards on a picturesque setting on the lakeshore. The Cyclone is by far the star attraction at Lakeside and unfortunately hasn't operated this season, but hopefully will return to operating next season as it usually does. It is the last operating of eleven coasters designed by Edward A. Vettel. It is a unique layout, half twister half out and back with the out and back on the edge of the lake. Hopefully Lakeside keeps the iconic ride running for generations to come. Elitch Gardens in Denver, although a wildly mediocre or downright bad park at times, has a couple of unique things about it, most notably the 1990 Arrow shuttle loop coaster Sidewinder and the fact that the park itself was relocated in 1995. From 1890 to 1994 the park originally was located in the suburbs of North Denver. The original was chalked full of history before they moved and lost all character immediately and begin selling off and replacing older rides from the original that had made the move. Now little remains of the things that have survived at both locations. Sidewinder was opened at Magic Springs & Crystal Falls in 1980 as Roaring Tornado before being purchased by Elitch Gardens in 1989 opening at the original Elitch Gardens the following year. Sidewinder was the only coaster of three to be relocated when Elitch gardens built their new park right in downtown Denver in 1995. It provides surprising ejector seat airtime when dropping from either of the winch launch sections on the ends of the loop accelerating to 45mph. It is a fun shuttle coaster that is really smooth for its age lacking the normal bad transitions and turns of Arrow coasters from that era making it one of my favorite Arrow creations up there with Magnum XL-200 and Tennessee Tornado. There is also Half Pipe built by Intamin in 2004 during the Six Flags ownership of the park from 1999-2006. Half Pipe is an interesting cheap quick thrill that can be rather dizzying because of the spinning cars on the skateboard vehicle. It is an interesting and complicated ride that unfortunately is plagued with downtime because of this. Otherwise the park is rather mediocre. Twister II is a terrible 1995 recreation of the original Twister from 1964, a John C. Allen design that was at one time coined one of the best wooden coasters in America by enthusiasts. Twister II has been having more and more issues as the years pass, getting rid of the original 1964 Twister trains in 2003, reducing the trains to 4, then 3 cars, and now has been closed all season likely because of major structural problems. The other two coasters, Boomerang (1999), and Mind Eraser (1997) are outdated rough Vekoma clones that are not worth riding if you've been on other Boomerangs or SLCs unless you are hunting for credits. One last one is the North Pole in Colorado Springs which opened in 1956 off the heels of Disneyland's success. It is a classic north pole Santa Claus themed park with lots of Christmas themed old school flat rides and a scenic mountain atmosphere. The only coaster at the park is a Molina & Sons kiddie coaster simply named Candy Cane Coaster. This is a small park with more of an emphasis on kid's rides, but still has a fun environment with some fun activities and rides for the whole family. Colorado isn't the best place to live as a coaster enthusiast as you can see, but we take what we can get. This is why I take lots of coaster road trips across the country to the Midwest and northeast because of their plentiful parks filled with roller coasters and history.
I'm glad you took the time to type out of this info. I will say that I wish that places like Lakeside would have found a way to preserve their architecture. I know it's probably its own distinct place from Coney Island, but I still think that the early parks around there were quite interesting and Lakeside seems to have been emulating that feel and aesthetic.
@@PoseidonEntertainment Of course. I hope it wasn't too long to read or anything. I agree. Lakeside luckily has saved much of what was there in 1908 compared to many other parks. There are still half of the buildings that were there in 1908 looking very similar to how they did with more colors. It makes an odd combination of 30's-50's art deco and 1910's revival classical style that gives the park its odd charm. It definitely is distinct from Coney Island and most other parks that started similarly in that era. They were interesting, and Lakeside does emulate that feel even to this day even with some changes over the decades being made.
I remember riding the Chance Toboggan as a kid at the state fair. It was rough, even back then when all coasters were rough, but was fun. The vertical lift hill was a unique sight back then. Tough to believe it fit on 2 trailers and traveled around.
Lol, Wisconsin. My middle school was next door to a cemetery too. Another cool WI amusement park is Bay Beach in Green Bay! The Zippin Pippin is a super old wood coaster that they have there
If you're looking for weird historic rides, there's always the classic Arrow mine trains, of which I've ridden every single one aside from Excalibur and the one in Japan.
Very interesting video. I'm not exactly sure if this would count as an older coaster since they re tracked it recently, but Great American Scream Machine at my home park, Six Flags Over Georgia used to be the tallest coaster in the world when it opened. I think it would be pretty cool to see a video on that one.
If you’re ever in Denver, I would recommend going to Lakeside Amusement Park. It’s the oldest park in Colorado and one of the oldest in the US, having opened back in 1908. With a super low cost ($20 for an all-access wristband but you can also pay for individual tickets if you only want to go on a ride or two), in my opinion it’s a much more fun time than the big park in town, Elitch Gardens.
The Great America in Santa Clara used to have the Demon back in the 80s as well. I remember the queue featured waterfalls of blood. They don't make 'em like they used to!
I visited friends in Madison regularly a couple of years ago and I drove by Little Amerricka a couple of times, always wondering if that was a real, functioning coaster or art installation. It looked so random and our-of-place. I finally go my answer. :D
I grew up in Marshall, WI where Little Amerricka is located. It opened when I was nine. When I was twelve I spent a lot of days there with some friends because you could get a full day pass for ten bucks and it was a safe place to hang out when you’re too young to drive. It was a lot less busy then. Other than that it’s almost exactly the same. 😅
Not necessarily old attractions, but it would be interesting to hear your take on Texas’ and the Landry’s company’s attempts at old school pier style attractions like Kemah Boardwalk and Pleasure Pier
The Swiss toboggan coaster was the very first roller coaster I rode. There was one on the boardwalk in Pt Pleasant, NJ bkwe er there was a cone on top and it became a "rocket to the moon" coaster. Blast off thru the rocket, orbit around, then finally coaster back to the earth. Unfortunately the amusing pier was destroyed by a fire in the late 80s and the coaster was destroyed with it.
Kennywood is the best park i've been to as far as having a range of classic attractions, from the 3 wooden coasters of the park to non-coasters, like turtle, old mill, or noah's ark. I would also reccomend deno's wonder wheel for their classic pretzel dark ride and their ferris wheel.
You should make a video talking about how these coasters are moved from location to location. Seems like that could be an interesting subject to dive into
If you want to see old, classic attractions that you can’t ride anymore there used to be another wooden coaster in Ohio called Blue Streak, the Cedar Point one is still around but the other, which used to reside at Conneaut Lake until it burned down, was even older. It was also maintained poorly due to the park not having a lot of money prior to it burning to the ground. I never rode it, but it can be sad to see really old rides meeting their fate not by reaching the end of their lives or by their parks’ shutdown, but by disaster. Other old yet cool rides that are still open include Jack Rabbit at Kennywood, Phoenix at Knobles (which was relocated, and is still considered one of the best wooden coasters), and a personal favorite of mine… The Beast at Kings Island, one of the longest coasters to ever be built and something that may be extremely popular but for a very good reason. How often can you say that a ride has held it’s record for so long and was only was beat when people went out of their way to beat it? The one coaster that is longer than it is a Giga from Japan made of steel and was designed to be the longest ever and the runner up was a woodie that ended up being the best ride out of someone’s whole list of creations despite being their first. Oh and Dragon Mountain in Marineland is also absurd considering how much space it takes up but it’s an Arrow in a park that might not ever open again so it’s really only noteworthy for being a long boy
There was a Swiss Toboggan at The New Pike in Long Beach, CA until the park's demise in 1979. Also, I think that's an "elevated railway", it has two rails and a powered third.
I went sifting through old Allan Herschell documents and while not a lot of information was available, the company did seem to consider it a monorail, though I see the point you're making.
You should go to Knobles Park in Elysburg PA! ♥️They also preserve old rides, and they built a working replica of a luge track free roller coaster! But I think there may actually be some track on it in some areas for safety. The history of it is Interesting to say the least. It took them many years to build it there was a lot of safety concerns, it’s not the best coaster but it’s certainly very unique. They also have two dark rides. One is a haunted house, and the other is a haunted mine ride which fits the region. The park itself is absolutely beautiful with flowers and trees and admission is free! You can buy tickets or get A wristband. Parking is free as well. And the food is excellent for an amusement park. Highly recommend you go. I think you will love it.
@@PoseidonEntertainment it is sad what happened to California’s Great America. It is the park with most potential and a direct tie to Disneyland everyone wants to ignore, but through a series of bad management decisions and a revolving door of owners it was stripped of everything that thematically gave the park character. Fess Parker’s dream is dead, so is the park.
The wooden constructed mouse that was at Blackpool in the UK was the most violent ride I have ever been on and is still one of my favourites, shame they removed it in 2017.
From what little information I can see, there appears to be three of them remaining. Odd that it's not specified where they are though. I would be highly interested in experiencing one.
I grew up riding the Dragon Coaster at Playland Park in Rye, NY. It was built in 1929 and you should check it out. It is the only government run amusement park in the US.
@@PoseidonEntertainment I am not sure about the theatre and I do not see anywhere that talks about the history of it. I did see that the Grand Carousel is from 1915 and the Derby Racer is from 1927 and is 1 of only 3 remaining in existence. The Whip is also from 1928 and I remember riding this a lot! There is a lake on the north side of the park where they used to offer boat rides around the lake. There are life size figures of safari animals placed around the lake. Not sure how long it was there, but it was always something different.
Can’t believe I was traumatized as a kid by the demon coaster, not riding roller coaster for 5 years after, but I rode Swiss tobaggin and all the other little America coasters with no problem when I was younger 😳
I know that the old Corkscrew at Silverwood is pretty historic and our little wooden one at the Puyallup fairgrounds is proud of its long history as well. Not sure if the other larger park up here (Wild Waves) has anything historic, but then again you don't really hear anything about our little parks here in the Pacific Northwest. Don't think it helps that they're only open a few months of the year. 😅
I know very little about parks in that region, but I would eventually be interested in a general trip, including some of those parks. Isn't there some sort of small, but well themed Fairy Tale park somewhere in Washington?
Seabreeze flyer, at Seabreeze Park in Rochester New York. It’s a flat ride, but truly one of the scariest and potentially most dangerous flat rides I’ve ever been on. Mostly because you can control how high or low the ride vehicle travels. There have been times where I was sure the bucket you were flying in was going to snap off of the chains and send you hurling into oblivion.
I've seen a few of those, but I've never been on one. I believe that Busch Gardens Tampa may have had one at one point? They certainly look interesting.
@@PoseidonEntertainment possibly, they had one at Rye Playland where I rode it, but seriously the thing was scary. You should check out Playland for its historic rides, especially the derby racer which might be the last one left in the world. Great Chanel BTW, keep up the good content/work!
YOU HIT MY CHILDHOOD PARKS BRO! YOU ONLY MISSED "BAY BEACH" --- ITS AN AWESOME PARK TO TAKE YOUR KIDS BECAUSE ITS SUUUUUPER AFFORDABLE BUT THERE ISNT MUCH TO DO AS AN ADULT BUT HELL YEAH YOU MADE IT UP HERE!
Love the video! If you're interested in a place with strange theming and older attractions mixed with newer attractions - Enchanted Forest Water Safari in Old Forge New York!
My son's very first roller coaster ride was on the Little Dipper at Kiddieland a few years before they closed. It's good to see Great America is keeping it running. My first "grown up" roller coaster was The Whizzer at Great America in Gurnee. My tolerance for roller coasters hasn't progressed much beyond The Whizzer, I'm sorry to say. My limit is BTMRR. 😂
I'm proud to say I have a Swiss Toboggan credit. Not this one, it was at the San Diego County Fair many years ago. It was fun, but very claustrophobic.
Just out of curiosity, but why are spiral lift hills so rare nowadays? Is it just something that passed with time, or are there technical restrains that make them inpractical on more modern coaster? Cause as an idea they seem like a good way to save park space, and could also have the potential to serve the theming too.
I don't know the answer and I wasn't able to find much from a quick search. I believe there was a wooden coaster with a spiral lift announced recently, though I don't recall exactly where. It was probably one of the Cedar Fair parks.
Older spiral lift hills relied on electric rails on the lift track connecting to part of the train itself. That powers the train's internal low-horsepower motor to get you up top. Because the electric rail can easily break down either in bad weather (ex. rain) or via friction/static discharge during regular operation, that method was abandoned in favor of tire drives. Though today's spiral lifts using tires are cheaper & more reliable, they're still a bit more of a maintenance expense than many parks want to deal with, if only because of inconsistent tech staffing. Tires wear down, driving the tires eats a lot of power, and the parks/FECs that can afford these rides often have better options for thrills before going with a compact coaster. I'd also love to see more spiral-lift rides with more room for theming, but it's clearly not a big trend in the industry yet.
We're just going to overlook that Little Amerricka is located right next to a cemetery?! That's hilarious, and unsettling. They need a whole line of trees to help obfuscate that view and try and keep some level of immersion. This is a place of fun, not a reminder that if something goes wrong, you don't have a long walk to go to in order to be laid to rest.
I think that's part of the charm. The park is on the outskirts of Marshal, a small, old town surrounded by Wisconsin farms and countryside. The cemetery placement just seems to kind of make sense for the vibe of the area.
I grew up IN LOVE with the Screaming Eagle at Six Flags over Mid America (St. Louis). American Eagle was bigger and built later. But I still prefer the Screaming Eagle in STL.
I've been on a pretty old coaster at Pacific Playland in Vancouver Canada but the park is so small I'm not sure it'd be worth your travels. I'm sure people have mentioned Silverwood to you? West-coast just doesn't have many parks but Silverwood is one of the last privately owned parks around. Have you ever looked at the propagation of Flying Theater Attractions? Seattle has it's own Soarin over California called "Wings Over Washington" and Vancouver has "Flyover Canada. Again probably too much travel and effort but I kinda like the little mini attractions and how the do or do not stack up to Disney.
I haven't been on too many Arrows, but it's definitely the smoothest I've experienced. My only other comparisons are Cedar Point's Corkscrew, Loch Ness Monster from BG Williamsburg and the defunct Python from BG Tampa. I suppose if you're counting Magic Kingdom's Space Mountain, that's probably the smoothest, though obviously a different experience and model.
4:51 The Lil' Dipper may not be the fastest or the tallest rollercoaster in the world, but it blatantly tells you "you will die" in a way other coasters only claim to.
Was Lil' Dipper once at Six Flags St. Louis? (back then Six Flags over Mid America) I know I gleefully rode that exact layout hundreds of times when I was a wee child.
Hopefully the cemetery is at least full.... what a strange funeral to attend where people are cheering and laughing just a stones throw away
Put perfectly
The Whizzer at Great America was almost torn down to make room for Superman. However the community rose up in protest. So they kept Whizzer and took down Shock Wave instead so as to put in Superman. The Whizzer is a great starter coaster. The tandem seating allows a parent to hold the child. This way the child feels secure while experiencing their first roller coaster. It is also a great date night ride! For me a classic wooden coaster will always be my favorite. I am not a big fan of inversions, preferring good drops, air time and other feature. Currently the best wooden coast would be The Beast at Kings Island.
The sounds the Wizzer all-ways added to the ride for me. It is a unique audio experience. I could know where the train on the ride by sound alone since every section sounded different. From pulling in and out the station, to the lift, to the first long drop, and to the different curves. The visual aspect of the are great, no harness or high seat back to block the view. The top of spiral lift gave a nice view of the themed courtyard. During the ride ,you get a pleasant view of a pond ,bushes ,and trees. Trying the grab leafs is one of those local customs. From spring time to fall the leaves ,you would have the change of seasons and flowering of the bushes
Even though I've never liked getting swung around and jolting violently, these rides are still really fun! They may rip you a new one but its all in good fun :)
The rides in this video reminded me of some of the rides in the park I grew up going to, the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. I would highly recommend a visit (and a video) to the Boardwalk. It's home to one of the oldest roller coasters in the US (the Giant Dipper, built in 1924), as well as a carousel from 1911 (that at least, pre-covid, still had the rings that you throw into the clown's mouth as you go around), and many other rides that date probably back to the 1960s or so, such as the Cave Train. And it's right on the beach, if you need a break from riding rides. I haven't been in years, but it was a really fantastic park to grow up with.
“Old Arrow coasters can be a bit rough.” lol Being on the taller side, Arrow’s cars and restraints, combined with their track, provides some of the most painful looping coasters still out there and I generally avoided them when in a park.
I had just commented yesterday that I wish there was a park that would take on vintage rides rather than destroying them. I enjoy the weird and vintage attractions as a way to contrast modern design and typically contributed in some way in the evolvement of
Growing up, this was always the appeal of Vortex to me at Kings Island. It was an older ride for sure and you’d always come off with a little throbbing in your head, but this always made me want to ride it even more! Like you said, there’s just something about this feeling!
I've never been on an Arrow with that many inversions, though it does look interesting. The only Arrow loopers I've experienced have been Demon (obviously), CP's Corkscrew and the now demolished Python at BGT. I would certainly be interested in those older Arrow layouts though. I believe Great America had one that was replaced by Superman.
@@PoseidonEntertainment It’s always sad to see any of these classic arrows taken down. But that makes it all the more rewarding when you get to ride them.
It's really cool to hear about all of these older rides/attractions! The oldest coaster I've probably been on is the Giant Dipper in Santa Cruz, which if I remember is the oldest one in California.
Man. I’m so happy you mentioned Kiddieland, Illinois. I live right near where that park used to be, and where it’s now a Costco. I have a horrible memory, but I remember that ride being specifically my favorite. I wish Kiddieland was still around, it’d be amazing to head to a amusement park a bike ride away, rather than heading to the nauseating Six Flags that takes a good drive to reach. Great video, and glad you’re preserving more rollercoaster history!
The use of the song “spinning monkeys” while the ride vehicle spun around the tower was top tier.
Thank you for riding the toboggan so I DON’T HAVE TO talk about hellish.
I enjoy the non Disney content too! Love the video! Little America is such a contrast to Disney.
I tried to be completely quiet when I filmed it, but in retrospect it probably would've been funny if I had reacted vocally.
Nice to see the old monorail again. Grew up going to Peony Park in the 1970's and 80's and rode that countless times.
I'm glad that it was deemed worthy of preservation. Part of the charm was the 90 year old woman running it who couldn't understand how my GoPro worked.
These three parks I remember growing up. I'm a Wisconsin native (West Allis,) so thank you Poseidon Entertainment for this video. 😀
Well done. We used to live 4 miles away from Little Amerricka and watched it develop over the years. Darrell Klompmaker is the driving force behind the park. He has worked extremely hard to make it what it is today. His passion is the 3 mile steam railroad at the park and he manufactures scale steam engines for anyone who wants one. Another video could be dedicated to that alone. Thanks for the history of the coasters I was unaware of.
It's really great that someone is preserving those older, smaller rides, especially the travellers. Those are just the sort of things that tend to get forgotten until someone notices none of them are left. That view of the graveyard is just awesome. I really want to see that park, now.
My family loves Little Amerricka! We go every single year and it's so much fun.
Thank you for covering these old time attractions!!! I still prefer these rickety but fun rides over the newer overblown ones of today. GREAT JOB!
Lagoon, my local park, is an interesting park with a mix of some interesting new modern rides, and some interesting old classic rides.
They have the Roller Coaster, a Miller model from 1921 (I think the 7th oldest coaster in the world?), a Jet Star 2, a Schwartzkopf double looping, one of only two Zierer tower coasters (and its the better one), and lastly of note, Cannibal, formerly holding the record for the steepest beyond vertical drop (before losing it to TMNT Shellraiser).
All in all a decent regional park, just wish they didn't price it like it was a Six Flags. They're getting a bit big for their britches.
Someone else mentioned it as well and I would definitely be interested in experiencing some of the older rides.
@@PoseidonEntertainment The Roller Coaster, or "white roller coaster" as we call it (though the nickname doesn't make much sense anymore) is pretty decent for such an old ride. The newer entries, Wicked and Cannibal are pretty good. The elevator lift on Cannibal and the Lagoon roll are fun elements.
The other coasters are a bit middling however. There's a few family coasters. Jet Star 2 I'd personally only recommend for the credit. It is the only coaster I've legitimately felt unsafe on, and frequently has some too nearly real headchopper moments. The seating arrangement and seat belts, combined with the harsh brakes at the end are really uncomfortable.
I think as an amusement park fan though it's a decent park that'll give you a good amount to ride and look at.
I didn't realize how bad Cedar Point's Blue streak was till I rode the Cyclone at Coney Island. The Cyclone is 95 years old and still pretty smooth.
Blue Streak isn’t even Cedar Points worst coaster, or worst wooden coaster even. I thought Gemini was more rough.
It's been a while since I've been to CP, but I don't think I've ever been on Blue Streak. What's bad about it? Just rough, or is it the layout? I can't imagine that anything is rougher or more intense after riding Hades at Mt. Olympus.
Nothing compares tonLake Compounce’s Wildcat. It’s over 90 years old but man it’s been a year and I still feel it. Blue Streak is nothing compared to that.
@@PoseidonEntertainment I was at CP a month ago, Blue Streak wasn’t running that rough. I’ve always found it to be a little jarring but never painful. It has decent airtime and is good for what it is
@@ninjagirl226 I feel like Lake Compounce’s Wildcat became worse after it got retracked.
I remember the Tobaggon costers from when I was a little child. I was born in the late 60s and we used to go to the state fairs of Indiana and Ohio in the early 70s. This of course was back in the days before Kings Island or even Walt Disney World. When I think back on my earliest coster experience. I must admit it had to have been on a Tobaggon. It's a thrill to see it now. I remember seeing one back 20-30 years ago still on a traveling circuit once again at the Indiana State Fair. I have never seen one since till this one in your video. Thank you.
I love seeing old coasters. Thanks for showing these. I'll have to try to get out there and ride some.
Idk what kind of essays you like to make the most but Im really enjoying these non-Disney ones. I find them a breath of fresh air and Id love to hear more talk about small parks, or something like seaworld which youve mentioned before. (a knotts video would be pretty cool if you ever get to this coast)
A hidden gem of a classic coaster can be found in Six Flags St. Louis, known as The Screamin' Eagle. It dates back to May 1976, and most of its layout takes place in the woods. You can also get a stellar view of the entire park from the top of the lift hill.
Though others are quick to label the coaster as being rough and even a waste of space, I like to think that the coaster has quite a bit of historical value, as it was one of the last coasters designed by Philadelphia Toboggan Company, and was one of the many coasters that would inspire the designs of most modern hyper coasters.
We have season passes at Great America it was nice to see some of the older coasters get some love, even if they are too rough for us to ride often these days. Demon is an old favorite and always on my must do list to ride in the dark at Fright Fest. (It’s so much creepier lit up). Now that I know it exists I am totally going to check out Little Amerikka too.
I don't know whether this counts, but when you asked for older rides, I immediately thought of Dentzel carousels. They're exceptionally beautiful just as artworks, and even though they date from the late 19th/early 20th century, there are still a fair number of them around. (One is at Disneyland, strangely enough -- Walt bought it used.) They were truly built to last. I was lucky enough to grow up riding the Dentzels at Disneyland and Knott's Berry Farm, and they spoiled me for other carousels forever. There's a striking variety in the figures, and they're definitely good video.
It seems weird and quaint that carousels are still a thing for anyone above the age of six, but a ride on a Dentzel will show you why. They're just FUN, in a way no other ride quite replicates. A good carousel is sui generis.
Anyway, if you feel like a road trip, you can probably find a Dentzel or two. There's a list of surviving carousels on Wikipedia.
Meteor has a special place in my heart as the coaster that got me over my fear of them. The ride op just let me loop over and over because the park was so empty (which it usually is)
Unusual: 1st Gen Intamin Freefalls and in particular the very last one built by Giovanola which featured improved reliability and had a way faster lift. Installed at AstroWorld in '83. The other is the Togo Ultra Twister of which it is believed the prototype was the one installed at Six Flags Great Adventure. Then moved to AstroWorld where the lift was modified. Sadly, permanently damaged during the closing of the park. The more interesting Ultra Twister still around is at Rusutsu Resort Japan that has a dive loop at the end instead of a switchback.
The Intamin Freefalls are so strange. Are they rough at all? Also, the Ultra Twisters look awesome. I've always wanted to get on one since I encountered them in Rollercoaster Tycoon was I was little.
@@PoseidonEntertainment The hard stop at the end oofs your back up real good.
I am from Omaha and have very fond memories of Peony Park. I was just a kind when it closed and was very sad to see it go. I am delighted to see part of it still getting to be enjoyed.
Lagoon Amusement Park in Utah has a few older coasters, including "The Roller Coaster", a wooden roller coaster designed by John Miller and is over 100 years old. There's also Jet Star 2, a Schwarzkopf prototype for 1974. While the park doesn't have the biggest or most intense coasters out there, it definitely provides a lot of fun.
Lagoon is definitely a surprisingly good park for coasters and about to get its 11th next year. "The Roller Coaster" is a classic and love the Jet Star spiral lift and style. They got a Wild Mouse as well which I avoid for getting banged up in at the end.
Cannibal is a pretty thrilling ride, I'm not going to lie. One of the most intense coasters I've ever been on. The wooden roller coaster called "Roller Coaster" is also on the national register of historic places.
@@gokaury Cannibal is very thrilling, was the steepest drop in the US when it initially debuted back in 2015 (116°)
They also have a Schwarzkopf Double Loop, which is one of only two in existence.
one of my favorite coaster growing up was Afterburner an Arrow Launched loop specifially the first one it definitly was one of the most interesting rides ive been on sadly there are only 3 of the model left specifically Sidewinder at ellitch gardens, diamond back at frontier city and revolution at blackpool pleasure beach
My local amusement park is Blackpool pleasure beach (which i would love a video on as it is a very unique park) and there is something so wonderful about riding older coasters. I love the combination of old woodies like the big dipper and grand national, Older dark rides like the Ghost train, River caves or Alice in wonderland, Some unique coasters like Steeplechase and Avalanche, The flying machines and when it finally reopens the iconic water ride that is Valhalla.
I've been interested in BPB since I first discovered Rollercoaster Tycoon when I was maybe 5 or 6. I would be definitely be interested in giving impressions from either there or Alton Towers eventually.
i need to find an excuse to go to BPB and Alton Tower when im in the UK next year for my sisters wedding
I'm from WI and my parents would take my brother and I to Great America every year from about 1984 through the early 90's. That was the highlight of my year going on the Whizzer, Demon, American Eagle, Shockwave, and Tidal Wave over and over again. The water rides Logger's Run, Yankee Clipper, Splashwater Falls, and White Water Rampage (now Roaring Rapids) were great too
If you ever travel to Northwest Texas, I definitely recommend checking out Wonderland in Amarillo and Joyland in Lubbock. Both parks are filled with classic and unique attractions very similar to the ones mentioned here.
I used to visit family in Arkansas every summer in the 70's and early 80's and we'd visit Dogpatch at least once during each visit. Back then the Swiss toboggan didn't have any padding. No matter how hard I tried to brace myself, the back of my head would smack into wall of the car when entering the "tree". Besides the headache I loved that ride!
Earthquake McGoon's Brain Rattler! That was indeed one rough ride.
Ah shoot I'm from Illinois and moved to Wisconsin a year ago. This video is an extra special treat for me!
I had the privilege of riding the swiss tobogan in Puerto Rico when I was young. It was an experience I'll never forget riding that by myself for the first time as an preeteen. Sitting in a roller skate with wheels basicaly.
Upstate New York there’s a park called SeaBreaze and it’s the greatest classic park that’s still around. Their signature classic woodie is the Jack Rabbit and for being almost a hundred years old it rides fantastic from what I hear. Haven’t been there in 20+ plus years. There’s of course Kennywood as well. As a coaster junkie and a member of ACE, I love this video!
I would strongly recommend visiting some older parks in Pennsylvania, especially Knoebels Amusement Resort in Elysburg, Lakemont Park in Altoona, Idlewild in Ligonier, Kennywood near Pittsburgh , and Waldameer in Erie. All of these parks have unique and unusual classic rides, some only found at each of their respective parks.
Dope. I lived in Madison for 30+ years and loved all these places. I used to love riding the small-scale railroad at Little America.
So glad to see Great America getting more attention. It’s really a gem of a park, and is consistently a good time!
I agree. It's definitely geared towards little kids, but because the attendance was pretty low, it was cool to interact with the ride ops. They always seemed eager to share the history behind the rides.
For me, the ultimate classic coasters (at least in North America) are Giant Dipper at Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and Cyclone at Coney island. There are older coasters out there but these two really embody the feeling of an old boardwalk coaster and they are just rough enough to feel like classic woodies but overall they are surprisingly smooth. And frankly they hold up really well as impressive thrilling coasters.
One addition I haven't ridden but I've heard good things about is Coaster at PNE Playland in Vancouver, BC. I've heard that it feels flat out dangerous because the airtime is crazy but you only have a buzz bar restraint sitting inches above your lap. I don't know whether or not that makes it feel like a classic, though it is quite old. But I've heard it's just an absurd coaster regardless of its age.
The most violent rides I've experienced have been at Universal in Florida. The Mummy and the HP Escape to Gringots slammed the hoo-haa out of us at the end of the rides. Our backs were sore as a sunburned polecat. So, we'll not be riding those anymore.
I've been on one of those toboggans at a traveling fair at The Dorset Steam Fair in England. So fun
My friend and I live near that park in Wisconsin and are planning on visiting for the old coasters. Was just at lake compounce and road wildcat….. ooof that was the roughest coaster yet!
Don't take this the wrong way because I absolutely love everything about this Channel! But I would love a video about the things you love most in the Disney parks! I completely agree with all of your critiques and things that need to change / improve in the parks ... but I am also curious as to what things make you a Disney parks fan in the first place! Keep doing what you do ... appreciate ya! - Mike
That would be a pretty easy to write and produce. I have a few other video ideas in mind, but it might make sense to do something like that perhaps later next month.
Thunderhawk at Dorney , Cyclone at Coney island, Comet at Hershey, and Comet at Great Escape in Lake George
Old school parks like Cedar Point and the now closed Boblo Island Amusement Park still have a fond place in my heart.
cedar point isnt really and old school park anymore however they are one of the oldest still operating parks in the US opening in 1870
WAKE UP BABE, NEW POSEIDON VIDEO JUST DROPPED!
I really enjoyed this video and love your content! I hope to get to both Little Amerricka and Six Flags Great America in the next few years. Leap the Dips at Lakemont Park is an odd coaster experience that differs from all others. I just got to ride it in May on a trip from Pennsylvania up through to Prince Edward Island. It is very simple and I can see how it would've been fun for 1902 when such an experience was completely new. The way it shakes during the ride almost made me feel like I was on a log flume more than a traditional wooden coaster. The dips are surprisingly violent even though they look small. The cars themselves are also very cool and the handle bar is one of my favorite handle bars on a coaster because it isn't stupidly placed and isn't awkward to hold on to.
In terms of unique rides, my home state Colorado does have a couple. We aren't known for having the best parks or rides with Colorado having one of America's worst amusement parks Elitch Gardens and then the recent accident at Glenwood Caverns, but there are a couple diamonds in the rough.
First up is Lakeside Amusement Park in Denver. This park isn't talked about much online in the coaster community despite its eclectic classic ride collection. This is mostly due to perception among younger enthusiasts or general public visitors that the park is sketchy which can be true at times with rowdy teenagers, and it is run down, but really is charming if you get past the small issues here and there. The rides also aren't falling apart like many say. The rides are safe, and the park is making efforts to restore rides and buildings that are showing lots of wear. The park features 4 technically 5 roller coasters depending on what you define a coaster as. There is the 1940 wooden coaster Cyclone build by Edward A. Vettel which is the oldest operating coaster in Colorado, a rare Miler Manufacturing wild mouse named Wild Chipmunk from 1955, Dragon which is a Zamperla powered family coaster that is usually SBNO and was purchased in 1986 to replace an old Fun House, a Miler Manufacturing kiddie coaster, and a Pinfari Zyklon Z64 model manufactured in 1973 and purchased in 2018. It was reconstructed but does not operate. Lakeside is one of the last operating in a slew of parks from the 1900's often nicknamed "white city" because of the 1893 Columbian Exposition inspired architecture and lighting styles that were originally found at the park. It opened in 1908 and has been owned by the same family since the mid 1930's. The park is filled with classic flat rides and neon covered art deco buildings preserved from that era onwards on a picturesque setting on the lakeshore. The Cyclone is by far the star attraction at Lakeside and unfortunately hasn't operated this season, but hopefully will return to operating next season as it usually does. It is the last operating of eleven coasters designed by Edward A. Vettel. It is a unique layout, half twister half out and back with the out and back on the edge of the lake. Hopefully Lakeside keeps the iconic ride running for generations to come.
Elitch Gardens in Denver, although a wildly mediocre or downright bad park at times, has a couple of unique things about it, most notably the 1990 Arrow shuttle loop coaster Sidewinder and the fact that the park itself was relocated in 1995. From 1890 to 1994 the park originally was located in the suburbs of North Denver. The original was chalked full of history before they moved and lost all character immediately and begin selling off and replacing older rides from the original that had made the move. Now little remains of the things that have survived at both locations. Sidewinder was opened at Magic Springs & Crystal Falls in 1980 as Roaring Tornado before being purchased by Elitch Gardens in 1989 opening at the original Elitch Gardens the following year. Sidewinder was the only coaster of three to be relocated when Elitch gardens built their new park right in downtown Denver in 1995. It provides surprising ejector seat airtime when dropping from either of the winch launch sections on the ends of the loop accelerating to 45mph. It is a fun shuttle coaster that is really smooth for its age lacking the normal bad transitions and turns of Arrow coasters from that era making it one of my favorite Arrow creations up there with Magnum XL-200 and Tennessee Tornado. There is also Half Pipe built by Intamin in 2004 during the Six Flags ownership of the park from 1999-2006. Half Pipe is an interesting cheap quick thrill that can be rather dizzying because of the spinning cars on the skateboard vehicle. It is an interesting and complicated ride that unfortunately is plagued with downtime because of this. Otherwise the park is rather mediocre. Twister II is a terrible 1995 recreation of the original Twister from 1964, a John C. Allen design that was at one time coined one of the best wooden coasters in America by enthusiasts. Twister II has been having more and more issues as the years pass, getting rid of the original 1964 Twister trains in 2003, reducing the trains to 4, then 3 cars, and now has been closed all season likely because of major structural problems. The other two coasters, Boomerang (1999), and Mind Eraser (1997) are outdated rough Vekoma clones that are not worth riding if you've been on other Boomerangs or SLCs unless you are hunting for credits.
One last one is the North Pole in Colorado Springs which opened in 1956 off the heels of Disneyland's success. It is a classic north pole Santa Claus themed park with lots of Christmas themed old school flat rides and a scenic mountain atmosphere. The only coaster at the park is a Molina & Sons kiddie coaster simply named Candy Cane Coaster. This is a small park with more of an emphasis on kid's rides, but still has a fun environment with some fun activities and rides for the whole family.
Colorado isn't the best place to live as a coaster enthusiast as you can see, but we take what we can get. This is why I take lots of coaster road trips across the country to the Midwest and northeast because of their plentiful parks filled with roller coasters and history.
I'm glad you took the time to type out of this info. I will say that I wish that places like Lakeside would have found a way to preserve their architecture. I know it's probably its own distinct place from Coney Island, but I still think that the early parks around there were quite interesting and Lakeside seems to have been emulating that feel and aesthetic.
@@PoseidonEntertainment Of course. I hope it wasn't too long to read or anything. I agree. Lakeside luckily has saved much of what was there in 1908 compared to many other parks. There are still half of the buildings that were there in 1908 looking very similar to how they did with more colors. It makes an odd combination of 30's-50's art deco and 1910's revival classical style that gives the park its odd charm. It definitely is distinct from Coney Island and most other parks that started similarly in that era. They were interesting, and Lakeside does emulate that feel even to this day even with some changes over the decades being made.
One of those swiss toboggans come to my city every 4th of July in Michigan
I remember riding the Chance Toboggan as a kid at the state fair. It was rough, even back then when all coasters were rough, but was fun. The vertical lift hill was a unique sight back then. Tough to believe it fit on 2 trailers and traveled around.
Lol, Wisconsin. My middle school was next door to a cemetery too. Another cool WI amusement park is Bay Beach in Green Bay! The Zippin Pippin is a super old wood coaster that they have there
Also, the Demon has a theme song that plays while you’re queuing and it slaps ua-cam.com/video/U2JjanukFx0/v-deo.html
Lagoon in Farmington, UT is full of unique & historic rides.
I have! They had one of those at the Knox County Faire every year... rumour was that someone died on it some year, but was still loads of fun.
It wouldn't surprise me. I tend to stay away from fair rides unless they're ghost trains.
If you're looking for weird historic rides, there's always the classic Arrow mine trains, of which I've ridden every single one aside from Excalibur and the one in Japan.
Very interesting video. I'm not exactly sure if this would count as an older coaster since they re tracked it recently, but Great American Scream Machine at my home park, Six Flags Over Georgia used to be the tallest coaster in the world when it opened. I think it would be pretty cool to see a video on that one.
If you’re ever in Denver, I would recommend going to Lakeside Amusement Park. It’s the oldest park in Colorado and one of the oldest in the US, having opened back in 1908. With a super low cost ($20 for an all-access wristband but you can also pay for individual tickets if you only want to go on a ride or two), in my opinion it’s a much more fun time than the big park in town, Elitch Gardens.
I’m from Northwest burbs of Chicago. Been going to The Dells a million times a years ever since I was little. Great America is also great!
I only did a handful of things, but I'll definitely find my way back there for sure. I feel like there's still a lot that I missed.
The Great America in Santa Clara used to have the Demon back in the 80s as well. I remember the queue featured waterfalls of blood. They don't make 'em like they used to!
I visited friends in Madison regularly a couple of years ago and I drove by Little Amerricka a couple of times, always wondering if that was a real, functioning coaster or art installation. It looked so random and our-of-place. I finally go my answer. :D
A Swiss Toboggan came to our county fair every year when I was a kid. So for me it's kind of no big deal.
I grew up in Marshall, WI where Little Amerricka is located. It opened when I was nine. When I was twelve I spent a lot of days there with some friends because you could get a full day pass for ten bucks and it was a safe place to hang out when you’re too young to drive. It was a lot less busy then. Other than that it’s almost exactly the same. 😅
Not necessarily old attractions, but it would be interesting to hear your take on Texas’ and the Landry’s company’s attempts at old school pier style attractions like Kemah Boardwalk and Pleasure Pier
That could certainly be interesting. I don't have any experience with amusement piers, but it could eventually make for interesting commentary.
The Swiss toboggan coaster was the very first roller coaster I rode. There was one on the boardwalk in Pt Pleasant, NJ bkwe er there was a cone on top and it became a "rocket to the moon" coaster. Blast off thru the rocket, orbit around, then finally coaster back to the earth. Unfortunately the amusing pier was destroyed by a fire in the late 80s and the coaster was destroyed with it.
That sounds awesome. I wish the one I had ridden had the cone.
Kennywood is the best park i've been to as far as having a range of classic attractions, from the 3 wooden coasters of the park to non-coasters, like turtle, old mill, or noah's ark. I would also reccomend deno's wonder wheel for their classic pretzel dark ride and their ferris wheel.
You should make a video talking about how these coasters are moved from location to location. Seems like that could be an interesting subject to dive into
There is a Big Dipper at a place called Camden Park in Huntington WV....scariest rollercoaster ever.
If you want to see old, classic attractions that you can’t ride anymore there used to be another wooden coaster in Ohio called Blue Streak, the Cedar Point one is still around but the other, which used to reside at Conneaut Lake until it burned down, was even older. It was also maintained poorly due to the park not having a lot of money prior to it burning to the ground. I never rode it, but it can be sad to see really old rides meeting their fate not by reaching the end of their lives or by their parks’ shutdown, but by disaster.
Other old yet cool rides that are still open include Jack Rabbit at Kennywood, Phoenix at Knobles (which was relocated, and is still considered one of the best wooden coasters), and a personal favorite of mine…
The Beast at Kings Island, one of the longest coasters to ever be built and something that may be extremely popular but for a very good reason. How often can you say that a ride has held it’s record for so long and was only was beat when people went out of their way to beat it? The one coaster that is longer than it is a Giga from Japan made of steel and was designed to be the longest ever and the runner up was a woodie that ended up being the best ride out of someone’s whole list of creations despite being their first.
Oh and Dragon Mountain in Marineland is also absurd considering how much space it takes up but it’s an Arrow in a park that might not ever open again so it’s really only noteworthy for being a long boy
I love the video idea! I feel like I’m watch a tv special on discovery channel! Great job 👏
There was a Swiss Toboggan at The New Pike in Long Beach, CA until the park's demise in 1979.
Also, I think that's an "elevated railway", it has two rails and a powered third.
I went sifting through old Allan Herschell documents and while not a lot of information was available, the company did seem to consider it a monorail, though I see the point you're making.
can't wait for the in-depth video on Great America!
You should go to Knobles Park in Elysburg PA! ♥️They also preserve old rides, and they built a working replica of a luge track free roller coaster! But I think there may actually be some track on it in some areas for safety. The history of it is Interesting to say the least. It took them many years to build it there was a lot of safety concerns, it’s not the best coaster but it’s certainly very unique. They also have two dark rides. One is a haunted house, and the other is a haunted mine ride which fits the region. The park itself is absolutely beautiful with flowers and trees and admission is free! You can buy tickets or get A wristband. Parking is free as well. And the food is excellent for an amusement park. Highly recommend you go. I think you will love it.
I'm definitely interested. Ever since I discovered Black Diamond, I've had it on my list.
I rode the one that was at Lakemont in Pennsylvania, I feel your pain
I really miss the Wizzer. We had a clone here in Northern California that was demolished and replaced with nothing.
Looks like Cedar Fair is selling the park off too. I'll have to make an effort to go there before it closes.
@@PoseidonEntertainment it is sad what happened to California’s Great America. It is the park with most potential and a direct tie to Disneyland everyone wants to ignore, but through a series of bad management decisions and a revolving door of owners it was stripped of everything that thematically gave the park character. Fess Parker’s dream is dead, so is the park.
The wooden constructed mouse that was at Blackpool in the UK was the most violent ride I have ever been on and is still one of my favourites, shame they removed it in 2017.
From what little information I can see, there appears to be three of them remaining. Odd that it's not specified where they are though. I would be highly interested in experiencing one.
I grew up riding the Dragon Coaster at Playland Park in Rye, NY. It was built in 1929 and you should check it out. It is the only government run amusement park in the US.
I just watched a ride-through and it looks quite interesting. Also, am I correct in that I spot a recreation of the Carthay Circle Theater nearby?
@@PoseidonEntertainment I am not sure about the theatre and I do not see anywhere that talks about the history of it. I did see that the Grand Carousel is from 1915 and the Derby Racer is from 1927 and is 1 of only 3 remaining in existence. The Whip is also from 1928 and I remember riding this a lot! There is a lake on the north side of the park where they used to offer boat rides around the lake. There are life size figures of safari animals placed around the lake. Not sure how long it was there, but it was always something different.
Did I miss the Wisconsin Dells portion? Or are you making another video about them?
Can’t believe I was traumatized as a kid by the demon coaster, not riding roller coaster for 5 years after, but I rode Swiss tobaggin and all the other little America coasters with no problem when I was younger 😳
I know that the old Corkscrew at Silverwood is pretty historic and our little wooden one at the Puyallup fairgrounds is proud of its long history as well. Not sure if the other larger park up here (Wild Waves) has anything historic, but then again you don't really hear anything about our little parks here in the Pacific Northwest. Don't think it helps that they're only open a few months of the year. 😅
I know very little about parks in that region, but I would eventually be interested in a general trip, including some of those parks. Isn't there some sort of small, but well themed Fairy Tale park somewhere in Washington?
Fun fact: that's the prototype Corkscrew model!
Seabreeze flyer, at Seabreeze Park in Rochester New York. It’s a flat ride, but truly one of the scariest and potentially most dangerous flat rides I’ve ever been on. Mostly because you can control how high or low the ride vehicle travels. There have been times where I was sure the bucket you were flying in was going to snap off of the chains and send you hurling into oblivion.
I've seen a few of those, but I've never been on one. I believe that Busch Gardens Tampa may have had one at one point? They certainly look interesting.
@@PoseidonEntertainment possibly, they had one at Rye Playland where I rode it, but seriously the thing was scary. You should check out Playland for its historic rides, especially the derby racer which might be the last one left in the world. Great Chanel BTW, keep up the good content/work!
YOU HIT MY CHILDHOOD PARKS BRO! YOU ONLY MISSED "BAY BEACH" --- ITS AN AWESOME PARK TO TAKE YOUR KIDS BECAUSE ITS SUUUUUPER AFFORDABLE BUT THERE ISNT MUCH TO DO AS AN ADULT BUT HELL YEAH YOU MADE IT UP HERE!
Love the video! If you're interested in a place with strange theming and older attractions mixed with newer attractions - Enchanted Forest Water Safari in Old Forge New York!
My son's very first roller coaster ride was on the Little Dipper at Kiddieland a few years before they closed. It's good to see Great America is keeping it running. My first "grown up" roller coaster was The Whizzer at Great America in Gurnee. My tolerance for roller coasters hasn't progressed much beyond The Whizzer, I'm sorry to say. My limit is BTMRR. 😂
I really enjoyed Whizzer, though I found it odd that Six Flags just plays Looney Tunes episodes through the queue.
Ron tommer used a long piece a thick wire to design some of his first elements for arrow.
They call it a _monorail,_ but there are literally like three 😂
I'm proud to say I have a Swiss Toboggan credit. Not this one, it was at the San Diego County Fair many years ago. It was fun, but very claustrophobic.
Any plans on a video essay about Coney Island?
On your next trip through WI hit up Bay Beach in Green Bay it a fun little park.
You should look at the Jack Rabbit at Seabreeze. It's the oldest continuous operating coaster.
i live right near little america and i can confirm your spine does get ripped out of your body on the mad mouse
So demen is python or scorpion from busch gardens tampa? I get em mixed up
Just out of curiosity, but why are spiral lift hills so rare nowadays? Is it just something that passed with time, or are there technical restrains that make them inpractical on more modern coaster? Cause as an idea they seem like a good way to save park space, and could also have the potential to serve the theming too.
I don't know the answer and I wasn't able to find much from a quick search. I believe there was a wooden coaster with a spiral lift announced recently, though I don't recall exactly where. It was probably one of the Cedar Fair parks.
@@PoseidonEntertainment Worlds of Fun! It's an homage to the Zambezi Zinger, their classic Schwarzkopf Speedracer.
Older spiral lift hills relied on electric rails on the lift track connecting to part of the train itself. That powers the train's internal low-horsepower motor to get you up top. Because the electric rail can easily break down either in bad weather (ex. rain) or via friction/static discharge during regular operation, that method was abandoned in favor of tire drives. Though today's spiral lifts using tires are cheaper & more reliable, they're still a bit more of a maintenance expense than many parks want to deal with, if only because of inconsistent tech staffing. Tires wear down, driving the tires eats a lot of power, and the parks/FECs that can afford these rides often have better options for thrills before going with a compact coaster.
I'd also love to see more spiral-lift rides with more room for theming, but it's clearly not a big trend in the industry yet.
We're just going to overlook that Little Amerricka is located right next to a cemetery?! That's hilarious, and unsettling. They need a whole line of trees to help obfuscate that view and try and keep some level of immersion. This is a place of fun, not a reminder that if something goes wrong, you don't have a long walk to go to in order to be laid to rest.
I think that's part of the charm. The park is on the outskirts of Marshal, a small, old town surrounded by Wisconsin farms and countryside. The cemetery placement just seems to kind of make sense for the vibe of the area.
Ok the minute i saw that net...i was like NOPE
Great video!!!!
I loved Whizzer when I lived in Chicago
I grew up IN LOVE with the Screaming Eagle at Six Flags over Mid America (St. Louis). American Eagle was bigger and built later. But I still prefer the Screaming Eagle in STL.
I've been on a pretty old coaster at Pacific Playland in Vancouver Canada but the park is so small I'm not sure it'd be worth your travels. I'm sure people have mentioned Silverwood to you? West-coast just doesn't have many parks but Silverwood is one of the last privately owned parks around.
Have you ever looked at the propagation of Flying Theater Attractions? Seattle has it's own Soarin over California called "Wings Over Washington" and Vancouver has "Flyover Canada. Again probably too much travel and effort but I kinda like the little mini attractions and how the do or do not stack up to Disney.
The Demon at SFGA = PAIN to the BRAIN
I haven't been on too many Arrows, but it's definitely the smoothest I've experienced. My only other comparisons are Cedar Point's Corkscrew, Loch Ness Monster from BG Williamsburg and the defunct Python from BG Tampa. I suppose if you're counting Magic Kingdom's Space Mountain, that's probably the smoothest, though obviously a different experience and model.
If you can find the time I’d still be so interested to hear your take on the Wild Waves theme park in Washington
Love your content…
I think a cool video would be about different theme park railroads…
Could definitely be interesting