Amusement park rides

N

NancyNGA

Well-known Member
Location
Georgia
Most of the old rides look so tame compared to those now.

Lakeside Park, Denver, CO (1908-1920)
Looks like a giant pinball machine

cdm_30112_0.jpg
 

Last edited:
The Swooper
Chain of Rocks amusement park, St. Louis, Missouri, 1927-1978
Riders were moved backwards, swooping up, then forward...directly towards the Mississippi River 250 feet below. An oval shaped ferris wheel?

ChainOfRocks6.jpg
 

Abandoned ferris wheel in Germany spinning in the wind :eewwk:
(click "watch this video on YouTube")

 
NancyNGA said:
Reminds me of the other thread on dangerous things we've done as kids. I wonder how many kids would love to climb up on that thing. Maybe that would stop it from spinning. LOL
Click to expand...

YouTube has a video of some guy that did just that - went for a ride on that ferris wheel, powered only by the wind.

The park itself, Spreepark in Berlin, has quite an interesting history. If you're ever bored, check out the Wikipedia entry for it.
 
One of my fave rides was at Cedar Point in Sandusky Ohio. It was called the Runaway Mine Car. I would not go on any of the high rides so that one suited me just fine.
 
Years ago during summer vacations,the highlight was going with friends to Crystal Beach,Ont to ride the wooden rollercoaster called "The Comet'. The only way getting there was taking the Peace Bridge which connects Buffalo to Ft.Erie,Ont.
I think I was 10 when I first went on the ride,it was scary.I never went on a roller coaster again Sue
 
In our area most of the old amusement parks were owned by the local trolley companies. They built them to increase ridership on weekends and holidays.

I was terrified of this old wooden roller coaster when I was a kid, so terrified that after a minute or two I was right back in line!!!

The park opened in 1898, the Comet opened in 1925, the park closed in 1973.

They had a promotion where if you presented six Canada Dry bottle caps and 99 cents you could ride the various rides all day!

1209-oha-10jpg-27b36a0c119fb326.jpg
 
Aunt Bea, I consider myself a bit of an amusement park devotee, but you've stumped me.

The only park I know of that opened in 1898 and closed in the early '70's is Palisades Amusement Park in New Jersey, but they had a Cyclone, not a Comet.

I'm assuming the park you're referring to is down south?

The bottle cap promo was cool!
 
SifuPhil said:
Aunt Bea, I consider myself a bit of an amusement park devotee, but you've stumped me.

The only park I know of that opened in 1898 and closed in the early '70's is Palisades Amusement Park in New Jersey, but they had a Cyclone, not a Comet.

I'm assuming the park you're referring to is down south?

The bottle cap promo was cool!
Click to expand...

Suburban Park was outside Syracuse NY in a town called Manlius.

I've often wondered about the Comet.

I'm curious to know if that was just a popular name for wooden roller coasters or if it was some sort of patented design.

rangparkzjpg-d3111b515ea2e8d7.jpg
 
Ah, I was way off - thanks!

The Comet was first built in 1927 for Crystal Beach Amusement Park in Ontario (and was initially named the Cyclone). There's some confusion, though, as Coney Island had a Cyclone that is often hailed as the first one in 1926. Not sure if they're the same design.

As for patents - I know there were quite a few issued in the late 1800's. I would think that the patenting process has only expanded since then.

Sadly, it seems that Suburban Park is now Suburban Park Apartments, with 1- and 2-bedroom models renting for $1,000-$1,300/mn. :(
 
We had a "Comet" at our local amusement park. We always called it the "vomit comet", for very good reasons. My first (blind) date with my late husband was at the amusement park. I loved the thrill rides and he went on all of them with me. Later I found out he was terrified. He'd never go on one again.
 
Small roller coaster on top of the Stratosphere Tower, Las Vegas
"Dismantled in 2005. ... Although there were never any serious incidents or injuries on the High Roller, the ride was well known for its frequent break-downs, and ... would frequently shut down temporarily due to high winds."


stratosphere11-2003.jpg
 
When I was a kid, this was one my favorite rides at Disneyland. It's not as old as others listed here. Opened in 1967 and shut down in 1985.

 

You must log in or register to reply here.

Back
Top