Phoenix (roller coaster)

Last updated
Phoenix
Previously known as The Rocket (1947–1980)
Knoebels Phoenix.JPG
Lift hill of Phoenix
Knoebels Amusement Resort
Location Knoebels Amusement Resort
Coordinates 40°52′42″N76°30′23″W / 40.87833°N 76.50639°W / 40.87833; -76.50639
StatusOperating
Opening dateJune 15, 1985 (1985-06-15)
Cost$1,500,000
General statistics
Type Wood
Manufacturer Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters
Designer Herbert Paul Schmeck, 1947
Track layoutDouble Out and Back, Figure 8
Lift/launch systemChain lift hill
Height78 ft (24 m)
Drop72 ft (22 m)
Length3,200 ft (980 m)
Speed45 mph (72 km/h)
Inversions 0
Duration2:00
Capacity720 riders per hour
Height restriction42 in (107 cm)
Trains2 trains with 4 cars. Riders are arranged 2 across in 3 rows for a total of 24 riders per train.
Phoenix at RCDB
Video

Phoenix is a wooden roller coaster located at Knoebels Amusement Resort in Elysburg, Pennsylvania. It was moved to its current location in central Pennsylvania in 1985. [1] Prior to its purchase and relocation to Knoebels, it operated under the name The Rocket at Playland Park in San Antonio, Texas.

Contents

History

Phoenix was designed and built by Herbert Paul Schmeck and Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters (PTC). It operated as "The Rocket" at Playland Park in San Antonio, Texas from 1947 until the park's closure in 1980. At its opening, The Rocket was hailed as "the largest roller coaster in the world", with 3,200 feet of track and a 78-foot lift hill. Knoebels purchased the ride in 1984 and dismantled it starting in January 1985. As there were no blueprints to work with, each individual board was numbered and cataloged on site. [2]

Ride experience

The ride features two PTC trains, one yellow and one orange, each capable of accommodating 24 passengers. After being dispatched, the train takes a sharp right turn as it exits the station and enters a dark tunnel. Upon reaching the end of the tunnel, the train ascends the 78-foot lift hill. After reaching the top of the lift hill, the train drops down a 72-foot initial descent before entering the first turnaround.

Following a leftward turn, the train descends to ground level and traverses two smaller airtime hills before ascending into the second turnaround. Now running parallel to the lift hill, the train descends another drop, and hits a double-up, followed immediately afterwards by a double-down. The train then rises up into a final turnaround, wrapping around the outer side of the initial turnaround's structure. Subsequently, the train traverses a series of four consecutive bunny airtime hills before hitting the brake run, making a right hand turn to return to the station.

Awards and rankings

Phoenix has consistently ranked among the top 10 wooden roller coasters in various polls such as the annual Golden Ticket Awards from Amusement Today , and has won the Golden Ticket Award itself in the Best Wooden Coaster category each year from 2018 onwards. [3] It was also awarded the Coaster Landmark designation by American Coaster Enthusiasts (ACE). [4]

Golden Ticket Awards: Top wood Roller Coasters
Year19981999200020012002200320042005200620072008200920102011201220132014201520162017201820192021202220232024
Ranking10 [5] 6 [6] 5 [7] 4 [8] 5 [9] 4 [10] 4 [11] 4 [12] 5 [13] 3 [14] 3 [15] 4 [16] 3 [17] 2 [18] 3 [19] 3 [20] 4 [21] 3 [22] 2 [23] 2 [24] 1 [25] 1 [26] 1 [27] 1 [28] 1 [29] 1 [30]
NAPHA Members Survey: Favorite Wood Roller Coaster [31]
Year2005200620072008200920102011201220132014201520162017201820192020
Ranking
1
1
1 (tie)
2
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1

Modern usage

Since 1986, Knoebels has held the "Phoenix Phall Phun Phest", a yearly October event for roller coaster enthusiasts. In 2001, over 1500[ citation needed ] roller coaster and amusement park fans converged on Knoebels, many in costume, to participate in a memorabilia swap meet and ride the rides after the park closed to the general public. The event was voted the third best Halloween event in 2008 and 2009 in an Amusement Today survey. [32]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">GhostRider (roller coaster)</span> Ride at Knotts Berry Farm in California

GhostRider is a wooden roller coaster at Knott's Berry Farm in Buena Park, California. It is located in the Ghost Town section of the park, south of the main entrance. Manufactured by Custom Coasters International, GhostRider is the longest wooden coaster on the West Coast of the United States, measuring 4,533 feet (1,382 m) long and 118 feet (36 m) tall. The ride follows an L-shaped double out and back pattern, with a station themed to a mining building. There are three trains, each themed to a different precious metal, though only two are in use at any given time.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thunderbolt (Kennywood)</span> Wooden roller coaster at Kennywood

Thunderbolt, previously known as Pippin, is a wooden roller coaster located at Kennywood amusement park in West Mifflin, Pennsylvania. It was originally built and designed by John A. Miller and opened in 1924. It was later renovated for the 1968 season, which involved a major track expansion designed by Andy Vettel. It reopened to the public as Thunderbolt. It is partially known for being one of the few rides at Kennywood to require a partner.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Giant Dipper</span> Historic roller coaster in California

The Giant Dipper is a historic wooden roller coaster located at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, an amusement park in Santa Cruz, California. The Giant Dipper, which replaced the Thompson's Scenic Railway, took 47 days to build and opened on May 17, 1924, at a cost of $50,000. With a height of 70 feet (21 m) and a speed of 55 miles per hour (89 km/h), it is one of the most popular wooden roller coasters in the world. As of 2012, over 60 million people have ridden the Giant Dipper since its opening. The ride has received several awards such as being named a National Historic Landmark, a Golden Age Coaster award, and a Coaster Landmark award.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Comet (Six Flags Great Escape)</span> Roller coaster

The Comet is a wooden roller coaster located at Six Flags Great Escape and Hurricane Harbor in Queensbury, New York, in the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blue Streak (Cedar Point)</span> Wooden roller coaster

Blue Streak is a wooden roller coaster located at Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio, United States. Built by Philadelphia Toboggan Company, Blue Streak opened to the public on May 23, 1964. It is the oldest roller coaster operating at Cedar Point. In 2013, Blue Streak achieved its highest ranking in the annual Golden Ticket Awards publication by Amusement Today, ranking 27th among the world's top wooden roller coasters. In 2022, it was awarded a Coaster Landmark designation by American Coaster Enthusiasts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Steel Vengeance</span> Roller coaster at Cedar Point

Steel Vengeance, formerly known as Mean Streak, is a steel roller coaster at Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio. The roller coaster, originally constructed by Dinn Corporation as a wooden roller coaster, was rebuilt by Rocky Mountain Construction (RMC) and opened to the public on May 5, 2018. It is a hybrid coaster, using RMC's steel I-Box track and a significant portion of Mean Streak's former support structure. Upon completion, Steel Vengeance set 10 world records, including those for the tallest, fastest, and longest hybrid roller coaster.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Screamin' Eagle</span> Wooden roller coaster

Screamin' Eagle is a wooden roller coaster located at Six Flags St. Louis in Eureka, Missouri. When it opened on April 10, 1976 for America's Bicentennial celebration, Guinness World Records listed it as the largest coaster at 110 feet (34 m) high and as the fastest coaster at 62 mph (100 km/h). The ride is a modified 'L'-Shaped Out And Back. The Screamin' Eagle was manufactured by the Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters and was the last coaster designed by John Allen, who was a designer of roller coasters, believed a coaster should inspire awe, not only from a ride full of thrills, but also from its magnificent beauty. Originally Allen wanted to design a coaster to replace the Comet at Forest Park Highlands, but lack of funds prevented him from doing such. The Screamin' Eagle is reminiscent of the Comet, mirroring its L-shape, but to a much larger scale.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Boss (roller coaster)</span> Wooden roller coaster

The Boss is a wooden roller coaster located in the Britannia section of Six Flags St. Louis in Eureka, Missouri. It opened on April 29, 2000, and was manufactured by Custom Coasters International. It features a lift hill height of 122 feet (37 m) and a first drop of 150 feet (46 m). Prior to the 2018 season, it also featured a 570-degree helix.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blue Streak (Conneaut Lake)</span> Former roller coaster located in Pennsylvania, USA

Blue Streak was a wooden roller coaster built in 1938 at Conneaut Lake Park in Conneaut Lake, Pennsylvania. It was the only wooden coaster operating in the park, as well as the largest. Blue Streak followed an out and back design. It was the 17th oldest wooden roller coaster in the United States, and it was one of two shallow coasters designed by Ed Vettel still operating until 2021. Blue Streak opened in 1938, and operated inconsistently until 2019. It stood out of operation until 2022, when it was destroyed in a fire during demolition.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Raven (roller coaster)</span> Wooden roller coaster at Holiday World

The Raven is a wooden roller coaster at Holiday World & Splashin' Safari's Halloween section in Santa Claus, Indiana, United States. It began to be designed and built in 1994 by the now-defunct roller coaster manufacturer Custom Coasters International, with the help of designers Dennis McNulty and Larry Bill. The roller coaster opened on May 6, 1995. The Raven takes its name from Edgar Allan Poe's poem "The Raven" and features sudden drops and turns which mimic the flight of a raven. From 2000 to 2003, The Raven was voted the world's "Best Wooden Roller Coaster" at the Golden Ticket Awards, which are presented annually by Amusement Today magazine. It was named an "ACE Roller Coaster Landmark" by American Coaster Enthusiasts on June 23, 2016.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Megafobia</span> Twister style wooden roller coaster

Megafobia is a wooden roller coaster located at Oakwood Theme Park, Pembrokeshire, Wales, United Kingdom. It opened on 30 April 1996 and was built by Custom Coasters International, who wanted a ride to showcase their company in Europe. Megafobia features a twister style layout.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Twister (Knoebels Amusement Resort)</span> Roller coaster in Pennsylvania

Twister is a wooden roller coaster located at Knoebels Amusement Resort in Elysburg, Pennsylvania. It is a custom wooden coaster designed by John Fetterman, with heavy inspiration taken from Mister Twister at Elitch Gardens.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Flying Turns (Knoebels)</span> Wooden bobsled roller coaster in Pennsylvania

Flying Turns is a wooden bobsled roller coaster at Knoebels Amusement Resort in Elysburg, Pennsylvania. It is modeled after a similar ride designed by John Norman Bartlett and John Miller in the 1920s. The ride concept is similar to a modern steel bobsled roller coaster; however Flying Turns is made of wood, like the original rides. The layout of the ride is most similar to the original located at Riverview Park in Chicago, Illinois.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">New Texas Giant</span> Roller coaster at Six Flags Over Texas

New Texas Giant is a steel roller coaster located at Six Flags Over Texas in Arlington, Texas. It originally opened as Texas Giant, which was the tallest wooden coaster in the world when it debuted in 1990. Manufactured by Dinn Corporation and designed by Curtis D. Summers, Texas Giant operated for nearly two decades and was highly-ranked in Amusement Today magazine's annual Golden Ticket Awards. The ride's popularity declined over the years as it gained a negative reputation for increasing roughness.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jack Rabbit (Kennywood)</span> Wooden roller coaster at Kennywood

Jack Rabbit is a wooden roller coaster located at Kennywood Park in West Mifflin, Pennsylvania. Designed and built by John A. Miller and Harry C. Baker, Jack Rabbit opened in 1920, making it one of the oldest roller coasters in the world still in operation. The ride's three trains were manufactured by Edward Vettel Sr. in 1951 and contain three cars of six seats each. Due to the use of a small lap bar in the cars, some young children are disallowed to enter the ride, as 42” is the minimum. A popular early feature of the ride was a tunnel which covered the turnaround section after the first drop, but this was removed in 1947. In 1991, the tunnel was restored at a slightly shorter length.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lightning Racer</span> Roller coaster at Hersheypark

Lightning Racer is a wooden dueling roller coaster at Hersheypark in Hershey, Pennsylvania. Built by Great Coasters International (GCI) and designed by Mike Boodley of GCI, the ride was completed in 2000 within the Midway America section of the park. Lightning Racer was GCI's second roller coaster at Hersheypark.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Boulder Dash (roller coaster)</span> Roller coaster at Lake Compounce

Boulder Dash is a wooden roller coaster located at Lake Compounce in Bristol, Connecticut. The coaster was built by Custom Coasters International using Southern Yellow Pine wood, while the track is made of Douglas Fir. Amusement Today's annual Golden Ticket Awards ranked Boulder Dash as the world's best wooden roller coaster in 2004 and from 2013 to 2016. The trains were built by Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters (PTC).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cornball Express</span> Roller coaster in Monticello, Indiana, US

Cornball Express is a wooden roller coaster at Indiana Beach in Monticello, Indiana. The ride was designed and manufactured by Custom Coasters International. It opened on May 18, 2001. The Cornball Express had gained critical acclaim among enthusiasts, being named the #1 wooden roller coaster in the world by website ThemeParkCritic.com in 2002. Cornball Express, along with 2002's Lost Coaster of Superstition Mountain, were among Custom Coaster International's last roller coasters designed before closing their doors in 2002. It was their 48th roller coaster designed.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shivering Timbers</span> Roller coaster at Michigans Adventure

Shivering Timbers is a wooden roller coaster located at Michigan's Adventure in Muskegon County, Michigan. It was developed and built by Custom Coasters International. Opened in May 1998, Shivering Timbers debuted for the park's 32nd year in operation and was a success. Construction for the ride began in 1997. The trains were made by Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters. The ride's out and back layout is 5,383 feet (1,641 m) long, making it the fourth-longest wooden roller coaster in the world. The ride has been re-tracked by Martin & Vleminckx and Great Coasters International. Shivering Timbers is the tallest and fastest roller coaster in Michigan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wooden Roller Coaster (Playland)</span> Roller coaster in Vancouver

The PNE Roller Coaster is a wooden roller coaster at Playland in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Opened in 1958, it is the oldest roller coaster in Canada. The ride is 2,840 ft (870 m) long—which established it as the largest roller coaster in Canada at the time it was completed—and has a height of 68 ft (21 m) and speeds of up to 76 km/h (47 mph). The coaster was awarded the Coaster Classic and Roller Coaster Landmark statuses by American Coaster Enthusiasts.

References

  1. ↑ "This central Pa. legend 'could easily be considered the perfect coaster'". York Daily Record. Retrieved 2023-05-30.
  2. ↑ "Phoenix". RCDB. Retrieved 2023-08-09.
  3. ↑ "2024 GTA Winners". The Golden Ticket Awards. Retrieved 31 October 2024.
  4. ↑ "ACE Coaster Landmark Awards". Archived from the original on 2010-12-12. Retrieved 2008-02-22.
  5. ↑ "Top 25 wood Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today : 6B. August 1998. Retrieved September 20, 2021.
  6. ↑ "Top 25 wood Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today : 6B. August 1999. Retrieved September 20, 2021.
  7. ↑ "Top 25 wood Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today . August 2000. Retrieved September 20, 2021.
  8. ↑ "Top 25 wood Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today : 6B. August 2001. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 19, 2013. Retrieved September 20, 2021.
  9. ↑ "Top 25 wood Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today : 6B. September 2002. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 19, 2013. Retrieved September 20, 2021.
  10. ↑ "Top 50 wood Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today : 10–11B. September 2003. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 19, 2013. Retrieved September 20, 2021.
  11. ↑ "Top 50 wood Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today : 14–15B. September 2004. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 3, 2007. Retrieved September 20, 2021.
  12. ↑ "Top 50 wood Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today : 22–23B. September 2005. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 19, 2013. Retrieved September 20, 2021.
  13. ↑ "Top 50 wood Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today : 30–31B. September 2006. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 19, 2013. Retrieved September 20, 2021.
  14. ↑ "Top 50 wood Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today . 11 (6.2): 42–43. September 2007. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 19, 2013. Retrieved September 20, 2021.
  15. ↑ "Top 50 wood Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today . 12 (6.2): 42–43. September 2008. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 19, 2013. Retrieved September 20, 2021.
  16. ↑ "Top 50 wood Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today . 13 (6.2): 38–39. September 2009. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 19, 2013. Retrieved September 20, 2021.
  17. ↑ "Top 50 wood Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today . 14 (6.2): 38–39. September 2010. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 19, 2013. Retrieved September 20, 2021.
  18. ↑ "Top 50 wood Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today . 15 (6.2): 46–47. September 2011. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 19, 2013. Retrieved September 20, 2021.
  19. ↑ "Top 50 wood Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today . 16 (6.2): 46–47. September 2012. Retrieved September 20, 2021.
  20. ↑ "2013 Top 50 wood Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today . 17 (6.2): 40–41. September 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 19, 2013. Retrieved September 20, 2021.
  21. ↑ "2014 Top 50 wood Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today . 18 (6.2): 38–39. September 2014. Retrieved September 20, 2021.
  22. ↑ "2015 Top 50 wood Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today . 19 (6.2): 45–46. September 2015. Retrieved September 20, 2021.
  23. ↑ "2016 Top 50 Wooden Coasters". Golden Ticket Awards . Amusement Today. September 2016. Retrieved September 20, 2021.
  24. ↑ "2017 Top 50 Wooden Coasters". Golden Ticket Awards . Amusement Today. September 2017. Retrieved September 20, 2021.
  25. ↑ "2018 Top 50 Wooden Coasters". Golden Ticket Awards . Amusement Today. September 2018. Retrieved September 20, 2021.
  26. ↑ "2019 Top 50 Wood Coasters". Golden Ticket Awards . Amusement Today. September 2019. Retrieved September 20, 2021.
  27. ↑ "2021 Golden Ticket Award Winners". Golden Ticket Awards . Amusement Today. September 2021. Archived from the original on November 15, 2021. Retrieved September 20, 2021.
  28. ↑ "2022 Golden Ticket Award Winners". Golden Ticket Awards . Amusement Today. September 2022. Archived from the original on September 12, 2022. Retrieved September 20, 2021.
  29. ↑ "2023 Golden Ticket Award Winners". Amusement Today . 27 (6.2): 71–72. September 2023. Archived from the original on September 10, 2023. Retrieved September 20, 2021.
  30. ↑ "2024 Golden Ticket Award Winners". Golden Ticket Awards . Amusement Today. September 2024. Archived from the original on September 9, 2024. Retrieved September 20, 2021.
  31. ↑ Futrell, Marlowe. "NAPHA Members Survey". National Amusement Park Historical Association. Archived from the original on April 9, 2022. Retrieved April 9, 2022.
  32. ↑ Baldwin, Tim (September 2009). "Southern California hosts AT's 2009 Golden Ticket Awards" (PDF). Amusement Today. 13 (6.2).
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.