originally posted on 8/28/2024
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It makes me both happy and jealous that there was a time not too long ago when wood coasters were still getting built at a decent rate, with the wonderfully quirky tourist trap of Wisconsin Dells in Wisconsin receiving two in subsequent years — Avalanche at Timber Falls Adventure Park in 2004 and Hades at Mt. Olympus Water & Theme Park in 2005. The two coasters represented the aftermath of the demise of Custom Coasters International, Inc. Company founder Denise Dinn Larrick spearheaded a short-lived wood coaster division at S&S Worldwide (Avalanche) while most of her company’s remaining staff formed The Gravity Group, LLC. Hades would become its first coaster, and together the two rides turned the Wisconsin Dells into a major destination for wood coaster lovers.
Meanwhile, the Universal Studios theme parks debuted Revenge of the Mummy indoor roller coasters on opposite coasts. I had the pleasure of riding the California version a few years ago but sadly don’t remember much about it; by contrast, frequent travel to the Orlando area has left me very familiar with the Florida version. I know a lot of people have a fondness for Space Mountain at Magic Kingdom (Orlando), but until Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind recently opened at Epcot (Orlando), I regarded Revenge of the Mummy as central Florida’s best indoor coaster. It has launches, tight turns, surprise drops, airtime and an elaborate dark ride portion — everything (and more) that an indoor roller coaster should offer.
The cover story might be my favorite part of this issue, and it supports my belief that Jack Morey (see my Thoughts From Seat 1.3 column) was a creative visionary unlike any other. As Hunt’s Pier (Wildwood, New Jersey) closed, reopened as Dinosaur Beach and subsequently closed and was gutted, only the Arrow Development Log Flume and John Allen/Philadelphia Toboggan Company (PTC) Golden Nugget were left in place. The former was donated to Arnolds Park (Arnolds Park, Iowa) by the Moreys to help the small amusement park grow and thrive with a much-needed new attraction; meanwhile, many attempts were made to keep Golden Nugget in The Wildwoods, including investigating the possibility of cutting away its portion of the pier and rolling the entire thing across the beach to a new location on Mariner’s Landing. The move was ultimately decided to be unfeasible, and much of the ride’s structure and track was sold to Knoebels Amusement Resort (Elysburg, Pennsylvania), where it now operates as Black Diamond. Just when I think that not enough is done to preserve old rides, an issue of ACE News reminds me of amazing efforts that have been made, even if not always successful.
— Rob Ascough, ACE News Editor
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Wow, there were lots of interesting roller coasters opening in 2004, as this crammed-full-of-news issue of ACE's great newsletter highlights!
To start, there's Journey to Atlantis at SeaWorld San Diego in California, two Revenge of the Mummy installations at Universal Studios in Florida and California, a number of spinning coasters such as Spinball Whizzer (a great name IMHO) at Alton Towers (Alton, Staffordshire, England, United Kingdom) and the Falken woodie for Fårup Sommerland (Blokhus, Nordjylland, Denmark). The Wisconsin Dells can’t be ignored, with the incredible Avalanche at Timber Falls (which sadly closed in 2017) and Dive to Atlantis at Mount Olympus (a prototype flume coaster that only lasted until 2007), plus this issue of ACE News even remarked that Hades was under construction and opening in 2005. Checking in with Roller Coaster DataBase (RCDB), one learns that 134 coasters debuted in 2004, including a wonderful five woodies (boy, I wish we'd see those numbers of woodies opening yearly these days).
The cover of this ACE News comments on the passing of the legendary Geoffrey Thompson, the managing director of Blackpool Pleasure Beach (Blackpool, Lancashire, England, United Kingdom). Back in the day, there was no one quite like him. He was an excellent friend to ACE and generously hosted the British part of our club's early international trip in 1985 (which I was able to attend). He and his team showed ACEers a great time at his parks, including Morecambe Pleasure Park (Morecambe, Lancashire, England, United Kingdom) and Southport Pleasureland (Southport, Merseyside, England, United Kingdom) as well as the amazing Blackpool (which at the time offered 10 coasters, including five woodies). This cemented Mr. Thompson's happy and mutually beneficial relationship with enthusiasts, which would continue to grow in the decades to come. Simply a marvelous gentleman, great showman and indeed “Mr. Funshine.”
The cover also discussed the 1960 Golden Nugget steel dark ride coaster (designed by John Allen and the only steel coaster ever constructed by PTC), which was being considered for revitalization and relocation to Mariner's Landing in Wildwood. The proposal was quite fascinating, as the article reported on how Morey’s Piers intended to haul the entire ride structure across the beach on a platform supported by giant rollers. That never happened, but we now know that the coaster ended up being rebuilt at Knoebels Amusement Resort, as the ride's track and cars were purchased by the park after it was deemed irreparable by Morey's and was dismantled in 2011. It ended up becoming another important preservation project by Knoebels, where it is now known as Black Diamond.
On page 4’s "World Roller Coaster Update," it was stated that there were now two wooden roller coasters in India, and both were considered to be the most difficult woodie credits to obtain on the planet. Back in 2004, there was the then 10-year-old Zipper Dipper at EsselWorld (Gorai Village, Maharashtra, India) and Cyclone at Nicco Park (Kolkata, West Bengal, India). To bring things up to date, it is sad to report that, according to RCDB, Zipper Dipper, along with EsselWorld, closed in 2019 and has been standing but not operating since then. Happily, Cyclone is still operating at Nicco Park. For enthusiasts lucky enough to travel to India, RCDB notes that the country currently offers 114 operating roller coasters.
Finally, it is worth acknowledging the crisp material within this issue of ACE News, with all the great pictures, clever headlines, fine layout, great articles — all under the leadership of Mark Davidson, ACE News editor at the time. Our marvelous publication was great then, 20 years ago, just as it is now and has been in ACE's more than four-decade history.
— Randy Geisler
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I am almost dumbfounded that this news is already 20 years old! It seems like it was only a few years ago at most to me. But, alas, Father Time continues to tick onward.
Some notable happenings from the 2004 season:
The loss of Geoffrey Thompson of Blackpool Pleasure Beach. Can it really be that he's been gone that long? I at least had the pleasure of meeting with him at Kennywood in 1992 during an International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions summer meeting, which ironically was the first and only time the park was open after Labor Day until it began Phantom Fright Nights 10 years later. We miss you, Geoffrey.
The planned restoration of the Golden Nugget roller coaster/dark ride in Wildwood by the Morey Organization. This was the only steel roller coaster that PTC ever designed and built. It sadly never happened, but as we all know, Dick Knoebel and the Knoebel family came to the ride system's rescue and moved it to Knoebels as Black Diamond in 2011.
Paramount possibly opening a park in Japan? It didn't, and the company ended up selling all of its North American parks shortly afterward to Cedar Fair, but it would have been interesting to see what a Paramount park in Japan would have been like.
It was bittersweet to see the recap of Coaster Con XXVII at Cedar Point, Memphis Kiddie Park (Brooklyn, Ohio) and the newly acquired Geauga Lake in Aurora (formerly Six Flags Worlds of Adventure) by Cedar Fair. Little did we know that this convention would be the last national event held at Geauga Lake, which permanently closed after the 2007 season. But oh, memories of that convention came flooding back to me. What a wonderful convention it truly was! And I have to add that ACE greeted four new honorary members during that event: Janice Witherow from Cedar Point, ACEers Lisa Scheinin and David Escalante (who sadly passed away since) and Cedar Point itself. A notable event to be sure!
The tiny Timber Falls family entertainment center in Wisconsin Dells somehow squeezed in a log flume and a wooden roller coaster by S&S, designed by Alan Schilke & Doddie Backter. I unfortunately never got to ride Avalanche during its short tenure that lasted until 2017 but heard nothing but praise for the unique ride encircling the miniature golf courses that made up the small park.
The Universal Studio parks in Hollywood and Florida both decided to add coasters heavily themed to the successful Mummy franchise by Premier Rides. Both are still top thrillers and major draws for each park today.
A big trend that year was the addition of spinning coasters. No fewer than five spinning models were announced that year for the United States and several more around the world! And speaking of trends, water coasters were also a big addition at Mt. Olympus Water & Theme Park and SeaWorld San Diego. 2004 seemed to be the year of novelty coaster hybrids, to be sure.
Reminiscing through this issue is truly like unearthing a time capsule for such a busy year in the world of amusement parks and coasters!
— Dave Hahner, ACE Historian
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