originally posted on 2/21/2020
Photo: Tim Baldwin. View full-sized image.
Reports that started becoming known in mid-February were pretty tough to take. Small parks and family entertainment centers were approached with a list of rides for sale from Indiana Beach (Monticello) and Fantasy Island (Grand Island, New York). Both properties are operated by Apex Parks. A few of the rides will apparently be moved to other Apex facilities, but most are being sold or even discarded. It would appear a buyer coming forth to purchase the parks is sadly not an option.
Indiana Beach opened in 1926 and has entertained guests for almost a century. A closure would bring a loss of three wooden roller coasters, all of which were built by Custom Coasters International (CCI). Hoosier Hurricane opened in 1994 and is a signature ride for the park spanning the length of one side of the park that stretches alongside and sometimes over Lake Shafer. This roller coaster was the third for the young coaster company (at that time) and the largest of its projects in those early years. CCI went on to reignite the passion for the wooden roller coaster and produced 34 roller coasters in a span of 13 years, three of which are at Indiana Beach.
Hoosier Hurricane put Indiana Beach on coaster enthusiast’s map in a big way.
Photo: Tim Baldwin. View full-sized image.
In addition to Hoosier Hurricane, Indiana Beach has four other coasters, all of which have significant attributes. Cornball Express followed Hoosier Hurricane seven years later and is arguably the favorite coaster in the lineup. Filled with airtime, the woodie is wound into a very compact space. The third wooden coaster at the park is Lost Coaster of Superstition Mountain. Its elevator lift and repurposing of a former dark ride were just two of its unique characteristics. Steel Hawg was the first El Loco coaster to appear in North America. Built by S&S Worldwide, the beyond-vertical first drop and acrobatic maneuvers are a rare example of this style of compact thriller. The final coaster is a vintage Schwarzkopf Jet Star. It has operated at Indiana Beach since 1984 under the name Tig’rr Coaster.
Steel Hawg was North America’s first El Loco coaster.
Photo: Cheri Armstrong. View full-sized image.
Cornball Express.
Photo: Allan Reid. View full-sized image.
In addition to the coasters, Indiana Beach owns a log flume, the Den of Lost Thieves dark ride and the award-winning Dr. Frankenstein’s Castle walkthrough attraction. A collection of flat rides, several of which are positioned over the lake, also contribute to the park’s character and atmosphere.
Fantasy Island rose to prominence with the addition of Silver Comet, another CCI coaster, in 1999. Built with a slight homage to Comet from defunct Crystal Beach (Ontario, Canada), Silver Comet is visible from the adjacent highway as motorists drive by.
Silver Comet.
Photo: Tim Baldwin. View full-sized image.
Crazy Mouse.
Photo: Richard Koppelman. View full-sized image.
Other coasters at that park are a Zamperla Crazy Mouse and two kiddie coasters.
The park was known as Martin’s Fantasy Island from 1994 to 2016 before it was acquired by Apex. Martin DiPietro purchased the park in 1994 to bring new life to the park, which was built in 1961.
Apex Parks Group was formed in 2014. The company has acquired numerous family entertainment centers and waterparks. This includes Sahara Sam’s in New Jersey and a chain of Boomers and Speed Zone parks across California and Texas. No reason was given for the sale of the rides. All the steel coasters are available for sale. Of the four wooden coasters, only Silver Comet is listed. The words “Sell If Possible” were noted on the list supplied to possible buyers. The three other wooden coasters at Indiana Beach would have challenges if attempted to be moved. Lost Coaster of Superstition Mountain is built into a themed structure. Hoosier Hurricane and Cornball Express have some shared structure. It is easy to fear the worst. ACE members can only wait with fingers crossed.
ACE supported both of these parks with events in recent years. Indiana Beach was a cohost of the 2018 ACE Preservation Conference, and Martin’s Fantasy Island was a cohost of the 2015 Summer Conference.
—Tim Baldwin, ACE News Editor
@#$%&!
#ACENews