What's new

Fantastic old coaster footage/pics

Cedar Point shared this fantastic photo, most likely taken from the Space Spiral in 1968 or 1969. The giveaway is the presence of the Frontier Lift, which opened in 1968. You can also see that the train station is flush with the Main Midway.

12705403_10153390616466463_7273239729464817464_n.jpg


Here is an accompanying park map that depicts the scene above. Notice that Cedar Point had not constructed the Frontier Trail yet. Hence, the only way to get to Frontier Town was by train or lift ride (very cool!). The Western Cruise attraction was also a major centerpiece at this point in time, with a much further theming than later on in the 1980s and 90s. Cedar Point only had three roller coasters: Blue Streak, Cedar Creek Mine Ride, and Scamper (right-hand in the photo).

1969_souvenir_map.jpg


Things changed drastically however over the subsequent years to closer resemble the park we know today. In 1970, the train station was relocated to its present day location, extending the main midway to make room for the addition of WildCat (the first Schwarzkopf model which was later relocated to Valleyfair as Rails), Bayern Kurve, Dodgem No. 2, Monster, Schwabinchen, Calypso, Super Himilaya, Centennial Theatre, Kiddy Kingdom, and Tiki Twirl. The Frontier Trail opened in 1971, allowing pedestrian foot traffic to run the length of the park. And in 1972, the park added their 5th roller coaster (Jumbo Jets), a third carousel for Kiddieland, and the Giant Wheel directly behind the train station.

1972_pg_map.jpg
 
^ Might I interest you in a park map from 1966 that doesn't even depict the back half of the park? :razz:

1966_pg_map.jpg
 
^I like that they call Blue Streak "Roller Coaster" on that map. :lol:
 
^ Haha! Good catch. Looking further, there is as a "Flying Coaster" demarcated right next to the Scrambler/North Sky Ride station. I believe that is the original Trabant ride, which you can see in later maps above:

Screen+shot+2014-01-11+at+2.47.53+PM.png


This is to not be confused with the Schwabinchen ride that was added in 1970. A ride most noted for its well endowed woman. ;)

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5aSJsATQtKg[/youtube]
 
Flying Coaters are the original name for Ski Jump rides.

Sent from my D6603 using Tapatalk
 
Here's a fun clip from Coney Island in 1932:

[facebookpost]https://www.facebook.com/100002095841103/videos/985485701531282/[/facebookpost]
 
The 'ride' at 01:20 looks amazing. :lol: Although, I can't help but wonder how many clothes got snagged in those wheels... :p

Good find!
 
ECG said:
Here's a fun clip from Coney Island in 1932:

There's so much in that video reminds me of the old fun house at Blackpool. Though they didn't have one of those floor things after the slide, but they did have rotating discs like that set into the floor.

The bit with the dwarf clown and the women's skirts. OMG. I wonder how many people that sent into therapy later in life :lol:

My favourite bit though was near the start with the huge "Witch's Hat". So much danger. I remember the mini, child killing, versions from my youth. They were so much fun. So much in the way death, broken bones and gravel rash. That huge thing is such a fab potential deathtrap :)
 
Fantastic bit of film here from British Pathe, taken in 1956 of the defunct Kursaal amusement park in Southend. Noticed what looks like a Noah's Ark attraction at the beginning of the video, which was probably one of 3 or 4 in the UK at that time (I know BPB and Morecambe Pleasure Park both had one). Also, that woodie looks pretty grand. A really good perspective here.


[youtubevid]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kGA-UnRvMdM[/youtubevid]
 
I love the sixth photo down. With the clear blue sky, water reflection and the coaster in all it's glory. That thing is seriously yellow. So sharp!
 
I found some fantastic footage of Six Flags Great America from 1978.

[youtubevid]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OFGutYfVydA[/youtubevid]
 
Great #ThrowbackThursday photo from Cedar Point of Avalanche Run (Disaster Transport). And yes, that line below the ride is to get on.

[facebookpost]https://www.facebook.com/cedarpoint/photos/pb.10625691462.-2207520000.1459021840./10153481853141463/?type=3&size=1500%2C993&fbid=10153481853141463[/facebookpost]
 
CP6 posted this video of Pacific Ocean Park on his Facebook page and I had to share it. It was only open from 1958-1967 and was America's most highly themed seaside park outside of Coney Island. The first five minutes of color camera footage isn't the best, but I enjoyed the black & white footage from the Lawrence Welk show (even if the musical numbers aren't that great). There's even a shot of the famous Sea Serpent coaster running in one of the scenes. http://rcdb.com/5604.htm

[youtubevid]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oBgswAj044A[/youtubevid]
 
Great photo posted to Facebook of the Double Ferris Wheel that used to sit right at the front of Cedar Point. It was a staple attraction from 1961 to 1980.

[facebookpost]https://www.facebook.com/cedarpoint/photos/a.319129566462.158310.10625691462/10153525196451463/?type=3[/facebookpost]
 
Not really a coaster as such but found this on Facebook:

[facebookpost]https://www.facebook.com/clive.co.uk/videos/10201403021513361/?pnref=story[/facebookpost]
 
Top