Amusement Ride Construction
I have witnessed many attractions in their "construction" (or "destruction") phase during my travels. Here are some pictures of some of them.
Paul Bunyan Express
To the left is the Paul Bunyan Express (now Ladybug Coaster) ride at LI Adventureland in New York. This photo was taken in June 2000 the day it arrived and was taken off the trailer. About a week later, the ride was operating.Photo ©Surfdancec
Batman & Robin: The Chiller
To the right is Batman & Robin: The Chiller at Six Flags Great Adventure in New Jersey. It is built by Premier Rides. This photo was taken in April 1997 and the ride was operating about two months later (although only briefly).
Photo ©Surfdancec
Gwazi
To the left is Gwazi, a dual track wood coaster at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay in Florida. This photo was taken in January 1999. The ride occupies the site of the former Brewery. The ride is built by Great Coasters International and opened in the Summer of 2000.Photo ©Surfdancec
Men In Black: Alien Attack
Men In Black began construction in early 1999 and opened in April 2000. It is located at Universal Studios Florida at Universal Orlando, next to Back To the Future: The Ride. This photo was taken in March 1999. It is taken from the bridge connecting the front and back of the park on the right hand side.Photo ©Surfdancec
Surf Dance
This photo was taken in June 2000 when part of the Surf Dance ride at LI Adventureland in NY had to temporarily be removed for maintenance. This photo was taken from the platform of the Hurricane roller coaster. In the bottom right corner of the photo the ride platform is visible, and the remainder of the ride, which stayed in tact is to the right of the photo. Within days the ride was up and running again.Photo ©Surfdancec
Mr. Toad's Wild Ride/
Many Adventures Of Winnie the Pooh
This photo was taken from the now defunct Magic Kingdom Skyway at Walt Disney World in Florida. It is looking down on the former Mr. Toad's Wild Ride as it transformed into The Many Adventures Of Winnie the Pooh. The photo was taken in March 1999. Mr. Toad's Wild Ride closed in September 1998 and The Many Adventures Of Winnie the Pooh opened in May 1999. Much of the outside of the building remained the same but the queue area and the inside completely changed.Photo ©Surfdancec
Adventure Falls
To the left is Adventure Falls at LI Adventureland in New York. This photo was taken in early March 2001. The ride is manufactured by FAB and occupies the site formerly occupied by Treasure Island Mini Golf and a maintenance warehouse. The ride opened in April 2001.Photo ©Surfdancec
Looping Star
After 20 years of service the Huss manufactured Looping Star was dismantled in early March 2002, and was replaced with Top Scan shortly after. Looping Star operated from 1982 to 2001 at LI Adventureland in New York.Photo ©Surfdancec
Top Scan
This photo was taken in March 2002, as the Top Scan was being assembled at LI Adventureland in East Farmingdale, New York. The ride is made by Mondial of Holland and replaced the Looping Star. The ride was operating for guests about a week later in late March.Photo ©Surfdancec
Musik Express
This Mack manufactured brand new Musik Express was assembled in April 2002 at LI Adventureland, replacing the old Music Express.Photo ©Surfdancec
Mission: Space
At Epcot in Disney World in Florida, Mission: Space has replaced the Horizons ride, which closed in early 1999. Mission: Space opened in August 2003. This picture was taken in January 2002.Photo ©Surfdancec
Crocodile Run
This Wild Water Rondell from Zierer GmbH opened at LI Adventureland in East Farmingdale, New York on October 25, 2003. It is located in the pool which was formerly used by Capt. Willy's Wild Waters, the park's bumper boat ride, which operated from 1983 through September 7, 2003. This construction photo was taken from the Top Scan platform on October 15, 2003.Photo ©Surfdancec
Expedition Everest: Legend Of the Forbidden Mountain
At Disney's Animal Kingdom in Florida, the Expedition Everest roller coaster is under construction and is planned to open in 2006. This photo was taken November 30, 2004.Photo ©Surfdancec
SheiKra
SheiKra is the first and only "diving" coaster in the USA. It opened in late May 2005 at Busch Gardens in Tampa Bay, Florida. It is built by Bolliger & Mabillard and features 2 near vertical drops. This construction photo was taken on February 21, 2005.Photo ©Surfdancec
Frisbee
The Frisbee is Adventureland's new for 2006 attraction, here seen being constructed in December 2005. It takes the spot of the Surf Dance, which operated for 13 years at Adventureland. This particular Frisbee is a refurbished combination of 4 used Frisbee rides from Europe. The Frisbee is manufactured by Huss Maschinenfabrik, Germany.Photo ©D. Micheels
Flying Turns
Flying Turns is the only wooden "bobsled" roller coaster to be built in "modern" times. It is being built in-house at Knoebels Amusement Resort in Elysburg, Pennsylvania. This photo was taken October 7, 2006 and the ride is scheduled to open during the 2007 season.Photo ©Surfdancec
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