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Phoenix (roller coaster)
Encyclopedia
The Phoenix is a wooden roller coaster located at the Knoebels Amusement Resort in Elysburg, Pennsylvania
. Prior to its purchase by Knoebels and its subsequent relocation in the mid-1980s, it was operated under the name "The Rocket" at Playland Park
in San Antonio, TX.
(PTC), the roller coaster
operated as "The Rocket" at the Playland Park
in San Antonio from 1947 until the park's closure in 1980. At its opening, the Phoenix was hailed as "the largest roller coaster in the world," with 3200 feet of track and 78 foot first hill. Knoebels purchased the ride in 1984 and dismantled it starting in January 1985. As there were no blueprint
s to work with, each individual board was numbered and catalogued on site. http://www.knoebels.com/knoebels-history.asp
The restored roller coaster opened at Knoebels on June 15, 1985. It is named after the mythical phoenix
bird which rises, reborn, from its own ashes. This effort, the first large-scale wooden roller coaster relocation in many years, helped spark a movement for the restoration and relocation of other roller coasters standing but not operating.
Coaster Landmark and has consistently been ranked at or near #4 for Best Wooden Coaster by Amusement Today
magazine's annual Golden Ticket Awards.
.
Phoenix facts
, is loosely based on the layout of Phoenix.
Elysburg, Pennsylvania
Elysburg is a census-designated place in Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 2,067 at the 2000 census. The area's biggest attraction is Knoebels Amusement Park, which has two wooden roller coasters.-Demographics:...
. Prior to its purchase by Knoebels and its subsequent relocation in the mid-1980s, it was operated under the name "The Rocket" at Playland Park
Playland Park (Texas)
Playland Park, a defunct amusement park formerly located in San Antonio, Texas, is most notable for being the former home of "The Rocket", a wooden roller coaster which now operates as The Phoenix at Knoebels Amusement Resort in Elysburg, Pennsylvania...
in San Antonio, TX.
History
Designed and built by Herb Schmeck and the Philadelphia Toboggan CompanyPhiladelphia Toboggan Company
The Philadelphia Toboggan Company is one of the oldest existing roller coaster manufacturing companies in the world.Mack Rides of Germany dates back to 1781, but it did not start building coasters until 1921 Based in Hatfield, Pennsylvania, it was established in 1904 by Henry B...
(PTC), the roller coaster
Roller coaster
The roller coaster is a popular amusement ride developed for amusement parks and modern theme parks. LaMarcus Adna Thompson patented the first coasters on January 20, 1885...
operated as "The Rocket" at the Playland Park
Playland Park (Texas)
Playland Park, a defunct amusement park formerly located in San Antonio, Texas, is most notable for being the former home of "The Rocket", a wooden roller coaster which now operates as The Phoenix at Knoebels Amusement Resort in Elysburg, Pennsylvania...
in San Antonio from 1947 until the park's closure in 1980. At its opening, the Phoenix was hailed as "the largest roller coaster in the world," with 3200 feet of track and 78 foot first hill. Knoebels purchased the ride in 1984 and dismantled it starting in January 1985. As there were no blueprint
Blueprint
A blueprint is a type of paper-based reproduction usually of a technical drawing, documenting an architecture or an engineering design. More generally, the term "blueprint" has come to be used to refer to any detailed plan....
s to work with, each individual board was numbered and catalogued on site. http://www.knoebels.com/knoebels-history.asp
The restored roller coaster opened at Knoebels on June 15, 1985. It is named after the mythical phoenix
Phoenix (mythology)
The phoenix or phenix is a mythical sacred firebird that can be found in the mythologies of the Arabian, Persians, Greeks, Romans, Egyptians, Chinese, Indian and Phoenicians....
bird which rises, reborn, from its own ashes. This effort, the first large-scale wooden roller coaster relocation in many years, helped spark a movement for the restoration and relocation of other roller coasters standing but not operating.
Features and popularity
The Phoenix coaster routinely gives a fast ride with many spots where riders experience upwards acceleration, or negative gravity. This floating sensation is known affectionately to coaster enthusiasts as "airtime," and they applaud the coaster as the airtime occurs. Since the inception of the Internet Wood Tracked Roller Coaster Poll, the Phoenix has consistently ranked among the top 10. The Phoenix is an ACEAmerican Coaster Enthusiasts
The American Coaster Enthusiasts is an organization dedicated to the enjoyment and preservation of roller coasters. Membership is open to anyone with payment of yearly dues, and membership benefits may include discounted admission to certain amusement parks...
Coaster Landmark and has consistently been ranked at or near #4 for Best Wooden Coaster by Amusement Today
Amusement Today
Amusement Today is a monthly periodical featuring articles, news, pictures, and reviews about all things relating to the amusement park industry, including parks, rides, and ride manufacturers. The magazine, which is based in Arlington, Texas, USA, was founded in 1997 by Gary Slade and Virgil...
magazine's annual Golden Ticket Awards.
| Golden Ticket Awards: Top Wooden Roller Coasters | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 |
| Ranking | |||||||||||||
| Mitch Hawker's Best Roller Coaster Poll: Best Wooden-Tracked Roller Coaster | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 |
| Ranking | |||||||||||
| NAPHA National Amusement Park Historical Association The National Amusement Park Historical Association was founded in 1978 by a former employee of Chicago's Riverview Amusement Park, and NAPHA has grown throughout a long period of time to include amusement parks from all over the world. NAPHA preserves amusement park history and historic rides. ... Survey: Favorite Wood Roller Coaster |
|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 |
| Ranking | |||||
Modern usage
Since 1986, Knoebels has held the "Phoenix Phall Phun Phest," a yearly October event for roller coaster enthusiasts. In 2001 alone, over 1500 roller coaster and amusement park fans converged on Knoebels, many in costume, to participate in a memorabilia swap meet and use the rides after the park closed to the general public. The event was rated the third best Halloween event in 2008 and 2009 by Amusement TodayAmusement Today
Amusement Today is a monthly periodical featuring articles, news, pictures, and reviews about all things relating to the amusement park industry, including parks, rides, and ride manufacturers. The magazine, which is based in Arlington, Texas, USA, was founded in 1997 by Gary Slade and Virgil...
.
Phoenix facts
- Trains - 2 PTC, 24 passengers each
Trivia
The wooden coaster, Wolverine Wildcat at Michigan's AdventureMichigan's Adventure
Michigan's Adventure is a amusement park in Muskegon County, Michigan, about halfway between Muskegon, Michigan and Whitehall, Michigan. It is the largest amusement park in the state and has been owned and operated by Cedar Fair Entertainment Company since 2001...
, is loosely based on the layout of Phoenix.