montezooma

Can anyone out in the Northeast part of the country help me out? I am going to New York the first part of April and of course I want to get to SFGAd. I don't see an operating schedule on their website, does anyone know when they open for the season???? Thanks for your help

Scream Machine aka Ninja I am really busting out the tapes from my Retro VCR. Here is an old newscast from the opening of the 1986 Vancouver World's Fair and Expo. Six Flags St. Louis fans will recognize this old coaster as their Ninja. Long ago Six Flags St. Louis was the black sheep of the Six Flags Family not only did they get a hand me down ride but they also gave it a hand me down name. When I rode this ride many years ago I really enjoyed it and remember it having one of the best head chopper effects as you exited the sidewinder element. Anyways before it was moved to Six Flags St. Louis it originally opened as the Scream Machine at the Vancouver World's Fair. The Director of rides in this video exudes about as much excitement as a wet mop. They probably should have gotten someone else to describe the excitement of this ride cause he just aint cuttin it. While you are all looking forward to 2010 remember that Shane's Amusement Attic is all about looking back...enjoy this trip back to 1986. Shane [coastertube]http://www.themeparkreview.com/coastertube/play.php?vid=Scream_Machine_Vancouver_54jj[/coastertube]

Grizzly at CGA. Worst coaster ever

CONEY ISLAND CYCLONE part 2 Here is the second part of this documentary on the Coney Island Cyclone. Hope you are enjoying it. [coastertube]http://www.themeparkreview.com/coastertube/play.php?vid=Cyclone_pt2_e4cj[/coastertube] as a bonus here is some footage I shot many years ago of the dismantled Shock Wave that used to be at Six Flags Great America. [coastertube]http://www.themeparkreview.com/coastertube/play.php?vid=shockwaveSFGAm_h477[/coastertube]

CONEY ISLAND CYCLONE part 1 Sorry I have fallen a little behind in updating my thread. The Holidays have been a little hectic. Anyways, here is a two part documentary on the Coney Island Cyclone...the "Grandaddy of all Coasters. Happy New Year Everyone! Shane [coastertube]http://www.themeparkreview.com/coastertube/play.php?vid=Cyclone_pt1_92lu[/coastertube] PS- Part 2 will be posted shortly

Great stuff, I can't wait for Circus World!

SCREAMIN' DEMON Now that Coastertube is up and running again I have been uploading some old coaster footage. I came across this old gem. I am not sure if I have already posted it to my forum so if I have, I apologize. but if not...here is some GREAT footage of Screamin' Demon, the Arrow Launched Loop, that used to be at Kings Island. This was shot back in 1979 on my first trip ever to Kings Island. It was the year that the Beast opened and I was very excited to ride it. But as my scream name "Montezooma" implies, I have a thing for shuttle loops and even though the biggest, baddest coaster had just opened I was secretly more interested in ridding Arrow's version of the shuttle loop. The footage is OLD and the clarity is not exactly great but that is what makes it more charming. Enjoy the Screamin' Demon! [coastertube]http://www.themeparkreview.com/coastertube/play.php?vid=ScreaminDemon_quo0[/coastertube]

Disney has been and probably always will be #1

When I first started Shane's Amusement Attic I pulled out a bunch of old Amusement Park Ads from the 70's (check them out here) and posted them. That was the humble beginning of Shane's Amusement Attic. Well today I came across 2 more ads that should be added to those first posts. They aren't from the 70's, I would guess they are from the mid 90's. About the time that Time Warner owned Six Flags and started a national Ad campaign comparing them to Disney. Here are two of those ads that ran in People Magazine. -Shane Yes at one time Six Flags was #2

Sorry, I wish I could. Park of the purpose for me doing this thread is to take all of the things I have on paper and video and transfer them to computer files. I scanned these Intamin catalogs several months back and since them the paper files have been filed away and put into storage.

The Ridehouse will be interesting to watch as it is Proslide's first entry into the water play structure areana which has been dominated by WhiteWater. I for one am excited to see what they come up with!!!

Hello fellow readers of "Shane's Amusement Attic". I know a lot of you follow this thread to see old brochures, maps and info on parks. I love to see these things also. That is why when another thread comes along that shares great old stuff I can't help but give it a shameless plug. Have you seen Eric's Retro Brochure Kingdom? If not you simply MUST check out this great collection. Eric has an AWESOME collection of brochures, many of which I don't even have, of Adventure Island, Boardwalk & Baseball and Busch Gardens "The Dark Continent" Thanks for sharing your collection Eric! -Shane

PREMIER RIDES Bringing you more from the IAAPA trade floor, here is a company that seems to really be stepping it up. Premier had a prime location on the trade show floor, a spot that used to be reserved for Arrow Dynamics. The booth was also quite impressive. Here is a look at some of the literature being passed out at their booth. Of interest is the marketing of a "Hyper Coaster" which is obviously the NYNY Togo coaster. Now having ridden this ride, I would think that I would not want to associate my company with this Togo monstrosity.

Great job on these posts Eric. I am so glad you are sharing your collection with us. Many of these brochures I have not seen before, so thanks again for taking the time to scan them in and share!!!

This is brilliant! I applaud this move by Six Flags!!!! And while they are in the mood for preserving Amusement History and making good moves, I would like to put a little bug in their ear... There is another piece of Amusement history sitting in a field in Plainview, TX...and as a bonus it is also a piece of Great America's history. Resurrect Greezed Lightnin as the Tidal Wave!

I think if this ride was redone with today's technology and B&M floorless trains it would be much more successful. Remember that even though only one of these rides was sold it thrilled many park guests for many years in 3 major markets: Chicago, Atlanta and LA. It probably could have made a couple more moves if Magic Mountain had not let it fall into disrepair. It would have been a great fit for smaller parks such as Elitch Gardens or even an indoor coaster.

The Drunken Barrels was a very successful ride for Intamin with many installations all over the world. Many of them may not exist today but in the 70's and 80's they were all over the place.

INTAMIN 2009 As promised here is the 2009 Intamin ride catalog that I recently picked up at IAAPA. Funny after all these years the one ride that remains consantly in their catalog is the "Flying Dutchman". I remember that thing from Kings Island and Marriott's Great America.

Oh this is SO sad, but I can't say that I didn't expect this to happen. I fear we have now lost another GREAT Schwarzkopf shuttle. Although this would be a GREAT addition to Lagoon. I hate to disapoint all those out there who are pushing me to buy this ride...here is the simple truth...I just opened a park, that means I have NO money but if I could believe me I would have already written a check.

INTAMIN Well I am back from Vegas and the 2009 IAAPA show. I must say I am more of fan of the show when it is held in Orlando. Vegas seemed to be much smaller. I did pick up some new literature from the major manufacturers which I will be sharing here in Shane's Amusement Attic. Before I start off lets take a look back at some of the old Intamin product catalogs and ride flyers. And of course the all time BEST ride...the shutle loop! I am not sure what kind of ride the Compact Loop was supposed to be, but to my knowledge, one was never built. The Flying Trainer...probably the WORST ride Intamin ever came up with. Believe it or not, this ride was originally supposed to be the ride on top of the Startosphere Tower. This ride was first manufactured by Bradley & Kaye and then updated by Intamin. Intamin's first attempt at a wooden coaster was the giant American Eagle. Katapult ride flyer. A great ride that deserves a modern updated version. Ride flyer for the Bounty. Intamin's version of the swinging ship...and by far the best looking of all them all. ride flyer for the prototype River Rapid Ride circa 1979 Old ride catalog from the 1990's

Sorry I have been a little behind in posting updates to the attic. Here is a quickie that I can get in before heading off to IAAPA. Hopefully I will see or learn some interesting things at the show that I will be able to post here..for the time being here is a little coaster history 101 brought to you by PTC. -Shane

Feel free to post anything you would like in this thread. I enjoy seeing what you've got.

Here are some photos of the clear slide that is going on the new ship. I was lucky enough to see these on my last visit to the WhiteWater factory. It is going to be so cool to be out over the ocean and see below you. I am going to book a cruise just so I can ride this slide.

Here are some maps from when Six Flags took over the park. 1979 with a temperary logo notice all the in-park transportation Here was the park logo for much of the 80's 1982 Roaring Rapids...New for 1981

Magic Mountain 1977 - 1983 I always love looking at old pictures and info from Magic Mountain. This is the park I grew up and I have been to the park every year since 1974. I have seen a lot of changes...some good...some not so good. It is quite a different park today than when I used to go as a kid, you can definitely see that from these old maps and the souvenir book. Some of the things I really miss are the lighted fountains they used to have across from the oasis cafeteria, the Mountain Express and of course the Galaxi. Hope you enjoy this retro look back at one of the greatest theme parks that ever was. Some Highlights: - Charo performs at the Showcase Theater - Colossus shown as just an outline in the parking lot - The Dragon - both Sky rides - Japanese Gardens - Western Airlines Sky Tower - Four Winds Steak House - The Dancing Fountains (next to swiss twist...anyone remember???) - Grand Centennial Rail Road - El Bumpo - Contempo Dance Pavilion - The old entrance, Trolls, Wizard...and so many other great memories - Shane Early souvenir book from before Six Flags took over the park map from 1977. New ride was the Enterprise I think this is back by Batman now Western Airlines Skytower and Magic Pagoda well this is a view no longer available at the mountain more retro goodness two rides that are no longer there...well part of the Metro is still there The old park mascots in front of the German Restaurant as a kid we used to go into the candle store and when the candle maker wasn't looking we would dip our fingers in the buckets of wax. They got pissed when they caught us...good times Thunder and Lightning trains and of course...the ORIGINAL Colossus...full of airtime and abuse LOVE THOSE FOUNTAINS!!!!! One of the ICONS of the park from the 1970's I remember the line for Mountain Express could get up to an hour long I miss the lights around the loop