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Sketches of the ride and station:

Hey everybody! This thread is simple! Rather than having a million little threads about everything that goes on at Plopsaland de Panne, this thread is designed to consolidate it all into one user-friendly thread. Feel free to use it to post updates, trip reports, questions, comments, and of course, general discussion. For pictures and videos of the park as well as past updates, see TPR's Park Index Page. Official Park Website Below are some links to past updates from the park, you may be interested in. Enjoy! --Robb _____________________________________________________ 2008 July 11th, 2008 - Park announced launched Gerstlauer for park's 10th anniversary (SEE BELOW) 2009 March 2nd, 2009 - Anubis construction progress March 12th, 2009 - Anubis construction progress May 18th, 2009 - Anubis has opened 2012 October 6th, 2012 - Park announces expansion plans for 2013-2015 2013 July 1st, 2013 - Wickieland Grand Opening! October 18th, 2013 - Construction on PlopsaAqua begins 2014 December 7th, 2014 - Big new ride confirmed for 2016 from an American company 2015 March 15th, 2015 - Wooden roller coaster announced for 2016 2016 July 29th, 2016 - Heidi's opening moved to April 2017 due to environmental permits problems 2018 October 2nd, 2018 - New 5 million Euro log flume with Volcano theming announced 2019 October 20th, 2019 - Mack XTreme Spinning Coaster announced 2021 January 15th, 2021 - "The Ride to Happiness by Tomorrowland" coaster theme announced! _____________________________________________________ Original Post: The Flemish park Plopsaland at De Panne (Belgian coast), will celebrate its 10th birthday in 2009. For this, they will build a new roller coaster, namely a launched Gerstlauer ride. It will be the first inverting coaster for the park which was at first mainly aimed at toddlers and small children. The coaster is comparable with the new Lynet at Fårup Sommerland. The layout is more extensive though. POV Video:

With the new Ravine Flyer II open at Waldameer Park, the reputation of Erie, Pa., as a hot spot for wooden roller coasters has gotten a bigger lift http://video.on.nytimes.com/?fr_story=140d7204295d7598498b3678493468402ad882bc

Southern Star Amusement Inc plans for SFNO: http://www.southernstaramusement.com/index.html Southern Star Amusement is in talks to resurrect the former Jazzland/ Six Flags New Orleans venue. We are securing private investment money, costing the taxpayers of New Orleans nothing. Business transactions of this scope take time and coordination to close the deal. During the talks, both sides exchange sensitive information and are required to execute Non‐Disclosure statements. Six Flags and Southern Star have entered into mutual Non‐Disclosure agreements. These documents prohibit either side from discussing or disclosing any information. Our intention is a simple one; rebuild and reopen. Reopening of this facility will bring over 1,400 jobs to the area, tax revenues from sales and an option for family entertainment. The rebuilding would also provide indirect jobs through the support areas that will be needed for reconstruction. Opening a facility of this size also encourages other businesses to reopen in the area. In the coming months, we will provide peeks at attractions and the rebuilding and refurbishment of the grounds. We are excited that we have the opportunity to bring back YOUR park and to make it bigger and better After Before

From Screamscape: It only took the demolition crews about 6 hours to cut it down to tiny bits. Meanwhile, there is speculation that demolition work on The Villain may be next. http://www.freepowerboards.com/geaugalaketoday/geaugalaketoday-about1138.html Double Loop's last day was 7-9-08. A crew of about 15 guys and 1 cutting machine started on DL it's loops. The machine sliced through the track pieces in 10 ft sections. dropping it on the ground then cutting it up into smaller pieces. Within 6 hours they reduced it down to nothing. With the same crew the villain coming down a day and a half max. By 2:30pm Double Loop was down to the station and a few pieces of track. Can someone try and post some pictures of it coming down.

The ride was built in 1960 by John Allen / Philadelphia Toboggan Company, and was a unique coaster type dark ride hybrid. The ride incorporated Bill Tracy props and gags into the action, these alone would make the ride worth saving http://www.funchase.com/Images/GoldenNugget/GoldenNugget.htm http://www.angelfire.com/nj/wwbysea/HUNT/goldennugget.html http://www.laffinthedark.com/articles/hunts/The%20Golden%20Nugget%20Mine%20Ride%20at%20Hunt's%20Pier%20A%20Photo%20Album.htm http://www.coastergallery.com/2007T/Dinosaur.html

This was my 1st ever coaster back in the 80's, I'll be sad to see this go if the news is true. http://www.towersalmanac.com/index.php?show_story=349 It is heavily rumoured that Corkscrew, the roller coaster that put Alton Towers on the map, will be removed at the end of next year. Corkscrew was installed in 1980 and was responsible for visitor numbers more than doubling in its first year of operation. Its arrival proved to be a turning point for Alton Towers, taking them from the gentile leisure park of the 1970s to the fully fledged theme park of the 1980s. Now, however, it is thought that the ride will be removed on the eve of its 30th birthday, possibly to make way for a new roller coaster in Ug Land in 2010. It's believed that the trains on the ride need to be replaced soon, and that the cost of doing so would be too great to justify. Additionally, in what seem to be big plans for the area, it is rumoured that Ug Swinger may go as soon as the end of this year, or possibly mid-way through next season. Adding to the speculation is the fact that senior managers for Alton Towers have recently been spotted several times walking through Ug Land, examining plans. John Wardley, the mastermind behind other coasters at the park including Nemesis, Oblivion and Air, has also been seen in the area. If the ride does go, it will be a sad day for most fans of the park; it would be the second such removal of an iconic attraction in six years following the removal of the Swan Boats ride at the end of 2003. However, few would argue that the latter's (eventual) successor, Battle Galleons, is not as good - and many also now find the ageing Corkscrew rough and uncomfortable to ride. For next year, meanwhile, current rumours indicate two new rides, one of which possibly being a children's water ride in Cred Street, near where Bouncing Bugs is currently situated.

Track layout once again for Project Dylan".

1st: Nemesis because it is placed in a hole in the ground and it's intense 2nd It's brother Nemesis Inferno Longest section of tunneled track for an inverted coaster before the lift hill 3rd Raptor: Highest version I've been on, loved the Cobra Roll

A great report and wonderful pictures. Any chance of going back and adding some "Golden Nugget Mine" pictures, I would like to see how it looks in 2008 after being SBNO for years.

http://englishrussia.com/?p=1901 This amusement park in Volgograd gets underwater suddenly. All as the result of somebody at hydroelectric plant forgot to warn the park that they going to raise the water level. Enjoy the Pic's

The Pier has a "Disk-o", A Scrambler, an "extreme" flat ride and a mega fast Waltzer. I was pushed for time and did not want to photo anything else on the pier apart from the coaster. If you have not been on a hovercraft for years, why can't you arrange a day out

Since living only 35 miles from the sea we drove to Southsea yesterday (South coast of England) http://www.clarencepier.co.uk/contact.html and spent a lovely day on the I.O.W, walking, playing crazy Golf, rode a mini coaster, a S.D.C Galaxi model and enjoyed the summer sun. There are a few ways to travel to the Isle of Wight or I.O.W. Ferry, Seacat or Hover Craft. As we were not taking the car we took the Hovercraft, which only takes 10 mins from the mainland, See below for details: http://www.hovertravel.co.uk/ The I.O.W. is a small island just off the south coast of England. Its shape resembles a diamond, some 13 miles north to south and 23 East to West, and covers 147 square miles. Due to its separation from mainland UK it has developed a unique character & culture. It is a much loved holiday destination. The I.O.W. has a special magic for all ages. The island is unique; the locals have their own way of doing things just that little bit different from the mainland. Arrived at Ryde which has a connection to the Island's Railway, they operate old London Underground 1970/80's trains, since the track is "jointed" and the seats are soft, hitting 45m.p.h. top speed everyone gets a "bouncy" ride, even a bit of if you take your feet off the wooden floor. The train line is not to long and takes 15 mins to reach the end of the line town which is called Shanklin, Spent a few hours walking round the area, checked out the beach and some local attractions, decided to walk along the seafront to Sandown which is about 2 miles. Had an hour or so on the pier and walked to a park called “Sandham Rides”, they have an Schiff / Kiddie Coaster (Park Model) which I rode, it’s not the biggest type of kiddies coaster but fun. Caught the train back to Ryde, had a walk round the shops and saw a road legal buggy / Quad for people to hire for the day. Could try that for our next visit to the Island or hire a Convertible car for £50 for the whole day. Looked in the local, unique shops and found a crazy golf course by the marina, I scored 36 and the park’s course was 32. Not bad since I can’t play golf properly. Returned to Southsea via the hovercraft service. At Clarence Pier they have a 27-year-old SDC Model coaster called “Skyways”, the ride is not themed at all only has strip lights above the entrance. The cars look cute, runs on nylon wheels so it’s a smooth ride. The only downside is the 6 “trims” situated along the course, they don’t slow the train down too much but it takes the enjoyment out of travelling round the circuit at full speed. Otherwise a fun ride, fast helix’s and would make a good “back garden” coaster if you have the room. I recon the ride would be better if they added “chaser” lights up the lift-hill, a few flags on the turn-around and cover the 1st and 2nd drops with tunnels complete with “fog” n “LCD lights”. Enjoy the pictures: Nice looking cars Looking into the station and the brake run "Skyways" station Other end of "Skyways" "Skyways" at Clarence Pier Final hole, took 2 shots to sink the ball 9th hole Crazy Golf Quad / Buggy for hire... If you don't buy something fron this shop you get eaten Train / leading car Very small bunny hop Schiff / Kiddie Coaster called "Mine Train" Sandown Pier, Has a well themed indoor crazy golf couse with added "dim" lights effect Sea and headland shot Beach Huts local road signs local road sign local road signs Perfect sandy beach Sea looks so tempting to dive in Inside look, complete with "soft bouncy seats". Ex-London Underground Stock Over the mud flats at Ryde and into the sea Ready to skim the waves

Some more pictures of the ride Pre-crash of course http://foto.rorschak.com/cobra

http://www.thespoof.com/news/spoof.cfm?headline=s2i37628 A Midwestern man plans to drive solo across the United States to make a point about gas prices. "Gas really isn't that expensive," Ted Snorgel told reporters in a press conference from his truck on Monday morning, just minutes before he began the drive. Snorgel has decided to drive from Tampa, Florida to Anchorage, Alaska, a journey that will take him over 4800 miles. Although about 1000 miles of his trip will be in Canada, most of the time he will be driving along interstates in the U.S. The news that oil had risen to over $143 a barrel did not deter the thirty-three year old delivery man. "People complain about how expensive gas is all the time. But it really isn't if you compare it to all the other crap people spend their money on. My neighbors buy a six pack of beer every day. That's only 72 ounces of fluid, a lot less than a gallon. And they are paying six or seven bucks for it. How can they complain about gas prices?" Snorgel, a delivery man for an unspecified company, claims that gas prices have not affected his lifestyle at all, even though he has to pay for his own gas on deliveries and only makes $27,000 per year. To drive his point home even harder, Snorgel will be driving an inefficient 1985 Ford diesel truck. "It gets 8 miles to the gallon, maybe 10 if I am lucky. But on this trip, I am going to try to use as much gas as possible." Experts estimate that Snorgel will use over 500 gallons of gas and spend approximately $2500 on gas alone during his trip, or 14% of his annual takehome pay. After he adds food and lodging, that number will be well over $3000. Snorgel plans to drive about twelve hours a day at an average speed of 70 mph. "Faster if there aren't any cops, but with all the publicity I am gonna get, I don't want to chance it." The trip will take about six days. Several companies, such as In-Bev, the foreign brewer that tried to purchase Anheuser Busch by taking advantage of the weakened U.S. dollar, have offered to compensate Snorgel for his expenses, but he has refused. "I even had a buddy say he would go with me and pay for half the gas. Hell no, I told him."

Judging by the 2 pictures below, I hope you asked permission from the ride Ops to hold a video camera in 1 hand, a digital camera in the other while riding a coaster at the same time.. very dangerous How much has your trip costs so far...

Part of the European Coaster Club's USA tour was to Mt Olympus Theme Park. Ever wonder what happens to cell phones that get lost on rollercoasters? Well, this should be testament to the number of phones are lost purely in the Hades tunnel at Mt. Olympus Theme Park in Wisconsin Dells, WI.

I can't understand how some people are so dumb, climb 2 fences and get something which is in a path of a coaster train.. It's like sunbathing in the middle of a wooden coaster track, wait for the train to get near and lift your head up.. The fences need to be 8-10ft high and have barbwire at the top.

Thank you for your posts about this ride. I'm amazed that rides like this hide away for years and no-one discovers them. I am fascinated by SBNO coasters, they take millions of people on a "ride of a lifetime" and when the park closes there is no interest to preserve them.. Would this be down to pure cost to move a coaster elsewhere..? I live in the wrong country, most of the English parks are not that great, which is why I follow most of the USA ones. I'll like to get recent picture updates on the following SNBO coasters from TPR fans who live near the parks: Nightmare at Joyland Big Dipper at Chippewa Lake Park Blue Streak at Conneaut Lake Park Screechin' Eagle at LeSourdsville Lake Amusement Park Comet at Lincoln Park Golden Nugget Mine at Dinosaur Beach All the coasters at SFNO

I had an email from one of the Park's employee's and they said the below: "A park employee who was here at the time the “Toboggan” was assembled and he indicated that no insurer would take on the project, and that was another part of the reason why the ride was never opened to the public. The ride was essentially assembled by park employees, but not sure where or how the structure was manufactured for installation. The Parks Director indicated the seat was a bucket that 2 people could be seated in, and the ride was driven by centrifugal force. It curved around the southwest corner of Carlisle hill, the second highest point in St. Joseph County The ride surely would have been amazing though, and the scope of it is hard to capture in pictures".

Some pictures of the fire damage and demolition: http://www.angelfire.com/nj/wwbysea/MARINERS/IMAGES/61608/061708.htm http://www.angelfire.com/nj/wwbysea/MARINERS/IMAGES/61608/062008.htm http://www.angelfire.com/nj/wwbysea/MARINERS/IMAGES/61608/061608.htm

The Yankee Cannonball is very nice in that colour scheme, it's def different. How did it ride, was there a lot of to be had.. The Shark in the Water Zone looks

I was reading RCDB and came across this coaster, which had never opened due to being considered dangerous. It can be found in the woods of "Bendix Woods County Park".. In my view this coaster is in the perfect place, deep in woods, the ride would have been a good one esp at night. I emailed the park just out of Interest to see if they had any new news on this roller coaster which I know will never get repaired, as it's been SBNO for years. To my luck they sent me pictures of how it looks in 2008 and how the track has stood the test of time: Amazing that something like this still exists, just like CLP and its "Big Dipper". History: Roller Coaster: Toboggan Amusement Park: Bendix Woods County Park (New Carlisle, Indiana 46552 USA) Classification: Roller Coaster Type: Steel - Sit Down Status: SBNO since 1970 The story on this roller coaster is a bit of a mystery. So far the only history has been provided by the director of county parks: "Back in 1970 the park director at the time (Billy Hankins) and the park board president (Robert Fischgrund) decided it would be a great idea to install an all-season toboggan run on rails. When it was just about ready to be opened to the public the two of them took a trail run and fell off - taking quite a tumble. They decided it was too dangerous and the toboggan never opened to the public." Let me know what you think. Distance Shot through the trees Swooping curve Great location for a ride The hightlight of the ride, a fast "S" curve Small Dip Top of double down Double Down

Any new updates on the status of Twisted Twins..?

Weird looking living-in pods which did not get finished: http://www.craigfergusonimages.com/2007/05/26/sanzhi-%e4%b8%89%e8%8a%9d-taiwan-abandoned-housinghotel-development/ http://www.thingsasian.com/stories-photos/all/28653 As you travel east from Danshui along the number 2 highway that runs along the north coast of Taiwan, you come to the small town of Sanzhi Just before arriving in Sanzhi there’s an interesting site hugging the shoreline - an abandoned hotel/apartment complex that looks like somewhere ET might call home. Accounts vary on the origins of this complex, and indeed, as to whether it was meant to be a hotel development or a housing development. Apparently, it was constructed in the 1960s and included/was to include a dam to protect it against sea surges, floors and stairs made of marble and a small amusement park. The site was commissioned by the government and local firms and there is no named architect. Local papers at the time reported that there were numerous accidents during construction which caused the death of some workers. As news of these accidents spread, no one wanted to go there, even to visit, and the project was subsequently abandoned. The ghosts of those who died in vain are said to still linger there, unremembered and unable to pass on. The complex was left in its unfinished state because no amount of redevelopment will bring people to the area due to superstitions about ghosts, and it can’t be demolished because destroying the homes of spirits and lost souls is taboo in Asian culture.