Mark's Postcard Paradise

[jynx242]

^ I would enjoy seeing Buford make a return visit to the park. Quick...somebody start an online petition or Facebook page! I think the years you worked at SFOG was around the time period when I temporarily lost my park/coaster enthusiamness. I did come back to my senses and go shortly thereafter to get the Z-Force credit.

 

I think I still have scars behind my ears from earring posts because of Z-force. Not that it's replacement is any kinder on the ears .

 

I still go to SFoG every year on Easter Sunday to get my "fix."

 

David

[Headphazed]

It's great to see older pictures of SFOG! The park sure has changed. Thanks for posting those!

[RoCo]

Happy 3rd Birthday!Congrats on the long run, and please do keep up the good work! I can't imagine ever getting tired of looking at all these old ads, promo materials, etc.

 

Ah, to recall the days when "Six Flags" actually meant six real flags...

[MidtownCoaster]

Happy 3rd Bday! Good to see the "home park" back then. Hope you enjoyed it.

[alilstronger]

I love seeing things like this! Thank you so much for this update.

[cobra_roll06]

3 years on and this thread is still going strong. Congrats Mark, it's amazing seeing what you've gathered over the years and I'm looking forward to see what else you have in store for us!

 

Happy 3rd Birthday!

[SeaWhippet]

Great update, Mark!

 

BTW, did anyone else notice those nice shots of MM's Revolution standing in for Mind Bender?

 

-S

[TheRapidsNerd]

Stuff like this is always great to see and many thanks for the shoutout.

Forgot about the original style of some of the Intamin rapids boats. Funky!

[grumpyfan]

Thanks for posting those old postcards from SFOG! Brings back a flood of memories of good times!

 

I grew up going to that park up until about 7 years ago when the gangs started to take over, and I moved to Texas. Hopefully, management and security has cleaned the place up.

 

I remember hearing one year that Buford Buzzard had been vandalized one night when someone hid in the park til after closing and then broke into his trailer and tore him to pieces. If I remember right, he was somewhat abusive (in a joking way) to those from Alabama and other places. I guess someone took offense to this. His humor probably wouldn't be very acceptable in today's PC-oriented culture either.

 

There was a ride there in the Lickskillet area that was basically a big carpeted barrel that spun and the floor dropped out. Does anybody remember the name of it? It was kind of hidden and out of the way, but still fun, we would climb the walls as it spun. I also remember and miss the show they used to do in that area.

[thrillerman1]

There was a ride there in the Lickskillet area that was basically a big carpeted barrel that spun and the floor dropped out. Does anybody remember the name of it? It was kind of hidden and out of the way, but still fun, we would climb the walls as it spun. I also remember and miss the show they used to do in that area.

 

Yes! That was the "Spindle Top" rotor ride. I remember it being located near the Drunken Barrels, and I still look for it whenever I go to SFOG...too bad it and the barrels are long gone!

 

Thanks to everyone for all the birthday love for this thread!!! Tune in for the next update which will include a look at New York's (Martin's) Fantasy Island.

[Squid]

Buford Buzzard is still in business... just not at SFoG. He's at the Texas State Fair, last I heard.

 

My father took extensive pictures of SFoG back in the 70s when I was a child and several of them were used for the Arcadia book. The two Log Flumes didn't intertwine... one was where Georgia Scorcher now stands and the other is still standing.

 

Its great to see all of this old promo material. It reminds me of how much the park has changed over the years.

[Mastersax68]

Nice artifacts! It's cool to see Six Flags before the skyline was crowded with coasters. Hopefully someday I'll get a chance to go there.

[thrillerman1]

Buford Buzzard is still in business... just not at SFoG. He's at the Texas State Fair, last I heard.

 

My father took extensive pictures of SFoG back in the 70s when I was a child and several of them were used for the Arcadia book. The two Log Flumes didn't intertwine... one was where Georgia Scorcher now stands and the other is still standing.

 

Its great to see all of this old promo material. It reminds me of how much the park has changed over the years.

 

Hey Squid check out what the SFOG Arcadia book says about the two flumes being intertwined below in the top first photo(and that is cool that your dad's photo's were used in the book). Also, my old SF map clearly shows how the flumes weaved through each other. Now if you have some supporting documents showing that the flumes were not ever intertwined I would love to see it. Please educate me (I really hope my memory is not that bad!).

Does "entwined" not mean the same thing as "intertwined"?

Big map from SFOG Arcadia book with flumes at the bottom and...

A closer look at the flumes...what do we see???

Another old SFOG map showing both flumes and gues what?

If two different flumes weave in and out under and over each other, is that not intertwining?

[thrillerman1]

Thanks again everyone for the birthday love. I really appreciate all the views and comments here! Onward with year 3...now with expanded brochurevision!

 

I don't have any memory of how I acquired these antique Martin's Fantasy Island postcards (and the vintage brochure) since I've never been to the park before. It looks like a fun place to me!

Cool and retro.

One polka dotted whale...check!

I love when parks have train rides.

Check out this gorgeous brochure cover artwork...this is either late 1960's or early 70's.

FI has a giant birthday cake building at the end of its western main street...take that Disney!

Space Whirl looks like the coolest tea cup ride EVER.

The back cover is just as pretty as the front.

Now let's check out how MFI looked in 2006.

The park logo hasn't changed much.

Looks like the Ferris wheel got a little bigger.

The western town is still there, but I wonder if the giant birthday cake building remains.

Here's the park layout...but where's the giant cake?

Sorry...these coupons are slightly expired, so don't print and try to use them!

That's all folks.

[KDCOASTERFAN]

Oh, I get it now! KD got Thunder Looper from Alton Towers, then sold it off to Brazil?

 

Nope,KD built KK in 77 as a prototype then sold it off in 86 to a park in OC Maryland,who in turn sold it to AT & finally it was sold to the park in Brazil.

[Geauga Dog]

Mark, you have a great collection of postcards and brochures. I've enjoyed looking at them and look forward to future installments.

 

As for the birthday cake building at Martin's Fantasy Island, based on the photo of the western town in the brochure, I have a feeling it may have been the brown building with the small arch on the right side of this photo I took back in May.

[thrillerman1]

^ You may be right. I wish I had visited the park and was more familiar with the layout so I could be sure.

[thrillerman1]

Ahoy! It's time for us landlubbers to celebrate "Talk Like A Pirate Day"! For all ye scurvy dogs I've got a bounty of treasure featuring PIRATEN and Djurs Sommerland. Ayyy...enjoy mates!

Arrr Piraten be awesome!

Blow me down...the back side is identical on all 3 cards.

When TPR visited in 2009, Djurs gave us scallywags some free booty.

More bounty!

Arrrrr...the Danish Park Guide.

Yo ho yo ho...the English version.

[montezooma]

Hey Mark-

 

I just came across some old, old postcards I got way back when I was in college. I did a study abroad program over in London and I went to this park out in Margate. The Paradise is looking good, I see you are expanding it more to include more than just postcards. I just love these old Schwarzkopf coasters!

 

Shane

[RoCo]

Sweet Piraten postcards... That first bird's eye view shot made me finally realize how much the Mega-Lites are related to Intimidator 305. Tasty and no wonder the MLs get such glowing reviews.

 

*dreams a happy dream of Holiday World getting a Mega-Lite*

 

Also love the old Fantasy Island material. Surreal and awesome.

[BudtheWeiser]

Quality postcards there shane reminded me of lots of happy days at Margate Looping star was my first ever coaster all those years ago

[thrillerman1]

There is none more sleek and gorgeous than Schwarzkopf. I was not familiar with Bembom, so thanks for sharing those cards Shane.

[thrillerman1]

It's October and that can only mean one thing...time to resurrect the SCAREadise postcard series! Let's get things kicked off with a revisit to one of the staples of this month long series, Demon at Paramount's Great America, along with a look at the park's 1978 brochure.

Oh the horror!!!

Frightening forest?

Paramount parks shout outs on a bag.

Now let's check out the 1978 park brochure.

We see you Willard.

Mmmmm Schwarzkopf.

Back in the day when you could enter the park for less than $9!

[thrillerman1]

This week's SCAREadise update comes from another Cedar Fair park, Kings Island, and The Beast. This postcard is from the mid-1980's when The Beast was sporting 4 bench rolling stock with no head rests. Notice anything different about the first tunnel?

Something's missing here.

Old school KI font.

Ruh-roh Raggy.

Delirium is an awesome flat.

The Beast...why must you have no airtime?

Flying Scooters are like a million times better than Stunt Job...it's true!

Yo KI Imma let you finish but Beyonce had one of the best videos of all time.

Coke is a proud sponsor of the SCAREadise.

[thrillerman1]

Is everybody ready for more Halloween tricks and treats? Sink your claws into this week's SCAREadise update with Talon and a look back at Dorney Park circa 1979.

I'm reminded of a certain brilliant Alfred Hitchcock horror movie.

Snoopy, this update is not about you or the Great Pumpkin! Shoo!!!

Shakedown 1979, cool kids never have the time.

What was The Iceberg ride?

Thunderhawk is certainly a better name than The Coaster and one of the few Schmeck coasters still operating.

Is it just me or is Alfundo the clown pretty creepy?!

Oh no...more Alfundo! YIKES!!!