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Hurricane Sandy vs. Roller Coasters


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Keansburg confirms March 24th will be opening day.

 

http://www.ahherald.com/newsbrief-mainmenu-2/monmouth-county-news/14784-keansburg-amusement-park-is-rebuilding-after-devastation-from-hurricane-sandy

 

 

Keansburg Amusement Park is Rebuilding After Devastation from Hurricane Sandy

Written by Keansburg Amusement Park

Thursday, 31 January 2013

 

Will open as scheduled on March 24th for the 2013 season.

 

KEANSBURG, NJ - As the state’s oldest amusement park, dating back to 1905, Keansburg Amusement Park is New Jersey. It symbolizes the rich history of New Jersey, and why millions flock to its shore each summer. And now it is a symbol of New Jersey’s resilience and determination. Keansburg Amusement Park is the definition of “Jersey Strong.”

 

The Park suffered severe and extensive damage from Hurricane Sandy. Located on the waterfront, the park completely flooded after a flood wall berm broke early in the storm. The extent of the damage was unthinkable; many thought rebuilding was not possible. Game stands were ripped apart like tin foil. The Wildcat, their famous roller coaster, was buried under five feet of sand. Arcade games and kiddie rides dating from the 1930s were carried over a half mile away.

 

 

But for the Gehlhaus Family – the same family that built the park back in 1905 – rebuilding was never a question. They know how important the amusement park is to the millions of families and kids of all ages that have visited over the last 108 years. And they have rebuilt in the wake of hurricane devastation before – three times! Hurricanes in 1944, 1953, and Hurricane Donna in 1960 reduced the boardwalk to toothpicks, but they rebuilt each time. The Gehlhaus Family knows challenge must be faced with determination.

 

Hurricane Sandy left over 70 percent of Keansburg – a blue-collar town on the Raritan Bay – under water. Several of their tireless employees lost their homes and still showed up to work the very next day and every day since. They showed up because of their pride in Keansburg Amusement Park. They are truly an inspiration to us all.

 

The outpouring of support from volunteers has been incredible. Jersey Cares, Bank of America, and the New Jersey chapter of American Coaster Enthusiasts are just a few of the groups that are helping Keansburg Amusement Park rebuild. They’ve even had volunteers from as far as the Shenandoah Valley! They are so grateful for the time and hard work of all their volunteers and those supporting this massive rebuilding effort.

 

Please be sure to check out the amusement park's amazing progress on their Facebook page, “Keansburg Amusement Park and Runaway Rapids Waterpark” and be sure to visit them this summer! And as always, check our their website for the latest deals and coupons: www.keansburgamusementpark.com.

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This comes from News 12 in Connecticut. I did not realize the Wildcat was coming down, nor the end of the bumper car arena which had been of of few remaining with Lusse cars.

 

I had heard rumors that Spook House was severed damaged, I wonder if the fun house is replacing the Spook House

 

http://connecticut.news12.com/news/tri-state/keansburg-amusement-park-to-reopen-sat-after-dismantling-wild-cat-roller-coaster-1.4861592?firstfree=yes

 

Keansburg Amusement Park to reopen Sat. after dismantling Wild Cat roller coaster

March 21, 2013 5:32 PM

 

KEANSBURG - The last pieces of Keansburg Amusement Park's "Wild Cat" roller coaster, a Jersey Shore mainstay destroyed by Sandy, were dismantled today.

 

The park is set to open Saturday for the first time since Sandy. It will be holding its annual buy-one, get-one ticket sale.

 

The bumper car ride is also coming down to make way for a new one. The park will have five new rides this summer plus a new fun house.

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It looks like Casino Pier is excited and ready to bounce back. A new thrill ride called "Super Storm" is slated to open this summer. The local news anchors this morning did say "roller coaster," but I could not find a second source to back up that information (probably just a simple GP mistake). Still, it's great to see the park is not letting Sandy get the better of them.

 

Source

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Hi. This is my first post here...Hope you all are doing well!!

This is a strange request but I play in a band (called The Turnstiles) and I have a new song on the new CD we're working on related to the Jet Star coaster at Casino Pier. I would like to possibly use the attached photo as our CD cover. Does anyone know who took this and maybe who the guy is in the photo?? We would compensate the photographer and the guy if needed. I found it on Google Images and the source links to this site.

Thanks for the help!

105630899_JetStarPhoto2.thumb.jpg.cbf73f0faf632794f2eac051befd222c.jpg

Jet Star photo

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Construction has begun on the installation of Looping Star (most recently at Sauble Beach, after Beech Bend) at Keansburg. This Pinfari death machine is replacing the storm damaged Wildcat.

 

http://newjersey.news12.com/features/sandy/construction-begins-on-new-keansburg-roller-coaster-to-replace-the-wild-cat-that-was-destroyed-by-sandy-1.6791173

 

Keansburg roller coaster to replace the 'Wild Cat' that was destroyed by Sandy

Originally published: January 13, 2014 6:52 PM

 

KEANSBURG - Construction has begun on a new ride at Keansburg Amusement Park to replace the "Wild Cat" coaster mangled by the superstorm.

 

The foundation is down for the new roller coaster, and parts of it have also arrived. It will have a loop taking passengers upside down.

 

"Keansburg was known for the roller coaster amongst a couple of other major attractions," says Katie Johnson, of Keansburg Amusement Park. "And I think that this particular roller coaster is going to bring back the new blood."

 

Right now the sign on it reads "Looping Star," but a spokesperson says the amusement park will have an online contest to come up with an original name.

 

The roller coaster is scheduled for completion by March 1.

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For those interested in the US, next week's episode of American Restoration will feature the work Rick Dale's team did on the restoration of the Pretzel cars from Keansburg's Spook House after Hurricane Sandy damage.

 

This episode of American Restoration airs at 10:30PM EST on Tuesday, February 25th.

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^^Without confirming that that is even RMC track (photos would help), that could mean a million things if true. Let's not get ahead of ourselves on this... Considering the former size and comparable cost of the former coaster at this park, I wouldn't bank on RMC supplying any kind of replacement. I could be wrong, but I just don't see a park like this going from a Miler Jet Star to an RMC creation.

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For those interested in the US, next week's episode of American Restoration will feature the work Rick Dale's team did on the restoration of the Pretzel cars from Keansburg's Spook House after Hurricane Sandy damage.

 

This episode of American Restoration airs at 10:30PM EST on Tuesday, February 25th.

 

Can't wait to catch this episode. Thanks for letting us know.

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^^Without confirming that that is even RMC track (photos would help), that could mean a million things if true. Let's not get ahead of ourselves on this... Considering the former size and comparable cost of the former coaster at this park, I wouldn't bank on RMC supplying any kind of replacement. I could be wrong, but I just don't see a park like this going from a Miler Jet Star to an RMC creation.

 

Perhaps they are just I-beams? Definitely a HUGE upgrade if it were to be RMC track…I agree with you about the cost.

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^^Without confirming that that is even RMC track (photos would help), that could mean a million things if true. Let's not get ahead of ourselves on this... Considering the former size and comparable cost of the former coaster at this park, I wouldn't bank on RMC supplying any kind of replacement. I could be wrong, but I just don't see a park like this going from a Miler Jet Star to an RMC creation.

 

My question is be where would there put it. I usually don't say there is no space, but I don't think the complete pier was ever rebuilt. Correct me if I'm wrong. With that said where would an RMC coaster be built. Also, has any prep work been done? Where are the footers. Seems odd that the track would be delivered before prep work has started.

 

The park has announced a Zamperla Air Race for 2014, so why wouldn't an RMC have been announced yet. It just doesn't make sense to me.

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Keansburg is holding a naming contest for their "new" Pinfari. I've already enter the name "Loop de Loop" so don't even think about copying me.

 

http://www.app.com/article/20140224/NJLIFE/302240011/Contest-gives-patrons-chance-name-Keansburg-roller-coaster?nclick_check=1

 

Contest gives patrons the chance to name Keansburg roller coaster

Feb. 23, 2014 8:27 PM |

 

The Wildcat roller coaster at Keansburg Amusement Park was destroyed during Superstorm Sandy. A contest is underway, asking patrons to come up with the perfect name for its replacement.

 

Attention, everybody who loves roller coasters!

 

Keansburg Amusement Park will be introducing a new attraction this spring — a brand-new roller coaster to replace the Wildcat, which was destroyed by Superstorm Sandy in October 2012.

 

A brand-new coaster needs a brand-new name, and the park is turning to its patrons for their creativity. Now is your chance to be part of amusement park history! Go to www.keansburgamusementpark.com, and enter your idea for the perfect name, along with your contact information. If your idea is chosen, you will be invited to the ribbon-cutting ceremony and will be seated for the first run of the new roller coaster.

 

The Gehlhaus family, owners of the amusement park, purchased the new roller coaster from a company in Italy. The roller coaster’s given name is Pinfari ZL42, but that sounds more like an android from a Fellini-like “Star Wars” than a name for a Jersey Shore thrill ride.

 

So, should it be named Jaden or Sophie? Neither? Hmmm.

 

Here is some food for thought: The new roller coaster has loops, sharp turns and high-speed banks. It is the heir to the Wildcat. It represents revitalization after a hurricane.

 

Storm-Cat? Survivor? How about “Coasty?”

 

Entries will be accepted through March 1.

 

And while you’re thinking of the perfect name, start preparing for the perfect summer. Now through March 21, Keansburg Amusement Park is offering a “Two-for-One Spring Sale.’’ Buy one book of tickets and get one free. The online rate for ticket books is $89.95 for a book of 200 tickets or $49.95 for a book of 100. The ticket books do not expire. The sale also applies to three-hour passes to Runaway Rapids: buy one for $26.95 and get another pass free.

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