Retro TR: Libertyland 2001

[N'at Man]

Since Libertyland has announced its closing, I'm posting a TR that I posted to another newsgroup after my visit in 2001. I think it gives an unbiased view of the park without the knowledge that it would be closing four years later. In case you are wondering, I only had a limited amount of time at the park because I was heading to Magic Springs later in the afternoon.

 

Posted to rec.roller-coaster on Jul 31, 2001

 

Libertyland - Memphis, TN

 

With the park opening at 12 noon, I figured I could only spend one hour

at the park if I wanted my schedule the rest of the day to work out.

I hadn't heard anything good about the park or its woody but I was

pleasantly surprised. The entrance is very traditional and there are

many trees in the front area. The park reminded me somewhat of

Adventureland in Iowa but not quite as nice and a bit more traditional.

I got my first taste of some hot, sunny weather in Memphis as it was

around 95 degrees at noon.

 

My first ride was on the Zippin Pippin. This was my 400th coaster so

I wanted it to be wood. Outside of the coaster is an old NAD car and

a sign about it being Elvis favorite coaster as we've all surely heard.

The coaster runs 3 bench PTCs with buzz bars and no seat dividers.

I saw this coaster before the Liberty Bowl game in December 1997 and

it reminded me of the GL Big Dipper. The out and back part did give

hints of a good John Miller coaster. It did have some airtime and

the turnaround, although braked, is much like the Big Dipper's. I was

happy to get some airtime on this ride with the negative reports I've

heard about it in the past.

 

I walked around the park seeing that it wasn't too bad. It just lacked

any really interesting rides like a dark ride or some other impressive

ride. I found a Dragon Wagon coaster I hadn't heard of before. Nobody

was around to run it so I skipped it although it would have counted

as a credit because it didn't look to be a powered model. I headed

over to the triple looping Revolution for my credit. The coaster is

attractively presented on a nicely trimmed lawn. It's a typical Arrow

but it has a horrible jolt at the bottom of the loop. It's one of the

nastiest Arrow moments I can think of. OUCH! I headed back over to the

Pippin for my third ride before hitting the gift shop and pop machine

on my way out. I came away with a good impression of Libertyland.

[OldJJman]

I hope you don't mind Tim, I'm adding a couple of pics that I took in 2004.

 

I pretty much agree with your TR and the feeling you get a the park.

 

Jeff

ZP 3 bench PTC's

Zippin Pippin entrance

Zippin Pippin "Elvis" sign

Inversion pic for Derek

Libertyland Entrance

[Jeezus Juice]

Ahh, this park looks cool. Why isn't it turning a profit again?

 

Too bad I'm going to miss out on the Pippin, all because I didn't want to sacrifice a day at SDC for 6 hours of driving through most of Missouri and Tennesse...what kind of CreHo am I?!

 

Post more pictures!

 

-Don

[coasterdude5]

Why isn't it turning a profit again?

 

Location. Period. When you practically ask anybody why they don't go they respond: "I don't like that area of town" or "It's the ghetto!" But yet they hop right there for the fair. I just don't get it.

 

*I'm going next weekend to get some last pics. I'm also going to tape a poster nearby that says:

___________________________________________________________

 

Libertyland

 

1976-2005

 

They can take away the park but they can't take away the memories.

___________________________________________________________

 

How does that sound?