robbalvey Posted March 24, 2005 Posted March 24, 2005 http://www.amusementbusiness.com/amusementbusiness/industrynews/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1000853967 March 23, 2005 Adventure Parks buys classic Starliner coaster Adventure Parks Group Llc. has purchased a historic wood coaster from a defunct Florida amusement park. The John Allen-designed, Philadelphia Toboggan Co.-built Starliner will be installed in either Cypress Gardens Adventure Park in Winter Haven, Fla., or Wild Adventures Theme Park in Valdosta, Ga. The coaster was built for western Florida's Panama City Beach amusement area in 1963, where it operated for 25 cents a ride. It had its last run when the beach's Miracle Strip Amusement Park closed in September. "We're pleased to be able to add the Starliner to our ride lineup," Kent Buescher, president and CEO of Adventure Parks Group, said in a statement. "Aside from its historical significance, the coaster is a classic wooden ride that will appeal to a broad range of ages, making it a perfect fit for either one of our family-oriented parks." The Starliner is among less than a dozen Allen-designed coasters that are still operating, according to the statement. The Philadelphia Toboggan Co. is the oldest existing manufacturer of wood coasters and trains. The Starliner was Allen's third major coaster for PTC and his seventh overall, according to UltimateRollercoaster.com. Buescher purchased and renovated Cypress Gardens, Florida's oldest theme park, last year.
Mr. Volcano Posted March 24, 2005 Posted March 24, 2005 Great, We could use a new wooden coaster here in Cypress especially. Wild Adventures comes closer to having cheetah, so it wouldn't hurt to send that down here, giving us a nice wooden coaster for a change. But then again, he's always gave WA the advantage over our attractions, seeing that he sent two screamin swings' to Wild Adventures you could almost guess he might put two of the same types of wooden coasters in one park. -Justin "we really need something at cypress!!"
Three Posted March 24, 2005 Posted March 24, 2005 I read this yesterday. All I can say is WOO! I hope Cypress Gardens gets it -- it would be fitting. I'm amazed how few wooden coasters FL has these days, and we could certainly use another. Now then, if only Cypress Gardens can get the revenue to build some newer, more intense rides
Mind Eraser Posted March 24, 2005 Posted March 24, 2005 Most people didn't give a sh*t about Starliner when it was running at Miracle Strip. Everyone said it was a mediocre coaster. Now it is "saved" and everyone is acting like its the Crystal Beach Cyclone. I think it's funny. -kip-
BoardwalkandBaseball4Ever Posted April 20, 2005 Posted April 20, 2005 Most people didn't give a sh*t about Starliner when it was running at Miracle Strip. Everyone said it was a mediocre coaster. Now it is "saved" and everyone is acting like its the Crystal Beach Cyclone. I think it's funny. -kip- What are you kidding me? The Starliner is a John Allen masterpiece! Probably one of the best out-and-back woodies built in the South. The Miracle Strip always was profitable thanks to it.... Its a great coaster that deserved to be saved. Too many good ones have already been lost (the Coney Island Thunderbolt comes to mind -- what a waste)!
CoasterFanatic Posted April 20, 2005 Posted April 20, 2005 ^ I can see the advertisement now. "Starliner: The best out and back in the State of Florida"
robbalvey Posted April 20, 2005 Author Posted April 20, 2005 I have to be honest, when Elissa and I rode it in 2001, we didn't think much of it. We rode it twice, and I didn't even bother getting video of it. It was pretty "blah" in my opinion. The entire park was, actually. We got the hell out of there as quickly as possible. I for one, won't miss Miracle Strip because it's not a place I would ever go back to. As for the Starliner, I can think of quite a few out and backs of similar size that I prefer over it....Timber Terror, both Blue Streak's (CP and CLP), Wild One, Big Dipper, Screeching Eagle, Cannonball, Judge Roy Scream, etc. I too thought that it was funny how once the coaster was in 'danger' everyone came it it's rescue when no one ever seemed to care about it before. It's not a bad ride, it's just not an outstanding ride by any means, IMO. --Robb
Meteornotes Posted April 20, 2005 Posted April 20, 2005 ^100% agreement. Starliner was exceptionally unimpressive, and I don't understand all the fuss over it. Dave "the best part about our visit to Miracle Strip that night was leaving!" Thomas
SharkTums Posted April 20, 2005 Posted April 20, 2005 ^Come on, you know your favorite part of that day was running into some old friends! Elissa "or when the bug stung my eye!" Alvey
Mr. Volcano Posted April 20, 2005 Posted April 20, 2005 I haven't even rode it yet so I cant say if its something I like or not.. I thought it looked good though. I know for sure though that is sad to see a classic wooden coaster such as itself to get torn down, so seeing it be replaced to another park is always cool -Justin
robbeal Posted April 20, 2005 Posted April 20, 2005 Being over here, i've never had the chance to ride Starliner, but to me, it does look like a nice ride. Okay, so it may not be the best, but I still think it'd make a great addition to Cypress Gardens. They're still building the place up, and a ride like this would definitely make it seem more complete to me.
BoardwalkandBaseball4Ever Posted April 21, 2005 Posted April 21, 2005 I have to be honest, when Elissa and I rode it in 2001, we didn't think much of it. We rode it twice, and I didn't even bother getting video of it. It was pretty "blah" in my opinion. The entire park was, actually. We got the hell out of there as quickly as possible. I for one, won't miss Miracle Strip because it's not a place I would ever go back to. As for the Starliner, I can think of quite a few out and backs of similar size that I prefer over it....Timber Terror, both Blue Streak's (CP and CLP), Wild One, Big Dipper, Screeching Eagle, Cannonball, Judge Roy Scream, etc. It's not a bad ride, it's just not an outstanding ride by any means, IMO. --Robb Well, I like the Starliner better than all the ones you mentioned (except maybe Cannonball -- that one I have sentimental attachment to)... However, in my opinion (and hence my name), the best out-and-back woodie ever down here was the Roaring Tiger/Florida Hurricane that used to run in Circus World/Boardwalk and Baseball. But since that was taken from us, Starliner was the best -- I'd ride on the Starliner all day before I'd waste my time on Gwazi again. The sad part is: The little Miracle Strip seemed to maintain their Starliner far better than the nearly brand new Gwazi at Busch (maybe that's why I'm biased)! With all the financial resources of Busch, you'd think they could afford to maintain their stuff better.
BoardwalkandBaseball4Ever Posted April 21, 2005 Posted April 21, 2005 Being over here, i've never had the chance to ride Starliner, but to me, it does look like a nice ride. Okay, so it may not be the best, but I still think it'd make a great addition to Cypress Gardens. They're still building the place up, and a ride like this would definitely make it seem more complete to me. Totally Agree -- it would also be the first non-junior ride at the park.... As great as a family park is -- it still needs some ride offerings for the grown ups. Other than maybe Power Surge or Inverter -- everything at CG is kiddie material. Still, I'd give them 3 years or so to get everything sorted out with their new plans.
BoardwalkandBaseball4Ever Posted April 21, 2005 Posted April 21, 2005 I haven't even rode it yet so I cant say if its something I like or not.. I thought it looked good though. I know for sure though that is sad to see a classic wooden coaster such as itself to get torn down, so seeing it be replaced to another park is always cool -Justin You know, I only wish someone saved the coaster at Petticoat Junction.... I don't remember what it was called, but it was another nice woodie that went before its time.
Three Posted April 21, 2005 Posted April 21, 2005 Out of curiosity, how long does anyone think it'll be until a decision is made on this? It's been almost a month since the announcement. Has the coaster even been dismantled yet? Should we expect the coaster to be up and running at one park or the other before the year is out? How long does this sort of thing usually take? And if they decide to go with Cypress Gardens, then will the delays be even longer since the park is already up to its ass in construction?
BoardwalkandBaseball4Ever Posted April 21, 2005 Posted April 21, 2005 Out of curiosity, how long does anyone think it'll be until a decision is made on this? It's been almost a month since the announcement. Has the coaster even been dismantled yet? Should we expect the coaster to be up and running at one park or the other before the year is out? How long does this sort of thing usually take? And if they decide to go with Cypress Gardens, then will the delays be even longer since the park is already up to its ass in construction? Well, The Starliner is going to be quite a while before it will be running. My guess is probably a year from now (May 2006). After all, it needs to be disassembled, labeled, shipped, inspected, restored/repaired, re-assembled then licensed for use by the state.... A long time. I'm betting that Galaxy Spin Steel Coaster should be running sometime later this year. After all, its a new coaster that was always part of the original park plan. I've been told the Galaxy Spin will be installed next to the exterior wall, just north of the Swamp Thing (east of where Splash Island is currently being built). It was part of the original plan -- but its the first themed ride at Cypress Gardens... Eventually, most of the major rides will gain atmosphere/themes similar to what they did at Wild Adventures.... kinda schlocky, but at least their trying. I don't think they figured out where Starliner is going yet. They do have some room over by the lake north of Splash Island. That would be my guess.
SharkTums Posted April 21, 2005 Posted April 21, 2005 ^They moved that Boomerang from Australia to Alabama faster than that! Elissa "stupid starliner!" Alvey
CoasterFanatic Posted April 25, 2005 Posted April 25, 2005 According to John Fettermans Speech this weekend at Knoebels, it is still up in the air where this thing will end up. CG is looking more likely however.
BoardwalkandBaseball4Ever Posted April 25, 2005 Posted April 25, 2005 According to John Fettermans Speech this weekend at Knoebels, it is still up in the air where this thing will end up. CG is looking more likely however. Well, Buescher (the owner) has recently been bragging in newspaper/magazine articles about how Cypress Gardens will have "two great wooden coasters." So, I think they will do anything to squeeze it in the park.
generaleclectic Posted November 21, 2007 Posted November 21, 2007 Wow... I've been wondering for a while what happened to the Starliner after Miracle Strip closed up. I was sorry to see the park close. It kinda broke the monotony that was Panama City's Redneck Spring Break hell. I hope Starliner is having a good life in its new home. That really was a fun ride.
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