Phoenix (roller coaster)

Phoenix is a wooden roller coaster located at the Knoebels Amusement Resort in Elysburg, Pennsylvania. Prior to its purchase by Knoebels and its subsequent relocation in the mid-1980s, it was operated under the name "The Rocket" at Playland Park in San Antonio, Texas.

Phoenix
Previously known as Rocket (1947–1980)
Lift hill of Phoenix
Knoebels Amusement Resort
LocationKnoebels Amusement Resort
Coordinates40°52′42″N 76°30′23″W
StatusOperating
Opening dateJune 15, 1985 (1985-06-15)
Cost$1,500,000
General statistics
TypeWood
ManufacturerPhiladelphia Toboggan Coasters
DesignerHerbert Paul Schmeck, 1947
Track layoutDouble Out and Back
Lift/launch systemChain lift hill
Height78 ft (24 m)
Drop72 ft (22 m)
Length3,200 ft (980 m)
Speed45 mph (72 km/h)
Inversions0
Duration2:00
Capacity720 riders per hour
Height restriction42 in (107 cm)
Phoenix at RCDB
Pictures of Phoenix at RCDB

History

Designed and built by Herb Schmeck and the Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters (PTC), the roller coaster operated as "The Rocket" at the Playland Park in San Antonio from 1947 until the park's closure in 1980. At its opening, the Phoenix was hailed as "the largest roller coaster in the world," with 3200 feet of track and 78 foot first hill. Knoebels purchased the ride in 1984 and dismantled it starting in January 1985. As there were no blueprints to work with, each individual board was numbered and cataloged on site. [1]

The restored roller coaster opened at Knoebels on June 15, 1985. It is named after the mythical phoenix bird which rises, reborn, from its own ashes. This effort, the first large-scale wooden roller coaster relocation in many years, helped spark a movement for the restoration and relocation of other roller coasters standing but not operating.

Ride experience

Phoenix routinely gives a fast ride with many spots where riders experience upwards acceleration, or negative gravity. This floating sensation is known to coaster enthusiasts as airtime.

Awards and rankings

The Phoenix has consistently ranked among the top 10 in various polls including the annual Golden Ticket Awards from Amusement Today, including the Golden Ticket Award itself in the Best Wooden Coaster category in 2018 and 2019.[2] It was also awarded the Coaster Landmark designation by ACE.[3]

Golden Ticket Awards: Top wood Roller Coasters
Year1998199920002001200220032004200520062007200820092010201120122013201420152016201720182019
Ranking 10[4]6[5]5[6]4[7]5[8]4[9]4[10]4[11]5[12]3[13]3[14]4[15]3[16]2[17]3[18]3[19]4[20]3[21]2[22]2[23]1[24]1[25]
NAPHA Survey: Favorite Wood Roller Coaster[26]
Year 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
Ranking
1
1
1 (tie)
2
2 (tie)

Modern usage

Since 1986, Knoebels has held the "Phoenix Phall Phun Phest," a yearly October event for roller coaster enthusiasts. In 2001 alone, over 1500 roller coaster and amusement park fans converged on Knoebels, many in costume, to participate in a memorabilia swap meet and use the rides after the park closed to the general public. The event was rated the third best Halloween event in 2008 and 2009 by Amusement Today. The Phoenix also has a song about the move from San Antonio to Knoebels. It is called "Fly With The Phoenix" by Dave Parker. The music video is on YouTube.

Phoenix facts

  • Trains - 2 PTC, 1 yellow and 1 orange, 24 passengers each

Trivia

The wooden coaster, Wolverine Wildcat at Michigan's Adventure, is loosely based on the layout of Phoenix.

References
  1. https://rcdb.com/143.htm
  2. http://goldenticketawards.com/
  3. "ACE Coaster Landmark Awards". Archived from the original on 2010-12-12. Retrieved 2008-02-22.
  4. "Top 25 wood Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today: 6B. August 1998. Retrieved September 9, 2019.
  5. "Top 25 wood Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today: 6B. August 1999. Retrieved September 9, 2019.
  6. "Top 25 wood Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today. August 2000. Retrieved September 9, 2019.
  7. "Top 25 wood Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today: 6B. August 2001. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 19, 2013. Retrieved September 9, 2019.
  8. "Top 25 wood Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today: 6B. September 2002. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 19, 2013. Retrieved September 9, 2019.
  9. "Top 50 wood Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today: 10–11B. September 2003. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 19, 2013. Retrieved September 9, 2019.
  10. "Top 50 wood Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today: 14–15B. September 2004. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 3, 2007. Retrieved September 9, 2019.
  11. "Top 50 wood Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today: 22–23B. September 2005. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 19, 2013. Retrieved September 9, 2019.
  12. "Top 50 wood Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today: 30–31B. September 2006. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 19, 2013. Retrieved September 9, 2019.
  13. "Top 50 wood Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today. 11 (6.2): 42–43. September 2007. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 19, 2013. Retrieved September 9, 2019.
  14. "Top 50 wood Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today. 12 (6.2): 42–43. September 2008. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 19, 2013. Retrieved September 9, 2019.
  15. "Top 50 wood Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today. 13 (6.2): 38–39. September 2009. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 19, 2013. Retrieved September 9, 2019.
  16. "Top 50 wood Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today. 14 (6.2): 38–39. September 2010. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 19, 2013. Retrieved September 9, 2019.
  17. "Top 50 wood Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today. 15 (6.2): 46–47. September 2011. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 19, 2013. Retrieved September 9, 2019.
  18. "Top 50 wood Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today. 16 (6.2): 46–47. September 2012. Retrieved September 9, 2019.
  19. "2013 Top 50 wood Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today. 17 (6.2): 40–41. September 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 19, 2013. Retrieved September 9, 2019.
  20. "2014 Top 50 wood Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today. 18 (6.2): 38–39. September 2014. Retrieved September 9, 2019.
  21. "2015 Top 50 wood Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today. 19 (6.2): 45–46. September 2015. Retrieved September 9, 2019.
  22. "2016 top 50 wooden roller coasters". Golden Ticket Awards. Amusement Today. September 2016. Retrieved September 9, 2019.
  23. "2017 Top 50 Wooden Coasters". Golden Ticket Awards. Amusement Today. September 2017. Retrieved September 9, 2019.
  24. "2018 Top 50 Wooden Coasters". Golden Ticket Awards. Amusement Today. September 2018. Retrieved September 9, 2019.
  25. "2019 Top Wood". Golden Ticket Awards. Amusement Today. September 2019. Retrieved September 9, 2019.
  26. Surveys - National Amusement Park Historical Association
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