Wooden Roller Coaster (Playland)
The Wooden Roller Coaster is a wooden roller coaster at Playland in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Opened in 1958, it is the oldest roller coaster in Canada.[2] The ride is 2,840 ft (870 m) long—which established it as the largest roller coaster in Canada at the time it was completed—and has a height of 68 ft (21 m) and speeds of up to 76 km/h (47 mph).[3][4] The coaster was awarded the Coaster Classic and Roller Coaster Landmark statuses by American Coaster Enthusiasts.[5][6][1]
Wooden Roller Coaster | |
---|---|
Playland | |
Location | Playland |
Coordinates | 49.28245°N 123.03524°W |
Status | Operating |
Opening date | 1958 |
Cost | $200,000 |
General statistics | |
Type | Wood |
Designer | Carl Phare, Walker LeRoy |
Model | Twister[1] |
Lift/launch system | Chain lift hill |
Height | 75 ft (23 m) |
Drop | 67 ft (20 m) |
Length | 2,840 ft (870 m) |
Speed | 80 km/h (50 mph) |
Inversions | 0 |
Height restriction | 48 in (122 cm) |
Trains | 2 trains with 8 cars. Riders are arranged 2 across in a single row for a total of 16 riders per train. |
Website | Official website |
Wooden Roller Coaster at RCDB Pictures of Wooden Roller Coaster at RCDB |
History
The Wooden Roller Coaster opened in 1958. At the time, it cost over $200,000 to make, and was 40 cents for guests to ride.[7] Designed by Carl Phare and Walker LeRoy, the ride was the final design of Phare's career, and is his only creation that is still standing.[4]
In film and television
The Coaster was featured in the movie Riding the Bullet and was the "Bullet". It also made a brief appearance in the teenage thriller Fear.
Awards
Year | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 |
---|---|---|---|---|
Ranking | 30[8] | 39[9] | 42[10] | 32[11] |
References
- "Coaster Details - Wooden Roller Coaster - Playland at the PNE". American Coaster Enthusiasts. Retrieved August 20, 2017.
- Judd, Amy (May 6, 2016). "Canada's oldest wooden roller coaster set to open for another season". Global News. Corus Entertainment. Retrieved August 20, 2017.
- Talmazan, Yuliya (August 28, 2013). "Vancouver's iconic wooden roller coaster gets recognition from heritage foundation". Global News. Corus Entertainment. Retrieved August 20, 2017.
- Morrison, Andrew (August 22, 2014). "The History Behind Playland's Ancient, Iconic Wooden 'Coaster'". Scout Magazine. Retrieved August 20, 2017.
- "Coaster Landmark Award". American Coaster Enthusiasts. Retrieved August 20, 2017.
- "Playland roller-coaster wins classic status". CTV News. Bell Media. July 12, 2009. Retrieved August 20, 2017.
- "Wooden Roller Coaster • Vancouver Heritage Foundation". Vancouver Heritage Foundation. Retrieved 2018-07-23.
- "2016 top 50 wooden roller coasters". Golden Ticket Awards. Amusement Today. September 2016. Retrieved September 9, 2019.
- "2017 Top 50 Wooden Coasters". Golden Ticket Awards. Amusement Today. September 2017. Retrieved September 9, 2019.
- "2018 Top 50 Wooden Coasters". Golden Ticket Awards. Amusement Today. September 2018. Retrieved September 9, 2019.
- "2019 Top Wood". Golden Ticket Awards. Amusement Today. September 2019. Retrieved September 9, 2019.