The TRAVELER'S JOURNAL: July sixteenth, riding the roller coaster wave.

Despite some ups and downs, the future of roller coasters has never been brighter. Descended from 16th century Russian ice slides, the first great roller coasters began appearing well over a century ago at popular East Coast seaside resorts. By 1900, giant, wooden frame coasters were fixtures at amusement parks across the U.S. Some truly stupendous ones were built; a few have survived and still draw thrill seekers each year. The National Register of Historic Places lists more than a dozen coasters, including what may be the world's oldest, the "Leap the Dips" newly refurbished at Pennsylvania's Lakemont Park.

New coasters are rising rapidly everywhere. More than two dozen opened in the U.S. this summer alone. Most are steel-frame fantasies that propel their riders through faster, taller, more thrilling contortions than any wooden coaster ever could. Amusement Today recently crowned the Magnum XL 200 at Cedar Point in Sandusky, OH the Best Steel Roller Coaster. Busch Gardens in Williamsburg, VA recently introduced Apollo's Chariot, a hyper coaster with an 825 foot drop, a world's record. King's Dominion in Richmond, Virginia now has the fastest suspended coaster, that plunges riders into the heart of a volcano. Underground tunnels are a major new theme in coasters.

Since many folks prefer the rattle and slam of traditional wooden coasters, old ones have been refurbished and great new ones have been built, including at Dollywood, Tennessee, and Knots Berry Farm, California. Yet, with 3 woodies and 2 steelies, Kennywood Park near Pittsburgh, PA is still known as the world's classic coaster capital.

Back to July 2002 Main

Look through the list of fascinating places and off-beat features we’ve covered. Search text versions of past episodes and articles in our archives.