2006, a Wooden Renaissance?

crazyforcoasters said:Another woodie at Adventureland, what do you know?

They've talked about it for awhile, but not next year. Building permits would have had to been filed by now.

Really, the newly announced woodies is nothing compared to what we experienced in the early to mid-90's when CCI was in their prime. I think there was one year in the mid-90's when 7 woodies opened in the US alone. I can't remember the exact years or the numbers but I vividly remember doing some extensive traveling in that decade and riding lot's of new wood.

The wooden coaster renaissance of the 90's was pure heaven and it looks to be repeating itself some 10 years later.

HW, Beech Bend & SFGAd are already on my itinerary.

I really plan on getting to some great wood parks next year. I've never been to HW, or Dollywood, which are both on my agenda. I'd love to get to Hershey again, and Dells wouldn't be all that bad either. :)

Yes, the wood is returning, and no, I don't mind one bit.

- Josh

When you give, you begin to live... - Dave Matthews

With the high price of steel right now, I would expect more parks to hop on the wooden bandwagon.

what you've just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard.
Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it.
I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul.

^I think HW's new woodie will have more steel than wood though....

During the ERT of Taters and Tremors last year, Silverwoods managers stated that they doubt they will be adding much wood in the future because of the cost of the upkeep.

They have enough room for anything up there.

An Old Coaster fart that refuses to grow old, I just wish many of my friends could have as well!

1. Fetterman is *definitely* involved in the reconstruction of Starliner....if I said any more, I'd have to kill *myself*... ;)

2. I don't think '06 has shown enough to be called "a Renaissance" just yet, but obviously '05 was a VERY lean year for woodies...and '06 thus far looks like a year of *catch-up*. Average seems to be about 5 new woodies a year, already '06 is above- average, but that DOES include two relocations.

3. I think "cost of upkeep" is a strange reason not to build more wood...if you *invest* the money you saved by buying wood instead of steel, you can pay off the additional maintenance costs from just the interest on the cost savings alone.

"....if I said any more, I'd have to kill *myself*... "

Could you gives more details on that situation Bill? ;)

Gator, Thats true but initially parks, At least smaller parks don't have that extra million to invest.

Still, I seen quotes of the average sized woodie costing something like thirteen thousand a year to maintain. I still don't think this is any more than a midsized steel coaster.

Wood, You replace some wood here and there every couple years. Often it don't take whole retracking But the top couple layers. You replace some wheels as needed. Maintain lift and brake systems.

Steel, Some of these things cost $400 or more for ONE WHEEL. Paint jobs on these things aren't cheap. Chang is what? Ten years old now and has been painted at least twice since opening at a cost of over $100,000 each time.

Somebodies lying on these cost issues and I don't think it's me.

swampfoxer said:
I think there was one year in the mid-90's when 7 woodies opened in the US alone.

Actually, you may be thinking of 2000, when 9 new woodies opened in the US. A total of 16 wooden coasters opened that year (17 if you count Lightning Racer twice ;) ), 3 of which were relocations. I'm definitely excited that a handful of woodies have been announced for '06, but I wouldn't classify next year as a 'Rennaissance' just yet.

Everyone (see Scooby) knows that the people want Rocket Coasters! ;)

I'm starting to wonder if Scooby's real initials aren't S. K. :)

Me doth thinkest ye may be onto sumthinge in the faire, young squire Tekno.
Oh you don't mean THAT renaissance... sorry.

RGB, putting away his lute and recorder...