Conklin Shows coasters

Out of mere curiosity, I headed over to the Conklin Shows website and noticed that they travel with three coasters- the famed Schwarzkopf Doppel Looping (identical to Dorney's Laser), the Wildcat (what I presume to be another Schwarzkopf) and something they call the Mark I Coaster (???).

Has anyone ridden these rides? Is the Doppel Looping as good as a regular Schwarzkopf, or have years of traveling taken their toll on the ride? And what the heck is this Mark I Coaster they talk about? Do they have other coasters aside from these three?

For years, I have passed by the Belmont Park Fair and never bothered to stop- now that the fair is done with for 2004, I could kick myself. I did notice that Conklin Shows is setting up at the Big E Fair in Springfield MA in September/October. The site says nothing about the rides- as anyone been to this fair in the past? Does anyone know if Conklin's assortment of coasters is featured there each year?

Rob, whenver Adam (LONNOL) stops by, he'll be able to help...and helpful he is...:)

I apologize for not getting with you over the weekend, kinda busy with my family in town....thankfully, they're gone now and I can get back to my "semi-normal" life...;)

You still have Zoidberg.... You ALL have Zoidberg! (V) (;,,;) (V)

I have ridden the Doppel Looping. It's a decent coaster (having only Mindbender at SFOG to compare it to). My only complaint being the roughness of the first curve (left) following the loops. A real neck snapper. Overall a very good ride and fairly smooth. *** Edited 6/29/2004 4:12:51 PM UTC by randytut***

Feeeelikes......Faaaamouse....Consimatrated....Soup....Thats it!

I never noticed that on Dorney's Laser so it must be specific to Doppel Looping. Anyone know how long that thing has been traveling? Did it start in North America or did it travel in Europe first?

The Big E is a nightmare traffic-wise. You couldn't pay me enough to go near there on a weekend again. It's so crazy that every business near it offers parking in their lots(some as high as $20!).

As for the coasters, the Schwarzkopf looper hasn't been there. All that they have is Mark I and a Wacky Worm. I'm not sure who the manufacturer of Mark I is, but it's similar to a Galaxy-type coaster.

Sue

Well that kills that idea. Guess I'll have to wait until the Belmont Fair next April. I should write myself a reminder now so I remember next year!

Rob,
I can remember the Doppel Looping as far back as 1990. Conklin Shows brings their coaster trio to the SC State Fair so I have been fortunate enough to ride them all. The DL is a great ride. Any looping coaster without the use of OTSR is great IMO. The Wildcat is a standard Schwarzkopf model with the deep dips. A spunky ride for sure. The Mark I doesn't always make the trip to SC but is is nothing more than a Zyklon type coaster Yeh, it's worth a ride, but I tend to gravitate towards the other 2 the most.

I don't suppose you know of any other yearly events that all 3 coasters make it to? The website isn't very specific.

They have Doppel Looping and Wildcat every year at the Westchester County Fair in Yonkers, NY. I remember the doppel looping being quite smooth with some wicked g's in the loops. I never knew Dorney's Laser was a clone...I might actually think of going there now.

Fate is the path of least resistance.

Doppel Looping is a pretty good coaster. It's been awhile since I've been on it though. But if I rode Laser recently and I'd say it probably rides a bit similar. Maybe a bit more intense, but I'd have to ride it again to tell for sure.

Doppel Looping is almost always at the CNE in Toronto,Canada(every August until Labour day). The other coasters though I have no idea on how often they make an appearnce there.

Rob Ascough said:
I don't suppose you know of any other yearly events that all 3 coasters make it to? The website isn't very specific.

No, not exactly. I know they do a run in south Florida. I think they also do a run in Alabama somewhere. If I can get specifics I'll let you know.

Sue said:
The Big E is a nightmare traffic-wise. You couldn't pay me enough to go near there on a weekend again. It's so crazy that every business near it offers parking in their lots(some as high as $20!).

It's true that Big E traffic can be difficult. However, if you can travel there early in the day (before it opens), things aren't that bad. I've waited in traffic on weekends before, and it wasn't too bad (in late morning). Also, it is true that private parking nearest to the fair can be expensive. However, most private parking was only $10 (usually on homeowners' lawns) when I went there two years ago. The Big E has its own parking, too. Not to get too much off topic, but I just didn't want people to get too discouraged from going.

Edit: Fixed the word wrap formatting.
*** Edited 6/30/2004 3:29:35 AM UTC by James Ben***

http://canobie.nfshost.com/ Canobie Lake Park Information Archive

I am pretty sure that Laser is a Schwarzkopf "Doppel Looping" coaster, so the two should be fairly identical (except for the fact that Dorney's coaster is no longer a traveling ride). Colossal Fire Dragon at Lagoon in Utah is supposedly very similar- the only difference is an additional helix or something like that. As far as I know, those are the only three models of that design in operation.

Do the Conklin coasters make it to the Dade Coutry Fair in Florida? I've been there before while the fair was being held and passed on it because I didn't think there was anything coaster-related at the park.

Laser and Doppel Looping's layouts are identical as far as I know.

The only difference I can think of is the speed of the lift. I found that Laser came of the lift hill very slowly. I can't really remember Doppel Looping's lift being that slow.

However I'm trying to compare a ride I went on 2 weeks ago(Laser) with one I haven't been on in years. So I'm just speculating.

Doppel Looping is a Schwarzkopf Doppel Looping, identical to the one at Dorney so far as anyone can tell, as previously noted here.

Wildcat is an early-model Schwarzkopf Wildcat, similar to the one that was at Martin's F* Island when I visited and the one that was at Old Indiana Fun Park...but NOT the same as the one at Cedar Point, which is a newer model.

Mark-I appears to be a Galaxi, judging by the unusual lift chain. The Galaxi looks like a Zyklon, but the lift chain has pins that stick out on either side and the car catches the pins outboard of the chain links, while the Zyklon has a more conventional roller chain lift.

--Dave Althoff, Jr.

Well, now I know the answer to the age-old question: What is the difference between a Galaxi and a Zyklon!

Yes Conklin travels with all three of those coasters to Miami's country fair every March.

That's in addition to a spinning mouse, one (possibly two) of the kiddie Dragon Wheel coasters and another small family coaster (caterpillar-themed or some sort???).

While the fair is a haven for flats and fun houses they have always had about a half-dozen coasters (they even had a Toboggan way back when).

Now I feel really stupid for passing it by!

The Old Indiana Wildcat originally opened in 1967 at La Ronde. Its ran where Monstre double helix currently is until 1984...

I went on Doppel Looping. Lots of fun, but way too short!

I didn't know that! All I know is that Amusements of America's Avalanche (Zyklon) came from Holiday World. And before that, Geauga Lake.