Flying Turns Update

Has anyone out there ever rode the Flying Turns at Euclid Beach?

Dick Knoebels has ridden.

Both of my parents have, and I live less than 5 miles from where it was. Both have been telling me for 40 years that there was nothing like it, it was one of my Dad's top coasters, and that's saying a lot since he also rode the Cyclone at Puritas Springs as well as the Thriller which was right next to the Turns at EB. I believe the one at EB was also the highest at around 90 feet or so which would mean some serious speed by the time you got to the bottom!

Tom

I rode Euclid Beach's in 1968 and Riverview's many time from the late '50 thru 1967. Standing on the platform at PPP last year made me misty-eyed.

Mike, the OCF

My mother rode the Flying Turns at the Chicago Worlds Fair and then at Riverview. She told me that she thought I rode it with her once but I don't remember it. She has followed this project with updates from me. She doesn't ride anymore but I must have got my coaster chops from her.

I was under the impression that Dick has Not ridden any of them other than the one being built.

And I'd heard the reason he wanted to build one is because he has fond memories of riding Euclid's when a boy.

My parents raved about the Euclid Beach rides, If it weren't for them telling me all that, I probally would have never loved the history of parks so much..

Unfortuanatly, both of us generations know what it's like to lose a park. (EB, GL)

Maybe I'm thinking of John Fetterman. He hasn't posted in a while. Maybe the next time he chimes in, he can set me/us straight.

Or maybe I'm thinking of John Fetterman? lol

Is 37 bucks to much for this great park? I've never been and have been waiting until they finish Flying Turns. People brag about the Phoenix and how great this park is. Is it not the bang for the buck? *** Edited 1/29/2008 5:56:44 AM UTC by CoasterMonkey***

IMHO it's bang vastly outweighs it's buck.

I live in Los Angeles within 40 miles of all five major theme parks and I would rather pay to fly to NYC, rent a car, drive into PA, visit Knoebels for the weekend (that means 2 nights hotel room) and incur all the other expenses associated with travel than go to ANY of my local parks.

*** Edited 1/29/2008 3:49:15 AM UTC by Mamoosh***

Other than PPP, I only remember buying a wristband one time @ Knoebel's. I've figured I can use tickets bought at the 10-15% discount and do plenty of riding for around 20 or 25 dollars. This year might be a few dollars more. It's still cheaper than many other parks and other entertainment venues (concerts, etc.)

I have a small wallet stashed in my dresser that contains nothing but leftover Knoebel's tickets for the next season.

Of course, I don't have near the travel time and expense Moosh does. So I can easily stop by for a quick two or three hour coaster/flyer fix.

Hmmm.

Knoebels is now $37 for R.A.D.
HW is $40 at the gate.

I can get into CP for $43 and into pretty much any SF for $40 online (or less with a season pass ;) ).

Something's not right here. (and I'm not necessarily questioning the pricing in Elysburg and Santa Claus :) )

It is interesting though. $37 at Knoebels. What are other nearby parks up to?

Dorney is at $39 ($36 online)
Hershey is at $48

Park pricing is going all wacky! The old rules don't apply.

Of course, I don't have near the travel time and expense Moosh does.

As if I need you to remind me? lol ;)

Do you thinkl this new flying turns will be as good as the one from euclid beach?

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Mamoosh said:
Or maybe I'm thinking of John Fetterman? lol

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No, you were right the first time Moosh. Dick Knoebel DID ride the EBP Flying Turns, that's part of the reason this project got going because he remembered how much fun it was. John Fetterman, on the other hand, has never ridden any of the original Flying Turns.

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jwhoogs said:
Do you thinkl this new flying turns will be as good as the one from euclid beach?

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I think it might be unfair to compare them since this ride is based on the blueprints from the Flying Turns at Riverview Park in Chicago. Each Flying Turns built was different in it's own way and the one at Euclid Beach was the largest of them all at 90 feet high and it achieved a greater speed than the Knoebels one will. That coupled with the fact that it's been nearly 40 years since the EBP one came down there will be very few people left that rode it and can give a legitimate comparison if they in fact ride the new one.

Tom

I rode the Bobsled at Coney Island in one of its last years of operation. For those who have only Avalanche at KD or the various Intamin Bobsled coasters to compare this ride to you are in for a surprize.

The closest that the KD ride comes to the FT is the final helix and even then the KD ride is SLOW compared to the FT. The tight radii and quick change in directions is very disorienting, and the FT is based upon a similar blueprint to the Coney Island ride.

John Fetterman is probably too young to have ridden the original Turns... ;)

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Lord Gonchar said:Park pricing is going all wacky! The old rules don't apply.

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The old rules were wacky - the new rules simply set it straight. For everyone but SF it seems...LOL!

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rollergator said:
The old rules were wacky - the new rules simply set it straight.

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Do you really think so?

It's almost like all the parks cost roughly the same to get into anymore. With little exception, there's now an 8-10 dollar window in comparable admission prices bewteen pretty much all the major regional parks.

That's a far cry from less than a decade ago when the biggest regionals were in the $38-$40 range and the smaller regionals were almost 1/2 of that.

Now where's that thread where I projected (predicted?) that by 2015 it would cost more to get into the 'smaller' parks than the big regionals? :)