Fun State Ride Factoids

I'm always learning more and more about parks and rides, and I welcome that knowledge. Recently, I learned some interesting things about Pennsylvania rides, and I'd like to hear some fun little nuggets about YOUR home state and its rides.

Today I learned:

1) Lakemont Park in Altoona PA is the oldest roller coaster in the WORLD. I must go here.
2) Pennsylvania has the most amusement rides in the country, at over 9,000 rides. I don't know where the heck all these rides are, but that's pretty darn cool.

So what's unique or interesting about your state's ride/park/coaster status?

...yet you didn't even mention the NAME of the darn thing ;)

I only went to Lakemont once, but I had a heckuva lotta fun on Leap The Dips.

9000? Wowzers!

Mike Gallagher said:

...yet you didn't even mention the NAME of the darn thing ;)

I only went to Lakemont once, but I had a heckuva lotta fun on Leap The Dips.

9000? Wowzers!

On my way home from Indiana last week, I wanted to stop at Lakemont. I've been on Leap The Dips once and had a blast! No restraints!! It was a lil intimidating at first, but SO much fun. I have pictures on my facebook page:

Name is Schwansonian Townsend on there.

"Schwansonian?" Hmmm. ;)

Stop looking at me Schwan! :)

Mike, I think the 9000 is a typo, but I looked up that info a few places, and it said the same thing everywhere. Maybe they counted ski lifts, water slides, etc.

That *would* make the number somewhat plausible.

Mike Gallagher said:

"Schwansonian?" Hmmm. ;)

LOL. Don't ask. My wife gave me the name.

Bunky... sorry. :)

Oh no! I am sorry. I figured you would get the Adam Sandler reference. My bad.

Mike, you know of any interesting park factoids from Jersey?

New Jersey has parks?

Off the top of my head? Nothing. I'd have to give it some thought, but that hurts too much.

I didn't pick up the Sandler reference ....then again, I despise most of his movies I've seen..Except The Wedding Singer :)

I have been "by" Lakemont so many times, usually on the way to or from another Pennsylvania park. The one time I thought I actually had time to stop there was such heavy rain in the area that the park closed early.

Leap the Dips truly is the oldest coaster on the planet and the story behind it is interesting. I know I'd really dig it and must go there someday. Didn't Kennywood have LTD cars on display at one time? There was an historical exhibit there for a while and the car was there on the sidewalk and you could get in it. The seats were great and were more like sofa/love seats or big easy chairs. They sure don't make em like that anymore.

I don't know any odd facts about Ohio (other than there's a bunch of the Ohioans here...) but I think I remember a few about Pennsylvania. At one time, at least, your state had the most roller coasters of any state in the union. In the meantime new rides have been built and older, smaller parks have closed, so it still may have. I also seem to remember an early ACE census that showed Pennsylvania with the most members, even more than Ohio or California.

Could the 9000 also include fair/carnival rides operated from PA? The number still seems high even with those rides factored in though.

You've gotta think more broadly...

Yes, the information I looked at didn't really specify what type of ride constituted an "amusement ride". I love that pic. Hilarious!

I remember when I was 5 I was dreaming of owning every coin operated ride available, then upgraded to every portable carnival ride, to just my own amusement park as I got older.