Quassy: new wooden coaster

SS reported this but didn't give the source, but there it is. New wooden coaster for 2009, but no details on size, shape, or manufacturer. Should be exciting for a lot of enthusiasts that make the trek to SFNE and LC but haven't been enticed to nearby Quassy yet, exciting for me because it's nearby.

I'm assuming if they're dumping the mouse and saying this will be the parks signature ride this will be more than a junior or kiddie woodie but I was wondering if anyone else knew anything more.

Should be an interesting year for Connecticut, I haven't really kept up but 2009 was also tentatively the year for LC's spinner, right?

I saw that reported in an issue of First Drop a few months back- they didn't have much to say except it would probably be a junior coaster. I can't see that still being the case if the idea is to replace the Mouse, which is obviously the park's signature ride. I have no idea who Quassy is looking to for this ride, and I can't help but wonder if the recent news of GL's coasters being up for sale is being considered. It's been a long time since I've been to the park (weird since I frequently visit a customer of mine that's 15 minutes from the place) but I imagine an out-and-back like Big Dipper would work well there- not too big, not too small, okay for families...

^I never thought of that but it is a great idea. I have no idea how plausible it is but if there were a park that would be willing to rebuild Dipper I think Quassy would certainly be a contender.

They would have to contact somone skilled when it comes to wood coaster relocations and that person would have to take a good look at Dipper and then find out if anything major would have to be changed if it were to be relocated. Very often the ability to re-use trains instead of buying new ones is a big hurdle- don't forget Dipper's trains have no seat dividers and simple lap bars and hopefully those could be refurbished and used on the ride. However, something tells me they're already talking to someone and if that's the case, I'm not sure how deep they're in with another company.

Ok, What does CF charge for something they want GONE?

If they would sell Dipper for say 500 grand, It would be more than cost effective for parks like Little Ammericka or Quassy among others.

Sorry but for over 80 years this coasters been thrilling young and old alike. I laughed at it the first time I seen it. Now Id travel for it. What a hoot of a coaster and it proves BIGGEST TALLEST is bunk when it comes to JUST HOW GOOD A RIDE CAN BE.

Chuck

That is where I will have to disagree with you, Chuck. Dipper is OK, but it just didn't do it for me. Don't get me wrong, I'd love to see Quassy, or somewhere of that size, end up with it. It's just not really my style of ride, and I preferred Villain, in its decent to good years, of course.

-Josh

Villian...over Dipper? IMHO that's like preferring a Big Mac over filet mignon! ;)

Did you ride Villain in its opening season? Sorry, I'm going to have to invoke the "2000" on this one. I'd prefer Villain over Big Dipper anyday, even as I did closing day this year. I'd even prefer CP's Blue Streak, butchered trains and all over Big Dipper.

Now if we're talking Screachin' Eagle over at Lesourdesville, that was easily Ohio's best wood coaster.

~Rob Willi

Yes, as a matter of fact I did ride Villain the year it opened. And the year after. And the year after the year after. It wasn't as good as Big Dipper any of those years IMHO.

I prefer a ride with a little more attitude than Big Dipper. I'm not much of a fan of traditional ("classic") out-n-back wooden coasters, with the exception of some. I much agree with Rob, in that I really did love Screechin' Eagle at LeSourdsville, though. (I said with the exception of some...)

I'm the guy who, at PPP, you'll find taking 2 or 3 rides on Phoenix, then spending the rest of the night over at Twister. :)

-Josh

When I visited Hillcrest Park before it closed in 2003, the park manager told me that the Little Dipper was being relocated to Quassy. They were interrested in wood coaster preservation at that time. Of course, Little Amerricka purchased the coaster at the Hillcrest Park auction in October 2003 and it became the Meteor.

Keep the small parks alive!

Mamoosh said:
Yes, as a matter of fact I did ride Villain the year it opened. And the year after. And the year after the year after. It wasn't as good as Big Dipper any of those years IMHO.

Cool, I'm just curious and I respect your opinion. I thought Villain was amazing in 2000, didn't get to ride it again until 03 and I wondered what in the heck happened to it.

~Rob Willi

I always loved The Villian, especially in 2000. Even when I went back the follwoing year I still loved it, roughness and all. I definetaly liked it far more than Big Dipper, that's for sure. Not to say that Big Dipper doesn't give a good ride for me The Villian just delivered more of what I like.

I have two main reasons for preferring Dipper over Villain: Dipper had better trains and parabolic bunny hops that produced prolonged airtime; Villain had awful trains and triangular bunny hops that produced short, sharp doses or airtime.

For some reason, I figured trains had a bit to do with your preference. Not that I blame you at all. I'm sure that'll make Racer or Beast much more exciting for you at King's Island, if they are going to do what I think they are doing. ;)

~Rob Willi

LOL...I wasn't a Beast fan to begin with. Having G-trains on it will ensure I rarely, if ever, ride it. UGH!

EDIT - just to clarify I didn't hate Villain. I just preferred Dipper. When I submit my ballot of 100+ wooden coasters for Mitch's poll Villain (and Beast) land smack dab near the middle of my rankings in the mid-50s.

*** Edited 11/9/2007 3:52:07 AM UTC by Mamoosh***

I rode Villian and Dipper in 2000. Villain was an amazing ride then. Dipper was awful. Over the years, Dipper improved while Villain went downhill.

I wish I could have ridden both in prime condition during the same visit for a fair comparison!

Even Wolf Kabobs turned into a halfway decent ride.

For the most part, I hate those trains, but I have to say that in the end, Flaming Coyote Bumps was turning in to one hell of a fun ride.

:(

-Josh

Mamoosh said:

EDIT - just to clarify I didn't hate Villain. I just preferred Dipper. When I submit my ballot of 100+ wooden coasters for Mitch's poll Villain (and Beast) land smack dab near the middle of my rankings in the mid-50s.

You didn't use the word hate, hence I never took it as you hating Villain, just preferred something else over it. No biggie.

I know you're not a big fan of the Beast, which is why I'm poking fun at you at the possibility of Beast running Gerstlauers next year. I guess we'll see what happens. I'm not a big fan of the G-trains but they at least made SOB enjoyable, but a lot more boring.

~Rob Willi

There may be MOOSHING on Beast next year.

Something I crave in a coaster!
Chuck