Relocated roller coasters provide thrills at a fraction of the cost of new rides

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Reclaimed roller coasters are not new to the theme park industry. But more rides have been recycled in the last decade with the closure of several parks that have been victims of the economic recession or natural disasters such as Hurricane Katrina. And with the economy still sputtering, theme parks are more likely to consider moving and renovating a used ride at a fraction of the cost of buying a new one.

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I was wondering how much the cost savings was to relocate a steel coaster vice build a new one. If you didn't know better, you'd swear that Green Lantern was a brand new ride from the looks and ride of it

Just another Mike..

I'm sure most enthusiasts hate this idea. But it makes absolute business sense, especially with a collection of coasters as vast and unique as the one's Six Flags possess. This especially works for the mid to lower range parks that otherwise wouldn't see any ride capital at all.

Last edited by John Knotts,

^I don't hate the idea - Iron Wolf, for instance, was a walk-on today. Cearly not gaining the park any accolades or ridership - if another SF park can get *something* out of the ride, then SFA should get it. Shoot, that'll be the first new coaster investment in the DC-area park in....forever. ;)

P.S. SFGAm's relocated Little Dipper (with all the cool "saving history" signage)...was running about a 6-8 train wait today.

Last edited by rollergator,

67440Dodge said:
I was wondering how much the cost savings was to relocate a steel coaster vice build a new one. If you didn't know better, you'd swear that Green Lantern was a brand new ride from the looks and ride of it

You think so? I'd say it was too rough to be brand new.

I don't mind relocations, it's a benefit for the locals to get a 'new' ride more often. I travel around, so I don't really care that much. If I had a home park (I don't, I'm from Belgium and we have nothing for note) I'd hate to see an excellent ride go away because of this though.

My last stand up ride was Iron Wolf, so anything after that is like a couch on wheels.

Plus, I was front row, so that may have made the difference as well.

Just another Mike..

I don't mind relocated rides. I don't travel as much as some of you guys do, so it's nice to have a coaster come to me instead of me going to the coaster.

-Travis
www.youtube.com/TSVisits

67440Dodge said:
My last stand up ride was Iron Wolf, so anything after that is like a couch on wheels.
Plus, I was front row, so that may have made the difference as well.

At this point, that's the only place I'll ride GL.

I don't mind relocated coasters. My problem is that it's MOSTLY (not all) generic rides that are moved..ride experiences that I've already had in some form, if not on that particular coaster. Now, if SF decided to move X2 across the continent, I might feel differently...:)

The amusement park rises bold and stark..kids are huddled on the beach in a mist

http://support.gktw.org/site/TR/CoastingForKids/General?px=1248054&...fr_id=1372

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