Six Flags Great America readies Kiddieland's Little Dipper

Yeah, it's old news, but the fact that a corporate amusement park company is doing this is a feel good story. I still applaude them.

Just curious...where in Great America is the Little Dipper being built?

According to the article, it says it is going in the Looney Tunes National Park, which is off of Yukon Territory.

One thing of note in the picture. Note the brand spanking new orange seatbelts. Were there seatbelts on it when it was at Kiddieland? Does this affect the ACE Classic Coaster status?

That's what I get for skimming the article - didn't see the bit about the location. Thanks!

Kick The Sky said:

One thing of note in the picture. Note the brand spanking new orange seatbelts. Were there seatbelts on it when it was at Kiddieland? Does this affect the ACE Classic Coaster status?

I don't recall the seatbelts, but I'm more than willing to be wrong on that.

As to your second question, I went to ACE directly - http://www.aceonline.org/CoasterAwards/?type=1 to check it out...they're listing it as a "classic" even though it technically violates the second bullet-point: ACE Coaster Classics allow riders to slide from side-to-side. A coaster with any restraint or device that restricts this freedom is not eligible for ACE Coaster Classic status.

Please note that the ACE definiteion of "classic" may or may not match your personal definition of "classic". ;)

I think that refers to individual seat belts or seat dividers. These look like one belt that goes the whole way across,

ShiveringTim said:
Just curious...where in Great America is the Little Dipper being built?

They tore out the BIG jungle gym thing (slides and ballpit and cargo net thing) in LTNP, to the right of the entrance. Seems like this will be right next to Batman's first drop, which will be cool!

kpjb said:
I think that refers to individual seat belts or seat dividers. These look like one belt that goes the whole way across,

Great catch, thanks for that! Makes me happier knowing that the designer's intent is being maintained/respected... :)

Little Dipper never had seatbelts until now.

rollergator said:I don't recall the seatbelts, but I'm more than willing to be wrong on that.

As long as they're not individual belts it doesn't violate the status, you can still get the classic ride. I know Roller Coaster (Nightmare, but never opened under that name so I keep it by it's old name) at Joyland had the same seat belts and it didn't violate the status and I think it had em when it was awarded the status also. The seat belt was a redundant restraint to the fixed lap bar on the train. But I still don't think a buzz bar + single bench seat belt violates the status.

It's cool to see this is really happening. A very nice addition for one of the best "BIG" parks around. I look forward to riding it again someday in its new environment.

No surprise on the seatbelts.