VisionLand may see partial opening this summer

Let the records show that Rampage is now SBNO. This may be the end for this ride.

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Chris Knight
All Your Base are belong to us
That's not roughness that intensity

I have a question. If a park like Visionland shuts down and they sell off their rides, how easy is it to take apart a wooden coaster and relocate it? Has it been done before? I know they do it with steel coasters all the time but I can't think of a wooden coaster that has been relocated. If someone doesn't bail Visionland out could Rampage be relocated?

Many wooden roller coasters have been relocated. Two or three automatically come to mind:

Arkansas Twister- http://www.rcdb.com/installationdetail418.htm orginally at Boardwalk and Baseball

The Phoenix- http://www.rcdb.com/installationdetail143.htm orginially at Playland Park

Twister II- http://www.rcdb.com/installationdetail210.htm relocated from the old Elitch park

Wooden coasters can be located fairly easily but most parks dont like to do it. Since Rampage was a top 10 woodie, I can definitely see a park snatching it up very quickly if and when it goes on the market.

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WCUSA-The World's largest theme park is coming!
Theme parks will NEVER be the same! *** This post was edited by Chris Godsey on 5/29/2002. ***

An update can be found at http://www.msnbc.com/local/wvtm/a1210305.asp

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New coasters in 02 so far: SE,GW(SWSA) SKC Rattler, RoadExp,Boomerang:CtC(SFFT)

I could see Wild Adventures buying Rampage.

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Joey Ciborek, Florida Coaster Club, Member
"WE RIDE ALL YEAR!!!" www.FloridaCoasterClub.com
"It's like an addiction" Me, The Discovery Channel, Ultimate Guide: Roller Coasters 5/27/02

Twister 2 was not re-located. It was a re-design of the original which is now demolished.

The Screechin' Eagle at Americana was relocated from Moxihala Park in the 1930's as was the Comet at Crystal Beach to the Great Escape. The Skyliner at Lakemont was as well.

This coaster will operate again at Visionland. Mark my words.

Atlantis104, I have suggested to WA that they look into Rampage, MegaZeph, and certainly the SBNO CoasterWorks! design. Got a *feeling* however, that their plans for the near future have already been cast.....

I would like to see Rampage relocated but it probably wont happen cause it is built into the terrian.

Only a part of Rampage was built into the terrain, plus you could easily replace those parts with new wood or higher footers.

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"Some parks put trim brakes to slow rides down in places, we don't do that." Will Koch, President of Holiday World (top 10 coasters 2002)

I know that all of the flat rides would be costly to run, but at least run Rampage and the water park. That is what people go to the park for.

Actually, what I'd REALLY like to see is that the park is bought by somebody who knows what they're doing (are you listening CF?. Then the Rampage could stay where it is, we could see some new rides, and the staff would be well trained on how to be good park employees...

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I sing sometimes for the war that I fight, 'cause every tool is a weapon, if you hold it right. -Ani Difranco *** This post was edited by Fafolguy on 5/29/2002. ***

Reopening would be a smart idea. How do they expect to make money with it closed, donations?

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They note that if they open, the kiddie rides will operate while adult rides will not...Does this mean that they will not operate Rampage but operate Marvel Mania? That would make me VERY angry if I go.

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My two favorite coasters are named Superman.

Cedar Fair already pulled out of possible ownership with Visionland back last year.

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Cedar Fair already pulled out of possible ownership with Visionland back last year.

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Actually, that was 2 years ago, and the deal was very bad. Essentially, the bondholders wanted Cedar Fair to manage it into profitibility, then take over management duties from there. CF wanted the park and the outlet mall next to it. Now that park is in such hot water, the outlet mall and total ownership are in the offerring. If CF decided they could turn in it to a profitible park, I'm sure they'd be interested now with the mall thrown in.

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I sing sometimes for the war that I fight, 'cause every tool is a weapon, if you hold it right. -Ani Difranco

I'm wondering if it's even worth any operator's time. I don't know the market, but can it sustain the business? Was it just poor management that got it into its present situation?

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Jeff - Webmaster/Admin - CoasterBuzz.com, Sillynonsense.com
"As far as I can tell it doesn't matter who you are. If you can believe, there's something worth fighting for..." - Garbage, "Parade"

I'm sure the park can be profitable if run properly, Birmingham is not a small place. I remember reading something about a former operator who handed the park over to a relative or something, and another ownership scandal as well. All they are doing now is asking for more money to lose more money in operation this year. Asking for more money won't help if they don't work to get their act together.

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My two favorite coasters are named Superman.

I would like to see Cedar Fair some in and buy the place along with the mall. With the present situation, the current owners would be well advised to make the offer. This whole affair is pretty sad and stupid, really. If you're going to build a park, properly train your employees and market the thing so it will work. Sounds to me like they were just bungling the whole thing from day one.

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coasteray

Any updates on what was decided today???

EDIT: Here is an updated story (Visionland will most likely open in some form soon): http://www.nbc13.com/news/1488461/detail.html

It has already been submitted to news.
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My two favorite coasters are named Superman. *** This post was edited by astrosgp on 5/30/2002. ***