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Ride Profile
www.parkworld-online.com
Ravine Flyer II
Waldameer classic is reborn
“
For years it has been a dream of Waldameer Park erected over the highway. In the process, the cost to
Like the CEO Paul Nelson to replace the original Ravine build what normally would be $3 to $3.5 million roller
venerable
Flyer rollercoaster by Miller and Baker, which coaster soared to nearly twice that.
operated from 1922 to 1938, with a new version. But the introduction of Ravine Flyer II is a very
Coney Island But, says Paul Ruben, the process wasn't easy. prudent gamble. With the recent closings of nearby
Cyclone,
After 10 years of planning, the park in Erie, Geauga Lake, Erieview Park and the apparent demise
Ravine Flyer II
Pennsylvania, has succeeded, creating a unique of Conneaut Lake Park, many of those parks' guests
ride poised to deliver a double digit attendance
is unlike most
increase
coasters that
start hot and
then slow
A
ccording to Nelson, "99% of the people in the
community wanted the ride to come about, and
then there are always the others, but the 99%
finally won out. "
down. Because
A decade of planning and development included a
the track
land-swap with the State of Pennsylvania, but now the
Ravine Flyer II is a reality. As a result, Nelson has
drops lower established Waldameer as a must-see stop for thrill
and lower
seekers.
The new coaster occupies much of the same
as the ride location as the original Ravine Flyer. Of historical note,
progresses,
the park's current Lakeview picnic shelter next to the
it picks up
new station was the original Ravine Flyer station.
Ravine Flyer II is a world-class wooden rollercoaster,
speed,
one of the most unique wood coasters ever built and
momentum
one that is sure to attract the most ardent thrill-seekers.
It is also an engineering marvel that plunges down an
and ferocity
embankment overlooking Lake Erie and across a four-
as you go
lane state highway.
In addition to the massive concrete footings required
through
as the foundations for many coasters, steel girders
the ride
”
were pile-driven down to bedrock to support a huge
retaining wall and a 165ft-long arched steel bridge The bridge over the highway
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OCTOBER 2008
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