Meyers Lake Park & COMET roller coaster ~ Canton, Ohio swampfoxer 2009-03-15 | Meyers Lake Park was a small traditional amusement park in Canton, Ohio. Like many small amusements parks in the 70's, Meyers Lake fell victim to the changing times. The park owners tried reviving the parks attendance with a world record coaster marathon in 1972, but the declining attendance continued, sealing the fate of this once popular lakeside park in 1974. Thanks to the Sinclair & Garner child for allowing the use of these video clips which I edited and shuffled about with a new audio track.
Lake Placid Bobsled roller coaster POV 1937 - Palisades Amusement Park, NJ swampfoxer 2019-09-10 | Ultra rare footage showing a flying turns coaster called the Lake Placid Bobsled at Palisades Amusement Park in Cliffside, NJ. This unusual coaster ride opened in 1937 perched upon the edge of the park overlooking Manhattan and the Hudson River. The coaster closed in 1946. This was considered to the the fiercest of all the flying turns coasters made.
Wild Mouse tribute 1958-2017 :: Blackpool Pleasure Beach from 1996 visit swampfoxer 2018-01-08 | With only a few wood track Wild Mice in existence, Blackpool Pleasure Beach had a very special gem. Sadly, they have decided to retire the popular Wild Mouse roller coaster and it will not reopen in 2018. Video clips taken by me during my one and only visit to Blackpool Pleasure Beach in England on July 11, 1996.
1963 NC State Fair :: Dorton Arena, Skywheel and Wild Mouse roller coaster swampfoxer 2018-01-06 | A short clip from 1963 showing a few scenes from the North Carolina State fair in Raleigh, NC.
1992 Backwards Great American Scream Machine roller coaster Six Flags Over Georgia swampfoxer 2017-09-09 | The wonderful Great American Scream Machine (aka GASM) roller coaster opened at Six Flags Over Georgia in 1973. In 1992 the park decided to give park goers a new experience by turning the trains around BACKWARDS for the first time. I couldn't resist the 4 hour drive to Atlanta to experience a backwards GASM! The park turned the trains back to facing forward the following year. Backwards facing trains have been done on numerous wood coasters including the notorious Coney Island Cyclone. The trend lasted anywhere from 1-10 years and as of 2017, there are no wood coasters in the USA with backward facing trains. This video was shot with a Sony 8mm Handycam.
1981 :: The original BAT suspended roller coaster, Kings Island amusement park swampfoxer 2017-08-06 | The first modern day suspended coaster opened at King's Island in 1981. Plagued with problems from the beginning, the coaster ended up closing just 2 years later.
Freestyle Music Park :: Final Day of operation :: Sept 14, 2009 :: Myrtle Beach, SC swampfoxer 2017-07-29 | Sept 14, 2009 was the final operating day of the season for the newly branded "Freestyle Music Park" (formerly Hard Rock Park) in Myrtle Beach, SC. I had a suspicion that this could also be the very last day this park would ever operate. And sadly, that was the case. This park had lots of potential, but seemed to be poorly managed and the high ticket prices kept people away. I sorta forgot I had these videos and figured it was time to showcase them, ha! The video was in 720p, which was sufficient although the quality is so so. The photos look pretty awesome though. Enjoy!
Pacific Ocean Park scene from Hermans Hermits 1966 comedy movie Hold On! swampfoxer 2017-07-28 | The 1966 comedy starring the English beat rock band, Herman's Hermits, as they travel to America for the first time. One of their stops is the (now defunct) Pacific Ocean Park (aka P.O.P.). Although some of the roller coaster scenes use a projection screen, there are plenty of great scenes of the coaster as well as various rides throughout the park.
Abbott & Costello in Hollywood movie clip :: Cyclone Racer roller coaster scene, ©1945 swampfoxer 2017-07-02 | This entertaining scene is from the hit "Abbott & Costello in Hollywood" movie which premiered in 1945. The real star of this scene is the famous Cyclone Racer roller coaster that was in Long Beach, CA between 1930-1968. Some of the coaster scenes are of a fake coaster car projected with the coaster, but there are some incredibly good real coaster scenes in here. The amusement park and coaster were in many Hollywood movies and TV shows including the sitcom, Leave it to Beaver.
Lagoon Amusement Park :: roller coasters and rides :: My visit in 6 minutes, July 20, 2012 swampfoxer 2017-01-31 | Lagoon Park is a classic amusement park in the traditional sense. It opened in Farmington, Utah in 1899. It still has plenty of classic rides such as the 1921 "Roller Coaster" and it's Victorian era carousel which opened there in 1906 (built in 1893). You'll find plenty of newer high tech thrill rides and a nice selection of older classic flat rides along with a variety of roller coasters. Lagoon is an American treasure indeed.
1993 Red Devil roller coaster, front seat POV, off ride, Ghost Town in the Sky, NC swampfoxer 2017-01-15 | Not the biggest, baddest of roller coasters, but an incredibly beautiful view from the top of Buck Mountain, 4700ft above sea level in Maggie Valley, NC. Coaster changed it's name to Cliffhanger but closed in 2002. The park has fallen on difficult times and is currently closed, awaiting a buyer.
Opening day & demolition timeline of Hurricane roller coaster Myrtle Beach Pavilion swampfoxer 2017-01-03 | When the Hurricane roller coaster opened at the Myrtle Beach Pavilion in May 2000, it appeared to signal a new era for the popular seaside amusement park which had been operating since the 1940's. Little did we know that just the opposite was looming on the horizon. Just 7 years later, the entire amusement park and historical Pavilion arcade/dance hall would be a pile of rubble. Owners, Burroughs & Chapin, received a great deal of negative feedback for their decision to level the park but proceeded regardless. They promised something big, something that would generate revenue year round. Possibly a large hotel/entertainment complex that could possibly have a coaster. A few ideas were tossed around as to what would be built on this prime piece of land but more than 10 years later, mum is still the word. Truly a sad ending for the heart & soul of Myrtle Beach, SC.
1996 Bullet roller coaster (Schwarzkopf) Flamingoland Park in Malton, N Yorkshire, England swampfoxer 2016-11-13 | Schwarzkopf built only one of these shuttle loops which debuted for 1 year at Wiener Prater, Vienna, Austria in 1982. From there it traveled to Boardwalk and Baseball in Haines City, FL where it operated between 1984-85. Then back overseas to Flamingoland between 1991-2005. In 2012 it was sold to Selva Mágica but only operated a couple years before being dismantled and shipped back to Germany.
1990 rare video of Pipeline Express roller coaster & Rampage waterslide in North Myrtle Beach, SC swampfoxer 2016-11-13 | An unusual coaster opened up in 1989 in Windy Hill Beach, SC (aka North Myrtle Beach) which consisted of a small cart bolted to PVC tubular track. Although nothing sensational, it was quite a hit for that time when there wasn't anything quite like around the Myrtle Beach area. The dual Rampage waterslide which shared the same loading tower as the Pipeline only lasted a few years being replaced in 1994 with 3 fiberglass slides and a surrounding waterboggan complex. This is the only video posted of the original Rampage waterslide and Pipeline coaster before all the newer additions were added. The Pipeline Express was made by Bailey Rides out of Ontario, Canada. Only 6 were made and only 1 is still in operation, at Wild Water & Wheels in Peterborough, Ontario, Canada. This one only lasted only 10 years, closing in 1999.
Idora Park roller coaster ruins :: Sept 13, 1992 - Youngstown, Ohio swampfoxer 2016-11-07 | In 1992, I was allowed access into Idora Park, the abandoned amusement park that once stood proud in Youngstown, OH. The park closed after the 1984 season when a fire destroyed the Old Mill ride and part of the Wildcat coaster. The park stood abandoned for nearly 17 years and was completely demolished in 2001. The first coaster seen in the video was the Jack Rabbit, then I moved on to the Wildcat.This video was taken by me, and the copywrite belongs to me. Please share with your friends!Music by Dame Myra Hess.
Williams Grove Cyclone roller coaster POV/ground :: 2001, Mechanicsburg, PA swampfoxer 2016-11-02 | One of the quirkiest roller coasters of all time. This little classic opened in 1933 but the entire park closed in 2006. This video is from June 2001 during a convention of roller coaster enthusiasts known as ACE. Little did we know the fate that lie ahead. The coaster has been sitting idle since 2006, slowly rotting away.
July 20, 1995 :: Thunder Express Mine Train roller coaster Dollywood swampfoxer 2016-11-01 | Before the Tennessee Tornado was built, the Thunder Express was on that same plot of land. Thunder Express was relocated from Six Flags Mid-America where it originally opened in 1971-1987. It opened at Dollywood in 1989-1998 when it was replaced by the Tennessee Tornado. But the Thunder Express still lives on at Magic Springs Park in Arkansas. It is called Big Bad John and has been operating there since 2002.
Paramounts Carowinds visit July 19, 1993 :: Charlotte, NC - no one looking down at cell phones! swampfoxer 2016-10-27 | Carowinds looked a lot different over 20 years ago. In 1993, it was owned by Paramount and movie characters roamed the park. The only big coasters were Thunder Road (now defunct) and the new Vortex stand-up coaster. The paddleboat and monorail were still operating also.
Thunder Road farewell event :: Carowinds roller coaster 1976-2015 : In HD swampfoxer 2016-07-04 | Thunder Road farewell event July 26, 2015. Demolished for waterpark expansion. Carowinds amusement park, Charlotte, NC. Drone footage taken August 15, 2015.
::HD:: Lightning Rod roller coaster & Raw POV & behind the scenes at Dollywood theme park swampfoxer 2016-07-04 | Video taken June 16, 2016:: For best quality, you may have to manually select the 1080p option in the settings gear. World's first launching wood coaster. Very intense ride! Not for the faint hearted. Dollywood has a true winner!
FURY 325 worlds tallest & fastest giga coaster @ Carowinds April 7, 2015 swampfoxer 2015-04-08 | For $30 million dollars, you get the world's fastest at 95mph, the longest at 6602ft and tallest at 325 feet giga coaster that can only be found at Carowinds Amusement Park in Charlotte, NC. Nevermind the 81º first drop. You will not be disappointed.
HD Fury 325 Construction aerial drone video @ Carowinds :: Jan 17, 2015 swampfoxer 2015-01-19 | Carowinds Amusement Park in Charlotte, NC will introduce the tallest, fastest and longest giga coaster in the world on March 28, 2015. Here is a construction update from my visit on Jan. 17, 2015. Future updates coming.
Smoky Mountain Alpine Coaster :: August 25, 2013 swampfoxer 2013-08-28 | Advertised as the longest Alpine Coaster in the USA, the Smoky Mountain Alpine Coaster in Pigeon Forge, TN. This one is also the first to have automatic magnetic trims that will slow the sled a bit (not much) along the course if it detects too high a speed. Amazing fun!
Antics on a Roll-O-Plane carnival ride swampfoxer 2013-05-11 | Here's something amusing to watch. I recorded this from an old TV show called Haywire back in 1990. I just found it tonight while I was scanning some old VHS tapes and thought a few of you here may enjoy some antics in a Roll-O-Plane.
Eyerly Acroplane ride on Venice Pier, CA - old amusement ride shown in 1933 movie Skyway swampfoxer 2013-01-25 | The Orientator (aka: Acroplane) was produced commercially, but didn't gain much popularity as a flight trainer; the only buyer was the Cuban government, which purchased five. It was not until Eyerly took the Orientator to several fairs as an amusement ride, where he noticed from the air that the queues for it were much longer than for real airplane rides, that it became a success. The Orientator was re-named the Acroplane , and over 50 were manufactured and sold to carnivals and amusement parks. In this clip, you can see a few other major attractions that once graced this beautiful amusement pier from the past.thanks D Burton for finding this movie!
::: Coastal Carolina Fair in HD - Nov 2, 2012 swampfoxer 2012-11-16 | A video compilation of my visit to the Coastal Carolina Fair near Charleston, SC on Nov 2, 2012
:: Mondial SHAKE (Magnum) ride :: Coastal Carolina Fair, SC :: Nov 2, 2012 :: swampfoxer 2012-11-07 | Probably the best flat ride I have been on and I have been on many. 4 different motions, rare in thrill rides. The transitions are pretty smooth but it helps to keep your head firm against the head rest.
ALPINE SLIDE Park City, Utah - July 21, 2012 swampfoxer 2012-07-29 | First of all let me say.....holding my small camera while riding this thing proved very difficult. If you lose your concentration on this slide for 1 second, you can go flying over the side. People were wiping out all day. I found it odd that they even allow guests to take cameras on these rides, but it is all at your own risk. Anyway, I made it down in 1 piece and rode it again!
ALPINE COASTER Park City, Utah July 21, 2012 swampfoxer 2012-07-29 | The Alpine Coaster is built by Wiegand GmbH of Germany. There are currently just 5 of these operating in the USA. They are typically built on mountains or large hills and utilize the terrain as they zig-zag their way down to the bottom. This ride was extremely fun but not as daring as the Alpine Slide at the same Park City Mt. Resort. These carts are locked to the track like a regular roller coaster unlike the Alpine Slides carts which are more like a bobsled. You can still control your speed with the 2 levers on each side of the cart. I kept mine all the down for maximum speed. I didn't include the lift hill footage on this clip as it takes several minutes to get to the top. Besides, I know you would rather see the descent anyway. Hold on!
Mite Mouse roller coaster Coney Island - June 1992 swampfoxer 2012-01-28 | Over shadowed by Coney Island's larger Jumbo Jet roller coaster seen in the background, the small Mite Mouse coaster was indeed a true gem we happened to stumble upon during a visit to Coney Island, NY in June 1992. Apparently this little vermin didn't hang around long as most people I know that frequent Coney Island never knew it was even there. Guess I picked the lucky year to visit Coney Island.
Jet Star Roller Coaster Knoebels Grove Elysburg, PA June 16, 1991 swampfoxer 2012-01-17 | The Jet Star coaster operated at Knoebels between 1977 and 1992. This was a powerful little coaster with some tight, fast turns. It was built by Schwarzkopf of Germany. The Jet Star was replaced by the Whirlwind steel looping coaster which lasted between 1993 until 2004. The new Flying Turns ride is currently on the site of the former Jet Star coaster.
Strates Shows, Dixie Classic Fair 2011 - Winston Salem, NC swampfoxer 2011-10-29 | A quick 3 minute tour of the 2011 Dixie Classic Fair in Winston-Salem, NC. They have a pretty decent selection of rides like the Zipper, Zyklon coaster, Rok-N-Roll, Sky Flyer and much more.
Saturn 6 / Hurricane amusement ride - old footage swampfoxer 2011-10-20 | Various footage of the Saturn 6 ride, also known as the Hurricane in it's earlier years. There are only several of these left operating in the USA.
Hey Dey ride from the 1920s swampfoxer 2011-09-28 | This short clip of the Hey Dey ride is an excerpt from the Tim Young video "PTC Coasters and Rides". A great example of the thrills from the 1920's. The Hey Dey was similar to the current Tilt-A-Whirl ride.
Some of the roller coasters I rode in 2011 (made to look like an old timey movie) swampfoxer 2011-08-21 | I made this little clip from an iphone app called "Film Director" and made this movie in less than 15 minutes. There are many different special effects you can use and I chose the 1920's silent movie effect with title cards and old piano music. Pretty fun!
RAVINE FLYER II roller coaster Front Seat Raw footage in HD (Sanyo VPC CG20) - Waldameer Park swampfoxer 2010-09-15 | One of the wildest wooden roller coasters I've ridden since Hades & Voyage is the RAVINE FLYER II at Waldameer Park in Erie, PA. My visit on Friday afternoon around 5pm on Sept. 3, 2010 warranted small crowds, so we got plenty of rides on this gem. They had gale force wind warnings posted and the white caps on Lake Erie were....eerie, lol. If you are a fan of wooden coasters, find a way to get to this great little historic park! The parking is free, and it is free to enter. Just pay for your rides & food. I took the video with my brand new pistol-grip Sanyo Xacti VPG CG-20. It has true 1080p HD video and a 10 megapixel camera. This video was actually taken at 720p. The results were more than satisfactory on my 42" LG LCD. The video is raw, and unedited. I apologize for the few curse words I uttered while going down the dips, lol. Enjoy the ride!
Palisades Amusement Park Harry G. Traver Cyclone roller coaster clips - May 14, 1932 swampfoxer 2009-11-18 | This ultra rare movie clip portrays the true essence of what was Palisades Amusement Park in Cliffside, NJ. It was taken on May 14, 1932 and includes the original sounds of the park and people. There are a few moments of silence and some technical blurs. The star of this clip is the notorious Harry G. Traver designed Cyclone roller coaster which opened in 1927. People were so afraid to ride it that it closed just 7 years later in 1934. There are very few clips of this coaster that exist so I am proud to present it to those who appreciate such things.
Palisades Amusement Park 1928 Skyrocket, 1935 fire, 1971 Cyclone roller coasters swampfoxer 2009-10-29 | This is some edited clips of the Skyrocket roller coaster in 1928 at Palisades Amusement Park in Cliffside, NJ. Also edited in a few seconds of Cyclone clips from the 1971 to complete the circuit. Then you will see some clips of the 1935 fire that destroyed part of the park. The huge Safety Coaster can be seen in the background. I reversed the clip to show it again, hence the man running backwards. Incredible footage. Enjoy.
1929 Skyrocket roller coaster footage from Palisades Park, NJ swampfoxer 2009-08-09 | short but sweet clip from 1929 showing the Skyrocket (later became Cyclone) roller coaster rounding a turn and then down the hill. Also shows riders exiting the ride. Check out the dress styles.
Salisbury Beach, MA ~ Wildcat roller coaster swampfoxer 2009-07-13 | The video quality is poor but at least it's something from this long lost classic
Savin Rock Thunderbolt roller coaster - bonus Boomerang & Spitfire ride clips - West Haven, CT swampfoxer 2009-06-19 | The 2nd Thunderbolt coaster opened in 1939 on a pier in Savin Rock, CT near West Haven. The first was destroyed by the Great New England Hurricane of 1938. This coaster lasted until 1956. Bonus clips of the Boomerang & Spitfire rides at nearby White City Park.
TAIL SPIN roller coaster DandiLion Park, Muskego Beach, WI swampfoxer 2008-11-28 | Formally known as Muskego Beach, DandiLion Park was located just SW of Milwaukee on the southern shores of Muskego Lake. The Tail Spin coaster opened in 1968 after two previous coasters were damaged in severe wind storms. Unfortunately, the parks business started fading after nearby Marriott's Great America opened in Gurnee, Illinois in 1976. DandiLion ended up closing in 1978, and the Tail Spin was eventually demolished in 1983. Another sad ending to a once great coaster. videographer: Clarence Hinze
MOUNTAIN PARK FLYER roller coaster - Holyoke, MA swampfoxer 2008-11-19 | Mountain Park was a quaint traditional amusement park located off Interstate 91 in Holyoke, MA just north of Chicopee & Springfield. The park had a great wooden roller coaster originally called the Mountain Wildcat when it opened in 1929, and later renamed the Mountain Flyer. The park closed in 1987 but remnants of the park still remain.On-ride footage Copyrighted 2006 Bill Kern, Ricky Summersett, Gone But Not Forgotten. B&W footage obtained from PTC Coaster & Park Films by Tim Young. Aerial photo by Aerial Perspectives.
LINCOLN PARK COMET roller coaster, North Dartmouth, New Bedford, MA 1947 swampfoxer 2008-11-06 | Here is some vintage video clips of the Comet roller coaster on opening day in 1947. There is also some bonus clips showing the Comet Jr kiddie coaster which opened in 1951. Lincoln Park closed in 1987 and what is left of the Comet can still be seen on the parks grounds. Very sad ending to this once popular amusement park.
BERTRAND ISLAND AMUSEMENT PARK, NJ - Wildcat roller coaster swampfoxer 2008-10-18 | Lake Hopatcong, NJ was home to two great amusement parks during the early 1900's. There was Nolan's Point on one end of the lake, and Bertrand Island Park which lay on a small peninsula not far away. You can enjoy the scenes of the Wildcat coaster that are excerpts from Tim Young's "PTC Coaster & Parks" video and from Laura & Martin Kane's "Greetings From Bertrand Island" video. Along with some of my personal photos and of course, an audio mix to set the feeling. Let's GO!!
IDORA PARK Youngstown, Ohio - see rides, roller coasters & the 1984 fire that closed the park forever! swampfoxer 2008-09-22 | A wonderful compilation of video clips & still photos as well as photos of the infamous 1984 fire that closed Idora Park for good. Photos from my personal collection and video clips from Tim Youngs "Rediscover Idora Park", and lot's of editing to bring it all together in under 7 minutes. Tim Young's video is a must-have for those who have fond memories of this great old amusement park in Youngstown, Ohio.
JUMBO JET roller coaster - CONEY ISLAND, NY 1992 swampfoxer 2008-09-05 | The Jumbo Jet was an exciting steel roller coaster that operated at Coney Island, NY for 30 years before being dismantled in 2002. I took this video on a visit to this world famous playground in 1992. Instead of adding a music track, I found it more appealing to hear the actual sounds of what a typical summer day in Coney was like. You can hear the screams, the barkers, the games and of course the roar of the coaster. Warning: This video may give you chills! Enjoy.
FOREST PARK HIGHLANDS Amusement Park roller coaster St Louis swampfoxer 2008-09-04 | If you grew up in or near St Louis, MO prior to 1963, you probably went to Forest Park Highlands Amusement Park. You also remember the great COMET roller coaster, and maybe the FLYING TURNS, both which are seen in this video clip. Tragedy hit the park though in July 1963 when a massive fire destroyed most of the park. Although the Comet survived, the park was too far gone to rebuild. This was the end for the Highlands, as it was known to the locals. Flying Turns photo Conrad Berry. And a special thanks to Forest Park Highlands guru Doug Garner for additional photos and video. Buy his Forest Park Highlands book! You won't be disappointed! visit www.forestparkhighlands.com
CONEY ISLAND OHIO amusement park, pre-1971 roller coasters swampfoxer 2008-09-01 | Here is a quick glimpse of what Cincinnati's famous Coney Island was like in it's hey day prior to it's closure in 1971. This video clip consist of scenes taken from Tim Young's "Greetings From Coney Island" VHS along with some static photos and a few video clips from my personal collection. I added a mellow audio track, with a nostalgic flair. You will see clips of the Shooting Star & Clipper roller coasters along with various rides like the Cuddle Up, Rotor, Flying Scooter (now at Carowinds) and Tumble Bug. The park still operates today with a few amusement rides but the wooden coasters are long gone. Enjoy!
WEST VIEW PARK, PA the DIPS & RACING WHIPPET roller coaster swampfoxer 2008-08-23 | Here are some park scenes of West View Park, an amusement park that once operated near Pittsburgh, PA. The park closed in 1977 and a shopping center now sits on the site of the park. These scenes are from WQED's "Things That Aren't There Anymore". A recording of Pittsburgh's past.
