WWE Super Star Mick Foley: A Coaster Talk

Happy Holidays Coaster lovers, I have a special present for you! It won’t fit under your tree so I guess I’ll just have to give it to you here instead – it’s an interview with Mick Foley; the hardcore wrestling legend, best-selling author, comedian, actor and of course, roller coaster enthusiast!  I sat down with Mick before his comedy show at Leo’s Komedy Korner in Windsor, Ontario on December 8th to talk about his favourite rides, parks and memories. So sit back and enjoy!

Me: So let’s just dive in, shall we? What’s your all time favourite roller-coaster?

Mick: Hmm, if I had to pick a favourite coaster, I want to lean towards wood; I really love the Phoenix (Knoebels, Elysburg, PA), the Raven (Holiday World, Santa Claus, IN). But for steel I really like Nitro at Six Flags (Six Flags Great Adventure, Jackson, NJ.).

Me: I’m a fan of wooden coasters too; structurally they are so beautiful.

Mick: Aw yeah. Me and my son got a beautiful photo in front of Phoenix when it was covered in snow, because I was around there doing a comedy show and I was tweeting to my followers not to come out to my show – the snow was so bad I didn’t want any accidents or things like that – not worth it, so it only ended up being 12 people in the audience but afterward we got that group photo in front of Phoenix.

This was the last weekend in October, and he was doing a (family friendly) comedy routine at the Knoebel’s food court. Here are some of his Tweets from that day alerting people not to travel:

@realMickFoley Mick Foley
“Due to snow in Elysburg, Pa, my comedy show and signing at Knoebels will BOTH be at 2 pm. Admission, show, signing, photo-op are ALL free!
29 Oct”

@realMickFoley Mick Foley
“Comedy + signing at 2 PM in Elysburg, PA todat, BUT weather is REALLY BAD! Please be advised. Accidents everywhere. I’ll be back in summer.
29 Oct”

@realMickFoley Mick Foley
“Yeah,@willyc56 , I think the 2 pm appearance will be over by the Food Court and will be more of an informal Q&A instead of a comedy show.
29 Oct”

@realMickFoley Mick Foley
“Hope everyone is doing ok today after that bizarre October storm. I’ll have some cool news in the next day or so, about an NYC comedy event.
30 Oct”

Me: That sounds great. Parks in the winter are a different experience completely. Can you tell me about the first park you ever went to? And what was that like?

Mick: The first park I ever went to as a child (laugh), probably Rye Playland (Rye, NY), and I’m talking when I was four years old, so I think so. I didn’t have a big list of coasters to my name until a long time after that, I mean, if I wanted my life on the road (as a wrestler) to be not so boring with airports, arenas, hotels, well I’d go to parks, and I hate to admit this, but it was often with (fellow wrestler) Al Snow by my side. I’m sure my list of rides isn’t as big as yours though.

Me: Well, I am new to rides too. It took me a long time to over-come my anxiety, but once I did I just couldn’t stop. I’m like you, I like wooden Coasters, especially the Beast at King’s Island. It’s terrifying at night, with no lights – you just hurdle through darkness.

Mick: Well maybe we can ride it together sometime.

Me: That sounds awesome. Are your kids into roller coasters too?

Mick: Oh yeah, I took my eight year old out, took him on the Phoenix, a few twister rides, and he came out to Santa’s Village with me, which was nice because it was night and unseasonably warm so we got to ride the trains in the dark for the first time.

Me: That sounds magical. He’s not scared at all going on rides?

Mick: Oh no, he’s fine. You know, I’ll see if I can throw in a roller coaster joke for my (comedy) show tonight, I do take requests.

Me: Aw thanks Mick, I can’t wait.

This concludes the “official” interview. The conversation wound down to talking about his books and comedy shows after that – we got a little off track, but that is the great thing about Mick. He was so friendly, and invited myself and friends to join him at his table. We ended up talking for a good hour before his show. He did throw in a story about his family going to Disneyland, but you’ll have to wait to hear that joke when he comes to city near you.

Check out realmickfoley.com for more information on Mick and his upcoming appearances.

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