If you’re a fan of the Sesame Street TV show, you may be familiar with the Sesame Place theme park in Pennsylvania. Since opening in 1980, the park has welcomed fans of Big Bird, Elmo and the entire Sesame Street gang. The...
Continue reading...history
We Say Farewell to Roar on National Roller Coaster Day
August 16th was the final day of operation for Roar, the Great Coasters International wooden coaster that has carried over 11 million riders at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom since it’s opening on May 15, 1999. While it doesn’t have quite...
Continue reading...A History of Carowinds’ Thunder Road
On May 23, 2015, Carowinds announced the closure of its iconic racing wooden roller coaster, Thunder Road. Originally opened in 1976, Thunder Road has taken nearly 40 million riders on a wild ride across the North Carolina and South Carolina...
Continue reading...Looking Back at 60 years of Disneyland!
Disneyland’s Diamond anniversary celebration is kicking off one month from now, so this seemed a perfect time for us provide a brief look back at the past 60 years of the original Magic Kingdom. We’ll have another post in the next few...
Continue reading...Take a Look at Coney Island in the 1940s
If you’re wondering what Coney Island had to offer guests in 1940, look no further than the video below. See the sights and attractions of the famous New York destination, which features a smorgasbord of rides, live entertainment and much...
Continue reading...Visit Santa’s Workshop, a Groundbreaking Theme Park
Tucked into the rolling landscape of Adirondack Park in upstate New York, Santa’s Workshop may not appear to be the most pioneering theme park in the world. But this family friendly, Santa-themed park is anything but average. Upon its opening in...
Continue reading...Review: D23’s Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives
Recently I visited Chicago’s Museum of Science and Industry to check out the Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives exhibit. Presented by D23: The Official Disney Fan Club, the exhibit “celebrates Disney imagination, innovation and entertainment with nearly 300 artifacts, many which have not...
Continue reading...Blending Cypress and Legos at Legoland Florida
When a corporation purchases an individually owned park with rich history, it’s understandable to worry about what the future may hold for that unique charm. But fans of Legoland Florida, formerly known as Cypress Gardens, need not worry. The park recently...
Continue reading...Our Most Prized Theme Park Possessions
After years of visiting amusement parks, many coaster enthusiasts amass a sizable collection of artifacts, trinkets and souvenirs from their travels. These items provide a nostalgic reminder of their days of coaster-riding. Below, members of the Coaster101 team have shared a few...
Continue reading...Take a Trip Down Schwarzkopf Memory Lane
German engineer Anton Schwarzkopf is no doubt a legend in modern roller coaster design. He was responsible for the first weight-drop launched roller coaster in the world, as well as the first modern roller coaster to feature a vertical loop....
Continue reading...Lost Parks of Northern California: Luna Park
Calling all history fanatics: the Northern California Region of American Coaster Enthusiasts is back with the second installment in the Lost Parks of Northern California documentary series that covers the 12 lost amusement parks of the northern California region. This episode covers...
Continue reading...Parks Utilizing Facebook Timeline
Social media has proven to be yet another outlet to connect guests with their favorite amusement parks. The new Facebook Timeline page and profile layout are giving brands (and parks) much more freedom than they’ve ever had before. Amusement parks...
Continue reading...
Recent Discussion