Old Woodies

For my first "compare and contrast" entry, I decided I would start with the most popular attraction at any amusement park: roller coasters. Specifically, I will be looking at the old wooden roller coasters that are housed inside Hersheypark, Knoebels and Dorney. The COMET lives in Hersheypark, Knoebels houses the PHOENIX, while the THUNDERHAWK calls Dorney home. But which of these coasters reigns supreme?

One note before I begin--I will always give a description and personal opinion of each attraction in the order I first described the parks in my initial blog. After describing each attraction, I will then rank them from best to worst. My rankings are mainly based on my opinions, but I do try to come by my opinions objectively and to not let personal preference get in the way.

Hersheypark: THE COMET
Built in 1946, the COMET was actually a replacement for Hersheypark's first wooden coaster, the Wild Cat. It is a double out and back coaster--for all you non-coaster junkies out there, here is Wikipedia's definition: "Out and back refers to the layout of a roller coaster. An out and back coaster is one that climbs a lift hill, races out to the far end of the track, performs a 180 degree turn and then races its way back to the station." Double out and backs do this twice, and the COMET is no exception, with a long ride time that is a nice change of pace from newer, quick steel coaster rides. The COMET has an 84 foot lift hill with a 78 foot drop (which, I've heard, is actually nicknamed the "Chocolate Drop" after Hershey's sweet theme). It travels at about 50 mph, and gets some great air time on the smaller humps near the end of the ride. This coaster is well-maintained and runs two trains named "Mork" and "Halley." Overall, I believe the COMET is a great ride--it is just fast and jarring enough to be thrilling, but doesn't go overboard with either. A nice coaster for first timers!

Knoebels: THE PHOENIX
The PHOENIX is very famous, as it is the first roller coaster ever to be completely relocated from one park to another. The PHOENIX, which is another double out and back coaster, was originally called "The Rocket" when it was built in 1947, and lived at Playland Park in San Antonio, Texas. After Playland closed, Knoebels bought the coaster in 1984 and had it shipped, piece by piece, from San Antonio to Elysburg. The coaster opened at Knoebels in 1985 and was renamed the PHOENIX because it was reborn from the ashes of the closed Playland park. The history is what makes people want to ride the PHOENIX, but the ride itself is what draws people back for more. With a 78 foot lift hill, 72 foot drop and speed of 45 mph, the PHOENIX is very comparable to the COMET in many ways. However, the biggest difference in the rides is the air time. The PHOENIX hosts the greatest amount of air time on any coaster that I have ever ridden--at times during the ride, I have felt that I was actually standing in my seat rather than sitting! One reason I believe that this air time is so extreme is that the PHOENIX has no lap belts--it has only a safety bar that rests quite high above the seats. This air time makes the PHOENIX a very intense ride!

Dorney: THE THUNDERHAWK
The THUNDERHAWK is the oldest of the three coasters and was built in 1923 right on the site it sits now at Dorney Park. The ride is a single out and back that was originally just called "The Coaster" until it's fiftieth anniversary, when it was finally christened as the THUNDERHAWK. The ride has also gone through extensive remodeling, with a twisting figure eight section added in 1930. As coasters go, the THUNDERHAWK is not big--it boasts an 80 foot hill with only a 65 foot drop, with speeds of up to 45 mph. After the larger hills of other coasters, some may not be impressed by the smallness of the THUNDERHAWK's first drop, but the ride still delivers a fun ride, with good speed and air time throughout. A classic coaster that we're all very lucky Dorney still maintains and keeps around, if for nothing than the fact that it is a great example of old wooden coaster.

The Verdict:

1. Phoenix
2. Comet
3. Thunderhawk

I have to go with the PHOENIX on this one. On paper, the PHOENIX and the COMET are very, very similar rides. However, the PHOENIX's history and extreme air time are what sets it slightly above the COMET in my book. The COMET is a fantastic ride, as well, but is on the tamer side and doesn't have the amazing history the PHOENIX has. And the THUNDERHAWK? It's a great ride, but the other two coasters are leaps and bounds above it.

What are your thoughts?

Until next time!