Phoenix (roller coaster)

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Phoenix
Location	Knoebels
Type	Wood - Sit down - Intermediate
Status	Open
Opened	June 15, 1985 (relocated)
Manufacturer	Philadelphia Toboggan Company
Designer	Herbert Paul Schmeck, 1947
Track layout	double Out and Back
Lift/launch system	Chain lift hill
Height	78 feet (23.8 m)
Drop	72 feet (21.9 m)
Length	3,200 feet (975.4 m)
Max speed	45 mile per hour (72.4 km/h)
Inversions	0
Duration	2:00 min
Capacity	720 riders per hour
Cost	US$ 1,500,000 (with relocation)
Height Restriction	42 inches (106.7 cm)
Phoenix at RCDB
Pictures of Phoenix at RCDB

While Knoebels had operated several small steel roller coasters over the course of its history, it did not have a traditional wooden roller coaster until 1985 when the park opened The Phoenix, a relocated wooden roller coaster from Playland Park in San Antonio, Texas where it was originally called, The Rocket.

[edit] History

Designed and built by Herb Schmeck and the Philadelphia Toboggan Company (PTC), the roller coaster operated as "The Rocket" at the Playland Park in San Antonio from 1947 until the park's closure in 1980. At its opening, the Phoenix was hailed as "the largest roller coaster in the world," with 3200 feet of track and 78 foot first hill. Knoebels purchased the ride in 1984 and dismantled it starting in January 1985. As there were no blueprints to work with, each individual board was numbered and cataloged on site. [1]

The restored roller coaster opened at Knoebels on June 15, 1985. It is named after the mythical phoenix bird which rises, reborn, from its own ashes. This effort, the first large-scale wooden roller coaster relocation ever, helped spark a movement for the restoration and relocation of other roller coasters standing but not operating.

[edit] Features and popularity

The Phoenix coaster routinely gives a fast ride with many spots where riders experience upwards acceleration. The floating sensation is known affectionately to coaster enthusiasts as "airtime," and they applaud the coaster as the airtime occurs. The best seat on the Phoenix for "airtime" is the third seat on both trains. Since the inception of the Internet Wood Tracked Roller Coaster Poll, the Phoenix has consistently ranked among the top 10. The Phoenix has consistently been ranked at or near #4 by Amusement Today's Golden Ticket Awards.

Golden Ticket Awards: Best Wooden Coaster
Year	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006
Ranking	5	4	5	4	4	4	5

[edit] Modern usage

Since 1986, Knoebels has held the "Phoenix Phall Phun Phest," a yearly October event for roller coaster enthusiasts. In 2001 alone, over 1500 roller coaster and amusement park fans converged on Knoebels, many in costume, to participate in a memorabilia swap meet and use the rides after the park closed to the general public. The event was rated the fourth best Halloween event in 2006 by Amusement Today.

Phoenix facts