SFGAm buys Little Dipper from Kiddieland

[BrianPlencner]

I wonder if SFGAm is going to need any assistance from ACE to move this? I know in the past when wood coasters have been moved, ACE has stepped up and volunteered their time / effort to help move / paint / assemble the coaster.

I recall stories from Scott Heck and Duane Marden helping Little Amerricka move and re-assemble the Little Dipper from Hillcrest Park.

Now, I know that SFGAm is much larger (and has more $ to use for things like this) then Little Amerricka, but that does not mean that ACE could not get involved in some way to help out SFGAm. I for one would not mind spending a few weekends between now and April helping out in some way. What is everyone thought on this?


By the way, speaking of Duane, RCDB has updated to show this sale as well

http://www.rcdb.com/8985.htm

--Brian

[RBull4life]

Kiddieland's Little Dipper.

Let me stand up, and applaud this move. This is one fun little coaster.

[Chitown]

Brian, I seriously doubt SFGAm is going to ask for help from ACE. This is a corporation , not a family owned traditional park.

They will only be hiring professionals to set this up.

[Coaster Justin]

Lets Play the Name Guessing Game for the Ride:

- Roadrunner Express
- Wile E. Coyote's Canyon Blaster
- Mr. Six's Twisted Train

[BrianPlencner]

Chitown,

I do agree with what you said. It was just wishful thinking on my part. Would be cool if it did happen though.

--Brian

[BP317]

Good job on the picture on the main page Dave, good to see there is still some ounce of creativity going into this site once in awhile .

[monsterfan99]

Lets Play the Name Guessing Game for the Ride:

- Roadrunner Express
- Wile E. Coyote's Canyon Blaster
- Mr. Six's Twisted Train

Or just keep the Little Dipper name in hopes of drawing people that went to Kiddieland.

[traincrossing9]

Here's a bit me info from the park.

Six Flags Great America Purchases Historic Wooden Coaster
Purchase of Classic Wooden Coaster from Kiddieland Amusement Park Keeps Chicago History Alive

Nov. 25, 2009 (Gurnee, Il.) -- Six Flags Great America announced today the purchase of a vintage wooden roller coaster, The Little Dipper. The coaster operated at Kiddieland Amusement Park from 1950 until September of this year when the amusement park closed. The coaster will retain its original name and become the 14th coaster in Six Flags Great America’s impressive line-up of roller coasters.

The Little Dipper was designed by Herbert Schmeck and built by the Philadelphia Toboggan Company in 1950. The family-friendly coaster features a three story tall lift hill and is designed as a figure eight track which runs 700 feet in length. It has been honored with the ACE Coaster Classic award by the American Coaster Enthusiasts.

“The Little Dipper has been a fond family tradition for over 50 years,” said Hank Salemi, Six Flags Great America’s park president. “We wanted to preserve this important piece of Chicago history for families to experience for many more years to come.”

Guests can create a season of memories on The Little Dipper with a 2010 Season Pass which is on sale now at sixflags.com for the low price of $64.99. Season Passes include admission to the best water park in the nation, Hurricane Harbor; as well as discount-packed value book with more than $500 dollars worth of offers including four Bring-A-Friend-Free tickets.

Six Flags Great America is located between Chicago and Milwaukee and offers fun for the entire family with heart-pounding roller coasters including Raging Bull, a free 15-acre water park, spectacular shows and parades, three children’s themed areas including Wiggles World and meet and greets with Six Flags’ world-famous cast of characters, including Mr. Six.

[Paradise]

Lets Play the Name Guessing Game for the Ride:

- Roadrunner Express
- Wile E. Coyote's Canyon Blaster
- Mr. Six's Twisted Train

My vote goes for Mr. Six's Twister Train.

[SFaddiction84]

Name change not gonna happen seeing as there already promoting it with that name! They see this as a perfect moment to promote it and draw in people who will miss the ride from kiddieland

[CoastsToCoasters]

I got a text lastnight after workin in the heat of Africa (kalahari resort ) and I pretty much screamed like a little kid. Little Dipper was my first rollercoaster & I am so happy SFGAm is saving it.

I will admit I am very happy were gettin somethin other than Glow in the park, but im far more excited were gettin somethin for the kids/families. Its a real smart move. Do i want another thrill ride, hell yeah but balance is good structure for a park.

& for those of you makin posts, read the press release(s)....theyre keeping its history, keeping the name...no name change kiddos.

[monsterfan99]

My only hope at this point is it does not go in a kids area for the sake of families. Odds are it will, but it is a hope.

[Galvan]

Here is the official release from Six Flags on Little Dipper.
http://www.sixflags.com/greatamerica/info/news_thelittledipper.aspx

[FParker185]

I was at the auction and I knew the park had intentions of buying the ride so I was right near Salemi when he started fanning his bidding number as if he was hot. Basically he said to the press afterwards and some other people that the name will absolutely remain the Little Dipper. They are not 100% sure about the neon letters on the station, but will try to keep them so that's TBD. And it will be placed in one of the 3 kids area's within the park.

I think this is a perfect fit for SFGAm. It's amazing for PR, it's a pretty decent ride for what it is. It's relatively cheap, though $33,000(plus 10%) for the ride isn't exactly a steal when Hilcrest's went for $5,000, also the park can always use a coaster. Bugs Bunny National Park was starting to look pretty shady and I know they are bulldozing the net climb thing, I'm guessing it will be in that kids area somewhere.

I was all over the ride and only problems I noticed were that the lift chain and all related cogs are worn down to nubs, and as with all wood coaster relocation's, the track cannot be moved, so it will need all new track. Also some bents had some severe rot, though those were few and far between. Also I get the feeling the park will add a more modern control system. Probably wont get rid of the skid brakes due to the curved station, but I don't see SFGAm trusting an employee to operate the levers. I know I wouldn't
Though I guess with one train op, it doesn't matter a whole lot if they miss a train here and there.

[tillenterprises]

Very cool! I've never been to Kiddieland, but I'm guessing this is just like the Meteor coaster that they recently moved to Little Amerricka here in Wisconsin. I'm trying to figure out where they are going to put it, though. At first when I heard the news, I was thinking the Splashwater area (unless the go carts are going there), but if it's supposed to go in a kiddie area, I'm not sure where it would fit, unless they remove other stuff. It would be good to have it in County Fair, and help bring back a little of the original theming of a fairgrounds in the country.

[sfgamfan717]

The park confirmed it will be installed in 2010.

NEW IN 2010: Glow in the Park parade — Watch in enthrallment as custom
floats with vibrant-multicolored lights illuminate the night. Also new for 2010 is
The Little Dipper, a vintage wooden coaster from Kiddieland Amusement Park. This family-friendly ride with an honored past will become Six Flags Great America's 14th coaster!

[Jcoaster95]

I couldn't see it going in spashwater fall's spot, as it would not seem as significant as "American Eagle Jr."

[DejaVuGurl1203]

Most surprising news of the day, not going to lie.

Talk about earning brownie points with everyone...

Agreed. My dad was like, "Guess where Little Dipper is going?" My first thought was SFGAm, but then I was like no way. I then thought maybe a mall or some other place (lol), then he said SFGAm. I was like... what? I just stood there, taking it in.

[CoastsToCoasters]

Has anyone been to SFNE? Their cyclone has a classic american theme for...well, an american coaster classic I dont know how to put this but I would like for them to make it very well known that is a classic even if it means stampin that phrase right on the entrance such as this...



Its simple and nice. Id also like for them to put signs throughout the que regardless of size as SFSTl has done with Evel Knievel, tellin its great history.

& if you gaze through the rest of those photos for Cyclone (coasterfanatics.com), youll see that SFNE put signs throughout the que about other SF wooden coaster classics such as thunderbolt. Point is, not only will it show SFGAm cares enough but, also informs those that do not know.

[tillenterprises]

^ That would be a great idea- put vintage historical photographs of the ride and a little on the ride's history by the entrance and queue. Now that you mention it, it wouldn't be a bad idea to do that with some of the park's other older coasters too, like Demon, Whizzer and Eagle.

[monsterfan99]

^^ The biggest problem with the photos displays is you need a completely full que to see them all or you risk blocking traffic on Evel Knievel.

While not on topic completely, it would be nice to see the park do a small museum of sorts with park items. Even if it just the size of an un-used store or random area, it would provide a nice break from the park and a history lesson.

[Cryptkeeper]

Sorry if I missed it in this thread, but SFGAm also bought the antique car ride.

Little Amerricka was also at the auction, and got the log flume for dirt, dirt cheap (I think only a few grand? - can't remember).

[FParker185]

$3000 for the flume. Including the lift, drop, station and logs. Trough of course is not able to be moved.

[onyxhotel08]

So they just count AE as 2 and Dipper will be 14? This is now 100% no Chang till 2011...though construction of sorts has to begin by early-mid 2010.

[SFaddiction84]

The park confirmed it will be installed in 2010.

NEW IN 2010: Glow in the Park parade — Watch in enthrallment as custom
floats with vibrant-multicolored lights illuminate the night. Also new for 2010 is
The Little Dipper, a vintage wooden coaster from Kiddieland Amusement Park. This family-friendly ride with an honored past will become Six Flags Great America's 14th coaster!

Ya this was established at the opening of the topic They said in the Newspaper/NEWS RELEASE that they hope to have it OPEN by April 24th 2010

This also does NOT 100% Confirm Chang for 2011! Yes we all now it will be 2011 when it happens, but lets remember Deja Vu/V2? They debut same year! Its possible, but unlikely