Phoenix is a

wooden roller coaster A wooden roller coaster is a type of roller coaster classified by its wooden track, which consists of running rails made of flat steel strips mounted on laminated wood. The support structure is also typically made of wood, but may also ...

located at the

Knoebels Amusement Resort Knoebels Amusement Resort () is a family-owned and operated amusement park, picnic grove, and campground in Elysburg, Pennsylvania. Opened in 1926, it is America's largest free-admission park. The park has more than 60 rides including three wooden ...

in Elysburg, Pennsylvania. Prior to its purchase by Knoebels, its relocation in the mid-1980s, it was operated under the name "The Rocket" at Playland Park in

San Antonio ("Cradle of Freedom") , image_map = , mapsize = 220px , map_caption = Interactive map of San Antonio , subdivision_type = Country , subdivision_name = United States , subdivision_type1= State , subdivision_name1 = Texas , subdivision_t ...

, Texas.

History

Phoenix was designed and built by Herb Schmeck and the

Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters (PTC) is one of the oldest existing roller coaster manufacturing companies in the world. Based in Hatfield, Pennsylvania, it was established in 1904 by Henry Auchey and Chester Albright under the name Philadelphia T ...

(PTC). It operated as "The Rocket" at the Playland Park in San Antonio from 1947 until the park's closure in 1980. At its opening, the Rocket was hailed as "the largest roller coaster in the world," with 3200 feet of track and a 78-foot first hill. Knoebels purchased the ride in 1984 and dismantled it starting in January 1985. As there were no

blueprint A blueprint is a reproduction of a technical drawing or engineering drawing using a contact print process on light-sensitive sheets. Introduced by Sir John Herschel in 1842, the process allowed rapid and accurate production of an unlimited numbe ...

s to work with, each individual board was numbered and cataloged on site. The restored roller coaster opened at Knoebels on June 15, 1985. It was renamed after the mythical phoenix. As the first large-scale wooden roller coaster relocation in many years, Knoebels helped spark a movement for the restoration and relocation of other roller coasters standing but not operating.

Ride experience

Once dispatched, the train makes a right turn out of the station into a pitch-black tunnel. At the end of the tunnel, the train ascends the 78-foot climb up the lift hill. A 72-foot first drop follows. The train then rises up into the first of three turnarounds and crawls around it while unbanked. The train then dives off the turnaround into two consecutive airtime hills, both providing decent airtime. The train then rises into the second turnaround, turns around, and dives off the turnaround. Now adjacent to the lift hill, the train enters a double-up followed immediately by a double-down, delivering 3 pops of great airtime. The final turnaround follows, located adjacent to the first. The infamous finale comes next, with four back-to-back bunny hills, each providing amazing airtime.

Awards and rankings

The Phoenix has consistently ranked among the top 10 roller coasters in various polls such as the annual

Golden Ticket Awards ''Amusement Today'' is a monthly periodical that features articles, news, pictures and reviews about all things relating to the amusement park industry, including parks, rides, and ride manufacturers. The trade newspaper, which is based in Arl ...

from ''

Amusement Today ''Amusement Today'' is a monthly periodical that features articles, news, pictures and reviews about all things relating to the amusement park industry, including parks, rides, and ride manufacturers. The trade newspaper, which is based in Ar ...

'', and has won the Golden Ticket Award itself in the Best Wooden Coaster category in 2018, 2019 and 2021 (there was no competition in 2020 due to

COVID-19 Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a contagious disease caused by a virus, the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The first known case was identified in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. The disease quickl ...

). It was also awarded the

Coaster Landmark American Coaster Enthusiasts (ACE) is a non-profit organization focusing on the enjoyment, knowledge, and preservation of roller coasters as well as recognition of some as architectural and engineering landmarks. Dues-paying members receive the ...

designation by

ACE An ace is a playing card, die or domino with a single pip. In the standard French deck, an ace has a single suit symbol (a heart, diamond, spade, or club) located in the middle of the card, sometimes large and decorated, especially in the ca ...

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 third best Halloween event in 2008 and 2009 by

. ''Phoenix facts'' *Trains - 2 PTC, 1 yellow and 1 orange, 24 passengers each

References

{{ACE Coaster Landmarks Roller coasters introduced in 1985 1985 establishments in Pennsylvania