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The Dania Beach Hurricane may be demolished
Last month Boomers in Dania Beach, Florida closed their wooden roller coaster known as the Dania Beach Hurricane. The ride could be seen from Interstate 95 just south of Ft. Lauderdale. It could also be seen from the Ft. Lauderdale airport as I found out a few years ago. I thought I was seeing a mirage when I landed there for a connecting flight as I wasn't aware of the coaster at the time.
While details around the ride's closing have been scarce, a Sun Sentinel article points to the high cost of maintaining a wooden roller coaster in a warm humid climate. The article stated:
While details around the ride's closing have been scarce, a Sun Sentinel article points to the high cost of maintaining a wooden roller coaster in a warm humid climate. The article stated:
"The high cost of maintenance and insurance, plus low ridership as the ride became rough," likely contributed to the Dania Beach coaster shutdown on April 26, Doppelt said. "I'd say they couldn't afford to redo it."
The company that owns the coaster has cited "business reasons" for the closure, but did not offer details.
When news first broke that the park had closed the Hurricane, enthusiasts hoped that another park would buy the ride. Now it appears that there's a good chance that the area landmark may soon be no more. According to Screamscape, the Dania Beach Hurricane may be scheduled for demolition as soon as June. Meanwhile, roller coaster enthusiasts at ThemeParkReview and CoasterBuzz have shared their love for the ride. If it is demolished, it sounds like it will be missed.Filed under: North America, Theme Parks
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
ginger May 23rd 2011 12:00PM
The Big one at 6 flags over Texas was rough as a cobb when I rode it over 15 years ago, it jarred my neck something awful! The boards warp and make the ride a nightmare that is not fun, all painful and yet they kept putting people on that ride. I have never gone back. They can keep it.
Greg May 23rd 2011 6:45PM
That wooden coaster at Texas Six Flags in Arlington is the last wooden coaster I've ridden and the last I will ever ride. It just wasn't fun. I know there are a lot of wooden coaster enthusiasts, but I love the smooth fast new metal/iron coasters better.
BrokeDog May 24th 2011 3:13AM
The "Giant" at 6 Flags gave me a herniated disc in my neck and cost me 4 weeks off work! I had no idea that the coaster caused it until about 4 months later when another friend told me that she and 2 others got neck injuries on this ride!
I still love roller-coasters but ... I've never ridden this one again!
Koz May 23rd 2011 12:03PM
It looks like a great Camel Back.
Maybe it is the park that has a problem.
Jack May 23rd 2011 12:05PM
I am a roller coaster nut, love wooden ones, shame they are all doing down with the new types takeing over. I do miss them.
Was on my first at 6, Willow Grove Park in Pa, the Thunder Bolt, what a hill.
Kim May 23rd 2011 12:22PM
Do you mean Kennywood Park in Pgh, PA?
tom May 23rd 2011 12:44PM
willow grove park what a fun
Tom May 23rd 2011 3:38PM
Would that be Kennywood? The Kennywood Thunderbolt is a phenom! 60mph, I believe. Oldie but goodie!
Dwight May 24th 2011 8:59AM
Jack, "Life Is A Lark At Willow Grove Park". Or at least it was. I remember the park like I was there yesterday. Loved the old Thunderbolt too. Even though wooden roller coasters where jerky and sometimes cruel on the body, they did have a personality to them. Depending on humidity & temperature, the ride was always a little different. Growing up in Warminster allowed me to spend many weekends there during the summer when I was was young. Those days may be gone forever but our memories will always live on.
DAN May 23rd 2011 12:08PM
TOO BAD THE ROLLER COASTER IS CLOSING AS ALL KIDS SEEM TO WANT TO DO IS PLAY STUPID VIDEO GAMES AND TEXT EACH OTHER !
DAN May 23rd 2011 12:48PM
BUCK UP LITTLE CAMPER I WOULD SUGGEST KIDDIE BUMPER BOATS BUT THAT WOULD PROBABLY ALSO BE TOO RUFF FOR YOU.
CaliGal May 23rd 2011 4:13PM
And... it is not located on the same property as the water park once was.
The water park is where the DCOTA is....at Stirling Road and I-95. The coaster is just to north.
ASh May 23rd 2011 12:17PM
Truth is this coaster was never safe, this park or lack there of is located in Hollywood, Fl, years ago this used to be a Six Flags Water Park, i have rode the coaster once approx, 4 years ago, the thing is the park is in a poor area of town, and simply kids flock to the arcade and go karts, the park doesnt make enough money to keep the ride open, makes perfect sense to me, its the only coaster there.
1FastHoo May 23rd 2011 1:37PM
No, it is located in Dania..........hence the name DANIA BEACH Hurricane.
john May 23rd 2011 4:20PM
no... that area was NEVER 6 flags atlantis(later atlantis the water kingdom). that area is further south where currently dave and busters and several shooping outlets are at. i remember because i used to go there during the summer (and it was where the famed castle park mini-golf and arcade palace stood before the property was sold and later developed into atlantis). the dania beach rollercoaster is part of boomers(once known as grand prix, later grand prix race-a-rama), whihc is a completely different address and location.
Char May 23rd 2011 5:58PM
I don't remember it ever been a Six Flags. It was just land and the Grand Prix next door was the arcade until Boomers was built and bought out Grand Prix. I never got to ride that roller coaster even though I grew up in Pembroke Pines, not far from the park. When it first opened it was always busy. Then it just became ridiculously expensive to ride. The Boomers itself is expensive for arcades, laser tag, food. That place has been going down hill for years. It gets dirtier and dirtier.
bob Jun 3rd 2011 6:14PM
Six flags was on the otherside of Stirling rd., which is now a mall
Malise May 23rd 2011 7:08PM
Six Flags was in Hollywood between Stirling & Sheridan off of I95, where Oakwood Plaza is (K-Mart, Home Depot, BJs, Movie Theater) This coaster is in DANIA between Griffin & Stirling roads.
forrest May 23rd 2011 12:55PM
I can't believe this is a news story. First off, it was only built in 2000.! What the? secondly, it goes 50 miles an hour. Not even a satisfying drop!!!
NOW, if it was the wooden yellow roller coaster in Allentown PA that has been there since the 1920's,...then that would be a great topic. Lot's of nostalgia on that one...plus,..the drop, the speed....I mean...c'mon. DANIA BEACH? That's not a famous place. Neither is the roller coaster .
Hattie Crabtree May 23rd 2011 1:22PM
I miss the old rides,The Ninja and Big Bad Wolf ( at Busch Gardens in Williamsburg,VA).I loved them coz no real big dips or going upside down.You mostly rode sideways like on a bobsled.