Scooby-Doo's Ghoster Coaster (Kings Dominion)

Infobox roller coaster
name=Scooby-Doo's Ghoster Coaster


caption=The exterior queue and marquee to the attraction
location=Kings Dominion
section=Kidzville
type=Wood
type2=
type3=
status=Open
opened=1974
closed=
manufacturer=Philadelphia Toboggan Company
designer=John C. Allen
model=144
track=
lift=
height=35
drop=30
length=1385
speed=35
inversions=
duration=1:40
angle=
capacity=1200
cost=
acceleration=
gforce=6.4
restriction=44
rcdb_number=89

Scooby-Doo's Ghoster Coaster is a wooden roller coaster located at Kings Dominion in Doswell, Virginia. It opened as simply Scooby-Doo in 1974. It is themed to (and named after) classic cartoon character Scooby-Doo, and the many eponymous cartoon shows in which he starred. Though generally classified as a family coaster [http://www.kingsdominion.com/attractions/category.cfm?ac_id=14 Official Kings Dominion page for Scooby-Doo's Ghoster Coaster] , and is currently located in an area of the park themed to young children, the ride features all of the elements and traits of "full-sized" or standard wooden roller coasters, and is correctly classified as such. The ride is well-known and easily identifiable due to the bright blue coloring of its superstructure and neon colored trains.

History

The coaster, then "Scooby-Doo", is one of two rides (the other the now-defunct Lion Country Safari) which opened in 1974. In contrast, Kings Dominion itself didn't open until 1975. This makes it the oldest ride at the park, having taken its first passengers "negative 1 years" after opening day. In the first portion of its life, the ride was located in "The Happy Land of Hanna-Barbera", an area of the park filled with attractions themed to the cartoons of the Hanna-Barbera studios. Scooby-Doo sat to the front of the lot, near the former site of the Racing Rivers waterslides. In 1997, the Kidzville section of the park was built up around the ride, and the name was extended to "Scooby-Doo's Ghoster Coaster". [http://www.rcdb.com/ig89.htm RCDB page for Scooby-Doo's Ghoster Coaster]

Tradition

The attraction's multi-generational history coupled with its eccentric appearance has earned it a group of dedicated fans. Long-time parkgoers have developed traditions and rituals associated with it, which include singing the theme song to "Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!" over the course of the trip, and yelling "Rooby Roo!" (character Scooby-Doo's pronunciation of his own name) at the top of each hill.

Recognition

Scooby-Doo's Ghoster Coaster was recognized by the American Coaster Enthusiasts (ACE) as an "ACE Coaster Classic", and a plaque was awarded. The group has since removed the ride from their list due to design modifications which disqualify the ride. To be designated an ACE Coaster Classic, roller coasters must be wood, not steel, and adhere to strict operational and design criteria, including non-ratcheting lap bar restraints, no seat dividers or headrests, and free choice of seating for riders (over being assigned a seat by the operator).

References

Reflist