The Phoenix started life as the Herb Schmeck
designed "Rocket" at Playland Park in
San Antonio,
Texas in 1947 by the Philadelphia Toboggan Company (PTC).
When it opened it was hailed as "the largest
roller coaster in the world." With a first hill drop
measuring 78
feet and 3200 feet of track taking you out and back twice.
Playland Park
closed its gates in 1980 leaving the Rocket standing abandoned
for 5 years until in 1985 Knoebels purchased the Rocket and dismantling
it moving it to Pennsylvania. This successful move sparked
off a series of endangered roller coasters being moved to better
locations since.
Three short months
later, on June 15th, the Rocket was reborn as the Phoenix
opening to the
public with rave reviews. Ever since the Phoenix has been consistently
ranked among the top ten rollercoasters and one of the best
wooden roller coasters in the country.
The Phoenix has been nicknamed "Air Phoenix"
for good reason. The double out-and-back rolls over a
multitude of hills that provide smooth negative G air-time on
almost every hill.
The Phoenix is surrounded by
trees providing a beautiful back drop to a classic coaster with
the antique auto ride running through the base of the coaster.
