|
In
1980 Buccaneer, a swinging pirate ship
designed by Giovanola opened along with
the Magic Moments Theatre.
This year also brought several
closures including Magic Pagoda, Dragon,
Eagles Flight to El Dorado Station, and El
Bumpo.
A
new area, Rapids Camp Crossing, was added
to the park in 1981 along with Roaring
Rapids, which sends large 12-passenger boats on a tumultuous journey
through violent waves, crosscurrents and
rapids. Also, with the addition of this area, the park became a full
circuit.
This year also saw the removal of
the “99” Steam Train in Children’s
World.
1982
rolled around and the park received an
Intamin first-generation drop ride dubbed
Freefall.
Located in the back of the park and
standing 100-feet in the air, Freefall
iminidated many riders.
The ride also suffered from an
excessive amount of downtime.
Also
this year, some work was done in the area
where Baja Ridge now resides.
The Revolution entrance was moved
to the top of the mountain Baile de Las
Flores (Tilt-A-Whirl) was added to the
courtyard.
In
1983, part of the parking lot was taken
over and Mystic Lake was created along
with a water skiing show.
Mountain Express was removed and
Texas Instruments Computer Center was
built in its place.
Swashbuckler, a yo-yo carnival
ride, was also added to the park this
year.
The
following year, The Texas Instruments
Computer Center closed its doors and the
building became a gift shop.
Also in 1984, Sarajevo Bobsleds, an
Intamin designed bobsled coaster, opened
in Spillikin Corners.
But the ride did not last very
long.
At this year’s Halloween event,
the park ran the right side of Colossus
backwards.
This became extremely popular and
the park continued to run the ride this
way all the way into the normal season.
Thirteen
years after being replaced by the Wizard
and his trolls, the Looney Tunes
characters made a return to the park, once
again becoming the mascots.
Children’s World was transformed
into Bugs Bunny World and the Clown
Coaster was renamed Wile E. Coyote
Coaster.
The
removal of the Sarajevo Bobsled’s left
room for something new.
In 1986, Shockwave, an Intamin
stand-up coaster, was built in this spot.
Also this year, the gas-powered
cars of the Chevron Grand Prix were
replaced with electric ones.
Z-Force
opened in 1987 in the former location of
the Grand Centennial Railroad station.
Colossus received new Morgan trains
and a multi-colored light show.
Also, Back Street opened in the
area located behind the Contempo Pavilion.
Electric Rainbow was renamed Turbo,
Himalaya renamed Subway, Enterprise
renamed Reactor. Also
this year, the Grand Carousel celebrated
its 75th anniversary.
In
June of 1987, the American Coaster
Enthusiasts held Coaster Con X, an annual
event, at the park.
Ninja
opened in 1988.
Designed by Arrow Dynamics, Ninja
became the first and only suspended
coaster on the west coast.
Banzai Terrace, a new eating
facility along with a Ninja souvenir shop
also opened this year.
The other addition to the park this
year was Condor, a giant Scrambler ride
that lifted riders more than 100-feet in
the air.
Also
this year, Shockwave was dismantled and
relocated to Six Flags Great Adventure.
The Funicular was renamed Orient
Express to complement the newly themed
land surrounding Ninja - Samurai Summit.
Baile de Las Flores ride was
relocated to Pirates Cove and renamed
Jolly Roger.
Tidal
Wave, which features a 50-foot plunge into
a giant wall of water, opened in 1989.
Also this year, Condor was removed
after operating for only one season.
Lastly, the Chevron Grand Prix was
moved to Bugs Bunny World and renamed
Granny Grand Prix.
|
