Flyer Addicts Research Blog

Though our Flyer Addicts research lately has been concentrating on the hey-day of the Flying Scooter in the 1940s and early 1950s, we recently stumbled across a great low-budget book by James W. Reed that details over 150 amusement parks as they were in 1987. It was strange to see how different the amusement park landscape was just 24 years ago.

You see, while many park and ride enthusiasts get mixed up in this crazy hobby during their teenage years, I (Chris) waited until the late nineties and my late-twenties to catch the bug. While I was able to enjoy the boom in coasters during the beginning of the millennium, there were dozens of classic amusement parks that were missed by just a few years. Listed in the book were parks of my youth as well, including Sauzer’s Kiddieland in Schererville, Indiana

But, even more interesting was the “ride census” which aimed to count not only roller coasters, but Scramblers, Trabants, Twisters and – yes – Flying Scooters.

James W. Reed's Amusement Park Guidebook-1987 Edition

According to the book, called Amusement Park Guidebook, there were 22 Flying Scooters were running that year. We beg to differ slightly, but understand the complications of compiling such a list in the time before the Internet. Our notes after the list:

NAME OF PARK – LOCATION
1. ADVENTURELAND – DES MOINES, IA
2. AMERICANA AMUSEMENT PARK – MIDDLETOWN, OH
3. BLAND’S PARK (Now Del Grasso) – TIPTON, PA
4. BOBLO ISLAND AMUSEMENT PARK – DETROIT, MI
5. CANOBIE LAKE PARK – SALEM, NH
6. CLEMENTON LAKE PARK – CLEMENTON, NJ
7. ELDRIDGE PARK – ELMIRA, N
8. ERIEVIEW PARK “RIDES & SLIDES” – GENEVA-ON-THE-LAKE, OH
9. FANTASY FARM PARK – MIDDLETOWN, OH
10. FUN JUNCTION – GRAND JUNCTION, CO
11. FUN SPOT – ANGOLA, IN
12. GEAUGA LAKE – AURORA, OH
13. HOLIDAY WORLD – SANTA CLAUS, IN
14. KINGS DOMINION – DOSWELL, VA
15. KINGS ISLAND – KINGS ISLAND, OH
16. KNOEBELS AMUSEMENT RESORT – ELYSBURG, PA
17. LAGOON AND PIONEER VILLAGE – FARMINGTON, UT
18. LAKESIDE AMUSEMENT PARK – DENVER, CO
19. LINCOLN PARK – NORTH DARTMOUTH, MA
20. MOUNTAIN PARK – HOLYOKE, MA
21. OLD INDIANA FUN PARK – THORNTOWN, IN
22. SEABREEZE PARK – ROCHESTER, NY

Note that all of these are Bisch-Rocco models, as the first Larson manufactured model did not debut until 2002. Scooters not mentioned in the book, but thought to be in operation in 1987 include Burns Park Funland (North Little Rock, AR), Rye Playland (Rye, NY) and Gulf Shores Amusement Park (Gulf Shores, AL). Also, knock Fantasy Farm off the above list as our research shows that scooter was sold to Fun Spot prior to the closing of Fantasy Farm. Timelines match as this book shows the Fun Spot scooter “New for 1987.”

We’re now looking for the 1982 and 1977 editions of the book to further our research.

It’s time to step out of that Anonymous shadow. Flyer Addicts presents its first official T-Shirt – “12 Steps.” Get it? I knew you would.

Look stylish, even if you are being anonymous

Shirts are high-quality pre-shrunk cotton/polyester. Each shirt is professionally printed via Direct-to-Garment process so the graphics are soft to the touch. The Flyer Addicts logo and website are printed on the front, with the above full-size image on the back. Check out the images in the gallery below. Each is shipped via USPS from our printing partner outside of Chicago.

We’re keeping them cheap, in order to spread the Flyer Addicts message. $15 gets you a shirt shipped to your US address. Additional shirts are $13 shipped. Since each shirt is printed on demand, it may take a few days to ship once your order is processed.

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It’s time for the Annual Flyer Addicts Anonymous summer roadtrip.

We’re posting a few pictures along the way on the Flyer Addicts Anonymous Facebook page. Pop on over to see some pictures we took today from our visit to Burns Park Funland. Their “Butterfly” is truly a unique portable scooter managed by someone who really cares about the rides. We’ll post a full writeup to the Research Blog after we return.

Over the course of this week, we’ll also visit Magic Springs, Silver Dollar City and some other small parks. The finally is next weekend with Coaster Mayhem (Worlds of Fun) and Bahncon (Schlitterbahn – Kansas City) events. If you see us, say hi!

[Update: We've posted our full trip report from Burns Park Funland. View that entry here.]

Will you be in Western Kansas this weekend (July 28-31st)? Then stop by the Wichita County Fair in Leoti, Kansas to ride a truly unique Flying Scooter.

For Flyer Addicts, it’s a difficult credit to nab. In addition to being located deep in the Kansas plains, somewhere between Denver and Kansas City, it also operates just a few days a year during the fair. Flyer Addicts Chris and Jack even tried to plan a trip around the fair this year, but found it difficult to fit into any travel plans. There is always next year.

A Bisch-Rocco Portable Flying Scooter peeks out of the frame in this 2010 picture from the Wichita County Fair

The story on this scooter goes as follows…when the carnival operator contracted to provide rides bailed just days before their arrival in 1981, the fair was left without amusement rides. To ensure that never happened again, the locals began purchasing, refurbishing and running their own rides each year. Today, they operate boasts 12 large rides, and several kiddie rides. Like 1982, all rides today still cost just 25 cents each!

The fair has already posted several pictures from the 2010 fair in a photo gallery on their website. Rides seen include a Ferris Wheel, Paratrooper, Miniature Train, Tilt-a-Whirl and Merry-Go-Round. And of course, there is the portable model Bisch-Rocco Flying Scooter.

So, if you’re not busy this weekend, hop into the car and take a drive. Just remember that Wichita County does NOT contain the city of Wichita – but it is a short 250 mile drive to the west.
View Larger Map

You can get more information on the fair, including the 2011 dates (July 27-30) at their website www.wichitacountyfair.com. Hopefully, you’ll see some Flyer Addicts next year too!

If your part of the original Flyer Addicts crew that spent many a morning and evening taking over the Flying Eagles at Kings Island years ago, you certainly know that the beloved ride has been thrilling guests at Carowinds near Charlotte, North Carolina since 2005. First as the Nickelodeon-theme Danny Phantom’s Phantom Phlyer and starting this year – as Woodstock Gliders.

Snoopy and Woodstock Greets Some Addicts!

With the ride now being 474 miles away from its former Cincinnati home, addict visits may be less frequent – but definitely still worth it. Last week, Flyer Addicts Chris, Jack and Derek were happy to see the vintage Bisch-Rocco ride not only running great — but snapping great too.

Cables are flopping the way we like 'em!

Like in previous visits, snapping was not discouraged on this ride – despite it now being located in the kid’s “Planet Snoopy” section of the park. In fact, this visit saw multiple operators encourage the practice in theory by awarding a free re-ride to the pilot who put on the best show. Sometimes it went to an acrobatic adult, but usually to a high-flying kid who giggled with excitement the entire ride.

This potential addict flys high above the ride's queue.

Over the course of the afternoon, good shows were put on by admitted Addicts, potential Addicts and even tubs filled with random children and parents. Of course, when the Addicts were front of queue, things were stepped up a notch. And just like the old days, at least one parent complained, scolding Jack after a successful cycle that “this is a kids ride!”

A determined Jack eyes his prey.

We were happy to see, on such a warm Sunday afternoon, that the Carowind’s crowd appreciated their scooter and rewarded it with one of the longer waits of the day. Who needs to be ‘intimidated’ when your can soar on a former eagle – now beagle-ized.

Enough with the safety spiel, hit the button!

Part of the archiving process at FlyerAddicts.Com is to collect the serial number of each Flying Scooter. Unfortunately, here we found the serial number (PC-0205) on this plate was generated by Carowinds when the scooter was moved in 2005. Also, the manufacture date appears to be wrong. We’ve found multiple sources that document this scooter’s first installation being Coney Island in Cincinnati in 1940 – not 1935 as indicated on the serial plate.

The ride's serial plate was generated when the ride move to Carowinds in 2005 and contains inaccuracies.

Finally, we leave you with a compilation video of the Addict Invasion, shot in 720p HD with a Canon PowerShot camera. Hit 720p and go full screen for the best experience!

Have YOU had a great visit with a Flying Scooter this year? Email us and we may post your pictures and story!

We’ve been working behind the scenes collecting information and researching our list of over 120 flying scooters.

Look in the coming weeks for new articles, including updates from Wild Adventures, a visit to Carowinds and their Woodstock Gliders, and some rare information from a really cool source. Thanks for the support fellow addicts!

Flyer Addict Chris

Today Screamscape.com confirmed from the park that the Larson Flying Scooters that have been sitting SBNO at the former Celebration City will move to Wild Adventures in Georgia for 2010.

2006 Picture from FlyerAddicts Archives

This Larson scooter was installed at Celebration City in Branson, Missouri for the 2004 season.

The park closed in October 2008 when parent company Herschend Family Entertainment Corporation announced they were looking redevelop the land into a new entertainment option. The leading rumor for the Branson site is an aquarium.

Hershend purchased Wild Adventures in 2007 after the park was forced into bankruptcy and has been slowly upgrading the park.

Screamcape announced on October 2nd that:

(10/2/09) Wild Adventures has confirmed to us that the three new rides, a Scrambler, A Flying Scooters and a new family roller coaster, will all be coming in from Celebration City. That would pretty much narrow things down to either the Jack Rabbit (Miler) or Thunderbolt (S&MC Hurricane). Somehow I don’t think the park is going to get the Ozark Wildcat, though it would be nice… since they’ve already got the trains.

It’s great to be able to take another scooter off the SBNO list!

Every once and awhile, a Flyer Addicts Anonymous researcher must leave his computer and conduct some…uh…field research.

And what better place to meet up with some fellow addicts than Stricker’s Grove just outside of Cincinnati, Ohio. Stricker’s is open to the public just a few days a year and is home to an original Bisch-Rocco Flying Scooter.

Serial #4332-23

From the scooter’s serial plate, we believe this 8-car portable scooter was built in 1943. While it has resided at Stricker’s Grove since 1994, we’ve back-tracked this flying scooter to Columbian Park in Lafayette, Indiana and the Rocco Family’s own Playland Park, which operated in suburban Chicago from 1953 to 1979.

Now, for those who were unable to join us this past Sunday, here’s a quick video showing some of the aerial manouvers and good times had by dozens of fans of the Bisch-Rocco Flying Scooter.

Got that Flying Scooter itch now? You can still visit Stricker’s Grove on their two remaining 2009 Public Days – Labor Day Monday (September 7th) and Customer Appreciation Day (Sunday, October 11th). More info at www.strickersgrove.com

Who would defile Bisch-Rocco Flying Scooter? If its 1960, then the answer would be Bushkill Park in Eaton, Pennsylvania.

While a definitive arrival date has not been found, the 8-car portable scooter was present in the park as early as 1943. Sometime in the early 1960′s the ride was severely modified to capitalize on the race-to-the-moon frenzy. The new ride, seen below in an 1970s brochure picture, was called the “Gemini 9″.

Bisch-Rocco Scooter Hacked

Yes, those are supposed to be Gemini space capsules where our beloved tubs should be hung. We still wondered how the ride would run, and thanks to the magic of YouTube – we have our answer in the form of video taken of the park and ride in July of 1988. The Gemini 9 footage runs from about 1:10 to 3:45.

As you can see, “spins” replaced “snaps” in this new ride modification that operated like a cross between a Heart Flip and the modern Wisdom Tornado.

Bushkill, sadly, has been closed the last few years after the nearby creek flooded the park on several occasions. During an FAA trip in 2005, Flyer Addicts Chris and Jack were given permission to stroll through the park ground and take some pictures of the damage and the process of rebuilding. The Gemini 9 had been removed sometime before the 2004 floods.

[Thanks to Ken Philips for the Bushkill brochure.]

Flyer Addicts has been doing some behind-the-scenes networking that has helped us better understand the Bisch-Rocco Flying Scooter.

Part Bisch-Rocco Catalog, Part Manual Cover Page

The latest discovery was dropped in our lap during a visit with a self-proclaimed addict in Chicago. Among other information and brochures gathered during his long history in the amusement industry – he donated a 7-page assembly manual for a portable (8-car) Flying Scooter that includes a part list and maintenance recommendations. Thanks to Ken for this insight into the inner-workings of our obsession.

Many of the pages reference the “Rocco Amusement Company”, so we can assume this document was produced after the 1955 – when Alvin Bisch retired from the company and the related Playland Amusement Park. Click the jump for the full manual, and our commentary.

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