Phoenix (roller coaster)

Phoenix is a wooden roller coaster located at Knoebels Amusement Resort in Elysburg, Pennsylvania. It was moved to its current location in central Pennsylvania in 1985.^[1] Prior to its purchase and relocation to Knoebels, it operated under the name The Rocket at Playland Park in San Antonio, Texas.

Phoenix
Previously known as The Rocket (1947–1980)
Lift hill of Phoenix
Knoebels Amusement Resort
Location	Knoebels Amusement Resort
Coordinates	40°52′42″N 76°30′23″W
Status	Operating
Opening date	June 15, 1985 (1985-06-15)
Cost	$1,500,000
General statistics
Type	Wood
Manufacturer	Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters
Designer	Herbert Paul Schmeck, 1947
Track layout	Double Out and Back, Figure 8
Lift/launch system	Chain lift hill
Height	78 ft (24 m)
Drop	72 ft (22 m)
Length	3,200 ft (980 m)
Speed	45 mph (72 km/h)
Inversions	0
Duration	2:00
Capacity	720 riders per hour
Height restriction	42 in (107 cm)
Trains	2 trains with 4 cars. Riders are arranged 2 across in 3 rows for a total of 24 riders per train.
Phoenix at RCDB
Video

History

Phoenix was designed and built by Herbert Paul Schmeck and Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters (PTC). It operated as "The Rocket" at Playland Park in San Antonio, Texas from 1947 until the park's closure in 1980. At its opening, The Rocket was hailed as "the largest roller coaster in the world", with 3,200 feet of track and a 78-foot lift hill. Knoebels purchased the ride in 1984 and dismantled it starting in January 1985. As there were no blueprints to work with, each individual board was numbered and cataloged on site.^[2]

Ride experience

The ride features two PTC trains, one yellow and one orange, each capable of accommodating 24 passengers. After being dispatched, the train takes a sharp right turn as it exits the station and enters a dark tunnel. Upon reaching the end of the tunnel, the train ascends the 78-foot lift hill. After reaching the top of the lift hill, the train drops down a 72-foot initial descent before entering the first turnaround.

Following a leftward turn, the train descends to ground level and traverses two smaller airtime hills before ascending into the second turnaround. Now running parallel to the lift hill, the train descends another drop, and hits a double-up, followed immediately afterwards by a double-down. The train then rises up into a final turnaround, wrapping around the outer side of the initial turnaround's structure. Subsequently, the train traverses a series of four consecutive bunny airtime hills before hitting the brake run, making a right hand turn to return to the station.

Awards and rankings

Phoenix has consistently ranked among the top 10 wooden roller coasters in various polls such as the annual Golden Ticket Awards from Amusement Today, and has won the Golden Ticket Award itself in the Best Wooden Coaster category each year from 2018 onwards.^[3] It was also awarded the Coaster Landmark designation by American Coaster Enthusiasts (ACE).^[4]

Golden Ticket Awards: Top wood Roller Coasters

Year	1998	1999	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007	2008	2009	2010	2011	2012	2013	2014	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019	2021	2022	2023	2024
Ranking	10[5]	6[6]	5[7]	4[8]	5[9]	4[10]	4[11]	4[12]	5[13]	3[14]	3[15]	4[16]	3[17]	2[18]	3[19]	3[20]	4[21]	3[22]	2[23]	2[24]	1[25]	1[26]	1[27]	1[28]	1[29]	1[30]

NAPHA Members Survey: Favorite Wood Roller Coaster[31]
Year	2005	2006	2007	2008	2009	2010	2011	2012	2013	2014	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019	2020
Ranking	1	1	1 (tie)	2	2	2	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1

Modern usage

Since 1986, Knoebels has held the "Phoenix Phall Phun Phest", a yearly October event for roller coaster enthusiasts. In 2001, over 1500^{[citation needed]} roller coaster and amusement park fans converged on Knoebels, many in costume, to participate in a memorabilia swap meet and ride the rides after the park closed to the general public. The event was voted the third best Halloween event in 2008 and 2009 in an Amusement Today survey.^[32]