Adventureland
Altoona, Iowa
September 6, 2008
Page Nine




Like I said though I do not blame Adventureland for the bad coaster that The Dragon is.  The thing is back in 1991 when they added it there really wasn't that much of a choice for them.  I mean B&M were just beginning and in reality were way too expensive even if they had a sit down train design.  Then there was Arrow Dynamics who were going through massive financial troubles.  Schwartzkopf had went bankrupt and retired.  So all that was left was Hopkins who also made Adventureland's rapids ride so there was a relationship there and understandable they they went with what they did. 



Back in the late 80's, early 90's the perception was that a park wasn't "big" unless they had a looping coaster so the owners of Advebtureland looked around at the rides that were out there and from what I hear decided that they liked the Shock Wave at Six Flags Over Texas and instructed Hopkins to make a ride similar to it.



Like Shockwave The Dragon comes off of the first drop and heads into a pair of vertical loops.



Had Dragon's trains been actually comfortable the loops would have been fun.



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Paul B. Drabek