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The Skyliner Roller Coaster at Lakemont Park and The Island Waterpark, Altoona, Pennsylvania

Unfortunately millions of guests never appeared at Boyertown U.S.A.  The demise was the result of location as Lakemont is not near a large population and those that grew up going to Lakemont Park were not happy to have to pay to enter what was one free and with all the trees gone a lot of its charm was lost.  Boyertown U.S.A. lasted from May 1986 to July 1988 before the theme park fell into bankruptcy and Boyertown was no more.  

The Skyliner Roller Coaster at Lakemont Park and The Island Waterpark, Altoona, Pennsylvania

Thankfully one of the contractors who built many of the buildings for Boyertown stepped up and purchased the operations of the park and out of a disaster that could have cost the world Lakemont Park, the Skyliner and Leap The Dips.

The Skyliner Roller Coaster at Lakemont Park and The Island Waterpark, Altoona, Pennsylvania

And now you know the rest of the story.  Sorry about going all Paul Harvey there.

The Skyliner Roller Coaster at Lakemont Park and The Island Waterpark, Altoona, Pennsylvania

Even though Boyertown U.S.A.  added gates and took many of Lakemont's trees and rustic charm away at least it saved the Skyliner which is an insanely fun ride.

The Skyliner Roller Coaster at Lakemont Park and The Island Waterpark, Altoona, Pennsylvania

If you like airtime then my suggestion is to head for the back.  Skyliner has air in every seat but the back seat has one of the most terrifying moments of air.  As you come off the first turnaround you are going to end up holding on because Skyliner whips over the crest of the hill rocketing you up into the lap bar and as hard as you hit it your brain just knows it is going to break and you are going to be sent skyward to your death.  The lap bar doesn't break but you end up with one hell of an adrenaline rush and get to live to tell the tale.



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Paul B. Drabek