Belmont Park's "Giant Dipper" |
| The Giant
Dipper was originally opened on Independence Day, July 4th of 1925. It was created by
Prior and Church in only 45 days. After many years of operation, it closed in 1976, when
all of the park's other rides were sold except for the Giant Dipper. The city of San Diego
soon wanted to demolish the ride, until a concerned citizen group called the Save the
Coaster Committee prevented its destruction. Then the newly formed San Diego Coaster
Company negotiated a long term lease with the city, after which they restored the Giant
Dipper. On August 11, 1990 the Giant Dipper reopened, riding a million passengers in its
first year of operation! This is the eighth oldest operating coaster in America. The highest drop is 73 feet and the track length is 2600 feet. It travels about 45 miles per hour and the ride lasts about 1 minute and 45 seconds. It has two 6-car trains, each carrying 24 passengers. The cost of the original construction was $535,000, and the cost of re-construction was $2,090,000. If you happen to be through the Mission Beach area of SanDiego to ride the Giat Dipper, be sure to stop in to the little museum across from the ride where they have a history of the ride, and a wonderfully restored original coaster car on display. The park is open every day except Christmas, and the cost to ride the Giant Dipper is $3. |
CLICK ON THE THUMBNAILS TO ENLARGE THEM |
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