The Lakemont Park Situation - Are Leap the Dips & Skyliner in Danger?

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Lakemont Park scared a lot of people last month when they announced that none of their rides would be running for the entirety of 2024. This poses a multitude of questions that concern the future of the park itself, as well as its rides. The Altoona, PA park has a long history that goes back further than most parks in the country, and it is home to the world's oldest standing roller coaster, the one and only Leap the Dips. Will these closures only be for this year, or could this be the beginning of the end for Lakemont's two major coasters? I can't tell for sure, but I sure can talk about it!
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#lakemontpark #leapthedips #rollercoaster

Опубликовано:

17 мар 2024

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Комментарии : 33

@RampagingRex 2 месяца назад

UPDATE 05/02/2024: It has been revealed that Lakemont Park has removed both Lil' Leaper and the 4x4 Trucks. Both rides have been sold and have already been dismantled and shipped elsewhere. At this time, Leap the Dips, Skyliner, the classic cars, and the train are the only rides remaining.

@Bryancooler485 28 дней назад

No way omg

@Productions427 3 месяца назад

This whole situation with Lakemont is so sad. As someone who grew up going to Conneaut Lake Park and Geauga Lake, I am very concerned about what the future may hold for the park and both of its historic wooden coasters. I was lucky enough to ride both of Lakemont’s coasters last year, but I still think it would be a shame if they’re not preserved for future generations.

@Bryancooler485 3 месяца назад

I wish that waterpark would open again, I miss it. Even those waterslides are still standing today

@kwood4800 3 месяца назад

I have a soft spot for Lakemont Park. I was part of a group that marathoned Skyliner during the Minor League World Series in 2006. I don't even remember how many laps we did.

@RampagingRex 3 месяца назад

You probably rode more times than me, but I rode 14 times in a row and still wanted to do more!

@rowdyruffboy120 3 месяца назад

@@RampagingRexI have a question about your Six Flags Killed By Katrina video, theres a song I wanna know the name of. The timestamp is at 8:08

@FUNKRUBICON 19 дней назад

Knoebels has always been a beacon in the amusement park industry for keeping older amusement rides operational. Perhaps with their expertise in wooden roller coasters and relocating them and the short distance of a few hours involved maybe they could relocate Leap the Dips and keep the oldest roller coaster operational.

@TheWolfXCIX 3 месяца назад

I could see Knoebels buying Leap the Dips due to it's historical significance and their expertise in maintaining wooden rides. I could potentially see Delgrosso buying Skyliner if Lakemont completely shuts too, although it's probably more likely it gets scrapped.

@RampagingRex 3 месяца назад

My concern with Leap the Dips going to Knoebels would have to do with the coaster's low capacity. I bet the line for it would make the wait for Flying Turns look short.

@mrkevinwood7124 3 месяца назад

I love this small little park. I really hope im able to ride these coasters again!

@jpgiles1725 3 месяца назад

I live in PA. I have yet to visit Lakemont Park. I was planning on visiting this year for the first time. Sadly, that's not a possibility. Leap the Dips looks better than a lot of people would think

@emilypeduto981 3 месяца назад

i drive through altoona pretty frequently, and stop at lakemont whenever i can...i've NEVER caught leap the dips on a day it was open. never even seen the shop or food stand open so i can throw some revenue at the park. i'm desperate to ride it and worry that i never will.

@RampagingRex 3 месяца назад

I've never seen the gift shop or food stands open during normal park hours. I had to call ahead just to ask if the gift shop was open, and it wasn't, but thankfully they offered to open it just so I could buy shirts!

@coasterknowledge1982 3 месяца назад

I called in for all of 2022 and 2023 to try and go when both wooden coasters were open. In August 2023 I some how managed to do that. And it was clear the park needed help. I also think the parks marketing is flat out awful and nonexistent. They need to actually promote the park to bring people in.

@RampagingRex 3 месяца назад

Excellent point, if it wasn't for me being in the coaster community, I may have had no idea the park even existed. I can't imagine how many people out there don't realize they're so close to the world's oldest coaster.

@GregMoens 3 месяца назад

I rode Skyliner and Leap the Dips on the same day back in 2012. I rode Skyliner 4 times, 2 front, 1 back and 1 middle. I'm from NY and only made the journey to Lakemont back then to ride Skyliner, Leap the Dips was a bonus. My early childhood was spent going to Roseland Park, but I was never brave enough to ride Skyliner back then. Did you know those waterslides you mentioned were also relocated from Roseland as well? Sad to see them abandoned too. I shared your video to a Roseland facebook page. Hopefully that gets you some more views!

@lostsheep2640 3 месяца назад

That sucks about this park. I never went but just sucks to hear. Awesome video like always keep it up.

@phantomFanDrake 3 месяца назад

Hey Johnny! Kinda out of the blue but I was gonna do a boyertown video myself a long time ago I bought a bunch of merchandise from the park whenever it would pop up on eBay I got a mug brochures and heck even a license plate from boyertown I love lakemont as it is one of my home parks and as always a great video!

@RampagingRex 3 месяца назад

I actually have one single piece of Boyertown merchandise that I found at a thrift store a few years ago: a shot glass with Skyliner on it. I couldn't believe I had found it at the time, but I think you've got me beat!

@StamfordBridge 3 месяца назад

I'm so sick at heart over this situation, and I don't trust this park president.

@drpenguin57 3 месяца назад

I'm glad I went when I did last year and managed to catch leap the dips and skyliner both open at the same time. I doubt leap the dips will be demolished. From what I understand ACE provides extra money to maintain that ride, though I wouldn't be surprised if it gets moved somewhere else or only opens for special events or something. Skyliner might be in trouble though. That thing looked in worse shape than leap the dips despite being 40 years younger.

@RampagingRex 3 месяца назад

Skyliner was rough and shaky, even just from watching it go I could see each board rattle. If it ever gets relocated, the cost to refurbish it would likely far exceed the actual cost of relocation.

@KoasterKrieger 3 месяца назад

4:01 look at these nerds

@Goliath146 3 месяца назад

Leap the dips is historic landmark and was placed by the government which means it can’t be demolished, it would unfortunately be illegal to demolish leap the dips, the coaster can’t be demolished

@RampagingRex 3 месяца назад

That's not unfortunate at all, that's a very good thing! Doesn't guarantee that the coaster will keep operating but it at least means it will continue standing.

@quix9556 3 месяца назад

I would bring in a group of investors and funding, buy the lease of the shady company running it now, and bring it back to life. The park was moderately busy back when I visited in 2015 or so, everything (including the water park) was open. They need ways to attract families and school picnic groups. And unfortunately from a price standpoint, a family coaster and refurbished water park will attract far more people than a basketball court.

@RampagingRex 3 месяца назад

The water park alone has the potential to keep the place operating, I just don't think they want to spend the money to get it back into operational shape. Laguna Splash at DelGrosso's has had a huge crowd every time I've gone there. The families that used to frequent Lakemont may have been driven away once their water park didn't reopen.

@TNParadeFan Месяц назад

Hey the California Great America is going to be close for good in 2033 if that or might be sooner make a documentary video about it. To make a good tile for it I like to call it California Great America from heavy invest park to dead park.

@RollerCoasterManiac2020 3 месяца назад

Nah, if LTD closes forever, Gene Staples will probably buy it lol

@MrSRArter 3 месяца назад

I'm personally hoping Gene Staples buys the operating rights to the park itself.

@quix9556 3 месяца назад

It would be difficult since it’s a national landmark. They’re really picky with that. Even with it closed, they have to preserve it in operational condition as long as it has that status.

@RampagingRex 3 месяца назад

Gene seems kind of hit or miss with how he runs his parks. Indiana Beach looks fantastic, meanwhile Niagara just has a whole catalog of rides sitting in the parking lot, and I haven't heard a thing about Clementon since it reopened. But hey, if that's what it takes to keep Lakemont going, then I say let him take a shot at it.