Legend
Specific Type: Wood
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In a sleepy corner of northwest Iowa is a classic amusement park that has been providing a fun destination for families for over 125 years, Arnolds Park. This park began as a country destination for hunting, fishing, and camping for tourists from surrounding cities like St. Louis and Des Moine. The first buildings on the property was a Hotel to accommodate guests arriving by newly expanded railroad lines. A boathouse came next as a place for tourists to rent boats to enjoy the lake, then the first ride a wooden toboggan style waterslide. The park continued to grow with pavilions and concessions as the destination became more well known. In the early 20th century typical amusement rides stated to be purchased and installed beginning with a classic carousel. In 1930 they put themselves on the map for offering real thrills when they constructed what is now known as the Legend. It was designed by celebrated roller coaster pioneer John Miller. The coaster opened as Giant Dips Roller Coaster, but the name was changed several times including Speed Hound, Giant Coaster, and finally Legend. The Legend is recognised by ACE as a Coaster Landmark, it used to have the Coaster Classic Award, but changes were made over time that caused this designation to be rescinded.
Guest enter the tipsy station with whimsically slanted roofline and are greeted by classic PTC trains with the fan favorite buzz bars. These single position lap bars help retain the classic free feeling of the Legend. The trains are dispatched with a right hand turn under a canopy and floor of the adjacent building. The track then climbs the 63 foot lift hill over the classic house of mirrors attraction. At the top of the hill the train goes under a sign that has been a part of the coaster from the beginning. It reads, “The point of no return”. The train roars down the main curved drop, then immediately ascends into a turnaround passing by the tops of nearby trees. The train dives again crossing over the main drop and entering a large airtime hill followed by a smaller one. The track climbs again as the train turns around giving riders a view of the lake as it lines up parallel to the shore. The train dives and negotiates two more airtime hills before gliding into the brake run and completing the circuit. This classic pre-great depression era ride still delivers smiles and a great taste of nostalgia for all who visit Arnolds Park. |
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