Wooden Roller Coaster

Built from sturdy Douglas fir, the Wooden Roller Coaster has thrilled riders since 1958. It is a true landmark at Playland in Vancouver. The Wooden Roller Coaster isn’t just any ride. It’s a piece of living history. This wooden marvel stands as the last operating testament to the genius of Carl Phare, a renowned roller coaster designer. He considered the Wooden Roller Coaster his masterpiece, the culmination of his life’s work. Phare poured 56 years of experience into this design. He proudly proclaimed, “There’ll never be another one as good.” When it debuted, the Wooden Roller Coaster was the largest in Canada. It also boasted one of the two highest drops in all of North America, a testament to Phare’s ambition and vision. The construction of the Wooden Roller Coaster was a feat of engineering. Three hundred workers, including a team of Norwegian shipbuilders, meticulously assembled the coaster on-site. Over $200,000, a significant sum in 1958 equivalent to $1.6 million today, went into crafting this wooden behemoth. The kilometer-long track, crafted from fire-resistant Douglas fir, offers a unique ride experience. Unlike modern steel coasters, the wooden frame gives a distinct ‘give’ as you hurtle along the track. A ride on the Wooden Roller Coaster is a 90-second rush of adrenaline. You’ll reach speeds of up to 76km/h, experiencing the thrill of a 20-meter drop. Even the trains themselves are part of Phare’s legacy, with their open-front, single-bench, flange-wheeled cars adding to the vintage charm. The Wooden Roller Coaster also carries the echoes of its predecessor, the Giant Dipper. Another Phare creation, the Dipper was a beloved attraction at Happyland, the original PNE amusement park. Its demolition in 1948 to expand the Hastings Park Race Course sparked public outcry. The Wooden Roller Coaster, built a year after Happyland’s closure, stands as a testament to the enduring appeal of these thrilling rides. This coaster has faced its own threats of demolition. The fragments were even earmarked to become garden ornaments in a proposed park replacing Playland. Thankfully, this plan never materialized. The American Coaster Enthusiasts organization recognized the Wooden Roller Coaster’s significance. They designated it as a Coaster Landmark and a Coaster Classic, a dual honor held by no other coaster. So, as you stand before the Wooden Roller Coaster, remember you’re not just about to embark on a thrilling ride. You’re stepping into a piece of history, a testament to ingenuity and the enduring love for the classic wooden coaster.