Big Dipper is the name associated with roller coasters operated by Luna Park Sydney. There have been two Big Dippers, and Luna Park Sydney still retains the rights to operate roller coasters in Australia under this name.
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Roller Coasters
Wooden Big Dipper
| Big Dipper | |
| Location | Luna Park Sydney |
|---|---|
| Type | Wood |
| Status | Demolished in 1981 |
| Opened | 1935 |
| Height | 52 feet (15.8 m) |
| Length | 2,623 feet (799 m) |
| Inversions | None |
| Duration | 3 min (approx) |
| Big Dipper at RCDB Pictures of Big Dipper at RCDB |
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First constructed in 1930 to an American design, the wooden Big Dipper roller coaster was a mainstay of Luna Park Glenelg during its four years of operation. The ride was dismantled and shipped to Sydney when the Glenelg park went into voluntary liquidation in 1934, where it became the biggest attraction of the newly-opened Luna Park Milson's Point.
The ride was 800 metres long, lasted three minutes, could reach speeds of 84 km/h, and when all three roller coaster trains were operating, could carry 72 people. The Big Dipper remained popular throughout its operating life. The coaster was demolished and burnt, along with most of the 'old' Luna Park, when Australian Amusements Associates took over the site on June 3, 1981. Two of the nine roller coaster cars were purchased at the auction before the demolition; one is on display within Luna Park today, while the other is part of the Powerhouse Museum collection.[1]
| Big Dipper | |
| Location | Luna Park Sydney |
|---|---|
| Type | Steel |
| Status | Operating at Dreamworld, under the name Cyclone |
| Opened | 1995 |
| Designer | Arrow Dynamics |
| Height | 131 feet (39.9 m) |
| Length | 2,953 feet (900 m) |
| Max speed | 52.8 miles per hour (85.0 km/h) |
| Inversions | 2 |
| Duration | 2 min (approx) |
| Capacity | 400 riders per hour |
| Cost | $5,500,000 |
| Big Dipper at RCDB Pictures of Big Dipper at RCDB |
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Steel Big Dipper
The Big Dipper 'rose from the ashes' when a steel roller coaster, designed by Arrow U.S.A., was constructed during the 1994 redevelopment of Luna Park. The steel Big Dipper stood 40 metres above ground at its highest point, featured a 360° loop and a reverse sidewinder, and allowed its 24 passengers to experience acceleration of up to 3.2 g (31 m/s²) over the course of the two-minute ride. The new roller coaster became a point of contention with residents, and was cited as the main example of the noise pollution the area would experience. After appeals to various courts by both the resident action group and the park's new owners, it was decreed that the roller coaster could only operate at certain times, and under strict conditions. These conditions caused major shareholder Wittingslow Amusements to begin considering 'walking out' on the operating company.[2] The park's administration was doubtful of Luna Park's survival under the restrictions, and was proven correct when Luna Park closed in February 1996.[3] The Big Dipper remained on site until late 2001, operating on several occasions for charity-supporting events, including for the Variety Club and the The Spastic Centre. Between 1996 and 2001 the roller coaster was filmed for sequences in the Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen video Our Lips Are Sealed and for Farscape Season 3 episode Infinite Possibilities Part I: Daedalus Demands. The Big Dipper was dismantled at the end of 2001, and sold to the owners of Dreamworld. The new owners transported it to their Queensland amusement park, where it currently operates under the name Cyclone.
References
- Marshall, Sam (2005). Luna Park - Just for fun, 2nd edition, Sydney, Australia: Luna Park Sydney Pty Ltd. ISBN 0-646-44807-2.
- Historical information boards located at Luna Park Sydney
- ^ 99/3/1 Carriage, roller coaster, Big Dipper.... Powerhouse Museum Collection Search. Powerhouse Museum. Retrieved on 2007-04-02.
- ^ Marshall (2005), p 131
- ^ Marshall (2005), p 134
