Hello Everyone!
I've been enjoying SDCFans for a few weeks now and would like to start contributing. I have been going to SDC since I was four or five (for about twenty years then, since I'm 25). It's such a great park with a great atmosphere and it's wonderful to find a website devoted to enthusiasts like me. It's also great to visit and read forums where people don't call each other names and use other means to insult one another and one another's posts. Steve, you've done a great job with the site and I can't wait to see the massive upgrade. I hope it's soon!
I recently remembered that the Flooded Mine used to be called The Great American Shoot-Out. When did the name change and why? Also, have any other rides/attractions changed names without any major modifications or changes in theme? (not changes from Jim Owen's Float Trip to American Plunge, for example, but more subtle changes). Thanks for your help!
As far as I know, the official full name for the Flooded Mine is The Great Shoot-Out at the Flooded Mine, but most people just call it Flooded Mine to keep it short. Seems they did take out "American"... I have no clue why... Probably just to shorten the name, maybe.
I'm almost 23, but have only been going to the park since '94, so I'm not sure that any name changes have occurred since I started going.
~ "Becky" Joy ~
Welcome to the forums!
The Flooded Mine is the only name change I know of and that's not even a huge name change really.
Didn't the Waterboggan change names?
The tree house liniage
Herman the Hermits tree top House
Herman the Hermits tree top Still
Herman the Hermits tree top Root Beer Factory
Huck Finn's Hideaway
In an old 1987 add the Waterboggan was titled "Great American River Run." I don't think it ever went by that name. Started out as Wilderness Waterboggan now it's the Waterworks Waterboggan.
Dear lord. I can't believe I forgot Herman the Hermit!
Grandfather's Mansion used to be Slantin' Sam's Miner's Shack.
~ "Becky" Joy ~
^I can't believe I forgot the Waterboggan! Doh! ::)
Shootout at the Flooded Mine was actually the Lucky Silver Mine before it flooded and became the Unlucky Silver Mine.
I knew about the Waterboggan changing names from "Wilderness" to "Waterworks", it just slipped my mind. I guess they had to change it when that section of the park became more and more developed. Not really in a wilderness area of the park anymore...
Speaking of the Waterboggan, I remember seeing it called "Great American River Run" when we first started visiting the park. We actually asked someone at the park where the "Great American River Run" was located and they had no idea what we were talking about! ::)
Least we forget the origanal name change Marble Cave? or for that matter Devil's Den!
Does anybody know how ThuNderaTion got its name? 'Seems it could have easily been named something else.
I have the buttons they handed out during the first year of its opening.
^I don't have any buttons from the year of its opening because thats the year I was born. It's kind of weird yet fun to ride a ride that is as old as you are. Thunderation was my first real roller coaster unless you want to count Fire in the Hole.
Also speaking of Thunderation, on Saturday it was the smoothest that I've ever ridden it. Really fun ride--still.
Back on topic, the only reason I think they would name it Thunderation is because of TNT. What else would they have named it anyways?
Quote from: Dale on April 06, 2008, 01:59:20 PM
Does anybody know how ThuNderaTion got its name? 'Seems it could have easily been named something else.
Since it's supposed to be a runaway mine train, my guess is it's named ThuNderaTion because of the TNT used to blast in the mine. Besides, ThuNderaTion is a lot more catchy than Trinitrotoluene. ;)
QuoteThuNderaTion is a lot more catchy than Trinitrotoluene.
But you have to admit, that would have been a cool name.
Quote from: Dale on April 07, 2008, 12:01:06 PM
QuoteThuNderaTion is a lot more catchy than Trinitrotoluene.
But you have to admit, that would have been a cool name.
Agreed. There would've been a lot of questions as to what Trinitrotoluene means, but there's nothing wrong with learning something new at SDC. :)
Does Thunderation really stand for T.N.T? I have heard old prospectors and hill people in movies (The Shepherd of the Hills) use the word in sentences like: What in Thunderation? Not sure where the word come from.
Maybe it's just an awesome name. ::)
Then again, it was SDC's first coaster, so if you ask those who were in charge of it, there's probably a tremendous back-story behind it all. I would love to see some of the concept art/ descriptions of it. Was there a story behind it?
The Gumbo gang is on the loose and word has spread that they have reopened the abandoned old J&P mine (Jack and Pete Herschend, look at the green and gold cars next time it says J&P mine) Join Hard Luck Hank and strike silver before the notorious Gumbo gang.
The coaster was billed as "It's thrilling for kids, yet smooth-riding enough for the adults."
Remnants of the Gumbo gang were still there the last time I rode the coaster. When you are going up hill (forwards) look down to your right through the trees you should see the Gumbo gang camped out.
I have the model of the coaster on video at my parents from 1992. I think there was originally plans for another helix just before the lift hill.
Quote from: Copper on April 07, 2008, 06:41:23 PM
Does Thunderation really stand for T.N.T? I have heard old prospectors and hill people in movies (The Shepherd of the Hills) use the word in sentences like: What in Thunderation? Not sure where the word come from.
I believe Thunderation does stand for TNT (in SDC's case), because it's officially spelled ThuNderaTion, and the caps spell TNT. Thunderation is also a slang term, that expresses bewilderment, amazement, and confusion (that's the best way I can describe it). Encarta has a more formal definition. It says it's an exclamation of annoyance or surprise.
I was enthralled with ThuNderaTion when it was first announced. I remember how excited I was to see the model right by the entrance to the park in 1992! I couldn't believe SDC was putting in a coaster! I agree with Steve. It would be fun to hear the backstory, find out how they chose the name, and see the number of sketches and name changes they went through.
TNT is also what the mechanics and safety refer to the ride as. ;)