Potomac Park - Backbone Falls, new for 91

Sunday, April 2, 1989 - Potomac Amusement Park - Maryland, USA

Columbia Tisdrick - 18 - Local Resident

A brand new Amusement park has opened in the D.C. area! Rumor has it that some millionaire saw the potential of Wild World and wanted to have his very own park.

Entering the park brings you into this large plaza with Centennial Carousel as the centerpiece.

My first ride of the day was Weisshorn. The ride starts up going forward then sends you around backwards. Neat!

After grabbing a bite to eat at Pizza Pen, Troika was next. This ride is pure joy but made me sick.

Barnyard Bullet looked like a lot of fun, and had a huge line. But it experienced a breakdown so I made other plans.

Troika left me feeling queasy, so a ride on Riverfront Wheel only made sense. Breathtaking views of the park & D.C. up here!

Has something cold to drink from Burger Barn. Those prices were awful, $2 for a soda?

Wasn't up for another spinning ride, Centrum was a hard pass.

The Eagle looks intimidating. I overhead someone say this is the biggest coaster on the east coast. Don't know if true, but who cares?

Was stuck in this cattle pen for over an hour. This park isn't very big but it draws enormous crowds for its size. I guess that's good for business...

Wee!!

Needed to take a breather after The Eagle. This seemingly randomly placed garden did suffice.

Locals were intrigued by this fortune teller machine. I heard a lot of banging coming from behind the fence...what could that be?

Had a lot of fun along this stretch. Lots of midway games, and had a few rounds on Dodgem.

Last ride of the day was Tree Flyer. Small yet fun.

Overall, my day at the park was entertaining. Something I'd do again when I have some more free time, especially with The Eagle being my new favorite coaster. Potomac Park is a little on the small side, only took 4 hours to do everything. Hopefully that will change in the future.

~Potomac Park 1: END

Monday, August 13, 1990 - Potomac Amusement Park - Maryland, USA

Columbia Tisdrick - 19 - Local Resident

The 1990 season is well underway at Potomac Park with lots of new attractions.

Vortex, new for 1990.

Up the 87' lift hill...

...and whipping past the station at over 30 mph!

The double corkscrew wasn't too intense for me.

You can get close to this thing.

There's this new eatery across the exit path of Vortex. Sells lots of meat-skewer treats.

Laser was also added this year. By far the most intense non-coaster ride at the park.

Snapped this before dispatch.

Overview of the new area.

A brand new steel looping coaster, an eatery, and a cool new flat was much more than I was expecting to find this year. Potomac Park said they are already planning for what's to come next year.

=======================================================================

Official Vortex POV

[youtu_be]

Manufacturer - Arrow Dynamics

Train Supplier - Vekoma

Investment - $4,750,000

Height - 87'

Drop - 83'

Angle - 45

Speed - 45 mph

Length - 1745'

Duration - 1:32

Capacity - 960 Riders Per Hour

=======================================================================

~Potomac Park 2: END

Friday, August 16, 1991 - Potomac Amusement Park - Maryland, USA

Columbia Tisdrick - 20 - Local Resident

Visited Potomac Park on this hot summer day to cool off on the all new Backbone Falls.

Named after Maryland's Highest Peak, Backbone Mountain.

You will get SOAKED!

Marketed as the world's Tallest & Fastest water ride & the constant 1-hour que all summer shows that Potomac Park's investment has paid off. I've never seen such lines.

I was lucky enough to get a 30-minute que for Vortex, it quickly bumped up to an hour later in the day.

Luckily the new hotness drew crowds away from The Eagle. 15-minutes all day!

~Potomac Park 3: END