03 Jan 2005

February 16 2002: First signs of track for Scooby-Doo Spooky Coaster, which also confirmed that this would be a wild mouse style coaster.

The shed that houses the ride. Emergency exit doors can be seen along the wall, with braces for walkways at the corner.

From the Wild West section of the park. This is another emergency exit for the ride.

The park was very secretive about the ride until it was formally announced. All that was known was that there was a Scooby-Doo themed attraction coming.

This trench was dug to house the elevator lift - a feature that at this stage was only rumoured.

In the darkness you can see that track was already in place.

March 24 2002: In the space of around three weeks the elevator lift was installed.

The elevator system is relatively simple to understand. There are two elevator cars running on two vertical tracks on either side of the coaster track.

To allow both to run simultaneously to maximise capacity, the vertical track widens halfway up, allowing the two elevator cars to pass safely by each other.

You can see both elevator cars here (the second is directly above), and where the coaster track meets with the cars.

At the Wild West end of the park you can see the storage track for the ride, along with the polystyrene that is eventually sculpted, sealed and painted to make the ride's theming.

A close look at the coaster track in the dark.

March 24 2002 (cont'd): You can see how the vertical rails widen. This creates an interesting "tilting" sensation while on the ride.

The crest of the elevator lift as seen from the end of Main Street.

April 9 2002: The electrical work being completed on the elevator lift.

Walkways in place.

A look at more track in place inside. If you look closely towards the top right you can see the "reverse drop" element.

Looking up the elevator you can see the track that makes up the backwards drop - a 7m drop backwards in pitch black.

April 9 2002 (cont'd): Further polystyrene waiting to become theming through the to-be front entry of the ride.

The first sign of theming.

The first sign of the cars, custom designed for this ride and based on those seen in the first Scooby-Doo movie.

At this stage, the ride was known as "Scooby-Doo Spooky Castle".

The steel structure that supports the castle fa�ade at the entrance.

April 21 2002: The elevator shaft has been enclosed.

A further glimpse of the theming, seen in the exit path for the coaster.

The fa�ade is slowly coming to shape.

May 26 2002:The completed castle entrance.

A billboard advertising the movie was put up near where the exit would be.

The bulk of the coaster's cars waiting out the back awaiting installation onto the track.

May 26 2002 (cont'd): Looking towards the elevator. At the closer end you can see the higher roof which encloses the turntable.

Emergency escape stairs at the elevator lift.

Emergency escape stairs along the side.

Emergency escape stairs nearest the turntable.

The completed castle. Only three weeks until the ride opened officially.

This spillout queue was one of the remains from "The Great Gremlins Adventure", which Scooby-Doo replaced. If this queue is full then expect two hour waits or more!