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Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk: New Rides and a Milestone Marked 2024 Season
Talley Amusements
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Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk brought in the new and remains intent on preserving the old with two new rides and a major milestone for the amusement park's classic Giant Dipper roller coaster this year.

The new rides were ready at the start of the 2024 season. Both are from Chance Rides: a thrilling Surge ride and the Dream Wheel, a 65-foot Ferris Wheel.

The Dream Wheel offers 15 brightly colored gondola cars, each able to hold four adults or six kids. The ride offers a sweeping view of the boardwalk, and greater Monterey Bay as well. It follows in the grand tradition of Ferris Wheels having a place on the boardwalk, for decades. The first was placed in 1945 and was a kiddie wheel; a larger wheel opened in 1959 and spun its last circle in 2017. The new wheel provides Boardwalk guests with a welcomed replacement as well as its stellar view. The bright blue wheel spins orange, yellow, and pink gondolas, and shines with bright lighting when the sun goes down.



As to the Surge ride, this 24-seater is a riff on a traditional spin ride, providing a fast-moving spinning and tilting experience with seating that faces out, allowing large-scale views of its own. For park operators, the outward loading makes seating easier and quicker; it also comes with an electric speed drive that is pre-programmed and variable, meaning that depending upon the chosen speed, the ride can provide a range of rider experiences.

Both new rides provide an updated twist on iconic amusement park offerings. Santa Cruz Boardwalk spokesperson Kris Reyes notes that “Ferris wheels are as much a part of a classic seaside amusement park experience as wooden roller coasters, carousels, and cotton candy,” adding that “We are thrilled to add Dream Wheel to our lineup of amazing rides.” She describes the attraction as having “stunning views.”

But along with the new, the historic was in peak focus this summer on the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, which itself began in 1904, with the boardwalk's first thrill ride, the L.A. Thompson Scenic Railway roller coaster opening in 1904, and its Loof Carousel arriving back in 1911.



The park's Giant Dipper wooden coaster arrived in 1924, making 2024 its 100th birthday, and the focus for celebrations in both May and August.

In May, there were fireworks, and a free commemorative button designed in honor of the ride.

From May 29 to August 7, the Boardwalk hosted their Dipper Days, with $1 ride pricing every Wednesday. The last time that was the price of a boardwalk ride was in 1982.

Fan Art was also welcomed all summer to celebrate the Dipper, from photos to drawings and paintings, with winning entries receiving prizes such as unlimited boardwalk ride wristbands or merchandise honoring the Dipper.



On August 17, National Roller Coaster Day, the first 100 guests to ride the Giant Dipper received a Boardwalk souvenir cup. The new retail team on the boardwalk also helped pay tribute to the coaster's milestone year with a range of other souvenir items. The team created four new graphic designs for merchandise with two from local area artists, one from the boardwalk's own creative team, and four in collaboration with local skater brand NHS. The latter served as the second collaboration with the local skateboard brand. The artwork designed turned up on T-shirts and hoodies, pins, plush, ornaments, mugs, and lanyards. The commemorative holiday ornament and Charlie the Bear plushie were among the most popular offerings. Guests this year also stocked up on commemorative socks and drinkware. Each 100-year merchandise memento was a limited-edition item.

As to the Giant Dipper itself, it is now the 4th oldest coaster in the U.S., and has thrilled some 68 million riders since its construction team, headed by carousel creator Arthur Loof, helmed the project.

Over the years, the iconic coaster has made appearances on screen and television in films such as Sudden Impact, Dangerous Minds, and The Lost Boys.

The ride is ready for its close-up again with a major repainting project that was completed just before it's hundredth birthday. The cost of painting was approximately $500,000. The ride's original full construction was just $50,000. Times have changed.

One thing remains the same, per Reyes, who says that “The Giant Dipper is as thrilling today as it was on its first day 100 years ago.”

A new mural was also designed to commemorate the ride. Located by the boardwalk's Entrance 5, Santa Cruz area artist Shaun Logan created not just a tribute to the ride, but a now-popular photo spot for guests drawn to its vivid colors.

Less permanent, but also a popular photo spot, is the Giant Dipper Banner strung across the park's Main Entrance Plaza.

On New Years Eve, the boardwalk hosted a mellow mix of rides, games, live music, and fun boardwalk food items, culminating with a big countdown event.



Other events are already planned for 2025, including family-friendly 1k and 5k races March 29th, an early September celebration of Latino culture, Fiesta en la Playa; a later September Boardwalk PRIDE event; and lastly, an overnight campout event for families and groups at the end of September.
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