Since i'm so priveledged as to be from a new generation that is so great in technology, i've always been able to find all my coaster needs online. But I'd like to know from some of the older members how the construction of coasters and rumors were spread before the internet was so common. :)

Through Magazines, Clubs, And many would write or call Parks or other enthusiasts!

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THE SCARIEST PART OF THE RIDE IS THE LIFT HILL!

Word of mouth, certainly, especially from those who were lucky enough to live by the parks and could keep an eye on any potential construction. And it seems to me that 15 years or so ago parks did a lot more advertising -- like commercials on television -- giving teasers about their new rides. But being able to see construction and so forth progress the way we can now is really quite new and unheard of in the past.

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Walk Beyond...

True, there would be no easy way to to rumours/pics to as many people as the internet has. I am so glad that we have the internet, because otherwise, I would feel like such a freak.

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The College of William and Mary Class of 2009
Delta Chi - ΔΧ

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by intamin101 [/i]
[B]True, there would be no easy way to to rumours/pics to as many people as the internet has. I am so glad that we have the internet, because otherwise, I would feel like such a freak. [/B][/QUOTE]i liked it better, it seemed to mean more.

I think ACE played a giant roll in that.

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Its murda...

I have been riding coasters for about 20 years. Back in the day there were stories on the news announcing the new rides opening up at BGW and Kings Dominion. I remember seeing an advertisement in the paper for the Big Bad Wolf and they showed a drawing of the coaster skimming the surface of the Rhine River. As we all know, the coaster does not skimm the surface of the water. I also remember Drachen Fire when it was built as my fathers freind a welder helped assimble the ride. The internet is the best thing to happen to media as we know it because what I hear might start a rumor or back one up. We can also share pictures of hard evidence and not misconseptions. I look forward to see and hear more good coaster talk online. :D

If you have seen Rollercoaster, then you will get a basic idea as to how coaster word was spread, in the GP anyway. Perhaps the best example was when he had the magazine with a drawing of Revolution on one of the pages, or the back cover or something.

Enthsiasts back then, in my opinion anyway, weren't as die-hard or obsessed as the interenet generation of us is. They proably didn't know the stats of every major coaster in the world, and didn't debate with other enthusiasts the compound of a particular coaster's wheels.

PKI however seems to have a pretty good history and there are plenty of older (P)KI fans who knew every detail of the park, would visit the Customer Service to find out what's happening every weekend, that sort of stuff.

Remember, mail was such a large part of peoples live back before the internet, many of the clubs and magazines formed late 70's early 80's, and I'm sure sparked interest as much as the opening of Thrillride! or rollercoaster.com did.

Richard

For me, it was about discovery. Sometimes you would see a TV commercial or hear about an unknown park from a friend. The most exciting was going on a family trip and passing a massive park or find pamphlets in the hotel.

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Nothing like a big woodie first thing in the morning and before going to bed at night.

I always learned about them in hotel brochures before the internet.

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Life is a rollercoaster, enjoy it, b/c the ride is always too short (If someone's already said this, sorry, I didn't mean to rip it off ya)

i'm glad the internet came. I've always had it to see new coasters and stuff

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Ruler of TN's Darkside
Hell is truth seen to late
R.I.P.-Orient Express

I am also glad that I am part of the internet generation. Its how I started, although I would stop by and pick up brocures for my parents in hotels, and the coasters would catch my eye.

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Click the webpage icon for Islandguide
96 runs on SOB
SOB crew in twenty 02

yeah but it must have been really difficult, you would only find out about local coasters. The media just don't give it that much attention.

Well I doubt that there were nearly as many coaster enthusiests are there are today due this fact.

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I don't feel like manually adding my Track Record, so I'm just going to tell you it's 210.
Towson '09