Mike Robinson's Coaster Site

Judge Hofheinz riding Rub-A-Dub-Dub

The rides that are gone...

Above is the best ride that ever was located at Astroworld. The Alpine Sleigh Ride. A hybrid coaster and dark ride, the Alpine Sleighs was the most unique ride in the park. The mountain is still there, but the ride is long gone. This was the signature ride for Astroworld from 1969 until it's removal in 1984.

The next three pictures show what is left. The Batman: The Escape Gift shop is the old Queue house,

The Taxi's would run right through the Mountain

Black Dragon

Children's World Entrance

Sky-O-Rama (AstoNeedle)

The Needle

Courtesy of Phillip Candella

The following is courtesy of Randy Taylor of an overhead shot of the park in 1969

Early Overview of the park

"Modville" or Modern Village

In the upper right hand corner you can see the Alpine Sleigh Ride and the track behind the mountain including the largest drop and the sweeping left turn into the final cave of the mountain. In the bottom right hand side of the picture are the restrooms that still exist today. Also notice how the lagoon has nothing around it. Lot's of shops, bleachers and attractions surround the lagoon now. Also look at how small the trees were then and how much landscaping has been added. The queue house for the Astrowheel is still being used today for the Looping Starship.

One of the old Astrowheel cars still sits next to its old location

Astrowheel Cars located Highway 6 and 288 Photo's by Paul Landry

Early Construction

Things to look for are the Astroneedle, the size of the lagoon, The River of No Return course and the white circle in the upper left was the pad for the Black Dragon, now the location of Warp 2000. Of particular note on the far right side of the picture you can make out the course for Rub-A-Dub-Tub, a children's ride that took the kids through a storybook land in small circular boats.

Attractions from Opening day. The Boot slide was a favorite for kids.

The Bumper Boats or "The Mill Pond" The ride is gone but the queue house and water wheel are still there functioning as the queue house for The Gunslinger.

The County Fair

Fun Island was the home to a Chance Toboggan called The Swamp Buggy

Look at these early characters from the opening year!

The park in the 70's

The old mine shaft where gold jewelry could be purchased. If you felt lucky, you could pan for gold!

Marvel Mcfey and Friends

The Maypole

The Front Gate in the Early Years

Trams Even!

The original Showcase Theater was nothing but a big dome of air!

River Of no Return

Magoomba watches a boat

Magoomba

Courtesy of Phillip Candella

View From the dock

Courtesy of Phillip Candella

Boat returning

Courtesy of Phillip Candella

The River Ride Dock. (yes that's me when I was foreman)

Courtesy of Phillip Candella

This is my sister working on River of No Return

(Courtesy of Greg Lege)

Carol again

River of No Return (Timeless)

River of No Return 1980

Early overhead view

The Spiel

Bayou Buzzard

Courtesy of Phillip Candella

Showboat Lagoon

In this picture it is configured for the Ski Show. Under the Blue tarp is a lighted Astroworld sign used for Fantasy of Fire

Courtesy of Phillip Candella

Promotional Material from the 70's

Sky Screamer

Sky Screamer and Wacky Shack

A kind reader sent this picture of a Sky Screamer car in New Jersey!!!

Texas Tornado

Brought over from Germany, Anton Schwatzkopf's Masterpiece Thriller made a brief appearance at Astroworld.

Plagued by problems such as the Houston Heat, modifications made to the Trains, and the intensity of the G Forces, the ride was modified and shipped to Six Flags Marine World.

I remember my rides on it were insane and so much fun.