Playland Introduces New Ride, Star Flyer, Atmosfear

The Playland amusement park on the PNE fair grounds will introduce a new ride this year, for the first time in 4 years, according to a press release issued this morning. The $2 million “Star Flyer” will be placed near the pirate ship and stand 5 meters taller than the park’s current height champion, The Hellevator, at 218 feet. If it’s anything like the images my friend Duane found online, it looks like the swing ride, only 218 feet up in the air:

Photo source: Ultimate Roller Coaster

Playland, which has been a part of the exhibition grounds for the last 101 years, will be offering up rides on the Star Flyer with no additional charge this summer. You can ride it for free with your admission or as a part of your ride passport when the PNE takes place later in the summer. 2011 PlayPasses are on sale right now and Playland opens up April 30, 2011. The Star Flyer will make its debut in July.

The last few times I’ve been to Playland, for Fright Nights or with friends on a rainy day, have been a blast. For some reason the bumper cars get more enjoyable with age however – of all 35 rides at Playland – I must admit the 53-year old wooden coaster is still the most thrilling to me.

Update April 6, 2011: Since “Star Flyer” was the manufacturer’s name for the ride, Playland hosted an online vote to select a new name. ATMOSFEAR was the winner and is now the name of the park’s latest addition.

Update July 13, 2011: The Atmosfear will open at Playland on Saturday July 16, 2011 at 10:00am. “Hitting top speeds of 70km/hr, riders will be whirled 360 degrees in the air for two gravity-defying minutes. This ride can accommodate up to 500 riders an hour, making it a “must ride” for all amusement park enthusiasts. ATMOSFEAR is the first new ride at Playland in the past four years.”