Zippin Pippin roller coaster beats expectations

By: Associated Press September 25, 2011 3:55 pm

Dan Carpenter of Miron Construction Co. Inc., Neenah, saws lumber in January for the track during work on the Zippin Pippin roller coaster at Bay Beach Amusement Park in Green Bay. The coaster was a big hit this summer, generating more than 460,500 rides. (AP Photo/H. Marc Larson, Press-Gazette)

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — A replica of Elvis Presley’s favorite roller coaster in Green Bay has been twice as successful as city officials expected.

The Zippin Pippin has generated more than 460,500 rides, which is more than double what city officials forecast for the debut season.

The Green Bay Press-Gazette reports total revenue for the summer at the amusement park Bay Beach is approaching $2.5 million. That’s more than 50 percent ahead of last year and the highest ever for the 100-year-old park.

Bay Beach will close for the season Sunday night.

Green Bay Mayor Jim Schmitt said next season they hope to include new features, like possibly midnight rides and more Elvis-related promotions.

The city spent about $3.8 million to re-create the wooden roller coaster that operated for decades in Memphis, Tenn.

Information from: Green Bay Press-Gazette, http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com