Noah's Ark/Sleigh Ride Coaster

Noah's Ark was a walk through fun house. It was built around the time of Chutes at the Beach opening 1921. Along with Ship Ajoy which as also a Walk-thru attraction. After the Fun House was built these walk through attractions started to disappear. Opening around 1921, Noah's Ark was removed around the early 30's.

Sleigh Ride Coaster. (1926/27 - 1930) This coaster was kind of mystery. Some of us Playland Geeks think it was built with left over lumber from the Figure 8 demo and Dipper construction. Looff was good at utilizing leftovers and was pretty savvy with construction and engineering. Dating the lifespan of the Sleigh ride is difficult too! We're pretty sure the Sleigh Ride station was built before the Seaplanes moved  to the Cabrillo/Great Highway entrance around 1927.    The next clue is  Noah's Ark. The Ark disappears before 1934's Century of Progress Car exhibits.  The Sleigh Ride  is shown being dismantled next to a worn and aged Noah's Ark, 1930 +/-. It could have easily met it's demise when the Bobs where removed, 1929.

The Sleigh Ride was more of a homespun Scenic Railway type coaster with a twist.  The ride layout.... the station had a Icy Wintery Alpine theme. Long before Disney's Matterhorn, this ride was alpine themed with an icy looking facade.  The coasters cars were basically wooden oversized tool boxes! Looking like they were cobbled together in someones basement. Hand railing consisted of fitted  galvanized piping  with a  giant U-ring that came down over the tandem riders. See photos.  The station was behind the Seaplane Swing on the Chutes lot. Riders left  the station going South and made a u-turn to a 20-25 ft (?) clanky lift hill. The top of the lift hill merely brought the riders to a height high enough to drive the cars over the midway in almost a flat and slow progression. After traveling North above the Midway, it appears to have intermingled slightly with the Bobs, then utilized the Chutes lift hill. New photos show a lift and drop hill post Bobs demo. Two lift hills would be strange for that time, but not unheard of.  The Sleigh ride climbs up  along side of the Chutes Boats, following the Boats tracking. There was an tunnel like cover over the Sleigh Rides lift hill... Maybe to protect riders from the Chutes Boats or just for effect?  Then the cars would make a steep sudden drop running parallel with the Chutes drop boats. The steep drop would include some dipping camel humps, probably at a decent speed and then back to the station.   Was it an exciting ride? I think we'd have to go back in time to find out.