CNE Flyer POV....circa 1991

[@pumpkinpatchpie]

My father, Bill Davis, helped to design the coaster with McKee. He also was the head carpenter for Conklin Shows and ran the coaster until he retired. My brother then took over. It had the safest record for rides at the CNE. Our whole family worked on it at some point. Dad always replaced more wood than the safety inspector required. He felt it was his reputation on the line if anything ever went wrong. Thank you for bringing back memories.

[@brownmut5518]

Im watching this on August 2024 after spending the day at the EX. Brings back great memories from a time and place that still lives in my heart

[@ProChoiceJesus]

I see from the presence of photographers that this was probably taken during the Crystal Beach ACE convention. I was there at this, the CNE Flyer add-on day, and found the Flyer to be an absolutely incredible coaster for it's small size. Every hill had airtime except the first, every turn had strong lateral forces, Flyer was a woodie to be reckoned with and found it's way onto many top 20, even top 10 best coaster lists of coaster enthusiasts. A tragic loss, an absolutely awesome coaster.

[@edwardbliss8931]

I miss that 1990 to 1994 period. During that time, a lot of the iconic CNE structures going back to the 60s and 70s were still standing, eg, Bavarian Taverns, The Alpine Way, Foods Of The World, the original Hockey Hall of Fame

[@pete3050]

Exactly what i remember but i am quite a bit older

[@johnd2385]

Thank you to whoever shot this in 1991 so we could re-live it in 2023

[@ProChoiceJesus]

Had the honor and pleasure of riding the CNE Flyer during the Crystal Beach/CNE ACE Convention. What an incredible coaster! Strong laterals on all 3 turns, airtime on some of the hills, Old PTS "ring grab" trains with bench seats and no locking lap bars...I sure do miss the Flyer.

[@SithGoddess07]

I grew up riding this coaster. Tame by today's standards, but good solid fun. Thanks for posting this - it brought back some great memories.

[@Schmoityface]

It was my favourite ride!

[@RemembranceOfAllah]

Thanks for uploading, man! I can't believe this was demolished 20 years ago. I remember I grabbed a piece of white-painted wood from the demolition site to keep as a souvenir, but I think my father threw it in the garbage one day. :( I appreciate the upload-- this is a rare gem.

[@nthdegree1269]

Without the Flyer there is no magic at the CNE

[@freddyfrankymicky8159]

Been on it a thousand times 💥💥💥

[@pete3050]

Likewise, from 1955 onwards

[@rebelsnappingturtle5097]

Only rode it a few times but it was short and sweet.

[@TheRandomView]

What an amazing trip down memory lane. I rode the Flyer with my dad when I was young. It was my first coaster - I was hooked.

[@danalee1000]

This is a classic. Thanks for the upload - brought back memories.

[@railroadskater2896]

Very similar to the Flyer in Wildwood NJ on the defunct Hunt's Pier. Only this one is taller/ steeper and a bit more intense looking. Wildwood's was a condensed version of this. Wonder if by any chance they both had the same designer/ builder.

[@CrystallineBlue]

The Flyer was a great ride. Not scary just good fun. Thanks for posting!

[@wandaslice]

this was my first coaster .... I was very sad when it was tore down :(

[@rutheliz75]

I remember watching The Flyer from the Shell Tower. It always looked good (design and maintainance). I hope they bring it back.

[@pete3050]

Unfortunately the Flyer is gone forever

[@leerwesen]

My first roller coaster! One of my favourites, next to the one that used to be at Wonderland where you stood upright while it took you upside down. Why do they get rid of the really fun rides?!

[@julianhudson7811]

The one you stood upright was Skyrider - A TOGO standup coaster.

[@DuttonChess]

Absolutely! My favourite ride at "The Ex" - right at the end of the midway -- they tore it down and built the new BMO Field there! You can also see the old Grandstand and Exhibition Stadium in the background as well (near the end of the video at the 1:28 mark)! Mark S. Dutton, IA

[@brothaman007]

BMO field isnt close to where the old coaster would have been

[@DuttonChess]

@@brothaman007 BMO Field was built on the site in 2007 roughly where the northern end of the covered grandstand once stood. The grandstand (known as CNE Grandstand) was used extensively throughout the summer months for hosting concerts. Not quite sure what your definition of close is but in 2005, the stadium site was moved back to Exhibition Place, on the location of the demolished Exhibition Stadium and then-existing Sports Hall of Fame building, in a partnership between MLSE and the CSA. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMO_Field

[@cathybell4170]

I went on the flyer in or rather first time anyway in 1987, wow, its a shame its gone!

[@thehelpfulentrepreneur1148]

Great memories barfing as a kid on The Flyer! 🤣👍

[@haweater1555]

Although it was lame and tame even in its day, and only open for a few weeks of the year, this was "IT" for roller coaster riders in the Toronto area for many years.

[@pete3050]

I remember riding the Flyer on its maiden year of 1953, it is unfortunate that no one would spend the money to bring it up to code, millions rode the flyer while in the operation years. SAD that it is gone

[@OperationsStation]

My right ear loved this video!

[@streetcarjay]

Thanks for posting. Ahhhhhh the memories.

[@Schmoityface]

I was always so sad when it ended!

[@maddogmcrae]

My first roller coaster ride in 1978.

[@relic69]

OUTSTANDING VIDEO. Gutsy work for the cams of the day. The Mighty Flyer might look lame, but no, it was a great ride. Searching for some neat stills from 1990 during the only year of the Bud Stocks to post. Thanks for this!!

[@AceSoulWolf]

My mum, would go on this as a kid. I envy her.

[@streetcarjay]

Now that there's a new Alpine Way for this Years CNE. I hope they build a new Flyer roller coaster for next year.

[@mbwisc3737]

If it's one thing that they do well in Toronto....it's called ruining tradition!! So many attractions that I remember as a boy are either falling apart or closed (Ontario Place as an example). The CN Tower is also a dirty poorly organized tourist event. The CNE has lost all its tradition and identity, and it'll probably just be a matter of time until that closes or is replaced by a different venue.

[@MooJoo5555]

I loved Ontario place

[@cowscrazy]

This was the downfall of the CNE... hasn't been the same since this was removed.

[@leerwesen]

Plus the lack of free samples. When I was a kid at the Ex I'd leave with a full belly and bag full of free stuff, lots of which was useful for school like pencils and pens, or colouring books to distract myself when I had to go to church.

[@GimblePike]

Yes, thanks for filming this. I was always so scared that the Flyer would fall apart, or that I'd hit my arms or head on a piece of wood.

[@C64b]

It was a small but good coaster. The EX had some good rides in the 80s, including Doppel Looping. I think that got moved to Miami-Dade state fair.. and according to another youtube channel's comments was retired just last year. Did The Flyer go to scrap or did they ship it like The Comet?

[@coasterhockygamingboy9549]

I assume this is the only ride there they didn’t take down every year considering the size and it’s a wooden coaster

[@julianhudson7811]

The CNE should call in GCI or the Gravity Group to rebuild it.

[@pete3050]

I agree with the technology available today it could be resurrected relatively cheap

[@daveburton3289]

Haha, that's awesome!!

[@kentwalton2594]

This was Paddy Conklin's pet project!

[@Captn_crunch]

This was originally the coaster at Sunnyside Amusement Park in Toronto?

[@darrylcpreston4043]

No. The Sunnyside coaster survived until 1955; two years after the Flyer was built. They were quite different to ride; Sunnyside was much older and wilder.

[@urbex_coasters]

Looks like an intense, air time packed ride. Why did they remove it?

[@sashineb.2114]

It failed to meet the safety standards, so they had to demolish it.

[@tractorfix]

It was more fun at night !

[@pete3050]

With all the lights, definitely

[@Maddieyeah14]

Why did they get rid of this? :( looked fun ...

[@Fahrenheit4051]

Was this designed by the same person as the Coney Island Cyclone?