Giant Dipper Review (Updated), Belmont Park Wood Coaster | Nearly 100 Years Old and it Feels It!

Giant Dipper is a classic wooden roller coaster at Belmont Park. Located just off of Mission Beach in San Diego, this wood coaster was designed by Prior & Church. It nearly met the wrecking ball a few decades ago, but the coaster was saved and now it's a National Historic Landmark. The ride is nearly 100 years old and unfortunately, it feels like it.
Video Credits
Giant Dipper Off-Ride 1 (Airtime Thrills)- • Giant Dipper at Belmon...
Giant Dipper Off-Ride 2 (Mechanical Amusements)- • Giant Dipper at Belmon...
Giant Dipper POV (Theme Park Worldwide)- • Giant Dipper Front Row...
Background Music
Upbeat Event Vlog Music by Infraction [No Copyright Music] / In My Memory- • Upbeat Event Vlog Musi...

[@thisguy_w0n]

I just rode this coaster the Saturday before Memorial Day 2023. There was a ~25min line with 1 train/1 operator operations. I rode it twice, and I'm glad I did. The trains were full and were flying through the course. My first ride was in the last row, and it was rough. I had to hold on and brace myself, but it was a very fun ride with great laterals and some fun pops of airtime. I got my 2nd ride in the 3rd row. It was a lot smoother, was even more fun, and ranks very high for me. It's my #1 coaster in San Diego, and #4 Wooden coaster in California behind Ghostrider, Goldstriker, and the SCBB Giant Dipper. Thanks for all of the great vids!

[@CanobieCoaster]

Sounds like you got a much stronger ride than me.

[@mackenziefritz8169]

I rode this coaster once on New Year’s Eve in 2012 when I was visiting San Diego. I don’r remember much other than the tunnel and the rest of the ride being very rough. My tolerance for rough coasters has gone up so I wouldn’t mind reriding it one day

[@CanobieCoaster]

Unfortunately I think the ride has gotten rougher too.

[@blakebetsworth9869]

I like your turn-by-turn, hill-by-hill breakdowns of coaster layouts that you give. Anyhow, just looking at this thing crawl through its course makes me feel like if I do make it to SD that I would do exactly as you recommended, stop by on my way out of Sea World and appreciate it for what it is and its history.

[@CanobieCoaster]

Makes sense!

[@clairefunnell8481]

Talk about ancient. Pretty historical. I love me some woodies. I would so love to ride this. Pretty sweet.

[@CanobieCoaster]

I definitely appreciate the history.

[@timothyhatcher9813]

I've been on this coaster a few times with family and friends, although it is not fast, it is a classic none the less and a lot of fun for first time riders ! Maybe some time in the future they grease the tracks to make it faster, I love this ride!😊😊😊

[@michaeltaylor1603]

Yep! you gotta erl them tracks from time to time.

[@CanobieCoaster]

I want a retrack more than anything.

[@OklahomaCoasterFan]

I've only ridden it once, and it was a front-row, solo ride on a drizzly, dreary weekday. I'm glad I did front row for the smoother ride, since it was a bit rough, but easily tolerable. I was surprised by the lack of airtime and wondered if a more full train would've helped with that. It definitely has an interesting history.

[@CanobieCoaster]

Nope, it has little airtime no matter when you ride.

[@flyingorcas1823]

This was the second woodie I had ever gone on the other being Little Dipper at SFGAM I loved this ride and still do but now that I’m more of an enthusiast I can see that my love for this ride is pretty sentimental.

[@CanobieCoaster]

I mainly wish it were smoother.

[@Kite037]

I rode this ride about 50 times across 2010 and 2011. I think quite highly of it, my first big coaster and my first wooden coaster. I was not really into coasters before this ride and I credit it as well as New Texas Giant in making me an enthusiast. It ranks 52 of 128 for me currently, though if I rode it today I admit it may drop a bit.

[@CanobieCoaster]

It's unfortunately quite rough now.

[@Kite037]

@@CanobieCoasterHave you seen the brand new POV? They retracked it!

[@Missglam67]

I might be the only one who has ever commented on the flags on top of the lift hill. I love seeing those flags! I don’t know why they’re there but to me they always were a reminder of the thrills and adventure that’s about to happen. Only wooden coasters seem to have these flags. Colossus had one red and one blue which at the time represented Thunder and Lightening but to me they just reminded me the drop was about to happen 9:48 and thus, the fun began.

[@CanobieCoaster]

I do like the flags.

[@Kittyhat]

This thing has the most unique track shaping of any ride I've seen, I have no idea what it needs though. Reprofiling might strip it of that character, but something needs to change on this ride and a regular retracing isn't going to cut it long term.

[@CanobieCoaster]

I agree it is odd.

[@user-yp8xk3kb3m]

RMC treatment is what screamed in my head after finishing this video

[@CanobieCoaster]

I think the ride is too historic to get that.

[@FanThemePark]

I rode this last in 2018 and I remember it being rough but not so rough it was uncomfortable. Although this coaster doesn't provide a lot of excitement I do love the look and feel of it being a classic pier wooden coaster.

[@CanobieCoaster]

It got way rougher in the 3 years since my 2020 rides.

[@sfotnews8633]

It was awesome seeing you over the past two days

[@CanobieCoaster]

Nice seeing you!

[@AlexRuckusFTW]

Can't wait for the Iron Dipper 😂😂😂. I personally loved it reminded me of The Texas cyclone.

[@CanobieCoaster]

That would be a vast improvement, but it would feel wrong on a coaster this historic.

[@micoasters]

Again I’m a sucker for old wooden coasters, especially a prior and church woodie

[@CanobieCoaster]

Love the history.

[@alantrotter2077]

The other Giant Dipper at Santa Cruz is much better. The one at Belmont Park is a bit rough and doesn't provide the air-time at that you get from the one at Santa Cruz. I've rode the one in Belmont Park last year and a few years before that and I pretty much got the same experience both times.

[@CanobieCoaster]

I can forgive the layout, but not the roughness.

[@matheuscastello6554]

i visited san diego a couple weeks ago and was asked by some enthusiast acquaintances if i would be visiting belmont park after i did seaworld san diego, i ended up passing on it since i was with my family and things didn't work out, but now i'm very glad i did pass, no airtime and rough doesn't seem very worthwhile to me, even considering this ride's historical aspect

[@CanobieCoaster]

It's mostly about the history and some lats.

[@timothycole5266]

I wouldn't say no airtime is a negative, that's a only preference for some. Some rides aren't meant to have it, let's be thankful some rides are. It's because this ride had no airtime that it had absolutely no lap restraints for it's initial 51 years of operation, only a bar to hold on to with your hands and another near the floor to lock your feet under if you wanted to hold up your hands. It still doesn't NEED them, they're there because of insurance (I've ridden without). I will agree that it is rough because when it was restored the structure was tightened so all the stress is on the (duplicate design of Prior and Church) track instead of the load being shared with the scaffolds. Santa Cruz doesn't have quite the twisty-turny layout so the track isn't as easy to replace.

[@mateoalvira3514]

I think in 1925 when the Belmont Park version opened, many houses had way different decorations and furniture, for example, in Spain, in France, etc.

[@CanobieCoaster]

That would make sense.

[@omarcarrillo8812]

The giant dipper at belmont is one of the best coasters in world Thee Best 👌

[@CanobieCoaster]

It's a classic, but I find it a bit rough and lacking airtime.

[@josecastro2332]

I agree with you. The Giant Dipper at Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is significantly better than this. The second half is what makes it for me. Great airtime with an ejector pop.

[@CanobieCoaster]

I love the Santa Cruz one.

[@BAKU2K2]

I feel like this Giant Dipper should've either kept its original Prior & Church trains, or replace the Morgan trains with Miller Flyers. Judging by it's twisty track layout, it's clearly designed for articulated trains, instead of the bulky yet lightweight trains it currently runs with.

[@michaeltaylor1603]

I agree! Even the newer PTC's tend to articulate better now a days,

[@CanobieCoaster]

Maybe that could help.

[@DAOzz83]

These are trailered trains. They’re not quite “just like” Prior & Church trains, since they have four seats per car, but they still only have one set of wheels per car, with a Zero car up front (you can see it moving independently of the first car at 2:54 in the video). Despite the visual resemblance to PTC four seaters, these will track MUCH better; Indeed, as the other Giant Dipper shows, they take Prior & Church track just fine, as long as it’s maintained.

[@brademge6638]

I have been on Giant Dipper several times over the years. My last rides were in 2015. While it was certainly a bit bumpy, it actually wasn't too rough and rode pretty good.

[@CanobieCoaster]

It got worse for me from 2020 to 2023.

[@michaeltaylor1603]

Lovely vintage station. I think with a traditional re-track plus new serpentine trains, we'd get that a Golden Ticket status coaster. I know GCI wouldn't supply them, but there are others that "wood" pun intended.

[@CanobieCoaster]

I wish it got a retrack.

[@LittleToyBonnie]

I just rode this 3 times yesterday. It may be extremely rough but it is fun.

[@CanobieCoaster]

I'd love to see it retracked.

[@GavHern]

every time you post a video of a ride I'm just about to go out and do it ends up being closed when I'm there... hoping the chain breaks with this one!! haha

[@CanobieCoaster]

That's some luck.

[@xtremeadventures7270]

Thanks for the review, I'm planning a California Coaster trip this summer and planning to spend a day at Sea World and hit Belmont that night just as you suggested.

[@CanobieCoaster]

Have fun!

[@robertmatthews2009]

I rode this coaster in 1963 and again a month ago with my granddaughter. It will beat you up.

[@CanobieCoaster]

Yeah it is rough.

[@quintinrice2733]

I remember going to Sea World for work in the 90's. We had a free day and everyone said, You should go down to Mission Beach and ride the roller coaster. I had ridden The Giant Dipper in Santa Cruz and was expecting the same experience. I didn't hate it but, the Santa Cruz version was far superior.

[@CanobieCoaster]

Glad you didn't hate it.

[@fadedidentity]

I grew up in San Diego so this was the only coaster we had until the more recent additions at Sea World. It gets way too much hate from enthusiasts who criticize the lack of airtime and vastly overstate its roughness (in my opinion). yes it’s rough but I don’t find it to be that bad, and there are much better classic woodies with great airtime (Giant Dipper @ Santa Cruz for example) but there are a couple of decent airtime moments, and the first drop is pretty good. I think it’s still a really fun coaster 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@CanobieCoaster]

Sorry I'm not a big fan.

[@maxhagenauer24]

The other Giant Dipper definitely seems a ton better. Although even if this is rougher, sometimes that can add to the intensity and be an upside if the ride is absolutely lacking in forces. What do you think about this?

[@CanobieCoaster]

I prefer a smoother ride myself.

[@oblivieon1567]

It's not even close, the Santa Cruz one is probably the best Golden Era Woddie in the country. You could put that coaster in any park and it would be popular, it's that good and well taken care of. The Belmont one just really isn't a good coaster. Not terrible but also not great.

[@teddym2808]

Would it be a good ride if it was smooth like Santa Cruz, or is the layout just too weak?

[@CanobieCoaster]

It would be better, but still just ok at best.

[@mateoalvira3514]

Did you ever see a video of Giant Dipper at Belmont Park with new track?

[@CanobieCoaster]

Yes, glad it got some love.

[@barneyevans6940]

First rode this in 1972, and have ridden it many times, though not recently. I have always enjoyed it, but I guess there is a little bias involved.

[@CanobieCoaster]

That's fair.

[@mateoalvira3514]

Which Giant Dipper do you like more, the ride, the one at Belmont Park or the one at Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, why?

[@CanobieCoaster]

Easily the Santa Cruz one. It has much stronger airtime and laterals.

[@bartonpercival3216]

And the SCBB coaster has a better dark tunnel at the beginning of the ride. Cool train whistle at the start of the ride too!!!!!!!!!! 👍

[@mateoalvira3514]

But how would you compare this ride to: Pegasus at Mt. Olympus Thunderhawk at Dorney Park Vampire at La Ronde Dragon Fyre at Canada's Wonderland Flight Deck at Canada's Wonderland to ride again? And in terms of smoothness, pacing, power, and intensity?

[@CanobieCoaster]

Flight Deck is way rougher. Pegasus is similarly as rough. The others are not as bad. But I rode Giant Dipper before the recent retracking.

[@basictransportenthusiast4386]

I don’t think they’ve retracked this since 1990, which is why it beats the crap out of you.

[@CanobieCoaster]

That would make sense then.

[@WCfanboy]

It’s funny how parks in that time decided it was ok just to massively exaggerate speeds, like it was claimed a 125 foot coaster hit 70 and the Coney Island cyclone hits 60, it’s more like 45

[@CanobieCoaster]

I find it funny.

[@daniscool8]

Could you do a top 10 or a review of parc asterix?

[@CanobieCoaster]

I'm waiting until I get back for Toutatis.

[@daniscool8]

Can’t wait it looks so much like pantheon which is my fav coaster

[@ronsblahblah]

Flew to Cali to do a rollercoaster coaster tour in February and it was closed for retracking 😭😭😭j

[@CanobieCoaster]

Dang! Didn't miss a good ride. Just history.

[@rutheliz75]

I wonder what the ride experience would be like with the original train ?

[@CanobieCoaster]

I hope it had more airtime.

[@ScottyMania313]

Photogenic Coaster with a rough ride, reminds me of my ex

[@CanobieCoaster]

Ouch!

[@mateoalvira3514]

What would you rate Giant Dipper at Belmont Park?

[@CanobieCoaster]

This answers that.

[@mateoalvira3514]

What would you rate Giant Dipper at Belmont Park and Giant Dipper at Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk? and what do you think about: Giant Dipper at Belmont Park Skyliner at Lakemont Park Thunderhawk at Dorney Park Thunderbolt at Kennywood Blue Streak at Cedar Point Yankee Cannonball at Canobie Lake Park Cornball Express at Indiana Beach Magnum XL 200 at Cedar Point Apollo's Chariot at Busch Gardens Williamsburg Wild Thing at Valleyfair Lightning Run at Kentucky Kingdom Patriot at California's Great America

[@CanobieCoaster]

A lot of good rides in there.

[@mateoalvira3514]

Giant Dipper at Belmont Park was not in your video of top 25 worst roller coasters in the world (2020), why?

[@CanobieCoaster]

It isn't super painful like the rides on that list.

[@dindog22]

sounds like they need to contact GCI, smooth out the bad parts and get a millennium flyer train. I'm assuming it only has one train

[@CanobieCoaster]

I have only seen one in use.

[@christopherfinch-mccollum1753]

This was just re-tracked!

[@CanobieCoaster]

I heard. Hopefully it runs better.

[@officialchase02]

I wonder how this coaster would look if it had the RMC treatment

[@CanobieCoaster]

Better for sure, but it would be weird.

[@officialchase02]

@@CanobieCoaster ye it would definitely be better airtime

[@mitchel4361]

Eehhhh I live in ohio...I'll just go to the Carolinas and ride the swamp fox instead...question how good is it anyway

[@CanobieCoaster]

Swamp Fox is far better.

[@StamfordBridge]

It’s an ACE landmark and ACE helped save the coaster, but they give no discount for ACE membership. 😕

[@CanobieCoaster]

Dang!

[@mateoalvira3514]

Do you know the year this Giant Dipper opened? 1945?

[@CanobieCoaster]

Earlier than that.

[@mateoalvira3514]

Of all roller coasters in the world, do you like rough, bumpy, smooth, shaky, jackhammer, shimmy, shuffle, rattle, vibration? Canobie Coaster, what would you think? Like all Prefer rough Prefer bumpy Prefer shaky Prefer shuffle Prefer rattle Prefer shimmy Prefer smooth Prefer jackhammer Prefer vibration

[@CanobieCoaster]

I prefer smooth rides.

[@christopherfinch-mccollum1753]

I agree with your rating. Even non-enthusiasts might not like it. It’s historical and that’s about it.

[@zacharyyamashita8554]

At least it’s not as bad as WildCat at Lake Compounce.

[@CanobieCoaster]

The history is great.

[@splinky45]

Belmont Park's coaster is very rough. Just like the Matterhorn at Disneyland. A hard pass for both

[@CanobieCoaster]

I like Matterhorn a lot.

[@skyguyismyguyr12turn]

First comment! Have you watched all 26 Pixar movies? If so, rank them from worst to best(Why not explain yourself by the time you tell us a hot take)? :)

[@CanobieCoaster]

I think I responded to this in a different comment already.