Custom Coasters International (CCI) opened for business in 1991. They dominated the wooden coaster market until they closed the doors in 2002. In that time they produced an impressive 34 coasters.
Custom Coasters International Beginnings
Charles Dinn closed the Dinn Corporation in 1991. However, his daughter Denise Dinn-Larrick wasn’t done with the business. Directly after its closing, she opened Custom Coasters International with some of the former key players. It wasn’t long till they had their first opportunity. Kingdom Coaster (formerly Sky Princess) opened at Dutch Wonderland in 1992. A Family wooden coaster that still is operating as of this writing.
Custom Coasters International gains some Acclaim
1995 would be the year when the industry began taking notice of CCI. They opened one of the first modern classic woodies called The Raven at Holiday World. It has won the golden ticket award for being the best wooden coasters three times. Named an ACE Roller Coaster Landmark in 2013 which added to its reputation. With its intense ride and picturesque scenery, it is no wonder that CCI gained so much momentum in the coaster world.
A Historic Run
With the acclaim, they began producing a lot of coasters. In 1996 they opened five new coasters. That become steady production culminating in 2000 which saw them build seven new coasters! It was in 2000 that they built what is considered by many to be their best coaster.
Boulder Dash and the Custom Coasters International Experience.
Boulder Dash is probably the best example of what CCI was known for. Great wooden coasters that use their terrain to provide thrilling and scenic experience. With Boulder Dash, CCI was asked to tackle something very special. That is because it was built on the side of the mountain! The more complex the terrain the harder it is to install a coaster. It doesn’t get any more complex than the side of a mountain. CCI was the first to ever build a coaster like this.
Boulder Dash was an instant success for the park. Winning the Golden Ticket Award 5 times for best wooden coaster this coaster is a must for anyone that loves Wooden Roller Coasters.
What is their legacy?
In our overview of the company that proceeded CCI, Dinn Corporation, it was noted that time hadn’t been kind to their legacy. With CCI the legacy is brighter. Because out of the 34 coasters they built only 5 are not running at all. Also, 2 have been giving the RMC conversion treatment which takes old coasters and converts them into steel and wood hybrids. A few that keep getting rumored for RMC conversion like The Boss at our home park Six Flags St. Louis. Yet most of this comes from people loving what RMC does instead of condemning what CCI originally built.
Custom Coasters International hits the final break-run.
It was the divorce of its founder Denise Dinn-Larrick from her husband that put an end to CCI. In their time they revolutionized what one could expect from wooden coasters. While this was an end to CCI their groundbreaking contributions to the industry are continuing to this day. That is because when the company split it resulted in two companies beginning. Both The Gravity Group and Great Coasters International that have been keeping the tradition alive are made up of former CCI members!
Thanks for Reading!
If you found this post informative or helpful would you please consider sharing it with your family, friends, or fellow Coaster Enthusiast? Also, leave any thoughts or memories in the comments below. Thanks go to Ultimate Roller Coaster for their excellent review of Boulder Dash which helped in the writing of this. You can check that out here https://www.ultimaterollercoaster.com/coasters/reviews/boulderdash/ Give us a follow at Instagram https://www.instagram.com/themeparkcoastercrazy/