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Giant Dipper Roller Coaster
Categories: Active Life Amusement Parks Local Flavor Arts & Entertainment Arcades Amusement Parks, Local Flavor, Arcades [Edit]
3190 Mission Blvd(between Mission Bay Dr & Ventura Pl)
San Diego, CA 92109
(858) 488-1549
- Hours:
Fri-Sun 11 am - 10 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
54 reviews for Giant Dipper Roller Coaster
Review Highlights
"an old school wooden ascent and an ocean view at the top."
(in 3 reviews)
"...because their tenacity saved Belmont Park as a whole."
(in 10 reviews)
"beat that six flags."
(in 4 reviews)
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54 reviews in English
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Review from Jen N.
Berthoud, CO
11/29/2011 1 Check-in Here
Omg so much fun! Sat near the back :D
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Review from Steven N.
4/4/2011 1 Check-in Here
You want to ride an old school wooden roller coaster by the beach? Well, you don't have too many options. You have this one and the one up north in Santa Cruz.
It will cost 6 tickets at $1 a ticket to ride this bad boy. Kind of steep, but is well worth it when it gives you a feeling of returned youth. Plus, the view of the park and the ocean from the top is pretty nice. It only last a few seconds though, because you are soon screaming with joy when you are dropped down into the lower decks.
We can't be young forever, but we can do things that make us feel young again.Listed in: Healthier Yelpling, Worth A Visit for Tourist, I HEART San Diego
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Review from Johana T.
San Diego, CA
7/9/2011 1 Check-in Here
OMG this ride would be sooo much better if you didn't hit everything around you in every single turn! I know it's wood.. but still, its pretty uncomfortable.. It kinda feels like it's going to fall apart.
And to go on it once? 6 tickets! ($1 a piece) OR you can get the bracelet for all the rides.. but its $27 and the other rides are for little kids so there's really no point unless you have a child with you who wants to get on... oh and if they're under 48 inches, their bracelet is $16 -
Review from Samsonight S.
New York, NY
6/17/2011
This thing is awesome. Super short but awesome.
I can see folks going either way on the price ($6.00). Here's how to decide if it's worth it-
If six bucks seems like a lot, dont't do it. You'll feel ripped off. (again, super short ride...
If six bucks feels like, well the same as having one beer, then go for it. Way better than a Coors and less hangover.... -
Review from Will G.
Encinitas, CA
5/26/2011
If pregnant, cardiac related health issues or problems with your back, then watch your friends ride and be picture puppet!!
The coaster is old, fun, but old and a little jerky!! So if you have a bad back or you don't want a pneumothorax, then avoid this ride!!!
This ride is awesome and a great way to start a day/night/date out! Wait to sit in the front too, and take a picture right when you get to the top!!!
A must if in the area. Yes, it is a little touristy, but who cares, locals dig it too!
You need to get tickets from the ticket office/booth just south of this ride. Do that as soon as you get there because a long line can form!!!Listed in: Sober people can have fun…
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Review from John M.
San Diego, CA
8/27/2010 5 Check-ins Here
This ultra-cool and fun place to spend a day or hot summer night much like this August night. Tonight we have a full moon, bonfire, and a cool ocean breeze on tap here at John's favorite Mission Beach spot.
In many of my other reviews within the city limits of San Diego, I talk about what it was like in the 1980's to have been here (while I was serving in the Navy) in my beloved San Diego. Belmont Park is my very first memory of San Diego lifestyle, having come here in 1970 at the age of 6.
I remember riding the Giant Dipper with my mom & dad with my 4 sisters in tow when I first came to San Diego. Then, in the 1980's when the Giant Dipper lay in ruin since it's closing in late 1976, many thought that this coaster was going to become the biggest bonfire in the history of Mission Beach.
There was a time a while back when we San Diegian's almost lost this palace of fun on Mission Beach. As it slowly over the years became dilapidated and infested with San Diego's worst, the city was oh so close to taking a match to this place as they nearly gave up the ghost on Belmont Park.
All of us who enjoy this wonderful place today, owe a big thank you to all of those supporters from the 1970's and 80's who got together to keep our roller coaster from destruction because their tenacity saved Belmont Park as a whole.
The next time you are hanging out in or around Belmont Park know this, what "WE" have come to love about this cool summer hangout was nearly lost if not for the many who stood up, had their voices heard, and ultimately stopped its destruction.
Collectively, we all need to do the same for our beloved bonfire rings that dot the beach just outside of the park before they are "ALL" gone for good.
KNOW THIS: In 2009 & 2010 the rings have been saved (temporarily) by "private donations" from fellow San Diegian's for the maintenance and upkeep costs that are normally funded by the city and county of San Diego. We need to congregate people and let our voices be heard.
SAVE OUR FIRE RINGS!
First the booze, now the bonfires. WHAT'S NEXT? Do the rich and well-to-do uppity homeowners that live very close to "OUR" beaches in their multi-million dollar McMansions want us lowly regular San Diegian's to go away?
Something to think about my fellow "real world" San Diegian's... -
Review from Aly R.
Los Angeles, CA
6/10/2010
Like I said in my Belmont Park review - this ride is pretty damn fun for a wooden coaster.
DMTB and I tend to go to the back of the coaster - we maximize the effects of the coaster. :)
We screamed and giggled the entire time. I wish it lasted longer.
It was too bad that it was overcast the weekend we went - but it's just motivation to go back when the weather clears out. :)
FUN FUN FUN. -
Review from Tina C.
4/25/2008
My neck and breasts will never be the same:
Got on.....
Rickety Racked and Clanked up the tracks
Laughed my ass off
Coaster soared down the tracks
Bumped around
Neck got jarred
Boobs got smashed
Was trying to breathe in between laughter
Before you know it
Over..........
.........and yes I went again!
Something about that Coaster! -
Review from Me H.
Seattle, WA
7/2/2008 2 photos
I remember going to Belmont Park with my thuggish friends back in the day and I never wanted to ride the coaster but they'd always make me and I'd love it afterwards. Now as a responsible adult taking my two nephews to ride it for the first time and seeing their faces as they got off was worth the price of the unlimited ride wristbands.
The Giant Dipper is still as jerky and rickety and noisy as I remember and I still love it. Everyone needs to ride the old school wooden coaster once if not five times in their lives.Listed in: In the 619/858/760!
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Review from Josephine Z.
San Diego, CA
5/7/2007
::Does the "Sign of the Cross" & holds on tight::
WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!! -
Review from Devon C.
7/13/2009
One of San Diego's oldest wonders...so I assume.
I suggest if you don't have a neck of steel that you beware when making the decision to ride this beast of a coaster...not because it's scary but because you're likely to break yo' neck foo!!! It reminds me of that one ride with the white tracks at Knotts...
Definitely worth checking out and takin a ride. Great ocean views, especially around sunset. -
Review from Robert M.
4/8/2011
This is definitely a San Diego classic, and is a lot of fun. As an older wooden roller coaster, your teeth will rattle out of your head, so don't forget to get your hats, glasses, and dental work before you exit!
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Review from Paul B.
San Francisco, CA
5/15/2008
While I'm not a fan of roller coasters, the Giant Dipper is damn cool. It's WOOD! There's a beautiful sound that this thing makes as cars chack-chack-chack up the ratcheted incline, and roar and rumble up and down the tracks. Steel roller coasters just don't have the same character.
It's expensive to ride (six dollars a shot!), and not terribly long. I'd say that the Giant Dipper is a good introductory roller coaster-- it's mild enough that you're only held in by a lap bar; over the shoulder bracing isn't necessary. That said, it made me nervous but not clambering to get off, and I kinda enjoyed it. -
Review from Chelsea S.
San Diego, CA
5/4/2009
It's only a matter of time before this rickety riot collapses in a cloud of dust and termites. Which only makes it more exciting, darling.
Beautiful view of the ocean from the top.
Brace your head and neck and use the hand rail for chiropractic support. Or be prepared to throw yourself the heck out of alignment.
Sit in the front for an exhilarating view.
Sit in back for extra speed and raucousness.
Use the dark tunnel at the beginning to your fullest advantage.
And don't forget to hang on.
OhbythewayitisSIXBUCKSperrideoverpricedforsure.Listed in: Boredom Be Gone
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Review from Christine C.
San Diego, CA
1/25/2007
I have some precious childhood memories here. My dad lived down the street so I often went on the Giant Dipper Roller Coaster when I was a wee one. I was so happy when the Giant Dipper re-opened because for the longest time the roller coaster was under construction.
When I was younger, the roller coaster was exciting because we would get to go to Belmont park and watch the bums before we went on the Big Dipper. Now the Roller Coaster is exciting because the thing feels like it is going to fall a part at any minute, and yes, the bums are still at the Park, but I don't them mind so much.
The Big Dipper is pretty thrilling because before the first "big dip" you get to see a great view of Mission Beach and Sea World, before plummeting to on the age-old roller coaster. -
Review from Yui K.
San Francisco, CA
3/19/2008 1 photo
This thing used to be $4???? and that was only a few months ago! Well, since then they've jacked up the price to $6/ride. I had had a few drinks and kinda love coasters so I charged the fares for me and 3 friends on trusty plastic and fake screamed the whole ride through.
Reminds me of the Cyclone at Coney Island (but of course not as good aka the Cyclone is rickety and cranky and I feared for my life while on it.. it's great).
Probably wouldn't go for a second run since it's $$$, but it did make my night. -
Review from Robert Z.
San Gabriel, CA
12/10/2008
Where else in Diego are you gong to find a coaster? No where!
Sure, you can enjoy the fun of playing volleyball on the beach.
Sure, you can be mystified and hypnotized by the crashing waves.
Sure you can, sure you can, and sure you can.
But, there's only a few other things around the area that will give you the thrill and excitement of this wooden coaster.
Do you recall the feeling of your heart racing, as you hear the chains clinking? How about that climatic feeling as the cart climbs to the apex of the coaster?
If you don't remember, but you're itching for that feeling, then you might as well take yourself to the Giant Dipper. Even if you're a little hesitant of coasters, don't fret, because you can shake off some of the jitters by enjoying the view that you get once your at the peak of the coaster. Be warned, you'll only get a moment's glance at that view before you find yourself diving into the ground, and learning about Issac Newton's law of gravity.
This coaster will give you a rugged ride, and maybe a few whip lashes, but it's exciting. Definitely worth the try if you're around and new to the area. The price might be a little expensive, but it's fine because it's not as if we ride a roller coaster everyday. -
Review from Larisa R.
San Diego, CA
11/1/2006
Part of the thrill of rollercoasters is the perceived danger that you will die. The Dipper is so damn old and rickety, that danger is probably all too real. Live on the edge and pony up a fin for a minor thrill. It's really tame compared to the zooming behemoths at Six Flags, but it's right there at the beach, and it's still fun, if a little rough on the neck.
My prom date, in his infinite wisdom, took me here after dinner, but before we took pictures at the dance. Sigh. It was a cute idea, in theory, in reality, I had spent a lot of time my hair and wanted to flick him in the middle of his forehead and ask what he was thinking. So, if you want to take a girl to the Dipper to be cute and nostalgic, make sure she hasn't spent an hour getting gussied up beforehand. -
Review from Juje J.
San Diego, CA
5/10/2011 1 Check-in Here
It's not the biggest, and it's not the best, but it's our rollercoater and this rickety old ride can still bring it.
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Review from Amy S.
5/11/2008
I do not recommend this as your first roller coaster. Especially if you have the weakest stomach in town, LIKE ME!
NEVER AGAIN will I get back onto this thing or onto any other metal/steel fast moving structure in my life.
However, I love to watch it go around and around while sitting on the beach, and contemplate getting back on it one day, but my stomach and my brain set in and stop those thoughts.
Thank you for doing that. -
Review from Alea B.
San Diego, CA
8/1/2010
This rollercoaster is alright, but after going to Six Flags and falling absolutely in love with X2...this short and extremely rough roller coaster was BLEH in comparison. I went on it with my dad and sister, and all I really remember was that its hard physically, on your body...and my eyes were watering like crazy the whole time.
I would say go on it, once just to say you did...but honestly the price is a little high. -
Review from Christine R.
San Diego, CA
10/28/2009
It's true--I can't ride you without throwing my head back and giggling the whole time.
And yes, that's what she said. -
Review from Kathleen M.
San Jose, CA
1/9/2007
I worked here selling tickets the summer between high school and college. When the highlight of your workday is going to Arby's, that's not a very good job.
The roller coaster experience here is exactly what it looks like. My family used to tell me stories of a sailor who stood up in his rollercoaster car on this ride and he died. So, yes, the Giant Dipper really can kill you. -
Review from Princess Kim R.
San Diego, CA
1/31/2009
Wheeeee! This is such a fun ride, and it's the only thing that actually brings me to Belmont Park (I'm not there for the shady beach people who hang out at the bars across the street, or the cigarette-bumming homeless people and guitar players who hang out along the board walk).
I love the loud clattering as the coaster begins to climb the tracks, especially since it covers up what my friends and I call "my roller coaster noise." (It sounds like, "Unnnnngggguuuuhhhh," if you were wondering. It's the sound of my stomach passing through my esophagus as a roller coaster gets crazy.) Then there's bashing, crashing, and hysterical laughter! Hop on the Dipper and see for yourself! -
Review from Fiona T.
San Diego, CA
6/12/2008
This rollercoaster has been here for as long as I can remember!
"Ouch, my neck!!" ---that's gonna be your most over used phrase!
I remember it used to be about $4, but now they want to raise their prices! This is how you recongize Belmont! haha -
Review from Casey S.
Alpine, CA
4/27/2011
Its a big rackety roller coaster about 50 feet from the beach. It looks scary and I'm pretty sure everyone over 30 that comes off of there has a verifiable back problem after. But hey, that doesn't stop em, you can always get your jollies while the ocean air whips through your hair for a meager bit of cash.
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Review from C.J. R.
La Jolla, CA
6/13/2007
Who does not like roller coasters?
Old school wood form the 20's...
Fun lil area around it too but a lil small. Keep expecation low outside of the coaster. -
Review from Keith W.
San Diego, CA
8/15/2009
SOOOOO PAINFULLLL!!!!
That's how you know it's a classic worth loving!!
Everytime you make a jerky turn, get a mean whiplash, and receive a nice hard slam with your back against the seating ..... PRICELESS! -
Review from Brian B.
10/3/2009
Still 5 Stars, I was involved in fund raising to restore this classic coaster and rode it when first re-opened. It is just as amazing as I remember it. Many wooden coasters do not age well, like Psyclone at Magic Mountain has been removed, and Ghostrider at Knotts is rough, and pretty much sucks at this point.
Originally built in 1925 this classic has stood the test of time.Listed in: San Diego
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Review from Brian R.
San Diego, CA
4/16/2009
Ride this roller coaster!!!At night!!!Drunk!!!
So much passion... -
Review from Kaethe S.
Point Richmond, CA
1/8/2011 1 Check-in Here
What an old rust bucket... Much less was closed when Yelp says open. Bummer!
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Review from Jessica C.
Burbank, CA
7/21/2010
Something about a wooden roller coaster ride that just brings the inner child out in you.. I couldn't stop laughing the whole ride.. I just had my hands up and laughed the whole way thru..$12 for two people is a little pricey but for the faces you make and the omgoss maybe we shouldn't had eaten before we got on this make it so much more worth the ride.
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Review from Andrew C.
7/15/2008
The probability of a vertebrae slipping out of alignment goes through the roof while riding this rickety-ass coaster. Fun to look at, but to ride... meh.
Listed in: Sandy Eggo
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Review from Jessika P.
San Diego, CA
8/23/2010
So $6 a ticket is definitely on the high side... but it is fun.
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Review from Neil O.
San Diego, CA
5/23/2007
oh my god
it was like
so so so so
scary........ -
Review from paige m.
San Diego, CA
7/5/2008
click click click click. an old school wooden ascent and an ocean view at the top!!
beat that six flags. -
Review from Caren B.
San Diego, CA
5/13/2008
I love this roller coaster! It's an old fashioned wood one with lots of jerks and drops. It's good fun!! Get down to Belmont Park, cough up 6 bucks, and get those endorphins going!!! :) Right now!!!
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Review from Noelle P.
San Diego, CA
12/17/2008
Went here for a birthday party, had a blast with the bummer cars and on the roller coaster...there aren't many of these parks left. like the shops and the arcade. all around great day, little pricey but for the experience well worth it.
Listed in: Looking for some fun???
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Review from Jas S.
Bloomington, CA
7/25/2010
FUN, LOVED IT!!!! The other yelpers who said expensive...$6.00 is expensive? Come on. Yelper (2) Short and simple? It's not Magic Mt. honey. Just an old fashion roller coaster. Lighten up! They're tearing these things down all over the country. Be glad this one is still here.
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Review from c arlos c.
La Jolla, CA
1/9/2007
Well, they say size matters, and I wont quibble.... but this old school wood coaster is a genuine rib-rattler. Fine fun for all ages... as long as you measure tall enough to gain entrance... ;-)
