The ride
Cannon Ball is a wood roller coaster built by Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters at Lake Winnepesaukah in Georgia, having opened to the public in 1967. After 59 seasons of operation it remains one of the defining attractions on the Lake Winnepesaukah midway, drawing repeat riders who track every subtle change to its trains, restraints and station soundtrack.
On paper the ride is a serious thrill machine. It climbs 70 ft above the park before pitching forward into its first descent. Trains reach a top speed of 50.0 mph before the first turnaround, where the layout opens up into a sequence of lateral and vertical elements. In total the track stretches 227 ft, giving the experience a distinctly long-form feel rather than the punchy one-and-done character of many modern compact coasters. enthusiast trip-planning resources
Coasters from Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters have a recognizable signature in track shaping, train design and the way transitions are paced. Riders familiar with other Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters installations will pick up on the same DNA in Cannon Ball's layout, particularly through its station design and the sound profile of the running gear.
Plan to ride Cannon Ball early in the day or during the final hour before park close, when standby waits at Lake Winnepesaukah typically drop. Single-rider lines and early-entry ticketing programs, when available at Lake Winnepesaukah, are usually the fastest ways to get repeat rides on a busy day.