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Day 5: Travel day, but with a stop at another surprise on this trip - Barry Island (a seaside resort town in Wales) - where we'd stop along the way to Drayton Manor. I thought the scenery in Wales was quite lovely, even if a bit industrial. so I snapped pics from the bus as we passed areas on the morning drive: as we got closer to the seaside town of Barry, there was some nice architecture that we passed too: and off in the distance? our destination for a "quick" stop (I think we were there about 4 hours?) on the drive - Barry Island. the Ferris Wheel was a giveaway, as was what they advertised as the tallest ride in the UK, AeroSpace (a Booster carnival ride) Barry Island is a seaside resort area, that reminded me a bit of Seaside Heights area, but without the boardwalk stalls. lots of homes in this area headed down to the beach. . tho not sure if folks live here year round, or rent them out for vacationers. pulling up into the "Amusement" area of Barry Island. this made me giggle, as it's giving off some "Amityville" vibes the area around here seemed very "touristy" and perhaps a bit "well loved". . but I was liking the atmosphere we had made good time, and the main Amusement area hadn't really opened yet (Robb & Elissa were meeting with the park owner at opening - he was quite the character, and was very excited that TPR was visiting his amusement park. so we passed a bunch of non-cycling (for the moment) rides. that tall one there is AeroSpace. pulling into the parking lot, the beach area is quite lovely - even tho it was a bit overcast, and maybe a little chilly for me. but I had a jacket and was ready to go! a bit windy, and as noted, a bit chilly. but ready to have some fun. bumped into Santa Biker on the path from the lot to the rides areas - as we decided to walk along the beach in search of a public restroom. Very nice guy, as was pretty much everyone I met today at Barry Island. and one of the 1st things I saw was a rainbow bench. I felt very welcome, in my big, gay, sunglasses (which I kept getting compliments on. . LOL. . I brought them on the trip as I didn't care if I lose them) a map of Barry Island, including the rides, and attractions. again, a bit run down / "well loved". . but I really did enjoy the atmosphere, and the design. there is another cluster of amusement rides at the far end of the beach area (near the public restroom) and this one actually was open early. so many on the trip flocked here first, to get the kiddie credit. personally, I don't tend to ride many kiddie things - I don't judge, but just cause it's a coaster doesn't mean I'm gonna ride it - so I took pics while others rode. Hi Albert! the ONLY reason I didn't hop into this chair, is because I was worried my fat ass wouldn't be able to get out of it creepy clown bouncy play area not quite the same as the Legoland fire academy we'd seen a couple of days prior. . . but I loved that it's called "Fire Blasta" Andrew, Stacy, Nick (I think David behind him) and Ryan enjoying the caterpillar coaster. one of several smaller carousels available to ride at Barry Island. the "fun bus" looks like a tight squeeze for fun. across the way looked like a casino? but it wasn't open yet, and we didn't' really have a lot of time to spend on things that weren't all that interesting to most of us. so we skipped it. the big park was about to open, so we headed in to meet up with the TPR group. on the main Carousel, one could ride in a carriage with the Queen! lots and lots of flat rides here. . mostly running decent cycles. it's a pretty good carnival set up. ohhhh. .a ghost train! featuring Boney M music??? sadly no, but still I enjoyed it when we rode it later. I just hummed "ra-ra-Rasputin, lover of the Russian Queen" in my head while we rode didn't "ride" this as was afraid of breaking it! but I did want a pic on it what IS it with scary clowns in European countries? still some remnants of Covid Protocols in place, tho no one was really following them at this point. it was time to head over to meet up in front of AeroSpace, and get our tokens to ride stuff. and TPR was gonna get rides on this "UK's tallest ride" here's the group with the owner of the Barry Island amusement area. I am NOT a fan of heights. . but I was willing to ride this. I ended up regretting it, as I hung on for dear life once I realized if the restraint releases while you're at the top, there's absolutely nothing that will keep you from falling out of that seat. I was terrified - worried something would release. and was also in pain - as this was the place on THIS trip where I got injured. Something I seem to do on every trip, cause I'm a klutz. But at least this wasn't my fault - on this ride, they had a very gung ho operator (a short little fireplug of a lady) who jumped up and slammed her full weight into the restraint to get it secure. It took the breath out of me the 1st time she did it as I wasn't expecting it. but then they had to undo the restraints to walk someone off who they deemed too large to ride (which is what created my fear of them undoing while at the top), and when she came back and closed my restraint the same way? I actually felt my rib snap when her full weight came down on it. luckily I always bring really good painkillers with me on trips, so was able to make thru the rest of the trip relatively ok. . tho it took almost 8 weeks to heal enough that I could sleep on that side. but I digress. . I rode it and it was fun. smiling. . but more of a grimace thru the pain in my ribs. it *was* fun. . .don't get me wrong. . but terrifying too. the pics are courtesy of Elissa and Andy, I believe. (Daniel is filming for Robb if you're wondering what's on his arm in some of the pics) after the rides, we were cut loose for a couple of hours to do what we wanted before meeting back up at the bus later. it was suggested we eat, but I really needed to pee by this point. . and over on this side of the park, the only restrooms were in the pubs (and for patrons only). so Stacy and I went to get a drink. . and met this lovely bar owner. she was so nice, and we had a good chat with her while sipping our cider & Lager. PROST! (no wait.. that's the other TPR Trip report I'm doing) SOMEBODY noticed that the dragon coaster over here had started running, and wanted to get a ride. so I hung out and took pictures while they got that credit. she wasn't the only one tho. . saw lots of TPR folks on it when I took pics of the ride before hers . this was about my speed for a ride at the moment. . . LOL actually saw someone puking after this. . so I guess that means good cycle? these bears were in front of the Cyclone - a Galaxi coaster. not sure why, but sure, I'll pose with bears! a mini Waltzer! it was so cute! this guy was running an insane cycle, with loud music and lots of smoke, so we headed over to it next. whee! I watched this Top Scan, and saw that TPR was gonna ride it and decided those restraints with my hurting rib was NOT a good idea. so I passed, and glad I did, as they gave the TPR folks a very long (something like 15 minute) nutso cycle. I still think Robb paid them off to run it like that for TPR another one more my speed at the moment - inside one of the arcades. not gonna lie, I was tempted! but passed up a chance to have a Princess Party. . . we happened upon the big Waltzer right as a bunch of TPR folks were also gonna ride. so we hopped on sharing a car with Andy. . and got an absolutely bonkers ride, with the ride ops coming up behind the cars - while the ride was in motion!!! - and pushing the cars into more intense spins. it was so amazingly great. see? hanging on and laughing the whole way. back to the Cyclone for Stacy's ride (sorry.. pics got out of order somehow) I, again, passed. This one isn't a kiddie, but I just wasn't in the mood to ride it. Ride Nelly the Elephant! and John Wayne's Horse! (made out of plastic) kiddie rides scattered all over the place here. . most of them quite odd. back to the carousel. . you not only could ride with the Queen, but you could also ride with Mr. Bean! and this guy. . who NO ONE knew who he was! not even the Carousel operator. I asked several people and no one had any idea who this guy was! he must be someone, as he's in good company (the Queen and Mr. Bean) two Queens after using up our tokens, and checking time, we decided to do some shopping and go eat something. I had snapped a pic of this as we passed from the bus, but now could get up close with the horse. and a very odd "Lady and the Tramp" kiddie ride in one of the stores. good idea.. I hadn't yet really had Fish and Chips in the UK. . and on the shore seemed to be a good place to try. it was so good, y'all. tho I found the smashed peas a bit. . . unpleasant and bland. but here's the place we went. the Fish was really great, so no wonder it's "famous" while eating, Stacy allowed me to use her shoulder to model the souvenir shirts I had gotten. turns out the show "Gavin and Stacey" was set here. . and we found a store selling merch. so of course I grabbed some (love that show) a quick stroll down the beach on the way back to the bus showed that as the clouds had cleared out, the beach had gotten a bit more crowded. it was still way too chilly for me to even consider going into the water, but here in Wales, I guess they are used to it? and then back onto the bus, and we continued on towards Drayton Manor. we were staying in a hotel nearby, and that was to be our full day park tomorrow. lovely. once checked in, we had a few hours before having to go to bed, so some headed off to check out the nearby castle ruins. Some went into town to check out the night life. and some of us went to the restaurant at the hotel to grab a snack. awww.. the moo-moo has a "tasty bottom" I wasn't all that hungry, as still was full from the Fish & Chips. . so I went with lemonade and a desert. I'd also yet to have "Sticky toffee pudding" since being in the UK, and thought I should try it. there were lots of ways to order it, but I asked for the most traditional. it wasn't bad. . although my stomach did not quite agree with it, and I ended up with a rough night of sleep. (but that also could be due to the pain meds I was taking by this point for my ribs). before going back into the room, wandered out into the parking lot to snap a pic of the castle ruins nearby: poison ivy? I dunno. . but the thorns (and gnats in the area) kept me from wandering over to check it out in person, so instead I went back to the room for a nice long, hot shower. tomorrow? Drayton Manor.

Absolutely no excuse at this point will bring me to the hilarious side of advocating for the prolonged restoration of a carousel in a mid/lower tier park that has taken this long. Some other means could have expedited this process. They aren't even doing anything major to the wheel house. I'm ready for the before and after pictures from the first season after the restoration where rings, studded belts, buttons, and other intentional damages are inflicted on the overwhelmingly unappreciated project. There will be a short news segment when it reopens. After about two days, almost no one will give a fuck. Total joy for about five people in exchange for what could have been thousands of happy family riders since the closure.

I have seen the photos, looks like they are using the Jaws of Life to bring it down.

Well a full restoration wouldn’t have been completed in one off season start to finish even if they’d hired PTC itself to do it. It’s not uncommon for carousel restorations to be multi year projects anyway no matter where the work is done or who is doing it. PS: Green Lantern is being very roughly sliced up during removal. It will absolutely not be relocated considering how they’re handling it.

Green Lantern officially being scrapped, not relocated. From Coaster Spot on Twitter:

All that food and drink before the fireworks ..... yum. I assume you timed things "between courses"? And this castle is such a Huge Canvas for the show projections on it... awesome. Great trip to HKDL for you and the family!

Just surreal how much of this was suddenly taken away. There's 4 defunct rides in this photo taken 12 months ago from another defunct ride (plus Twister not visible). I know we should be looking to the future but whatever they're building better be mind blowing. As it stands right now, today is a top 5 bad day at a park that has had a LOT of bad days. The park slapped everyone in the face for their 50th anniversary and Cedar Fair finished off the season by kicking everyone in the balls to go along with it.

wonderful report. . thank you so much for sharing!

The Vault Fallout Coaster is a high speed indoor roller coaster with sudden drops and many special effects. The coaster invites you to step into a fantastic trip in a Vault within the Fallout universe. It is part of a big themed area with two more rides (one flatride and one shooter).

I don't really have doubts that Cedar Fair will turn this park into something resembling Kings Island or Canada's Wonderland in the next 10 years (and that's a good thing) but the way this whole year went from beginning to now was a disaster for the park and I don't think it can be understated. Aside from the new coaster coming for the 50th anniversary that in typical Six Flags fashion was pushed off over and over until being delayed a whole year, the park was also to refurbish the Ferris Wheel and Log Flume, both park originals. The Ferris Wheel started the season looking like an eyesore and was finally ready to go in...July? The Log Flume spent the better part of two years closed for refurb and finally did open this summer...the last week of August. Meanwhile, the operations at the park were a trainwreck this year. One train ops were the rule rather than the exception this year. You can call the park a dump all you want and I'm not inclined to disagree, but one thing they've always done well is run coasters to their maximum capacity almost always. One train ops on Nitro during some parts of Frightfest was just the icing on the cake. Oh...Frightfest. The park was supposed to debut Frightfest Extreme or whatever they called it in mid September with a separate gate and all that. They ended up pushing that off to October because surprise surprise... mismanagement and disjointedness. TLDR: This whole season was a failure from opening day right up to removing 6 rides with no notice. As far as the closed rides... I get it, Kingda Ka was a maintenance nightmare and ultimately not that great of a coaster. But it was still renowned among more than just enthusiasts (I mean...it was the #9 trend in the country on Twitter last Thursday) and generally if a park is shutting down a ride like that out of choice instead of out of necessity, they would tell you that it's on its last season. We know that the decision was not made at park level, but the lack of communication from above is where the problem is. Also, the tallest drop tower in the world (which spent most of the season closed for some reason) was a part of these ride closures but they just kind of forgot about it in their press release. Is the world's tallest drop tower that much of an afterthought to them that they did not even acknowledge it's existence? Lastly, I think there is more angst about the removal of the Skyway than there is about the removal of Kingda Ka, especially amongst park regulars. If you want to be a premier theme park, you need to have transport rides. Great Adventure has no trains or monorails, and now it also has no Skyway. 18 years ago this park had 3 thriving kids areas, two world class brand new Intamins to round out one of the best coaster lineups in the world, and also still had FIVE active show theaters (which has dwindled down to three inactive and two demolished show theaters). They were so close to being a Cedar Point type destination and then Six Flags went bankrupt and the park went to shit. Other than a handful of somewhat decent additions over the past 10 years, the park has been in a slow decay ever since 2007 and this year just felt like the biggest down slide of all of them, and to end it like this is...yes...a kick in the nuts. Like I said, I believe Cedar Fair will lead this park the right way in the next decade. But I also believe that the next few years are gonna hurt. I'm not ready for the inevitable removal of El Toro in the next few years, but I know it's coming. This is a result of Six Flags f*cking off with the maintenance for its entire existence. I hope the payoff in the long run makes this park the destination it deserves to be.