StormFreak

Wow... Had to login for the first time in awhile (SORRY TPR!) just to reply to this... Before I moved to Pittsburgh 3 years ago from Northern Indiana, I absolutely loved Indiana Beach. I grew up with the commercials with the catchy tune ("theres more than corn in Indiana, it's the best part of Americana"), fell in love with the park, and even have a IB Crow talking bobblehead on my desk. All that to say... This TR completely depressed me. I knew the park had gone downhill, but I had NO idea how bad it really was. The last time I was there was the year Morgan took over. They actually made some decent changes at first. Cashless ticketing/wristbands, some nice paint jobs, etc... It seems since that happened, it's been all downhill. Don't get me wrong... even at it's best, the park still had that "creepy chaotic carny" feel, but it was still well run, and had "charm". The flat rides on the boardwalk were one of my favorite parts of the park. The himalaya, yo-yo (water swings), and Falling Star were 3 of my favorite rides at the park. They all ran fantastic cycles and the location was so unique. Seeing those same rides sitting in a parking lot or even SBNO is so sad. The coasters used to be maintained well and now they look awful (LoCoSuMo especially). General park upkeep appears to be suffering as well. In a few pictures I saw weeds growing out of cracks in the midway/sidewalks. And then I find out that even the Tacos have gone down hill!? I can assure you, at one time, those Tacos were excellent... I brought many friends to IB, and they all agreed. As someone said earlier in this thread, the park has such an amazing location, and so much potential. It's just so sad to see whats happened. I certainly hope someone saves this park. New ownership doesn't have to mean the park falls apart. My new home park of Kennywood is proof of that. I hope Indiana Beach can someday be restored to what it once was (or even better).

Went through the whole report. Very comprehensive! Thanks! That ship looks amazing. It's been far too long since I've been on a cruise. Now I am looking at my calendar and the RCCL site to try to find a time to get out there and enjoy it.

I've lived in Pittsburgh for 2 years now, and the only PA parks I've been to are Waldameer and Kennywood. Maybe I'll make a long weekend around ECB and do some catching up on my PA Coaster credits

I'm definitely interested! Haven't been able to make it to a TPR event yet, and this one is well within my reach from Pittsburgh!

I have also heard that they are trying to reduce the launch speed so it isn't going so fast over the top of the hill. I wonder if it is causing wear on the wheels?

Just got back from the park. Sky Rocket was testing today (obviously) and one great thing I noticed is that they are adjusting the trims on the first drop and the mid-course. It appears 2 fins have been removed from the top of the first hill, and several have been removed/adjusted from the mid-course. Maintenance was going up in a lift in between each test run to adjust further. Very impressed that the park is doing this much tweaking of the ride to make sure it is running it's best. For your entertainment I have edited the 2 videos together and uploaded them to YouTube. NOTE: Make sure to bump the quality up to 480p for a better experience. In other park news, Volcano was finally testing today, and due to it being 4H day and Heinz Picnic day, along with several school picnics the park became very busy this afternoon. I have a feeling tonight is going to be very busy!

Just got back from the park. Weather was perfect, and despite LOTS of school kids (hence it being Education Day) lines were very manageable. I got 21 rides in just over 5 hours in the park. I will post a full Photo TR later, but everything at the park is running great! Phantom was flying today, and I had some great rides on the classic woodies as well. Sky Rocket is coming together nicely, and when seen in person is even better than the pictures. The only disappointment of the day was SwingShot. It seems to have been neutered a bit, as it only does one swing at full height now... Other than that, it looks like it will be a great season at KW!

Well in just 9 hours or so the park semi-officially opens for the season! I will be heading out there around 10:15 or so to get my season pass processed, and hopefully get a few rides in as well. With it being an education day, it's hard to say how busy the park will be, but as long as it's not crazy, I will try to get rides on most of the major attractions, and hopefully my first potato patch fries of the season! If anyone else is going to be there, shoot me a FB message or something. I would love to meet up with any other TPR members, because I REALLY don't want to have to ask to be paired up with one of the school kids to ride Thunderbolt...

Just wanted to poke into this thread and say hello. I just moved to Pittsburgh back in August, so my new home park is now Kennywood. I already got my Season Pass and am ready to start riding! Maybe I can meet some of you on the midways. My wife isn't as big of a coaster nerd as I am, so I will be visiting the park by myself quite a bit. Maybe I can meet some new friends through all of it. I'm your normal 26 year old guy, and will be going to the park most Fridays. Send me a PM or add me on FB if any of you want to meet up at the park sometime. I can't wait to hear Laffin' Sal's cackle again...

I was at the park on Sunday and was surprised they closed at 9. Earlier in the day when we asked the info desk, they said they thought it would be between 10 and 11. Luckily we still had a great day in the park. Being new to Pittsburgh, I am so happy to have as great of a park as Kennywood 10 minutes away.... I also caught Robb in the video they play in Phantom's station. I loled.

I'll have to keep that in mind for the next time I'm going to the city. My wife is actually looking at the grad program at Pitt, so I may be out there a lot more

Well I had read around different forums, and knew that part of the hill had been worked on over the off-season. I also read some of the complaints from those who had already been to the park. It definitely felt "off", but I found sitting in the back made it less noticeable. The last odd bank back to center before the second drop actually added to the airtime on the drop into the Ravine. The best way I could describe the top of the second hill is a bad RCT job... A friend who was with me who goes to the park fairly regularly said that he definitely noticed the change, but it didn't take away from the ride overall.

Now onto Kennywood.... Goodnight Kennywood. I love you too. I loved this park, and can't wait to go back soon! Classic. Racer at night. Notice the lack of lines... apparently the park empties out when it's time for the Penguins game. Even the speakers in the park were playing the radio broadcast. Wish I had eaten one of these... but the Potato Patch Fries and Deep Fried Oreos were plenty. Obligatory Fountain Shot. Nice lighting package... not nearly the cycle of the Music Express at Indiana Beach. Bayern Curve at Night. The whistle is forever stuck in my head....dooooooo....DOOOOOOOOO....doooooo Wheeee! Thunderbolt station at Dusk. Aero 360. Quite the odd ride. Had more hangtime than I would have liked. Coaster Hair? or Laffin' Sal Reaction? See what I mean? It's Laffin Sal... Terrifying. The Racer. Artsy Fartsy. Sklooooosh! Heart Attack? Check! Cheese? Check! Gravy? Check! Seasoning Salt? Check! Wheeeee! The Kangaroo was a great time.... especially the sound effect at the end! Hey Blue Train! Do you know what a Moebius track is? Thunderbolt doin it's thing. What a scenic backdrop...... Noted!... and disgusted. Into the Ravine!! Check out the Hairtime! I LOVED Phantom's Revenge! The return of the Bayern Curve. Deafening horn and all! I think that's Kennywood. The big yellow arrow confirms it. That's the skyline I was wanting to see! O HAI PITTSBURGH!! What's that in the distance?

This past weekend some friends and I enjoyed the scenic terrain, and horrible roads of the PA turnpike to enjoy Waldameer and Kennywood. I had been to Waldameer before, but I just needed more Ravine Flyer and 90 DEGREE goodness in my life. However, it pathetically was my first trip to Kennywood, but I am now in love with the park, and it could very possibly be my favorite park I have ever been to. Below are some of the pictures that came out of those days: One last shot of RF2... I will post the Kennywood portion of the trip later. I have many more pics from there. Ali Baba = Lame Falling Star The clown just ate my trash... and my soul. Across the Blue Tarp Bridge for some wonderful airtime! Scenic. Now that's 90 DEGREES!! Mmmm... Gravity Group. In the station for RF2. Steve the GM was our hero of the day when he let us get our RF3 credit! (yes, we are nerds) This is what RF2's queue looked like all day. Pretty sad for a Saturday. If I was a child, and was lost at Waldameer, I would be pretty excited about meeting at the Cookie House... if I could find the Cookie House. 90 Degrees? Scariest drop tower EVAR. New for 2009... Mega Vortex (did they hire Cedar Fair to name the ride?) Waldameer... brought to you today by Star 104.

Great pictures Schuyler! It's odd seeing the park without the trashcans every 3 feet