DenDen

Anyone else see the missing bolts?

This was the first question that came to mind for me. When I go to IOA/Uni, I normally spend one day each, not hop between the 2 in a single day. Never being a "park hopper" at any resort, would this reduce my stay? I'm probably not normal (in more ways than one). I like to take everything in, not rush to do everything in a short amount of time.

Wow, two trip reports from two of my former employers on the same day! (Kennywood is the other!) Thanks for sharing the pictures, I left there in 1999. A little trivia... When the new West Tower was under construction, the employee cafeteria was where the Disk-o is now, and then eventually moved to the old Skyrise cafe. The mystery piece of track I assume is from the kiddie coaster. (Miner Mike) Grand Slam Canyon was originally supposed to be an indoor water park. There used to be a sky-ride that went from main midway in the main casino to Grand Slam Canyon that went over the old monorail. (Both gone, but the sky ride only lasted a little more than 2 years because of mechanical problems, and sat dormant for years.)

Thanks for sharing the great photos. Love the Racer backstage tour, I don't think I've ever seen that before. So much has changed since I've been there last.

I noticed that they got rid of those weird track brackets in this version. Brackets on Jet Rescue.

I'm surprised they left off the wheel covers and lead-car fender. I originally thought this was a US-based safety thing, but I guess it was purely aesthetics. (shrug)

I hope this isn't a thread specific to this topic, if there is, sorry to the moderators! I haven't had my vodka yet, but you won't be able to tell from this video. 1) I'm making fun of un-boxing videos. (Google it!) 2) This is homosexually lisped laced comedy. The "F" bomb is used once! 3) Thanks TPR!!!! LOVE MY CRAP! PS. shot with a cell phone for authenticity...

I prefer amusement parks. Theme parks can get quite "plastic" to me. Not to mention, if there's a theme that doesn't appeal to me, (example: I'm not a Harry Potter fan...) that kills a section of a park I don't want to be bothered with. Spending $100 to get into a park that you could care less about half of it is kind of a waste. Theme parks also tend to be more expensive and have less of what I want to see or do. Amusement parks appeal to me more because of the traditional aspects. Yes, they occasionally try a theme here and there and it gets cheesy and lost at times, (cough, volcano valley, cough, Lost Kennywood, cough) but it's these quirky park decisions not having millions of dollars riding on them (no pun intended) that make a great and unique experience. They also tend to have a better selection of flat or unique rides. History also plays a big role in my favoritism.

^LMAO!!! Good one!

I didn't agree with these types of passes when they first came on the scene. The older I get, the more mentally and physically excruciating it is to stand in line. I never give it a second thought now. If I go to a park with any kind of fast pass system, I buy it! Cedar Point is more than welcome to my $90 extra bucks to allow me to enjoy my vacation that much more! I usually spend multi-days there, and even just getting it for one day will be worth every penny. I've been to Cedar Point when it was so crowded that I only got to ride 3 coasters in 1 day. I won't do that anymore.

Well, at least we know it won't rock and sway like it used too... [youtu_be] [/youtu_be]

For me, this was THE coaster to watch out for, and I am completely impressed!!!!! Just WOW! It's almost like in the early 70's when theme parks made a resurgence with wood coasters, and then the 80's when Arrow started making megacoasters. It started all sorts of theme park wars that even a smaller park like Kennywood got involved in. I would like to think Silver Dollar City and Rocky Mountain Coasters just started Theme Park War III.

From Kennywood Connection's facebook page, they have a few great close up photos of the new land. This photo (by them) shows about 1/3 of the land. We're talking A LOT of potential. (Currently, they will be using this warehouse as storage.) Photo Credit: Kennywood Connection Facebook page

According to Screamscape, Kennywood has FINALLY purchased the brown land behind the racer, and under the bridge. http://www.screamscape.com/html/kennywood.htm

Without understanding the concept of "up-stops", kids in Pittsburgh always think that the Jack Rabbit trains (or roller coasters in general) were held on the track by magnets...

Totally NSFW! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M_HuzRlunmE

I knew there was a reason why I loved you! Strictly in a platonic way, of course.

Laser Loop, Kennywood, 1984 was my first.

Do we have a date on this one? Could this have been the original car design for Rocket Rods? (ie, the Rods did lean back, didn't they?) PS. Fascinating thread!

From Fabulous Fort Lauderdale...

Worst news in 2013 thus far! Please don't let this happen! PLEASE!

Here's to hoping the Lord of the Rings has plenty of lockers.

That made me LOL. Thanks for posting that! hehehehe

Just realizing this now, but the layout of the coaster is (I'm sure coincidentally) pretty close to the West View Dips!

Has it really gone downhill that much? I worked there until 1999, and relocated, haven't been back since. Back then, we were 3rd lowest on the strip, but still pretty good, just slightly dated until they remodeled with the new West tower. (The Sahara and Frontier were dumpier than us at that time!) I'm not surprised, but the negative comments make it sound REALLY bad.