CoasterFanatic

Just got back from our short weekend in Eastern PA and hoping you enjoy the photos. Since I am a little pressed for time and not really in the mood for a super-detailed TR. Here is one in word association style: Dorney Park Steel Force - Hyper - Slow Ops - Brake not being too evil - First drop angle change rules Thunderhawk - Wait for second train to be put on - Grab the front - Scary ejector on second hill - Brake is evil Laser - Graying out - Op is a coaster nerd - Didn't remember it being this tall - Still graying out Dragon Coaster - New credit (I know Elissa) - Crazy laterals - Never knew everyone could ride this - Op is super cool Hydra - Rattles - New BMr's are all forceless - Jojo is sweet - Rest is nap-inducing Talon - More force than Silver Bullet - Not much more - Line jumper wants to kill me - Line jumper is big - Line jumper rides before me Log Flume - Soaked - Still soaked - Might be my favorite Screaming Swing - Same as Knotts - Thank god my buddy paid - Not bad for free Williams Grove Cyclone - Looks like Idora - Fun - Unintentional trick-track Wildcat - Field Coaster - Not pretty - Kind of slow - Smooth Well that was the basics. Now the fun part .... the pictures! It's Sunday, so why not head to church ... and play Laser Tag! Can I borrow your kids? No you can't ride ... now go away you credit whore! More signs of quality craftsmanship. Next up was the Wildcat While I may poke fun, Cyclone is actually a very fun ride. Just be prepared for about anything (including unintentional trick track) Cyclone's next victims ... I mean riders head for the chain lift. Notice the quality craftsmanship Loading up the next batch of brave souls. Making use of this existing terrain Williams Grove dug out this nice hole for the chain lift Refurbs are for p**sies The first order of business is the legendary Cyclone Catrina is now starting to wonder just where in the world I have taken her! The next day we head to Williams Grove Laser More Dragon Coaster No need to borrow a kid After realizing I meet the height requirement ... new coaster for me! Could I borrow your kid? Cedar Fair brands the Zephyr for all eternity in PURPLE! Talon soars through the overcast skies Super drawn out **yawn** flat spin And the award for best new coaster element goes to ..... JoJo Roll! If it wasn't such an ugly day, this photo might have actually had potential. Steel Force - First Drop The lonesome op takes a ride on the added second train. Still waiting While the ops check each seat twice before engaging the restraint, Jason and I wait patiently. Afterburner goodness Soaring on the Screaming Swing

Cyclone @ Williams Grove 06.19.2005

^ I dig it. I think I had about every color of the rainbow in my young'n days. // wishing I wouldn't get fired for having colored hair now

Don't count on it being the same Starliner that once sat at Miracle Strip. John Fetterman (Knoebels) has been brought in to work on the relocation. He did Phoenix 20 years ago, and when it reopened it was not the same ride it was at Playland.

I don't really mind the Boomerangs, except for the "they're in every park" thing. Some of the worse rides I have ever had have been at the hands of the infamous SLC coaster. Even with that said, some of them aren't that bad. I found the ones at Darien and Wild Adventures to be very ridable. // All this Vekoma bashing will probably cease once Expedition Everest opens.

About the number of pods: There are 10 pods (each holding 4 people) on each ride system. There are 4 seperate ride systems. 160 people per cycle. 12+ Cycles per hour 1920+ hourly capacity. Of couse. This is all estimated // Yeah I'm a nerd

About 500 less than Robb What is the oldest operating coaster in West Virginia?

My first advice would be not to leech other people's images http://www.freewebs.com/coaster101/coastermemorial.htm Other than that the internet has become so saturated with coaster sites that you really have to offer something really great or really different to stand out. The same old/old doesn't cut it anymore. If you have any technical issues PM me, and I would be more than happy to help.

^ I agree with Shepp. With KK down you can count on some pretty long lines on Superman. It doesn't have nearly the capacity of Nitro (extra row and fast dispatches). Chiller can also get some pretty long lines. I had good luck riding it as the last thing before close though. Wait Times (75 total records) Six Flags Great Adventure

The flyers at Holiday World. If I didn't want to "Snap", I would ride the swings.

No fair. I want to ride the "shoot the mexicans" ride. BTW. **cough** Bobejaaland **cough**

Nope. They all suck and are dirty. Why does the sun shine?

Jack Rabbit @ Kennywood 6.15.2005

This is a very good point. If you close your eyes or turn your head ... you're done

I find pretty wild how many people discount this ride. It is true that a very small percentage of people will get sick on this ride, but over 8 million people have enjoyed it since it debuted. I have been on it about a half dozen times. The first time I rode it, I got right back in line (something I rarely do ... besides ERTs) because I just had to get another ride to figure it all out. The forces and simulations of the ride are very believable. The only two parts that I could notice where a slight tilt during the initial launch and you can hear the centrifuge winding up right after the hibernation sequence. My favorite part is the slingshot (hitting the boosters). It pulls you really good and even reminds me a little of stronger launched coasters (Hypersonic). Warnings: This ride spins while you face the central axis (about as much force as a round up. If you can ride a round-up, rotor, enterprise, etc ... you will be fine) Claustrophobia (if tight spaces bother you, this ride might get to you. The "pods" are really cramped. I am slightly claustrophobic and the ride would completely freak me out if not for the vent blowing cool air in your face. That helps a lot.)

TTD was a completely unrealted problem, but they were also waiting on a part. The problem eludes me at the moment.

Actually, I can get my hands on it but I have to buy it in Pennsylvania (approx $100 case). WV has some kind of weird law regarding beer. I can't get any of the great PA Microbrews in WV. Thank god I work by one of the best distributors in PA. The best beer (my favorites at least) that I can get in WV are: Guiness Sierra Nevada Pale Ale Bass Pretty standard stuff, but hop across the state line and BAM. Anything you ever wanted.

^ Put your green hair away .... your scaring the kids. Thanks Jonathon for the great series of TRs. I figure that it took a lot of effort to keep everybody posted. I just wanted let you know that they were appreciated.

Kennywood Knoebels Holiday World

They would have made my decision right there // me = cheap ass

Beer does in fact equal Belgium. Robb, how much Chimay can you hide in your luggage before that start asking questions? I was just wondering.

There isn't too much to tell but it is a very different roller coaster. It has two vertical drop (I prefer the 2nd shorter drop) and one inversion. Since the trains are 8 seats wide, the ride experience varys drastically depending on where you site. To find more information: Use the Serach Function at the top of the page. There has been a lot of talk about SheiKra. I am sure you will find something. // traveled 1000 miles to get it the first week, and Robb still beats me to it :shock:

No. But I like it. What is the average wingspan of a swallow (african or european)?

Reliability is one thing, but I can guarantee that safety is always the number one priority.

Yesterday, after work, I met up with Brian (coasterfun) to grab a bite to eat and hit the local amusement park for a quick evening session. Eventhough I work fairly close to the park, I hadn't not made it out there yet this year, so I was excited to get a look at all the changes that took place at Kennywood in the offseason. These are just some quick thoughts from our short visit. Main Gate: As soon as you walk from the parking lot you can see that while Kennywood did not put in any new rides this year, they certainly did not take the winter off. The new main gate is very impressive and features a carousel horse fountain right inside the metal gates. The ticket windows are now completely seperated from the ticket takers. This combined with the end of the "general admission" era should definately simplify the process of getting people in the park. The main gate also provides a new office for guest relations as well as a new restroom. My only real complaint is that there is no pay phone to be found anywhere. The closest one you can get to is by the bus lot. Racer: Once inside the park, our first stop was the Racer so I could get a look at the new trains (refurbished so much that they are practically new). The wait was full queue, but the Racer usually handles people in a "decent" manner. We waited and got to board in 4 cycles or so. Climbing into the trains you can see right away the differences between these trains and the old ones. The first thing that caught my eye was the divider which is not solid but instead more like an "arm". The opening in the center of the divider actually makes it a lot easier to fasten the new seatbelts. All the metal trim and diamond plate on the trains is new and very shiny. Even the single lap bar looks slightly odd, because I can't remember that last time I saw one in such pristine condition. In the end the new trains really don't have any effect on the overall ride experience. They do, however, add time to what was already one of the slower loading rides in the park. The operators check every seat belt before the bar is released. Phantoms Revenge: Nothing new here, but I just wanted to reiterate this point. If you haven't ridden Phantom's Revenge, then you haven't ridden a "hyper"-coaster. As many have said before "It ain't right". Exterminator: It was a crowded day and I wanted to hit Exterminator, but I figured that we would walk over and at least get a look at the line first before commiting to it. Suprisingly the line wasn't very bad at all so waited and get our own car for this fun little spinning mouse. I don't know if they did any work on it, or if my memory is that bad, but it seemed like the theming was working a little better than I remember. Thunderbolt: After leaving lost Kennywood, we headed over to Thunderbolt. Thunderbolt didn't really look any different than years past, but I could notice a tiny bit of track TLC. The most noticable part was the missing pothole that used to rip my spine out of place on the last drop. Jack Rabbit: Next up was the Jack Rabbit. The "new" logo was posted in the ride station and adorned the front of both cars. A lot of people have complained about the logo, but it doesn't really bother me that much. I only wished that the type face was a little more crisp. We boarded the train and strapped on the new seatbelts. Unlike the old leather belts, Jack Rabbit now sports adjustable airline-style belts. When this was first announced, people freaked out, but have no fear the belts do not effect the ride at all. The operators do a quick check to make sure that the belt is connected ... and that's it. As predicted the Jack Rabbit provided a great dose of airtime. After Jack Rabbit, Brian had to leave so we talked a little bit and split up. Before calling it an evening, I got a quick ride on the Jack Rabbit and the Huss Swing Around. Even with the larger than expected crowds it was yet another enjoyable evening at America's Finest Tradition Amusement Park.