coaster-crazy

Thanks everybody for all of the comments over the past 5 months on my construction log. I really am sad that this has to come to an end. Hopefully, I will cover future Boardwalk projects and post them on here. Once again, thanks... now go out there and ride the NEW HAUNTED CASTLE!!!! ~Nicholas

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aJ1VnwWIGfU WARNING. This video includes an on-ride POV. Those wishing to experience this ride fresh should not watch. I was invited to the launch event today for the Haunted Castle thanks to me being a member of ACE Northern California! The video is here! I was the FIRST rider on the NEW Haunted Castle and rode with another boy, Charles Canfield, and Ted Whiting! This was a surprise, as I wasn't told about this. I was also presented a piece of concept art from the ride. Charles Canfield presented one to me and the boy I was with, who got to be on the first ride with me because he was a big fan of Sally Corp. This company did all of the gags for the ride. I recommend everyone to ride this fabulous treasure. It is definitely great for familes and has a Boardwalk/Disney kind of scary. ... which is my kind of scary. Also, check out ACE Norcal's website, as it has many cool things about the parks around the Bay Area! http://acenorcal.org/modules/news/ Enjoy!!! ~Nicholas P.S. For those in the Bay Area, tune into KSBW TONIGHT at 11 PM. There will be a segment somewhere within the 11-12 time frame about the NEW Haunted Castle and it's launch party today. I was interviewed about the ride, so watch out for me!

NEWS: THE NEW HAUNTED CASTLE OPENED TO THE PUBLIC TODAY ... and I was on the FIRST ride! I will tell you more on how I got to be first on the ride later this afternoon. For those who live around the Bay Area, there will be a segment tonight I was interviewed for on the NEW Haunted Castle. I will post a time for that later this afternoon. On-ride video will be posted shortly! STAY TUNED!

^wumwip: Yes! You do get to go! I got that same email, maybe we'll run into each other. If you wanna say hi, I will be wearing a black Boardwalk hat and taking lots of pictures, constantly. ~Nicholas

Hey guys, found this on the Haunted Castle page on the Boardwalk's website: The ride opens around noon on Friday, according to an email I recieved. I also visited the Boardwalk today and found that they were cycling cars through! I got pictures and video to show you - tomorrow afternoon! Thanks! ~Nicholas

^Oooh! I am hoping to ride it Wedensday afternoon - thanks for the info. How do you know for sure?

Made a quick search for "Kick Boodie carnival ride" and came up with this article. http://articles.mcall.com/1988-11-06/news/2665163_1_rider-fair-settlement The ride in the article from 1988 is called Swiss Swings, but is the exact same as "Kick Boodie." The first 2 pages have the main info on the ride. Apparently this person fell off and accepted $350,000 for insurance. This legal battle went on for 6 years, meaning that she would've gotten hurt on this ride in 1982. It was mentioned that the ride moved at 25 mph. Here's an excerpt: This could've marked the end of the ride. ~Nicholas

It's update time! ... so, for those who have been following this thread, the Haunted Castle project has come a LONG way. Removal of the insides of the old haunt began on August 23rd, 2009 and now a little over 9 months later, the ride is basically complete. I hope that the ride opens within the next 1 to 2 days. Anyways, this update isn't just any update. This update is about the Boardwalk's VIP Summer Launch Party I was lucky to attend last Thursday(May 27th, 2010)! This event took place in the Coconut Grove's Sun Room which has a massive retractable glass roof. The event included a delicious lunch, a preview of the summer events, and... well, a supposed to happen preview of the Haunted Castle, which unfortunately did not happen. However, in the Boardwalk Ballroom, they were showcasing concept art from the Haunted Castle(both new and old). The lighting in this room was very odd, so some of the pictures didn't turn out perfect. Even though the ride was closed, I headed down to the HC to check it out. To my pleasant surprise, the ride signs were up! ... Anywho, I hope you enjoy this update, not many left now! ~Nicholas Yep, that's me. Welcome to the 2010 VIP Party!!! This is the beautiful Sun Room. I forgot to mention that there was also live entertainment. We had live Hawaiian music, and Brazilian dancers. Pretty awesome! The ballroom showcasing stuff on the Haunted Castle. Behind this sign you can see a large projector screen, which was showing the time lapse construction videos! The current ride layout. I thought this was very cool to see as I had been wondering what the layout was. Another piece of concept art - this is the current building and shows where the lights will be placed. Old concept art for the ride vehicles. The current ride vehicle. Pretty cool looking if you ask me. This piece of art is showing the types of paint they used on the HC. One of the scenes in more detail. I believe this was the 'swamp' scene. The loading platform themeing. Backwards into the haunt! MWHAHAHAHHA! *ahem* An old design for the new ride. This looks more like a castle than the current in my opinion. =P A spooky looking gargoyle. Ahh! ..more spooky figures in.. COLOR!!! A small portion of the ride layout. This is where the ride comes up from the basement level, and back up to the loading platform. Looks pretty close to the current ride doesn't it! Another old design that was scrapped.. cool! Overview of the old HC before it was demolished. The yellow line outlines the construction zone for the new one. ..and another... ..and last but not least - another scrapped design! This one looks pretty scary. THE RIDE SIGN IS UP!!! As you can see, there are two rides signs. Each facing the opposite way down the Boardwalk. Massive ICE CREAM CONE is up!!! The diagonal tiles above the plaque are from the original Ice Cream stand, which I posted a picture of earlier in the topic. ========================== NEXT UPDATE: The next update will hopefully be of the Haunted Castle opening - expect photos and an on-ride video. Until then, thanks!

This was very badly needed. I have noticed a lot of broken images in a lot of threads, so hopefully people will read these guidelines and follow them. It's fun to make my TR's like a story because you really get into it and even make people laugh at times. Thanks Robb! (heh, now I know why my Haunted Castle updates have been posted to the front page. ) ~Nicholas

Haha - nah, your voice was fine. (except for that mental lapse near the end where you couldn't even say a word right ) No, I was at the Boardwalk from 11:45AM to 3:15 PM so I did not see the HC in the night. I might be going to the HC tomorrow afternoon, but probably not since I'm very busy that day. I will be going on Saturday to see if it is open by then. ~Nicholas EDIT: I am also beginning to write a small book on the darkrides of the Boardwalk starting all the way back with the ones I mentioned earlier. A majority of the book would cover the construction of the NEW one. ... stay tuned!

^I've seen all of your other Haunted Castle videos, but not this one! Awesome job - love my pics in it, haha. I will be creating a video with all of the beach-side panoramic views and play them fast to see the progression! Also, at the VIP event today I walked down to check out the Castle and the ride signs were up. The concept art pieces were mostly of the current version, however, there were many different ideas they had for the ride so those were cool to see. There was even one of the the current ride layout. I will post all of this tomorrow. ~Nicholas p.s. Well, not the video at least.

^Cool stuff guys - never got a chance nor remember the 3D Funhouse. ATTENTION: THOSE WISHING TO RIDE THE HAUNTED CASTLE TOMORROW MIGHT BE DISAPPOINTED TO HEAR THAT THERE IS A VERY SLIM CHANCE OF OPENING TOMORROW. This is due to state inspections that were being done on the ride TODAY. However, if everything from the inspections goes COMPLETLY smoothly, no problems at all, then there is a chance the ride will indeed open tomorrow. I will try to get some more info. Thanks and sorry for any inconvenience. I will be posting the photos from today's FABULOUS VIP event at the Boardwalk tomorrow afternoon(..even though there was no HC preview, they had a lot of Concept art on display!). ~Nicholas

^I'm excited too!!! For those history buffs, this is the 7th darkride attraction in this spot. The first darkride in this spot was Dante's Inferno which opened in 1932 - the Walk's first darkride. In 1934, this ride was replaced by Laff-Land, or the Laff-in-the-Dark ride. It was then followed by Treasure Island, Pirate's Cove, the Haunted House, the old Haunted Castle (1973-2009), and now the NEW Haunted Castle. Laffland (Laff-in-the-Dark) 1934-? NEW HAUNTED CASTLE OPENING THIS FRIDAY! ..(hopefully!) ~Nicholas

I've talked to Brigid and she's also told me the Haunted Castle will not be open for this event - however, the VIP event was not just for the new ride. All other planned fesitivites will still be going on! I am hoping the ride signs will be up tomorrow afternoon so I will be sure to take a few pics of that. ~Nicholas ^p.s. I will try to get photos of it testing for you tomorrow!

I have a feeling that this has to do with the problem they were having with lowering the height limit to ride - but, I think Robb could also be right about them having trouble with permits. Only time will tell.... ~Nicholas

^Thanks for the comments and info everyone! We're closing in on the opening on the NEW Haunted Castle with only 3 days to go till opening on this Friday, May 28th! I am planning to be there after school(around 3:30ish) to ride it as well as take a video on board! Also, I will be there on Thursday for a VIP sneak preview of the ride. I will try to take as many photos as I can, if that is permitted. Visited the site today and was looking really spooky. The ghosts were in the windows, all the lights were done, the bats were on the roof, and the ride signs were leaning up against the base of the building, getting ready to be put up. It was also another rainy day today, so try not to mind the gloomy looking pictures ... even though it does add to the spookiness! Enjoy the update - prepare to be scared on the NEW Haunted Castle! Almost done!!! Another view - a wet day. These two wooden boards are actually the signs for the ride! "A wild bat has appeared!" Ohhh SHNAP. Looks like he brought his little friend too! There are now ghosts in the window. BOO! Someone lost their head... Close-up of the new additions: shutters and lights! As always - a panoramic view. I will be making a video with all of the panoramic views of the ride after the HC opens. Farther end of the HC building. BOO! Ha, got ya again didn't I. *wink wink* The back side of WAT.... wait. No... ...and, a GIANT CHOCOLATE ICE CREAM CONE! YUMMM!!!!! =============== NEXT UPDATES: TWO more updates will be coming your way this week. One will be on Thursday and the other on Friday. THE HAUNTED CASTLE OPENS THIS FRIDAY - I will be there, will you?

^Haha - well, that person on the left is actually standing up. However, the person on the right is actually just leaning over and splashing people by putting her arm into the water! Only at Great America....

She made it!!! Can't wait for part 2!

Who is this famous ''Nick" you speak of? He seems to be a pretty chill guy.... Heh - awesome TR Adam. That was a really fun day! I will look out for part dos!!!! ~Nicholas

^Nope - sorry. I'm not really a VIP, however, my friend who was invited to go to this cannot since he was unavailable that day. Instead he asked if I could go instead of him. ^Thanks for the comment though!

^Thanks for the comments and posting that time lapse. I was going to in the last MINI update but I forgot. I will take all of the time lapse videos and put them together after all are posted by the Boardwalk. Thanks again. Well, it's that time again! We're closing in on the opening of the new ride! Just over 1 week to go and the ride is looking great. I went and visited this afternoon to find them installing lights on the outside as well as ride testing going on. There was a man from R&R Creative Designs(designed the ride) and he happened to be the guy who designed it - all himself! According to him, the ride was designed 4 years ago and after many complications, they got to building the ride last fall. He appeared to be very proud of his project(I would be too!). Next week I will be going to a VIP Boardwalk event on Thursday that gives us a preview of the summer AND.... a Haunted Castle preview as well! If I am able to take photos, I will most definitley post them up. Enjoy the update - thanks as always. ~Nicholas Nice! NEW haunted looking lights had been put up and were in the process of adding them when I was there! Back of the man who designed the ride from R&R Amusements. A worker stringing wire through. View down the walk. I hope that guy in the lift doesn't drop anything! Another view... Panoramic view. The worker in the yellow hard hat is the one man responsible for designing the NEW Haunted Castle. We can also be thankful for R&R for working on the Cave Train, and Neptune's Kingdom arcade. Working away on the lights. Games being installed and walls all painted up! New trellis looking things were added for the awnings coming in soon. Back side with the newly put in pavement. Another cool view - I am still wondering why that one spot in the middle is purple! Also, many flag poles have been put up all over the top of the building. Back-side!!! ========================== NEXT UPDATE: Tune in this coming Tuesday for another update as well as one on Thursday for the VIP preview, and FRIDAY for the grand opening! Thanks everyone for the support.

Apologies for the double post. May 18th, 2010 No update today - the major AMGEN Tour of California bike race was completing it's final leg of the race right in front of the Boardwalk! Most of the major streets downtown were closed so I decided not to go. However, I will be taking pictures tomorrow, so stay tuned for that. Interested in photos of today's event? Visit the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk's official Facebook fan page to see some take by professional photographers: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=234981&id=40035168377 Stay tuned ! ~Nicholas

V2: Vertical Velocity (V2.5) at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, today!

Awesome - I've never been so close to this many TPR members, and yet, I'm not even on the trip!!!! Was just at the park Tuesday, great place. ~Nicholas

^Neat huh? The game on the front side will be 'Boller Roller' and the food stand will be the Ice Cream place that was there before. Across from the ride on the edge of the Boardwalk will be a new funnel cake stand! Thanks everyone for the kind comments. ~Nicholas