Philrad71

Contrary to popular belief, the crowds really haven't been all that bad on Labor Day weekend. I have traveled to HP Labor Day weekends two years in a row and no line has really been insanely long (jinx). Both visits were about the same as far as crowds - it just depends on the ride... * Roller Soaker: Usually the longest line in the park if it's hot & sunny. 1-3/4 to 2 hours because of the horrible capacity. * Fahrenheit - Because it is still the newest coaster, plan on about 1 to 1-1/2 hours. * Stormrunner - Usually about a 1/2-3/4 hour wait. * Great Bear - Varies from 15 minutes to 1 hour depending on when you hit it. * Comet - Usually about 1/2 hour to 1 hour. * Other coasters and flats - vary from a walk-on to about 1/2 hour. All of this is obviously based on the past two years I have gone. This year....hard to say. The long range forecast is calling for sunny and 80 degrees both Saturday and Sunday! If this is the case, I wouldn't be surprised if it is a little more crowded. My advice if you're only there for the day would be to skip the Boardwalk and focus on the amusement park if you're there more for the coasters. I know one thing though...Hershey is a great park and I know you'll have fun!! I'll be there all weekend and am looking forward to it!!!

Was doing a search and came across this little nugget from a banned member in the "Parks that let you down" topic:

Yeah, I agree...funny how they can seem to crop up out of nowhere - one minute fine and the next minute - panic failure. I also remember having my four wisdom teeth out and having to use the syringe to get all the grody stuff out. Seems like it took forever for the skin to "grow" back. Okay, enough panic-n-tooth talk...let's get back to more fun stuff!!!

I think that they should be more diverse with the costumed characters...what about Pig-Pen (kickin' up dust is a must), Franklin, Peppermint Patty and Marcy? I think kids should know about these characters too!!

This should receive the 'best caption ever' award on a TR! Awesome! Seriously though...panic attacks are not fun. I have the occasional one, but I don't have any problem on planes - a lot of times, they happen in a car. How weird is that? Well, pretty weird, I guess... Anyhow...great trip report. I always enjoy viewing your pictures and comments!

Any trip report with Germany and beer in it definitely rocks...thanks for sharing the incredible pictures! Can't wait for our Germany trip on September 29th!!!

I'll bet it's a Whyte Lightnin' spinning coaster where you have to see if you can hold a beer or cup of moonshine through the entire ride without spilling any. No height limit, but you do have to be 21 or older to ride.

* SFMM * Waldameer * Idlewild * Dorney * SFGA * BGE * SFNE * Martin's Fantasy Island Upcoming: * Canobie Lake * Hershey * Either SFGA or CP * Oktoberfest (not a theme park, but who cares?) * Europa Park

Must be they are not showing enough re-run's of the classics "Charlie Brown Christmas", "Charlie Brown Thanksgiving", and "It's The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown!" on some of your cable providers (or on dish) - they show them every year here and I still watch 'em! How can you go wrong with Snoopy getting into a fist fight with a fold-up lawn chair and slap-serving everyone popcorn and toast for Thanksgiving? Woodstock's song - Lil' Birdie? Awesome! Lucy with her salty psychiatric advice and calling Charlie Brown a block-head while taunting him mercilessly while he seemingly suffers from life-long depression? No Xanax or Prozac needed here, just pull the football away, watch him land on his ass and laugh your head off at how stupid he is. What about Snoopy hallucinating he is the Red Baron on his Sopwith Camel? What about the soft, limp d%ck Christmas tree that magically keeps growing back it's five needles and then transforms into the best tree ever after the Peanuts gang man-handles it? The first bi-lesbian cartoon couple: Peppermint Patty with her subservient, low-talking butch girlfriend, Marcy who always refers to her as "Sir"? Sheeesh - c'mon people, you should be forcing your kids to watch these classics when they show them, or go buy them on DVD now!

A theme park simply can't lose with this design... While it might not be the most thrilling to some coaster enthusiasts, I truly think the B&M hyper is one of the better coaster designs out there - high lift, great first drop, comfortable stadium seating, ejector air, floating-ass air, smoothness... and those damned hot clamshell restraints ! While my desire is to one day ride an Intamin ML, I certainly cannot complain with the recent announcements for kick-ass Intamin giga and B&M hyper coasters being built in the SouthEast for 2010! Never been to Carowinds (or had a desire too), but may just have to slot this in next year during my annual Virginia visit.

Yes, include myself in that category - I did the same thing when posting my first report! That looks like one mean slide down the mountain. I hear that they have some good one's in Germany and the Alps, but not sure if I will have the time to get to any of them on our trip this fall. Thanks for sharing!

Thanks for sharing - these are some great shots! That log flume ride looks amazingly themed! Too bad they wouldn't have been able to keep that and the Volcano coaster. I remember seeing Anaconda on the news the year it opened and thinking to myself, "you'll never get me on that thing!" My, how times have changed!

^ The Scooby name was still on the sign for Ghoster Coaster last year. I think it is a great move for CW and will only improve an already really nice kid's area. Sure I am sad to see HB Land going, but I understand that not as many kids are in tune with Tom/Jerry, Fred/Wilma and George/Jane as us old farts! Personally, I think that they should move all the HB stuff (leave the rainbow bridge though!) to Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park right up the highway. When we stayed there last year, Yogi was telling me how depressed him, Boo-Boo & Ranger Smith were after being banished from CW for Nick Universe. They were lonely and in need of something more... I am sure that they would welcome Magilla Gorilla, Jabberjaws, The Herculoids, Huckleberry Hound, Snagglepuss...and of course, Grape Ape & The Smurfs with open arms! Yogi's says, "Come HB retirees....come live with Ranger Smith, Boo-Boo and me at Jellystone Park! We offer universal health care and cheap prescription drugs! Ghoster coaster signage.

I couldn't agree more - great post!

Looks good to me...thanks for the reports Robb & Chuck! I think it is a superb move for KD and the entire Virginia area. I will most definitely be stopping there during my annual Virginia trip next year. As far as the OTSR, I am also not a huge fan because of how rough Maverick's transitions seemed last year in just about every seat I rode. I will say however, that they did not seem to bother me at all on Fahrenheit or Storm Runner so I will simply reserve judgement until I ride. I would imagine that it might only get rough once the coaster get's a little older - another reason for me to go when the ride is new!

YES! Thank you for adding these, Slither...I was thinking about the concrete bit and lack of trees. I thought up a few more as well... * Complain about the lack of family coasters/dark rides that aren't named Wildcat, Disaster Transport, Mine Ride, Blue Streak, or Iron Dragon 'cause they all stink. * Check out the new themed lighted area along the Frontier Trail - you can't miss it as it is the only area in the park with trees in which to string the lights up! * Go for a ride on Paddlewheel Excursions and grab a 2nd ride on Lamprey River Falls & Demon Drop because they might not be there in coming years! * Mention that they really need to get another water ride since removing White Water Landing...as long as it doesn't come at the expense of removing any more trees. * Get ticked that Soak City and Challenge Park are added admissions because you ran out of things to do and really wanted to check out that swim-up bar and look at boobs! * And last but certainly not least....get plenty of cracks in about all of the stinkin' garbage cans around the park!

Sigh - I suppose I could give it a quick whirl... * First off at the gate opening - run, screaming like a giddy little girl for a mile to Maverick and then prepare to wait an hour because they are having issues with the ride/launch. * Say "screw-it" and run back to Millennium for a nice morning run on the best coaster in the park. * Go back towards Maverick and find that it is still down. * Think about riding Mean Streak, but opt for Snake River Falls and Thunder Canyon because Skyhawk's line is too long. It's early, but the line is short. Realize after the water rides that they are fed by Lake Erie water and you walk around the park smelling like a lamprey for the rest of the day. Beware of the bacteria! They close beaches all the time in Buffalo, Western NY, and PA because of pollution! * Dry off your filth-ridden body on the Wave Swinger and Antique Cars. Maybe hit the Chik-Fil-A for some over-priced breasts. If you feel like you're trippin' don't worry about it - just think about Lisa Simpson at Duff Gardens! * Maverick now open - one hour wait. Decide to do it now because you still have a lot of the park to cover. * Admit that you have a headache after Maverick and (if you're over 21), go to the Last Chance Saloon for beer (don't worry, it's after noon). * Look at Mean Streak and say: "Maybe later". * Look at the Mine Ride and say: "Maybe later". * Look at Gemini - ride it and say, "Damn, that ride was awesome except for that last awful helix!" * Ride Magnum and notice the new pretty sign, ride it, then complain afterwards about how it is over-rated for the 1st mega-coaster built in 1980- friggin 9. Hint - bunny hills are really painful in the back. * Notice that the line for Top Thrill Dragster is too long and say: "Maybe later". * Look at Iron Draggin', laugh and then curse yourself later for opting to ride Corkscrew instead because it's an Arrow classic....watch out for the second "dip" hill! * Hit up both sides of Power Tower - you will always wait longer for the drop than the launch. Great views and usually a small line. * Decide if you want to do the old school flats like the Himalaya and the Scrambler. * Do the Snoopy area if you have kids, but make sure to mention that CP needs more stuff for kids. * Look at the old Oceana stadium and say, "I wonder what used to be there? Ahhh, who cares, they could tear it down and put in a GCI woodie in it's place!" * Walk on for Wicked Twister. You think to yourself, "Man, this is a good ride, I wonder why the line is so short?" You do it twice and have a lot of fun. * Walk on Disaster Transport and think to yourself, "Now I know why the line is so short!" A GCI boardwalk woodie would also look good here!" * Ferris wheel - must get camera shots for TPR trip report. * Flat rides - Troika, Max-Air, Demon Drop, and the Space Spiral are all must-do rides. GO ON THEM NOW! * Go over to Raptor and then bitch about how long the line is. * Opt for the French Fries w/cheese at Happy Friar, or Pizza Patio because they are both CP icons - but if you look around, you may still spy the classic - cheese on a stick, with cheese dipping sauce! Psssst...I think it used to be over by Demon Drop! * Check out the line for Blue Streak, ride it and then complain how rough it is. Disclaimer: remember that it is the oldest coaster in the park and it used to really rock - that alone is worth the whiplash! * Game Day Grille under Raptor - more cold beer, if needed. * 45 minute wait for Raptor - take the extra minutes and ride in the front seat. Remember that the 2nd left front seat does not always lock properly! * Calypso, Cedar Downs, Dodge-Em's, Cadillac Cars (or Antique). * Complain about CP's lack of cool flat rides. * Hit up the arcade (the old ballroom) in the middle of the midway. Great selection of old-school video games. * Take Skyride to other end of the midway. * Look at Iron Draggin' and think, "Well, it is an Arrow suspended, what if it is gone in a year or two, what if it is like BBW?" You ride it and say, "that ride totally sucked and I cannot believe that I waited ten minutes to ride it!" * Ride Mantis and then tell TPR how Chang and Riddler are much better B&M stand-up's... even if you've never ridden them. * Wait 30 minutes to ride Wildcat cuz you want the credit. * Look at Millenium Force's line and say "it's too long, let's walk back to Maverick and see if the line is shorter." * Stop at Red Garter Saloon and get beer for the walk. * Look at preddy LED new lights in Frontier Town. * Maverick line too long for a 2nd impression, opt for Mean Streak. Bitch about roughness, but think, "it wasn't too bad, but glad I was on beer!". * Ride Skyhawk and then complain about how stinkin' short the ride cycle was. * Ride Cedar Creek Mine Ride & say: "This thing looks so smooth, yet it is so hard - ouch!" * Maverick line too long, walk to TTD. Line is one hour. Ride it and feel like you've conquered the frickin' world, but don't wanna tell TPR that you felt tough when you walked out of the exit. * Walked over to Millennium Force and rode the front seat at night and said afterwards: " That kicked ass! One of the best coaster rides EVER!" * Trudge back to the parking lot and/or hotel and pass out with blistered heels, and sunburned skin....totally exhausted. * Do a PTR and be cautious not to let TPR know that you had a great time at CP, or you might be labeled a fan-boy. * Have fun!

Great report, Chuck...looking forward to the next installment! I really hope that F-S-M-P can survive, but it looks like....well, it just might not make it as is. They certainly need a lot of help & hope! Also loved the beer TR...now I know what to do the next time I visit MB: *Golf *Duclaw *Golf *Beach *Golf *Green Leafe Cafe *Beach *Golf *Liberty *F-S-M-P (maybe)

I went to Funspot at Lake Winnie in New Hampshire a couple of weeks ago and they without a doubt, have the most kick ass old-school arcade ever! Just about every video game that you could imagine from the eighties - I thought I died and went to heaven. If you are over 25 and like classic games, you would LOVE this place! Every Pac-Man game ever made, Defender, Joust, Gyruss, Gauntlet, Asteroids, Centipede, Space Invaders, Galaga, Double Dragon, Pole Position, a whole row of pinball...you name it, they had it all! Coolest place I have been to in a loooong time and that includes a lot of theme parks. And guess what...the games were still only a quarter! I know that CP has a nice collection of older video games, but this place blew it away! I have pics and may eventually do a trip report, but they did not turn out all that well because of the low lighting. Here is the link if you are interested: Linky

Gene Ween solo last night at Mohawk Place in Buffalo - awesome! Place was extremely hot, dank, dirty, dingy...one of the most ghetto clubs I have ever been in. But despite the head-butt holes and fist punches in the graffiti-laced bathrooms, the place offered reasonable drink prices so that more than made up for the beer bottles and puke in the urinals! Gene was awesome...played most of my favorites with acoustic/electric guitar as well as some songs on the piano. Not quite as tight as when the entire band is playing together, but definitely one of the better shows I have been too!

^ Thanks for the comments, James! Yes, in looking at other trip reports and online, they seem to have some really crazy looking flat rides at Oktoberfest. It still seems funny that they would have so many spinning one's with all of that beer! Is it true they have vomitoriums set up? While I might hit up a coaster and ride some of the tamer flats, I know I won't be doing the insane looking stuff like Flying Circus and (of course) the Star Flyer!!!

First off, let me apologize if this shows up on Page three and causes endless picture downloads. People...you need to leave more comments so the reports end up on different pages!! All kidding aside, I was going to do a TR of Six Flags New England (which we visited on August 4th), but my selection of pictures is meager at best. Reason being that as you may know, I am not a big fan of their lock'rrr policy and our camera is too large to fit into cargo pockets - thus until I either get a smaller camera or SF changes this policy, I will leave the SF reports to other TPR members. I will say that SFNE is a nice little park and my only wishes are that we would have gotten a Flash Pass and had more than a half hour at the water park. And yes, I have sent Six Flags a gentle E-mail (over six weeks ago) voicing my displeasure of this new policy and also one to Cedar Fair for their excellent system of item storeage. I never received a response from Six Flags, but did receive an immediate response from Cedar Fair. Go figure... Anywho, I have opted to do a TR of Martin's Fantasy Island. Being that the summer in Western New York has completely sucked, it was too wet to do any yard work. So why not take a little journey North to this magical place on Grand Island? I leave you with one last shot of our special Pepsi. Thanks Fantasy Island for an awesome afternoon...you are indeed one great little park! One last ride on Silver Comet before the park closes. Follow the yellow septic tubes to true orgasmic bliss! We rode Crazy Mouse with two little girls who told us where all the scary parts were - they were precious! Ahhh...remember when times were this good and gas was this cheap? No? Neither do I! I think I may have rattled Michael a bit when I hollered in his ear, "take the frickin' tunnel!!!!" Sssshhh! Don't you dare tell the attendant that I am driving after drinking a quart of beer! Michael wanted to drive the antique cars - here, our chariot awaits. I see you Marineland SkyScreamer! This would be the mist from Niagara Falls and the Canadian skyline. Yep, they have a ferris wheel. Michael thought he might not get as wet in the front! Holy crap - it's true! I am a firm believer now and will never doubt any TPR members again! My shorts were still wet when we got home at 11:00 PM! Okay, so I remember from Behemoth Bash that people were saying you get really wet on this lil' log flume. Is it really true? Michael and I decided to investigate! Mr. Full Tilt wanted me to tell everyone at TPR that he is single and available, but only for a serious relationship. See? Any caveman can do it. They had this awesome show that was half Mister Roger's from Idlewild and half Geico commercial. Okay, now that I'm buzzed...I might be able to ride this very evil contraption. While it isn't anywhere near the heighth of the one's in Europe, it was puuuhlenty high enough for me. No way I am getting on one of these at Oktoberfest - these things just ain't right! If you have never ridden one, hop on someone's kiddy swing-set and dream that you are 200 feet in the air. Same chains - same seat! I will admit that after drinking a quart of beer, Phil was indeed...feeling quite fat! Seriously...the only reason we are doing this is to prep for Oktoberfest in Munich next month. Otherwise, we would have opted for Slush Puppies! PROST!!!! Hooray for jumbo beer! I mean, minors - please scroll down a couple of pictures. Do not try this at home...drinking veddy, veddy bad for you! Now I know this is a kid friendly site and I shouldn't do this but...holy frickin' crap! THIS is the jumbo? 32 ounces of Labatts for $6.50? Yes, folks that's right one whole quart of beer to get intimate with! After our most kick-ass ride on Silver Comet, we notice this place...what? Fantasy Island sells beer? Okay, maybe I do like you more than Waldameer now! Yeah, sure, I'll have the jumbo! What you all have been waiting for...the technical data! Oooohhh....ahhhhhh! Seriously, this is one awesome coaster! I can't figure out why some old woodies are so great while others are not? Wait, did that sound a little perverted? Sure did! Two great tastes that go great together - Silver Comet & I Got It! Yay, the Silver Comet! These Seneca Indians are hoping to build a new casino in Buffalo, but for now they'll hang out at Fantasy Island till that becomes a reality. That was it for the water park, now back to your regularly scheduled amusement park review. Here we have the new ride for '09: Disk-O. These are great flats and I now have two of these within 80 miles of where I live...woo-hoo! Cannonbowl - I love these things! Obligatory Lazy River shot. Raging Rapids, Roaring Rapids...something like that. It is one of the old school water slides where you use the mat. Let us check out the water park, shall we? Here is a tiny wave pool that was quite crowded. When you only get three 80 degree days a year in Western New York, this is bound to happen! Purdy fountain. Canoe rentals - free with admission. Park map...courtesy of Wal-Mart. But does your Western town have a hobo that makes cracks about OJ's prison term? Didn't think so... Good ole' Western themed town. Every amusement park should have these. Oh wait, don't they? The Liberty Bell now resides here in Western New York...at Martin's Fantasy Island. Merry-Go-Round? Check! "Fun...WOW!!!!" I remember the commercials from the 80's where different kids would yell this at the camera....good stuff! Screw it, let's go to Fantasy Island! You know you're in Western New York when...

I think that most U.S. park policies are fair with the designated smoking areas. I remember when they first started them, they really weren't being utilized and people were still smoking quite often in queue lines. Since a lot of parks have been patrolling and enforcing it in recent years, I don't really see it as much of an issue anymore. Most smokers are respective of the new rules, but there will always be people that think they can just light up anywhere. I quit smoking after it killed my mother in 2002, but still respect the rights of others if they want to smoke - just as long as they are respectful towards those of us that don't!

Yes, I remember the old Mill Race on the midway as well. Only rode it once, but it seemed like a fun little log flume. Speaking of evac, I remember the first time I got the courage to ride Blue Streak and they stopped it about 3/4 of the way up the lift! I just froze and wondered if we were gonna roll backwards and die! One of the attendants came walking up the steps and had to unlock the buzz bars because three little girls were riding together in one seat. Luckily, there was a single rider that was about three seats back that she was able to sit with for the remainder of the ride. She was absolutely terrified and bawling, but managed to get out and walk down a couple of steps and get back in the coaster. I wonder if she ever rode another coaster after that episode? I don't think she could have been more than 7-8 years old!

Also...couldn't this be compared to Moonsault Scramble at Fuji-Q? Another neat-looking record breaker that was torn down because of an overall poor design and people's complaints. And we all know how Fuji-Q cares very deeply about park operations and it's guests. Courtesy Google and Xthrill.hp