Philrad71

Nice report (s)...I fully agree with three things that you pointed out: #1. Thunderhead is over-rated. Fun, classic coaster, but I was a little disappointed with all of the raving I have heard about it. #2. Getting rid of the rapids ride at Hershey is downright stupid. Not only is it a good crowd killer, it is one of the best rapids rides ever! They actually have the waterfalls turned on - HINT, HINT, CP!!!! #3. Sidewinder (and boomerangs in general) get way too much bad publicity. Is it where I am sitting (back)? I have never had a headache either when I get off one of these unless they have the Arrow looking trains. People must be just riding them wrong!

^ It would be hard for me to make an assessment on this park compared to when it was operated by Six Flags. I only recall being there once during the Six Flags tenure and don't remember it being too bad. This time around was a mixed bag. Entering the park and looking at the landscaping, it looked to be a nice, clean park. However, the area over by the water park entrance (locker area) could have used a little clean-up. More trash cans perhaps? Employee friendliness was noted. The crew on Boomerang was great as I chatted with one of the ride attendants about the ride and newer looking restaints. On another note, I had pointed out the poor dispatching on Ride of Steel and Big Kahuna. A lot of the slow dispatching on Ride of Steel was more of people that could not get their lap bars to lock. I can't blame the ride crew on that, as people obviously weren't checking the test seat at the ride entrance. The attendant at the entrance was only checking the height of the little one's, but not the size of some of the heavier guests. I witnessed at least three people that could not get the lap bar to lock and then had to exit the ride. That will obviously stack trains and delay lines. I could not figure out the hold-up on Big Kahuna while we were in line. They would send one raft down, then wait, then send three or four in a row. Once we got up to the top, we determined that it was the raft elevator that was getting jammed, therefore the rafts were not making it up the lift. While I could understand there being jams, the ride op's seemed more intent on goofing off and dumping cups of water on guests in line below than trying to dispatch. We waited in line almost an hour, but the line did not look to have more than 75 people in it! Another complaint on this ride was that it split for guests wanting to pair up with other guests and one line for 3+ groups of people. It didn't matter which line you were in, they were still sending people down in groups of two or three, when they should have been pairing them up. The rafts could easily hold 5-6 people! Other than that, the park was a fun take. I worry about the economically depressed area that is Western NY and the future of some of the local parks. Because we tend to have the highest gas prices in the country (save for California, Connecticut, and Hawaii), I worry about the parks chance at survival. Darien Lake is pretty remote, but does lie between Buffalo and Rochester. While the park was busy for a Saturday, I would imagine that during the week, the place is a ghost town. With Buffalo being the second poorest city in the country combined with the outlandish price of gas, I hope that it doesn't mean a demise for the areas amusement parks! Hopefully, PARC will continue to invest in this park and add some new attractions in the coming years, but only time will tell.

Last weekend, three of us made a trek out to Darien Lake theme park, between Buffalo and Rochester. I had not been to this theme park in a good five or six years. Basically, DL is a theme park/hotel/campground resort that was plopped down in the middle of farm country. Interesting when you can see an SLC with cornfields and barn silos in the background! We stayed at the campground (it is mammoth!) which offers theme park admission for up to six people with a one night stay. The package was around $150 for a motor home site with water and electric. If you don't mind a nice long walk to the park, you can pay about twenty dollars less. We chose to pay the extra twenty bucks and be fairly close to the entrance. It was kinda cool because there was no actual admission entrance on this side, it was basically a security checkpoint for those with bags and that was it. No lines! Being that we did not have to check out until 1:00 the following day, we got to go back the next day for more rides on 'Ride of Steel' and OCC moto-coaster. The park was pretty crowded, but being that it was a Saturday, we kind of expected it. The water park had huge lines for the Tornado and Big Kahuna - which had about the worst dispatching I have ever seen for a waterslide. On some of the other rides, I noted opportunities for better dispatching. Ride of Steel was stacking two trains when there were only two in operation. The ride is nice and long with a great first drop over water. Kinda shaky at times, but easily the best coaster for this park. Overall, not a bad park. I did not ride Predator as we could literally see people getting jack-hammered over the hills (no thanks). I also did not bother with the SLC - Mind Eraser. The one at the former GL last year was enough of those for one lifetime. Viper was a walk-on at night. My first looping coaster gave a decent ride towards the front seat. Not too herky-jerky for an old Arrow! They also had some interesting flats in which I managed to get some night shots. One thing that I had noticed about the Boomerag was a new contraption for a headrest which I had not seen on previous boomerang coasters. They seemed to help with the excessive headbanging and I can honestly say that I had two decent rides in the back without ear boxing! I know a lot of people bash these types of coasters, but I really like them! The one that is slated to go from GL to Carowinds needs some love, but that is the only bad one that I have ever ridden and got off with a headache. No where near as bad as the hang-n-bang SLC's! The laser/fireworks show at the end was a nice way to end the day. For a small park, it was a fairly impressive show. Overall, the park was a nice weekend visit for us. One or two more decent coasters and this very well could be a big draw for out-of-towners looking for a decent weekend vacation getaway. See ya... OCC riders sharing some hot summer fun memories. UFO is like a Round-up that actually goes ALL the way up! The Ranger is one of those upside-down pirate rides. Not a good ride choice for those with GERD like me! Dusk at the Skywheel (with no lights) With night vision goggles... OCC Zamperla. Not a bad coaster - kinda quick though... **Note hat** Someone actually knew how to interpret a warning sign! Six loops await you! Enjoy! New Vekoma patented Boomerag headrests. They actually seemed to help the ear boxing! Then we have Superm...no wait. It's called 'Ride of Steel' now. I heard that they consulted with Cedar Fair to develop the name! Viper - my first upside down roller coaster! Rode it back in 1983 when it was all of one year old - I was all but eleven. Shrieks of terror and pain await all S&M fans on this gem! Predator - jackhammering guests since 1990 and proud to be rated one of the worst coasters ever! "Cuz, it's the Predatah ahead a yah!" Many props to Ice Cube for allowing me to use his lyrics in this trip report! Representin' Western NY, beeeotches! Know why? Welcome to friggin' Fun Country! Welcome to downtown Darien Center!

In my opinion, Sam Adams is the one of the few American beers that doesn't taste like crap (except micro's of course)! I am only a few hours from the Genesee brewery, but I can't bring myself to drink it...I just can't! Funny that I didn't see anyone mention Yuengling? As long as people are throwing in wild speculations and fears...what if this company stepped in and bought the parks to keep the family/beer friendly environment?? I can see it know - 'Yuengling Gardens Europe and Tampa'! They even have a brewery in Florida now, so you just never know! They are America's oldest family-owned brewery (1829) in Pottsville, PA and even outlasted Prohibition. The tour mentions how they originally invented the eagle logo, which was basically ripped off by AB years later. While I am not a huge fan of the lager, the black and tan is pretty good. The free tour of the old brewery is way cool (they take you down in the keg refridgeration caves) and then give you two free drafts at the end! I would highly recommend a visit if you are in the area. I don't think that it is too far away from Knoebels and Allentown. I am all about Sam Adams, or Yuengling buying the Busch parks if they are put on the chop block. If they remain as an Inbev/AB park, at least we will be able to buy decent beer at the parks (Stella/Becks)!!!! It could be a win/win for beer lovers like me!!! Who doesn't love old, spooky beer caves?? If they bought the parks, the eagle flowers could remain!!!! Yuengling brewery in Pottsville, PA

My partner is 65 and he has done Millenium Force, Medusa, Magnum, Gemini, Maverick, and countless other coasters in the front seat and everywhere else. The only one he is leary of is Top Thrill Dragster. My father is 60 and does all the coasters, loves waterslides, and will do anything in the front seat. The three of us went camping last weekend at Darien Lake and we all loved Ride of Steel! Age means nothing...it is the youth and energy that you have inside you. I think the article was awesome...kudos to the fella that braved the Voyage! Way cool!

Interesting trip report on a park that you don't see posted a lot...great job! I went to CP gay days this year and was surprised at the large number of gay men and women that were there...I wasn't quite sure if there would be a big crowd representing the gay population at a Midwest theme park. No offense to anybody from the Mid-West, but we all know that folks tend to be a little more conservative than say...Massachusetts, California, or Florida. Of course, you could expect to see some of the teens cackling and ogling after they walked by a couple of guys holding hands. Same could be said for some of the more conservative older folks, as far as staring. But overall, it was a great day and the park was not that crowded! The following day was even less crowded! I may do this again next year! Fun times, a nice, safe comfort level...and low crowds/lines for coasters!

I have never ridden the Hurler at Carowinds, but the one at KD was not even close to enjoyable. No air time, bone jarring, jack-hammering...just no fun at all. People complain about Mean Streak for being rough, but that is glass smooth compared to this thing! I think that most older wooden coasters seem to ride a bit smoother in the front - but that is just my opinion and others may beg to differ. Couple that with the fact that I am 36 and not 16 anymore...my body can't take that kind of abuse! The Rebel Yell wasn't much better, but gave a fun, decent ride in the front. The back however, was a different story - jack-hammer city! I figured being that the racing coaster was so much better in the front (just like Mean Streak) that I would go right for the front of Hurler...same result as the back of Rebel Yell - OW, OWW & OWWWWW!!!! Not to get too far off topic - I am still glad that KD is getting some more flats!

I have no problem with this announcement...CF has to find somewhere to put the old GL rides. I actually thought that the El Dorado flying car was kinda cool! It could use some refurbishing, but am sure that it would get some love at KD, just like Dominator did. I see it as a unique ride, and would definitely fit in well right next to the Coaster's 50's diner that is already there! Others seem to share the same thought. The fit is perfect... I fully think that KD could use a few more flats...and I really think that they should replace Hurler with Big Dipper!

It IS nice to see security now actually enforcing the line jumping policy. I have seen people get escorted out of line of MF during my last two visits! The nice thing was that the people in the lines actually applauded their actions both times! Some of the other CF and SF parks could use some work in that department, although I realize that parks cannot have a gazillion security guards watching every ride. I fully agree on the personality of the ride op's. I have witnessed some of the friendliest and funniest people that run some of the bigger coasters at this park. You can tell that most of them are really having fun and are actually enjoying their job. Even more-so at night. Kings Dominion could use some work in that department, with the exception of the 'Flying Eagles' ride op...he was just so awesome - "Yeeeeaaaahhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!" Nice job on the analogy and insight...I agree with your assessments on most everything. Opening the incoming lane at night could create some traffic hazards though, so I could see why they might not be willing to take that one on. Now when I go, I either: A. Stay overnight at one of the resorts. B. Leave earlier in the night to avoid the heavy traffic near closing. C. Other option would be to wait until after hours and perhaps take a stroll on the beach, or take a powernap in the car if traffic is unbearable.

Point well taken! Being a small town guy, I guess that I am just used to lower prices on drinks. My partner and I once had to pay $32 for two Manhattans in an airport in Hilo, Hawaii. I about crapped when she told us the total! They charged us per shot, but that didn't surprise me much...being an airport bar and all.

^ Actually, I found their boomerang to be one of the more enjoyable, smoother coasters of the one's I have ridden in the past. It is clear that they maintain it better than some of the other parks. I didn't think that Hershey's boom was all that bad either... As far as the park, it IS nice to see them investing money and attractions. I agree in that it was one of the cleanest, well staffed SF parks that I have ever visited. All they need to do is tear out 'Steamin' Demon' and perhaps replace it with a more iconic coaster being that it is at full view in the front of the park (Big Dipper would be a nice add). Yes, SD is a classic Arrow looper, but it has seen better days...and is really not all that fun. I would definitely go back to this park, though. It has a lot of charm and a great water park! I would like to go back for the Mega-Wedgie alone!

^ I think that they change some of them periodically, but you can pretty much count on Millenium Force, Maverick and Skyhawk being open early. I have had bad luck on the early entry two visits in a row. Last year for Halloweekends, MF got stuck on the lift hill. This year Maverick broke down and I still waited at least 45 minutes to ride! Still, it is nice to stay at the park, on the premises. I have stayed at the Breakers and Camper Village and while neither are overly fancy, it is nice to be so close to the park. A beach walk at night is wonderful with the coasters in the backdrop. We saw a great t-storm on the horizon last month while we walked the beach...it was simply awesome. * TGIF's (Hotel Breakers) is not a bad place to eat and you pretty much know what you are getting when you go there. The exotic drinks are expensive though! $8+!!! * A new Japanese steak house (Tomo Hibachi) has opened in the Breakers where the Italian pizza place used to be. Looks nice, but didn't eat there, unfortunately. * Game Day Grille is okay - I wouldn't say wonderful, but okay. They have beer, which is a plus (warm or cold). * Happy Friar by the Gemini and Pirate Ride - awesome cheese fries. Perfect for that heart clogging lunch, if you are so inclined! * Deep fried cheese on a stick w/ cheese dipping sauce (various places hidden in the park) - need I say more???

I wondered if someone would ever put another one of these at a park somewhere. I always thought it looked like a cool ride...even better when it is off a giant building! Isn't this even the same name as the one they had at Kings Island???

Ahhh yes! The fresh cut fries by the water park entrance are probably the way to go if you are hungry. Kinda like the one's at CP and Kennywood...greasy goodness loaded with cheese!

^^^ I agree. The topic is getting perhaps a little too insensitive here... As far as my two cents, I cannot see how the family could (or should) "benefit monetarily" if the kid put his own life in jeopardy by jumping the two fences. When I was at Waldameer this past weekend, there was any opportunity to climb into a restricted area of a ride where there were not two fences and multiple signs warning "restricted area." Does this mean that any and every park would now have to put up electric razor wire fence to keep people from breaking the rules? There has to be an intelligence factor entered in the laws somewhere. My mother lost her footing and sprained her ankle years ago walking at Waldameer on the 'Pirate's Cove' whilst carrying my niece and there was no law suit, or settlement. The passage is dark, uneven, and you cannot see where you are going. She fell and hurt herself, but she did not feel that the park owed her compensation because of a little things called darkness and gravity! I sympathize with the family for the entire ordeal, but there is no way that Six Flags should be held liable for the death. If they are, then our legal system may just set a new standard for worldwide embarrassment. As if the President hasn't done enough of that already???

I just went to Waldameer for our company trip on Saturday. The place was packed (for as small as it is), but the half hour wait for the Ravine Flyer II was well worth it. I thought that the dispatching was great considering the line. I have encountered much worse at the corporate owned theme parks! What an awesome coaster though...all I can say is people better get out and ride this baby before they trim it to death and it becomes just another rough riding wooden coaster! Hopefully, they will maintain it and it will retain it's awesomeness, but I have had similar wishes about other coasters. I agree with what you have said about the food. My niece paid like $3.50 for three cheese sticks and my partners review of the corn dog was, "mehh." Our experience on the lazy river was about the same. Too many kids, but they were having fun and that is the main objective. They could use some upgrades to the water slides and I have heard rumors of them doing just that. Not sure where they have room to expand unless they move the parking lot, or somehow buy more land. You should try the Sara's campground experience sometime! If you get there early enough, you can pitch a tent right on the beach. The sunsets over Lake Erie are simply amazing on a nice, sunny day. We actually caught the sunset Saturday night, just as it was dropping into Lake Erie...while we were on the way up the lift hill of RFII!!!! All in all, an awesome day. I am glad that you enjoyed your visit to Waldameer. It is great to see the park doing so well with the new coaster. Now if someone could do the same for Conneaut Lake, but I fear that it is too late.

I think that it is a nice idea, if proper procedures are followed and the kids are put up in decent quarters and trained properly before they are allowed to become employees. I will never forget three years ago when I visited SFGA and we were trying to buy two bottles of water from one of the umbrella vendors. The bottles were three bucks apiece, I gave him a ten and he had no idea how or what change to give me! I was trying to explain to him that I should get four dollars back, but it was clear that he did not speak any English and was just totally confused about American currency. The kid then tried to hand me eight dollars back, so I gave him two back and told him that the total was six dollars and not two dollars. It looked to me like the kid did not have any training at all! They just put him under an umbrella in the scorching heat with a cooler of water and soda and left him there! How could this happen??? I wonder how many dishonest people totally ripped this kid off before the end of the day? So, no need to jump up and bash CF and KI for this one - this type of nonsense is probably happening at every corporate-owned park, not just CF.

^Awesome analogy! I's really sad that the Villin can't not find a nice new home two...eeets a great wooded coaster with some nice fancy steel supports 'n weldin'! But gee, I sure do hope it does show up at CP next year or two! I's would really look forward to all that jack hammerin' n' brakin' that thar Villain gave to me last year....yep, muh back still loves me fer that one! Mebbe thay could put dat dare coaster over dare by the Dizaster ride in the dark and the Drop of Demon next tuh thu lake! This wood be the bestest wooden coaster ever at CP in yearz!!! I'm with ya'll, I'm with ya!!!! On another note, I did hear on a Cleveland radio station that some lucky winner won the "Cornhole' sign!!! YEEEEEEEE-HAAAAAAH!!!!!! Where's it gonna be next year??? Disclaimer: Do not take this serious and post foul retaliation cries about discrimination and how I am blatantly making fun of people....I'm just being silly. Get over it! This is a sight to have fun with....I fully would enjoy people making fun and commenting on my posts and reports too...feel free! We're only here to have fun, right???

Yeah, I'll go with: *'Steamin' Demon' @ Great Escape *'Predator' @ Darien Lake *'Hurler' @ Kings Dominion Tear 'em down, they're all awful and completely pointless. Maybe not the worst coasters in the world, but there really isn't much good to say about any one of them!

I was just at King's Dominion yesterday and I have to say that they have some of the roughest wooden coasters I have ever ridden, depending on where you ride them.... * Rebel Yell - Fun, but yet a bit boring in the front seat (hardly any air time). Rode the back seat on the second voyage and got killed almost every time we bottomed a hill...OUCH!!!!! Front seat made us think that it was worth trying a trip on the back seat, being that it was a walk on...BIG mistake! DO NOT RIDE THIS IN THE BACK IF YOU ARE OVER 30!!!!! Gemini kicks this coasters ass for a racing coaster, despite his helix of death at the end! * Hurler - The turn after the first drop has to be one of the most painful helixes I have ever endured on a wooden coaster. We rode in the second seat thinking it would be smoother in the front. I can only imagine the pain that this thing brings in the back! * Grizzly - Rode in the front seat and it was by far the best wooden coaster at the park. Still a bit jerky (but that is to be expected), but I was not about to chance this one in the back, despite hardly any line. One good thing about this ride is that it looks like it might be fun after dark...but definitely not a "great" wooden coaster. Photo trip report coming soon!

Some of this is retro for a lot of the younger crowd, but I will post my "over-rated coasters" as I was growing up till the present: #1 - Disaster Transport @ Cedar Point - I did not even ride it the year that they enclosed it after Avalanche Run. My sister and her husband waited almost three hours in line for it and just had a "wtf" reaction. I didn't bother that year and waited for the hype to die. Rode it a couple years later and had the same "wtf" reaction. #2 - Space Mountain @ Disney World/Land during the eighties- Rode both of these when I was relatively young and still couldn't get over the fact that this seemed to be like the CP Wildcat indoors with strobe and lighting effects...lame. Matterhorn kicked this coasters ass all over the place! #3 - Iron Dragon @ Cedar Point - When I got the brochure in '87, I was pumped because I remember it looking like it was going to be like Big Bad Wolf. Turned out to be more like Big Bad Fail after waiting an eternity to ride what amounts to nothing more than a speedy monorail. I remember thinking, "They took out the Skyride to Frontier Land for this???" #4 - Kingda Ka @ SFGA - Nice blatant rip-off of TTD to claim the title of highest roller coaster from CP. This coaster was down more than it was up the first couple of years and ya gotta love those OTSR's! EEEEK!!!! #5 - (I know that I am going to get ripped for this) - Tatsu @ SFMM - Horrible operations, oppressive heat, line jumpers, and long lines mostly ruined this one for me. I know that this is not what makes a coaster, but it definitely did not add to the appeal of the overall experience. Apart from the strange feeling you get on the first lift, the first drop, and the one crazy invert/dive/loop, I did not think that this coaster was any better than a standard invert. I would much rather ride a floorless or an invert than this coaster. I just didn't feel comfortable riding this at all and did not understand all of the previous hype. Give me Nitro, Raptor, or Apollo's Chariot any day of the week! #6 - Thunderbolt @ Kennywood (another forthcoming whoopin')- Fun wooden, nostalgic coaster, but I could not believe that this was ranked the #1 wooden coaster back in the eighties and nineties on the Discovery Channel shows. Big Dipper at GL beats this coaster into submission for historic coasters! I rode in the front and the back seats and did not get much airtime at all..fun ride, but not in the Top Ten wooden coaster category. Not even close... #7 - X @ SFMM - A four hour and a half hour wait?? I'm sorry, but no coaster is worth that...guess that I am getting too old and grumpy, but I passed on this even though I live more than 2,000 miles away! I would like to ride it one day, but that line was preposterous! 4-D with a 4 hour wait?? ISSSHHHH!!!!

'Heaven and Hell - The Ride' featuring Ronnie James Dio and Iron Maiden versus Stryper and Amy Grant during the grand opening event!!! Way better than Evil Knievel jumping garbage trucks at Kings Island! This could be fun!!!

I remember going by Lakeside many times with my family as a kid. We never got to stop though, as we were on our way to and from Vegas and didn't have the time. I sure wish that I could have ridden that wooden coaster and some of the other classic rides. I hope that this park does not get neglected as it looks like a true classic amusement park in a very pretty area of Denver! I seem to remember 'Star Ride' looking like that back in the eighties when we drove by...an empty looking ferris wheel with no seats. I always wondered how that thing was supposed to operate with nothing for people to ride in!

I couldn't believe when I went to Boston for the first time and found out the amount that they charge at some of the parking garages...especially before Red Sox games. $50-$100 to park a car for a few hours?? Are you friggin' kidding me?? I am used to paying $5-8 to park for a Sabres game in downtown Buffalo. Granted it is not even close to Boston, but that is just insane...I couldn't believe it. And theme park parking charges are ridiculous. I agree - this is Corporate price gouging at it's best. Probably someone's stupid Six Sigma project on how to increase profits without having to invest any park revenue...pathetic! The crazy part is, whoever came up with this "brainstorm of pure nonsense" probably got a promotion and a six or seven figure salary to boot! Okay, I'll get off my soapbox, too!!! Great TR, John!

Wow! I wondered if anyone would ever put a TR of Midway Park on this website...that is my home park! Awesome job, Big Mike! Actually, I live about fifteen miles away on the other side of Lake Chautauqua. Had I known, I could have given you simpler directions than the GPS: From I-90, take I-86 all the way to the Chautauqua Lake bridge - after the bridge, stay left and merge onto 430 - it will take you right to Maple Springs and Midway Park. Or, you could have stayed on I-90 from Erie to the Westfield exit onto 394 to Mayville. At the stoplight in Mayville, hang a left by the jail and you will also be on 430, which will also take you right to Midway Park. Although, I think that I did recognize some of those roads that you were on!! Probably doesn't help you now, but if anyone else ever wants to visit this little park, these directions might be a bit easier to follow! Midway used to be a lot better back in the day as they had the Paratrooper (that seemed to go faster than the one's at Waldameer), some really ghetto swings with wooden seats, and a giant slide that was actually almost dangerous! I will say that I was terrified to ride roller coasters after riding 'Roller Coaster' when I was a kid! I have not ridden this coaster since I was like seven years old because it whipped my neck so bad...I was sore for days! And what is with those steel seats with no padding?? Ouch!!! Anyhow...glad that you had fun and enjoyed your travels here in Western New York!