jasondude125

Hey BigDipper80, I hope you didn't walk back and forth all day to your car for the cooler? Did you know that Kennywood is one of the few parks that actually allows you to take your cooler inside the park. They have picnic tables behind Aero360 where you can claim a bench and leave it there while you go ride. In fact I went to KW about a month ago and we took a cooler in. Of course I was with my little cousin with us who is in a stroller, so we kept it on there. But for your next trip, remember, coolers are no problem at Kennywood. Save your steps and take it in with you. Jason

I loved the pics of castle Neuschwanstein. I'm very familiar with Mad King Ludwig and his castle obsession. I actually wrote a paper on that castle for my architecture history class in college. I didn't know there was some BGW inspiration from that castle. I did however know that Sleeping Beauty Castle in Disneyland Calif is insprired from the castle as well.

I am kind of sad over the loss of the Dipper, but the reality is that it isn't cost effective to move the ride. The best possible solution to "saving it" would be to allow it to stay at Geauga Lake where it belongs. Sadly, it seems the people that hold the power seem dead set against this option. From what I remember, a developer in the Cleveland area submitted a proposal for a portion of the land that incorportated the Big Dipper into the new development. Historic structures being incorporated into new developments can "boost" a new development and give it an edge over the competition. This has been done in the past, two come to mind. The Giant Dipper roller coaster out in california that is now in a shopping center, and I also recall reading where some of the historic building from Elitich Garderns were retained and incorported into a new development which took place on the parks original site. But anyway, I apologize for possibly veering off topic; the proposal I mentioned above was withdrawn shortly after the Dipper was sold to its current owner. I have to be honest though, I'm curious to see what that development would have looked like. Well whatever the outcome, I still have a lot of memories on the Dipper; i'd have to say it was the only coaster I've ridden that I got bruised on and it drew blood from me. Gotta love those bunny hops at the end of the ride w/ the head chopper effect! But that's a story for another time.

Sorry to hear that mwm1444, I've seen pics of Blackpool's ark on the site, Laffinthedark I believe, and it looked like a cool ride. Very different from kennywood's ark, but I have to say looked a lot more true to what the traditional arks were in many parks. Noah's Ark is a unique experience, although the only one I have ever been on is Kennywood's. While the current form of the Ark is pretty modern in many of the stunts and scenes, I have been on the previous version as well where you entered through the whale's mouth. Sadly I was young then and only remember portions of it. Still I guess its good that Kennywood's is still an operating attraction. Still ashame though if Pleasure Beach decided to close this unique attraction.

I have a few questions about Noah's Ark, being from Pittsburgh I'm familiar with the Ark's brother here at Kennywood. I found some information online varying from saying its being refurbished to removed completely. Also, I read online its been closed since 2007, is that true too? Would hate to see another Ark lost, or for it to just become a "fixture piece" marking the front gate.