djcoastermark

thanx for posting those pics of the coaster. It's nice to see it still in good shape. I have lots of good memories of it from back in the 80's when I l lived in Columbus, when the rides were basically a typical kiddy park attached to a zoo. Then there was the 90"s and the six flags era where the coaster was surrounded by the water park. That was really an odd configuration. It was also the first coaster my kids ever rode was back then.

Sadly the site of the park is now just a typical strip shopping center with a Target, JC Penny, Staples and other such bland box stores.

I had 2 fairly recent experiences on a Zipper. One was so so and one was great. Walked to a local church carnival where the operators just loaded you, seemed very disinterested in the ride and just pushed "run", with a very short cycle. and only in one direction. It was a bit disappointing. The other rides also ran with very short and slow programs. However a few weeks later we went to a different carnival with a different ride company and had an insane ride on the Zipper. The ops seemed to be into their job and even spun us after we loaded and ran it in both directions, flipping like crazy. I dont know if one was a newer model or not. Both looked the same, like most carnivals, a little worn, and a little sketchy. Likewise the carnival with the good Zipper had a Fireball that ran a 2 or 3 cycle insane program per ride depending on how many people were screaming. So yes, there is something to be said for a good operator of the rides.

Pheonix all the way ! One amazing ride. Though Twister isn't anything to scoff at. (as long as you're towards the front).

Beautiful, just beautiful.

Listen to ALL of Robbs advice. He is the one to really know what 's the real deal. I have followed his advise and have never ever been disappointed !

^^ Love the rocketship car. Oddly enough, the Clearwater/ St Pete area here in Florida seems to be its winter home. Every once in a while the newspaper here feature a picture of it on Clearwater beach. Also, a car from the the Thriller coaster has been converted and will show up here from time to time. Now I just wish there was someplace local to buy some of the wonderful, yummy, gooey Humphries Kisses that were sold at EB.

Cheetah Hunt is just one heck of a fun ride. Pure and simple pleasure and smooth as ever. I laugh like crazy on it and reride it over and over, especially at night. The ravine run is fantastic then.

^I have to agree, Blue Streak packs some punch. I know a lot of people bypass this ride and sort of scoff at it. But ,yes, it is a fun retro ride. It's too bad it doesn't still run with the old PTC trains with buzz bars only, no head rests and no seatbelts. Now that was when it really ran crazy. In the 1960's it was what catapulted CP to what it is now. Still good fun to this day.

^ Could you have been thinking of Cedar Downs, which is the relocated American Racing Derby from Euclid Beach ?

That's what I love about FunSpot. Its all about how much fun you can have. It's my go to park for fun and silly times. I really do have a lot of fun there, always ! goofy time now - " Its Huuuge "!

AAh Euclid Beach, even though I was very little back then I have many memories of the place. It was the place that cemented my love for coasters. Terrified as I was at the time of them. (many stories to tell) It is so wonderful to see that park still lives on in so many ways. Such as Cedar Downs . Also the Thriller coaster car and Rocket ship that comes down here in the Tampa Bay area for rides at a few festivals in the winter. What a great restoration of a classic from times way gone. Beautiful. Next time I am up in Cleveland , I will check this out for sure.

^And then they could have a great them song to play in the loading station. (from back in my childhood) On top of spaghetti, all covered in cheese, I lost my poor meatball, when somebody sneezed, LAAUNCH ! I hope they do have previews in April, if not, looks like another trip. Yipee !

Hopefully, with the progression on the ride that seems to be going, it will be open by April, as we plan to go to BGW and KD then. It's sortta our early season parks to go to because the crowds are lower and the weather isn't usually too bad for us floridians.

I am trying to fit the color scheme with the whole pasta theme. I get the orange. I'm thinking a vodka sauce, mmmn. But the blue track has me stumped. Maybe smurf pasta ? Meatball colored cars maybe? This is going to be fun seeing how it all ends up. OK, Me be quiet now.

There was an article in todays' Tampa Bay Times that states that the new attractions along I-Drive are "expected" to charge $10 for the new Vue 360 (the 420 foot Star Flyer) to $20 for the Polarcoaster and Orlando Eye. I like that they said "expected" in their cost plans, as once construction actually begins and is completed, it will most likely be more, IMO. So yes, for now, it's anyone's guess. I do see all these attractions as having a multi-pass pricing plan in the future as well as single ride pricing.

How neat, a new Zipper ! I wonder if there has been any updates to its appearance ? Any pics ?

It does look really scary, yet fun at the same time. I'm curious though, is this still in the design /debugging and testing stages or is it something that's really ready for humans to ride ?

I can't wait to watch this thing being built. It sure does look intimidating. I'm sure it's going to be a major draw and also get a few, Oh heck no, no way, responses from a lot of GP. It will probably be fun just to be there watching peoples reactions.

I'm sorry. I really don't know my Disney characters that well. I was referring to the blue creature with the teeth in the santa suit. It just looks a little evil to me, hence a bit creepy to me. I know, I need to get out more.

^Usually I would say yes, but that furry on the video click kinda creeps me out.

It is so wonderful to see that PA still has some wonderful old style parks. It reminds me of ohio way back when. There used to be some many cool old time parks that are sadly now gone. We all as park and coaster nuts really need to patronize these last few gems that are left. Yes, they may not have the newest,biggest and greatest, but boy oh boy, those parks were all about having fun. Let's not let those few places die. patronize them, for the amusement parks history is quickly fading. thanks for the pics. these parks are on our list to go next year!

^^ yes I was there that day at the fla st fair. We got there at opening and we had a great, but a little chilly day. however as it turned towards evening things started to change. We noticed the kids started getting rowdy and were starting to run just around sunset. That's when I looked at my partner and said maybe it would be a good time to leave. Not that we wanted to as we were really having fun on the rides.

She might be onto something if she could just convince that guy from kentucky to move his ark project to the top of her mountain. Have it rock back and forth ala the Kennywood Noahs Ark. It could be billed as "The Worlds Largest Noahs Ark Funhouse " in teh werld. Weee ! Endless fun !

I've ridden every coaster in Forida multiple times from Miracle Strip in the panhandle to Ft.FLauderdale. (Dania) Even the kiddy ones. ( such a whore) ugh