djcoastermark

Then again, it can be said the same for any animal we, as humans ,cage up. I'm thinking any zoo, fish tank in your home, heck even little tweety in its cage at grandmas house. At least Sea World is preserving animals as best as we humans can try, as we have destroyed so much of their natural habitats, and the work they and others do is invaluable. Left to the way humans do things, the only animals left on this planet would soon be only those that we deem worthy of as food or cute little house pets.

^Oh heck no, the carnage would be to much for any viewing audience to handle !

And the Tumble Bug goes to Knoebels. It's the only park I can imagine that would keep that old gem running at its intended full speed.

Also, how are the crowds the weekend after labor day? I see the hours are pretty short then, so I'm guessing light, I hope ? Any good discounts around after Labor Day? I am going to be in the area that weekend , and with only a day to spend at a park, figured as I have never been there, I'd give it a try. (already been to BGW once and KD twice this year) A few credits look interesting at SFA.

^ AND THE WINNER IS.... That just made my day!

Oh boy, do I remember this one ! It's probably the most retro, sketchy coaster left in existence, in the most sketchy park, with the oddest crowd ever, but in the most wonderful way once you experience it. I am truly amazed the coaster and the whole park for that matter is still around. It's like being in the land that time forgot, given its very remote location. Though not the biggest , fastest ,or tallest by any means, several things make this ride one ,that if as an enthusiast, shouldn't be missed. First, It looks, and feels as if will collapse at any minute.The look and feel of the train flying" up off the track" on the crest of some of the hills. Really, just watch the video closely. It really adds to the thrill if you will. Second , those fantastic relics of the century flyer trains, which, when I went had several seats missing as they were in need of, Ahem, "refurbishing". Third , IF , you are REALLY lucky, a ride during the rain is something that should not be missed. It really does make it one of the most frightening rides ever. It turns the ride int o a whole different beast. LOL. Yes,they did run it in a downpour when I was there and it just flies through the course and overshot the station. Also not to be missed is the Little Dipper which also has the NAD trains, the classic Laff in the Dark type ride, the odd flume ride and sketchy sky ride. If you are really into coaster history and parks, as they once were way back when, then Camden is a worthwhile side trip on your way to the big parks.

I had to switch to IE also to get it to stream well.

Backlot seems to be popular as a family coaster. It usually has a line waiting for it. The first time I rode it, I was a bit confused as none of the effects were working. I got what it was supposed to be doing, but it did take a lot away from the ride. Yes, it may be out of place, but it is a fun little ride, just wish they would get ALL the effects working and maybe even try to make it fit in appearance wise with the area a bit more. It seems a bit stark. I really dont see it going away anytime soon.

shockwave isn't really that bad, just kinda bland imo. Way back when, it was one of the IT coasters. However, when we go there now we only ride it once if the line is really short as it takes forever to get on. Just like king cobra when KI had it. I've never had a problem with the seats as long as you know how to work it, etc etc. It might be around for a while as it still pulls them in (gp wise) and is reliable as far as up time goes. I can only see it going once it reaches its end of life. I do like where its placed in the park tho. Good use of a very narrow space with good visability.

One error i put was that it was one train operations today. I meant to say yesterday. oops

We just got back today from the park and I must say, I totally agree with all the wonderful things people say about the place. Even though the coasters were only one train operations today, the longest wait we had for a ride was 15 minutes at the peak times of the day. the dispatches were lightning fast. Sadly, Bert, we missed out on the cheese which was ok because we were too stuffed from all the other wonderful stuff we scarfed down on all day. (next time) We bought the ride bands and it was well worth it for us. (my gawd those Flyers , yeah !!!) Everything was included even the Mine and skyrides, except for the Haunted house being the only upcharge at $1.75. I cant say enough on how much I LOVED Phoenix. The night rides on Phoenix were insane !! Although the park closes at 10 pm, they didnt cut the line off until 10:15 even though there were only 1 train waits. The "last" train out had the crew riling up the riders to thunderous levels of clapping and cheering. To everyones surprise, as the train emerged from the tunnel and hit the chain, the crew shut off all the running lights on the structure, leaving the ride in pitch black. Talk about an epic ride! As we returned to the station the dispatcher yelled out asking if we all wanted to do it one more time , and out again we went , to everyones ecstatic joy! Kudos to Knoebels on a fantastic day and having such a quirky wonderful park. I cant wait to get back!

Heading to Knoebels thursday morning. Heres to hoping for light crowds. And after seeing the tent pic, I wish I was staying at the campground instead of Danville. Oh well, its my first time to Knoebels and something tells me Ima gonna love it!

Oh yeah, 305 was down for most of the season last year at KD ( way longer down time than FOF ) and its still there this year.....

The foliage looks really cool to me. It looks like it would really enhance the feeling of speed and add a little craziness to the ride experience. A new Jungle Coaster?

I can have just as much fun and enjoyment from both theme parks and traditional amusement parks as long as the rides are good and the park is well run .I love the themed rides at Disney and Universal, but also love the simpleness of traditional parks like Knoebels, Kennywood, both "kings" parks and heck even Fun Spot. They all have their merits and I just have a lot of fun at all of them. In the end though, I guess I am just a park nerd and lovin every minute of it !

The first 2 places that come to mind for me are, Fun Spot and Alabama Adventures. Might be a gut reaction and wishful thinking on my part, but boy, would I love some lovin going to Fun Spot.

This ^ Too perfect !

Oh well, just another "welcome to Murica". Land of the ya cant take away r, guns, knives, ect cet ra cause we need to p'tect usselves from, yall know, them other types. So sad .

From past experiences, yes, run to Volcano at rope drop. Don"t miss i305 for a nite ride , AND IMHO, Grizzly is a great way to end the night. Every time I have been there I have gotten the "last ride" out of the night, BUT, they have always ran it one more time because 1 or 2 people were walking up from the waaayy too long cue line and missed the "last train out" , thus giving an extra bonus ride. And that thing really flies with the dew/moisture settling on the tracks at night. That's when G really shines !

Ah yes, all good and well that there are a few chain stores in the parks, BUT, do any of them have a dollar menu like the rest of their shoppes outside the parks ? Or , do any of them have a "good value" type pricing at all?

^ your dentist should be very happy with you !

Double Loop. Geauga Lake.

My partner and I had a few days off earlier this week and it was supposed to beach days, however, the weather called for clouds and off and on showers. Bored, we jumped in the car and headed to Orlando to go to Fun Spot. Got a room at Best Western and had a great view of the park from our 8th floor window. (and of wet and wilds bone yard) Due to the weather and being in May, a slow time in O town, the park was slow, but perfect for marathon riding! I really enjoy this little park. The staff is super friendly, the park is spotless and food and drink is quite reasonable. Hey, $3 beer, $3 wine and $3 chicken fingers, ahh, life is good. Decided to buy a souvenir soda cup for $6. Lo and behold, the pic on it shows a train full of riders on White Lightning, and there I am on the cup, 4th row on the train. From the TPR commercial shoot last year. Cool souvenir IMO. We got the last 3 rides of the nite on White Lightning a little after midnight. On the way out, we noticed a picture mural on the outside of the party room at the entrance. On it was of course WL, and in that train was my partner on it. Another cool !! moment there. We went back the next morn to get a pic of it too and the Owner of the park was there. He gave us a fist bump on the pic and said that Rob, TPR, and Orlando Attractions mag were great people and had really done them a world of good. A few pics now see you in a few weeks WL ! Good Morning WL ! The wall. seeing double ? I love this lil Vekoma

^ Nope, still just as bad.

I saw the same type unit on Grizzly at Kings Dominion.It had one less "step". One ride op was showing another how to properly put it in a seat. The way they were maneuvering it around led me to believe it was for an access to some one in a wheel chair. I also noticed several of these around the stations on other coasters there also. Volcano had the added step as in the pic above for Banshee.