coasterdude5

Great pictures! While the whole place looks really cool, it looks pretty deserted.

Kingda Ka has reopened! Coaster101 was there to experience it up and running again.

Not sure I've posted this before or not. Revolution at Libertyland Dragon Wagon at Libertyland Chaos at Opryland USA Buzzsaw Falls at Silver Dollar City (parts of it are no longer there) I believe that's it.

1977 THE RISE AND FALL OF CHARLESTON GARDENS AMUSEMENT PARK September 3, 1977 CHARLESTON - In 1973, ground broke on what was to become Charleston's only amusement park. The park was the brainchild of a group of men who formed the South Carolina Amusements Company. Through private investors, they were able to complete Phase I of the park in time for a 1975 opening. Phase I included several family rides and a mine train rollercoaster. Phase II was originally going to open the following year. It was to feature an extended mainstreet with a large indoor concert hall, a wooden rollercoaster, and three new family rides. Unfortunately funding was not available for the complete Phase II project, so Michael May, former manager of the amusement park, and the park's Board of Directors decided to split Phase II into a three-year plan. The wooden coaster opened in 1976 and the extended mainstreet - minus the concert hall - opened in 1977. However during the first few months of the 1977 season, several members of the South Carolina Amusements Company began to panic at the lackluster crowds that were passing through the turnstiles. One man by the name of Charles White went as far as to create false attendance reports to mislead potential investors. He also talked existing investors into pulling out of the project. When May and two of his business partners discovered what was happening, they left the company, including May leaving his position as general manager. On September 1st, 1977, South Carolina Amusements Company filed for bankruptcy and immediately placed Charleston Gardens for sale - either as a whole or ride by ride. The park has been operating until the scheduled end of the month when the season concludes. But with the announcement of a bankruptcy-ridden company, closed rides, and laid-off staff, the park's attendance levels suffered even more. If the park does not sell as a whole before October, South Carolina Entertainment Company (SCEC) will begin liquidating all assets. An auction will take place in the theater on October 15th if a sale has not been made. Locals are saddened by the outcome of the park. One says, "It's hard to believe that a park that was operating at max capacity only a year ago is now in a nearly-abandoned state." In August a ride that had been malfunctioning frequently was removed. Originally a sign was displayed that read "New ride coming in 1978!" was removed after the bankruptcy announcement was made. Sources within the industry say that the one fatal flaw with the park was a breakdown of communication between the park and the SCEC members after the 1977 season began. Many are quick to speculate that May was aware of the goings on at SCEC with White, and was quietly looking for a new owner in case things went bad. It will be interesting to watch in the coming weeks to see who, if anyone, will step up to the plate to handle this seemingly troublesome park. - Carter Smithers

1977 Dear Board of Directors, It is with my regret that I announce my resignation as my position as General Manager of Charleston Gardens Amusement Park. While I deeply regret my leaving, I cannot stand by and watch Charleston Gardens operate as it is. Nearly half of the rides in the park are awaiting maintanence parts. While I pride myself in the park itself, the company that owns Charleston Gardens, South Carolina Entertainment Company, is not experiencing the best of its days. While I cannot elaborate on this, I believe some money has been placed in the wrong hands. I greatly appreciate the time I have had to get to know and work with you all. I wish nothing but the best for this park and I hope that myself and the founding partners are able to witness Charleston Gardens Amusement Park operating successfully in the future. Thank you and the best of luck in the future. Michael May

This wasn't posted on this forum, but it might have been influenced by a recent trip report posted here, moreso this picture:

Haha no dude it's cool I accidently sent my ACT scores to that Charleston - it's an easy mistake.

(wrong Charleston!)

^ If they want something to go there, they'll make it fit.

1977 Hello, My name is David Hendren and I am the Financial Director of Charleston Gardens Amusement Park. Since you are a member of the Charleston Gardens Board of Directors, I need to bring you up to date on the current status of the park: We're a few weeks into the season and unfortunately our attendance numbers are a far cry from last season's. With no new rides this year we were somewhat prepared for a small dip in attendance, but the park has really taken a hit. We are working with investors to see what we can bring to the park next season, but as I'm sure you know, few guests equals little funding. However, we are looking into several ways of bringing guests back to the park, including hosting a city-wide talent show later in the season, concerts, and discounted tickets. I will try to keep you all updated as the season progresses. Michael and the entire Charleston Gardens team are working diligently to make sure the park is successful and profitable. We know many of you on the board are also investors, so while you have already been notified, we want to keep you updated. Thank you for your time. Nick Hendren, Financial Director Charleston Gardens Amusement Park

PARAGLIDER TRAILER watch on youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HlbTCYfqh-M

Am I the only one that reads press releases?

The ride's only been announced for a few hours and people are already complaining. I'm happy Kennywood is able to get anything, especially an inverting coaster! There's been a void (in my mind) ever since they took out the loops of Steel Phantom.

Here's what I'm guessing is a shot of the ride. It seems to match the description.

Great! There's been a piece of my soul missing since ARN&R went on hiatus.

I think you guys are really gonna like this - it's coming together quite well. Expect the official trailer to be released in the coming days. I am not setting a release date quite yet but it look for it to premier any time from late August to the middle of September. Here are a few stills from the editing room: As Charles rots away in his jail cell after shooting a man, someone appears in the cell adjacent to his.

1977 Hello and welcome to the third season at Charleston Gardens Amusement Park. We have had quite the off season. While there are no new rides at Charleston Gardens this season, we do have an entire new midway full of shops, restaurants, and a new train station for the Charleston Railway. We have named this new area "Atlantic Avenue". - Michael May Cajun Cafe features... you guessed it... Cajun-styled entrees! Here is a shot of Atlantic Avenue, the yellow building is the new train station. After turning off of Atlantic Avenue you'll encounter the new train bridge. This bridge eliminates the need for a crossing that might disrupt traffic flow through the park. Here is a better view of the train station.

It had been about 4 years since the last time I had been so it was cool seeing the new things like Trump Tower.

^ Willis, I believe, now owns most of the building so they also received naming rights as part of the negotiations. Throughout the city I heard most people still referring to it as Sears Tower.

I got the chance to check out the new ledge at the newly-renamed Willis Tower in Chicago yesterday. It was pretty awesome! Here are the photos: And the sun would come out as we are leaving. Adios Willis/Sears Tower! Chicago is a candidate city for the 2016 Olympics. I hope they are chosen! Looking up was pretty cool. Not too far from the top. I was surprised how well we could see despite all the clouds. Taken backwards Lake Michigan Duct tape fixes everything! Here's how they roll it back into the building. One of the boxes was tucked in. Not sure why, I hope it's not structure problems! Leaning back on the glass was a little more nerve-wracking. Hey I was in that boat! Some of the city You can get a great view of Lake Michigan. I think once you get past a certain point, it just feels like being above a toy city. It's cool to be able to see the other people in the other boxes. We're gonna be up there. Lego Sears Tower!

I went to the park again yesterday, I'll have more photos later, but I had to post this one by itself. Is this normal? The girl's about 6 or 7.

This is now part of my signature for a short while, congratz. Those are some really great pictures! What kind of camera do you use? I am truly honored. It's a Canon Powershot. Adios Pretzel? Yeah. It's time we say goodbye. We passed up Vominator. SEXYTRACK. NO, NO YOU WILL! I wish you had three train operations. No thanks. Here you can get a spoon of ice cream for $6! What a steal. "Here it comes!" That's what she said. Mid-corkscrew shots are AWESOME! Oh hey Raging Bull, didn't see you there.. Keep beastin. Oh hello Viper, I heard you were sucking but to me you were the same. Congratulations! [more]Did you enjoy your ride on the Giant Drop?[/more] [best Chicago accent I've heard all week]Enjoy your ride on the Giant Drop.[/accent]

Last time I was at Great America was Fright Fest back in 2005 so I was looking forward to all the changes at the park. Because my fingers hurt, I will not be typing a detailed report. You can read a semi-detailed report here. So incredibly beautiful. MORE PHOTOS COMING SOON. Coaster porn. Raging Bull does not go upside down. Transitions. Oh hello there Raging Bull footer. May I make out with you? You have an STD? OK I get it... New sexy paint job. New sexy signage. This is why I'm here. YES. DAT IS BOLAQUEESHA'S HAIR WEAVE. SHE WAS HAD BEEN LOOKING FOR IT AT THE LOST N FOUND. I heard you only get wet if nobody likes you. This ride made me feel like I was at a HFC park! Then I turned around. No, you know what, YOU WILL TONE IT DOWN. And PS Iron Wolf was the only ride that would take you because it had no friends. Does this ride have an ugly side? DA GREEN WATER IS TIGHT YALL. If only it had been like this all day. No more pausing at the top, though. I sometimes dream at night about how different it would have been. Oh well. IT GOES WHOOSH. This ride really took me by surprise! The launch backwards was pretty insane. Sexiness right there. I don't have one, sorry. Sold it on Ebay so I could afford the visit to the park. Yeah. Simplicity = PWNAGE. This ride sucked. But that fact's already been worn out here so I won't go into it because nobody cares. Fly like an Eagle... oh wait wrong ride. This is about where I get the charlie horse every time I ride. Twisted B&M decentness. Actually it's swell. Swhoosh goes Superman: Ultimate Flight. This ride always seems out of place too me, like it should should be in some ghetto carnival or Great Adventure. The pre-opening preline for S:UF. It's like this every time I go. Poor dog... he's 2 inches too short to ride Superman! I don't have time to cyber it up. I always forget the official name of the carousel so I'm going to call it Double Decker Deluxe Carousel. I had a free pass so I had to go to guest relations to redeem it. Thankfully there were no problems there. Superman: Ultimate Flight... it gives me charlie horses. Hmm, this is a decent sign: Not too many cars. Oh wait we're here an hour early - that's why!

The results have been posted: http://www.coaster101.com/photocontest

^ Thanks I did! Here's a trip report from the park: http://www.coaster101.com/2009/07/29/trip-report-six-flags-great-america/ I'll have one up on TPR soon.