amsmtpk

http://community.webtv.net/AmsmtPk/TheIddyBiddyMidway

Hi all, This is Gary, across the street from Cliff's in Albuquerque. I now have my homepage ready to view. http:/community.webtv.net/AmsmtPk/TheIddyBiddyMidway (If by chance id does not work you can email me at amsmtpk@webtv.net and I will send it to you).....

I use to work at Knotts back in the 70's. When Montezooma's Revenge was new the train was dispatching with the clutch all ready in gear. This caused the train reach top speed instantly. There was a ride operator for each car to insure all riders had their heads against the headrest BEFORE dispatching. Sometimes the excessive speed would cause the train to hit the end bumpers at the end of the track. "Boooom" You could hear it through out the park. The clutch system was replaced many times. The ride would be open a couple of days, then closed for a month. Open one day closed for 3 months....and so on until they got it right...

I had an annual pass to Disneyland from 1978 through 1990. I also lived about 3 miles from the park. I have been stalled on probably all of the rides at least once. Space Mountain stopped and all the lights came on. We sat on a break for a while before the lights went out and the ride resumed. The emergency exit from Pirates of the Carribean shares the employee type break room area with the haunted mansion. We had to step out of our boat near the final "fire" scene. That was cool. The haunted mansion stops often so it's not really a big deal to think you are "Broke-Down" each time. I was stalled on the Skyway inside the Matterhorn. I also rode a ride a the Pomona Fair, ca. The ride is called the "Hurricane". We rode that ride early and then later that afternoon, the ride collapsed and slammed to a hault. I think only one person died, probably the one that was thrown across the midway head first into the side of a fun house wall. That was a strange feeling to see the ride all twisted and closed and all the activity in the area. I also rode the small wooden rollercoaster at LAGOON in Utah. I was in the front seat and as the train left the station I could tell that my lap bar was not locked. I raised the bar slightly and pushed it down thinking that it would lock, but it didn't. I had ridden the ride earlier and knew the track was mild. So I quickly made my decision to "keep my mouth shut". I planted my feet in the corners of the car and actually "rode" that ride. It was a blast and by standing up I could use my knees to absorbe the shocks. The second turn brings you slowly under the lift hill.... There is a large work platform. I seriously thought for a brief moment to jump out up there... but I didn't. I did however push the lap bar straight up before we entered the station..... You should have seen the look on the ride operators faces when I told them..."Wow, It really is scarier in the front seat. The ride promptly closed for the day... but what a great ride. The front seat of a woodie with the safety bar left open.....

CLIFF'S AMUSEMENT PARK in Albuquerque is across the street from my house, and WESTERN PLAYLAND is about 5 miles from my mothers house in El Paso.

Wow. what a fantastic little park! I went to Cliff's on Sept 24. Very impressive. The entire park looked freshly painted and new even on the lasd weekendof the season. Very clean, no graffiti to be found anywhere. The park is small but the rides are quite close together. They have a brand spanking new Rock-o-Plane, The Tilt-a-Whirl also looks show room perfect. I like the Yo-Yo being on an island surrounded by the Log Ride lagoon and the Demolition Disco indoor bumper cars. The new rides added this season were the DropZone, Muzik Express, and Falling Star. The main draw is, of course, The N.M. Rattler. This roller Coaster is very intimate and "huggable". The track twists around the other rides almost touching a few. You can walk under Rattler, feel it. Hug the support beams as the train passes over head. The coaster seems to hug you back. No matter where you are in the park, the Rattler is there. The view from the Drop Zone offers a splindid view of the Rattler. Parking is free. Admittion $2.50 or $22 for the wrist band. The best deal is the $75 season pass. I was so impressed with Cliff's that I found an apartment that is walking distance to the park. And I am moving to Albuquerque in 3 weeks... You can tell, I'm excited. The hard part now is waiting until April for the Cliff's Amusement Park to open for the 2006 season. >>>GARY

September 25 The old Western Playland amusement park in El Paso, Tx closed. The park is being moved to the Sunland Park racetrack and casino complex, in Sunland Park N.M. The new park is scheduled to open Spring of '06. In order to fulfill the original lease agreement, Pat Thompson will leave behind the go-kart track and a couple of kiddy rides. I will be in El Paso in a couple of weeks. I will drive by and take a look to see how The New Western Playland is coming along.