palmerleeberry

Ah, it's been a while since I was last at that park. One thing I noticed that this park had that was different from the other parks were the park attendants - almost all of them were senior citizens! Every park I've been to before had college-aged kids running the rides, but this was the first park I've been to that had many of its park attendants senior citizen's age. The Monster coaster reminds me of the Impulse coaster at Knoebles. It's probably the same design and model. Speaking of Knoebles, they both share the same tea cup ride. Underground - is it a coaster or is it a dark ride or is it such a great ride you don't care what it is? I prefer the latter. Thanks for the photos; it helps bring back the memories.

Here's another entry into The Amusement Park Hall of Shame: I was at Kennywood ready to ride THE VOLCANO. There was a mother with two kids and she was concern whether or not they could on that ride by themselves or if they each needed an adult. She asked for any single riders and I raised my hand ( The #1 rule of being a single rider - ensure that you get on the ride, even if you have to partner up with someone else ). So imagine my chagrin when those two kids rode in one car and the mother and I rode in the second car. It turns out that the two kids could ride together in one car without the need of any adults, so I'm riding with their mother due to her misunderstanding ( She and I could have ridden by ourselves in separate cars). Despite all that, we all had a great ride on THE VOLCANO!!!

Okay, here's my list of annoying stuff that happens in theme parks - 1 - People that treats the queue lines as playground equipment. It always bugs me whenever I see some dumb kid walking on the rails instead of being on the ground. Those lines are there to keep the riders in a neat and order manner. 2 - People butting in front of other people while waiting in line. Who do you think you are when you do that, someone special? 3 - People who don't move up when the line is moving. Would you believe on a ride years ago there was someone who wasn't paying any attention and the line was moving. When I finally said something to him about it, he BAD MOUTHS ME! Well excuse me, I didn't know you was a hole! 4 - People who uses profanity when riding. Hey, why don't you scream like the rest of us and keep those dirty words to yourself? 5 - Rides that break down while you're waiting in line. Nothing you can do about that. 6 - No arcade nor pinball games in the arcade anymore. They're all redemption games. Do I look like I want to win a fluffy bunny rabbit? 7 - People who feel they need to carry bags of stuff around in the park because they don't want to rent out a Lock-Her. Folks, all I carry with me is a zipper coin purse that fits into my Velcro-strapped pockets and that's all I need to carry. Plus, I never have problems entering the lines. 8 - I don't have item #8, so move along! 9 - Having some parks that has some rides that prohibits single riders. I consider this a prejudice act against single riders. 10 - Having some rides at some parks that requires an adult needing a child to ride with. I can understand the vice-versa on some rides, but why do I need a child to ride that ride. Are you afraid I'm going to fall out? I consider this another prejudice act against single riders who don't have any kids with them. Well, that's all I care to list and I think I feel better now airing out this laundry. This entire list was my opinion and anything that you feel that's offensive or out of line was not intentional. Now I shall end this with my pillow who will say . . . "Good night and sleep tight. We miss you when you're not sleeping!"

I was at the park last Saturday (5-28-16) and the park was crowded ( I mean it was CROWD-DED!!!). After getting off interstate 64, I had to wait forty-five minutes before I could pay for my parking - well, I have a PLATINUM PASS so I didn't have to pay for anything, but I'm sure you get the idea. Despite the huge crowds I did get to ride the rides I wanted to ride ( The Griffion I rode three times!!!), all without quick queue. I still didn't get to ride Verbolten because that lousy ride had to break down while I was waiting in the station. As for next year's InvadR, the scenery around Le Scoot will never look the same again. Thanks to the pass, I'm sure I'll be back at the park - hopefully on a day it won't be so CROWD-DED and Verbolten is running flawlessly.

^OOPS

Ah good question, not to mention another old post that needs to brought back up to speed. Bring out the applesauce!!! Let's look at the differences between a large theme park and a small park. THE PROS OF LARGE THEME PARKS- They would have more rides, some rides they have you cannot ride anyplace else, themed areas, lots of coasters in many sizes and flavors, show venues, many restaurants and gaming venues, lots of space for future expansions, and new attractions every year. THE CONS OF LARGE THEME PARKS- High admission prices, parking fees, crowds at parks, long lines, food is expensive, and the offer of fast passes that can cause those without it to wait even longer in line. THE PROS OF SMALL PARKS - Low admission prices, short lines, having an old classic ride that's usually extinct in other parks, and cheap prices on food and games. THE CONS OF SMALL PARKS - Not that many rides, having just a few coasters, small area, and adding a new attraction every few years. But an amusement park, no matter what size it is, must have the ability to draw people in year after year. You might have a park that's small on the outside, but it's big in the mind of families that enjoy attending that park and have many great memories. I go to lot of parks, both big and small, and each one of them have its own unique qualities about them. I might go to Cedar Point because of the coasters they have, or to Lake Winnie for what they have, or to Lakemont Park so I could ride its one-of-its-kind coaster Leaps the Dips. If I leave that park feeling very happy, then that park has done its job, no matter what its size is. I'm not perfect; I just love to ride!

HERE IS ANOTHER LONG LOST POST THAT SHOULD BE BROUGHT BACK TO LIFE. YOU CAN THANK ME LATER WITH LOTS OF APPLESAUCE I got to ride plenty of coasters during my time as a rider and amusement park flyer, but there were a few that took me years before I had the chance to ride them. Goliath at Six Flags Great America was the first RMC I rode back in 2014 (IRAT in Six Flags Fiesta Texas would be my second RMC in which I would ride the following year). As for Deja Vu, it took me ten years before I could ride it (in 2010 when it was at Six Flags Magic Mountain. I would ride it again next year at Six Flags New England as Goliath). I rode many wooden and steel coasters, mine trains, launch, indoor and outdoor, back and forth, old and new, large and small, and even some that were unusual. Still, there is one coaster that has eluded me, and that is Lighting Run at Kentucky Kingdom. That type of coaster was designed for skinny winks, and if I want to ride it I must lose weight ( a lot of it) before I can try to ride it. Another ride comes to mine is Flying Turns at Knoebels. I rode bobsled coasters before, but never one like this. In closing, the roller coaster industry may come out with another concept that will get my juices flowing, and I'll be forced to add that coaster on my "Must Ride or Die" list.

Ah, you must be referring to "QUAKE"! I got to enjoy that ride because it didn't make me dizzy like its inverting cousins. I was thinking about another ride that's similar to this one, The Conestoga. I've been to Lake Winnie twice, and both times this ride wasn't running ( come to think of it, neither was Fly-O-Plane - such rotten luck!), so it got me wondering if the park is planning to get rid of Conestoga to put in this ride, or just leave Conestoga be and add in another flat ride. Either way, this will be another great addition to the park ( so would adding another roller coaster, but this is a small family park and should be excused whether they put in another coaster or not). "LAKE WINNIE - THE HOME OF THE BOAT CHUTE - it may be the oldest ride in the park, but it still gets the longest line!

^You just reminded me of a funny story involving The Shenandoah Lumber Company at Kings Dominion. A few years ago, when Kings Dominion was still known as Paramount's Kings Dominion, they opened the park up for an extra weekend in November to celebrate a record-breaking season. The Log Flume was the only water ride running despite the chilly, cloudy day. The lines were light, but they was a longer than usual waiting time because they were only running a few logs. Nevertheless, I got on and after going down the first hill, a wave of water splashed on me. That was usual; that much water isn't suppose to enter the log. On the last hill, the granddaddy of all water splashes got me, thus leaving the log soaking wet. "What did they do to the log flume?" I asked another rider. "I'm all soaking wet". The other rider shrugged and replied: "I guess they added more water!" Mind you this was on a chilly, cloudy day . . . The following season, on a hot spring day, I got back on the log flume and didn't get wet like I did last time. I'm not an expert on log flumes ( I just ride them ), but did this log flume have some type of attachment that prevents huge splashes of water from attacking the riders, but was removed on that November day and replaced the following spring? Or was I just unlucky? Or did the log flume "add more water"? "He, he, ha! I guess they'll never find out! Hope you can handle the cold water!"

BANG, BANG, BANG, POP, BOOOOM! Sorry about that, but I'm still beating myself up for not planning to go to Kentucky Kingdom this year. Let's see, where was I? STORM CHASER - ARE YOU CHASING IT OR IS IT CHASING YOU?

I can remember riding Drachen Fire and leaving that ride nearly beaten up. I wonder if they replaced the horse collar restraints with lap restraints the ride would have been smoother? I'm also thinking about the restraints they use for Tempesto - if that newfangled technology was available back in 1992 would the Drachen Fire be in operation today? I guess we'll never know. BTW - Thanks for bringing back another lost, old post.

Well, look-kee here! I was surfing the waves of long, lost, and almost forgotten post and came across one that should be brought out, dusted, polished up good and shiny, and presented once again. Yes, you can thank me late with your applesauce! One flat ride that comes to mind is the Skydiver. I HATE THE RESTRAINTS ON THOSE THINGS! IT CRUSHES MY CHEST LIKE A MEDIVIAL TORTURE DEVICE. Lakemont Park in Altoona, PA is the only park I know that has that ride ( It's been years since I've last been there, but if they removed that ride and put something else in its place that's more enjoyable for me to ride, then they will have all the applesauce I can give them). I'm not perfect; I just love to ride!!!

Back in 2011, I was at Jolly Rogers Park located in Ocean City, Maryland and I decided to ride Wacky Worm (why not, there was nothing on the ride information sign that didn't say I couldn't go on it ). There were two mothers who had their daughters ride that coaster while they watched, so I got up to the station and waited. After the ride was over, the attendant asked the girls if they wanted to ride the coaster again and they all said yes. They did this for about three more times. Finally, after the third time, I asked the attendant when can I get on. The ride attendant looked surprised and replied that he thought I was the father of one of the girls. No, I don't have any kids and besides - "I was standing in line, wasn't I?" I snorted back. He replied that he was sorry because he thought only kids rode this coaster and never had a grown-up on before, even thought it was permitted. So I got on and rode that coaster. I'll still ride a kiddie coaster if I'm permitted, but the next attendant that belittles me is going to . . .YOU DON'T WANT TO KNOW!

Me trying to name my favorite Log Flume ride is like trying to name what my favorite coaster is. I rode a lot of flume rides, but because I live in Virginia, my two favorite log flume rides has to be Shenandoah Log Company at Kings Dominion ( I must have rode that ride a thousand times) and the Le Scoot at Busch Gardens Williamsburg. On the topic of Le Scoot, I have to give Busch Gardens three cheers ( ) for renovating their log flume rather than removing it. This 41-year-old Arrow Log Flume ride has been at the park since day one ( along with their three-station Skyway ride, their train, and their Rhine River Boat tour) and it would be a plain shame to see that ride go since it is a very popular family ride. As for Shenandoah Log Company, when they brought back the water wheel in 2014 I was super excited (just like when they brought back the red, white, and blue colors to the Rebel Yell)! In short, I don't think I ever rode a log flume ride that I end up hating - and I hope I never do.

Right now, I'm beating myself up as I asked out loud, "Why aren't you going to Kentucky Kingdom this year?" Then I stop myself and reply that I have other parks that I'll be visiting and that big vacation trip I got planned for a whole month traveling around Florida. Besides, there's always next year . . . STORM CHASER - ARE YOU CHASING IT OR IS IT CHASING YOU?

oh man I'm even excited about Storm Chaser and I don't have any plans to visit Kentucky Kingdom this year. Isn't that a mule kick to the head or what? From reading the last ten pages of posts in which some have complained that the coaster looks "ugly", of course it may look ugly, but this coaster is still under construction and the structure and everything around it looks all torn up. This is true to all manners of constructions. But after the building has been completed, the landscaping done, and all the paint's dry, this area is going to be beautiful - so beautiful in fact you can look at it in awe and get high - even though you didn't take anything. As for the next construction project, I believe the park should install another walkway and place it around the Roller Skater and connect it to the 5-D theater. It was two years since the last time I was there, so I don't know if this is practical or not, but another walkway would make perfect sense. STORM CHASER - ARE YOU CHASING IT OR IS IT CHASING YOU?

Oh WOW! Any time we have a Media day and seeing the cool pictures of Kings Dominion always get me excited, actually more like X-SITE-TED!!! With the new ride in place, I but this whole are will be a lot of Applesauce - I mean, Awesome Sauce ( Is that one word or two? The computer misspells it as one word and corrects it as two. On the other hand, maybe I'll stick with applesauce.). Now as for John Peck who asked this question "What is missing in that fourth photo?" Well, isn't it obvious? I"M NOT THERE RIDING THOSE RIDES!" That's what's missing, but I hope to correct that problem within the next few weeks. And that would be a lot of Applesauce!

All Right, the track work has been put into place, now all that's left to do is to put the train on the track, do lots of testing and run-throughs, then I'll just wait until I get the perfect summer weekend to go up there and ride inside America's Roller Coast! "I don't know if I could handle all this excitement. Last time I felt this much excitement McDonalds added more McNuggets to its menu."

VR headsets for Superman: Ride of Steel?!? Maybe I might want to consider lifting my Six Flags ban . . . "Will he or won't he be visiting Six Flags America this season. Only he knows and he isn't telling. Stay tuned to find out!

The waterpark will look even nicer once they plant in the grass and fill up those water attractions with water. As for the miniature golf course that has been removed, I don't have any tears for it since I've never played that course because it was never opened whenever I visited the park. I believe I can see a nice flat ride going into that vacant spot. I believe Carowinds is gonna be "The Park" to visit this season and in the next season if they continue making the improvement and upgrades they've been doing. "Don't bug me; I'm taking a nap!"

The waterpark will look even nicer once they plant in the grass and fill up those water attractions with water. As for the miniature golf course that has been removed, I don't have any tears for it since I've never played that course because it was never opened whenever I visited the park. I believe I can see a nice flat ride going into that vacant spot. I believe Carowinds is gonna be "The Park" to visit this season and in the next season if they continue making the improvement and upgrades they've been doing. "Don't bug me; I'm taking a nap!"

After driving for hours, I finally arrived at Kings Island. The first thing I wanted to do was use the restroom. At the entrance to your left are the restrooms. The door on the left was opened and I saw the sign that read "MENS", so I bolted inside and got inside one of the stalls to do my thing. When I got out, I saw there were women in this restroom, so I quickly bolted out before my discovery caused an outcry and gets me banned for life. The door that was opened covered the sign that read "WOMEN" and since I saw the "MENS" sign and had to go real badly, you can say that this was an honest mistake. Best thing about it is that I got away with it!

^ Thanks for that tidbit; all I can remember from my first trip is riding Batman twice, standing in a long line to ride Rolling Thunder and Mine Train, riding the two flume rides, seeing a Batman Stunt Show, and getting soaking wet from riding a raft tube ride named after a Chinese river. Oh, and I do remember a giant chair attraction in which you sit in with oversize props and get your picture taken ( it made you look like a little kid).

After seeing the updated pictures of Delirium, I almost wet my pants with joy. Seasons ago I would have to travel to Kings Island and Cedar Point to ride this type of ride, but not anymore. I haven't been this X-Cite-Ted about a flat ride since 2002 when Triple Spin AKA Bad Apple debuted. 'Cuse me as I go use the bathroom. "You better go use the bathroom. If I can't stand tears on me, then you know I can't stand wee-wee!"

Back in the year of 1993, Batman: the Ride was the main reason why I took a weekend off and traveled to Six Flags Great Adventure. That coaster was one of five that the park had running that year ( Rolling Thunder, Mine Train, Skull Mountain, and the Great American Scream Machine - I cannot remember if Blackbeard's Coaster was there or not). That was my first visit, but it wouldn't be my last; I visited that park five more time since then with the last one a few years ago. My impression since that first visit is that this park had a lot of great rides, some I couldn't find anyplace else at that time. Now today, this park still wants to make that same impression I had when I first visited the park. It has added a ton of new coasters ( Kingsta Ka, the other parks can try to beat it or eat it!) and some of the flat rides that use to run there now resides in other Six Flags parks ( in which I wish Six Flags America could get something decent from Six Flags Great Adventure). But still, this park can be compared to being the Magic Mountain on the East Coast.