dj snow

I'm disappointed that, even with the 3G version, you can't actually use it as a phone. Not that I'd actually want to--I just would find it endlessly entertaining to see people holding this gigantic thing up to their head.

Also, since you have to get your pass processed at the park of purchase before you can use it, consider which park you'll want to visit first. Example: SF St. Louis opens April 2, while SFKK opens April 24. If you want to visit SF St. Louis on April 9 but purchased your pass from SFKK, you'd have to drive all the way to Louisville to a closed SFKK to get your photo taken (assuming they're even doing pre-opening processing) in order to use your pass in St. Louis.

They actually have shuttle vans for the rental car center, and they'll pick you up at your resort hotel. This was my experience, at least, a few years ago. Best to call a day or so in advance to schedule the pickup. There was no charge for the service (but a tip for the driver is appreciated, I'm sure).

Of course it's a theme park! The theme is BARGAINS. Where are the bargains? At the Swap Shop!

Kennywood doesn't have a set closing time. The 10pm time is kind of a soft target. In my (limited) experience there, under normal circumstances they will close around that time. If the park's especially busy, they'll stay open later. If it's pouring down rain and nobody's there, they'll close earlier. But nothing's guaranteed! If you ask around in the afternoon, the employees usually have a pretty good idea.

A unit of Landry's has filed suit against Martin & Vleminckx, claiming unfit work & materials in the construction of an unspecified ride: Catering company sues over order with amusement park ride constructor

Please visit every open food stand during your visit, asking for free water at each, and document your experience with photos. Then post a Free Water Photo TR upon your return. This is Very Important Research! On another note, I've never received (nor asked for) free water at SFMM, but I have received free sushi. Apparently Big Mike's not the only one with charm around here.

Yo soy un hombre sincero.

Oh my.

I posted this here on August 4, but it probably fits better in this thread: State inspectors have cleared Son of Beast, but based on non-committal comments such as this one: Source I tend to think that if you haven't yet ridden Son of Beast, you're not going to ride Son of Beast.

State inspectors have cleared Son of Beast, but based on non-committal comments such as this one: Source I tend to think that if you haven't yet ridden Son of Beast, you're not going to ride Son of Beast.

These are the shoe shafts. Basically enormous spiral slides, which were original to the building (used to transport shoes before they were converted for human use). At the bottom of the slides, I believe you end up in some caves that you can explore. And yes, that's a big pipe organ that they have in there too. If you missed them, it just gives you something to look forward to for your next visit!

Prowler this, Prowler that... I think Prowler's a great ride too, but I'm all Prowled out now. So, please, let's discuss the City Museum some more instead! Erik, I can't believe you totally missed the Shoe Shafts! What were you thinking? And is it true that nobody visited the bar? Sacrilege! City Museum > Arch, by the way.

Yes! City Museum! SDC Cave! Awesome! If TPR doesn't include a stop at City Museum during its next midwest trip, there is no justice in this world. I enjoyed the report; glad you enjoyed the trip!

Well here's your reason for delays right here. The train's flyin' right off the track. Oh no!!

Most parks will only be open weekends if at all, but Great Adventure historically does open for either most or all of one full week in April for spring break. However, I'm sure they schedule this to coincide with the surrounding school districts' spring breaks, which may not match yours. Plan carefully!

Details here.

"Pinhead" looks inspired by a certain comic-strip character...

X2 ERT and free tacos!

Companies in bankruptcy can break contracts (such as lease agreements) relatively easily. If Six Flags wanted to pull the plug on SFKK, their time in bankruptcy is a good opportunity to do so. The front-gate side (inside the perimeter road) is on leased land, presumably under a long-term agreement with the KFEC. That said, if the park truly is contributing to the bottom line, I doubt there'd be much reason to take such action. Time will tell.

I think Sidewinder is from Moser Rides. It looked like it was the same as Fandango at Knoebels. "Fan... dango?"

I agree. I don't know for sure, but I wouldn't be surprised if it were some combination of maintenance costs, operational headaches (that "no single riders" rule can't be fun to enforce) and the desire to put a more family-friendly ride there. When HW put Banshee in (I think it was introduced in the mid-80's), it was probably the most thrilling ride in the park. With the coasters to satisfy the thrillseekers now, putting in a ride that the whole family can ride together (the swings) was probably not such a bad idea. I agree that Banshee was a lot of fun, though! I had never ridden it before, so I can't compare to how it was when it was new. Still, it seemed to be running pretty well. Maybe a bit sloppy in a few turns, but overall it seemed fine. You can see where they've replaced some wood here and there, so they seem to be keeping up with it. Yes. Yes you do. Thanks for the comments, everyone!

News reports and tweets made it sound like it was one of the busiest days (if not the busiest day) the park has seen since opening as Hard Rock last year. If you watch the YouTube videos of the July 4 fireworks show, it looks & sounds like there was a big crowd. Hope these reports hold true!

About a month ago, I took a day trip up to Albuquerque, NM to check out Cliff's Amusement Park. Cliff's reminded me a lot of Waldameer--a small, hometown amusement park with a nice assortment of rides. It was all well-kept and clean too. While it's not the biggest park around, the people of Albuquerque are lucky to have it. On to the pics! Finally, as my visit to the museum (and my trip to Albuquerque) came to an end, there was an awkward moment as I walked in on a mannequin undergoing a medical exam. Thanks for reading! When I need creamy mushroom dressing, I only use Three Mile Island brand creamy mushroom dressing. No, your eyes do not deceive you. Indeed this is a Three Mile Island lamp. Back in the 1930s, shoe stores used machines like this one to xray your feet "to ensure a proper fit." In reality, it was a carcinogenic gimmick. Heat-shield comparo: Before re-entry (right); after re-entry (left). There is weaponry everywhere you look! Doesn't this curtain look inviting? It's Fat Man and Little Boy! (Well, okay, they're replicas.) Nazi memorabilia your thing? The National Museum of Nuclear Science & History has you covered! Inside the museum we find sensitive, politically correct posters such as this. And here's a wing! Eventually these pieces will be reassembled, I hope! Here's a bunch of engines laying around. (These displays are still a work in progress, if you couldn't figure that out.) Here's the business end of a rocket! The museum just moved to a new location. Outdoors, they have a display of various aircraft, rockets and the like. Oh, of course! I have arrived at the National Museum of Nuclear Science & History! Time to sample another of Albuquerque's attractions. Hmm, what might this model of the atom mean? And if family fun isn't your thing, TD's Show Club is located directly across the street. (Say it out loud... "TD's..." "TD's..." Got it now?) I couldn't resist one last shot of New Mexico Rattler's lift hill. By the way, Cliff's is celebrating 50 years of family fun this year! Albuquerque's elevation is 5,312 feet above sea level. If that's not high enough, Cliff's provides this drop tower to give you an added, albeit momentary, boost. For those who wonder what became of Holiday World's Banshee, here is your answer. It's at Cliff's! (Seriously, this is it!) It tilts. It whirls. It's the Tilt-A-Whirl. Their bumper cars, with their light show (hard to see because of my flash) reminded me a bit of the El Dorado bumper cars at Coney Island. Without the pre-recorded mild profanity, of course. The Sidewinder is one of the newer rides at Cliff's. Here's some more train scenery. For the record, nothing happens here. Here's a glimpse of the New Mexico Rattler as seen from the train. By the way, Cliff's is celebrating 50 years of family fun this year! ...and offering you a view of the entry plaza and log flume. During your ride, park employees chase the train to guard all the crossings. The train takes you on a tour of the park, past this Old West scenery... Let's take a ride on the train, shall we? Shield your eyes, it's another Scary Clown Wall-Face! It's the Fire Ball! Nah, I didn't ride. Anybody else see a bit of Waldameer in this shot? Or is it just me? Oh, thank God you survived! Look out, kids! Underground tunnel ahead! Here's the first drop as seen from the kiddie rides area. For dominating the park as much as it does, this coaster is fairly tough to photograph. A train travels up the lift. By the way, Cliff's is celebrating 50 years of family fun this year! The star attraction is the New Mexico Rattler, the last coaster CCI ever... started. CCI went belly-up during construction, leaving the park to finish the job, presumably at added expense & certainly with added aggravation. (FUN FACT: Use the left entry for the back car and the right entry for the front car! Prefer the middle? Figure it out!) Cliff's also boasts a collection of Scary Clown Wall-Faces. They have one of these. It's called The Big Flush, just like the one at Indiana Beach. (FUN FACT: The two parks had the same ad agency at the time.) Their Galaxi looks almost showroom-new, and it gives a nice ride too. Look right, and here's your view. By the way, Cliff's is celebrating 50 years of family fun this year! Upon entering Cliff's, look left and this is what you see.

From looking at Adam's trip report, it appears that the park is getting some crowds in the evening; it's the daytime hours that look to be the challenge. So it's worth noting that the cheap ticket deal is only available until 4pm, presumably an hour or two before crowds start to show up on a typical day. While the price point is really aggressive, in essence they're giving away only what they're having trouble selling. I wonder if an adjustment to operating hours may be on the way, especially if the park isn't packed during the day on the 4th. If they do find the market responds to price, then maybe it's time to look at selling separate early/late ride sessions (like Indiana Beach used to), with the early session being significantly lower priced. It's all a learning process, and I hope they find the right formula to make it work.