speedracer

Like alot of folks around here I also have a facination with abandoned parks, so I figured I'd post a few pics of CA's very own abandonded park. Was up in Guernville last weekend for Thanksgiving weekend, was surprised to see anything left of J's Amusements Park, been almost 3yrs ago now since the park ceased operating. The park itself was pretty ghetto, but had a really stunning setting nestled among mountains and California redwoods: Few rides still left around: Probably time to update the open sign: Mad Mouse was definitely the star attraction: Never understood the point of abandoned parks, seems like the rides would be worth more to the owner being sold off instead of just letting them rot away. Few bonus shots also taken last weekend. For those that say Medusa West has no landscaping, I say !: Pretty sad that she looks better from outside the park than she does from inside: From the right angle, wouldn't even guess this is Medusa West!: One last sunset shot, thanks for reading!:

Have a feeling the $4 billion mentioned is the total cost of the entire project, of which the theme park is only one portion of: http://www.internationalwest.com/Downloads/Land_Use_3.jpg Assuming these were just initial plans, looks pretty small and generic: http://www.internationalwest.com/Downloads/Illustrative_3.jpg MGM is mentioned a few times in this article, along with a separate waterpark and an aquarium similiar to Atlanta's: http://www.ocregister.com/ocregister/homepage/abox/article_1363761.php Sounds more like a USF than an IOA: http://www.ocregister.com/ocregister/homepage/abox/article_1354194.php

Stumbled across this cool little vid of Freedomland circa 1963: http://weirdovideotoo.blogspot.com/search/label/Carnies

^^ Means nothing. No doubt the developers will find "document and destroy" as the most feasible alternative.

too cute!

^ Exactly, Cyclone is safe for now, but once those upscale condos go up, it'll be deemed too noisy or something to operate in a residential zone.

http://www.baynewsbrooklyn.com/site/tab1.cfm?newsid=17477081&BRD=2384&PAG=461&dept_id=552847&rfi=6 If anyone honestly thinks a loud roaring new roller coaster or any other rides roaring in and out of high end retail and residential buildings will actually get greenlit to the final plan, I have a nearby bridge to sell you. Pretty common for any idea pitch to promise all kinds of elaborate plans to get the project approved. But in the end, it's all about what will make the most money, a loud roller coaster outside of expensive condos is not a selling point. All irrevelant anyways, money talks, once he gets his residential rezone and just turns around and sells off for a HUGE profit to other residential/commercial developers, they'll have their own plans for the property which I guarantee you will not include a new roller coaster.

The beginning of the end of Coney Island: http://www.nydailynews.com:80/front/breaking_news/story/475336p-399820c.html Had a great run, really unfortunate that yet another classic american amusement park has to make way for "progress".

^ I just personally have no tolerance for total racist arsewipes, famous or not. Just boggles my mind that there are people out there who think this was ok and are actually defending and justifying what he did, that's all.

^^ Agreed. In the heat of the moment, his true colors were shown. No candy coating it or making excuses to justify using such hateful racist bigoted remarks to verbally attack a paying customer. He's a performer, he's getting paid by the audience to perform and entertain. Boo hoo, he got heckled, I put up with 100 times the crap and BS from my clients at my job than he ever does standing on a stage telling jokes. But I have to keep my composure under any circumstance and put up with all the crap because that's part of my job to do so. He could have easily used any numerous choices of insults to fire back, but what did he resort to? That is where he crossed the line of just telling "jokes". And of course he's all apologetic now, what else do you all possibly think he or anybody else in his place would now be doing? His racism was exposed for all the world to see, to do anything else but apologize would be career suicide (hello Mel!). Has nothing to do with actual regret, just trying to cover his racist ass.

^ it's only funny until someone gets hurt . . . then it's hysterical!

No big loss in my opinion, BFR was the least exciting rapids ride I've ever been on. And with one of the best rapids rides now just a few miles away, really no point keeping it. Especially if it's removal is actually for the rumoured huge park expansion: http://www.screamscape.com/html/knott_s_expansion_0.htm

At least it's still for sale and didn't get scrapped: http://www.italintl.com/detail_page.php?record_id=822 Thought it was a totallly fun family coaster, hope it finds a good home.

Take a guess who wins! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TvGZJdgO7g0

When I heard the rumours of a spinner at KBF, I was crossing my fingers it wouldn't be just another Zamperla or Reverchon cloned carnival POS. This far exceeds my expectations, much bigger and a more elaborate layout than I ever expected from CF. Put me in the camp of the impressed. Just hoping that CF now understands and realizes the benefit of theming (Maverick), they'll do something more than just plop this down on a slab of concrete.

^ That makes more sense. With basically gutting that section of the park for SB, if having to clear Jaguar was the only reason for the elevated track, why didn't they just design the first drop and supports away from Jaguar? Having basically a clean slate of flat land to work with, with only a small section of Jaguar to clear, no reason why the first drop had to be placed and elevated right over Jaquar. Bummer if we did lose the Walter K just because of a budget cutback. Should have just waited till they had the funds to finish the lake the right way to keep Walter K. cruising . But I guess cement looks better than a nice scenic lake/boat ride .

^^ Oh ok about the Goliath car, it's pristine condition is what threw me off. And was just used to seeing GCI's trains at IAPPA with the park/ride logo on the front rather than the logo of a sponsor.

Parksmania has an update: http://www.parksmania.it/english-news_news_iaapa-attractions-expo-2006--first-pictures_2393.html So it looks as if both Fabbri and Chance/Morgan now have their own version of a 4D? And who's getting the Coca Cola GCI? And the B&M Speedcoaster?

Don't know if this was just enthusiass talk, but wasn't the purpose of building SB so high above the lake was so that the Walter K could still keep running under it? Anyone know for sure, just recall hearing this somewhere and was surprised when they filled in the lake anyways. Otherwise, why build SB so high off the ground, a nice big first drop would've been way better.

Confirmed on Macks' latest press release: http://www.mack-rides.com/en/mack/press_review/smileys2007.php

Thanks for making me look, I think I just threw up a little in my mouth .

Looks like a pretty extensive rehab: http://www.srcphotography.com/gallery/displayimage.php?album=lastup&cat=9&pos=218 http://www.srcphotography.com/gallery/displayimage.php?album=lastup&cat=9&pos=220

The 1928 built Montaña Suiza may actually be the oldest operating: http://www.rcdb.com/ig1449.htm?picture=6

^ Yeah doesn't look at all like the original park, which is a good/bad thing. Good because this park offers alot more attractions than the original park ever did, so hopefully this will ensure the park stays around and relevent for alot longer than the original did. And it still retains it's down home small quaint park feel to it, even though it's now run by a major corp. No corp. tie in's or sponsorships, heavily family oriented, low key fun, has the same feel and spirit of the original park. My only beef is they didn't include the original Nut Tree Restaurant, the star attraction of the original park IMO. The food was SO good and unique, was the main reason people stopped at the Nut Tree. The rest was just filller to keep people busy while waiting for a table, just like Knott's with their Chicken Restaurant. Such a significant part of the original park, (along with the Candy Kitchen, Toy Shop, and Bakery), shame they didn't take the opportunity and advantage of including these in the new park. http://www.alamedainfo.com/nut_tree_CA.htm

Try ever since Paramount took over, classic park rides had been ripped out year after year unlike anything the park has ever seen in it's history. And alot of times without equivalent replacements or no replacements at all. As far as GL, the B.S. I heard was that PGA claimed replacement parts were no longer available, so they had to rip it out. We all know this isn't true, more like Paramount didn't feel like spending the money to keep this classic coaster running.