Photo TR: Our Mid-West Weekend (HW, SFKK and KI)

[CoasterFanatic]

This past weekend, Catrina and I wanted to get away but we weren't really sure where. After a little bit of hotel research on Friday, I found that we could get a good room in Louisville for about $50 a night. So, at noon on Friday we decided to hid a couple parks in the Mid-West over the weekend including Catrina's favorite waterpark!

 

Saturday - 7/14 - Holiday World

 

Here we are. At opening and the park is not yet that crowded. This would change in a matter on minutes as people make their way to the back of the waterpark. This had to be the busiest I have yet to encounter here.

 

Holiday World's newest attraction, Bakuli, is welcoming it' s first riders of the day while The Voyage wait's in the background. A sign in the front of the park notified customers that The Voyage would be opening late today. It still managed to open by around 12pm or so.

 

The first slide I went to was Zoombabwe. If you visit Splashing Safari, I will strongly suggest that you hit the big slides first thing in the morning. After that, you can expect hour long waits that work all the way down the stairs on busy days.

 

By one o'clock, the Bahari wave pool was already crowded with patrons.

 

Although shade is at a premium inside of the waterpark, the area is surrounded by dense woodlands (and cornfields).

 

Jungle Jets allow the waterpark's smaller patrons an opportunity to cool off on hot days like today. Notice the line for Jungle Racers in the background.

 

I am not sure if Zoombabwe is still the longest enclosed slide, but it is REALLY long.

 

Even with these massive lunchtime crowds, it still only took a minute or two to get some food. Kudos to Holiday World for having a good collection of options. The food bill for the whole day was about $26 for both Catrina and I. That included two snacks and dinner (along with unlimited drinks). Not too bad.

 

The Jungle Racers are fun to watch, but I tend to stay away from them after the abuse a certain part of my anatomy took on my first experience on them.

 

Zoombabwe exits into the pool.

 

After changing, we headed into the park to grab some rides. Gobbler Getaway was the first and Catrina beat me for once in this interactive dark ride shooter. For some unknown reason, however, our scores reset about 3 times during the ride.

 

Oh crap! You mean to tell me this is the line for Voyage! Actually ... it turned out that they were only using a couple of the switch backs inside the building and the wait was only about 25-30 minutes. I managed to grab two rides with one of them being at dusk and this ride still delivers. It has a couple little rough spots, but nothing that detracts from the ride as a whole. Still my favorite!

 

A train heading up the lifthill.

 

Coming back!

 

Heading down the first drop.

 

More Notes on The Voyage:

The ride was running two trains and dispatching at a pretty good interval. The line really did seem to move pretty well. In the station, loading procedures are the same as has been the case on previous visits. I didn't see any stapling and all of my rides were experienced with the lap bar touching my legs instead of pressing them down. The crews were all very safety minded (checking belts, bars and height restrictions) but friendly and accommodating also.

 

Next up was the HolloSwings. Even with a 2 cycle wait, we got on in no time. Not much different than other wave swingers, but the theme is definitely unusual.

 

After a great ride on the Legend, we headed over to the Raven where I would get a ride the way it meant to be experienced.

 

Overall, all the coasters were running very well. I heard some people down by Voyage commenting on how rough the Legend was, but I didn't notice anything like that on my ride. All the coasters at Holiday World (except Howler) are very intense and a little roughness should be expected. These are not gentle machines. They are wild and crazy wooden masterpieces.

 

Unfortunately, I forgot to get a picture of it during the day, but here is a shot of Holiday World's Liseburg/Applause award.

 

Sunday - 7/15 - Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom

 

Ok, enough with the Holiday World lovefest. After checking out of our room in Louisville, it was now time to head to the Kentucky State Fairgrounds so Catrina could get some missed credits.

 

We had both been to the park before, but it was during the Kentucky State Fair and it was nice to be able to check out the park while it was operating within it's normal perimeters.

 

We arrived at the park a little before opening and so far ... so good.

 

Catrina looks excited to expand her coaster count a little bit. Even if it does include a first generation SLC.

 

About 15 minutes before the gates open and the characters outside are getting everybody worked up. I know that we haven't even entered the park yet, but it looks like there have been some changes in the Six Flags organization. The employees seem to be cheerful (as opposed to apathetic) and this would carry out throughout the day inside the park too.

 

It is the little things like this that will keep the families coming back to the park. The expression on this kids face is priceless.

 

Sorry ... don't think I will be riding you today.

 

Catrina wanted to get a picture with Batman. After assuring me that she wasn't going to run off to Gotham with the home wrecker I obliged. Actually, I am not really sure that he would be able to run very far at all with the leather cape in tow. It was about 100 degrees outside and I imagine that he would suffer heat stroke within seconds.

 

Waiting for the rope to drop.

 

Chang looks pretty with it's new paint job and all, but as they say "You can't polish a turd". It is still as packed with head-banging goodness as i remembered.

 

Catrina missed the SLC on our first visit, so I was obligated to ride this one again. Not smooth, by any stretch of the imagination, but it was the kind of rough that you could laugh at.

 

Catrina couldn't remember if she rode Thunder Run on our last visit or not so we gave it a lap just to make sure. I really enjoyed the ride on our last visit, but it was pretty craptacular this day. Not much action over the hills and the roughness was of the "so bad I can't see clearly" variety.

 

I think this is the face of disapproval.

 

Next up was the Carousel (complete with certifiable operator who demanded that we go "weeee!" on each rotation).

 

Catrina suggested that I see on this "Camel" and ride next to her. I am pretty sure that this is not a camel, but I am not quite sure what kind of creature it is.

 

"Ahhhhhh"

 

Twisted Twins would be the last coaster for us at Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom. On our last visit, only one side was operating and we couldn't remember which one we rode (how's that for a memorable ride), so we did them both.

 

The shiny and sweaty newlyweds.

 

In Kentucky, we had to fill up the rollerskate before heading to our final park of the trip.

 

Sunday - 7/15 - Kings Island

 

Upon our arrival at the park, we were welcomed with this sign. Not that we had any intentions of riding it, but I found it funny that it was closed for maintenance not 2 weeks after reopening.

 

Something is just "not right" with this Topiary. I mean, maybe my mind is in the gutter but ...

 

Cmon!

 

Ok ... I can't resist .... "Through the trees!"

 

Throughout the park, it is obvious that they are trying to remove all mentions of Paramount and replacing them with Cedar Fairish text. But, don't you think this is at least a little egocentric?

 

Our main purpose for visiting the park today was to get a ride on Firehawk. Since we both count relocated coasters (like another aging enthusiast who shall remain nameless).

 

With 4 hours left to drive home, I think we will pass.

 

Goodbye Kings Island.

 

At least you still look pretty.

 

Now it's time for the "exciting" trip back home. Gotta love Ohio.

 

If the TPR Mid-west happens to pass by these billboards on 71, I am expecting ... no demanding ... a group photo.

 

While passing through Columbus, we noticed that Magin Mountain was open, but we gave it a pass

 

Thanks for reading and feel free to post your comments.

[ImAPrincess]

You're a dork

 

I'm demanding the awesome picture of you posing with your towel at the water park...hairy chest and all!

 

 

 

 

-Catrina "I love Holiday World, but won't ride the coasters" Cromwell

[Rugged One]

Great pics Ted, especially of Splashin Safari. IMO, it's one of, if not thee best included with admission waterparks out there.

 

So how was the Legend running through the four corners of doom? I remember being very disappointed during last year's rides. It really seemed to lose steam during the second half of the ride.

 

What's up with Thunder Run? It always seemed to give good rides the last couple of years we've ridden it. Hopefully you just caught it on a bad day.

[CoasterFanatic]

^ The Legend was screaming through the "4 Corners" and pretty much the whole ride. Of course, this is taking into account that I rode it at night, but it was MUCH MUCH better than at Holiwood Nights last year.

 

I think those good rides on Thunder Run may all be in the past. It was shuffling so bad that it didn't have speed left for the hills that used to provide decent floater air. Overall, a pretty crappy experience on it (and I used to really like it).

[Wes]

The dick topiary better still be there in three weeks.

[bgwfreak]

yeah I can't believe management let the topiary slide. How can you NOT think it looks at least a little dirty.

 

Nice to see the newlyweds out and about.

 

Too bad I didn't get the Thunder Run credit when it was decent in 2005, something about the stupid belt wouldn't fit me. Course I was about 30lbs heavier, but the belt was so weird having the buckle all the way at the bottom, not like most PTCs.

 

Hope you guys make it to C3 this year.

[FeelTheFORCE]

Any word on why SoB has been closed lately? Are they just testing some things or something?

[cfc]

The dick topiary better still be there in three weeks.

 

If so, I suspect that much suggestive tomfoolery and many hijinks will ensue.

 

Excellent report, Ted.

[SteveC]

...After changing, we headed into the park to grab some rides. Gobbler Getaway was the first and Catrina beat me for once in this interactive dark ride shooter. For some unknown reason, however, our scores reset about 3 times during the ride.....

 

Face it Ted, you were beaten by a girl, stop trying to justify the fact

 

The HW waterpark has expanded significantly since my last visit to in in 2004 and looks a lot of fun!

 

Cool TR

 

Cheers

 

Steve C

[FLIPDUDE]

Hm... Doesnt look like you got alot of rides in.

 

makes me worrie dabout my time at the parks

[CoasterFanatic]

^ Worry not. Catrina and I move through the parks as we please and anyone who has hung around us knows that we don't run from ride to ride (although there is nothing wrong with that). I am sure that Robb will allot more than enough time for everyone on the trip to get the rides they want.

 

In the UK, we found that (even at our pace) we had more than enough time to ride everything and even ride the better stuff over and over.

[methos]

One happy set of Husband and Wife out enjoying a nice park.

 

Congrats you too you both look great.

 

Was drop zone running when you were their ted?

[CoasterFanatic]

Was drop zone running when you were their ted?

 

Nope.

[ImAPrincess]

Steve, I beat him at shoot 'em games (and Skeeball) all the time...I let him win once in a while so he doesn't feel so bad

 

I will give him props for Men in Black, but he has been on it 100 times more than me...

[SteveC]

Catrina -you are very generous giving the MIB credit - but hey, I guess its still the honeymoon period?

 

On a serious but off topic note - MANY MANY congratulations to you both, and I hope to see you on a TPR excursion in 2008/09?

 

Go shoot em up Ted- and try to catch up with the wife

[Coaster Palooza]

Great report Ted. I am glad to see you are back to work.

 

It must be nice to be so close to so many great parks.

[raptor6]

I went on Son of Beast on Sunday July 8 and I thought that I was going to die on one of the worst roller coasters ever.

[Guest]

Great TR Ted! That topiary is awesome, I might have to take a picture of that when I am there in August. So many dirty possibilities!!

 

Katie, what you didn't break out the FatBat suit for SFKK?, O.

[Eagle Rider]

Chang looks pretty with it's new paint job and all, but as they say "You can't polish a turd". It is still as packed with head-banging goodness as i remembered.

 

I just spit wine all over my keyboard.

 

Thanks for a good TR!

[PKI Jizzman]

Nice TR! I'm very worried about my trip to SFKK in the next few weeks, but at least Deluge is open!

 

 

Oh, and the floral versions of the Eiffel Tower are still there.

 

 

For all those wondering, I haven't heard anything on Drop Zone, nor seen any people in the station or near it.

 

SoB was testing for a while yesterday...and opened for about 10 minutes. Three train-fulls of guests later, it closed for the day. I say they tear SoB down and use the wood for paper and pencils for schools in Nicaragua!