Camp Snoopy/Mall of America TR

[pvcoasterguy]

Sorry, there are no photos. I couldn't fit anything else in my carry-on. First, I have a funny airport story.

 

I'm going through security at the Spokane airport, take my shoes off, take my belt off, take my watch off, and shove everything into the x-ray machine. I go through the metal detector... an alarm goes off, but not on the metal detector, on the x-ray machine. So, they have to take everything out of my suitcase and examine it through this "special" machine that they have, my shoes have to be tested with this "bomb" powder. So, they find my bathroom stuff (comb, hair gel, shaving cream, razor, etc.) they found two things that set off the alarm, and they thought they were plastic explosives: my bottle of shampoo and my shaving cream. It took them thirty minutes to go through my entire bag... awesome. Great job TSA!

 

Anyways, on to the park.

 

Only had about 4-4 1/2 hours at the mall, but it was still a ton of fun.

 

To get to the mall, we took the light rail system that they have connecting a ton of places in Minneapolis, including the airport and the mall. It took about ten mintues to get from the airport to the mall. It was $1.75 going to the mall (rush hour) and $1.25 coming back. Pretty good deal.

 

First, we went to the Timberland Twister, a Gerstlauer spinning coaster, I think exactly the same model as the one at Worlds of Fun. It was a lot of fun... the spinning wasn't too fast, but it was enought to make it more disorienting. It was a little rough in a few spots, but it's nothing to complain about. I liked it a lot more than Rajun Cajun at Six Flags Great America, just a standard Zamperla/Reverchon model. 8/10. Tip: Here's what the ride operator said to do to make the cars spin faster: "If you have two people, have both of them sit on the same side of the car (to offset the weight). Also, lean to the side to make your car spin a little faster." This principle worked a little... it was evident that we spun faster.

 

Then we headed over to Ghost Blasters, a Sally dark ride. For my first ride, my gun didn't work at all. But for my second ride, it did. It was a nice little ride, there were some nice effects in it, but it seemed more fit for a carnival. Here's how I see it. Mardi Gras Madness < Ghost Blasters < Men In Black. 6/10.

 

Then we went on the Pepsi Ripsaw coaster. It wasn't too terribly intense, but it was very, very smooth. We got a little bit of airtime on one hill in the front seat. Nice relaxing coaster. 6/10.

 

The Falling Star (Screamin' Yellow Eagle) was next. I was suprised as they ran it so it gave you airtime at the top. Most major parks don't do that. It was nice to see that they were doing that... best ride for airtime outside of coasters. But, go to Adventureland in Iowa if you want a real Falling Star ride... ours is run insanely, with a ton of positive and negative G's. 7/10.

 

We went on Paul Bunyan's Log Ride next. The theming was pretty good, especially for Cedar Fair. We didn't get wet at all, other than a few drops of water. They had the water level very low in the splashdown areas, so you didn't get very wet. The drop in the dark was a nice touch, a little like Dudley. The final drop was surpsingly big. 7.5/10.

 

We then went on the Tampico Tumbler, a suprisingly fun ride. The cars get very close! The ride motion is hard to describe, other than fun! 7.5/10

 

Our last ride, other than repeats was the Kite-Eating Tree, a Zamperla Wave Swinger. I like these rides... very relaxing and fun. 7/10.

 

Camp Snoopy was a nice little stop, and we were glad that we went. Thanks to all who gave their advice. The park was dead; no lines other than a very short one for Timberland Twister. The op's were mainly efficient. Overall: 7.5/10.

[SharkTums]

I'm glad you had a good time! I think the best ride in that park is the Tumbler, I miss that ride from Knotts!

 

Elissa "silly airport security" Alvey