Nor Easter 08 Trip report

[mrceagle]

Nor Easter is a non-coaster riding Regional ACE event. It was healed in Natick Massachusetts. This was the same location the event was held in 2 years ago. After Lake Compounce last year this felt like a downgrade. But the Snacks were plentiful including freshly mad fried Oreos.

 

I ended up getting there a little late. Didn’t really miss anything, one game. Only information I missed was that Six flags New England and Lake Compounce would not be attending the event. LC had the Fan site walk through the same day while SFNE Said they were having a job fair and wouldn’t be able to send them. They did send a DVD with videos from previous attractions and the teaser video for Dark Night. All these videos can be found online.

 

Presentations started with the introductions of representatives from the New York Region of ACE and The Western NY Coaster club. ACE NY has an event Planed for Labor Day weekend. The parks will be at Darien Lake with ERT on Moto Coaster, Ride of Steel, etc as well as Martins Fantasy Island with ERT on Silver Comet and Wild Mouse. There was also of a small event in late Jun at Magic Forest in Lake George NY. The Western NY Coaster Club has an event at Canadian Wonderland. It will be held on August 31st with ERT on the new Behemoth and more.

 

New England ACE had a few updates. Funtown Fest will not be held this year. I later found out that the park made this choice in response to the Preservation Conference being held in this area. There will however be an event at Canobie Lake Park. No further information was giving since this event is still being planed. There was also a reminder of The Preservation conference to be held at LC, SFNE, and Quassy.

 

Funtown/Splashtown USA sent Ed Hodgton, Marketing Manager, down from Saco, Maine to talk to us. He restated that Futnown Fest would not be held in 08 but they hope to bring it back in 09. The new addition to the park this year will be a new Redemption Arcade located behind the bumper cars. The park plans to continue expanding Splashtown their water park in 2009. They plan to expand into an open grass area that is now used as a corporate picnic ground. They might ass something for the dry park within the next 2 years but nothing has been planed. The Galaxy has also been taken off the market and will stay for the time being.

 

Quassy sent us a presentation that talked about their 100year history. Some Key historical information: Celebrating it’s 100th anniversary. Opened as a trolley park by the CT Trolley Co and is one of only 11 trolley parks remaining. Original dance hall now holds the parks arcade. In 1983 the park added the Hershell Mad Mouse in place of their wood wild mouse and is one of only a few remaining in the world. Park expanded form just a beachfront to a water park in 2003, which was expanded in 06. According to their ride height list There will be 2 new rides. Galleon Pirate ship and a Giant slide

 

After a short brake and a Coaster Con Memories video made by Poul Coloumb, I personally got up and talked about other parks. I talked about the parks in NH as well as the New Whalom Park Ownership Program.

 

Santa’s Village is getting a new ride this year. The new Wave Swinger will be called Rocking around the Christmas Tree. They are building a new Flume station building. LARC as well as the upcoming down town, which should start construction in a few years, designed the station building. RWS will be presenting 3 all new shows this year. The RWS presentation of “One Upon a Christmas” show won the Golden ticket for best show in its price range.

 

Story Land will be focusing on shows this year. They have removed their Circus World Animatronic show and will be replacing it with a live music show. They are also adding the Royal Hannaford Circus, which just ended a long run at Adventure Land.

 

Canobie Lake Park is replacing 2 rides this year. Ocean trip and Round up are out, they will be replaced with Boston Harbor Patrol and Zero Gravity. Matterhorn’s spot will get something new but not a ride. After the success of the Giant Popcorn stand Canobie will be adding a giant Hot Dog themed stand. The Soul Man Show will return to the Western Stage this year. 4 new shows will be introduced: A dog action act in the Dane Hall Theater. A boy band show as well as Bob the Builder live will perform on the Midway Stage. Saturday Night Fireworks are under a new fireworks company.

 

New Whalom Park Ownership Program is a group of individuals working to reopen a park with a classic heart under the Whalom name. At this time we’re on the ground Floor. Lawyers have been contacted to crate a company and trademarks processed. The biggest news for the project is the Boards newest Member, Andy Probert. Andy has a vast back ground in both entertainment and amusement parks. A few notable projects include Back to the Future, Tron and a long stay with Disney Imaginering. We’re in contact with PTC about getting the blue prints for the Flyer Comet.

 

The rest of the day consisted of Talking, more videos, A Quiz show game called Hot Potato, and door prizes. I got a Couple tickets to Quassy from the door prize table. Other prizes included Tickets to Canobie Lake Park and Delgrossos. a lot shirts, poster, and cups form LC, Cyclone, and SNE.

 

The day went well. There was a good turn out. In fact there were a few comments bout it having a better turn out then some of the summer coaster riding events. It’s always good to meet up with people you don’t get to see much. My Family, a friend and I finished our day at Jordan’s furniture.

 

Jordan’s Furniture in Natick is home to the Bourbon Street Experience. The inside of the store is themed to New Orleans Bourbon Street. The street sets span a large area with animatronics that come out of door or are out on balconies. The main attraction is The Mardi Gras FX show. The show features video Animatronics lighting and props during this 20-minute show. We ate Dinner at the Kelly’s Roast beef which is in the building. While we didn’t do them the store also has an Imax Theater as well as a Bose store, which has an interesting little show.

 

Photo’s coming soon!!