TR: PKD June 27, 2005

[pianojohn]

Again, another trip to a theme park on my one day off a week! This time, I brought along 3 friends from the show to PKD, or as I called it the "ghetto Kings Island!"

 

Well, the last time I was at the park was 1999, and things have really changed!! It seemed cleaner, friendlier, and the rides all ran! What a concept!

 

We started at Hypersonic since I assumed this would be the longest line of the day. 10 minutes later we were on! The ride is short and intense, and I felt the launch portion has too short a piece of track before the ascent. I rode Dodonpa in Japan 2 years ago, and the launch was much longer.

Anyway, got the credit and moved on!

 

Did Richochet for the credit then the Hurler. What a shame! This coaster used to be fun, smooth, and themed! Now it was rough, rough, and looked like sh*t! The rails were all rusty, the station is like a furnace, and there really isn't anything redeeming about it!

 

Did Rebel Yell but only one side was running. Still not a bad ride.

 

Volcano was next and boy was I pleasantly surprised! I had ridden it a few years back and didn't think much of it. But this time it was running great, smooth as glass, and a blast! And they were cycling trains REALLY fast! We got a ride in 20 minutes and rode again later in the day in about 10. Awesome!

 

Right across from Volcano is Tomb Raider. Although we didn't ride it, the ride looked awesome, there was tons of water, steam, and fire effects, and a sound track. Great job PKD!!

 

Flight of Fear was next. I had ridden it back in its headbanging OTS restraint days, so I was looking forward to it. Well, the NEW lap bar comes down at such a weird angle that I was forced to sit with my back off the back pad and my knees bent way up. VERY uncomfortable.

 

The ride itself was OK, but on the mid course brake we came to a dead stop! After a few seconds we started moving again, but it really killed the momentum of the ride.

 

I did see an AWESOME show: School of Rock Live. Now, I have worked in theme parks in the Entertainment department for almost 20 years, so I have seen and done a LOT of shows. However, this show was by far the loudest, most un-theme park type show I have seen! The music was live (a BIG plus in my book), the songs were rock (not FM lite rock but real classic rock stuff by Pat Benatar, AC DC, even Nirvana!) and the singers really belted it out. If you like classic rock and the movie, do NOT miss this show! I am looking forward to seeing it again at PKI in 2 weeks! But be warned: it is LOUD!!!

 

The rest of the day was spent at the water park checking out the fashions (or lack thereof) and the plethora of tatoos. What fun!

 

Next week: Busch Gardens Williamsburg then a road trip from Roanoke, VA to Ohio and back to Orlando with stops at PKI, Wyandot Lake, Cedar Point, SFKK, Holiday World, Lake Winnie, and SFOG! Whew! Any advice for SFKK, Holiday World, or Lake Winnie since those will be virgin parks to me? Thanks!!