Waldameer 5/17/2008

[kidcoaster 2]

I left Conneaut lake at 11am and started my way up. I was afraid of the weather as it was pouring all morning here. But it eventually cleared up.

 

I arrived at Waldameer at 11:45 and got my wrist band. One of the first things I noticed is that the park is DEAD there was maybe five people on the south end of the park. Now I knew they were all at the Flyer and they were.

 

Ravine Flyer ll

When I got in Queue the line was about to breach the entrance. But I waited the 1 hour wait. When I arrived they were doing radio Station rides to people who won Contests. It took that about 30 mins for those rides. They were selling tickets at 4.50 dollars a piece but I found out that the Ravine Flyer 2 would be included in the Ride A Ramas. That saved me so much money.

 

The thing that I did not like about the ride was the Operations. It was about 5-7 minutes to dispatch. First they would wait till the train hits the last park of the course before they fill the station with the rides of the next ride. then when the train came in after stoping on the break run and drifting in slowly to the station. They would open the restraints and let the rides out. Wait for all of the rides to exit before letting the next group on. They would sit down and alot of people had trouble with the seat belts. The would the wald to the front and check the seat belts then they would walt to the front of the train again and lower the restraints then they would check those. Before walking to the back of the station and giving a thumbs up.

 

Then it was away we go. As you hit that dip out of the station you get an excited feeling. Then as you cimb the lift you get an anticipated as you look round you see the turn around and the Tom Ridge Center. When you get to the top you get a breathtaking view of Lake Erie and Presque. Before you plummet down the first drop. You get your face pulled back a bit then you fly into the first tunnel. Then on to the bridge. You get some amazing floater there. Then you hit the Turn around you get pushed to the side the whole way around before Creasing the top. It slows dow a bit there so you can get one more view of Lake Erie before Plummeting back down and across the bridge Where you get another helping of floater. Then it's into the Tunnels.

 

The whole way throughout you get plenty of helpings of -G's then its up the hill where you fly around a turn and over a hill where you get another hit of -G's. you fly through a turn around and past the crowd in line where you hit the 90 degree turn back down the hill then quickly up the hill under the lift into some bunny hops for more floater. And a quick turn into the breaks then you get slammed to a stop. You drift down the breaks and into the station. Where paul Nelson and Steve Gorman are standing alond with the Media. lt was time for a round of applause. Before getting off and doing it again.

 

Park

 

But I didn't the park was empty and I wanted to take advantage of it. When walking around it was easy to tell they were expecting a huge crowd he today everything was over staffed. 2 people on the Comet, 4 on the Steel Dragon, several in Kiddie Land. But as the day went on the lowered the numbers. But anyway I went on the Comet next. Even though it is now not the top woodie of Waldameer I still enjoyed the ride as I was getting off the ride op ask if I like the Comet or the Flyer more I said the Flyer and he said "don't take it out on the Comet". I think the ride had only 20 riders all day. But next I rode the Ali Baba fun ride no wait.

 

Then Thunder River was next . Got into a conversation with one of the ride ops about the Flyer. The I rode They had the mist working for once. Which was nice but very cold. On the first drop there was no water . which was weird. But the ride was fun. to many logs being run though.

 

Well next was the Steel Dragon with its for Ride Operators. The one on the gate I found really annoying. I sat down and shut my Harness he then said it has to click 2 if you want to ride. But I did click it twice. I told him that and he then pushed down to click it again.And it was squeezing my stomach. They were messing around the whole time. by Taking turns riding and Distracting the main Op. The ride it's self was a let down It seemed to have got slower.But then I hit the Flyer again this time in the back seat. I like the front best.

 

After my ride I meant with some guys from Coasterbuzz and we all meant for dinner at Syd's place just down the rode from the park. The Food was really great and not bad priced either. The were very adventurous on the menu. They had about everything. I can definitely say I will be back.

 

We then went back to the park. And got in line for the Flyer the line was alot shorter this time. We waited about 30 mins and when we got into the station they decided to start no single rides. I find that kind of rule stupid. As I go to parks alot by myself as do others. I hope they don't don't ontinue with that rule. after i got off I hit the Wacky Shack and the Pirates Cove. both walk ons. They were both fun.

 

My littlest brother decided he would ride the Ravine Flyer 2. It took a while to coax him into riding it. We had to do the samething for the Villain at GL. But he did and when we got in line we only had to wait 15 minutes. We rode the second from back car. Still go as the rest but not as good as the front.

 

After that ride I hit up the Comet once again then the Train. The guy running it was mad when we got in line as he had a mad expression. I only rode to see how the Flyer looked. They Changed the turn around so it is right up against the bluff and turning around under the flyer. It left alot of space for future projects down there in the turn around.

 

We ended the day on the Bumper Cars we got 7 rides straight before they closed the park at 8:45. 15 minutes early. All well the day was fun and I will be back Tuesday for the TPR Video shoot. On the Ravine Flyer 2.

Im Ken Jones and I approve this Coaster.

[raptor6]

Sound like you had a great time! Hopefully the Ravine Flyer II crew will get better at loading trains when I visit later this month.

 

Oh and a small request: the next time you post a long trip report, it would be a lot easier to read if you would break up the giant paragraph into several smaller ones. Your ideas are jumping all over the place making somewhat challenging to follow.

[ginzo]

That kind of sucks that opening day was so slow. Let's hope that word of mouth picks up on this. Waldameer is a great little park. I can't wait to ride RFII one week from today.