Playland/PNE (Vancouver) Discussion Thread

[Nrthwnd]

^ Yeah...uh....doesn't Playland have something like that, already?

...Except this only goes up and down, round and round. No tilting, here.

[Kamui]

Oops I meant to type Ballon Race

Something like this, probably way smaller

[Nrthwnd]

^ Actually, I'm not waiting till next Saturday, Opening Day, to see it. I'll probably get back to the park

on Wednesday afternoon, and hopefully, see it all completely assembled. And take pix of course!

 

(And anybody else can get over there and take more photos, too!)

[Kamui]

Seems like they started testing the wooden coaster.

The new ride looks interesting, can't think of anything similar.

 

https://mobile.twitter.com/johnrstreit/status/1122640072128499713

[Nrthwnd]

^ That's great! Last year, there were parts for Coaster that were very late, and it didn't open till July!

As for "the new ride," I still have the feeling it's a replacement swings ride, and that's it. But I am

going back to the park on Wednesday and hopefully, it'll all be put together....and maybe even testing!

Looks like a swings set to me.

...and speaking of a "nautical" flat ride.... at Drayton Manor, UK. Could be. Probably not. (o;

[Kamui]

Something interesting

The map on the Playland Physics Day Brochure

And another map from Marketing day

[Nrthwnd]

^ Yes, I remember seeing the change in the Wave Swinger on that Marketing Day map, as it's (almost) the same map posted on the wall of the Customer Service Bldg. It changed colour (to blue), and is numbered as '16' and not '18' like the old Wave Swinger was before, on the map online (see below). Thanks for posting both of the maps.

 

"Sea to Sky Swinger" huh? A bit wordy for a ride name. But that's okay.

And it looks like Corkscrew is definitely off the maps, now. And still For Sale.

It also looks like Alien Abduction and the Octopus are no more on the map, either.

 

FYI Trivia: The ride is named after the Highway 99 nickname,

that goes from the city, up to the mountains area, notably Whistler

and Cypress ski areas. With awesome scenic views along the way.

But now it's blue, and numbered #16!

The Sea To Sky Highway - Highway 99.

[Evan-500]

DailyHive has had a couple PNE/Playland related articles:

 

https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/pne-amphitheatre-new-rebuild-design

 

A recent planning update for the amphitheatre renewal provides a first glimpse of a preliminary design concept for rebuilding the venue into an attractive location for events.

 

There could be an expansive roof structure to cover the entirety of the outdoor venue’s grandstand and floor area to protect spectators from the elements. Such a roof that extends the operating season could be crucial to the venue’s financial success.

 

https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/playland-redevelopment-expansion-update-april-2019

 

At the moment, PNE staff are working towards a completion of the redevelopment’s business case, which may be done by 2020. Previous construction cost estimates peg this project at $120 million; staff are currently in the process of updating the cost and evaluating funding and alternative financing options.

 

After the approval of the business case, detailed planning and design could follow through 2022 — the possible start date for construction. It is anticipated the entire Playland renovation and expansion project will not be completed until 2028.

[Nrthwnd]

^ Great find there! Thanks for posting the links. Sadly, I will be what? 75 when this is all completed? Ah well. At least by then, with a Seniors' pass, I'll be able to walk through it all, with much bench sitting, and enjoy all the fun and atmosphere of the place.

 

Was there today, and except for not seeing the swings, I am wondering if this is all going to be put together and running, by Opening Day this Saturday? Time will tell. I'm sure they want to have it open by then. But then, there's ...life.

 

Here's the quick pix I took....

On closer look, the new ticket prices (+ Seniors' Day and Season Pa$$) not posted, yet.

Well, we definitely know what it's called, now.

And as I posted earlier, the new map shows S-t-S as #16. And all Blue/White.

And at the top of it, no sign of Corkscrew on this map. Boo Hoo.

The swings must be in there, somewhere.

And now we know where both the 'waves and the whales' went!

Mountains shot, before I left.

Edited May 2, 2019 by Nrthwnd

[Evan-500]

^ Great find there! Thanks for posting the links. Sadly, I will be what? 75 when this is all completed? Ah well. At least by then, with a Seniors' pass, I'll be able to walk through it all, with much bench sitting, and enjoy all the fun and atmosphere of the place.

 

Was there today, and except for not seeing the swings, I am wondering if this is all going to be put together and running, by Opening Day this Saturday? Time will tell. I'm sure they want to have it open by then. But then, there's ...life.

 

Here's the quick pix I took....

 

Interesting that they put a banner up but haven't announced the ride yet. I would assume with a banner up at the entrance it must mean it will be ready to go this weekend?

 

Also it looks like a unique and interesting design for a swing ride, I guess the old one expired? Do we think Hells Gate will operate this year?! Hah.

[Nrthwnd]

^ Ha ha, yeah Hells Gate, for sure! That, or Crazy Beach Party. Both have been down for extensive times during last season, but Hells Gate was the clear winner with "most of the entire season AND PNE" being down from time to time to time to....

 

For now, I think Playland has wanted to up their flat ride assortment, with newer more colourful rides, like this one. That, and since AtmosFEAR opened in 2011, they have actually added six* new family-friendly flat rides, including this one. And two thrill rides as well (AF and The Beast2015). So now, with Corkscrew finally up For Sale, I figure their next project will be a Coaster to take Corkscrew's place/footprint.

 

Hoping it's so, in a few years.

 

 

 

*Explorer Balloons; Bug Whirled; Dizzy Drop; Rock-N-Cars; Flutterbye; Sea-to-Sky Swinger.

What used to be first seen, when you entered Playland, in 2007.

Edited May 3, 2019 by Nrthwnd

[Evan-500]

^ Ha ha, yeah Hells Gate, for sure! That, or Crazy Beach Party. Both have been down for extensive times during last season, but Hells Gate was the clear winner with "most of the entire season AND PNE" being down from time to time to time to....

 

For now, I think Playland has wanted to up their flat ride assortment, with newer more colourful rides, like this one. That, and since AtmosFEAR opened in 2011, they have actually added six* new family-friendly flat rides, including this one. And two thrill rides as well (AF and The Beast2015). So now, with Corkscrew finally up For Sale, I figure their next project will be a Coaster to take Corkscrew's place/footprint.

 

Hoping it's so, in a few years.

 

 

 

*Explorer Balloons; Bug Whirled; Dizzy Drop; Rock'nRoll Bumper Cars; Flutterbyes; Sea-to-Sky Swinger.

 

Daily hive posted another article today confirming the Corkscrew is done, and being sold. The PNE spokesperson said its in preparation for the expansion as the corkscrew was right in the way of where the expansion would begin.

[Nrthwnd]

^ Noted.

Retro PNE: the original Mad Mouse. (Vancouver Archives)

[Nrthwnd]

Woo hoo! Playland finally opens today, 11 am PST for the 2019 season.

Open weekends only till June 14th. Then it'll be daily.

 

See you there! http://www.pne.ca

[Nrthwnd]

Well, I'll keep this part brief. Opening Day proved to be a bit of a mess, because... Nobody had the right key(s) to unlock the front entry gates until a 1/2 hour or so later. Although a lot of us pass holders were at the front of the queue, we then found out that Photo ID Passes would only be done at the "far right ticket booth". Getting into that queue we waited, and waited...and waited while the other single day ticket booths opened up for others w/o Season Passes. Till eventually, one of the staff came out front to tell us the "cameras aren't ready yet" so we have to save our print out passes for now, use them whenever we came back to the park, and eventually (they said next week) the ID Season Pass Booth would be up and running.

 

I shall not hold my breath till then. And once we got in, at least five of the flat rides weren't running. And "The New Ride," now known as Sea-to-Sky Swinger, wouldn't be ready till...next weekend.

 

Anyway, I got two rides in on Coaster, although then I found out my fave coloured train (the red one) was scrapped, and one part of it is now in the purple train. Took a quick look around, rode the Bug Whirled coaster and the West Coast Wheel, and that was about it for me, for today.

 

I am returning tomorrow, a bit later, so that I can check out the Arcade, once it's open, and also get an On-Ride pic on Coaster. It's my annual one, and I get it every Season, now.

 

Till tomorrow, then. And here's the photos I took today.....

Here we go...

Through the entry gate, still locked, I see that this ride is not ready, yet.

Noted.

From the second queue we are directed to. Over there are the single tix booths.

Our queue, so far. Later on, we're told to get back into the main queue.

Yep. Seniors now gotta pay to get in.

Gasp! Purple train ATE the red train!

Meanwhile...

Planters and plants in place.

Vancouver Skyline and the 2010 Winter Olympics Flame.

Lions Gate Bridge and Siwash Rock, beside Stanley Park.

An Inukshuk and BC Mountains.

Peak-to-Peak Gondolas and Wild Birds attacking tourists. (o;

Whales, whales, whales.

The seats await being hung. Does that sound dirty?

Yellow train operating today.

Haunted Mansion usually doesn't open until noon.

Closed, standing there, and For Sale. I'm not sad about it.

This corner building(s) is to eventually become a new Dark Ride.

Going down.

This, and Hells Gate (surprise!), AtmosFEAR, Gladiator were down for this day. )o:

Noted. But you won't see the lights on, until PNE time,

Adults Only Nights and Fright Nights in October.

Yellow info. sign is new.

Last existing spot for the Gift Shop is now totally removed, under the Hellevator roof.

Whee!

See ya / ride ya next week!

ATMs protected by killer whales.

I ended my visit by having a traditional poutine at my fave spot, Belgian Fries.

What it used to look like. R.I.P. Playland/PNE Gift Shop.

[Evan-500]

Well, I'll keep this part brief. Opening Day proved to be a bit of a mess, because... Nobody had the right key(s) to unlock the front entry gates until a 1/2 hour or so later. Although a lot of us pass holders were at the front of the queue, we then found out that Photo ID Passes would only be done at the "far right ticket booth". Getting into that queue we waited, and waited...and waited while the other single day ticket booths opened up for others w/o Season Passes. Till eventually, one of the staff came out front to tell us the "cameras aren't ready yet" so we have to save our print out passes for now, use them whenever we came back to the park, and eventually (they said next week) the ID Season Pass Booth would be up and running.

 

I shall not hold my breath till then. And once we got in, at least five of the flat rides weren't running. And "The New Ride," now known as Sea-to-Sky Swinger, wouldn't be ready till...next weekend.

 

Anyway, I got two rides in on Coaster, although then I found out my fave coloured train (the red one) was scrapped, and one part of it is now in the purple train. Took a quick look around, rode the Bug Whirled coaster and the West Coast Wheel, and that was about it for me, for today.

 

I am returning tomorrow, a bit later, so that I can check out the Arcade, once it's open, and also get an On-Ride pic on Coaster. It's my annual one, and I get it every Season, now.

 

Till tomorrow, then. And here's the photos I took today.....

 

I’m super impressed with the localized theming on the new swing ride. Nice to see they commissioned a unique theme for the ride.

[Nrthwnd]

^ Yes, I am too. And hopefully, that means getting maintenance and parts for the Swinger doesn't mean waiting to get them/it from Germany or somewhere else in Europe. I hope.

 

And Today's Visit was muuuuch better! Most of yesterday's closed flats were open today. Except Crazy Beach Party. Still have to wait for that one. But with the sun fully out and shining, and no clouds greying the skies....much better day, today.

 

And, got my first set of Ice Ball tix; my first $1 popcorn refill; my Annual On Ride Photo on Coaster, taken yesterday; and some fudge from "What The Fudge." And a few more flyer/maps to take home.

 

And I picked up my photo ID Season Pass, too. A real good day....

Standard shot.

I still love the open air station we have, for Coaster.

Surprise surprise, Coaster Dogs is open!

Yellow train is the train for the day.

But - Roasted Veggie Dogs sold out? In less than 2 days??? Hmmm...

Meanwhile...

Oooo starfish.

And a sun starfish! This really is, a beautifully themed Vancouver/BC ride! (o:

The other arcade in the park.

But... no longer open? Hmmm. Wonder what might be going in here, eventually? If anything?

Yay! Fudge time!

I picked this one.

Whoa! Hell's Gate is open today! But Crazy Beach Party alas, was not.

Another sign on the West Coast Wheel queue.

Whee!

Bug Whirled is open and running; not so much, Crazy beach Party.

Long shot from the Wheel.

A bit closer.

I love these mountains!

AtmosFEAR is running and UP!

Wide shot of all the mountains that are the city's background.

Take the tunnel?

New spot for slushee drinks. Very woodsy. Like the Face Painting booth, opposite it.

Speaking of face painting... Many, many ways to have one's face painted.

Me and KC. (And I forget... what DOES "KC" actually, really, stand for?)

Opening next weekend, I was told. Hope it's true.

Last Coaster look.

Walking-to-The-Car Shot. (o;

What I got and bought today.

The fudge. With SKOR!

My first ride on Coaster, yesterday. Dark, but I like it.

Edited May 7, 2019 by Nrthwnd

[bert425]

Nice Pic!

 

 

and I got the Wasabi Kit Kats b-day gift in the mail yesterday (!!!!). . . OMG, thank you *so* much, Bill. . . so sweet you remembered

[Nrthwnd]

Thanks and You're Welcome! I got the Deep Purple Yam Kit Kats for myself. Interesting taste.

 

And here's the other photo of me and KC. Not much different than the first one, hmm?

Here we are....again! And to be honest, I think I'm smiling more in this shot.

[Nrthwnd]

Just found out.... the 2019 PNE Prize Home Draw tickets are now available!

 

https://pneprizehome.ca/ (also for other prizes, as well)

Looks purty. And that's in Canadian Dollahs....

As it looked, a couple of weeks ago, on it's PNE site.

[Evan-500]

Well, tomorrow is the day this new swinger is supposed to open. I keep checking the site to see if they've put it up yet, but not so much. There does seem to be a gap in place for where the photo/name will go.

[Nrthwnd]

^ Um, you meant Saturday? (Unless you meant "tomorrow, when they start testing it", we hope) And I figured they wouldn't list it with the other rides until... a) they have it up and running and... b) they have some action shots to put there on the list.

[Evan-500]

^ Um, you meant Saturday? (Unless you meant "tomorrow, when they start testing it", we hope) And I figured they wouldn't list it with the other rides until... a) they have it up and running and... b) they have some action shots to put there on the list.

 

Ugh. Thanks for bursting me out of my bubble that it’s Friday today...

[Nrthwnd]

^ My pleasure.

 

p.s. I did recheck the PNE site, and it looks like they do have the new Playland map up, which takes out the Corkscrew, and re-numbers (#16) and re-colours (blue and white) where the new Swinger is.

 

www.pne.ca

[Evan-500]

And we have video: