Homer Posted August 12, 2008 Posted August 12, 2008 Since I was in Denver yet again for a business trip of sorts, I decided to take a quick 2 hour trip to Elitch Gardens. Why? Whore out one credit I missed last time in 2006 (read my 2006 trip report HERE ) it was also my first Boomerang (ironically, on a super geeky note, I rode an Invertigo and Super Invertigo/Deja Vu before riding the grandaddy clone ). Things of note: -The Economy and Construction: Since the housing market has been going down, construction companies have cut back on workers and projects. I think Elitch Gardens might be feeling this pinch since their "new for 2008" attraction Ghost Blasters (Sally Dark Ride clone) might not be ready for this year by the looks of it. Still dirt being shuffled around and some theming work on the entrance. I hope this ride opens for Fright Fest by October, as it would be fitting and it wouldn't waste Elitch's advertising budget hyping the ride in all of their ads. Also, on another note, Flying Coaster aka Rat Cages of Doom has been SBNO for the 2008 season (yay, thank God I already had that credit). Signs posted outside the ride's area says the ride "is being relocated" but the ride itself looks like it has not been touched yet. -Shiny SLC: Mind Eraser got a fresh new coat of paint and has been receiving a bit of love from the park. A lot of merchandise and heck, the park's TV ad this year boasts this ride well past when the ride opened more than 10 years ago. I'm glad Mind Eraser has been such a success for the park. Now if only it could get those new SLC trains . -No Longer Six Flags: As if this wasn't obvious enough. But PARC did a good job “deflagging” the park. The Batman themed flyers had a creative retheme to “Dragonwing” and Startoon Studios ditching the Looney Toons. At least it isn't ______hawk. And of course, everything sporting the new logo. Enjoy this update! I'll end this TR with something scenic, Rocky Mountain National Park at night. Hope you enjoyed it! And the ride is nowhere to be mentioned on the park's signs and maps. Yep, pretty much numbered here. From Sidewinder, the ride looks virtually untouched. Still there. Waiting to go down. On another note, Flying Coaster has been SBNO the entire season and this sign has been posted around the ride's area. Thankfully I already had the credit but would I ride this again? No. Ghost Blasters' entrance. I give props to Elitch's for theming this attraction. On to construction. It's already mid-August and it looks like Elitch's new attraction still isn't quite ready yet. Dirt is still being moved around and I hope the ride opens by October (fitting time for it too). Also, Mind Eraser looks shiny now. If only it had those new SLC trains... I give PARC props for being creative with ditching SF licenses. The former Batwing ride is now Dragonwing and sports Dragon things. (Wish this was called Bowels of Trogdor instead) Obligatory coaster porn without the train shot. Just for you Jahan. And this sign is still up (if you visit Elitch's it's practically a signature shot by now). At least the queue isn't overgrown anymore. Ehh... This or Mean Streak fights for the title of "Largest pile of unintense wood." Mr. Sun also smiles upon this Intamin too. (It's also my cellphone wallpaper too) Answer-o. 1/4+1/4= ? Mr. Sun also smiles upon Intamin rides and/or rides that involve Doom. Mr. Sun says "Mission Accomplished." ...another half equals a whole! I did math. One half plus... You start the Boomerang experience by backing up... oh wait, this ride's everywhere, I think you know how this works. First ride of the day and my first Boomerang (aww), glad you're not closed today! One of the first rides you'll stumble upon in the park is the Ferris Wheel. And for the uninfomed, the center reads "Not to see Elitch's, is not to see Denver." Elitch's grows among the trend of parks adding Fastpass-esque ride systems. I don't think I'll be needing this today... I really wished the observation tower was open, but every time I go it's closed. And it looks like it's going to be an easy credit run. (little did I know I arrived a 1/2 hour early) Mucho Bettero (from the light rail/pedestrian bridge). I'm here, wait, this doesn't look like Elitch's. Good morning Mr. Sun, why yes I'll travel by light rail to Elitch's! My chariot awaits. So here's how I go about to Elitch's without renting a car and spending money on parking... MASS TRANSIT! As with any guy in business attire, you have to read fine newspapers such as The Onion. We start this TR off with business attire. Why? Eh, I forgot.
Sticky Nicky Posted August 12, 2008 Posted August 12, 2008 Great Photos and report. Even when this park was under Six Flags ownership, I found it to be a pretty nice park and offers a lot for a park of it's size. BTW, Am I the only one who thought Flying Coaster was fun?
christianscoasters Posted August 12, 2008 Posted August 12, 2008 ^Probably It's nice to see the new Mind Eraser paint job. It looks great! Denver is one of my favorite places, if not my favorite. It's very beautiful and has a lot to see and do. I go there a couple times a year to see my dad.
Homer Posted August 12, 2008 Author Posted August 12, 2008 BTW, Am I the only one who thought Flying Coaster was fun? Quite possibly. The ride felt uncomfortable, and hell, I was expecting something to probe me halfway through the ride. Zamperla Volare coasters were something that needed to stay on the drawing board for a minute or two for ergonomic reasons. Maybe if the ride wasn't so rough, it'd be fun. At least I like the spiral lift though.
cathyJ Posted August 13, 2008 Posted August 13, 2008 It should be very interesting to see what the final attendance figures will be for 2008 for not only Elitch Gardens, but also for Lakeside and Waterworld as well. I bet all three parks will take a serious drop. If thats the case it won't be because of the economy ( actually in that department Denver is doing much better than a lot of other parts of the country ) or even the cost of gas but rather....the 2008 Democratic National Convention which is set for the week of August 25th at the Pepsi Center which is right next door to Elitches. Because of that convention a lot of people simply are too scared to visit Denver right now. Why? Rumors of possible violence, rumors of Denver area motels WAY overcharging of rooms like $1500 a night, rumors of freeways being shut down as they "prepare", rumors of protestors getting into the faces of other people yelling and cussing at them, rumors of open drug use, rumors of denver already running out of money for security, rumors of secret service watching anyone who goes near the Pepsi Center..and so forth...yes RUMORS !! Sadly I am sure many of those rumors will end up being true once the convention starts on August 25th but when you have so many local TV stations around the country and even the big networks like CNN reporting the problems Denver is having over this convention..and they make it seem like these problems are happening right NOW...all it does is make people think twice as far as visiting Denver. I don't think Denver or even Colorado as a whole was expecting any of this. I believe Elitches will be hurt by this..this year even though the park ( and Lakeside and Waterworld ) isn't even going to be open during the DNC.
redfoot12 Posted August 13, 2008 Posted August 13, 2008 Thanks for the TR. I was planning to visit some friends in Loveland and we talked about possibly going to Elitch and Lakeside. Alas, plans fell through and I'll have to visit this park maybe next year.
Homer Posted August 13, 2008 Author Posted August 13, 2008 Because of that convention a lot of people simply are too scared to visit Denver right now. Why? Rumors of possible violence, rumors of Denver area motels WAY overcharging of rooms like $1500 a night, rumors of freeways being shut down as they "prepare", rumors of protestors getting into the faces of other people yelling and cussing at them, rumors of open drug use, rumors of denver already running out of money for security, rumors of secret service watching anyone who goes near the Pepsi Center..and so forth...yes RUMORS !! Have not heard any of these things before. Yes, the town is REALLY hyped up for the DNC. But I had a very pleasant visit to Denver and the only one of those "rumors" I have heard to be half-true would be the hotel one, merely because one of my friends was double charged by mistake. Don't let the bad press get to you folks, Denver is a beautiful city and a place I would not mind living in someday.
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