SLY Posted June 8, 2009 Share Posted June 8, 2009 I decided to stop at Conneaut Lake Park on the way home from Mania this weekend. At the very least, I figured that another customer was good for the park's finances. I was able to meet the two gentlemen who are running the park and rides right now and got some good news from them and some info. Got to the gate right as Security was opening up at 1PM. Inside the park, it looks clean and most rides were operating. A few small changes and some good news in store. Manager Bob Lisko was working hard fixing anything that was broken; Including this water rescue on the boat ride. Little Dipper is still running good Devil's Den darkride was up and running. Knowing it was closed up for 2 years made it a little more spooky! The Midway still remained mainly closed but I was told new stuff was going in each weekend. You can still see the remnants of the fire. Tumblebug was running (and looking) GREAT! [Hi Kid Coaster 2!] Music Express is on the way OUT...Gravitron on deck!!! Tobaggan is on the way OUT... SkyDiver is IN behind the Tilt a Whirl Decent crowd along the beach and lake Flyers looked and rode great! The good news... A ride inspector will be at the Park Thursday to let the Lisko Brothers know what exactly will be needed. Rumor is that it is not in as bad shape as presumed. Lumber has already been donated and if the inspection goes as expected, 4 men on the job could have the Blue Streak up and running by Labor Day. They understand that the Blue Streak is integral to the park's success and want to have it running by the end of this Season! These guys are really good, dedicated people. The brothers currently have several carnivals out during the week and they spend their weekends at CLP. They will be out today tearing down and setting up for their next carnival, and will return next weekend to open the park and make more upgrades. From what I understand, the Board of Trustees are less than helpful in getting this park operational. The Lisko's are the ones doing all the work, and they need support. All of the donations were not going to Ride Operations, but rather the Board's funds to support the neighboring campground. If you want to make a donation, you may do so at: Conneaut Lake Park Personnel Office 12324 Comstock Street Conneaut Lake, PA 16316 For ANY information: 814-213-0003 or liskoentllc@zoominternet.net Stop by and enjoy a weekend there. It was a very slow Sunday when I stopped, and they will definitely need more business in order to continue to operate. Opening weekend was good, but it died off! Thanks to everyone there for such a fun filled day at a very magical park! Good luck!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wood Dragon 1988 Posted June 8, 2009 Share Posted June 8, 2009 Stop by and enjoy a weekend there. It was a very slow Sunday when I stopped, and they will definitely need more business in order to continue to operate. Opening weekend was good, but it died off! Well, I don't think they will get enough customers to stay in business, when there is hardly anything for people over the age of 12 to do. For example, I'm LOVE traditional parks, and live 3 hours away. But there's no way in h*&^ I'm going all the way up there if there are no coasters to ride, and just a handful of worth-while flats. I guess at this point, they may be able to survive with what they have for a while with the local market. But I just can't see anyone traveling far to go here. That being said, I am tremendously happy the park is operational again. I really hope they get Blue Streak and a few of the other rides up, and when they do, I will be the first one in line. Oh, and that is great news about Blue Streak. I will probably be ready before Flying Turns is! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SLY Posted June 8, 2009 Author Share Posted June 8, 2009 Well, I don't think they will get enough customers to stay in business, when there is hardly anything for people over the age of 12 to do. For example, I'm LOVE traditional parks, and live 3 hours away. But there's no way in h*&^ I'm going all the way up there if there are no coasters to ride, and just a handful of worth-while flats. I am over 12 and had a great time. There is always something special about traditional parks beyond a coaster to ride. I saw at least 2 couples who were walking around the park who appeared to be in their 70's. One could speculate that they have wonderful memories of this place and were so happy to see it open. I live more than 6 hours away and would go back if I remotely have the chance. As I said, Blue Streak is their heart and soul and they know it. Can't make it happen overnight. There is still plenty to do there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
milst1 Posted June 8, 2009 Share Posted June 8, 2009 Hell, I would go if I lived on the other side of the Atlantic. My trip to Western PA last year included a visit to Conneaut Lake Park even though the whole thing was shut down! Blue Streak is a gem that deserves whatever support we can give. Thanks for the nice TR. Martin P.S. I'm too lazy to edit and re-post, buthere's my August 2008 Western PA trip on flickr, including Conneaut. Day 1: Idlewild, Del Grosso's, Lakemont, Waldameer (I know, one day!) Day 2: Lake Conneaut Park, Kennywood There are some SFoTx photos too, all of this from August 2008. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CoasterFanatic Posted June 9, 2009 Share Posted June 9, 2009 It is sad to see what condition the midway is in. I would like to see that get as much attention as the coaster over the next few months. How hard could it be to throw up some wood frame facades. The "carnie" stands are an eyesore, but necessary at this point. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dailey Enterprizes Posted June 9, 2009 Share Posted June 9, 2009 Stop by and enjoy a weekend there. It was a very slow Sunday when I stopped, and they will definitely need more business in order to continue to operate. Opening weekend was good, but it died off! Well, I don't think they will get enough customers to stay in business, when there is hardly anything for people over the age of 12 to do. For example, I'm LOVE traditional parks, and live 3 hours away. But there's no way in h*&^ I'm going all the way up there if there are no coasters to ride, and just a handful of worth-while flats. I guess at this point, they may be able to survive with what they have for a while with the local market. But I just can't see anyone traveling far to go here. Well I can give you some good advice then if that's your concern. Head on up to Waldameer for Ravine Flyer 2 and Steel Dragon if coasters are all you care about and then why not stop at Conneaut Lake Park if you are already in that part of the country anyway? I'm glad the park is getting fixed up. I just hope it continues to make money and survive. Sadly the amusement park business is tough, especially during these rough times... financially speaking. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sue Posted June 9, 2009 Share Posted June 9, 2009 Thanks for the report and the great news about Blue Streak. You mentioned that Little Dipper is running good--does that mean that adults are now allowed to ride it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coastermoosh Posted June 9, 2009 Share Posted June 9, 2009 Wood Dragon 1988 said: But there's no way in h*&^ I'm going all the way up there if there are no coasters to ride, and just a handful of worth-while flats. I guess at this point, they may be able to survive with what they have for a while with the local market. But I just can't see anyone traveling far to go here. Ah, but there-in lies the rub: by skipping the park and not spending any money there because Blue Streak isn't open you're actually making it harder for the Blue Streak to open. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SLY Posted June 9, 2009 Author Share Posted June 9, 2009 Thanks for the report and the great news about Blue Streak. You mentioned that Little Dipper is running good--does that mean that adults are now allowed to ride it? The ride op was extremely adamant about the "No Adult" rule. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kidcoaster 2 Posted June 11, 2009 Share Posted June 11, 2009 Glad you had a great time! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluestreak825 Posted June 14, 2009 Share Posted June 14, 2009 it would be nice to ride this season this is good news for the Blue Streak Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimmyt Posted June 15, 2009 Share Posted June 15, 2009 I got the impression the board is working pretty well with Liskos...remember that Camperland is the sole entity that generates revenue for the Park, and it is busy all summer, they have to focus on that for the $$$, the other operations the Park just gets a percentage of...what has anyone heard about the waterpark? I know they want to get it open by the 4th of July, but I know it leaks, and now I hear there may be some trouble with the pump?!?!?! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thrillrider92 Posted June 15, 2009 Share Posted June 15, 2009 Great pictures! I was there this past Friday and there weren't to many people at the park. Rollo Plane, Round Up, Toboggan, and Musik Express weren't running still. I thought the train ran some this year but it was also down. The Blue Streak looked really bad. The wood was pealing and worn looking. The station sign was gone along with the trains. I did hear from a lady at Hotel Conneaut that workers have been working on the coasters motor. The Tumble Bug looked great. The Sky Diver at night looked really nice. The midway looked terrible. Almost all the games were closed. The Midway really needs a lot of work. I was surprised the Ultimate trip building wasn't cleaned up. The buildings walls are stacked up by the bricks. I do hope they get more bumper cars working because only five were working. I do believe this park will continue to work its way to looking better and attracting larger crowds. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluestreak825 Posted June 15, 2009 Share Posted June 15, 2009 I am so glad the Blue Streak is getting fixed hope to ride it soon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlyingScooter Posted June 15, 2009 Share Posted June 15, 2009 I'll vouch for Camperland. We've vaca'd there many times over the decades. We even camped there last year and had a blast. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SLY Posted June 15, 2009 Author Share Posted June 15, 2009 Toboggan, and Musik Express weren't running still. They're done. For good. I do hope they get more bumper cars working because only five were working. I'm not sure if there's actually anything wrong with those 5 cars sitting idle in the middle. The reason they are parked there is because the ceiling has a hole in it above them. They are disabled there so you can't drive under it. When I stopped at the park last year (closed), the bumper cars were eerily parked just as if the park closed the night before. The group of 5 wasn't in that spot then. You can see where they are parked (and have their electric connections removed) now since the park has reopened. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sros1fan Posted June 15, 2009 Share Posted June 15, 2009 Are they selling the tobaggan coaster or scrapping it? I wish another park would buy it and refurbish it. A small park like Knoebels or lake compounce would be nice as it looks like an awesome coaster. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SLY Posted June 15, 2009 Author Share Posted June 15, 2009 The Tobaggan is beyond repair, I understand. I heard a rumor of Lakemont buying it for parts. A lift chain alone costs about $10,000! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kidcoaster 2 Posted June 15, 2009 Share Posted June 15, 2009 The Toboggan and the Musik Express is not owned by the park so they cannot sell it or scrap it. It is up to the owner to decide their fates. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thrillrider92 Posted June 16, 2009 Share Posted June 16, 2009 Thanks for the information about the bumper cars. I was wondering what was up with them because when some one would hit those cars, the operator would put the cars back in that location. I took video all over the park and I'm glad I took some of the Musik Express and Toboggan since they will gone for sure. I was able to just walk up onto the Toboggan to take video of the ride, I was surprised. Thanks again for the information on those two rides. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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