PTR: Waldameer Park

[KrazyT]

Ok, so we decided to take a spontaneous trip to Waldameer Park yesterday morning, so I took some pictures and decided to post them on here.

 

The day started off really badly, weather-wise, but as time went on, it got better and better. Before going into the park, we had lunch at McDonald's to give the rain some time to slow or stop (which was a very good choice), when we got out and headed into the park, it was barely raining anymore, and eventually stopped.

 

As we went into the park and paid for our wristbands, we headed straight for Ravine Flyer II. The wait was fairly short considering it was a Sunday and it was rainy, also, because of the rain, they were only running on train as well. So the wait was only about 15 minutes. Definitely a great addition to the park and even at only a year old it is still running great. The ride itself was awesome, the only thing is the tunnels seemed really loud, but it was nothing too bad. Gravity Group most definitely has another winner in their hands. Nothing like getting slapped around a bit to wake up you, eh?

 

After exiting, we decided to head over to the Wacky Shack, this was a very interesting ride... I mean yeah it had cheap effects, but it was a unique experience and even ended up going back to ride it another time. Although inexpensive effects, they were still kind of cool and enjoyable. Of course I wasn't all that shocked that they didn't have an operator at the exit, so you kind of had to let yourself off the buggy.

 

After leaving the Wacky Shack, we headed over to the Comet. I really liked this ride. It was in great shape for how old it is. It was a great little ride, with a little bit of air going over the bunny hills. I also noticed the poor operator all by himself pretty much all day. As a fellow operator, I know how crappy that can be. But other than that it was a great ride.

 

After this, I met up with some friends that live in the area, and went on our way to the Steel Dragon. Having been on a spinner before, but not a Maurer Söhne spinner, I was really excited and looking forward to this. The line wasn't as long (since also the weather had cleared up too), at only about 10 minutes or less. Top notch little ride, another great investment for the park and a great addition. That drop is a great little drop either forward or backward (although I prefer backward, since you don't really know when you will drop, and it feels a little more intense). Overall, a great ride.

 

After that we headed back over to the Ravine Flyer II. Only waited about 5 to 10 minutes this time since they had added the 2nd train (thanks to the weather clearing up).Then, we made the (very bad) decision of going over to the Ferris Wheel to get some good pictures of the park and Ravine Flyer II. Yeah that was a big mistake. They run that Ferris Wheel way too fast, and the wind didn't help any either. I already hate Ferris Wheels to begin with and this only reassured me to stay the hell off of them. After what seemed like an eternity, we finally got off of that thing (thankfully!). After, to try and make ourselves feel better, we (yet again) headed back to Ravine Flyer II.

 

Then, since the weather got really hot, we decided to head to the car and drop our Cedar Point jackets in the car. Not knowing it was a round trip, we took the Sky Ride. Being used to the one in Cedar Point, we thought it would take us to the other side of the park(a lot faster than it actually did), and drop us off there. Oh no, unfortunately, we were very wrong. It took about 20 minutes and we came right back to where we were. On the bright side of things, we DID get some nice pictures of the park.

 

The rest of the day pretty much consisted of re-rides. We would have gone on more flat rides, but most of the flat rides consisted of spinning rides, and neither of us do too well with these, so we decided it would be best not to. We decided not to ride the new for 2009 ride, the Mega Vortex, since personally, I don't do well with Disk-o's, so I decided to skip that as well.

 

Overall we had a great day, it was a great change to go to a smaller park, especially from being used to Cedar Point and its crowds. The day started off pretty crappy with the weather and whatnot but it ended up being a very nice day and a nice little park. One thing I noted was they would use A LOT of improvement on their ride op's and some staff. Some rides and games seemed a little understaffed. All day, I saw employees texting while operating their rides. Just things like that could be improved. Other than that, it was a great visit. Since it's only about 2 hours away, we will most likely be back to ride Ravine Flyer II. Definitely great ride.

 

Enough of my rambling and on with the Pictures.

Don't be fooled by the train gates "trying" to keep people from getting hit by the train. They don't even go down... One of them lights up somewhere, but refuses to lower, LOL.

Their ghetto wheelchairs.

Yay? Too bad this isn't very enforced either...

Creepy-scary-clown-garbage-can-thing.

Pretty lights.

Sure makes me feel safe when the ride op decides to leave the control panel. Let's hope no need for an E-Stop arises.

Disk-O = pain.

Comet.

What? Even MORE spare wood? Cedar Fair should take note...

Its official, Comet got more wood replacement than Mean Streak. Waldameer-1, Cedar Point-0.

Part of the water park.

Pretty Ferris Wheel shot. Too bad I almost died on it, LOL.

More Ravine Flyer II.

Sunset shot.

Sunset shot.

Is this the place where they put all the denied rafts for the water park?

Wheeeee.

I can expect the layout being wrong, but not even the colors? Fail.

Shot of the park map.

Close up of the crooked logo, LOL.

The Ferris Wheel of death.

I like this shot.

Great shot of the park in action.

The new for 2009 ride. Mega Vortex.

They have a bland and boring scrambler.

Did somebody lose a shoe?

Weather got all nice and warm, so people started going to the water park.

Shot of the park from the Sky Ride.

Shot of the beautiful sky after the weather cleared up.

The hills over Peninsula Drive.

Ravine Flyer 3. I couldn't find a kid to borrow to get the credit. Guess Elissa will have to teach me a thing or two about borrowing kids.

Close up of the turn-around.

The log ride.

One of the best shots I took all day.

The rest of the park...

Beautiful setting for this coaster.

I see a turn-around.

Fall hazard.... on a Ferris Wheel? Oh, I never thought I'd see the day...

Note the chain...

Can Cedar Point trade WildCat in for one of these?

Much better attempt.

Failed attempt to get a decent shot of the train...

Steel Dragon.

Some Information about the original Ravine Flyer.

I hope they have a good reason to still have the promotional banner up.

In case you forgot the best and newest ride there

Just thought I needed a picture of this sign. LOL.

Scary-looking-ghetto-lifeguard-frog-thing.

In case you forgot where we were.

They sure don't enforce this rule very well...

Notice the wood is still a little wet

Driving down Peninsula Drive. (note the bad weather)

[Electerik]

Nice TR! I haven't really been able to get a feel for the place from the few others I've seen. Thanks!

[thrillrideseeker]

OMG! Amazing TR!! A few great photos =P

~Matthew