Photo TR: Waldameer Park 7-30-2005

[CoasterFanatic]

Waldameer Park

Saturday July 30th, 2005

 

Saturday was a "free" day, and they have been pretty rare lately. Catrina and I decided to make the 2+ hr journey up north to hit Waldameer park. I had been there once before but Catrina had never experienced this one so off we go ...

 

Waldameer is a "picnic grove" type park much like Williams Grove, but much nicer. As can be seen by this sign, they don't put up with any crap!

 

After riding the parks two dark rides (some of my favorites), the first coaster of the day was the Maurer Söhne spinner, Spinning Dragons.

 

It looks pretty tame from the outside, but this coaster packs a nice punch. The first drop got the "oh crap!" reaction from Catrina, which is a good sign.

 

Parks really need to lay off of the Zamperla/Reverchon and Gerstlauer versions and install more of these. They are just so much damn fun.

 

Here is a nice crappy (backlit) shot of the station.

 

Another crazy spinning train navigates a turn.

 

Catrina is like "are you done taking pictures yet, nerd"

 

My second visit to Waldameer and I still haven't rode the Ravine Flyer 3. Not quite sure what their policy is on it, but I am all ears if someone can enlighten me.

 

Another shot of the Ravine Flyer 3. They named it the Ravine Flyer 3 because they have been hoping to hoping to build 2 for a few years now, but just got the zoning clearances needed to do it. The best scenario would plant a custom Gravity Group coaster in their hands by 2007.

 

Next up was the skyride. This is a nice SLOW journey over the midway that allow for a nice break in the action. It is also a good place to grab some photos.

 

The first great skyride shot is this one of two kids wearing these silly unicorn hats.

 

As you can see from this shot, the park had a good crowd and one train ops (pretty sure that is the only way it ever runs) on the Comet made for some pretty lengthy 15-20 minute waits.

 

After getting disoriented on Pirates Cove and spinning on Steel Dragons, Catrina is happy to be on the skyride.

 

More skyride goodness.

 

Here is an aerial shot of Pirates Cove. This Tracy dark-walkthrough is a real gas, and Waldameer takes great care of it.

 

After the skyride, we hopped in the gift shop for a few minutes. This photo is a tribute to USROADTRIPPER's quirky gift shop finds.

 

Since there is already a propeller themed enthusiast around, my goal is to become "Horny Ted".

 

This is a good value, but I want to ride something more thrilling than Sky Ride.

 

At the end of the midway, Waldameer has a couple of rides including this Scrambler.

 

You may have heard about them, but here they are. Waldameer's own lapbar bumper cars.

 

"I need a hero. I'm holding out for a hero till the ..."

 

Our last ride of the evening would be the ACE Classic Comet. This ride isn't big, but it runs great. If you like coasters that interact with trees, this is the ride for you. Anywhere on it's layout, you can just reach out and grab the nearest branch.

 

For the last picture, I will end with this bit of PTC goodness. Notice the ACE compliant single position lap bar and lack of a seat divider.

 

Thanks for reading!

[coasterdude5]

Cool TR. That park looks pretty nice. Nicer than Libertyland anyway.

[USRoadTripper]

I didn't realize that I took so many gift shop photos until you brought it to my attention. I guess I do though...axe murdering rubber duck, Seahorse on a Stick, Fan-tasmic...yep. I knew I took a lot of pickle pictures, but I guess I take gift shop ones too hehehe

-Julie

[DenDen]

Always wanted to go up there for a daytrip. Now that I don't live there anymore, I'll wait for RF2!

 

Great pics!

[FlyingScooter]

Nice TR,Ted. The kids and i are going to PA this week for a few day.

Having never been on a spining mouse, Waldameers on the list. I figure we'll start there and go to CLP, (we're staying by CLP.

[CoasterFanatic]

^ just don't underestimate the park. The first time that I went there was last summer on the way back from a Canada trip and I was figuring maybe a couple hours to get the credits and then gone.

 

How wrong I was as we proceded to stay damn near close and ride almost everything twice. There is just so much cool stuff in that park.

 

My Favorite "traditional" Dark Ride (Wacky Shack)

A Top 5 Log Flume

My Favorite Junior Woodie

My Favorite Spinner

Good Food

Cool Sky Ride

[FlyingScooter]

Advice well taken, Ted, thanks!

Not many old dark rides left. Big fan of those. Fondly remember CP's Earthquake and Pirate Ride.

[Hattuchili]

Hey Ted,

great pictures. I really like the Spinning Dragon photos. That remembered me to Winja´s at Phantasialand. The cowboy hat looks nice. Have you bought one? However, thanks for posting.

 

--Sören