Photo TR: Santa Cruz Boardwalk 9-5-09

[Angry_Gumball]

What was originally supposed to happen a week after the TPR event there ended up happening up today...probably one of the best Labor Day weekends to be had. An extra little surprise...the Boardwalk opened an hour earlier than normal. So we headed out early, nice traffic all the way down. Parked nice and close too. When we got there, we had about a half hour to kill so we got the wrist bands, and headed to Fright Walk for my cousin's first Fright Walk credit. Unfortunately, trying to get her to lead the way ends up not going anywhere other than into the mirrors or standing still. So once we got through that, we headed down to the Fun Center arcade...why? They had pinball machines! I was surprised to see Funhouse there as well as Addams Family and a Theatre of Magic mixed in with the newer Stern machines. Rudy was broken (I still need to fix our Funhouse machine as well) and the flippers felt weaker than ours. Once we finished with the pinballs, the rides were opening so we walked onto Double Shot. Amazing airtime, the kind of "Yank you out of the seat" airtime. Next was a short climb up the stairs to Hurricane...Intense compact coaster! Even a moment of airtime there too!

 

By this time, my parents wanted to see if the antique photos were open and they were...so we went ahead and got some done. After that, the riding begins! We started on the historic carousel...came close to getting it into the clown's mouth...rings were hitting the lip of the metal opening. And now, to ride the now 85-year-old red/white wood known as the Giant Dipper (or Big Dipper by the general public). Either way, this is hands down the best woodie in CA (Grizzly, take notice...you're using the same trains!). Starting off in single train mode, lines were moving swiftly. I think this has to do with the fact that the operators close your bars for you rather than confused people fidget with their lapbars. This coaster was not letting up on it's amazing airtime...aka Ejector Air...Butt-thumping Airtime...whatever you want to call it, it has it!

 

Next was Fireball as it was right next to the Dipper. My bro waited this one out as he can't handle spinning rides well now. I'm finding that this time, I got off fine without feeling like I was about to yak. Last time (2 years ago) was another story. Next up, heading to the River Walk we checked out the new Sea Swings. This swing ride provides a nice long cycle, though a bit slow raising/lowering, and beginning it's spin once the swing's fully raised. This is due to it's small foot print...wouldn't want people slamming into the railing now. One more relaxing ride on the Cliff Hangers (Much like a Paratrooper, but you ride in flying position).

 

It's getting warm. The log ride, Logger's Revenge (on what? I don't know) line is short so we go on that. It's been 12 years since I last rode it so this was sure to bring back memories. Got semi-wet, an acceptable amount of wetness. Next up...go down to the 'Pit' as I call it to do WipeOut. Made me think of Elissa for 2 reasons...1: TV Show, and 2: a Shark...Sharktums? I still love this ride, and as opposed to 2 years ago, the strobes were used more and it had more 'blackout' moments where it was entirely dark when the strobes would then suddenly fire off...cool effect!

 

Now up was Cave Train...or so we thought. Apparently, it broke down in the cave, and the line got long. So we headed back to the Dipper for more airtime. Yes, my cell phone and camera that were in the pockets survived! Then, was time for lunch.

 

After lunch, the BW was beginning to get quite crowded, mainly beach bums and 'roamers' as I like to call them. Giant Dipper was finally in 2-train operation, lines were starting at the ticket booth, and we were on in 5 minutes tops! Now, back to WipeOut! This round, I had an unpleasant surprise. First off, the narrow corridor-like queue was kind of full, and someone forgot the deodorant! Top it off, someone farted...And the Wipeout room's warm and stuffy due to the electronics going on in there.

 

Another star attraction was the Rock-O-Planes...which was my brother's last ride. He decided to go flip-frenzy on this and ride upside down. So did I. I mainly stayed inverted during the ride and after came off with a nasty headache...and felt like yakking. Taking a ride on a dark ride soothed it, and I was back on WipeOut to get spun around again! (Ain't I smart...)

 

We pretty much stayed until about 7:00 and were pretty beat. I was wishing I had my mini longboard with me and the crowds were light so I can just zip across to the rides. And there were plenty of skaters over there too. So, to sum things up.

 

Giant Dipper rides: 5x

WipeOut rides: 5x

Sea Swings: 2x

The rest of the rides: 1 each

 

So you can see who were the 2 most popular rides were today. I will get pictures up soon, took tons of them today, went through 2 sets of batteries. Plus, I'm exhausted. Maybe tomorrow?

[Angry_Gumball]

Some pictures to start you guys off...Will have the rest up tomorrow...just wanted some 'meat' to this thread before the night ends. In the mean time, got like 300 pictures to sort through.

I'll end it tonight with a photo of the cave lady who's ridden the sky gliders since I was little...and probably much longer than that.

And the Hurricane! The storm is coming! You can spot me by looking for the only one with the hands up...between the supports.

After that loud gush of air, and the music revving up, it's time you get launched upward, then yanked downward. I know I compared Drop Tower and Doubleshot before, but both are completely different ride experiences.

First ride today! Prepping for lift-off. (And if TPR Member SFMMMan-forgot the rest of your name, SCBB employee is here, hello again!)

An arcade-style Virtual Reality ride, inside a Pinball Machine! Coolness!

Typhoon? This looks interesting.

This was a surprise to see...and I actually spent the tokens on it to see how theirs played compared to ours.

Yay! Pinballs! I honestly forgot when the last time was where I saw pinball machines in an arcade. This made me happy...

While I remain calm, a bit somewhat frightened by her.

My brother getting all laffy-happy at Laffing Sal!

Like always, SCBB never seems to have non-operating rides...with the exception of the Haunted Castle make-over.

Some carousel history...I'm sure you can't read it here due to the smaller size.

We're here! Now, to grab a parking spot. By noon, the parking stalls were full.

I see coaster-ness! That means...

[andre8]

Awesome Photo TR, I went and rode my first S&S Tower there in July this year.

[Angry_Gumball]

That was my only S&S Tower. Now, as promised...the rest of the photos. Not putting up all 300 of them though...but there will be plenty to see. So last night...left off at the cave lady on the sky glider. So here goes! Enjoy!

Carousel exterior...see you next summer! Thanks for reading/viewing! Comments welcome!

Well, it's that unfortunate time of the day where you have to call it a day...We were pretty beat too.

Nerd Shot! Everything you needed to know about this ride!

This thing tilts up pretty far...I know, I angled it more but it still tilts up pretty steep.

Making the last ride on the intense roundup ride, Cyclone!

Wow...I got pwned!

No! Don't shoot me! Aw..too late!

FPS style of Ghost Blasters!

Some cave people watching over the River Walk section of the park.

It does look like Garlic Bulb and Bed Sheet blasters! Still a fun/competitive ride.

And Sharktums chowing down on some surfboards. Wait a sec...Sharktums...Wipeout...Elissa...Wipeout? Dizzy Dummy, Spinning ride? I see some similarities!

Detail shot of one of their newer classic spinning rides (Replaced Wave Jammer)

Now for a series of random rides in no particular order shots...Here's the main midway next to Giant Dipper.

My bro, doing the same.

After tired from using all my upper body strength to try to flip it, I instead made use of the holding brake, keeping me 90% inverted the entire ride.

Now, the last ride (for my brother anyway): Rock-o-Plane....also known as Exercise Equipment!

Wow...just plain creepy!

And more artwork!

More dizzy fun!

Another visit to the WipeOut zone. I know, I already have this picture at a very slightly different angle.

And a longneck!

More cave civilians!

And cave people doing their things.

It's got dinosaurs...

Now we're in Cave Rock City? I thought we were in Santa Cruz!

Take the (broken) rotating tunnel!

Time for Cave train, the bear with the twitching jaw!

Making our way back down to do more WipeOut, and try the Cave Train I spotted this...surprised it didn't make international news!

And the fan curve!

Take the Drop!

Some major Tunnel Taking to be had. This is one of the best ride intros I've seen.

Ready??? All Clear!

1 last bit of info before we take various elements on the ride.

Some facts about the Dipper, not that you have much time to read it as the line's always moving fast! Kudos to a speedy crew!

After lunch, it was time to do some more rides on the Dipper! She's 85 years young this year!

The log ride is very photogenic depending on where you're at.

It's lunch time! Get Yerself a Hot Dawg!

Heather, re-orienting herself from being a Dizzy Dummy on Wipe Out!

And now, being Wiped Out!

Some of the artwork in the room...(I guess you can tell that I really like this ride!)

And it has it's dark moments where it only relies on strobes to light up the room.

Instead, you're taken on a 'dark flat ride' set to high-energy Surf Techno, and an amazing light show.

Yay! WipeOut! Too bad it didn't consist of the Motivator, Rug Pulling, or Sweepers...Or Elissa's evil twin who took them...

Us ready to take the plunge!

It's getting hot, it's also been 12 years since I last rode it...so it's time to go on Logger's Revenge.

Like the Sea Swings, this ride has the perfect location for a relaxing ride. Could be a bit more comfortable but still a fun ride.

Also, unique for this Sea Swing, the ride has it's own custom artwork - classic pictures of the Boardwalk.

New for '09, was the Sea Swings. This may seem like your typical swing ride, which for the most part really is...but location makes a huge difference. I love how you get a nice view of the beach, then get a face full of Giant Dipper, then nice view of beach again...top it off with the Sea Breeze...feels good!

Another crest-taking by the Giant Dipper while waiting for our ride.

So now that I've ridden Delirium at CGA for a while, and found that Delirium has the 'magic seat' I wanted to compare it to SCBB's Fireball. Fireball gives all riders the 'magic seat.' though spins slower while CGA's only favors a few sections, but spins much faster. Both are excellent rides BTW.

I want this sign in my room!

Fly-By! Felt like an earthquake, the Fly-By is a sign for the next train to dispatch, aside from the whistle it has.

Giant Dipper is ready to take the crest through the Station Fly-By!

A random news article posted inside the station. There used to be (maybe there still is) an article comparing Grizzly and Giant Dipper.

And now one of the moments I've been waiting for: Giant Dipper time! Originally started out as single train operation.

Making use of the Carousel's artwork for my photography...makes a nice photo frame.

Now, to take a classic spin on the carousel. This carousel seems to move much faster than other carousels I've ridden, and the whole ring thing is just pure fun.

These 2 would make a perfect match for the cave lady

[andre8]

The tunnel in Giant Dipper is fun but stinky.