Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk (SCBB) Discussion Thread

[singemfrc]

^ I was pretty much Hurricane's biggest fan and I like Undertow more. It's smoother, higher capacity, and it really is a different ride every time.

[Canobie Coaster]

^

Awesome Thanks.

 

On another note, I finally got to ride Undertow. I thought it was fun, but all those brakes sort of killed the thrill. Is it better than Hurricane? In some ways, yes. But they should really let up on the brakes.

 

The brakes killed speed, but I thought they helped with the spinning.

[aCoasterStory]

^

Awesome Thanks.

 

On another note, I finally got to ride Undertow. I thought it was fun, but all those brakes sort of killed the thrill. Is it better than Hurricane? In some ways, yes. But they should really let up on the brakes.

 

The brakes killed speed, but I thought they helped with the spinning.

 

My car barely spun at all. And the ride's pacing suffered greatly from all the braking.

[moviemansig]

Here's a trip report for 9/13 when my two friends and I went. The first ride we did was Undertow. I enjoyed it, with its unexpected turns; it was a smooth experience. One of my friends did the speed ball challenge and as a result of throwing 58 mph won a stuffed snake. We then did the Giant Dipper and it seemed jerkier this time. For some reason we got lucky and the ride operators let us stay on and do it twice in a row. (I don't think I've ever experienced this before.) I did the rock wall and actually got to the top, though I did do the easiest level. Also, as we were walking around, I noticed someone had dropped a $20 bill on the ground, and when I held it out, somebody said they had dropped it and I gave it to him. I had a Mike's Hard Lemonade during lunch. I went in the water during the afternoon by myself and got wiped out multiple times by the waves, which were better than I expected. At first, the water was cold, but I got used to it. It was fun, even though I got cramps and was feeling really light headed and tipsy due to the alcohol. We did Undertow again later on and I switched positions - facing in front instead of the back. The ride experience seemed about the same, though. I was disappointed Crazy Surf and WipeOut were closed. We all had a really good time.

[singemfrc]

^ Yep double rides will happen occasionally on the 'Dipper. It's a nice surprise. Regarding the jerkiness, I find the inside seat to be significantly smoother than the outside; I think mostly because you're bumping against the person next to you as opposed to the side of the seat/car.

[gromithere]

Here's a trip report for 9/13 when my two friends and I went. The first ride we did was Undertow. I enjoyed it, with its unexpected turns; it was a smooth experience. One of my friends did the speed ball challenge and as a result of throwing 58 mph won a stuffed snake. We then did the Giant Dipper and it seemed jerkier this time. For some reason we got lucky and the ride operators let us stay on and do it twice in a row. (I don't think I've ever experienced this before.) I did the rock wall and actually got to the top, though I did do the easiest level. Also, as we were walking around, I noticed someone had dropped a $20 bill on the ground, and when I held it out, somebody said they had dropped it and I gave it to him. I had a Mike's Hard Lemonade during lunch. I went in the water during the afternoon by myself and got wiped out multiple times by the waves, which were better than I expected. At first, the water was cold, but I got used to it. It was fun, even though I got cramps and was feeling really light headed and tipsy due to the alcohol. We did Undertow again later on and I switched positions - facing in front instead of the back. The ride experience seemed about the same, though. I was disappointed Crazy Surf and WipeOut were closed. We all had a really good time.

 

I was there on 9/14. What I noticed is a HUGE difference in roughness when comparing my morning rides on Dipper compared to my rides later in the day. I am aware that woodies almost always have these variations, but the VAST difference was a surprise to me.

[Risky]

I like the little surprises they added to the Haunted Castle. The loud screams really made me jump. That ride seems to finally be coming around. I think they could do more with the graveyard scene. maybe add one more good pop-up scare.

[Jackdude101]

Their carousel is pretty decent. It and the Giant Dipper are National Historic Landmarks. Plus, the carousel was made by Charles I.D. Looff, who was more or less the equivalent to B&M in the carousel making industry a 100 years ago. It's also a rare example of one that still dispenses metal rings for riders to grab as they ride and it has the added bonus of presenting a target at which you can throw your rings.

[sfmman2000]

Time to bring this thread back from the dead. I stopped by the Boardwalk recently, and thought I would highlight a few new things.

 

Perhaps the biggest change is that the Boardwalk has converted to a points system for rides, up-charge attractions, games, and arcades. No more tickets (although they are still accepted). Wristbands still exist and have a long barcode printed on them for scanning at ride entrances. Here's more information about the MyBoardwalk card: http://beachboardwalk.com/myboardwalk/

 

Another interesting change is that the Boardwalk's parking lots will soon switch to a pay-later system, much like any standard parking garage. Parking will still charged by the day ($15), but with the new method, cars will get parked faster to hopefully alleviate traffic in the area (anyone who's been to the Boardwalk on a summer day knows what I mean).

 

The park recently built another wooden walkway extending on to the beach

 

 

And a new food and drink stand

 

 

There is a new kiddie ride called Kiddie Cruzers

 

 

The ride is located in between Sea Swings and Rock and Roll

 

 

Nice attention to detail with the cars

 

 

Somewhat new, you can buy freshly-made stuffed churros. This replaced the waffle cone stand.

 

 

There is also a machine that pumps out the dough (didn't get a picture)

 

 

What's this?

 

 

Water blasters at Logger's Revenge! They aren't in operation yet, but they will take the MyBoardwalk card as payment. Cool! The rock wall is new, too.

 

 

One of the Rock-o-plane cars has a new rainbow paint job. Awesome!

 

 

You can buy and recharge the MyBoardwalk card at self-service machines around the walk

 

 

Buying $50+ of points gets you bonus points

 

 

 

 

The new Crazy Surf ride (KMG) has been facing a lot of down time. I'm not sure what the problem is, but I hear the park may opt to remove it if the reliability can't be improved.

 

 

Here are a few pictures of the Boardwalk area to end the report

 

 

How could I forget: One of the worst intersections in Santa Cruz – right by the Boardwalk – is getting a roundabout. Nice!

Edited April 6, 2015 by sfmman2000

[RyanTPM]

^Really good pictures there, nice to see changes and small additions happening. Thankyou for the update

[laqueefa]

Awesome update!

[jray21]

Thanks for the update. I'm excited for the parking changes. That's always been a nightmare on busy days.

[sfmman2000]

^^^

^^

^

Thanks!

 

I have to wonder if they planned the new parking system well, since I can imagine long lines to pay when many people leave at the same time at the end of the night. However if parking cars faster is the main concern, this may help solve that issues (along with creating a few new ones). It will be interesting to see how it works out.

[singemfrc]

^^^

^^

^

Thanks!

 

I have to wonder if they planned the new parking system well, since I can imagine long lines to pay when many people leave at the same time at the end of the night. However if parking cars faster is the main concern, this may help solve that issues (along with creating a few new ones). It will be interesting to see how it works out.

It will probably be the self pay kiosk where you just walk up and pay at the machine before you go back to your car. This will be a nice time saver! Boardwalk will also save some cash not having to pay parking fee collectors on top of the money saved from less ticket sellers. Sad that a few people probably lost their jobs, but at least those arent usually "career" jobs anyway.

[Jew]

It would make sense if they are able to tie parking payment into the ride kiosks.

[singemfrc]

It would make sense if they are able to tie parking payment into the ride kiosks.

I didnt think of that, but yeah that would be even better.

[Andrewoplis]

Great TR, sfmman2000!

I've always liked how the boardwalk has a really good mix of classic attractions and modern attractions, as well as how they are able to cram them into such a small space. That new point system sounds like a great idea and I hope it works out for them!

[coasternate]

Going to the park today with family. Hoping to make a trip report. Excited to ride Giant Dipper a ton of times

 

Also, I have always liked the Haunted Castle because it (gasp!) actually still scares me. Those sudden, loud screams....... I also love the guillotine ending, where if you put your head down, you feel like it is being chopped off.

 

Is anyone else going today?

[Risky]

Me no likey the rechargeable card thingy. I wish games were still running on tokens and cash (They were cheaper).

 

Kiddie Cruisers still looks out of place. I don't know how different it is from the classic Rugged Buggies ride.

 

I do like how they're expanding the boardwalk more toward the beach. Looks nice.

Edited October 29, 2015 by Risky

[Jew]

^Tokens and cash are dated technology now. Cashless is safer and less overhead for parks.

[moviemansig]

Here is a trip report for today. When my friend and I got there, the ticket window was operating really slowly. Undertow now has a policy that doesn't allow loose articles on the ride platform, meaning a l- o- c- k- e- r must be purchased to store them if you want to ride. However, these l- o- c- k- e- r -s can only be purchased by credit card. I did the rock wall (medium level) and got to the top. This is the first time I’ve gotten to the top on the medium level. I went in the water, which was cold, and did some body surfing. Afterward, I got some bad cramps. I had the tater twists for the first time and liked them. The lines for the rides weren’t long with the exception of Haunted Castle, which we didn’t do. I was disappointed that WipeOut was closed. Giant Dipper was running just one train. The weather was really nice for this time of year.

Edited March 25, 2016 by moviemansig

[Risky]

I had gone for 4th of July this year. Wasn't impressed. It was way too over-crowded (which I understand, being that it was a holiday, but still). Everything is so pricey, and there was nothing new in terms of rides. I visit the Boardwalk every year (since I live in Arizona) and it's sad to say that the Boardwalk used to be my favourite place in the whole world.

[moviemansig]

All amusement parks are pricey. As for them not having any new rides, they don’t debut something new every year. Undertow, which I really like, opened just two years ago.

[jray21]

It is getting very crowded, but I still think it's a great park!

[moviemansig]

Here is a trip report for yesterday. Giant Dipper was running just one train. I did the rock wall (hard level) and got to the top. This is the first time I’ve gotten to the top on the hard level. Since we rode Undertow within the first 40 minutes of operation, we didn’t have to pay for a l- o- c- k- e- r. We did some boogie boarding and I found the water to be quite cold. I got thoroughly wiped out one time. I started to get some cramps again after going in the water, but thankfully they weren’t as bad this time. All the rides were open and was able to do most of the ones I wanted to do. The tunnel is back for Cave Train. Also, there’s a new fog effect in the ice caverns for the ride as well. Overall, it was really nice weather wise.