Dorney Park and Wildwater Kingdom Discussion Thread

[coasterfan4444]

Any news on what is replacing Laser?

 

I believe that there is a stunt show going there. Much like the one at CP. Though, save for the mini-announcement during the goodbye to Laser event, there has been no confirmation to support this.

[Invertalon]

I think most people give these rides more credit then they deserve. If it was made by arrow instead of Schwarzkopf, people would not care nearly as much.

 

The layout was bland, short, and not that fun. Train was crammed and uncomfortable (I am 6'6"). Mindbender is a MUCH more enjoyable ride. I even prefer SDL at Hershey over this.

 

Sad to see it go, yes, but really it's not that big of a loss. The popularity and ridership was not there. Plus I am sure most of you will think "laser what?" come an announcement for it's replacement.

[Cygnus12]

^ Well it was designed as a production model portable coaster, what do you expect?

[Invertalon]

That is not my point, you misunderstood. Just because it is short is not the reason I don't like it. The ride wasn't bad, just I find it funny so many people seem so bothered by its removal.

 

Portable or not, the ride was not impressive by any means. People are more drawn to the man who built it then the ride itself.

[andrea_loves_daisies]

I think it is a great ride and really enjoyed it last month. It was more smooth than I can ever remember it being. Sadly, Dorney has managed to get rid of all my favorite rides, Journey to the Center of the Earth, The Flying Dutchman, the rotating glass maze, the traver rocket and the Iceburg or whatever it was called.

[robbalvey]

Portable or not, the ride IMO was not impressive by any means. SOME People are more drawn to the man who built it then the ride itself.

 

FIXED!

 

Sorry pal, but I'm not drawn to any "man" I just happened to like the ride. There is also no need to be so brash with stating your opinions. I'd like to think most members here at TPR actually welcome differing opinions.

 

--Robb

[ginzo]

People are more drawn to the man who built it then the ride itself.

 

Hell yes!!!

I love big, fat, bald, dead German guys. They're so sexy. Jessica Alba ain't got a thing on this.

[Cygnus12]

^ Haha, that pic is great!

 

The ride wasn't bad, just I find it funny so many people seem so bothered by its removal.

 

One reason might be because these portable Schwarzkopf loopers are becoming pretty scarce in the US. The full sized Schwarzkopf’s like SooperDooperLooper or Revolution are great but they don't seem to have the power of the portable counterparts.

 

Plus they just look great in all their portable awesomeness!

[YoshiFan]

It was my 3rd favorite coaster in the park after Talon and Steel Force. I am really annoyed Dorney is getting rid of it.

 

I think it is a huge loss for the park. I'm not even looking at it from an enthusiast's standpoint. It was one of the 3 non kiddie coasters that was at 48" or less, and it even though it as actually more intense (at least to me) than Talon and Hydra, it didn't look as intimidating. Plus not many parks have coasters with only 1 or 2 inversions anymore. I know that the only reason I ever tried a looping coaster was knowing that since Sooperdooperlooper only had 1 loop, if I tried it and didn't like the loop it was over after that. If SDL was gone as well, and all that was left was coasters with 4+ inversions, I don't know how quick I would have been to try a coaster with inversions.

[Meteornotes]

To me, this ride was the only reason to visit Dorney. I will miss it.

 

dt

[ECZenith]

I will miss the ride a lot but at least there's still Sooperdooperlooper in PA. The one thing that really stands out on that ride was its sloooooooow lift hill.

 

Maybe one of the smaller parks here in Cali will buy it (wishful thinking)

[YoshiFan]

Someone in Germany bought it (I think for fairs?)

[robaroo723]

I think it is a great ride and really enjoyed it last month. It was more smooth than I can ever remember it being. Sadly, Dorney has managed to get rid of all my favorite rides, Journey to the Center of the Earth, The Flying Dutchman, the rotating glass maze, the traver rocket and the Iceburg or whatever it was called.

 

I know! My family used to take an annual trips to Dorney when I was a kid, and a lot of my favorites rides are gone. I remember when Laser was called Colossus. Before Laser was built, wasn't there a pond with user-driven whale boats?? I know I have pictures of me driving a whale, but I may be mixing up locations.

 

Either way, another piece of my Dorney childhood is going bye-bye.

[NewsPlusNotes]

Despite bad weather, the removal of Laser has continued into this weekend.

 

The only parts of the ride still standing are the two loops and the first helix at this point.

 

The lift, drop, last helix, and all associated supports have already been removed and packed up for shipping.

 

Below are two photos, if you want to whole update here is the link:

http://newsplusnotes.blogspot.com/2008/11/laser-removal-photos-111508.html

 

Mike

Overview of what's left.

Workers check out the first helix track.

[Cygnus12]

^ Nice update. It's kind of hard to watch it being taken down though; it's like watching Shea Stadium being slowly taken down.

[coasterfan4444]

They didnt progress as much as I thought they would have by now. I guess that is due to the poor whether over the past few days. I am going to again swing by the park tomorrow to see if I cant get some good pictures.

[coasterfan4444]

I ran by the park on Sunday. Noticed that the area between the loops is gone. I would assume the loops are the next to be removed.

[Hercules]

^ Haha, that pic is great!

 

The ride wasn't bad, just I find it funny so many people seem so bothered by its removal.

 

One reason might be because these portable Schwarzkopf loopers are becoming pretty scarce in the US. The full sized Schwarzkopf’s like SooperDooperLooper or Revolution are great but they don't seem to have the power of the portable counterparts.

 

Plus they just look great in all their portable awesomeness!

 

I'm just bothered because it was my first looping coaster, and, for a long time, were the only inversions in the park. I didn't have a love affair with the ride, but I did really really like it.

[NewsPlusNotes]

This little bit in the photo is all that is left of Laser!

 

http://newsplusnotes.blogspot.com/2008/11/laser-is-almost-gone.html

 

That's the full update but there isn't much more to see with such little of the ride still standing.

 

Mike

Going... going...

[Jds03]

I guess theirs a part of me that feels sad about seeing Lazer go, but then again, on the bright side it should get more use and enjoyment where its going, than in a corner of Dorney, where people will be drawn away to bigger rides like VooDoo and Steel Force.

 

Am i late to this topic, or has it been confirmed that Lazer is going to the German fleet of traveling coasters?

[Rct3man777]

^I guess so. Didn't someone say it was going to a mexican park as "the grand doppler" or something, though?

[coasterfan4444]

Its going to Germany to be on the fair circuit.

[Speeddeamon128]

I just made a video remembering Laser.

 

[robbalvey]

Am i late to this topic, or has it been confirmed that Lazer is going to the German fleet of traveling coasters?

You seem to be really good at asking questions that are already answered in the thread you are reading!

 

--Robb "That's twice today!" Alvey

[coasterfan4444]

^^ Great video. Tis a shame Dorney must lose one of the top three coasters (IMO) in the park.