Chadster's Vacation Adventures: Final Edition!

[STR8FXXXINEDGE]

Nice report, Chad. I'm glad to see MA get some love. I know it's not the biggest park with the best rides, but as you found out, it's a nice little park. On a nice day, you can easily make a full day out of it when you include the water park in your plans. It's a pretty nice water park, too.

[adavis]

Great pictures!

Sounds like a fun little park.

 

How does Shivering Timbers run?

I've heard people say it's not as good now (even it sucks) but Im not quick to believe the internet lol

I hope it's wrong because it looks like an airtime machine and really fun!

Also ST just looks so amazing. The hills, that structure, what a beautiful coaster!

 

ST doesn't suck, but I would definitely recommend riding in the front. It still has great ejector air, and some pretty wild elements. The helix at the end isn't aging the best, but it's still well worth riding if you end up at the park or are looking for an in between stop on a Great America to Cedar Point trip.

[RAWKIN_coaster38]

Very photogenic coaster in a pretty little park. I wonder if the cleanliness goes something like this: workers do a good job keeping it clean, park goers see it's very clean, less trash is thrown.

 

That's super cool that they worked so hard to get Shivering Timbers up even though it was late.

[angryemobeaver]

Great report, it makes me miss this park. I visited two years ago and loved it. Yes its small, doesn't have the biggest collection of rides, and is far from anything, but Shivering Timbers alone is worth the drive! As you can see in my signature, it is my #2 woodie. Great amounts of airtime! Honestly if the ride were in a heavily wooded area and had some tunnels, I may like it more than Voyage! May...

[haydn12]

My kids love this park. We hit it every other year after we go to Cedar Point and Kings Island. We like the lack of crowds and the variety of flat rides. My one son isn't into the bigger coasters but he loves Zachs Zoomer.

 

Shivering Timbers was definitely rougher this year compared to a few years ago. The helix was just painful. It didn't help that I had a splitting headache the whole day even before we arrived at the park.

 

They have a great family grill deal that was $7.45 with a platinum pass. All you can eat burgers, hot dogs, bratwurst (which was really good), chicken nuggets, corn dogs, potato and macaroni salad, drinks and ice cream. Can't beat this deal!

 

Jim

[chadster]

Thanks everyone!

 

^ I didn't notice that deal when I was there or I would have taken them up on it! A bargain to say the least.

 

Even though the water park was closed it was nice to see them putting the life guards who showed up for work to work. Albeit they were working the games, the park still did right by them for not sending them home with no pay. Kudos to the park for that.

 

Not sure where my next Adventure will take me, it could be Kings Island, the Indy Zoo, Holiday World, Frontier City, Adventure City... the possibilities are great!

[chadster]

Yesterday I was invited by a friend of mine, TheSchwitek, to Frontier City for a visit and to check out their new water play structure. I have to say that since being sold off from Six Flags and bouncing from PARK to Premier, the park has come a long ways in terms of ride uptime, employee friendliness and hustle, and overall appearance and upkeep. Keep up the great work guys!

 

The parks newest attraction, Wild West Water Works, has become quite popular with families and even adults! I myself have never experienced the awesomeness of one of these water structures that houses slides for everyone. I spent a little over an hour sliding, water fighting, and just having a good time. Oh, and never once did I feel dirty as plenty of other adults with no children were out sunbathing and playing on the structure and getting their fun on. With the success of this addition to the park, I'm sure we will see more new awesome stuff in the future!

 

I do bring to everyone a bit of a surprise as TheSchwitek, operations manager at the park, showed me the bone yard, full of win! Also I have a bit of sad news, and to find that out check out the photos that offer many more details of my time at the park.

 

Thanks again to Michael, I had really awesome fun time!

 

Oh and as per usual if your a photo nut, Clicky

 

Two Parts - Part I

Upon arriving at Frontier City I found this sitting in the parking lot. Yay!

In we go!

Coke called the park and asked to setup this weekend as a promotion for the Olympics. Inside they have a cool bar with Coke at the perfect temperature as well as interactive games and Xbox. (Sorry for the crappy cell phone photo, I was busy drinking Coke and didn't switch to the good camera)

TheSchwitek met me at the front gate and off we went on a quick tour...

...that somehow ended up here! Notice something strange? Well first two adults in a coaster where adults are not normally allowed (Thats head maintenance honcho Wes in the back) and two, is a two car train! Normally it would be a three car train but they decided to do something extra special. Ok, thats not true, the third car is in rehab, but it sounds good?

So not only was it a rare credit, but it was a super rare credit!

After my whoring stop, Michael took me over to the bone yard!!!

 

NOTE: Do NOT attempt to enter, climb over the fence, beg, borrow, steal, or otherwise break in as you might find yourself behind a different kind of fence

Can you name what coaster this came off of? I can't.

My what big logs you have.

Yup, she's sea worthy. Also in the background are the old ticket booths that were replaced with a single structure a few years ago.

Tomahawk will chop no more.

The Yo Yo on the other hand could be put back together again (note: don't read too much into this )

And here we have the remnants of the Galaxi. The building it was housed in is now used for Haunt.

And here is some more of it.

How about a nice display?

Dino's Alive!

Next up some old dark ride cars, how cool!

A good refurbishment and I could see these on a classic ride somewhere.

Mobster cars

Poor Anton, relegated to a parts train by previous ownership.

Let's Roll!

Bye towers, it's been nice knowing you! Why am I wishing them a fond farewell you ask? Keep reading...

After an amazing tour of the bone yard the next stop of the day was BBQ. When you come to the park, this is a must stop. You can smell the smoke inside the store and your taste buds start to salivate. I have to admit the BBQ found here has moved to my top 10 list. It was crazy amazing.

Splitting off from Michael (hey some people work for a living!) I sorted my ride plan of attack.

Being the smart person I am, I headed straight to a spin and puke.

Followed by a swing and puke. I can't say 100%, but I'm pretty sure the Schooner received some new paint this off season.

So with lunch moving around nicely I thought it might be time to slow down a bit and shoot some stuff. As usual, the targets and guns worked perfectly.

Did you know they have their own dining car?

Of course what goes up...

...must come down. This is one of the craziest drop towers I've been on. It was a prototype so everything runs a little slower but delivers a nice surprise.

The go carts are back open this year though you can't tell from this picture as people were strapping in...

Stomach settled, it was time to scramble things up again.

But at this point it's getting hot, so let's cool off.

And if that doesn't cool you off enough, maybe this will.

But after getting wet, you must dry off

The smoothest Vekoma you will ever ride. I think alot of it has to do with the restraint system which is unintrusive.

The Vekoma was just a warm up for his works.

Up we go.

Running as if she was brand new.

And we're done. Kudos to maintenance for keeping her in tip top running condition.

 

And that concludes Part I, in Part II we reveal the fait of eruption and visit the parks newest water attraction!

Edited July 17, 2012 by chadster

[chadster]

Part II

 

Longer than my normal reports, but it's worth it

So here is Eruption, the parks non-upcharge sling shot attraction. Well, it was.

Here is the last photo you will see of Eruption's pod.

Eruption has sadly reached it's end of life and the park this week has started to disassemble it. By the end of August the towers will gone.

 

So the obvious first question asked is what are they replacing it with? Well they are calling it undecided.

After paying my last respects I headed over for a ride on the Wild Cat, love this shot for some reason.

Up goes the Cat.

There she goes!

Nerd Shot!

 

So you ask, how are you getting this photos?!?! Well I'm about to show you

First you enter here.

Then you take this path....

(clue)

Noted.

Which leads you here, to Frontier City's newest attraction that has opened to rave reviews!

Wild West Water Works (WWWW) is a totally awesome water play structure for kids of all ages!

Perfect for needing to cool off after a hot day of riding.

The slides are also large enough for the big kids and thrilling enough for the little kids!

They have also installed new restrooms with showers and changing facilities.

Of course there are plenty of things to get you wet here.

I stayed a little over an hour and loved it. Lock boxes are available for $2 per use(well worth it) and lounge chairs and canopy's are spread throughout.

Need something to eat or an adult beverage? They have you covered.

After playing it was time to relax.

No thank you! They've got a winner on their hands that has helped fill a need that park has had in Oklahoma's super hot summer heat.

My date.

But before I go, some people complained I didn't have enough Silver Bullet in a PTR from last year, so....

I am here to satisfy your complaining.

So sit back, relax and enjoy.

NERD SHOT!

Well, that's all folks.

 

Again special thanks to Frontier City and TheSchwitek for showing me around. The new Wild West Water Works is just what the Dr. ordered and the park, despite the multi day 100+ heat looks really really good!

 

One favor to ask, I've trying various settings on my camera to improve my skills. If you see a picture you like or don't like let me know, it will help me tenfold!

 

Until my next adventure...see ya!

[Thri!!er]

Thanks for your great photos as usual, Chad(ster)

Exactly this Schwarzkopf-LoopCoaster ("Silver Bullet" in Frontier City), was the former and first portable LoopCoaster (in modern times) from the WORLD - named "Looping-Star" (in the beginning tour under the showmen-constellation between Fritz Kinzler & Oscar Bruch (Senior). The World-Premiere was at the carnival/fair Cranger Kirmes in Herne - better said - Wanne Eickel 1978 in Germany (Nordrhein-Westfalen/NRW).

Edited July 17, 2012 by Thri!!er

[Shavethewhales]

Wow, such an awesome update. Thanks again Chadster.

 

So the Hangman is operating again, the Schooner was painted, there is actually good food in the park, they have an awesome big new water addition, there are actually people in the park, and to top it all off they're clearing away a crappy old ride for some prime space for the future. I guess ErUPtion wasn't actually that crappy of a ride, except for the fact that I never got to ride it because the only time it was open when I visited it had something like a 2-hour wait (when everything else in the park was walk-on). I'm so glad to see so much investment and attention to the park all the sudden. I kinda wish I had paid a visit this year, but I'm focusing on going to SDC again instead.

[sspaz1000]

great update Chad!

 

I love all the pictures so I can't really say if I liked some more than others.

[chadster]

^^ It's pretty awesome to see really and seeing Michael in action and how the employee's all respect him and work well with each other; you're going to continue to see the park flourish.

 

^I'm having similar issues!

Edited July 18, 2012 by chadster

[TheSchwitek]

Awesome trip report! I'm glad you enjoyed the park, and I hope to see other TPR members visit in the near future! It's cool when I can look at a trip report from my own park, and enjoy it just as much as a trip report from a park I have never seen! Looking forward to your future travels!

[CoasterGuy06]

^^ It's pretty awesome to see really and seeing Michael in action and how the employee's all respect him and work well with each other you're going to continue to see the park flourish.

 

^I'm having similar issues!

 

Yeah he's supposedly a pretty good manager, or so I'm told.

Awesome report! Frontier City seems like such a neat little park. Got to get myself out there soon!

[chadster]

^You don't have to suck up anymore!

 

^^Thanks again man, glad you like the TR! I'll be sending a package your way to add to your collection of materials soon

[chadster]

Back in June I visited Adventureland - Iowa in, well, Iowa. So you might be asking, why travel to cornfield heaven to go to an amusement park? Well, because I wanted to

 

Seriously though I was already in Kansas City for Coasting for Kids so I thought, why not. The park itself was run primarily by an older crowd, and by older I mean retired which had plenty of benefits that included they didn't fart around (well ok, maybe they farted, but you know what I mean) they show up for work, and most importantly, super fast dispatch times. Yeah, I was shocked too.

 

The park is very Disney like in it's front entrance and quickly spreads out. While the coaster collection is mild they do have a well rounded flat collection which was impressive.

 

 

 

Want to know what else is impressive? So far this year I have traveled to more than 50 different parks and along the way I have collected park crap, and...I'm GIVING IT ALL AWAY!

 

Maybe not all of it, but a good amount of it. Stuff from Adventureland, Martins, SeaBreeze, Kings Island, Silver Dollar City, Michigan's Adventure and more. So gee Chadster, what do I need to do to get all this cool crap? Simple. Hidden in this trip report will be a caption contest. Best caption WINS!

 

But WAIT there is more! A second round of poo poo will be given away if you tell me which of this years Adventures (thus far of course) that you have liked the most! I will then stage a drawing based on some crazy lottery rule and presto, someone will win!

 

 

SIMPLE! So what are you waiting for, post your captions and whatnot and get ready to win free poo poo!

Step right up folks, get your tickets, get your tickets here.

 

Hey, why does this look familiar?

Where have I seen a front entrance like this before.

Hmmmm.......Oh yeah, I know! Disneyland! Seriously, for a first timer it scarely resembles Disneyland.

Possibly with a splash of Six Flags. But it's really cool! Tons of shops, eats, and whatnot.

Don't call me SuperShawn.

On a effing hot day, this was a real treat.

After a tasty treat, I took a stroll down Main Street U.S.A.

Where at the end I found myself indoors.

The Falling Star was covered and down for the count, however I understand it has since re-opened. For those wondering why I am talking about a Falling Star when not looking at one, well, I don't really know.

The Splash Down (Think Huss Flipper) was also down and looked like it was waiting on parts. Not sure if it has also since re-opened.

"David doesn't really care about me, but the farmers in Iowa are great. They feed me, bathe me, love me, and nurture me. No more faking it with manly poses. I'm a bird, I fly, eat, and crap."

Tons and tons of places to eat like an enthusiast.

OMFG TACOS!!!! Note: The tacos were good, the perfect meat to lettuce and cheese ratio.

Fly me to the moooon....

Rejected riders.

So I guess "The Dragon" is supposed to have some medieval theme or something, but I could be wrong.

Though about the only thing medieval about it was that it looked and felt like it was a hundred years old, which, is actually good if you like that sort of thing.

So by now you are probably thinking, 'hey, this is a cute park' and you would be right. Very nice setting and well kept. Keep in mind the heat has taken a toll on the grass.

As I was exiting "The Dragon" I spotted a Turtle. Soon after park management approached me asking if I had seen him. Turns out this guy is the largest one in the pond and he's not spotted very often. Word got out to the employees and soon more arrived. I found that kinda awesome really.

Time to move along.......

CAPTION CONTEST TIME!!!!!!! POST YOUR CAPTIONS!!!!

Howdy partners.

Making my way to the back of the park. This is also the way to the water park, where thankfully everyone was.

Easily the most popular flat with a longer than expected ride cycle and the longest line in the park.

Big boy looks a little scared...

Continuing into the rear of the park I found the rest of the west.

I would have waited for this attraction but 1. it was slow moving and 2. acceptable amount of wetness. I wanted to get wet, and it just didn't look like you did. So I passed. Obviously.

F&B prices are crazy reasonable at a park of this size.

Looks like a GCI

Smells like a GCI

But noooooo, it's the last CCI before the GCI crew took their balls and ran to a new sandbox.

NERD SHOT! (Tornado's ride control system)

Personally I've seen more than my share of tornado's, I don't care to see any more.

For you roto geeks

Flume credit time...

...complete with toilet bowel colored water.

This is really what the park is known for across the world.

And this is what is inside the piggy.

Wouldn't it be awesome if they served pork outta here? Like Caramel Bacon Peanut Popcorn. Sounds amazing right?

Shaka Shaka Chicken Shacka?

I wasn't sure what to expect of this ride. It was more along the lines of 'Fire in the Hole' or 'Blazing Fury'

NOTED!

Once I made it 'Underground' this creepy guy touched me.

Mmmmmm, balls out and scrambled it was time to make my way out.

My expectations for this park were spot on. Clean, well kept, friendly, and an overall decent collection of rides. Definitely a place I wouldn't mind re-visiting (with a coupon of course) if I ever make it back to Iowa.

 

Thanks for a great day Adventureland.

 

Don't forget, winning poo-poo is easy!!! Post your captions and your favorite Adventure for your chance to have your box filled! Contest ends this Friday!

Edited August 27, 2012 by chadster

[cfc]

Adventureland is a great, noncorporate park. Outlaw is a solid ride, and the Underground is just weird enough to be interesting.

[sspaz1000]

Favorite 2012 report was your report on the San Diego Zoo.

[PAL]

My favorite is Chad's original taco adventure from Indiana Beach, including the bonus valley adventure.

 

Oh man, I didn't know Steelers defensive end Brett Keisel is a park fan. He really let himself go during the off-season.

 

http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2011/02/02/sports/HAIR2/HAIR2-popup.jpg

[beatle11]

Great TR Chad. I always like seeing TR's from places that don't get alot of attention, like this one for example, as well as Frontier City and Michigan's Adventure. I think I would say Michigan's Adventure is my favorite. I'm going to have to think about a caption for that photo.

[chadster]

Favorite 2012 report was your report on the San Diego Zoo.

 

Mine too

[sspaz1000]

^I never laughed harder at captions of animals!

[QueerRudie]

I've always wanted to voyage here for the oddity of the attractions this park holds- and can only hope to make it there in 2013. It is nice to see a park of this scale still exist among parks that are nowhere near as well themed but more popular overall.

[Big Mike]

My favorite report was Santa's Village, because of the great time we had with cool friends and because it had Big Mike in it!!

 

 

Peace, Big Mike

Edited August 27, 2012 by Big Mike

[Chroniq]

My favorite trip report was Indiana Beach, if only for the tacos.

 

 

^-chris "glad I made my point, but still seriously.... (wtf)" con

Edited August 27, 2012 by Chroniq