Canobie Lake Park Opening Day PTR

[mrceagle]

You know spring has sprung when the parks start opening and my home park Canobie lake Park has finally opened for the season. I bought my ticket and a opening day sale ticket to use later in the season. 2 of the Canobie critters were out greeting guests. Gate also opened a little early.

 

After entering we made our way to the north end of the park to get a look at Untamed. They were much further along than I thought. The track was installed for the station to the lift. The vertical lift was installed as well as most of the drop. They were installing the top section of drop track as we arrived.

 

I saw one of the parks owners and checked in. Ray Captell spent some time talking with me about the coasters new area as well as area around it. He informed me that the Canobie mall will be reworked. The Gift shop that had been there for years have been removed and the entire corner will get reworked as a new gift shop. The mall will be renamed Big Bear Lodge and an accompanying theme will be installed. The building will not be finished this year but finished next year with the Jackpot casino being removed and will be relocated to the back of the Dance hall. There will be a greater focus on food in the building with a possible removal and rebuild of what is now the Gables grill

 

I was also informed that the coaster would be topped off shortly. So we shook hands and he made his way back into the work site. As I was waiting I took not of the Untamed merchandise and sales cart. The cart was using the cart used previously by the photo sales and had been up for sale. There was also a new Food cart selling Roast beef. This will be used until a permanent building is added next year.

 

It was time the park moved a section of tract that would soon be the section leading into the vertical loop. At the same time a crew added dirt to support the side of the antique car ride. The car ride was closed as they did that. I took video while my brother took photos. It was very exciting to see the coaster topped off. I have never seen it in person. 16 minutes later the coaster was toped and Untamed was well under way.

 

Read the full report here: New_Whalom_Park/canobie opening 2011

 

View Images of Untamed's Construction, Canobie Critters, rides, and 2011 changes from this trip here: photos@newwhalom.com/Canobie Lake Park opening 2011

[Pirouettes907]

That's really neat that you were able to see the coaster get topped off in person! I'd love to see something like that someday.

 

I'm really excited about Untamed, not only because it will probably be my first Eurofighter, but because I just absolutely love the bear theme. Something about the bear's face on the front of the train makes me giggle, and I love how they're extending the theme beyond the ride itself, judging by the sign for "Big Bear Plaza" in one of your pictures.

 

Thanks for posting this!

[Hercules]

Thanks mrceagle! I always enjoy your updates.

[mrceagle]

Glad you both enjoy it. Hope you looked through the rest of the photos.

 

The exit of the ride will put you in front of the station so the whole right side of the old ball field will be used for Big bear Plaza. Will see a lot go on over the next couple of years.