Photo TR: Linnanmäki opening day

[Anac0nda]

Yesterday Linnanmäki opened its gates yet again and of course, I was there to enjoy. No new rides came this year, but it allowed the cash flow to go to other directions. This year it was all about food. One restaurant was completely re-modelled and now houses six "mini-restaurants" offering a wide range of variety of foods. Sadly, I didn't get to try this new complex so no pics either... Also a performing stage made its come-back in a new location ever since Kirnu took its former place in 2007. The finnish weather sure is rough, though, as it puts the rides to their limits. But luckily it warmed towards the evening and some rides were able to open.

 

So yeah, not quite a kick-start for the season, but most of the rides were running, though. Ukko totally made my day yet again and I left content

An intimidating skyline viewed from the parking lot next to the main entrance.

The two goliaths Ukko and Raketti

"Main plaza" You can buy your tickets here, the entrance is free.

Funhouse Vekkula. Very popular as always.

A new park map. IMO not as good as the previous one. Also, why is it that park maps can't be accurate about rollercoaster layouts?

Wait, do I see an empty train?

"Due to cold weather, this ride won't operate for the rest of the season." NOOOOO! Kirnu is closed! (( (This sign originates to last autumn and seeing this now made me giggle a bit.)

Well, onto the next coaster, Tulireki... but wait, what do I see?

"Tulireki is also closed because of the dumb weather." Well, this isn't such a big loss. Don't know what the GP see in this ride, I find this one just purely painful.

But at least we can still take pictures of it.

Here's one for the control panel enthusiasts.

And for those of you who like steep first drops.

WHAT? Yet another ride closed? This time it's Vonkaputous, the liquid coaster. But I wasn't going to ride it anyway so no harm done.

But now we see the e-stop "ski brakes" that normally hide underwater. I've heard they last about 5-10 brakings and then they have to be replaced.

This trench normally has some nice whitewater.

Looking from below, Tulireki is a compact mess of steel

Tall rides.

This little area reads "Angry birds" in the park map. Not too sure if it's done yet...

A small new cafeteria themed to a building site or just something unfinished? You decide.

Maurer delivers. This baby runs smooth.

And the GP know that too.

This little innocent button is where I have stood many many times during my career as a ride-op. (It's Hurjakuru the rapids ride)

The classic coaster "Vuoristorata". One of the few to still have a brakeman. Also this is the one TPR completed the egg-challenge in.

Here's the new performance stage. Among others, Michael Monroe performed that day while I was riding the Skyloop.

This was something new: to see the tower lifted while it wasn't spinning. Kinda creepy...

To Larry with LOVE

The custom space-themed Zierer Linnunrata was also very popular, as always. It ranks second regarding popularity of all the rides.

Kirnu finally opened! It just had to warm up a bit. They ran it empty for an hour and then opened.

Top Spin looking sexy in fresh paint.

But ultimately, this baby made my day!

I know what you all are thinking. And yes, I was thinking the same thing when I took this photo.

Oh yeah I almost forgot! Ukko got a set of those über-cool-looking wheels that have lights on them and lit up as the train goes faster! VERY NICE even in the sunlight. Can_not_wait for the Carnival of Lights -event in October!!!

Masters of Linnanmäki. Ukko and Vuoristorata. This is a good photo to end this TR.

[SharkTums]

I totally forgot that they had gotten a Sky Loop!?!?

 

And speaking of Angry Birds, any chance you'll head up to Sarkanniemi for the Angry Birds stuff? Curious to see what they actually are doing.

 

Looking forward to getting back to the Scandi parks within the next year or two.

[gisco]

Nice to see all the parks starting to open for the season. Who cold was it there in the morning.

[simon8899]

You wetted my mouth for my June trip - hope to see all coasters then!

 

This was something new: to see the tower lifted while it wasn't spinning.

 

Strange you say that - at carnivals here most ride programs start with no spinning which kicks in afterwards.

[Anac0nda]

Elissa - You bet I'll go there! Probably not on the opening day, though, but at some time this summer for sure. When Särkänniemi opens, I bet someone here in the Finland will take photos that I can link here.

 

gisco - It has just recently started to warm up and the snow to melt here in the "north", it was about +5 Celsius, but towards the afternoon I'd say about +12 Celsius.

 

simon 8899 - The Octopus is over 20 years old and still kicking strong. However, to help it stay in good shape, the mechanics are quite strict about how to run it. Especially not to lift the center before it spins at full speed.

[LoneRider92]

Oooh, I was hoping some park would get those awesome light-up wheels for their ride! A nice looking place. I always enjoy seeing what different vibes parks in other countries have from the parks here in America. Now I'm hoping other companies are able to use the wheel-light technology and put them on their rides. In the right parks and on the right rides, it would look so amazing!

[gisco]

gisco - It has just recently started to warm up and the snow to melt here in the "north", it was about +5 Celsius, but towards the afternoon I'd say about +12 Celsius.

.

 

Has to be warmer then that for them to open Ninja at Magic Mountain and it is in sunny California!