sfmman2000 Posted July 20, 2012 Share Posted July 20, 2012 We took a visit to the annual California State Fair 2012 on Saturday, July 14. Some notes: 1. Pictures hide most of the dirt and grime of the rides. 2. The Fabbri Spinning Wild Mouse was not present at the carnival, although the fair website says otherwise. 3. (not pictured) was a decently fun ride. 4. Spinout, a KMG/Tivoli Move It, was awesome! Really unexpectedly great. It doesn't look very enjoyable, but this is one of those rides where it's a lot more fun than it looks. 3. I should really hold the ride operators to a higher standard. But it's hard. They rarely pay attention to their ride, are overall not very friendly. A little "rough around the edges" I would say. But I really shouldn't expect anything more -- it's a carnival. Then again, Butler's motto is: "Family is our business" and "The cleanest show in the West." I don't know what to think. 4. Enjoy the photos... Two zippers, one picture! The underwhelming Zillerator's station The Zillerator was heavily trimmed and not nearly as exciting one would expect for a compact carnival-style coaster This Zipper sure looks pretty. It was a great idea for them to bring two Zippers. There weren't any lines during our stay, but I'm sure during peak hours, the Zipper attracts the crowds. Standard Fireball. Subpar cycle. The Jumping Jumbos! Which are not a rip-off of anything. Nope. First time on a Skydiver. Wow. Not the best idea putting two adults in one car. Really insane and unique ride. Yum. Free ice coffee samples and free $5 gift cards. Not bad. Toy shop model train. Buried alive, coffin simulator. What could go wrong? Whiting's, operator of concessions at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk brought this stand out to the fair. Evolution from Fabbri. This is one of those rides that is quite awesome to watch, but gives a fairly average ride. Unfortunately I was too dizzy from previously ridden flat rides to take a ride on Crazy Train. But just watching it, it spins ridiculously fast! Anyone care to share their experience on one of these? It looks wild! Cal Expo's permanent monorail. The Cal Expo grounds are quite nice. They brought a 100 foot Chance wheel, as seen in the background. No thanks. A Super Round-Up, which our passing monorail train got quite close to. ARM Super Shot, 105 foot tower in the background, I believe. Quite a nice ride. It even held at the top for about 15-20 seconds. One of the main waterslide structures at Raging Waters, Cal Expo's on-site waterpark. Note the interesting architecture of the concrete building in the background. Butler scooped up some rides from Neverland Ranch. Yep. Cal Expo's shaded solar panel parking lot Do yourself a favor and ride this solely for the old dark ride smell. This ride (no exaggeration) is composed of just a few cardboard cutouts moving about. So the bumper cars are running and one operator hops in a car and starts driving it while the other walks across the ride floor. Great operations team you've got, Butler. They actually brought out three wheels! This one is an Eli Bridge Eagle 16 wheel at 67 feet tall. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angry_Gumball Posted July 20, 2012 Share Posted July 20, 2012 Cool stuff, thanks for sharing! I haven't gone to the state fair since I was real young. The only things I really remember were some of the exhibition halls, the water park, and taking a cruise on the monorail (which gave great views of the midway we did not step foot into, as well as the water park). For some reason that dark ride towards the end reminds me of the "Chamber of Farts" dark ride from one of the South Park episodes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RAWKIN_coaster38 Posted July 20, 2012 Share Posted July 20, 2012 I've never been to the state fair, but have always wanted to! Doesn't look like this year will be the year for me, so great to see a TR of it. I should really hold the ride operators to a higher standard. But it's hard. They rarely pay attention to their ride, are overall not very friendly. A little "rough around the edges" I would say. But I really shouldn't expect anything more -- it's a carnival. Then again, Butler's motto is: "Family is our business" and "The cleanest show in the West." I don't know what to think. Ohhhhh Butler Amusements. I have a horror story about them! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angry_Gumball Posted July 20, 2012 Share Posted July 20, 2012 SPOILER (for those who have never done the carny dark ride experience, such as myself)... ever wonder what's inside those trailer show buildings? Well, here's a (blurry, dark) POV going through one... Some of the sounds...well, most of them sounded like an electro-mechanical pinball machine...scary, no? Honestly, I think these things are meant to remain a mystery as to what really goes on inside those things. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sfmman2000 Posted July 20, 2012 Author Share Posted July 20, 2012 ^^^ They still have the exhibition halls filled with vendors and one exhibit for each county in California. Kind of fun to walk though. And they have a permanent building where they concerts and also temporary exhibits such as "Everything you could possibly want to know about Sunmaid raisins." They did pass out free raisins, which was nice. ^^ I'd like to hear your story! ^ That ride is just so so bad it's not even funny. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angry_Gumball Posted July 20, 2012 Share Posted July 20, 2012 My cousin always told me about the ride and how she was excited for it only to see a skeleton with light bulb eyes light up and make a 'Bzzzt' noise. When I was real young, SCBB's Haunted Castle scared me quite a bit to the point of crying (yes, I went that far!) and thus steered clear of dark rides until I was old enough to realize they were all fake (which fortunately didn't take more than a park season or 2). During that time, having the fear kept me from wanting to check out the carny rendition of a haunted ride. Speaking of the Expo's, the one thing I really remember was seeing a bunch of decorated cars, much like this: And walking out of the expo hall, seeing the pair of Cliffhanger water slides in the distance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SLUSHIE Posted July 20, 2012 Share Posted July 20, 2012 I've never been a fan of the state fair, but I always kinda liked the dioramas each county makes. Probably the best part. Then those cement buildings can have cool things in them, it changes every year. Looks like you skipped all the farm stuff, good for you! On the whole the fair is not all that exciting. Last time I was at Cal Expo was for this really crappy Oktoberfest which I'm convinced was just a way to get rid of all the beer leftover from the fair. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robman Posted July 20, 2012 Share Posted July 20, 2012 ^This is the coolest diorama I have ever seen at a fair, a model of Flight Deck at CGA. I saw it in person and this thing was massive and very detailed! Image Courtesy of: mejaybe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jew Posted July 20, 2012 Share Posted July 20, 2012 When did the fair go from RCS to Butler? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cfc Posted July 20, 2012 Share Posted July 20, 2012 I saw the commercial for the California State Fair while I was at my parent's house in Kings Beach last week--a bunch of people in animal suits break dancing. It was kind of disturbing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RAWKIN_coaster38 Posted July 20, 2012 Share Posted July 20, 2012 ^This is the coolest diorama I have ever seen at a fair, a model of Flight Deck at CGA. I saw it in person and this thing was massive and very detailed! Image Courtesy of: mejaybe That is wicked cool. sfmman2000 I'll PM you the story. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gisco Posted July 20, 2012 Share Posted July 20, 2012 One of these years I will make it up to the fair. The one we have in the Fall has turned into a big disappointment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cal1br3tto Posted July 20, 2012 Share Posted July 20, 2012 Butler always seems to bring a stellar ride collection to the California State Fair. The multiple Zippers and Ferris Wheels are kinda funny, but it makes sense to bring them (and also seems like something I'd pull in RCT). Zillerator is fun (though I remember the constant trims), but it's too bad they didn't bring out the Olympic Bobsled (probable Galaxi) this year, which has incredible and outright dangerous airtime. Anyone seen it lately? Magnum is easily one of my all-time favorite flat rides; it takes elements from several other rides and brings everything (minus the height) up several notches! Evolution, on the other hand, is simply one of the most terrifying. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eddie200330 Posted July 21, 2012 Share Posted July 21, 2012 "Unfortunately I was too dizzy from previously ridden flat rides to take a ride on Crazy Train. But just watching it, it spins ridiculously fast! Anyone care to share their experience on one of these? It looks wild!" To be honest, it doesn't ride anything like it looks. It sounds really clunky and almost feels like it is actually crawling along the track. The rotating track really isn't noticeable when you are on board. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cal1br3tto Posted July 21, 2012 Share Posted July 21, 2012 ^I think the fact I don't have vivid memories of my one spin on a Larson Hi Roller suggests it wasn't amazing. I basically remember a marginally above-average ride with some kind of decent forces. The worst part might be the insanely tight, view-blocking, claustrophobia-inducing cages. I'd ride one again, though... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eddie200330 Posted July 21, 2012 Share Posted July 21, 2012 ^The worst part might be the insanely tight, view-blocking, claustrophobia-inducing cages. LOL I forgot about that. The poor people who sat across from you were like 6 inches away when it went round the curve!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sfmman2000 Posted July 22, 2012 Author Share Posted July 22, 2012 (edited) Another note about our trip to the fair I didn't mention: Our first ride of the day was going to Butler's new portable log flume ride. I've never been on one before and was semi-excited to try it out. We get up to the station platform and the operator directs us to quickly enter the log slowly moving through the station. The only problem was, there were already two larger gentleman sitting towards the front of the log, and with no middle seat divider, I wasn't comfortable sitting behind these strangers. I asked the operator if we could wait for the next log. Keep in mind there were only a few people in line behind us. The next thing I know, the operator is yelling at us to "get in the log, NOW!" -- so I said, "fine, we're not riding," as I turn and started to walk back through the queue. This appeared to aggravate the operator even more, although he didn't say anything else to us, looking back, I could tell he was upset about it. I've got a message for you, Butler: Your log flume should accommodate one group of people at a time! The logs just aren't long enough to fit more than 2-3 adults comfortably. I understand that your goal is to fill the rides as efficiently as possible because it could positively effect your bottom line. But, your undivided log flume just can't hold two groups of two adults comfortably in the same boat. I would rather not have a stranger's ass creep towards my girlfriend's crotch as we climb each lift hill (and I don't think she would be too keen on it either). If you want to pair up groups of similar aged kids, go ahead and so do if they can fit comfortably. But I'd rather not be skin tight against some unknown guys backside. For what it's worth, I watched the flume later in the day and saw plenty of logs taking their course with only two riders. Although, we decided not to ride. I didn't feel like dealing with the same operator as we did earlier. ----------------------------------------------------------------- On the whole the fair is not all that exciting. Yeah, I tend to agree. I'd go once every 5 years or so, and maybe more if Butler got a few new rides (or if another company was brought in to do the show all together) When did the fair go from RCS to Butler? 2009, I believe. Zillerator is fun (though I remember the constant trims), but it's too bad they didn't bring out the Olympic Bobsled (probable Galaxi) this year, which has incredible and outright dangerous airtime. Anyone seen it lately? I rode it at the San Mateo County Fair a few years back, but I suppose that's not lately... It isn't even listed on Butler's website as a ride they own... Edited July 22, 2012 by sfmman2000 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cal1br3tto Posted July 22, 2012 Share Posted July 22, 2012 ^I have read that it's actually Helm & Sons that owns Olympic Bobsled, though I did ride it at the California State Fair in 2009. I wouldn't mind seeing it again, but it's proven basically impossible to track down. And wow, on some rides it does make sense to obey instructions to sit with strangers for efficiency's sake...but on a janky log flume where you probably end up sliding all over the seats? No way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sfmman2000 Posted July 22, 2012 Author Share Posted July 22, 2012 ^Right! I'm big on efficiency, and I'm fine riding next to strangers on any ride with divided or separated seats, or, a bench seat with enough room to sit comfortably. But there are a small number of rides where it just doesn't make sense to pair up riders. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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