Angry_Gumball Posted July 15, 2013 Share Posted July 15, 2013 (edited) So, today, the family and I hit up the California State Fair where there were several insane moments and typical fair things to see. Besides the rides, there were supposed to be dachshund races (which was funny to see) but was kind of a fail on how it was set up...basically it was just a little side show thing between the main horse races (and letting people walk the mile track). The fairground itself is HUGE! New to this year's fairground were DCA's "CALIFORNIA" letters at the main entrance. The letters once stood in front of DCA before it got revamped. So onto the rides, the juicy stuff you all are waiting for Butler was the ride provider for the CSF and actually had a nice selection of rides! Basically this is going to be a mini review on these rides as many were new experiences for me. So, let's go now that we have the unlimited rides bracelet on! Wisdom Wind Surfer This is a NEW attraction, and the first one to be made...it is Wisdom's take on the classic Flying Scooters attraction and I actually found the ride to be quite responsive! The ride does have 1 unique twist however. Once the ride is going, the main ride structure tilts, banking the overall swinging direction...kind of like a Wisdom Tornado. While the cables were too short for any real snapping action, I did get a pretty thrilling ride...felt miniaturized though. Overall, fun ride! And yes, it feels very ghetto! Pole Position (Credit #67) Fabbri Spinning Coaster This is a spinning mouse-like coaster that has a funky 2-section lift...you go up one lift, make a 90-degree left, and up the rest of the lift. Spins were quite good and unfortunately, this was sort of a jewel smasher...as there was room for my butt to slide around in all directions. I'm surprised we actually spun on it...honestly wasn't expecting much from it. Magnum - Mondial Shake Basically, this is like a 4D Breakdancer that loads riders while the main turntable is spinning. The restraint system sucks as you are pretty much forced to have your hands on your lap and there is no arm room. Not comfortable but the overall ride was disorienting. Just wish we got more flips. And yes, the restraints suck! Crazy Train This was one of the rides I was excited to try...until I got seated and locked in. The cars were rather cramped and the windows were all fogged/frosted. With 2 riders, this would be a clench-n-squish experience. Not to mention, it is very stuffy and hot...and the plastic 'window' is just inches from your face. Ride itself was very nauseating and as much as I have a strong stomach, this one actually got me pretty good...mid cycle, I was hoping it would stop...Done once, doubt I'd make efforts to ride again. Mardi Gras Funhouse - Revisited! Needing to take a quick break from any rides, I decided to revisit the Mardi Gras funhouse that was previously visited last month at the San Mateo County Fair. This is a quick little funhouse with a very tricky mirror maze of death. During the SMCF, TPR member Blue Fire Guy constantly slammed into the plastic/glass walls. Today was a test to see if I'd pull a Blue Fire Guy and do the same..but came through with no crashes! Otherwise, just wavy mirrors on 2nd level followed by a twirly slide. Big Top Funhouse This one really shined and had a lot of gimmicks to it! There were moving staircases, lots of turntables on ground, vibrating floors, conveyor belts (that would try to fling you off the end), more turntables, punching bags, and more! This had 3 levels to it and the walkthrough lasted pretty long! Worth checking out again, especially with people who lack coordination. Chance Skydiver The ferris wheel that does barrel rolls! This was a highlight of the day and actually gave my head the ultimate headrush. This is a rider-controlled ride in which the rider can determine how intense their ride will be. I tried every possible maneuver such as non-inverting loops, 'upside down loops' (where I was inverted at bottom of wheel), standard loops, sideways loops, and overall just spun the cars like a madman. It's an arm workout! For some reason, Butler runs their Skydiver backwards. Vertigo (Ghetto star flyer) Short star flyer ride...fun ride, interesting way of getting around the real Star Flyer patent by having the entire tower rotate the swings. Great way to cool down even on the hottest days. Cycle could have been longer however. Zipper Yes! I finally get to ride one of these amazing torture devices! It is quite terrifying yet fun simultaneously...I'm glad the insides are padded as my head was slamming about. Very cushy inside I also got some crazy airtime on this several times! Yup, one of my top flat rides! Orbiter Not sure how you want to describe this...Think of it as a high speed scrambler that turns 90-degrees...gave me a headache, 'nuff said. Other rides we did were the portable log flume (insanely quick deceleration forces sent me flinging forward), Planet Pandora (cheesy ghost train/dark ride in a hot trailer), Ring of Fire, and Gravitron. I also got Butler's 2nd Wacky Worm credit (they own 2 Wacky Worms BTW) and their recently acquired Pinfari Zyklon that runs better than their Zillerator with the same layout. Yes, I got airtime on this! Yes, it finally opened late in the day and was actually my last carnival ride as I was pretty beat/exhausted from the heat and intensity of some of the rides. So, pictures! Arrival to the Cal Expo! Clearly, we are at DCA actually... See? There's Mickey's funwheel in the background, and monorail passing by! Michael Jackson...you're doing it wrong. (Neverland bumper cars) ... YES!!! The Zipper isn't sitting folded up behind a fence! Butler's new Zyklon, meaning, new credit...too bad it was closed for most of the day...teething problems... Rides aren't open yet, let's check out some exhibits! Why? YOLO! Half a Batmobile Anyone wanna buy me a near life-sized R/C R2D2? an R/C Wall-e was present too! MARMALISED...5M1L3 4LW4Y5 Can't have fair without animals! Malaria Lake... What was this? Kinkajou? Kinky pikachu? Decided to grab lunch early as I ate really light this morning...Juicy's 1/2-pound "Outlaw Run" burgers as I call them (They are simply Outlaw Burgers") And of course, horse races...they're neck-in-neck! When the horses weren't racing, these little wieners were...cute stuff! Rolice?!? The state fair had a woodie...looked pretty awesome! Too bad I didn't get to ride it. Cute little ducks... And lots of airtime to be had at the fair too! And for some carnival action! Ghetto Star Flyer and Fireball Uh...Denied... Fireball in action...fun ride! Wanted to ride the Turbo Force ride but they wanted 3 tickets as well as my unlimited rides wristband...fail... The much-anticipated ghetto flyers ride, a Wisdom Windsurfer! Maggie This thing...had to try it, once was enough. Maybe when it isn't so hot, I will try one again. Yes, please! After reorienting myself, I will take a "Chance" and ride this thing! New credit! Cha-ching! Portable log flume was a hit in the almost triple-digit temps today in Sacramento. Who wants to win that giant butt? Paradise coaster...I'll pass, I already know what this is...and I'm NOT going to fall for this again I carefully navigate the moving staircases in this evil funhouse Ghetto dark rides...Hot-Box Trailer: The Ride. Awesome little fair souvenir that isn't the slightest bit ghetto...Kendama is actually quite huge out in the valley and it is actually very entertaining playing with this simple toy! And I conclude this trip report with the long ride back to the Bay Area. Edited July 16, 2013 by Angry_Gumball Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue Fire Guy Posted July 15, 2013 Share Posted July 15, 2013 Thanks for the photos, looks like you had a great time despite the central valley's heat and the torture device that is Crazy Train. Definitely going to ride a Zipper someday, very high on my flat ride bucket list! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simon8899 Posted July 15, 2013 Share Posted July 15, 2013 Butler's new Zyklon Boy are there still new Zyklons? Why do there have to be.... The log-flume looks great. By just looking at it I'd guess it could be a Reverchon. Is it around much? This is quite the largest ride I've seen on US fairs... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
154bmag Posted July 15, 2013 Share Posted July 15, 2013 Great Photos, nothing quite beats the ghetto carnival. (Oh I'm sorry, I mean "state fair') Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jew Posted July 15, 2013 Share Posted July 15, 2013 Butler's new Zyklon Boy are there still new Zyklons? Why do there have to be.... The log-flume looks great. By just looking at it I'd guess it could be a Reverchon. Is it around much? This is quite the largest ride I've seen on US fairs... Looks like the Reverchon to me too. It's the only style of flume that travels in the U.S. that I've seen. There's a whole bunch of them traveling around the U.S. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angry_Gumball Posted July 15, 2013 Author Share Posted July 15, 2013 Butler's new Zyklon Boy are there still new Zyklons? Why do there have to be.... Well, its most likely a refurbished/used one but its new to their arsenal. It even has fresh paint. It was also equipped with magnetic brakes, much like their identical "Zillerator" Zyklon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Canobie Coaster Posted July 15, 2013 Share Posted July 15, 2013 Excellent photos! That's a really strong assortment of rides. And who wouldn't love those dachshund races. The big local carnival near me, the Marshfield Fair, has pig races every year and for some reason the wiener dog races reminded me of them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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