Photo TR: Lightning Rod or Bust!

[Erik Johnson]

I have not done a photo trip report in quite a while as I have not done a week long coaster trip in a long time. I was lucky enough to finally be able to do one two weeks ago so I wanted to share with you some of the photos that I was able to capture. This year has been strange in that I was not really sure if I was going to be able to do any trips at all. Dollywood really was the only park that I was planning on going to this year because I really wanted to ride Lightning Rod. It really looked doubtful that was going to happen with all of the issues with the ride, but things did perk up a few weeks ago as it looks like they are now able to run the coaster. At pretty much the last minute, I decided to plan a trip of four parks (Busch Gardens Williamsburg, Hersheypark, Knoebels, and Dollywood). I had not been to Hershey or Knoebels since 2010, so it was time to make a return trip. Anyways let us start with BGW. My last visit was in 2012 when Verbolten was brand new. Tempesto was brand new for me and I really found it to be a fun coaster. I ended up waiting for the front row both times. You really do get a nice pop of airtime at the very top of the ride which was a nice surprise! I did spend a full evening as well as another day in the park so I had plenty of time to ride many of the coasters and other attractions during my visit.

I always have to start these reports with a photo of a South of the Border billboard.

The coaster is long gone.

The sun rises again over Pedroland.

No, I did not stop.

Warp Speed! Coasters are waiting!!

When in Williamsburg, remember to fill up on some BBQ at this place.

Let us in!!!

My last visit was in 2012, so Tempesto is new for me.

Looks like I am still in the right place.

I am still try to figure out what the new logo is. A tree, a bush, a roller coaster?

Busch Garden Williamsburg really is a nice park.

Map of attack!!

Loch Ness Monster is traditionally the first coaster I always ride when I visit this park.

Nessie: The coaster train!

I may post a few photos of Nessie.

I got a few from the skyway as well.

The helix/tunnel.

The second lift hill.

I took a few of Griffon.

Just a really nice park.

I was happy to see Mach Tower running.

While I do miss Big Bad Wolf. I think Verbolten is a great replacement.

I think this is new.

Tempesto did not disappoint. It was my first of this particular Premier launched coaster.

Rules of the ride!

I did ride the front row on both my rides. I was really impressed how fast the operations were in the ride.

I love the train here!

Sunset over the James River.

InvadR: Gwazi 2: The RevengE Coming 2017.

Verbolten at night is the best time to ride it.

I think it is cool that the headlights actually work. I do not remember that feature opening year.

The classic shirts are a nice touch.

Awwwwww..

This is going way back.

I ended up finishing the night with another ride in the train. Last ones of the night.

Goodnight Busch Gardens Williamsburg.

Edited August 29, 2016 by Erik Johnson

[Erik Johnson]

Hersheypark! I have not been to this park since 2010. Oh wow Skyrush! Everyone has told me that it is an insane coaster, but it still did not prepare me for how insane it really is. It seriously is the most intense, scary coaster I have ridden so far (out of 460+). It really is pretty crazy in the front row on a wing seat, you really should check it out. I really loved it, but I could not honestly ride it too many times due to the intensity. I also checked out Laff Trakk which turned out to be just OK. For that model, it really did not spin very much. My car did not even make a full rotation during the full ride which I found disappointing. Overall, the visit to the park was good. Crowds were not too bad and I was able to ride many things multiple times. Onward to the photos!

This is a good way to start your day!

Skipping this park on this trip.

Ummm....

God loves Intaminland!

Yeah. Skyrush!

Ooooooohhhhh. Though this did not last long.

Got it going.

Seriously. This is the most intense, scary coaster I have ridden yet. I think it was #463.

So photogenic too.

My ride on the edge/front row was unreal. It is a top ten ride for me.

Yeah, I took some photos.

The magic of the lift cable happen here.

So much airtime.

Serious ejector airtime!

The trains are really funky.

Skyrush!!!

The new coaster in the park.

Spinning coaster in a box.

The queue was indoors.

Unfortunately the coaster really did not spin very much. I stayed backwards a good part of the way.

I did not.

The new restraints really have helped this ride.

Through the trees.

This ride is still crazy nuts.

Just a crazy layout.

Off they go!

Yes, I gave this some love too.

The new train is nice.

This will be new for next year.

I have never ridden a Condor before.

My bird awaits.

The area is going to look really different next year.

This dates me.

They do have a mine train.

There it is.

Comet is still one of the most popular coasters in the park.

There is goes!

There goes Skyrush!

Great Bear really does have a unique layout.

Ok, one more Skyrush!

Love this ride.

Don't forget to do the free tour next door! They made a few changes to the ride for this year.

That finishes my visit this year.

[Erik Johnson]

Knoebels is pretty much my favorite park in the US. I really like how laid back and hassle free it is to visit. Such the opposite of a park when compared to Universal Orlando. I had not been since 2010, so quite a few new attractions were finished since my last visit. Flying Turns had finally opened. They started construction in 2006. I have photos from both my 2006 and 2010 visits of the ride under construction. It was fun, but you have to make sure you ride it early due to very low capacity issues. Impulse was pretty fun too. The train was quite comfortable which is important for this type of ride. Black Diamond was also good, but pretty strange. Anyways, I had a great time so I hope you enjoy the photos.

Pretty much my favorite park in the US. Ok, I do like WDW too.

This makes me happy!

Yay!!!!

If you want to ride this, get there early. My first visit was in 2006 when they first started construction of this ride. It was nice to finally get to ride it.

Up the lift they go.

It was pretty fun. Definitely interesting.

Not the fastest, tallest, or most intense. It is still my all time favorite.

My row.

My current photo.

This is 2010's version.

Another new coaster.

Some reason only one train was running.

It was pretty good.

Sign of quality.

Love the Skooters!

Pink Skooter of death.

The Haunted House received a makeover this year.

This ride is always a must do. You must purchase a separate ticket for it.

My chariot awaits.

This was also under construction in 2010.

Fun, but strange.

Yum!!!

Oh these were really great that day.

My favorite flat ride.

These are very cool.

This always reminds me of Space Mountain.

Yum 2

I did ride this one.

But I went back and ride this one many more times.

The train is really awesome.

Make sure you do it.

It is really neat that you go under Twister.

You also pass multiple trains.

Take the tunnel!

You do end up way out in the middle of nowhere.

See any critters?

There are several of these large organs throughout the park.

Nighttime is the best time in the park.

Especially night rides on this.

The night rides on the train were kind of spooky.

Goodnight Knoebels.

Centrilia, PA. Well known abandoned town.

[Erik Johnson]

Dollywood. I honestly did not take many photos in the park that day. Boy was the park quiet that day. I highly recommend going on a weekday during a school day. All the rides, except the new one, was a walk on. Well how was the new one? It was great! Thanks to TPR's forums I was fairly confident that it would still be running by the time I made it to the park. While it was only running one train, I did not wait longer than 20 minutes after my first ride. I managed to get on the first train of the day in the back car. Yes, the air time and speed are really top notch. The ride may feel on the short side but that is because it is a really fast ride through the entire course. There is not a bad spot in the entire run. The quad down is certainly the highlight of the ride, which was expected. I was able to get 4 rides during the day. Mostly in the back of the train as they were still assigning seats. Anyways, onward to the photos.

Finally made it!

Well, we know why I am here.

I see it.

Just waiting for the doors to open.

Rules of the ride.

The area really looks nice.

Great to see the sign in person.

At about 10:05 the doors opened.

The garage theming was top notch.

The launch was pretty good. You do get some nice airtime on the top two hills.

The quad hills is my favorite part of the ride.

It is a fast ride that never slows down. It is my favorite of the three wooden RMC coasters in the US.

This one is great. It seems to be running now.

The trains are pretty cool.

They do store the other train underneath.

Can you spot the coaster nerd?

Shirt logo.

Oh yeah, this was new for me too.

It really is a great family coaster.

The launches were fun.

You know what you get here.

Gold in bread form.

Train ride is a must.

Lightning Rod is not on the Timesaver system this year, I leave you with this final photo.

Edited August 31, 2016 by Erik Johnson

[CoasterRench]

Looks like an amazing time, love the pictures. It's been probably 8 years since I last visited Hersheypark, I have been dying to go back, they have added a lot since my last visit.

[TBpony414]

Great TR! I haven't been to BGW since they added Tempesto and while I knew it was in the same area as Apollo's Chariot, I didn't realize it was right next to it. Pennsylvania has some fabulous parks. Awesome that you got on LR - next year will be my first journey down to Dollywood!

[fatdaddy]

Knoebels is such a great park, can't wait to go back again.

[DoinItForTheFame]

Awesome report!! I'm glad you got to ride Lightning Rod (Even if I am jealous!) I'm just curious, but since you enjoyed Skyrush so much, would you rate it higher or lower than i305?! (Assuming you have been on i305!)

[djcoastermark]

You didn't miss much by not stopping at South of the Border. While it used to be a lot of corny fun, it has really gone downhill in the past 15 years since the original owner passed. But it is still cool to see all the signs and the silly sombrero tower. Every now and then I still stop in for a little leg stretch. Sadly most of the rides are gone.

[Erik Johnson]

Awesome report!! I'm glad you got to ride Lightning Rod (Even if I am jealous!) I'm just curious, but since you enjoyed Skyrush so much, would you rate it higher or lower than i305?! (Assuming you have been on i305!)

 

Both are top ten steel coasters for me. Hmmmm, that really is a close call. I may place Skyrush a notch above Intimidator, but it is very, very, very close.

[Bubba83]

Thanks for a great TR! I loved it.

[cfc]

Congratulations on succeeding with Expedition: Lightning Rod. It was fun to hang at Pierce's and BGW with you for a night, too. The highland cows came to BGW last year to go with the "Highlands farm" theming in Scotland.

[boldikus]

Fantastic trip report. Hershey is my favorite park and the other 3 are easily in my top bucketlist parks. I got so stoked when I saw the itinerary in the subtitle. Great photos, really enjoyed this!

[Canobie Coaster]

Great trip report!

 

I missed Lightning Rod when I was there a month ago and your review makes me want to return that much sooner. The ride looked so beautiful.

 

On Impulse, the ride was running just one train last month as well. The park dispatched trains ridiculously fast, but the line still built up.

[brneff99]

Really enjoyed this TR...sometimes getting away on a trip like this is refreshing in many ways...really appreciated the map of BGW...despite the numerous TRs I've read from the park, I never quite pictured the layout like it really is...definitely need to get an East Coast trip in the future...

[Philrad71]

That's quite the line-up of parks to do in one trip - you chose all great ones.

 

Thanks for sharing, Eric!

[comet]

Great trip report! Love all these parks and visit them as frequently as possible. Need to get down to Dollywood next year for Lightning Rod. Thanks for the cinnamon bread pic, now I can drool all over my keyboard for the next several minutes.

[larrygator]

Really enjoyed this TR...sometimes getting away on a trip like this is refreshing in many ways...really appreciated the map of BGW...despite the numerous TRs I've read from the park, I never quite pictured the layout like it really is...definitely need to get an East Coast trip in the future...

 

We have maps from all the major parks in the Park Index

 

Just click on a Park and if the words "Park Map" show up we have at least one map of the park. For many parks we have multiple park maps from the past 10 years. I just scanned and added 40 new maps last week.

[Vonni]

I want to get back to DW so bad

[Guy T. Koepp]

Awesome TR buddy. Looks like you had a great time. Would have loved to hang with you when you were at Dwood. Next time you travel through, let me know and I will jaunt out to meet you.

 

Peace & Cheers!

[brneff99]

 

We have maps from all the major parks in the Park Index

 

Just click on a Park and if the words "Park Map" show up we have at least one map of the park. For many parks we have multiple park maps from the past 10 years. I just scanned and added 40 new maps last week.

 

Thanks...I honestly didn't realize that...you just single-handily took away multiple hours of my free time at some point in the near future!!