PTR larrygator's 2017 Coaster Affirmation Tour

[PKI Jizzman]

Great report! I always enjoy your TRs. Do you like Diamondback better in the front or back?

[larrygator]

Great report! It's a shame you fell asleep during the Doberman show. That trainer was something to see...

 

Ok, you got me, I did enjoy the trainer.

 

Great report! I always enjoy your TRs. Do you like Diamondback better in the front or back?

 

I prefer the back on almost every B&M except Alpengeist

[Alice Kane]

Larrygator, I always enjoy your TPs. I love the way you zero in on your fave rides, but also take time to 'smell the roses' - er...that is, count the plows and axes, and note cracked support structures, et al. Am also impressed that you pay attention to choice dining options. (That Cuban eatery menu got me SO hungry!) And last but not least, I'm most appreciative of how you share thoughts on which rides you found kind OR challenging to "mature bones." (Neck-banging is no longer an option for moi. Tho the seeking of thrills has yet to wane.)

Thanks again for your genuinely helpful and fun insights! With your 17 thousand plus posts, I can see why you've earned the title of Obsessive Overlord of the TPR Park Index.

 

Alice

[larrygator]

Thank you for the appreciative comments.

 

I just got back from a two day trip to Dallas last night (Sunday) and I dragged my feet without posting an update. So Monday, Labor Day may be a twofer. If I don't drag my feet again.

Edited September 4, 2017 by larrygator

[larrygator]

Holiday World on July 19th, 2017. This was my third trip to Holiday World but the last trip was back in 2006, the year Voyage opened. Even back in 2006 I also proclaimed The Raven was one of those coasters I just didn't get. I rode it dozens of times on early trips and it did nothing for me, but I did enjoy Legend back then. As far as Voyage, I loved it in 2006 and rode it many times during Holliwood Nights however it was very aggressive and tough to ride repeatedly.

 

Now to year 2017, not only don't I get Raven, I find it getting rough. Legend is also not aging well as aggressive laterals are now becoming rough. Voyage is just not as enjoyable as it used to be. I was trying to ride as defensively as possible but could no longer enjoy it. It is very aggressive in parts (just like before) but there are too many rib breaking lateral movements now. Voyage is now more rough than aggressive. Although, I did love Thunderbird. I loved the pacing and the fly throughs.

 

I passed on the waterpark, which is probably the best part of Holiday World these days. I also skipped most of the flats. I still like Liberty Tower, Turkey Whirl is just brilliant with its customized vehicles. Gobbler Getaway is a relaxing break, but it is sad that so many walls in the queue are still bare.

 

All along I had planned to eat at the Thanksgiving restaurant. I was glad I did as I love turkey and gravy and you really don't find it Thanksgiving style at many amusement parks. The side dishes were also not notch.

 

I know I would rate this park higher if I spent time at waterparks, but in all honesty the wooden coasters don't make Holiday World a destination park for me anymore. Plus, there are not enough flat rides to keep the park interesting to me.

Sorry, I just find you too rough nowadays.

This used to be my clear favorite over Raven.

I still like it, but it is declining in my view.

The coaster I never understood. Front, back, middle, just don't get it. And now with roughness.

But I really, really liked this coaster. I even made the long walk back from Raven to Thunderbird for one last ride to end my trip.

I have always liked this sign.

The Wave Swinger is always good on the hot and humid day.

Why are these walls in the Gobbler Getaway bare? Why?

What's up with this? I never did ride it?

Even though the Thanksgiving Cafe was on the agenda, I deviated with the Chicken and Dumplings instead of turkey. The sweet potato casserole was excellent and the stuffing was a solid side dish.

Just because it is fun going to a Christmas store in the middle of the summer.

Hi Elissa!

Hi Robb!

Edited September 5, 2017 by larrygator

[SharkTums]

^I had my best visit to Holiday World this year and I didn't ride ANY of the wooden coasters! Water park, Thunderbird, and random fun!

[boldikus]

Fantastic updates, Larry!

[Canobie Coaster]

Great update!

 

I didn't have an issue riding the 3 woodies in my May visit, but I also ride Boulder Dash a ton which is about equally as aggressive so I was prepared. Raven and Voyage both had some rough spots, but I actually didn't find anything on the Legend rough (just intense laterals).

[larrygator]

The next day July 20th I visited two parks Kentucky Kingdom and Beech Bend. I had visited Kentucky Kingdom when it was a Six Flags park and again in 2014.

 

I continue to be impressed with the actions taken by Ed Hart. That's not to say that re-opening T3 was a great move. However, it makes sense in the short term before they replace it with a proper looping coaster. Lightning Run and Storm Chaser are a great 1-2 combo for a park this size. Thunder Run runs well enough as a third coaster. The park continues to bring in mid-size flats to complement the older flats such as the Breakdance and Enterprise. The water park is still a huge draw although most say it is not up to par with Holiday World. It seems like everything Ed Hart is doing is strictly to combat Holiday World and keep the Louisville locals. Since I'm not a water park fan, I would probably choose to spend a day at Kentucky Kingdom over Holiday World next time I'm in the area.

I arrived a little before opening to a moderate sized crowds. Most looked to be water park fans.

I got 3 quick rides on this incredible coaster.

Still scratching my head wondering why no other US park has purchased this model from Chance.

Then headed over for about 5 rides on Storm Chaser

Even my poor photography skills can capture hairtime from a distance

Waiting to ride this was a lot better and pining over missing one side of Twisted Twins

My only issues were some of the transitions were too abrupt and snappy. The airtiime hills towards the end gave me a slight headache, but that's my fault for being dehydrated at a park that offers free drinks.

The alcohol is not free, but there is happy hour.

The bar was empty but it was still early in the day.

Is there a flat ride Hall of Fame? This might not make the first ballot but will be inducted someday.

Another fun flat if you don't get motion sickness

The one flat ride I regret never getting to ride. I'm not talking about the Super Loop.

But have no fear. Fun is under construction.

Although they try to hide the ride with high growing bamboo, it is still there and I was willing to give it a shot.

And I have been saved. There is a god. Thank you Jesus.

Yes, I did. Mindless entertainment.

Just in case you want to know all the famous carousel vendors, they are memorialized on Kentucky Kingdom's carousel panels.

Rumpke! It is fun say in a fake German accent. Yes, I know why it is on the garbage cans.

Edited September 6, 2017 by larrygator

[ytterbiumanalyst]

Great update! Sorry you didn't like HW's wooden coasters. I love all three, but then I think I have a higher tolerance than most for roughness. I totally get why it might have been past the threshold of fun for you. As for KK, yeah, Storm Chaser is one of the most photogenic coasters out there, with the plaza right in the middle and paths a lot of the way around. You can really get some great photos. Happy hour specials are always awesome, and I'm impressed they still have the "Fun Under Construction" signs up--they were there all of last year, but they weren't taken down after the Super Loop was opened.... Hmm....

[larrygator]

Great update! Sorry you didn't like HW's wooden coasters. I love all three, but then I think I have a higher tolerance than most for roughness. I totally get why it might have been past the threshold of fun for you.

 

Well I did ride The Cyclone at Coney Island 155 times in a row. But that was 7 years ago so I might just be getting old.

[cfc]

Still scratching my head wondering why no other US park has purchased this model from Chance.

 

I share your confusion here. Lightning Run is great--lots of crazy airtime packed in a small space.

[larrygator]

As mentioned in my last post, after leaving Kentucky Kingdom I traveled to Beech Bend. I had only been to Beech Bend once before for Rumblefest, the year Kentucky Rumbler opened in 2006. I was not a fan of the park in 2006, but I liked Rumbler. In 2017, I liked the park a little bit more, but it still looks like a spread out carnival built on cement. Although the waterpark expansion is 100 times better than its predecessor. On the ride side the Drop Tower, renovated haunted house (even though it lost its classic cars) and Air race were all solid additions since my last visit.

 

Rumbler on the other hand is not the same, but is still fun and pain free even with a mostly empty train. I would have to say it has held up a lot better than Thunderhead, although it probably only gives 20% of the rides as Thunderhead throughout each season.

I think this is a new wave swinger since my last visit.

This also replaced an older version of the same ride

These look nothing like the old Pretzel spinning cars.

The single row version of the Air Race is much better than Zamperla's original elevated row.

The ride operator had nothing better to do and no one wanting so I got what seemed like limitless laps.

Vortex was down today.

One of the best flats in the US is still there.

Michael Jackson lives on

Zero G is great

Kentucky Rumbler is holding up well

Leave the park I saw my first under $2 gas since New Jersey raised their gas taxes in October 2016

[CaptainUnknown]

Still scratching my head wondering why no other US park has purchased this model from Chance.

 

I share your confusion here. Lightning Run is great--lots of crazy airtime packed in a small space.

 

Or an Intamin Mega-Lite?

[thrillerman1]

Scat 2 is unapologetically awesome.

[ytterbiumanalyst]

I agree Bluegrass Breeze and Air Race have been great additions. I want to say Bluegrass Breeze was in '14 and Air Race in '15. There is a lot they could do to really make the place great; they're just suffering from a catch-22 of not having enough money to make the improvements that would lure people from Nashville. I think the price is right, and what's there is fun. It'd be great for them to get some good paving and landscaping to make the place look more permanent and less county fair. Just requires cash.

[coasterbill]

Wow, I'm way behind on this but I just read through the thread and I'm really enjoying these reports. Great stuff!

[larrygator]

Camden Park - June 22, 2017

 

Who doesn't love Camden Park? Well pretty much any enthusiast that passes through. The park is a little bit out of the way in that you generally need to alter your driving path by a few hours each way to get there. And let's face it, most enthusiasts are just looking to obtain credits and Camden Park is not that appealing in the area of coasters.

 

This would be my second visit to Camden Park, with the first trip occurring about 10 years ago. On my previous visit I was completely unimpressed with most of the park, but at least it was fairly priced. On this visit I was pleasantly surprised with the improvements at the park. Great Dipper and Little Dipper are classic coasters but nothing to write home about, that hasn't changed between my visits. Camden still has the best run whip in the US (right alongside Rye Playland) no other Whip ride whips you around properly. The paratrooper still runs well. Since my last visit some of the older flats (Round-up/Bullseye, Hot Cat, really operating SkyDiver and Spider) have been replaced with Rattler (Frisbee), Slingshot (SBF Visa spinning coaster), Flying Scooters and Kite Flyer.

 

But other huge upgrades were also apparent, The Sky Ride is now operating, they have a petting zoo, upgraded sit down restaurant, vastly better looking miniature gold course and most importantly and refurbishment of their classic Bill Tracy designed Haunted House.

 

The park is still very rough around the edges, but an improvement from 10 years ago.

Creepy clown still greets you at the parking lot entrance.

Two of the newest rides (Slingshot and The Rattler) appear along the side of the park facing the highway.

At every park, I've been to to ride these SBF spinners, they give you a lot of laps and the cars spin well.

What makes their Whip so good. It runs properly and the cars "whip" you around each turn car each car fully swinging out then whipping you back in to straighten out the car.

The petting zoo is on the left with the Sky Ride on the right.

Since coasterbill is now reading this trip report I'll pst a second sky ride photo.

coasterbill would probably also appreciate the low tech and ground built trough for their log flume.

and the Paratrooper.

There was recent talk in someone else's trip report about the missing last row on Big Dipper.

The Little Dipper is also a must for those trying to ride all the wood coasters in the US.

The train takes you on a loop around the sky ride, petting zoo, mini gold course, swan boats, flume, tilt-a-whirl and kite flyer)

West Virginia Grille is another noticeable upgrade

Although most of the parks kiddie ride are classics.

Larger flat rides are a balance between old

and new

However, the most noticeable difference for me was the repainted Haunted House (even though it was done about 7 years ago) perform by famed Dark Ride Artist, Chuck Burnham

While, I'm not a artist by any means, Chuck taught me the nuances of recreating Bill Tracy's style and using his color palette.

Whether you are looking at the "ooze" dripping form the facade's roof or these shingles, each cut-out is handmade and painted.

Even this simple looking railing takes time and patience to create in the Bill Tracy style.

My apologies if the delay in my post this Trip report caused you to miss the fair last month.

[Canobie Coaster]

Great report! I love the park's retro sign.

[larrygator]

So I arrived home from my drive from Camden Park at about 4AM on a Sunday morning and had a 24 hour turnaround to be at Newark Airport for a 6AM flight to Chicago. The main purpose of the trip to Chicago was to ride a few of the wooden coasters that I have not ridden before and also re-ride some of the wooden coasters that my have deteriorated over the years since i was last in the area.

 

July 24th, 2017 - Bay Beach and Wisconsin Dells.

 

After picking up my rental car two hours late due to flight delays I immediately got on the road to Green Bay. It was a Monday afternoon and Bay Beach was packed with families. The place was nice and I would have liked to ride a few flats but there was just no time. The line for Zippin Pippin was about 40 minutes and combined with the flight delay I had very little tight schedule. There was nothing too exciting or thrilling about Zippin Pippin. Besides the coaster Bay Beach is known for there train collection, which run on a long circuit. The surprise about Bay Beach was that they had a SCAT, I do not know they was a permanent installation outside of Beech Bend. The park also has a 9 nine giant slide.

 

Did I really have to go to Wisconsin Dells? No, but I purchased a greatly discounted ticket online for $5.34 after tax to Mt. Olympus and also wanted to ride Avalanche is it used to be my second favorite wood coaster. At Mt. Olympus I realized that the park was closing in an hour. Actually, that wasn't a bad thing. For one, the parking was free. Secondly, I only needed to ride Hades 360 and Cyclops once and one hour was plenty of time. I had not been to Wisconsin Dells since 2005, Hades first year. Hades was aggressive during its first year, but not rough. Now it is aggressive and rough, but not as bad as i thought it would be. I actually would have ridden it again if I had more time. Cyclops last drop is not OMFG great anymore, but still a very good pop of air. Then I went to ride Avalanche. After taking 5 rides on Avalanche I can fairly say it is now rough but I still enjoyed it (much more form the less painful first row), but it is nowhere near my Top 20. Now I usually don't put much credence in the words of ride operators, but this one thinks that this will be Avalanche's last year with a new coaster on the way.

Bay Beach is one of the few amusement parks owned and operated by a local government in the US.

I was shocked to see a SCAT at the park.

The Falling Star was down for the day, one of my favorite flat rides.

Magic Mountain Slide

Classic Eli Scrambler

One of the trains

A second train off in the distance. I don't have a picture of the other trains, but they all run on the same track.

A little info about the trains

The reason for the name of the park.

But the real reason I'm here.

Elvis' favorite coaster, but he really didn't seek out many coasters during his travels.

The line was long

I still have tickets left over.

Before leaving Green Bay, I stopped by Lambeau Field

$5.34 is still too much for the park.

This 45 minute wait was actually only 30 minutes, allowing me time to ride Cyclops also.

Waiting for the infamous last row of Cyclops

Mt. Olympus went all out to engineer a way to keep this gate open.

At Timber Falls, there wait 5 minutes between each dispatch of Avalanche. No big deal since they make you walk back through the queue and there was only 2 kids riding at the same time.

After 5 rides, I whored it up heading to Knuckleheads to experience their highly themed air time machine.

That gave me plenty of time to hit HuHot before driving back to Chicago

POV shot

I'm now a big fan of HuHot

Edited September 13, 2017 by larrygator

[Canobie Coaster]

I debated hitting the Dells/Bay Beach or Indiana Beach/Michigan's Adventure. I chose the latter, but I will make it to the Dells someday. Hopefully the operator is wrong since Avalanche always looked like an intriguing coaster.

[Hilltopper39]

I never could figure out if Zippin Pippin was truly "relocated" or just mostly rebuilt as a replica. Still looks like a fun ride.

[coasterbill]

Great report, Camden Park has always sort of appealed to me, mainly for all the reasons you figured it would.

 

The Dells seem super weird, but I could see heading out there at some point.

[CaptainUnknown]

The Dells seem super weird, but I could see heading out there at some point.

 

It's essentially the Orlando area on weed, meth, and heroin.

[boldikus]

^

 

Great updates, Lar!