Canobie Lake Opening day

[mrceagle]

We got on our way at 9:30. We had a few things to do in Salem before going to the park so we despite our early departure got didn’t get to the park till 11:10. We got our Good any day tickets. I bought 6 tickets at $19.00 to get me through the year. That will give me one trip each month and two extra to play with. So we entered and maid our way to Cannonball.

 

The Cannonball was having some problems right of the bat. Ben and James were at the ride and so was one other poster from the Canobie fan site. Opening day at Canobie often feels like a reunion. Well it seems the restraints were stuck shut after the first run with passengers. My Group opted to leave and hit something else. From what I hear the coaster was up within 10 minutes. No other problems accrued during the day for this coaster.

 

As far as Brake downs went. There was a slight delay on star blaster up in about 5 minutes. A mechanic adjusted something at the top of the ride and it was fine all day and skater was down most of the day but ran in the morning and for the last few hours of the day.

 

He hit DaVinci’s Dream and Psychodrome. It was early and the line was short. Psychodrome was enjoyable, still running fast but with no smock or strobe lights. The smoke was excusable do to the smock but please get those Strobes running again. We hit Mine of Lost Souls. It looks like they fixed a few Effects but there are still a few not operating. We then hoped on the Flume while lines were short. Always a good ride! We maid our way to the Whip Out and got on the next run. Always fun but this intense setting can be a bit hard on the back. As we left the ride we Saw Anthony Berney and went over to talk to him

 

It’s always great seeing him since he’s one of the park owners actually out and taking interest in his park but he’s also willing to give info were info is available. He confirmed that the park did indeed but a Huss Frisbee. The ride is a Portable model and will be set up on the site of the old Galaxy coaster ware the Skater sits now. The ride will be opening late July early August. The ride is being refurbed and rethemed to match the 50’s/ art deco theme of the area. The Skater will be moved to the location of the Paratrooper ride and the paratrooper will be removed and put up for sale. It can be yours for 24,000. He also cleared up rumors of a water park expansion and any chance of a steel coaster any time in the near future. With no time frame set they would add another wood coaster before a steel coaster.

 

By this time it was 12:00 and the park was actually busy. Lines for the rides became one to two circuits and cannonball was 20-30 minutes. We ran into a guy we knew from ACE and later ran into another person we know from ACE. Well our original Group of 3 was now a group of 5.

 

We hit Cannonball and I got a front seat ride. The back reprofiled corner of the ride is now painted and you would never know it was changed. The coaster was reasonable fast given the cold weather and the

 

Through the day we hit the rides. We skipped the wetter water rides like Timber splash and Boston Tea party. They were both open but I don’t know why. The Timber Splash employees were asking people to ride why they bother keeping this ride I have no idea.

 

We maid another loop around the park mostly talking to and I took allot of Pictures and video of the park. we hit Cannonball again, Star Blaster and Paratroopers. With the knowledge of paratroopers soon removal we made sure to ride it. We hit caterpillar with is always a fun ride.

 

We had hit many of the rides in the park. We started Splitting up and hitting more attractions. Eventually we were back to 3, and we maid out way to the main midway to hit the rides in that area. Matterhorn was running really slow. I hope they don’t plan on running it like this for now on. It was so boring, the cars barley swung, not a great ride.

 

We maid our way into what is now sort of a 50’s Art deco themed area. The Tilt-A-Whirl, now twist and shout has a new paintjob and it’s been moved back. The walkway was widened and the ride now has a queue and exit/handicapped ramp. After riding we say Anthony again and asked a few more question on the way by.

 

Seems the new entrance will be huge. As he put it “were over building.” The building will be past we the pool is now. The setup will be Offices on the left (looking from inside the park) entrance in the middle and new bathrooms on the right. The bathrooms in that area will be torn down. The Warf will indeed be redone into a Chinese restaurant. I didn’t ask how much the set up would be changed. One of the Food mangers were there and we talked about the food. I complemented them on the fried dough and BBQ food. Though mentioned that many people feel the food is sub par and the biggest down fall in the park. She said they are working to make the food better and that she has personally done some of the food like the candy apples. We were also informed that when they build the new entrance they will save the very large cedar tree that sits between the present entrance and the present exit turnstiles. They will move the tree and then move one of there large spruce trees to become a central focal point of the new entrance. With all luck I will see the Blue prints of the new entrance on my next trip.

 

We had to leave a bit early so we hit a few last rides on Cannonball and Star Blaster I hoped on the Tea cups this old PTC ride can still pack a punch. We maid out way out, I took a few more pics and videos before leaving.

 

Over all it was a good day. I was glad that it was busy given the park wasn’t going to open Sunday do to the rain. We hit most of the rides. Only skipping a few we normally don’t hit. Overall it was a good day, very relaxing, and lots of good news outside of the paratrooper removal. I took lots of pics and will bet then up and ready to view as soon as I can.

[mrceagle]

Here are the pics I too openign day.

 

Link to photos