Carnage Posted May 8, 2006 Posted May 8, 2006 Finally after 6ish months I get to ride some coasters. None of my freinds were able to go to opening day today, so I just decided to make the trek out there by myself for awhile. I've been itching to ride something, so I just had to go. Lineups weren't too bad considering the parking lot was packed. Plus season pass processing only took me 5 minutes. Though I think I lucked out by not having to fill out one of the forms. On my way out I stopped in to get my parking pass and noticed a supervisor telling all the photo employee's that everyone had to fill out a form. I was there for about 2.5 hours. Long enough to get rides in on Mightly Canadian Minebuster, Vortex, Shockwave, and Wild Beast. All 3 coasters were ridden in the very back seat. MCMB had some good air on the second hill, but had some serious jackhammering on the way out. As usual the lap bar was pinned down against my stomach because of this. The return run still feels like the train has plain run out of gas. Vortex was good as usual. Had a bit of vibration to it, but not too much. Probably due to being a back seat ride more then anything. The trains are back to the full 6 cars after finishing the year with 5. Though to be honest I never found much of a difference between the 5 car train and the 6 car train. Wild Beast was a bit rough, though I'd again blame that on the back seat ride. I just happen to love back seat rides. If I was off a ride with bruises I'm happy. I noticed the odd squeaking the trains were making as well. Shockwave was fun as usual. I love top scans. Overall it was a pretty good time. Didn't seem like the ops were all that green at all. Seemed like they were all pretty warmed up and working hard. though granted I was only there for a short time. If you look closely in the Italian Job picture you can just barely see the third train. Though by train I mean wheel assemblies. The base of the trains is there, but not the seats and mini's themselves. Shockwave. I love top scans. My favourite ride in the park. Vortex - Best coaster in the park. For Derek, as well as lift hill enthusiasts. Helix of doom. For Nicole. Skyrider and Jet Scream. Mighty Canadian Minebuster. Not a great ride, but not really bad either. Italian Job. No way I was waiting in that line. (and that's only half the line)
niiicolaaah Posted May 8, 2006 Posted May 8, 2006 Mmmmm, Skyrider and Jet Scream. What more could I ask for?! UGH to that Italian Job queue! PCW sensory overload this weekend. I can't handle it. Hooray, I will be there very soon! ::EDIT:: Where were you standing for that shot of Minebuster? It looks like you are IN splashworks!
shesaidboom Posted May 8, 2006 Posted May 8, 2006 The Italian Job's queue looked like that on Friday night also. I hope it isn't too bad next time I'm there, I'd like to ride it at some point without having to wait an hour and a half. I guess I'm the only one who thought Minebuster wasn't as rough this year. Probably because I didn't ride in the back. Someone ride closer to the front and let me know what it's like, I'm starting to feel crazy
niiicolaaah Posted May 8, 2006 Posted May 8, 2006 I'll perform my standard OCD coaster-riding procedure on Minebuster. Front car, back car, middle. A statistical analysis will follow.
Carnage Posted May 8, 2006 Author Posted May 8, 2006 That shot I took of Minebuster was taken from the fence of splash works. Right by Skyrider's helix. (that mini plaza type area where the exit of Skyrider is). Minebuster jackhammered alot. But it wasn't unrideable. I've been on far worse coasters before.
BelizeIt Posted May 8, 2006 Posted May 8, 2006 Hey Carnage, nice photo TR. Your photo showing the Skyrider + Jet Scream, gave me a mid to late eighties highschool flashback for SFMM, when my friends and I rode the now departed Shockwave + Z-Force. (I imagine that Mr. Alvey can relate)
DerekRx Posted May 8, 2006 Posted May 8, 2006 Ug, I certainly hope I don't have to wait THAT long for Italian Job next weekend, or I may be putting off that credit indefinitely. "I don't need the credit that bad" as Jeff would say
niiicolaaah Posted May 8, 2006 Posted May 8, 2006 ^^^Oh. Goes to show how much I pay attention when exiting Skyrider. ^You'll get the credit. You'll get ALL the credits.
shesaidboom Posted May 8, 2006 Posted May 8, 2006 ^^ Get there early and make sure it's the first thing you do. From what I've seen the queue fills up really quickly and stays that way all day. The park operations seemed better on Friday night than they did last year, so hopefully the line will go quicker. Last year I waited an hour and a half with the queue nearly full, but it broke down for 15 minutes or so somewhere in there.
Carnage Posted May 8, 2006 Author Posted May 8, 2006 I would be shocked if it wasn't that long on a saturday Derek. I've never seen that line shorter then an hour before. Unless it rains I'm guessing it's going to be that long. Though you might luck out if you and Nicole end up going back on Sunday. If the weather is decent I'd expect 30-45 minute waits for just about everything. Oh and I didn't get a pic of it, but they've begun taking apart the Orbiter. At first I thought it was staying afterall, but then I got to the other side and noticed that a handful of the cars have been removed and placed on skids. Wonder what Monidal/Huss ride is going to go in that place? My guess would be a toppel tower.
rcoasters Posted May 8, 2006 Posted May 8, 2006 I went to the park twice in the last 2 seasons and last year when I went, I waited about 20-30 mins for Italian Job. By looking at those pics, I feel lucky for not waiting an hour for this ride. It was well worth it though. I think it's a shame for the Orbiter that they'll remove it at some point, I loved that ride !
ParkTrips Posted May 8, 2006 Posted May 8, 2006 ugh, I waited like 80 minutes for Italinan Job.. and 40 for the stand-up It's so not worth it, what a waste. Man I hate Wonderland the more I think about it...
Carnage Posted May 8, 2006 Author Posted May 8, 2006 40 minutes for Skyrider? Ouch. I bet it was like just down the stairs or something too? Even a station wait for that ride can be 30 minutes on a bad day.
CoasterFanatic Posted May 8, 2006 Posted May 8, 2006 2 Years ago, a friend and I waited 1:15 for Skyrider and 2:30 (not a typo) for Top Gun. That's right ... Top Gun. Wonderland is such an enigma, it amazes even myself.
Nrthwnd Posted May 8, 2006 Posted May 8, 2006 I think the more I see suspended car coasters like Vortex, Top Gun at Kings Island and the belated XLR8 at Astro World... I just always liked those kinds of coasters a lot, just enjoying the sensation of flying by in a vehicle with the rail above you. Very artsy retro "The Jetsons" I always felt, heh heh. Thanks for your Opening Day Report, Paul.
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