- June 17th, 2015, 1:25 pm
#79758
On Sunday morning we got up and left the motel in Sandusky as soon as we could. It was really terrible. So we headed off in the morning making a trip I felt I’d just made not long before to Waldameer, thru Cleveland and back up to Lake Erie.
Waldameer is going thru a transformation, and has a new front gate and they’re beefing up their already quaint looking (and popular, it would seem) water park. The new front entrance was well done. I wish there was something like Waldameer somewhere in North Carolina. It’s charming, it has lots of quirky stuff. It’s affordable family fun, and it’s just a great little park.
We started off with a quick stop to the restroom before heading over to see what was already open since the park does a rolling opening. We hit up the drop tower first. I actually like the fact that you drop as soon as you hit the top, and you don’t know when that will be. Plus you get amazing views, and the last time I was there it was gloomy and overcast.
After that we hit up the haunted house. I had done this last time, so I knew what it was all about, but it was neat to see the look on Doug’s face when it was all over. I wasn’t going to miss doing Pirate’s Cove this time, since it came so highly recommended by EVERYBODY last time (I just thought it was a small kiddy funhouse and didn’t bother), but it hadn’t opened yet so we went over to our first coaster of the day, Ravine Flyer II.
Ravine Flyer II-I absolutely love this ride, and it was moving faster than the last time. I don’t quite know why they weren’t filling both trains, they most definitely had enough in line to do so, but whatever. We got on near the front of the train for the first ride. I love the first drop, and man, those hills over the road kill it for me. Love them. Hoping around on the other side of the road and back just feels amazing, and this time there was sustained speed even thru to the end. This ride really ranks high for me, and I didn’t expect to be back so soon to ride it, but again, I’m so grateful to have been able to make the trip. Over the course of the day we rode at least 2 or 3 more times.
After we got off of Ravine Flyer II we went over to the Comet.
Comet-I like that this has such a low height limit. It’s the perfect ‘big’ coaster for little kids to get comfortable on, and it’s a lot of fun. Plus, I mean, it literally goes thru the trees and just gives a fun ride. Comet would be a good ride in any park, but it just fits so well at Waldameer, especially since it has such history in the park.
We walked back over and hit up Pirate’s Cove. This was definitely interesting, and I’m glad I was able to do it this time. The whole thing was wonderfully bizarre and really fun. I love that this small park takes the time to keep up their quirky dark rides. I just hate that the park is so far away that I can’t just pop in for an evening when I want. That would be perfect. Next up I took Doug over to Steel Dragons, the spinning coaster.
Steel Dragons-I like the MS spinning coasters better than the Gerstlauer ones. The layout is better, and I like facing out while spinning better. We got a really good, spinny ride. Much better than my last visit. The drops are scary when you can’t see where you’re going, and it actually has some decent airtime. This is another coaster that I don’t understand why more regional parks don’t have. Please, PLEASE Cedar Fair, start building these!
We walked back over to ride the Ferris Wheel since I didn’t get to on my last visit as I was by myself. I stopped and got a cookie sandwich that tasted amazing with creamy icing in the middle. Then we got on the Wheel so we could take some photos. Then we did something I ended up skipping out on the last time I was here, but, you know, Peer Pressure.
Ravine Flyer III-Yeah, we did the kiddie credit. It was actually fun with a little airtime, and I like how it’s all over water. Plus we didn’t have to wait for kids, we just kind of walked on to the ride. Check, and done.
After that we hit up RF2 a little more before ending our morning at Waldameer. Again, I can’t say enough great things about the park, and if you ever get the chance to go, it’s a real treat. Next time, I’m going to go at nite for a change.
Doug and I got in to my car and headed across Pennsylvania to a place I’d never been, but had toyed with stopping by on my last trip this way. I knew I’d better stop thinking and just go, because it’s a park that just may not be with us much longer. After what seemed like an eternity driving thru the countryside of Pennsylvania, we finally arrived…at Conneaut Lake Park.
The front of the park actually shows what kind of potential the park has (had?), but it is totally unused. This is one of those parks that I just wish I had some money, time, and labor. After walking thru the front gate area, there are 4 pads with rides, and some empty or half empty pads. We walked around all of that and headed back towards the middle of the ‘park’ (I use that term very loosely) and got what ended up being my 4th wristband ($10 was actually kind of a steal, and I do feel better about supporting a small park, even one struggling).
There were actually a decent amount of people in the park, and everything that could be running was up and running. The only thing I wish I’d ridden that we skipped was the Tumblebug. After the $10 band purchase, we went to Devil’s Den. This reminded me so much of the Haunted House at Camden Park. It was fun. Then it was time to hit up the reason we’d came to the park, the infamous Conneaut Lake Blue Streak.
Blue Streak-Okay, this ride has so so so much potential. The trains were actually comfy with padding. Going up the lift, I knew it was going to be something, I just didn’t know what. The first drop is kind of good, but the crunch and hurt at the bottom just isn’t pleasant. Every hill was crunchy, painful, and not that fun. It could be. The ride has an aggressive layout, and if it had a nice long renovation to retrack and replace wood, it could be an amazing coaster. Plus, it really is neat to go thru the trees like it does, and the beginning tunnel is different.
I was in too much pain to go for another spin. Sad. The Blue Streak has potential. Hopefully this park can eventually get turned around. It’s just a sad little business, listing hopelessly too and fro. At least I won’t feel the need to return in the mean time.
So we left Conneaut and headed towards our next stop, which, unfortunately it seemed to take longer than anticipated to get to and get started. This was the first time I’d not gotten lost on the way (and the first time I didn’t see any of those darn yellow arrows) to…Kennywood!
It had been ten years since my last visit and the park has changed in many good ways. It was a nice evening, and this was my first time getting the ‘true’ night time Kennywood experience (my only other nite experience at Kennywood was during Fright Nights, so that was much different).
After getting into what I’d forgotten was a beautiful park (and this was I believe my first time seeing the new gate), we headed first to purchase Kennywood’s version of pay to cut. It’s a little different, and I really just wish you could go at whatever time and ride everything without waiting once, because the times really kind of set us back. Then we headed to the Bayern Kurve. Unfortunately it broke down just as we arrived, and both of us were really looking forward to riding the ride, so we knew we’d check back later. Since that was a bust, we went to what was for a very long time my favorite coaster ever, Phantom’s Revenge.
Phantom’s Revenge-I was blown away by this ride every other time I rode it. The only thing I didn’t care for was the first drop, actually. I know they’ve replaced all of the track on the first drop, did some tweaks, undid some tweaks, and added a trim. Would it still be amazing? Our first ride was in the front of the ride, a first for me. That first drop was actually better, and the straight track after had some positive forces I didn’t remember. Then you head up and into roller coaster bliss. That first hop up and into the ravine is magical, as is the rest of the ride. Aggressive, powerful, and chock full of airtime. It’s still as amazing and insane as ever. Phantom still holds up after a ten year absence. It’s just that good.
At this point it was time for our first scheduled ride so we headed across the park to Thunderbolt.
Thunderbolt-That first drop out of the station is so much fun. I really like Thunderbolt. We rode in the very back seat for the ride. It has great airtime, and going in and out of the ravine is really cool. I love Thunderbolt, and the lights on it at nite are great too. The whole park is great at nite.
We walked around the back of the park to see what what the lines for Racer and Jack Rabbit were like, which were kind of long. We had a time for Phantom, so we walked around the park back towards the Kurve, which looked to be down for the count, and then by Noah’s Ark, which also had a line. So we headed on back for more Phantom instead.
After Phantom we hit up the Whip. I love these rides. Once we were done, it was actually time for our Exterminator appointment, so we did that next.
Exterminator-Honestly, this was the spinniest ride I’ve ever had one one of these, and with it being indoors, it was really disorienting. It was a lot of fun! Great way to take a basic clone and make it fun.
So we walked back over to get some rides on the last two wooden coasters. Jack Rabbit’s line was the longer one, and I figured we’d be able to do Racer last minute once we got Rabbit out of the way. This just happened to be the ride’s 95th birthday.
Jack Rabbit-For such an old ride, it sure gives a great thrill. The first part of the ride is really good and then you get to that double down. I made Doug hold his hands up and not put them down. I love that element. One of the best things ever on any thrill ride. Jack Rabbit still looks good for being in his 90s.
Next up was the only new credit in the park I was worried about (I still haven’t ever tried for Little Phantom). I love Premier coasters, and this was a much newer offering. I’d heard meh things about it, but I was still very eager to ride.
Sky Rocket-To me, this is the definition of underrated. This coaster delivered a great launch into an amazing airtime filled tophat. The you drop off and hit the cut back. The inversions are smooth with great hang time. There is airtime on every hill. Why aren’t more people talking about this? I really thought it was great.
We rushed over to Noah’s Ark and on the way…the Kurve was running! Yay! This ride means a lot to me because it’s one of my mom’s favorite rides and we always rode it together as a kid at parks like Kings Dominion, Carowinds, and the ones that came around to fairs. I hadn’t ridden one since my senior year of high school 16 years ago, so this was a treat. It was great. Then we went over to Noah. I don’t remember much of it from 2005, but it seemed very different, with the ending obviously closed off.
At this point I had to make a decision. Doug needed the Racer credit and we didn’t have much time. I’m not a huge Racer fan, and I wanted Phantom night time rides, so I told Doug with the little time we had left that he should have no problems getting on Racer, but I was going to Phantom and we’d meet up after. The decision was a good one. I rode in the back of the train in the dark and it was great. And then they sent us around again at the end of the nite.
I love Kennywood. I will not wait 10 years to return. It’s a wonderful park, and next time I’m going to go to the park all day and stay till the evening. It’s so great, and I need time to enjoy it.
After that we headed off to the Hyatt Regency at the airport. Definite upgrade from the previous lodgings. I went out a little late as Doug stayed at the hotel. Monday morning we started the long journey back to North Carolina. The trip was really great.
Waldameer is going thru a transformation, and has a new front gate and they’re beefing up their already quaint looking (and popular, it would seem) water park. The new front entrance was well done. I wish there was something like Waldameer somewhere in North Carolina. It’s charming, it has lots of quirky stuff. It’s affordable family fun, and it’s just a great little park.
We started off with a quick stop to the restroom before heading over to see what was already open since the park does a rolling opening. We hit up the drop tower first. I actually like the fact that you drop as soon as you hit the top, and you don’t know when that will be. Plus you get amazing views, and the last time I was there it was gloomy and overcast.
After that we hit up the haunted house. I had done this last time, so I knew what it was all about, but it was neat to see the look on Doug’s face when it was all over. I wasn’t going to miss doing Pirate’s Cove this time, since it came so highly recommended by EVERYBODY last time (I just thought it was a small kiddy funhouse and didn’t bother), but it hadn’t opened yet so we went over to our first coaster of the day, Ravine Flyer II.
Ravine Flyer II-I absolutely love this ride, and it was moving faster than the last time. I don’t quite know why they weren’t filling both trains, they most definitely had enough in line to do so, but whatever. We got on near the front of the train for the first ride. I love the first drop, and man, those hills over the road kill it for me. Love them. Hoping around on the other side of the road and back just feels amazing, and this time there was sustained speed even thru to the end. This ride really ranks high for me, and I didn’t expect to be back so soon to ride it, but again, I’m so grateful to have been able to make the trip. Over the course of the day we rode at least 2 or 3 more times.
After we got off of Ravine Flyer II we went over to the Comet.
Comet-I like that this has such a low height limit. It’s the perfect ‘big’ coaster for little kids to get comfortable on, and it’s a lot of fun. Plus, I mean, it literally goes thru the trees and just gives a fun ride. Comet would be a good ride in any park, but it just fits so well at Waldameer, especially since it has such history in the park.
We walked back over and hit up Pirate’s Cove. This was definitely interesting, and I’m glad I was able to do it this time. The whole thing was wonderfully bizarre and really fun. I love that this small park takes the time to keep up their quirky dark rides. I just hate that the park is so far away that I can’t just pop in for an evening when I want. That would be perfect. Next up I took Doug over to Steel Dragons, the spinning coaster.
Steel Dragons-I like the MS spinning coasters better than the Gerstlauer ones. The layout is better, and I like facing out while spinning better. We got a really good, spinny ride. Much better than my last visit. The drops are scary when you can’t see where you’re going, and it actually has some decent airtime. This is another coaster that I don’t understand why more regional parks don’t have. Please, PLEASE Cedar Fair, start building these!
We walked back over to ride the Ferris Wheel since I didn’t get to on my last visit as I was by myself. I stopped and got a cookie sandwich that tasted amazing with creamy icing in the middle. Then we got on the Wheel so we could take some photos. Then we did something I ended up skipping out on the last time I was here, but, you know, Peer Pressure.
Ravine Flyer III-Yeah, we did the kiddie credit. It was actually fun with a little airtime, and I like how it’s all over water. Plus we didn’t have to wait for kids, we just kind of walked on to the ride. Check, and done.
After that we hit up RF2 a little more before ending our morning at Waldameer. Again, I can’t say enough great things about the park, and if you ever get the chance to go, it’s a real treat. Next time, I’m going to go at nite for a change.
Doug and I got in to my car and headed across Pennsylvania to a place I’d never been, but had toyed with stopping by on my last trip this way. I knew I’d better stop thinking and just go, because it’s a park that just may not be with us much longer. After what seemed like an eternity driving thru the countryside of Pennsylvania, we finally arrived…at Conneaut Lake Park.
The front of the park actually shows what kind of potential the park has (had?), but it is totally unused. This is one of those parks that I just wish I had some money, time, and labor. After walking thru the front gate area, there are 4 pads with rides, and some empty or half empty pads. We walked around all of that and headed back towards the middle of the ‘park’ (I use that term very loosely) and got what ended up being my 4th wristband ($10 was actually kind of a steal, and I do feel better about supporting a small park, even one struggling).
There were actually a decent amount of people in the park, and everything that could be running was up and running. The only thing I wish I’d ridden that we skipped was the Tumblebug. After the $10 band purchase, we went to Devil’s Den. This reminded me so much of the Haunted House at Camden Park. It was fun. Then it was time to hit up the reason we’d came to the park, the infamous Conneaut Lake Blue Streak.
Blue Streak-Okay, this ride has so so so much potential. The trains were actually comfy with padding. Going up the lift, I knew it was going to be something, I just didn’t know what. The first drop is kind of good, but the crunch and hurt at the bottom just isn’t pleasant. Every hill was crunchy, painful, and not that fun. It could be. The ride has an aggressive layout, and if it had a nice long renovation to retrack and replace wood, it could be an amazing coaster. Plus, it really is neat to go thru the trees like it does, and the beginning tunnel is different.
I was in too much pain to go for another spin. Sad. The Blue Streak has potential. Hopefully this park can eventually get turned around. It’s just a sad little business, listing hopelessly too and fro. At least I won’t feel the need to return in the mean time.
So we left Conneaut and headed towards our next stop, which, unfortunately it seemed to take longer than anticipated to get to and get started. This was the first time I’d not gotten lost on the way (and the first time I didn’t see any of those darn yellow arrows) to…Kennywood!
It had been ten years since my last visit and the park has changed in many good ways. It was a nice evening, and this was my first time getting the ‘true’ night time Kennywood experience (my only other nite experience at Kennywood was during Fright Nights, so that was much different).
After getting into what I’d forgotten was a beautiful park (and this was I believe my first time seeing the new gate), we headed first to purchase Kennywood’s version of pay to cut. It’s a little different, and I really just wish you could go at whatever time and ride everything without waiting once, because the times really kind of set us back. Then we headed to the Bayern Kurve. Unfortunately it broke down just as we arrived, and both of us were really looking forward to riding the ride, so we knew we’d check back later. Since that was a bust, we went to what was for a very long time my favorite coaster ever, Phantom’s Revenge.
Phantom’s Revenge-I was blown away by this ride every other time I rode it. The only thing I didn’t care for was the first drop, actually. I know they’ve replaced all of the track on the first drop, did some tweaks, undid some tweaks, and added a trim. Would it still be amazing? Our first ride was in the front of the ride, a first for me. That first drop was actually better, and the straight track after had some positive forces I didn’t remember. Then you head up and into roller coaster bliss. That first hop up and into the ravine is magical, as is the rest of the ride. Aggressive, powerful, and chock full of airtime. It’s still as amazing and insane as ever. Phantom still holds up after a ten year absence. It’s just that good.
At this point it was time for our first scheduled ride so we headed across the park to Thunderbolt.
Thunderbolt-That first drop out of the station is so much fun. I really like Thunderbolt. We rode in the very back seat for the ride. It has great airtime, and going in and out of the ravine is really cool. I love Thunderbolt, and the lights on it at nite are great too. The whole park is great at nite.
We walked around the back of the park to see what what the lines for Racer and Jack Rabbit were like, which were kind of long. We had a time for Phantom, so we walked around the park back towards the Kurve, which looked to be down for the count, and then by Noah’s Ark, which also had a line. So we headed on back for more Phantom instead.
After Phantom we hit up the Whip. I love these rides. Once we were done, it was actually time for our Exterminator appointment, so we did that next.
Exterminator-Honestly, this was the spinniest ride I’ve ever had one one of these, and with it being indoors, it was really disorienting. It was a lot of fun! Great way to take a basic clone and make it fun.
So we walked back over to get some rides on the last two wooden coasters. Jack Rabbit’s line was the longer one, and I figured we’d be able to do Racer last minute once we got Rabbit out of the way. This just happened to be the ride’s 95th birthday.
Jack Rabbit-For such an old ride, it sure gives a great thrill. The first part of the ride is really good and then you get to that double down. I made Doug hold his hands up and not put them down. I love that element. One of the best things ever on any thrill ride. Jack Rabbit still looks good for being in his 90s.
Next up was the only new credit in the park I was worried about (I still haven’t ever tried for Little Phantom). I love Premier coasters, and this was a much newer offering. I’d heard meh things about it, but I was still very eager to ride.
Sky Rocket-To me, this is the definition of underrated. This coaster delivered a great launch into an amazing airtime filled tophat. The you drop off and hit the cut back. The inversions are smooth with great hang time. There is airtime on every hill. Why aren’t more people talking about this? I really thought it was great.
We rushed over to Noah’s Ark and on the way…the Kurve was running! Yay! This ride means a lot to me because it’s one of my mom’s favorite rides and we always rode it together as a kid at parks like Kings Dominion, Carowinds, and the ones that came around to fairs. I hadn’t ridden one since my senior year of high school 16 years ago, so this was a treat. It was great. Then we went over to Noah. I don’t remember much of it from 2005, but it seemed very different, with the ending obviously closed off.
At this point I had to make a decision. Doug needed the Racer credit and we didn’t have much time. I’m not a huge Racer fan, and I wanted Phantom night time rides, so I told Doug with the little time we had left that he should have no problems getting on Racer, but I was going to Phantom and we’d meet up after. The decision was a good one. I rode in the back of the train in the dark and it was great. And then they sent us around again at the end of the nite.
I love Kennywood. I will not wait 10 years to return. It’s a wonderful park, and next time I’m going to go to the park all day and stay till the evening. It’s so great, and I need time to enjoy it.
After that we headed off to the Hyatt Regency at the airport. Definite upgrade from the previous lodgings. I went out a little late as Doug stayed at the hotel. Monday morning we started the long journey back to North Carolina. The trip was really great.
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403 Coasters and counting...
403 Coasters and counting...
