BuddyChrist Posted May 11, 2008 Report Share Posted May 11, 2008 (edited) Rides Kingda Ka- 2 El Toro- 2 Batman- 1 Nitro- 1 Medusa- 1 Skull Mountain- 1 GASM- 1 Teabags...Teacups-1 I took my first trip to the park yesterday after getting off work. The sky was overcast, but it didn't rain at all. I used the season pass that was mailed to me and got in quickly. After getting into the park, I went over to Season Pass Processing to get a new pass with a new photo. It has "Premium Pass" printed on that but I'm still not sure what's so "Premium" about it. The processing center was very efficient with all of the terminals having someone and they got me in and out quickly. I then decided to head over to see the progress on The Dark Knight. The big grey box is sort of an eyesore in comparison to the mangled steel of Chiller, but from what I'm hearing, the inside is awesome. They have most of the queue finished up, still putting up railings and plants, but not much more to do. They have begun painting and right now they're only painting sky and no buildings. I thought they may not be painting the buildings at all, but I saw someone holding the paint plan and it clearly showed the buildings. I decided to make Batman my first coaster of the year. Batman is a great ride, I just wish they would've kept the theming of the junkyard and cop car, but they had Danny Elfman's score blaring in the station and the lights on in the station as well. Batman is one of my favorites, if it wasn't cloned so many times, I think people would rate it higher. After getting off Batman, I headed over to my #1, Nitro. Nitro had a line only at the stairs because of an awesome crew and 3 trains running with no stacking. They were going at an insane pace. As soon as one train dropped off the lift, they dispatched the train in the station with the other train just coming into the break run. Very impressive and props to the Nitro crew. I walked around the park. The lack of flats is very noticeable, people wondered what happened to the Flying Wave (swings) and why there were so many smoking sections. I walked through the park, everything was clean and staff was friendly every where I went. I saw people asking staff questions and they all answered them with a smile on their face. I walked down by the Lakefront since there were no crowds down there and towards Medusa. Runaway Train may have been running 3 trains, but I wasn't really paying attention.They paved a huge area where the Teepee used to be, I still think a drop tower should go there. Medusa was running 3 trains as well and also firing trains out of the station as well. They had a recording in the station that gave instructions about the restraints and no loose article policy and it's status as first floorless coaster. Oh, and don't forget, if it's not Heinz, it's not ketchup! The op had to say it after every train unloaded, and the people on the train loved to say "It's not ketchup!" so the Heinz corporation must be ecstatic. Medusa is really looking shabby though, it needs a new coat of paint ASAP. I headed over to El Toro by way of the bridge, which got new lights by the way, and saw it running very well. The crew was really moving fast, to the point where the train would dispatch out of the station as the other train just hit the brake run. Rode in the back seat, airtime galore and still smooth as glass. Rolling Thunder was only running the Right side, but I didn't feel like getting rattled around. I headed into the Golden Kingdom, and stopped by the tiger exhibit. All of the tigers were asleep though, so I moved over to Kingda Ka. It was running all 4 trains and really working well, until I got on. I sit down on the orange train and get locked in. Unfortunately, the trains were out of position and they have to do a station reset. It takes 10 minutes, but we get launched and make it over the top and back to the station. It was very very shaky and unenjoyable, I wish they would find a way to make it smoother. Some people I knew saw me in the station before I launched and they laughed at how my long hair was blown back and standing up. I got off and yelled "We need 1.21 jigawatts of electricity!" I walked around with my friends for a while, we rode El Toro together and then went to get something to eat, settling at the Boardwalk and getting Butterfly fries. Someone thought it would be a good idea to do the teacups so we did and spun the world around us. We stumbled out and then proceeded to Movietown.We stopped off at Skull Mountain, which had its original queue music going and music on inside the building. There were lights illumintaing the huge skull and pumpkin on. I think the only way to make it better is to add some fog. We went and did the new indoor mini-golf. It was 9 holes and pretty cheesy, but it kept us entertained. I then split off from the group and went over and got another ride in on Kingda Ka. I got on the Blue Train but it too was rough. I decided that I was too tired to really do much else. I decided to take a ride on Scream Machine, believing it wouldn't be too rough. I got up to an empty station and people coming up asked if the ride was closed. I said "No, it's just old, unpopular, and rough" I rode in the front row and got knocked around pretty good. The park was beginning to empty out, but my legs were hurting and I was tired, so I left. Overall, despite what many people are saying, I think the park is in good hands. Granted that they have taken many rides out, I still had a good day regardless. The staff was efficient and friendly, I couldn't find trash laying anywhere, Security was taking line jumpers out at El Toro, and the line's weren't too bad. Not once did I hear anyone complain about the locker policy. Everyone used them and didn't fight the people who told them to use it. It really does make unloading and loading faster. I brought cargo shorts and was able to fit my hat, wallet, keys, cell phone, camera, and extra batteries, so if you don't want to use a locker, wear cargo pants or shorts. Well, on to what people want to see, the pictures! Pulling into the parking booths, I saw Ka was running I parked right next to Scream Machine Hmm, something's missing There, that's better No train in this shot because it was broken down Houdini can't escape from being closed What happened to the Flying Wave? Now only 3 people can go on it? Movietown is ruled by B&Ms But Mack is going to change that They've begun to paint the facade, which I hope lasts long. They've landscaped Chiller's old area nicely What's left of Chiller is just chillin Though not having that tangled mess of steel gives a nice view of Nitro They now have people our front of coasters to make sure you're tall enough and that you have no loose articles Batman was running great Oh boy, two trains in one shot! Give me an award How are people scared of this Skull Mountain turned 12 and is too old to cry its waterfalls. In one more year, Michael Jackson will lose interest in it And parking is still 15 bucks?! Cloudy blue skies Still some work left to be done before Thursday's opening Big, open spaces Big, open spaces Everyone just wants to see El Toro Obligated to take this shot Some air here Keep on rollin, rollin, rollin A little paint and people will think it's new A drop tower, anyone? Fine, more El Toro Here's the other Intamin in the park The public loves it Ow Hey look, El Toro! Air The Dark Knight opens Thursday Indoor Mini golf! It may not be a great ride, but man does it look cool I leave you with a shot of Dream Street For all of the pictures I took of the Dark Knight and its area, click here Thanks for reading! Edited May 11, 2008 by BuddyChrist Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JetsDevs4Lyf Posted May 11, 2008 Report Share Posted May 11, 2008 Awesome report and it sounds like it was another great day and can I say that reading through the captions associated with your pictures is rather humerous and the edit with Adam West made me wanna pee myself because I just wasn't expecting that haha. Good stuff and glad to see you visit! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Master Posted May 11, 2008 Report Share Posted May 11, 2008 Yep, that part of the park does not look right anymore without Chiller sticking up! I am still sad that it is gone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
29yrswithaGApass Posted May 12, 2008 Report Share Posted May 12, 2008 Great trip report! Thanks for sharing it. I am impressed with how nice and clean he park looks, especially from above on the Skyride and Big Wheel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BuddyChrist Posted May 12, 2008 Author Report Share Posted May 12, 2008 The park is in great shape, I'm very pleased with how new management is focused on keeping the park clean and efficient and I can't wait to see what they've got planned for the park's future! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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