Since the Kemah Boardwalk is technically under construction, I'm posting this here. Once construction begins on their 2009 new ride, I'll adjust the title of the thread.

The damage on the Boardwalk Bullet was very minimal and was back in operation earlier this month, but it is the only ride currently open. All the rest of the rides were either completely destroyed or (at the very least) severely damaged. I took some photos of the rides being reconstructed. The rest of the rides will reopen one by one in the coming months. Kemah hopes to be back to full operation by the end of February 2009.

As I had said before, the Kemah Boardwalk is not a theme park -- there are no entry gates, fences, parking booths, metal detectors, nor anything like that around. It is a commercial/retail center with shops, resturants, cafes, attractions, and a hotel. The rides section is just located right next to the retail section and has your typical assortment of rides, games, quick-food stalls, souvenir stalls, and ticketing booths, just as a typical park would. There are no admission fees so you can enter and exit the boardwalk as many times you please to go to your car. Guests have the option of pay-per-ride or a day-long ride pass. There is no charge for parking so you can leave the boardwalk and come back anytime you want.


One of the entry signs








The shot of the Bullet, which was only minimally affected by Ike's winds.

__________________
ThrillNetwork Lead Moderator (Originally known as Hurricane)

It's time to play some DEFENSE!

More photos of the re-construction....



This one above was a look at the train station.












The base of the observation tower.


One of the trains standing idle.


These next two pics below are the reconstruction of the board walkway platform, which was practically demolished by Hurricane Ike.

__________________
ThrillNetwork Lead Moderator (Originally known as Hurricane)

It's time to play some DEFENSE!

I talked to the builders on Boardwalk Bullet and they said almost nothing had to be replaced on the coaster. Just a few pieces of wood here and there, but it's already good to go now.

__________________
TV/Event Guide Editor

BB has already reopened.

Went back to Kemah and it seems the Boardwalk is almost fully recovered now, all but one ride have opened back up again.

Here are some photos of the rides I took on April 13th:

__________________
ThrillNetwork Lead Moderator (Originally known as Hurricane)

It's time to play some DEFENSE!

The only ride still closed is the observation tower which they hope to have it up by the end of Spring:




In addition to the rides that have been repaired and back up, there are three new rides added: The Drop Zone, a double-deck carousel, and a Wipeout type ride:

__________________
ThrillNetwork Lead Moderator (Originally known as Hurricane)

It's time to play some DEFENSE!

It's funny you talked about how little damage there was on bullet. Martin & Vleminckx the Builders were boasting at IAAPA about how their coaster have survived Hurricane force winds. 2 coasters 4 Hurricanes. still standing something to that extent.

__________________
Michael C

Thanks for posting those pics, it looks like a nice little park but I haven't heard of it until now. You got some really good shots. I just read the history of SF AstroWorld and it is a tragic one, reminded me of Crystal Beach in 1989. Anyways, I hope The Boardwalk recovers and continues to prosper for people near Houston over the next few decades or more. When I play RCT I like to make parks that resemble this one (built on the water).

I have heard of the park for a few years now. Fallowed the construction of Boardwalk bullet. It is a nice place. the All rides pass is fantastic and there is a company that runs a Restaurant/Aquarium at Kemah. So you can easily fill a day.

__________________
Michael C

I loosely knew about the place as having flats before Bullet was built. I was just a few miles away at Johnson Space Center. I should have just stopped by though Bullet wasn't there. I probably would have avoided that speeding ticket on the way back to San Antonio.

I'm not surprised Chaos would not return. I would be impressed when Inverter comes back. Is that a mom or grandmom next to the Wipeout?

__________________
Thrillnetwork Moderator - Sophomore Original sn: CHILLERLC1
2008 & 2009 TN Coaster Draft Champion
You knew I wanted the other repeat too

It's technically not a park, it's just a handful of rides and a wooden coaster built alongside a shopping/dining center and a hotel on a boardwalk overlooking Galveston Bay. There's no admission, only pay per ride or ride pass, so you can get next to the rides and watch them up close. The boardwalk itself along with the hotel, shopping plaza, and most of the restaurants are owned by Landry's Inc. And yes, you can easily spend a good portion of the day there, even on a slow day, as there is plenty to do to keep you entertained.

Thanks by the way!

I have more photos here if you'd like to check them out....I even posted a couple of video clips:
http://www.thrillnetwork.com/boards/...27-2008-a.html

__________________
ThrillNetwork Lead Moderator (Originally known as Hurricane)

It's time to play some DEFENSE!