| Castles & Coasters 4/27/02
Weather: Warm and Clear
I hit this park as the finale to an eight day tour of Arizona.
The park is situated on a relatively small parcel of land off of I-17. It has no rrom for growth as it is bound by roadways, the interstate and a mall.
The park itself, although small, was clean and well kept. Guests enter through a large castle that houses one of the nicest arcades I have seen. Through the castle, entry is made to the park.
Approximately 40% - 50% of the entire park area is dedicated to miniature golf. If you are a miniature golf affecienado, this is your U.S. Open and Masters Tournament combined. It is possible the most elaborate course I have ever seen. The theming is not only extensive, but extremely well done. Apparently the golf is as, if not more exciting, to the visitors than the rides. This would make sense as Arizona probably contains more world-class golf courses than any other state in the country.
The amusement area was packed with rides in a manner similar to amusement piers on the east and west coasts. No an inch of space is wasted. Despite its size, the park was beautiful and wonderfully themed, landscaped, and lit. The crowd was perhaps the most polite I have ever encountered in my travels.
The rides were nothing out of the ordinary, but I will give high ratings to their flume ride with its multiple hills and drops and lovely theming and landscaping.
The Coasters:
The Patriot - This was a junior coaster that I didn't ride. It was definitely a notch above a "kiddie" ride and seemed to thrill the riders on it. It looks as good if not better than junior coasters in other parks and the fact that the park paid the same attention to it in dramatic lighting is to their credit.
Desert Storm - This was a surprisingly good looping coaster. We tried to figure out what clone it was, but it didn't fit any mold we knew of. It's near perfect construction in relation to the park and other rides was admirable. It seems to sit atop the whole park like a canopy as you are always walking under or through it.
The coaster was designed and constructed by O.D. Hopkins. A company better known for their flume rides (or so I read). The ride is a mixture of loops and helices withy one particularly interesting element: a twist coming out of the last hill. Very effective.
The trains were VERY roomy and comfortable. The coaster runs with only one train and it seems only one operator/attendent. This amazed us as the operator loaded the train, checked the restraints and ran the train with as much efficiency as four Six Flags employees combined.
With no other coaster for miles (a new CCI Woodie is currenmtly under construction a couple of hundred miles away in New Mexico and Las Vegas is located hundreds of miles to the north), this is your one and only ride in the southwest. It's worth a minor detour, doesn't require lots of time to do the whole park, and the cost is fair.  | 
. Nice TR. Sounds like the park is pretty fun. Too bad there's no room for any other coasters.
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