Waldameer 8.22.08

amnesiac · #1 08-24-2008, 11:09 AM

My girlfriend and I visited Waldameer Park this past week on our way back to Ohio from Niagara Falls. I wasn't too impressed with the park overall. There were a lot of people smoking in queue lines right next to the big red no smoking signs which was a big turnoff for me. We bought wristbands which were $19 a piece and parking was free. Whacky Shack was a pretty lame dark ride, although some people might describe it as "classic." Steel Dragon is the first Maurer Sohne spinning coaster I have been on. I was a little nervous because I don't do spin and puke rides. I get dizzy pretty easily. We when we loaded the ride we were in the front seat and no one was in the back so I thought we were in for a crazy ride. To my surprise we didn't really spin all that much. I had a lot of fun and didn't get dizzy at all. I like this model a lot better than the Zamperla spinning models like the one at Beech Bend.

We did the sky ride and ferris wheel for the great views of the park and the surrounding area. I had read some really positive reviews of the Comet roller coaster so I was pretty disappointed after we rode. It was pretty lame and we didn't get anytime at all. There might have been more in the back of the train, or maybe we didn't have enough weight. Whatever the reason I was disappointed with that one.

The whole reason for visiting the park definitely lived up to expectations and reviews and even surpassed them. Ravine Flyer II was incredible. My girlfriend and I weren't expecting how intense and fast the ride is. It was flying and there was airtime all over the place. RFII could quite possibly be my second favorite wooden coaster after the Voyage. It is hard to measure it against rides that I haven't ridden in years. I also hesitate to name it one of the best coaster just because of the park it is at. I think one of the reasons I hold the Voyage so high is because I love Holiday World. Waldameer is only a few steps above Beech Bend in my book. RFII makes it worth the trip.

Photo album here: Nick Weisenberger's Photos - Waldameer | Facebook

**Leo C** · #2 08-24-2008, 11:48 AM

Don't worry. There's plenty of smokers at Knoebels as well. It feels like such a thing of the past. I'm used to the larger parks like my local SFGADV, the indoor smoking ban in New Jersey, the somewhat newly enacted one in Philly. I was just in a bar in Reading, PA last night and surprised to learn that Pennsy didn't do it yet.

I am glad to hear and see there are plenty of Waldameer Park TR's on the net. There are people going there.

Definitely the sleeper hit of 2008: Ravine Flyer II. I love the dive into the ravine after the 90 degree turn. That's icing on the cake.

Come and ride our El Toro man and give us another Toro vs. Voyage opinion.

amnesiac · #3 08-25-2008, 10:00 AM

Yeah, I guess I am just used to Ohio where there is a smoking ban. I don't care if people do smoke, just have enough courtesy for other people and not do it in line. Like seriously, it can't wait five minutes?

I would love to ride El Toro. Sadly, it's not going to happen this year. Maybe next...

**Leo C** · #4 08-25-2008, 10:07 AM

I should have rode the Ferris Wheel to get the above trees shots of the Ravine Flyer II. I didn't bother with Wacky Shack though it looks like an old dark ride. I like the music for the video. I forgot the artist/title though.

amnesiac · #5 08-25-2008, 10:12 AM

Whacky Shack was pretty lame. Ride it once if there is no line but if there is a wait don't bother. The song is "Regret" by New Order.

**Leo C** · #6 08-25-2008, 11:04 PM

There was a line along the side of it's building. Didn't look to move fast so hence like you said.

Gravey888 · #7 08-26-2008, 04:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CHILLERLC1

There was a line along the side of it's building. Didn't look to move fast so hence like you said.

Same thing for us.. there was a nice line along the side of the building that wasn't moving too quickly. So we took the time to get another ride on XScream.

James · #8 08-27-2008, 02:46 PM

Yeah, then we left and went to Kennywood.

coasterell · #9 08-27-2008, 03:40 PM

Wacky Shack is an interesting dark right, but it's how dark rides were made, and I'm sure if the Pirate Ride was still at Cedar Point people would think that was lame as well.

amnesiac · #10 08-27-2008, 07:16 PM

I never went on the Pirate ride at CP but I think it would be awesome if they added a new dark ride. They need something to do inside to get out of the sun.

amnesiac · #11 09-03-2008, 10:23 PM

We stopped at Waldameer on our way back from Niagara Falls. Here is that video if you are interested:

**Leo C** · #12 09-03-2008, 11:42 PM

Maybe I should have rode Wacky Shack. Maybe I would have had memories of Dorney's Journey to the Center of the Earth. I know I've been on it but the memories very cloudy.