USA 2018 - Let's go round again!
|
Starting on Saturday 1st June 2018, 72 lucky members embarked on a mammoth 15 park tour of America that offered coasters of all shapes and sizes.
The report below written by member Andy Taylor, is a bite size account of the tour with inline pictures provided by Dave Wells, David Woody, Dan Ould and Andy Hine. Following the report is an extended slideshow of over 430 pictures provided by Dan Ould and me (Matt Walker), that you can view to relive many more memories of the trip! There are a few bars included as we're also a social club, so it'd be rude not to kick back and relax after a fun days riding! |
Route map of the tour.....
Trip Report written by Andy Taylor
Day 1 - Flight & Knoebels
Hi! Andy Taylor here... here's my trip report from USA 2018 - Let's go round again!
After meeting the group at Heathrow T5 we checked in, dropped off our baggage it was through to security and into the departure lounge. Not long later, we were on the plane, doors shut - it was off to the states!
After landing in the USA, we endured what would turn out to be the longest queue line of the trip: 2 hours at passport control. After that we drove straight to Knoebels where we started the tour with a one hour long ERS on one of the world's best wooden roller coasters: Phoenix. There were two trains running which meant members could continually re-ride. The Orange train in particular was running brilliantly and the airtime was breathless as was the speed. It was a brilliant start to the trip.
Hi! Andy Taylor here... here's my trip report from USA 2018 - Let's go round again!
After meeting the group at Heathrow T5 we checked in, dropped off our baggage it was through to security and into the departure lounge. Not long later, we were on the plane, doors shut - it was off to the states!
After landing in the USA, we endured what would turn out to be the longest queue line of the trip: 2 hours at passport control. After that we drove straight to Knoebels where we started the tour with a one hour long ERS on one of the world's best wooden roller coasters: Phoenix. There were two trains running which meant members could continually re-ride. The Orange train in particular was running brilliantly and the airtime was breathless as was the speed. It was a brilliant start to the trip.
|
|
Day 2 - Knoebels
The next day was a full day at Knoebels starting off with an ERS on Twister. On this coaster, the front was a completely different ride than the middle or back! The ERS lasted for an hour and we were able to enjoy many rides.
The next day was a full day at Knoebels starting off with an ERS on Twister. On this coaster, the front was a completely different ride than the middle or back! The ERS lasted for an hour and we were able to enjoy many rides.
|
|
The park is also home to the legendary Flying Scooters, Brass Ring Carousel and a full Fascination Parlour in which Mike Conklin was the first big jackpot winner of the year (500 tokens).
|
|
At the end of the day we had a second one hour ERS on Phoenix. It was totally flying. It was an awesome finish to the day.
|
|
Day 3 - Dutch Wonderland
On this day we visited Dutch Wonderland. This park bills itself as a kids amusement park, however, there is plenty of fun for adults too! We were treated to an ERS on both the brand new inverted family steelie Merlin's Mayhem and the family woodie Kingdom Coaster. Both were great fun.
On this day we visited Dutch Wonderland. This park bills itself as a kids amusement park, however, there is plenty of fun for adults too! We were treated to an ERS on both the brand new inverted family steelie Merlin's Mayhem and the family woodie Kingdom Coaster. Both were great fun.
|
|
Whilst there were saw a regional heat for the World Hot Dog Eating contest - the winner ate 50 hotdogs (with buns) in just 10 minutes! Yes 50!!
|
|
Day 4 - Hersheypark
Hersheypark was next, and it was tour t-shirt day. Since we were at the park all day we could get lots of rides in in the morning, bide our time when the park was busy during the day and then get lots of rides in the evening again.
Hersheypark was next, and it was tour t-shirt day. Since we were at the park all day we could get lots of rides in in the morning, bide our time when the park was busy during the day and then get lots of rides in the evening again.
|
|
It was about 10.30pm by the time the ERSs started. We had an ERS on Wildcat, the new spinning coaster Laff Trak, and finally on the very fine Lightning Racer. Thunder won many times, but the losers felt that Lightning provided a smoother and more enjoyable ride!
|
|
Day 5 - Idlewild
A smaller park on this day - Idlewild. This is a fun little park with interesting rides. We enjoyed the recently re-opened 80 year old woodie, Rollo Coaster. This coaster inspired Boulderdash and although a "kiddie" size ride it provides some excellent pops of air. The park is also home to the old Alton Mouse. Sadly a storm stopped play early today. It also meant a cancelled surprise night ERS on Kennywood’s Phantoms Revenge!
A smaller park on this day - Idlewild. This is a fun little park with interesting rides. We enjoyed the recently re-opened 80 year old woodie, Rollo Coaster. This coaster inspired Boulderdash and although a "kiddie" size ride it provides some excellent pops of air. The park is also home to the old Alton Mouse. Sadly a storm stopped play early today. It also meant a cancelled surprise night ERS on Kennywood’s Phantoms Revenge!
|
|
Day 6 - Kennywood
Kennywood today and a re-scheduled ERS from the night before on Phantom's Revenge. It provided awesome ejector airtime that delighted many members.
Kennywood today and a re-scheduled ERS from the night before on Phantom's Revenge. It provided awesome ejector airtime that delighted many members.
|
|
Second ERS was on the Thunderbolt, celebrating its 50th anniversary and was running at the best many members had ever experienced. A testament to Kennywood's maintenance department. Other great rides in the park included the racing woodie, Kennywood Racer and airtime machine Jack Rabbit.
|
|
Day 7 - Waldameer
Up to Erie for Waldameer and to start the day and ERS on the fantastic woodie Ravine Flyer II. This coaster was celebrating its 10 year anniversary and was running brilliantly. Plenty of crazy airtime!
Up to Erie for Waldameer and to start the day and ERS on the fantastic woodie Ravine Flyer II. This coaster was celebrating its 10 year anniversary and was running brilliantly. Plenty of crazy airtime!
|
|
At lunch the park provided a cake for the Club's 30th anniversary and head a Q&A session with the Parks owners.
|
|
We left the park mid-afternoon and headed along the lake to Cedar Point to enjoy the last couple of hours - a headstart for full day there tomorrow. Despite the short time some members still managed 7 rides!
Day 8 - Cedar Point
A full day at Cedar Point starting with the first ever one hour ERS on Steel Vengeance. Members entered the park at 7am and headed in formation over to Steel Vengeance.
A full day at Cedar Point starting with the first ever one hour ERS on Steel Vengeance. Members entered the park at 7am and headed in formation over to Steel Vengeance.
|
|
The airtime is immense and the ride has a good length, but it can be painful on the shins. Some members felt the ride was trying too hard and thus suffered as a result.
After the ERS, as Cedar Point Hotel guests arrived on-park, we shared more exclusive riding on twenty of the park's rides including Valraven, Millennium Force and Maverick. We then had plenty of freetime to enjoy the rest of this huge park on what was a gloriously sunny day.
|
|
Day 9 - Michigan's Adventure
A surprise today with a visit to Michigan's Adventure. And of course to start the day it was an ERS on the classic Shivering Timbers. This massive woodie provided vastly different rides depending on where you sat but was as wild as always.
A surprise today with a visit to Michigan's Adventure. And of course to start the day it was an ERS on the classic Shivering Timbers. This massive woodie provided vastly different rides depending on where you sat but was as wild as always.
|
|
A Club dodgem session saw some 'police' brutality and with a lot of rides finally opening later due to the rain - the tickers were finally able to ride the kiddie coaster with a few minutes to spare before the bus left!
|
|
Day 10 - Indiana Beach
The next park was Indiana Beach. The weather was being unkind to us today and after a few of the group got rides during the ERS’s on Hoosier Hurricane and Cornball Express the thunder and lightning got everything closed down. So we went inside to play a Club favourite, Fascination.
The next park was Indiana Beach. The weather was being unkind to us today and after a few of the group got rides during the ERS’s on Hoosier Hurricane and Cornball Express the thunder and lightning got everything closed down. So we went inside to play a Club favourite, Fascination.
|
|
Whilst we were inside, Kate Huff, a Manager at the park and friend of Andy’s, was running around opening indoor rides. So we had an ERS on the excellent Dr Frankenstein's Haunted Castle and then the Den of Lost Thieves Ghost House.
Later on the coasters opened and many goes could be had on Cornball Express and Hoosier Hurricane. Despite the rain, it was a very good day at the park. We got lots of rides on the awesome Cornball Express and Kate looked after us very well.
Day 11 - Kings Island
The biggest park on the tour - Kings Island. Again rain came down but it kept the crowds away. We started the day with an ERS on their new B&M inverter Banshee and classic swing coaster Bat.
The biggest park on the tour - Kings Island. Again rain came down but it kept the crowds away. We started the day with an ERS on their new B&M inverter Banshee and classic swing coaster Bat.
|
|
Following lunch there was a backstage walkabout of The Beast and by now the sun was shining. The park remained quiet though and everything was ‘walk-on’. Many rides could be had on The Beast, the excellent new woodie Mystic Timbers and the B&M hyper Diamondback. Not only were the rides walk-on, any seat could be requested. At the end of the day the Club enjoyed the last few rides on Mystic Timbers. It was insane in the dark and seemed to have extra corners! Just “Don’t go in the shed”.
|
|
Day 12 - Kentucky Kingdon
Recently re-opened Kentucky Kingdom was the next park, one we haven't visited since it was a Six Flags park back in 2003. The Park is home to the one of a kind Lightning Run and a wild RMC coaster – Storm Chaser.
Recently re-opened Kentucky Kingdom was the next park, one we haven't visited since it was a Six Flags park back in 2003. The Park is home to the one of a kind Lightning Run and a wild RMC coaster – Storm Chaser.
|
|
The Club was going to be having ERS's on both of these coasters at the end of the day but more storms were on their way so sadly the park was forced to close early. However the Manager did provide us all with some very nice cookies instead! (Niles, below, did share them out!).
|
|
Day 13 - Holiday World
One of the best parks on the tour, Holiday World. The day started with an ERS on the phenomenal woodie The Voyage. This was followed by the B&M launched wing coaster - Thunderbird. This was lovely and smooth and provided some good head chopper moments.
One of the best parks on the tour, Holiday World. The day started with an ERS on the phenomenal woodie The Voyage. This was followed by the B&M launched wing coaster - Thunderbird. This was lovely and smooth and provided some good head chopper moments.
|
|
At 6.30pm we had a special double ERS on the brilliant water coasters Wildebeest and Mammoth before ending the day with the last few rides on The Voyage. It had been an awesome day at the park and the water ERSs really brought the Club together.
|
|
Day 14 - Beech Bend
Beech Bend was the nice relaxing park to follow after our busy day at Holiday World. We started off with an hour long ERS on the GCI woodie Kentucky Rumbler, opened by Andy Hine back in June 2006. A splendid amount of airtime was to be had and it rumbled in style! It was a very hot day today and many members enjoyed the air conditioned but gruesome Haunted House ride, the magic show and plenty of the ice-cream!
Beech Bend was the nice relaxing park to follow after our busy day at Holiday World. We started off with an hour long ERS on the GCI woodie Kentucky Rumbler, opened by Andy Hine back in June 2006. A splendid amount of airtime was to be had and it rumbled in style! It was a very hot day today and many members enjoyed the air conditioned but gruesome Haunted House ride, the magic show and plenty of the ice-cream!
|
|
Day 15 - Dollywood
The last official park of the trip was Dollywood. We started the day with a backstage tour of the RMC Lightning Rod before enjoying a one hour ERS on it. This coaster was much tamer than Steel Vengeance.
The last official park of the trip was Dollywood. We started the day with a backstage tour of the RMC Lightning Rod before enjoying a one hour ERS on it. This coaster was much tamer than Steel Vengeance.
|
|
We then explored the rest of the park, enjoying the other coasters and the real coal fired full size steam train. After lunch we went to see the new DRUMLine Live show. Andy was pulled on stage and managed to dance admirably! At the end of the day we enjoyed our final ERSs of the tour on the GCI woodie Thunderhead and the Drop Tower. Thunderhead was running brilliantly. We were able to get many many rides on this lovely woodie that provided some excellent airtime. It was a splendid way to finish.
|
|
Day 16 - Lake Winnepesaukah
The next and final day we headed towards Atlanta airport. Mysteriously we turned off the road to Atlanta and headed into the countryside, where Andy had a surprise planned. We were off to Lake Winnie for a couple of hours! Here we enjoyed our last roller coaster of the trip, the 1967 woodie, Cannonball. There was decent airtime in at least three places: the first drop, midway through and some ejector on the hill up to the station. This is where the jovial saying “What is Wood?” – “Flammable” began following a small oil fire at the top of the lift hill on a Club visit back in 2007.
The next and final day we headed towards Atlanta airport. Mysteriously we turned off the road to Atlanta and headed into the countryside, where Andy had a surprise planned. We were off to Lake Winnie for a couple of hours! Here we enjoyed our last roller coaster of the trip, the 1967 woodie, Cannonball. There was decent airtime in at least three places: the first drop, midway through and some ejector on the hill up to the station. This is where the jovial saying “What is Wood?” – “Flammable” began following a small oil fire at the top of the lift hill on a Club visit back in 2007.
|
|
Back on the bus we said thanks to Andy, the bus driver (Luis) and the mini-van drivers (Andy Hunter, Mike Conklin & Colin Anderson). We also had the mileage guessing game – Gareth ‘BA Guru' Arkell was actually spot on: 2565 miles!
We soon arrived at Atlanta airport, checked luggage and then relaxed until the flight boarding time was upon us. And so it was over for another two years. 15 parks, 8 states, 28 ERS’s, 8 lunches and over 100 coasters. Great comradery, loads of fun, a few beers and lots and lots of riding!
Andy Taylor
Extended Picture Slideshow......
Below are many more pictures from the trip. These pictures were taken by Dan Ould and Matt Walker, and the picture comments are aimed at trying to provide a storyline to our journey. As these pictures are taken by Dan & Matt (members of 'The Pub Club'), they will also include late night fun and antics too, we are a social club after all, and once the coasters are done, we like to socialise!
There are over 430 pictures, so go grab a tea/coffee or a beer, and enjoy the memories....... Either press 'Play' to view the slideshow (8 seconds between pics), or use the forward and back arrow buttons to scroll through.
There are over 430 pictures, so go grab a tea/coffee or a beer, and enjoy the memories....... Either press 'Play' to view the slideshow (8 seconds between pics), or use the forward and back arrow buttons to scroll through.
