We checked out the webpage for the park before we left on this trip and they
had an ad to go to local Blockbuster video stores to get discount tickets. We
found one and bought two tickets for $18.99 each. Not bad at all, saved about
11 bucks on each ticket off the main gate price.
We arrived and it was warm and sunny, it was about 11:15am on Sunday morning.
We were at Kennywood last in August of 2001. That day was very crowded and we
didnt get on everything we wanted too, only got one ride on Phantom's Revenge
that season. I have been to Kennywood every other year since 1995 and until
this trip every other trip was getting worse and worse. So honestly I expected
it to be worse yet. But it was better than I thought. We went in and headed
straight for Phantom's Revenge, it had about a 20 min wait and was only running
ONE train... This is my big problem with KW, they run one train on most of the
coasters most of the time. They are a big enough park that two is needed the
vast majority of the time. We waited for the back seat and about quarter till
12 we were finally on. I had forgotten how much I liked the new Phantom. The
retrofitted Morgan / Arrow trains are wonderful. They are a bit tough to step
up and into and to get out of, but the restraints are wonderful and the train
is roomy and comfy. I wish other companies would take note of this train.
After riding MF and TTD the 225 foot drop just wasn't as good, but it is still
good in its own right. The big fan curve is wonderful and I can feel some
serious Gs being pulled at the top of it. The climb out and through the T.
Bolt is neat, now we get to go through her twice. The ending run back to the
station is very good and intense. Its full of air pops and the final flat turn
has some good laterals before the final bump up and into the station. I think
I may have Phantom's Revenge in my top 5 steel list now. But I have to think
about it and figure out how to change my top 5 wood and steel lists after this
trip. Later the Phantom would add the 2nd train for about 3.5 hourse and we
rode about 10 times during the day. RIGHT after our last ride in perfect
sunshine and a 15 min wait with two trains, they announced they were removing a
train... WHY? Why does KW have such a problem running two on this coaster?
They always had problems running two when it was the Steel Phantom. When I
asked mgrs there they told me they thought the brake run was too short and they
didnt like to run two unless they REALLY needed to. (Well, I feel if you have
to wait more than 3 trains, YOU NEED TO...) Anyway if what they said is true,
WHY when they redesigned it to Phantom's Revenge did they NOT FIX it with a
longer brake run? But whatever the reason is I don't accept it. They need to
run two, period.
Next we went over to the Pittfall, there was no wait, it was walk on. We rode
it 3 times. We mostly wanted to compare it to PKDs new Drop Zone. Since KWs
is the tallest of the other style (meaning not PKI or PKDs style) it would be
the closest to compare. I remember when I first rode it when it opened back in
1997, I could not believe how tall it was, and it still is. But it just can't
compare to PKDs. That one has REALLY spoiled me on drop rides. Next we went
over to Exterminator, the line was so long last time we decided to not ride it.
We did ride it in 1999 when it was new though. It was better than I
remembered it and it only had about a 10 min wait. So we rode it twice for
good measure. The themeing is good and made the ride better than what it
actually is. On our 2nd ride we met up with some other ACErs who were at the
park and we rode together. We spun on that particular ride like I have never
spun before ! Now we took time out to eat at the Patch for some fresh cut
taters. Did the price go up? I dont recall them being almost 4 bucks? But
they were decent as always. But I dont see where the fries are any better than
any other fresh cut fries. Think about it, its a potatoe thats put into a
cutter, the cut fries are then deep fried. No magic there ! hehe. But they
are decent and I always find myself buying some once a trip.
Next we decided to head for the 3 wood coasters. Understand I am not a big KW
wood coaster fan, I find them all a little boring with one or two decent
moments. But overall I find them dull and over rated. We went to the 2nd most
over rated coaster in the world first, the Thunderbolt. (most over rated is
the Coney Island Cyclone)... It too was running one train with about a twenty
min wait. We waited for the back seat and I was laughing to myself about the
no single rider rule and that they want the bigger person to sit to the outside
of the train. Its because of the laterals in the bowl. But after riding the
Villian with real laterals the night before it was rather funny. So we got on
and we dropped out of the station and climbed the hill and turned around, I
looked at my watch wondering what time it was because I was bored. Then we
dove down and up and climbed the lift. Well you know the rest of the ride.
The fast description is I was bored with it and was happy we got to the brake
run so I could go do something else. Later it would add a 2nd train and we
took one more ride on it to make sure it was still boring, and it was. I just
don't get what people see in this coaster. Oh well, everyone is different I
guess.
Next we went to the Racer, and as always it was a full cattlechute wait. We
rode one time. I think the Racer is a "cute" coaster. I like that its one of
the last remaining single track racers, and its fun to clap hands with people
on turns. But its just too short and really not exciting. Its more of a
scenic Mt ride. Finally we made it over to the wood coaster I like the most at
KW, or should I say dislike the least? Jack Rabbit. I love the trains on this
coaster and I love the fast loading. This one ran two trains all day.
(another plus compared to the others).
Its not a very exciting ride, but the double dip is good, that one moment beats
out any moment on the other two woodies there for me. We returned several
times through out the day for a ride here and there on it. The line varied in
length but was never more than 10 mins. Next we rode the flying coaster. The
last two times I was there it was down. I do like this ride and I am sad its
the only one left. It gives some people who are scared of coasters a taste of
air time. We then rode the Old Mill, this one is a classic. I hope that one
always remains. We also always walk through Noah's Ark. I have never been
able to make up my mind if this version is better, or if the version before
they changed it is better. But I have always liked the end of the newer one.
But the water was not working and the force you to exit before you enter that
room. So therefore this time it was just stupid and I wish they had told you
the entire thing was working before we got in line for it. It REALLY was
missing something without the neat ending. Next we rode the new top spin.
Worst computer program EVER on a top spin. I dont understand why parks BUY one
of these to use the weakest programs. You flip a grand total of ONE time.
Also it was a short cycle. The themeing was not very good. I was not
impressed with the new addition of the park. Oh well, its just a silly flat
ride anyway. I dont care much for them anyway, we only really rode it because
it was new. We stayed at the park until 7:15pm. So we were there for 8 hours.
Actually it was a better KW day than my last 2 or 3, so I was happy with the
day. I am just not happy with KW in general. Here is a little theory of mine
about the park I think its the opposite of the small Six Flags parks, and here
is what I mean. Years ago I felt that Adventure World and G. Lake amoung
others were too small to change into Six Flags right away. The parks were too
small and Six Flags name was too big. The smaller parks are a little better
now after some HARD growing pains, but not perfect. Kennywood is the opposite.
They are now the worlds biggest, little park. They get very big crowds and
they have a lot of rides. But they are still trying to operate it as if it
were a small park. Like running one train on coasters during very busy times.
They are now themeing rides, which is something they had not really done before
1999 with Exterminator. They said they could not survive if they sold Season
Passes. I find that to be a load of poop. That park is busy and Pittsburgh is
WELL BIG ENOUGH to support it on season pass sales. I bet they would be able
to sell a lot and make tons more money. They are a big enough park now, land
wise and ride wise to support more. Seems they choose not to and they keep
that small park management attitude. Again, I feel they are too big to operate
the way they do. One train is not acceptable. I feel KW as is, is a bit over
rated. Now I love small tradional parks. I can not get enough Knoebel's !
But KW has outgrown that and they need to change.
We left Kennywood and went to guess where? Yup, the local Steak N Shake about
3 miles away at the water front.
Next report, SFA.
CoAsTeRDaN
PKD 4 ME
Http://members.aol.com/coasterdan/index.html
Http://hometown.aol.com/revolutiongoal/revolutionhome.html
# 1 Wood, The Villian, # 2 The Legend
# 1 Steel, Mindbender at West Edmonton Mall, # 2 Millennium Force
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