MrPKI
07-02-2006, 04:15 PM
TR: Beech Bend 6/30
Since we were passing right through Bowling Green on our way back from a family trip to Arkansas, I suggested that we stop by Beech Bend. Of course the main reason for this was to check out Rumbler, but I was interested in the other rides as well.
The original plan was to stop by on Thursday night (6/29), but by the time we rolled into Bowling Green it was already 6:00, and the park closed at 7. So we decided to stay the night and visit the park first thing in the morning. We got over there at about 10:15 and entered the park, half of us with armbands and the other half with tickets. On to the rides –
Kentucky Rumbler – This was the driving force behind visiting this park, especially since I didn’t get down to Rumblefest back in May. This was also the first GCI coaster I’d had the chance to ride. My opinion - It’s a very solid coaster, nothing like the Voyage I’d experienced a month ago, but it doesn’t let up either. I also liked how smooth and well paced it was. It flowed seemlessly from element to element, and the speed never let up until the final breaks. A+ One thing that surprised me though is that the closer you sat to the front, the more air you seemed to get. But that could have just been the experience of my first ride, since it happened to be in the very front.
Wild Mouse – None of us had ever ridden a spinning mouse before, so this was something different. I really liked the spinning, except for one thing: If you get caught on the wrong part of the spin, this coaster can really throw you around. And with no seat padding, that isn’t good. The break run could be kind of rough as well. But it’s still a great ride for the park to have, and a good secondary anchor attraction.
Looping Star – I had heard the coaster could be rough, but it wasn’t quite as bad as I’d heard. The seats aren’t super comfortable though, for anyone even remotely tall. My knees were well over the front shell of the car. But it was a decent ride, something I’d ride again on another visit.
Dragon – This coaster was really weird. With the no one in the back rule, combined with the near stop at the top of the second hill, the ride wasn’t very well paced. In my opinion, I’ve ridden many other better kiddie coasters than this.
Some other rides I liked were the Haunted House (a really cool old ride; I especially liked how they kept everything pitch dark besides the spooky characters), the Shock Drop (The abrupt drop when you get to the top is great!), and White Water Express (a really cool log flume with a compact footprint).
WARNING: Many of flat rides at this park have insane programs, at least compared to regular POP parks. Fairs don’t count. :p Their scrambler (aptly named Sizzler) moves so fast that you really need a cushion the entire ride. Ow! After a while, I’d had enough of the spinning, and had to settle for just coasters or rides with a track that didn’t use circular motion.
Hopefully this park will continue to grow, and maybe get more fully mounted rides. It would definitely give the park a continuingly more regional park feel. The Kentucky Rumbler area is definitely a step in the right direction. The café surrounding it gives that section a very professional look as well.
Anyway, over the three hours we spent there we all had a great time, and would definitely visit Beech Bend again, given the chance.
Thanks for reading,
MrPKI
Since we were passing right through Bowling Green on our way back from a family trip to Arkansas, I suggested that we stop by Beech Bend. Of course the main reason for this was to check out Rumbler, but I was interested in the other rides as well.
The original plan was to stop by on Thursday night (6/29), but by the time we rolled into Bowling Green it was already 6:00, and the park closed at 7. So we decided to stay the night and visit the park first thing in the morning. We got over there at about 10:15 and entered the park, half of us with armbands and the other half with tickets. On to the rides –
Kentucky Rumbler – This was the driving force behind visiting this park, especially since I didn’t get down to Rumblefest back in May. This was also the first GCI coaster I’d had the chance to ride. My opinion - It’s a very solid coaster, nothing like the Voyage I’d experienced a month ago, but it doesn’t let up either. I also liked how smooth and well paced it was. It flowed seemlessly from element to element, and the speed never let up until the final breaks. A+ One thing that surprised me though is that the closer you sat to the front, the more air you seemed to get. But that could have just been the experience of my first ride, since it happened to be in the very front.
Wild Mouse – None of us had ever ridden a spinning mouse before, so this was something different. I really liked the spinning, except for one thing: If you get caught on the wrong part of the spin, this coaster can really throw you around. And with no seat padding, that isn’t good. The break run could be kind of rough as well. But it’s still a great ride for the park to have, and a good secondary anchor attraction.
Looping Star – I had heard the coaster could be rough, but it wasn’t quite as bad as I’d heard. The seats aren’t super comfortable though, for anyone even remotely tall. My knees were well over the front shell of the car. But it was a decent ride, something I’d ride again on another visit.
Dragon – This coaster was really weird. With the no one in the back rule, combined with the near stop at the top of the second hill, the ride wasn’t very well paced. In my opinion, I’ve ridden many other better kiddie coasters than this.
Some other rides I liked were the Haunted House (a really cool old ride; I especially liked how they kept everything pitch dark besides the spooky characters), the Shock Drop (The abrupt drop when you get to the top is great!), and White Water Express (a really cool log flume with a compact footprint).
WARNING: Many of flat rides at this park have insane programs, at least compared to regular POP parks. Fairs don’t count. :p Their scrambler (aptly named Sizzler) moves so fast that you really need a cushion the entire ride. Ow! After a while, I’d had enough of the spinning, and had to settle for just coasters or rides with a track that didn’t use circular motion.
Hopefully this park will continue to grow, and maybe get more fully mounted rides. It would definitely give the park a continuingly more regional park feel. The Kentucky Rumbler area is definitely a step in the right direction. The café surrounding it gives that section a very professional look as well.
Anyway, over the three hours we spent there we all had a great time, and would definitely visit Beech Bend again, given the chance.
Thanks for reading,
MrPKI