Parks That are Well Run, or Not!

[Sadistic-Savior]

I have a season pass and have been to Elitch Gardens several times already.

Twister: Yes, it is bumpy. It does seem more solid than the old one (which frankly, I liked better). But it is a classic example of a wooden coaster.

Boomarang: Maybe they fixed it since you rode, I dont know. I rode it for the first time this year, and it is IMO the best ride in the park. i found it to be very smooth actually.

Flying Coaster: They are moving it to another location, so it is not active this season. I rode it once before, and did not find it especially unsafe. I did almost lose my glasses on it though (my own fault).

How is the Half Pipe inefficient? According to the Elitch Gardens wikipedia page (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elitch_Gardens), the Half Pipe is unique to this park in the US...no other park has it.

As of last year, this is no longer a "commercial" park...WHICH I LOVE. No more brand names in your face. It feels like a local park again once more. I really despised the commercial feel of the park when it was still six flags. The only thing I dont like is that you still cannot bring in your own food (the old Elitches let you bring in food items so you could picnic within the park), and the food they sell there is way overpriced (but still better quality than it was last year).

[Westcot]

How is the Half Pipe inefficient? According to the Elitch Gardens wikipedia page (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elitch_Gardens), the Half Pipe is unique to this park in the US...no other park has it.


Actually, I believe that there are two parks in the US that also have a similar model to that, both Intamin as well. One is located in Nickelodeon Universe, the other I believe is in a Wet-n-Wild park.

I guess 'inefficient' could mean that it's got a rather low capacity (which all Half-Pipe models do), but neither did the Flying Coaster.

[stormrunner2592]

Kings Dominion on the other hand is a really good park. I went there last summer and rode everything except dropzone, and XLC. Dropzone I didn't ride because I have a real fear of heights, and XLC was closed almost everytime I passed it. Honestly I think Anaconda is underrated, well me being biased because it was my first looper. But to stay on topic Kings Dominion ever since being taken over by Cedar Fair has been well run, and were getting Dominator this year, so that probibaly will be my first B&M.


kings dominion is my home park and youre pretty much correct i think its pretty well run, not the best, but pretty well run under the cedar fair management, so far its good this year i have been twice...nothing closed, and dominator is great!

the best i would have to say busch gardens williamsburg and hersheypark are pretty close, both of their rides are pretty well maintained, and both have a good atmosphere

the worst ive been to are six flags america and elitch gardens, both have crappy rides, small parks, and ugly and dirty parks in my opinion :down:

[Cyberleader]

Disney. Disney Disney Disney.

Of that I've been to, probably Animal Kingdom.

But I think Disneyland is the best run, lots of lovely live entertainment and things, I will report back when I go.

[Sadistic-Savior]

I didnt see mention of the Half Pipe ride at Nickelodeon Universe's wikipedia page (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nickelodeon_Universe#Rides.2FAttractions).

On the Went-n-wild page (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wet_N%27_Wild_Emerald_Pointe) I only saw mention of a water ride called the Half Pipe.

It is low capacity for a coaster, but I've never seen the lines for it overly long. The Boomerang (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boomerang_(roller_coaster)) had much longer lines, as did the Mind Eraser (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Mind_Eraser).

People seem to think the park is dirty as well...I dont remember much from last year (I only went once) but this year it certainly doesnt seem dirty. It is kinda small compared to other parks though (20 to 25 acres).

[p8ntball]

I didnt see mention of the Half Pipe ride at Nickelodeon Universe's wikipedia page (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nickelodeon_Universe#Rides.2FAttractions).

On the Went-n-wild page (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wet_N%27_Wild_Emerald_Pointe) I only saw mention of a water ride called the Half Pipe.

It is low capacity for a coaster, but I've never seen the lines for it overly long. The Boomerang (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boomerang_(roller_coaster)) had much longer lines, as did the Mind Eraser (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Mind_Eraser).

People seem to think the park is dirty as well...I dont remember much from last year (I only went once) but this year it certainly doesnt seem dirty. It is kinda small compared to other parks though (20 to 25 acres).

I meant last year was horrid. (cleanliness wise).

But yeah, Flying Coaster is moving over by where they just put sling-shot, and a new coaster is going where Flying Coaster was.

I've only been once this year, and I have to say, everything seemed redone. New paint, (especially twister 2) and sidewinder. No breakdowns (except Half Pipe :().

Meh, we need new coasters here..:sour:

[Westcot]

I didnt see mention of the Half Pipe ride at Nickelodeon Universe's wikipedia page (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nickelodeon_Universe#Rides.2FAttractions).

On the Went-n-wild page (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wet_N%27_Wild_Emerald_Pointe) I only saw mention of a water ride called the Half Pipe.


The half-pipe at Nickelodeon Universe is called "Avatar Airbender" (http://rcdb.com/id4094.htm) and the half-pipe at Wet-n-Wild is called "Surfrider" (http://rcdb.com/id3320.htm) although it's in Australia, my bad.

[CedarPointer]

The Flying Coaster is very safe, unless you only have one leg. It may SEEM like you slide out, but it's impossible, as there is a bar or hard cushion between your thighs.
Well, I certainly slid forward a lot. Also, they allow people to cross the track while the ride is moving. When I was there I saw at least 2 instances where people weren't paying attention and almost ran into the car.

[JayAC]

Worst
Definitely Thorpe Park in Surrey, UK. Nasty atmosphere, cramped, rides that are always breaking down, dirty, full of chavs, and hurrendous queue times. It used to be quite nice park, but over the last few years it has just got worse and worse. The only thing that would make me go there now is a new ride.

Best
Paultons Park in Hampshire, UK. It might only be a family park with no proper "thrill" rides, but I have to say, it has one of the nicest atmospheres of any park I've been to. It is very clean and is beautifully landscaped. The staff are always smiling and all the rides have been placed with care - They're not just dumped on any piece of free land like alot of parks seem to do. You can tell that the owners really care about their park. They also have an awesome little family coaster called Cobra:

http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii33/jacoaster/p16221.jpg

If you're ever near Hampshire, you should definitely pay a visit Paultons and see what a nice park it is!

[Sadistic-Savior]

The half-pipe at Nickelodeon Universe is called "Avatar Airbender" (http://rcdb.com/id4094.htm) and the half-pipe at Wet-n-Wild is called "Surfrider" (http://rcdb.com/id3320.htm) although it's in Australia, my bad.
Yeah, the Nickelodeon one looks like a miniature version of the Elitch one. The one in your link looks similar, but is a lot smaller.



I meant last year was horrid. (cleanliness wise).

But yeah, Flying Coaster is moving over by where they just put sling-shot, and a new coaster is going where Flying Coaster was.

I've only been once this year, and I have to say, everything seemed redone. New paint, (especially twister 2) and sidewinder. No breakdowns (except Half Pipe :().

Meh, we need new coasters here..:sour:
Actually I have seen several breakdowns. The splash boat was down a whole day while I was there. The Batman Ride (Now called "Dragonwing" since they cant use the DC copyright anymore) will not run if the wind is over 2mph. And the stupid Observation tower has never been open once since I have been going there.

I complained to the management. They said that it is never open unless the weather is completely perfect (meaning not a single cloud in the sky). I think they are worried about lightning strikes or something. Though they don't seem to be worried about it on the Tower of Doom (a drop tower ride that is just as tall and also made of metal)

It hasn't been bad enough to be that annoying though. Its not a big park though.

I actually like our coaster selection already...I'd like to see more thrill rides. I like coasters a lot, just not a fanatic.

[Sadistic-Savior]

Ok, I was exaggerating about the 2mph thing. But seriously, they are just too eager to shut it down for wind, heh heh

[biogal]

This was split off of a thread from almost four months ago. Please do not raise dead threads.

[Rupeeman]

Worst
The worst runned park I`ve been to must be Tosselilla,a small local park just a half-an-hour from me.The lake in the center of the park STINKS,the personal is not always so nice and it all lack much attention,like they just place things here and there,some stuff are in a deserted forest area far from the rest of it.Oh,and there´s alot of trash around,too.

Best
It`s amazing how the city of Copenhagen themself can make something like Tivoli Gardens.They somehow managed to cram in several theaters,several restruants,a big beatiful garden,a concert hall,a aquarium and an amusuent park all in one.The place is clean and the rides are well-operated.Even when it get`s so crowded that you can`t even get through,they still manage to control that.And they also somehow have the ability to keep all rides open during christmas season,where it could get below 0 degrees (Celsius).

[BoRJoYZeE]

Worst Six Flags St. Louis.
The park was slow on operations and half the park was shut down. No refunds. It was clean however.

Disneyland CA
To be honest, I think this park does what it is ment to do, to entertain guest and give them a great experience. It sure was very clean, the operations were on time, and the staff was very friendly. The food, however, is modest, with the exception of Blue Bayou.