#rockintheravine Waldameer 2015

On Sunday morning we got up and left the motel in Sandusky as soon as we could. It was really terrible. So we headed off in the morning making a trip I felt I’d just made not long before to Waldameer, thru Cleveland and back up to Lake Erie.

Waldameer is going thru a transformation, and has a new front gate and they’re beefing up their already quaint looking (and popular, it would seem) water park. The new front entrance was well done. I wish there was something like Waldameer somewhere in North Carolina. It’s charming, it has lots of quirky stuff. It’s affordable family fun, and it’s just a great little park.

We started off with a quick stop to the restroom before heading over to see what was already open since the park does a rolling opening. We hit up the drop tower first. I actually like the fact that you drop as soon as you hit the top, and you don’t know when that will be. Plus you get amazing views, and the last time I was there it was gloomy and overcast.

After that we hit up the haunted house. I had done this last time, so I knew what it was all about, but it was neat to see the look on Doug’s face when it was all over. I wasn’t going to miss doing Pirate’s Cove this time, since it came so highly recommended by EVERYBODY last time (I just thought it was a small kiddy funhouse and didn’t bother), but it hadn’t opened yet so we went over to our first coaster of the day, Ravine Flyer II.

Ravine Flyer II-I absolutely love this ride, and it was moving faster than the last time. I don’t quite know why they weren’t filling both trains, they most definitely had enough in line to do so, but whatever. We got on near the front of the train for the first ride. I love the first drop, and man, those hills over the road kill it for me. Love them. Hoping around on the other side of the road and back just feels amazing, and this time there was sustained speed even thru to the end. This ride really ranks high for me, and I didn’t expect to be back so soon to ride it, but again, I’m so grateful to have been able to make the trip. Over the course of the day we rode at least 2 or 3 more times.

After we got off of Ravine Flyer II we went over to the Comet.

Comet-I like that this has such a low height limit. It’s the perfect ‘big’ coaster for little kids to get comfortable on, and it’s a lot of fun. Plus, I mean, it literally goes thru the trees and just gives a fun ride. Comet would be a good ride in any park, but it just fits so well at Waldameer, especially since it has such history in the park.

We walked back over and hit up Pirate’s Cove. This was definitely interesting, and I’m glad I was able to do it this time. The whole thing was wonderfully bizarre and really fun. I love that this small park takes the time to keep up their quirky dark rides. I just hate that the park is so far away that I can’t just pop in for an evening when I want. That would be perfect. Next up I took Doug over to Steel Dragons, the spinning coaster.

Steel Dragons-I like the MS spinning coasters better than the Gerstlauer ones. The layout is better, and I like facing out while spinning better. We got a really good, spinny ride. Much better than my last visit. The drops are scary when you can’t see where you’re going, and it actually has some decent airtime. This is another coaster that I don’t understand why more regional parks don’t have. Please, PLEASE Cedar Fair, start building these!

We walked back over to ride the Ferris Wheel since I didn’t get to on my last visit as I was by myself. I stopped and got a cookie sandwich that tasted amazing with creamy icing in the middle. Then we got on the Wheel so we could take some photos. Then we did something I ended up skipping out on the last time I was here, but, you know, Peer Pressure.

Ravine Flyer III-Yeah, we did the kiddie credit. It was actually fun with a little airtime, and I like how it’s all over water. Plus we didn’t have to wait for kids, we just kind of walked on to the ride. Check, and done.

After that we hit up RF2 a little more before ending our morning at Waldameer. Again, I can’t say enough great things about the park, and if you ever get the chance to go, it’s a real treat. Next time, I’m going to go at nite for a change.

Was it a whoopie pie?

I was one of the ones who climbed all over you for missing Pirates Cove last time. I go through it multiple times every visit, as well as Wacky Shack, so I'm glad you liked 'em.

It was a whoopie Pie. Yeah, you and Jonathan Hawkins from CarowindsConnection gave it to me for missing Pirate's Cove. So glad I listened. Even happier that I got back to get it so soon!

I'd already been itching to get to Waldameer recently, so your post made me itch even more. [insert joke]

I began with my traditional stop at Sara's for a burger. I'd been wondering if maybe I was remembering them better than they were, because ever since my first time in 2008 I've just thought they were good, not great. But tonight's burger was really good, and sitting out front with the mix of grill and campfire smells was a perfect way to start the evening.

I can't believe how well Ravine Flyer II is running. It's like season one all over again, even on the axle seats. My first ride felt a little sluggish, but it sure came alive as soon as the sun started going down. I still love that view of Lake Erie from the top of the lift, and I was treated to 3 rides in a row with absolutely gorgeous sunsets.

Other notes:

- I'm glad they finally have ticket booths at the entrances. Dear Knoebels...

- I wasn't prepared for just how different the Peninsula parking lot would look with the gigantic wave pool. The expansion is an exciting sign of their success, even though I've never been to the water park and it's not really a draw for me. Successful park = I get to continue riding RF2.

- They have 2 tall columns on either side of the entrance walkway; seems like an obvious place for an arch or sign overhead to greet you, similar to the North End archway. Maybe that's the plan.

- Some exit signage would be helpful, especially since rides shut down and turn their lights off right at 10:00 so you don't have as many landmarks to find your way. Not being as familiar with the new entrance/exit, I ended up wandering through a picnic pavilion on the way out.

- Tek responded to my text too late for me to find the place that sold the whoopie pies (see also: everything shuts down right at 10:00). Oh well, next time.

Has anyone here been in the new wave pool? I went to Waldameer with some friends last month while I was visiting Ohio, and had a blast. Unfortunately, the new wave pool wasn't open yet. Looks like it is an amazing pool. Two different wave patterns in the same pool!