Kennywood 7/15/01 (KennyKon)
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At the last moment, Steph and I decided to go to KennyKon, mostly because it was a good excuse to go and ride Phantom's Revenge.
The morning ERT found everyone in line for PR, so we jumped in and got right on Thunderbolt. It's running very well, probably in part because it has only been open for a week or two. They hacked off the corner of the station because PR runs past it, but the arrangement is actually really cool.
I also think there was some kind of error made about the height of Phantom's Revenge as it goes through Thunderbolt. There's a big red pad tied on to the TR track, which leads me to believe you can indeed touch it. Oops!
Then we did the Turtle. Yes, there was actually ERT for this. It's kind of a neat old ride, and sliding about on the seats is good fun.
Then to Phantom's Revenge. The reports of the thing flying into the station were not exaggerated at all. The last two dips already have brackets for the new magnetic trims, but so far they haven't been installed, so it's still a one-train deal. I know enthusiasts will be cry babies when the trims are added, but I frankly think you could 10 mph off the end of the ride and it would still be insane.
The first drop is what you remember, only you can look around. That's where the similarities end. The second drop is smooth and crazy, and it's not shy about pulling out. Up around the big pull-out turn and back down, where once again the train lets you know (surprisingly comfortably) that you're changing direction. Past the station for violent air, then the double-down that slams you up then slams you down, and into the low turn. The last to hops toss you out and force you back down, and then it's over.
The ride is intense beyond words. I don't think it was by design either, judging by the speed you have when you hit the brakes. The good news though is that Morgan's redesign of the trains, helped by good track fabrication, makes it comfortable. I remember Pete mentioning that he always kept his seat belt tight on Magnum to avoid getting banged around by the lap bar. I think the retracting belts on this ride do that, keeping it comfortable.
Phantom's Revenge is the sleeper hit of the season. Morgan deserves a lot of credit for doing something amazing with something that used to really suck.
I hooked up with "Magnum" Dan and Mindy, and we hit two laps on Exterminator before the event attendees made the lines too long. This is the park's best kept secret. It's a great coaster, and never the same twice because of the spinning.
Jack Rabbit was delivering big time. You could just feel how well lubed it was. Also, if you listen closely, you can tell the train actually lifts of the track on that double down. Good stuff!
Among the other rides we hit... The Bayurn Curve, one of the most intense flat rides ever made, Noah's Ark, which is kind of funny, the train for a change of pace, The Whip, a classic.
Finally met the Kennywood Boulevard guys, Matt and Joe, as well as the usual cast of characters.
We didn't actually eat the picnic food that was part of the event, because we had been loading up on stuff everywhere, including two visits to the legendary Potato Patch. If you haven't had the turkey and mashed potatos at the Parkside restaurant, please do so next visit! The food is fabulous all over the park (can you say Oreo pie?), and it's even priced reasonably, by park standards anyway.
One thing that I have noticed about these bigger enthusiast events is that "exclusive" ride time isn't that exclusive. That's fine, but if that only leaves the social aspect, I'm not as interested. I like to spend time with my wife, and some of my closer friends, and I guess it's hard for me to talk coasters all day. Despite running this site, I often don't feel a connection with the really hard-core folks, I guess because it's only a small part of me. I'm not saying that I don't have a good time, only that I wish more people had the diverse interests of Steph and I.
Overall, Kennywood impresses me again. If I lived closer, I'd probably hit the park five or six times a year. "America's Finest Traditional Amusement Park" isn't lip service, it's true!
-------------
Jeff
Webmaster/Admin - CoasterBuzz.com
"From the global village... in the age of communication!"
The morning ERT found everyone in line for PR, so we jumped in and got right on Thunderbolt. It's running very well, probably in part because it has only been open for a week or two. They hacked off the corner of the station because PR runs past it, but the arrangement is actually really cool.
I also think there was some kind of error made about the height of Phantom's Revenge as it goes through Thunderbolt. There's a big red pad tied on to the TR track, which leads me to believe you can indeed touch it. Oops!
Then we did the Turtle. Yes, there was actually ERT for this. It's kind of a neat old ride, and sliding about on the seats is good fun.
Then to Phantom's Revenge. The reports of the thing flying into the station were not exaggerated at all. The last two dips already have brackets for the new magnetic trims, but so far they haven't been installed, so it's still a one-train deal. I know enthusiasts will be cry babies when the trims are added, but I frankly think you could 10 mph off the end of the ride and it would still be insane.
The first drop is what you remember, only you can look around. That's where the similarities end. The second drop is smooth and crazy, and it's not shy about pulling out. Up around the big pull-out turn and back down, where once again the train lets you know (surprisingly comfortably) that you're changing direction. Past the station for violent air, then the double-down that slams you up then slams you down, and into the low turn. The last to hops toss you out and force you back down, and then it's over.
The ride is intense beyond words. I don't think it was by design either, judging by the speed you have when you hit the brakes. The good news though is that Morgan's redesign of the trains, helped by good track fabrication, makes it comfortable. I remember Pete mentioning that he always kept his seat belt tight on Magnum to avoid getting banged around by the lap bar. I think the retracting belts on this ride do that, keeping it comfortable.
Phantom's Revenge is the sleeper hit of the season. Morgan deserves a lot of credit for doing something amazing with something that used to really suck.
I hooked up with "Magnum" Dan and Mindy, and we hit two laps on Exterminator before the event attendees made the lines too long. This is the park's best kept secret. It's a great coaster, and never the same twice because of the spinning.
Jack Rabbit was delivering big time. You could just feel how well lubed it was. Also, if you listen closely, you can tell the train actually lifts of the track on that double down. Good stuff!
Among the other rides we hit... The Bayurn Curve, one of the most intense flat rides ever made, Noah's Ark, which is kind of funny, the train for a change of pace, The Whip, a classic.
Finally met the Kennywood Boulevard guys, Matt and Joe, as well as the usual cast of characters.
We didn't actually eat the picnic food that was part of the event, because we had been loading up on stuff everywhere, including two visits to the legendary Potato Patch. If you haven't had the turkey and mashed potatos at the Parkside restaurant, please do so next visit! The food is fabulous all over the park (can you say Oreo pie?), and it's even priced reasonably, by park standards anyway.
One thing that I have noticed about these bigger enthusiast events is that "exclusive" ride time isn't that exclusive. That's fine, but if that only leaves the social aspect, I'm not as interested. I like to spend time with my wife, and some of my closer friends, and I guess it's hard for me to talk coasters all day. Despite running this site, I often don't feel a connection with the really hard-core folks, I guess because it's only a small part of me. I'm not saying that I don't have a good time, only that I wish more people had the diverse interests of Steph and I.
Overall, Kennywood impresses me again. If I lived closer, I'd probably hit the park five or six times a year. "America's Finest Traditional Amusement Park" isn't lip service, it's true!
-------------
Jeff
Webmaster/Admin - CoasterBuzz.com
"From the global village... in the age of communication!"
I'll be posting a full TR later (tonight? tomorrow? who knows...), but just some points.
I figured on the way home that, in my opinion, PR is more intense than Steel Phantom. Not rough, intense. There is a difference, I think.
For the case of Phantom's Revenge, I'd definitely say it was "exclusive" ride time. I waited for PR once during normal hours, and it was about an hour and fifteen minute wait (although meeting/talking with Dan made it go a bit faster; story to come in the TR).
And lastly, probably the best part of the day was meeting all the cool CoasterBuzzers (and other enthusiasts as well), including Jeff, Mrs. Putz, Dan, Dave Althoff Jr., John Peck, Arrow Guy, KPJB and Scott Short and others I've probably forgotten. Good times!
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Matt Lynch
Co-Webmaster, Kennywood Boulevard
http://kennywood.coasterbuzz.com
I figured on the way home that, in my opinion, PR is more intense than Steel Phantom. Not rough, intense. There is a difference, I think.
For the case of Phantom's Revenge, I'd definitely say it was "exclusive" ride time. I waited for PR once during normal hours, and it was about an hour and fifteen minute wait (although meeting/talking with Dan made it go a bit faster; story to come in the TR).
And lastly, probably the best part of the day was meeting all the cool CoasterBuzzers (and other enthusiasts as well), including Jeff, Mrs. Putz, Dan, Dave Althoff Jr., John Peck, Arrow Guy, KPJB and Scott Short and others I've probably forgotten. Good times!
-------------
Matt Lynch
Co-Webmaster, Kennywood Boulevard
http://kennywood.coasterbuzz.com
Great TR Jeff. I had planned to come up yesterday, but I just got back Saturday night from a MK/Epcot/MGM/IOA/USF/SWF/BGT trip and was so tired after our plane was first delayed 2 hours sitting on the runway the whole time during a tornado and almost crashing into the back of another plane at the Cinci airport. So, I decided it would be safer for me to just stay here and hopefully make another trip later this year. Glad you had fun!
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Danny
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Danny
Will you still be attending Italian Day tommorrow, Neil?
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Joe Cernelli
Head Webmaster, Kennywood Boulevard
http://kennywood.coasterbuzz.com
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Joe Cernelli
Head Webmaster, Kennywood Boulevard
http://kennywood.coasterbuzz.com
WOW Koaster King, sounds like you had more of a thrilling ride than the we did!
It was great to see all of ya at Kenny! I had a blast, and was completely blown away at the Phantom's "nicer" personality. I'd go on, but Jeff covered it all. Good meeting you guys too! Take care. Brad Sherman
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Thanks for riding Tidal Wave and enjoy your day here at Marriott's Great America!
www.angelfire.com/oh4/tk173
It was great to see all of ya at Kenny! I had a blast, and was completely blown away at the Phantom's "nicer" personality. I'd go on, but Jeff covered it all. Good meeting you guys too! Take care. Brad Sherman
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Thanks for riding Tidal Wave and enjoy your day here at Marriott's Great America!
www.angelfire.com/oh4/tk173
Arrow Guy, you should apply to Kennywood to be one of those big red and yellow guys by the PR queue, it'll save them some electricity.
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Joe Cernelli
Head Webmaster, Kennywood Boulevard
http://kennywood.coasterbuzz.com
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Joe Cernelli
Head Webmaster, Kennywood Boulevard
http://kennywood.coasterbuzz.com
Jeff said:
"
I like to spend time with my wife, and some of my closer friends, and I guess it's hard for me to talk coasters all day. "
I can understand that. I find that the events are the purveyor of the quality time with the ones I care about most; my wife and daughter (my son doesn't go much anymore - he's 17 and too cool to go with his parents).
I thought I was the only other "coaster guy" who doesn't need to talk about them 24/7 at these events. Nice to know I'm not alone.
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So many coasters - so little time.
I forgot to ask, did anyone get a "humping lesson" that were supposedly available on the Turtle? Then again, maybe I don't want to know...
As soon as I get my lazy butt in gear, you'll see pictures from KennyKon on KB, but until then just go look at the pictures I already have. ;)
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Joe Cernelli, one of "those two lame guys wearing the coasterbuzz shirts"
Head Webmaster, Kennywood Boulevard
http://kennywood.coasterbuzz.com *** This post was edited by cernelli on 7/16/2001. ***
As soon as I get my lazy butt in gear, you'll see pictures from KennyKon on KB, but until then just go look at the pictures I already have. ;)
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Joe Cernelli, one of "those two lame guys wearing the coasterbuzz shirts"
Head Webmaster, Kennywood Boulevard
http://kennywood.coasterbuzz.com *** This post was edited by cernelli on 7/16/2001. ***
Yeah, we got turtle humping lessons. Actually it was alot of fun. Basically when you go over a hump, you move one seat counterclock wise and you do this during the entire ride. You have to be careful while moving across the chained door area. It's quite amusing to watch the entire ride filled with ACERs and people are hopping out of their seat and moving to the next. You are tired at the end of the ride and the ride-ops don't normally let people do this.
Don't worry Jeff, you're not alone and it was nice meeting you and your wife.
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Christ how do you kids do it
Don't worry Jeff, you're not alone and it was nice meeting you and your wife.
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Christ how do you kids do it
Nope, Jeff, you're not alone. Unless I'm all by myself at a park and am desperate for someone to ride with, most likely, besides meeting another coaster enthusiast for a couple minutes, I don't want to talk about coasters at all. It actually makes me nausious to do that. If I've learned anything about coasters in my life, it's that you DON'T talk about them when you can ride them. Doesn't make a lick of sense to me any other way. If you *are* my friend and can talk about all kinds of subjects and not just coasters, that's one thing and I wouldn't mind that at all. But if you want to talk about whether STE is a coaster and what CP is getting next year, yeah, go somewhere else. No offense to them or anything.
Of course, the natural subject of conversation during the morning ERT was coasters, but beyond that, I didn't really spend much time discussing them.
One thing that surprised me, though, was that, outside of introducing myself and mentioning my screen name on CoasterBuzz or someone asking about the shirt, I didn't talk about this site at all. Funny that an amusement park ends up being a vacation from CoasterBuzz. ;)
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Matt Lynch
Co-Webmaster, Kennywood Boulevard
http://kennywood.coasterbuzz.com
One thing that surprised me, though, was that, outside of introducing myself and mentioning my screen name on CoasterBuzz or someone asking about the shirt, I didn't talk about this site at all. Funny that an amusement park ends up being a vacation from CoasterBuzz. ;)
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Matt Lynch
Co-Webmaster, Kennywood Boulevard
http://kennywood.coasterbuzz.com
I had a great time! Phantom is that and more of what I thought it would be. It was great seeing Matt and Joe and KPJB. (by the way, the green machine made it there and back safely!)
And it was great seeing you too, Jeff (though when I said "hi" you thought to yourself "who the heck was that?")
I did get some of my questions answered, one of those being if the loops are still intact, and sadly, no. I also found that Morgan had revised the layout 4 times!
I don't agree that Steel Phantom "sucked" but it did too much in too little space. So, I believe that they took a great ride and made it better....
Kennywood remains one of my favorite parks, and continues to be with the efforts of Revenge.
Now when will we see a new ferris wheel?
And it was great seeing you too, Jeff (though when I said "hi" you thought to yourself "who the heck was that?")
I did get some of my questions answered, one of those being if the loops are still intact, and sadly, no. I also found that Morgan had revised the layout 4 times!
I don't agree that Steel Phantom "sucked" but it did too much in too little space. So, I believe that they took a great ride and made it better....
Kennywood remains one of my favorite parks, and continues to be with the efforts of Revenge.
Now when will we see a new ferris wheel?
A lot of people said "hi," and I had to look back with blank stares. It's almost a little creepy!
Jeff is right... people watching was good. Nice selection of hoochies. Saw a girl so gorgeous she had to be a model (was wearing a white shirt and short denim skirt, blonde, very pretty, in case you're wondering). Saw another girl with a turd-cutter that would make J-Lo jealous. And of course, I'm always a sucker for the redheads.
Hoochie-watching is really the best part of summer.
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Jeff
Webmaster/Admin - CoasterBuzz.com
"From the global village... in the age of communication!"
Jeff is right... people watching was good. Nice selection of hoochies. Saw a girl so gorgeous she had to be a model (was wearing a white shirt and short denim skirt, blonde, very pretty, in case you're wondering). Saw another girl with a turd-cutter that would make J-Lo jealous. And of course, I'm always a sucker for the redheads.
Hoochie-watching is really the best part of summer.
-------------
Jeff
Webmaster/Admin - CoasterBuzz.com
"From the global village... in the age of communication!"
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