4 parks in 3 days. Part 2

Our second day started at the Howard Johnson's across the street from Dorneypark. It was over cast in the upper 60's. When we arrived at the hotel the night before, there were cars lined up down the street to get into Dorney. Which was odd, seeings how the park was supposed to close in a few minutes. We later found out it was appreciation days for the surrounding counties,so we weren't sure what the crowds were going to be like for the following day.

We got up around 8:30 and grabbed some breakfast at the Perkin's next door; the strawberry-bacon pancakes were pretty good. We arrived at the park around 9:15 and were surprised to see only a few cars in the lot. When we got to the gates there were about 10 people waiting in front of us.

The gates opened at 9:30 for Platinum Pass holders. We had to wait a half hour before the rides opened.We headed to Talon first. I think it's the best ride in the park.We were front seat on the first train of the day. It ran really smoothly and quickly like it did a couple of years ago. We had a really good ride, except for the ding dong a couple of rows back yelling "TURN UP! TURN UP!" over and over the entire ride. We got another ride toward the back. It really whipped us around the track.

Next, we headed to Hydra. Only had a one train wait. I like the roll coming out of the station. I've never been on a ride that starts like that before. The way you go through it so slowly makes you come out of your seat. The ride has a little vibration here and there but, is action packed. We rode the first time towards the front, the second was in the back. Way more vibration in the back. Still really enjoy this ride.

After a pit stop, we stopped by Dominator and Whip. We rode the drop side of Dominator, about the same as any other drop tower.The whip was running pretty good. There's not enough of these ride left out there. I always enjoy a ride on the one at Kennywood.

Up next was Possessed and Stinger. This is the 4th name we've ridden this ride under: Superman's Great Escape and Steel Venom at Geauga Lake and Voo Doo and Possessed at Dorney. The ride seemed to have some hesitation and vibration right at the start. I can't remember if they took out the brake hold on the back straight spike when they brought it to Dorney, but it's not there now.Stinger was next. It was called Boomarang at California's Great America, but it was down when we visited.The colors of Possessed and Stinger went together pretty well. When we boarded the train for Stinger, they had a rap playing over the ride speakers about the ride rules and safety, we thought it was funny. The ride was ok, only had one head banger moment coming backwards through the cobra roll. On boomarang coasters I like the train to be on top of the track rather than hanging from it. The loop has more intensity going backwards.

After that, we headed to Steel Force but, stopped at Revolution for a quick spin, it was anything but quick. It took a while for them to unload and load people.They go around and make sure they get a green light for all the restraints and shuffle people to bigger seats or off the ride if they don't fit. I still like all styles of these rides. My brother could do without all the spinning, but he's a good sport and rides with me.Steel Force looks like it got some new paint and was running smoother than I remembered. We had a good ride in the middle of the train.

We were feeling pretty good and in need of some abuse, so we went to Thunderhawk. The last time we rode it, it was pretty rough. Good to see some things never change.

Last but not least was a ride on an old friend, Demon Drop. It's nice to see it still alive, unfortunately not at Cedar Point. It's hard to believe that ride used to scare me as a young teen and my kids until they took it out. Ahh great memories. There was no one in line or on the ride, which was good for us. It felt the same as it did the last time I rode it at Cedar Point. This park must be the companies recycle bin for rides.All are good additions to the park.

We ended up leaving Dorney at noon and headed to Knoebel's to finish the day. We had a good morning at Dorney, with no crowds. It made it possible for us to get all the rides we wanted, and stick to our busy schedule for the day.

The brake hold's been on Possessed since its arrival, including on my last ride in October. If it's gone, that's new this year.

Actually, as I know it, the holding brake has been on and off intermittantly while at Dorney.

Well, I would hope so.

Edit: winky

I've never rode without it, so I can only speak for those rides. I think it's actually a neat thing.

That was one of my favorite things about that ride. None of the other ones did that.

kpjb said:
Well, I would hope so.

Edit: winky

Touché. :-)

Steel Venom at Valleyfair! has the brake.

I haven't made it to Valleyfair! yet. Someday