Americana to reopen in May

New rides to include the Zipper, Tea Cups (adult, tilting platform), Inferno Combustion Funhouse, Caterpiller (canopied Himalaya), Pirate Ship, Orbitor and 2-3 kiddie rides. The Screechin' Eagle has also received some first drop maintenance, lifting the drop up 31" to eliminate some neck whipping. Indications are there should be some increased airtime on first drop due to slight reprofile.

Additionally, the Serpent (galaxi) will run 6 to 8 cars instead of what ran in '99, which was only 2.

2 semi's full of plants and trees will be added, 300 flags, lots and lots of lights and the new park logo will be a tophat.

I understand this park will stand out at night, with new operating hours until 11pm.

Indications are 2 new attractions for '03 are already on tap.

YESSSS!!!!!!!!!!! It's official.

They will not b selling season passes this year, but thats no reason to not make repeat visits.

Good news. Americana is a nice park. I really enjoyed the Screachin' Eagle when I was there about 4 years ago. As for the Galixi, does this mean they're planning on running 6 to 8 car trains and not the standard 2 car trains? I didn't get to ride this because the line was very long. Increased capacity would be very welcomed.
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-Matt in Iowa
193 coasters ridden
#1 Shivering Timbers

I'm assuming the Serpent will be running 6 to 8 cars on the course at a time... not 6 to 8-car trains. I could be wrong of course, but I've never seen a Galaxi-style ride with a long train like that.

Infernal Combustion fun house, eh? That's one of those portable fun house trailers. Sounds like all of these rides are portable, which is fine... but a trailer-model funhouse to me seems kind of out of place at an amusement park.

The Orbiter has me most excited. The only one I've ever ridden is BGW's Flying Machine, and I've heard that is a toned down version of how fast it can really run.

I'll definitely have to get down there to visit this summer and show my support.... I just hope I'm not driving 4-plus hours for a carnival with a wooden roller coaster.

ProgRay

This is the absolute best news I've heard in awhile... not only is Americana opening, but the owners/operators seem serious about the park's success!

I may stop there before I go to Kings Island on June 9th to take a ride on Screachin' Eagle.

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Valleyair Security 2002! 8Years Working at Valleyfair :)!

For those that are making plans to go to the park on Memorial Day weekend, please be advised that while the park 'hopes' to have it open that weekend, things can chance at the drop of a hat and the opening could be delayed

-Sean

The Serpent runs the standard 2 car trains, which will be increased to 3 - 4 two car trains. It was a ride I skipped as well, because a 1 train wait, even with 20 people, took a half hour. Not typically worth it for a Galaxi.

Yes, the fun house is the portable one you referenced, although I've not personally experienced it. Any good? The approach they're taking with this park sort of reminds me of the Western Washington Fair, which is exceptional. Lots of portable stuff that can just as easily be permanent.

I also forgot to mention two new restaurants, one of which is an Italian eatery, buffett style. They're adding a french fry / onion ring stand as well, which American didn't have. The dodgems are gone (for this year) and the dodgem building has been placed over the relocated brass ring carousel. I believe this is now the center piece for the new midway.

I will add that the park mgm't does seem focused on ride safety, rider through put and ride quality. I would suggest they re-tool the Calypso (very slow), the Whip (again, slow) and swap the light weight flyers for the original heavy models that really soar.

I was at the park last weekend and they seemed to be making progress, but I wasn't so sure they would hit an opening day in May. However, nice weather and a deadline can do wonders for meeting targets.

I figured they would continue running only two-car trains, but I've never seen a Galaxi run more than 2 trains, so 6-8 seemed totally out of question considering how short the rides are. If they run 3-4 trains, I suppose, they'll just be backed up on the brake and only have one of them out on the course at a time (maybe 2).
Yeah, a half hour wait isn't worth it for a galaxi, so that's why I passed as well. It's bad enough waiting an hour to ride a boomerang once to add it to your track record. I've done that a few times.
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-Matt in Iowa
193 coasters ridden
#1 Shivering Timbers

Running 3 or 4 2-car trains makes a whole lot more sense than the "8 individual cars" I had previously heard.

As for the funhouse, since nobody else did it, I did a quick search and came up with an Owen Trailers model that sounds like the one in question here. I see they make the Mardi Gras as well...this should be a pretty nice unit, then.

Let's hope that instead of opening on Memorial Day they open on Memorial Day Weekend to accommodate all those crazy coaster people who are going to be in the neighborhood that weekend!

--Dave Althoff, Jr.

Whatever day it opens I'll be there! I'm just glad it's opening!

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It's his turn to feast, when you ride the Son of Beast.

I'm already on the meeting calendar for June 2nd and July 4th. Looks like I'll be at Lakemont though for Mem. Day....can't miss LTD 100th anniversary!
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Brad Sherman
Don't.....look.....back! The Headless Horseman awaits you in 2002!
Model coasters and rides

The fun house does seem nice, and if you have never been there, the log flum is great. It is one of the best i have ever been on. The Screachin' Eagle also seemed smooth when i rode it in the morning, but later in the day it gets rough. But it's still great. Everyone should really go there this year, it is a park that still captures the atmosphere of the old parks of the past. I'm very excited!

Rideman, thnaks as always for pointing out good stuff. I'd say that looks like a 50's theme fun house, and it even has pink and teal flags flying on top of it, which means it would fit into the Americana color scheme (if that scheme is retained, of course)

According to the UN I repeat UNofficial Americana website, their goal is May 25. That would be the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend. Recall that that date is very tentative.

3-4 2 car trains does sound a lot better on the Serpent, that way you have one out on the ride, one being unloaded, one moving between unload to load, and one being loaded. Sounds like a simple enough proposition to block out.

According to 'sources' (Hi Gazoo!), the Infernal Combustion Fun House has been placed where the "Great American Thrill Show" (An old Cinema 180 movie the park ran allegeldy until the print was mangled beyond repair, I mean they even screened it badly scratched up)), this would place it along the main back midway of the park between the Calypso (which was still in place as of last Sunday) and the Giant Slide.

For those who can't wait for the park to reopen, try to predict where the other 9 rides are going to go :)

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David Bowers
Mayor, Coasterville

Actually, Dave, I think the Great American Thrill Show ran until Coney Island bought the place. I wouldn't be surprised if that badly scratched print is still projectable... :)

--Dave Althoff, Jr.