CAC 2003 (Silverwood) with pictures
Associated parks:
None
Ever since I have been slightly involved in coasters, I’ve always wanted to ride the Silver-Woodies™. Joe Swartz’s website, www.joyrides.com, was where I was first exposed to the impressive layouts of these Custom Coaster Internationals. Being a reader of Coaster Buzz, back in late July I saw the “Don’t miss Coaster Alley Convergence” thread, and what better way to see this park for the first time than with 3 hours of exclusive ride time from 10pm to 1am? Answer- nothing.
It all started when my uncle and I got into Spokane airport in the late evening on Friday. We drove to our “Red Roof Inn” or something of the sort, where we found that they had messed up and didn’t have room for us. Long story short, at about midnight we found the only place with room, The Japanese Inn Motel in Coeur d’Alene (about 33 miles from the park.) Well, at least we had a bed and a locked door at night!
Bright and early Saturday morning (around 9am) we were off to get breakfast, get batteries, and a DV tape for my camera, all in our jet black Grand Am. After finding an IHOP and a Staples that was open, I made my uncle drive like a maniac toward the park. It seemed to take forever to get there, but suddenly wooden structures dominated the sky line. It was amazing and thrilling to see… I was excited and my uncle was scared.
We got our Coaster Alley Convergence “stuff” just as they opened the main gate at 10:30. While the attractions wouldn’t open till 11, it was interesting to watch the famous Silverwood train do switch work and listen to Timber Terror test. Not being able to see, but just hear the sound of a CCI testing was amazing and a tease. Little did I know how good this day would be.
The rope was dropped at 11am, and we rushed into the park. The midways were packed, and walking quickly was impossible. It was then I saw Timber Terror run for the first time. You could visibly see people getting pretty good airtime, IN THE MORNING! As amazed as I was, it was a bit of a disappointment to find that Tremors was not going to open until early afternoon. While in line for Timber Terror, I could actually see about 25 feet of track on the third hill of Tremors being retracked- talk about good maintenance!
Timber Terror was better than I had expected. Having been on a few out-and-backs, this one really is something special. Airtime on every hill, some pretty good laterals, and the surprise snap. One of my favorite aspects of this coaster is the sense of speed. It never gives up and has a remarkably smooth ride. And who couldn’t love those buzz bars!? CCI built it right and Silverwood keep it running perfect (there were replacement wood and parts laying next to the queue.) Final words: great coaster.
After Timber Terror, Tremors was still down while they retracked, so we walked up to Corkscrew. This would be my 105 coaster, not that 105 is a significant number. Onto the ride… well, it did have a pop of airtime, but it was so rough. The track bending was worse than a regular corkscrew coaster, head banging was on just about every transition. Hey, at least it wasn’t a very long ride and there was a sense of history about it being the prototype corkscrew, and the sign was cool. Funny thing is, the people at the park ate it up.
From the Corkscrew station you could see a Skycoaster waiting to be put in, YAY!
We walked over to the flume. It was a fun little flume with a 25 foot drop? Something like that, but it goes through some nice scenic areas. There were these cool little geysers that people on the midway would control. If they went off on your boat, you’d get pretty wet. They also had this on their white water ride, but the line was a little long so I didn’t ride it.
Tremors was testing at this time, so we ran in that direction. The way the train interacts with the midway stops you dead in your tracks. After two more test trains, and a 20 minute wait to get up into the station, we were on in the second to last row.
Tremors is ALL about psychology and pacing. It starts in the station where you see these "do not stand" signs. Then on the lift hill, as you go up you can see the first drop. It is very steep, very large, and goes into a tunnel in the gift shop at the bottom. It doesn’t end there. After your dive through the gift shop, you go across a little hop VERY quickly and right into another tunnel. At the end of the ride you go through another tunnel-hop-tunnel. I have to say these are the most effective form of head choppers I have ever experienced and really adds to the ride. It’s a great blend of airtime, laterals, and lots of speed. On my first ride, it instantly became my #2 favorite woody, but after the ERT it crawled up into my favorite wood position. If this coaster was at a more visited location, it would be in the top ten Golden Ticket woodies.
Hearing about the famous train ride, we grabbed a bite to eat and waited for the next departure. The food at the park was actually really good and not too expensive. As for the train, it was pretty cool and the longest park train ride I have ever been on, about 20 minutes long and through the forest. The park property must be incredibly huge. It gave some nice views of the park and the waterpark.
The park overall: It was a nice park, but the landscaping wasn’t so amazing. What was weird was that were no fences really. You could walk all over the place and a lot of the grass was dead because of it, but they did have signs asking you to keep on the paths. Ride wise the park was a little bleak with a few cool flats, and the only really great rides were the two woodies. The water park looked pretty fun, especially the playhouse, but the slides looked weak. Something you have to remember when at Silverwood is that they are trying to appeal to families, and that’s what the park is, a family park. It did have nice themeing in some places, like the western town entrance. Considering how busy it was during normal operation, if it wasn’t for the ERT I don’t think I would have had as much fun. As for the ERT, it was one of the most amazing things ever, and I have the bruises to prove it.
I hope you enjoyed reading my trip report and plan on getting out to the coaster alley yourself, they are a really great pair.
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-Parker
www.SFMWZone.com
*** This post was edited by GoliathKills 8/25/2003 9:51:10 PM ***
GoliathKills said: After Timber Terror, Tremors was still down while they retracked, so we walked up to Corkscrew. This would be my 105 coaster, not that 105 is a significant number. Onto the ride… well, it did have a pop of airtime, but it was so rough. The track bending was worse than a regular corkscrew coaster, head banging was on just about every transition. Hey, at least it wasn’t a very long ride and there was a sense of history about it being the prototype corkscrew, and the sign was cool. Funny thing is, the people at the park ate it up.
Hello!
I LOVE this coaster!
As a kid, I waited in VERY VERY long lines to ride this machine. I am VERY VERY PLEASED that "the people at the park ate it up"!
To those attending the park, this ride "is scary" because, "It goes upside down!".
"The track bending was worse than a regular corkscrew coaster..." A "REGULAR" corkscrew? Oh, you mean a coaster that isn't near as old as I am?
I really don't understand how the group of people that read this board seem to underappreciate this coaster.
For CAC03, EACH of us that rode "Cork Screw" last year at SW in July,and that also rode THIS YEAR, the ride was MUCH MUCH SMOOTHER.
Nope! the "ORIGINAL Corkscrew" will never compete with rides designed nearly 30 years later. I am just proud to say that MY paying for admission, and standing in line for hours for such a ride, has paved the way for parks to invest in more modern creations of bent steel.
Only slightly disgusted,
Sprig
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-Parker
www.SFMWZone.com
BTW, your rental car was a 2004 Grand Prix, not a Grand Am.:)
Later,
EV
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"Here's the thing about living in the past. If it was so good, then how come it didn't last? If it helps you, I'll put it in a phrase. Those were the times, but these are the days." - The Human League
GoliathKills said:
Silver-Woodies™....what better way to see this park for the first time than with 3 hours of exclusive ride time from 10pm to 1am? Answer- nothing.>Could NOT agree more
Timber Terror was better than I had expected. Having been on a few out-and-backs, this one really is something special. Airtime on every hill, some pretty good laterals, and the surprise snap. One of my favorite aspects of this coaster is the sense of speed. It never gives up and has a remarkably smooth ride. And who couldn’t love those buzz bars!? CCI built it right and Silverwood keep it running perfect...
> sure, the emphasis is mine, but I don't think anyone would argue the point)...;)
Corkscrew.....Hey, at least it wasn’t a very long ride and there was a sense of history about it being the prototype corkscrew, and the sign was cool.
> (Parker, making lemonade)
It was a fun little flume with a 25 foot drop? Something like that, but it goes through some nice scenic areas. There were these cool little geysers that people on the midway would control. If they went off on your boat, you’d get pretty wet.....(thanks guys).....;)
Tremors...Tremors...it would be in the top ten Golden Ticket woodies....
> (will?....don't be too surprised)...;). It certainly leapt into my *top tier* of woodies, and I don't think there's anything I would *prefer* over those rides on a truly AMAZING coaster....Thanks to Kevin Coley for organizing what is quickly becoming an event on par with SRM and PPP, and for good reason.
Considering how busy it was during normal operation, if it wasn’t for the ERT I don’t think I would have had as much fun.
> It *was* a Saturday at the end of the season, but the crowds were definitely a good sign for the health of the park. Waterparks seem to be generating a TON of business for the parks in the PNW, which *should* bring the money needed for expansion.
As for the ERT, it was one of the most amazing things ever, and I have the bruises to prove it....
> I have *never* had more fun during an ERT session, and I hope to keep my bruises for at least a little while...:)
It was great meeting up with you Parker, and with all the othert enthusiasts who made a point of going OUT of their way ;) for a tremendous coaster event. I *will* have more to say later, but wanted to say hi! and that it's good to be home safe....
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CAC- the convergence of two of the best complementary wooden coasters in the world
And not enough thanks could go out ot Kevin or the Silverwood staff for this event. I havn't been to PPP or SRM, but I can assume this event gives them a pretty good run for their money. It's all I have talked about the past week if ya'll have noticed!
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-Parker
www.SFMWZone.com
Nice TR Parker.
I'm afraid there are not enough adjectives to discribe the time I had Saturday night.So I am going to have to settle on AMAZING!!!!
Scott and I had 45 rides in the 3 hours of ERT.
I will try to participate in some discussion of the event more in the future, right now I am still trying to catch my breath.
I hope to see you all next year!
Mark
*** This post was edited by Boofster 8/28/2003 8:07:03 AM ***
I took time out to let my stomach settle and talk with Peabody and others and still got more rides in than any other day anywhere.
I was so worn out at the end I don't remeber who I was riding with up front of Tremors at the end. Any out there remember?
mOOSH
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