Dave and John do PPP v. 2.0 -- 10-9-04
Associated parks:
None
First ride was on the Paratrooper. Looked like a ton of fun, and it definitely was. The ride cycle seemed a little shorter when you were actually on the ride, but that was fine. A great start to the night.
We went over to check out the Flyers, but the line was well out of the queue so we figured we'd try again later -- this called for a venture to the Phoenix! The line was still short, which was great, and within five minutes we seated ourselves in the third row from the back. This thing is an absolute airtime beast. Smooth and forceful, fast as hell, and even more hardcore in the dark and fog with no lights. One of the best second halves of any coaster I've ever been on, bar none. It was definitely worth a reride, this time in the very back row, and once more, it didn't disappoint. An unbelievable ride.
The antique cars line was ridiculously long all night, and we weren't exactly in the mood to be spooked out, so we got in touch with (HeyIsntThat)Rob and arranged to meet them at the Flyers after they finished their game of mini golf. Fata and I ended up taking a ride on the Whirlwind to pass the time. I don't think it needs to be said in too much detail to Knoebels fans why that was a one-time deal.
Finally, the queue for the Flyers seemed reasonable, so we got in line. Having only ridden a Flyer once in my life (last year's PPP), I was incredibly confused as to what to do. So, like any open-minded enthusiast, I asked my accompanying linemates. Coming to the rescue were none other than two fellow Buzzers, Andy and John, who gave me some helpful hints on how to get the most bounce for my (rather plentiful ;)) ounce. When the time came, Andy, John, me, and Fata were in consecutive tubs and we were off. Somehow, despite having a rudimentary-at-best knowledge of physics and wind resistance, I was able to shift my weight and use the sails enough to get a couple really wicked snaps on top of numerous stalls.
At this point, the motor started to slow down, so I figured the ride was coming to an end. I was unable to really get back into a snapping rhythm and the good times seemed to be at an end. Finally, the ride came to a stop, and the ride op (who I can only describe as Nazistic) came up to our tubs, and pointed at Andy's, John's, and mine, saying "You, you, and you. You're done. Don't come back." I couldn't believe it, and neither could John, who went to bat for me by explaining that I wasn't the one bouncing, it was him. But the all-seeing, all-knowing op said I was "bouncing the tubs like crazy" and I wouldn't be allowed to ride for the rest of the night. After leaving the ride area, we chatted for a few minutes about our ban, laughing proudly, and then split up to pursue different rides. A memorable event indeed.
Fata and I proceeded across the rode to Twister. Damn, this thing is a beast too! Relentless speed, hair-raising turns, and that double helix is an absolute brain-scrambler. If only the hill after the helix provided the crazy airtime it looks primed to deliver, the ride would be oh so close to perfect. But we can settle for damn good.
At this point, with about an hour and a half to go, Fata and I began the search for pizza. Getting lost (as usual for me in this park), we ended up running into the Skyway, so we took a spin. Great views, incredible fun. And possibly, we determined, the most perfect make-out ride ever. Note to self: bring the girlfriends to PPP in the near future! ;)
Finally, after some more searching, we located Cesari's and had our two slices of complimentary pizza. In Fata's ever-so-true words, "Not bad for Pennsylvania," but the damn cheese burned my lip bad on the first bite. We ran into Rob and Cindy again on the line, and Rob showed us some of his funny video of the evening (including a nauseating spin on Downdraft...) -- funny stuff.
After pizza, we high-tailed it to Phoenix for some last rides, and we ended up running into Rob and Cindy again. This time, we all waited for the front of the train, and after a ride filled with amazing ejectors, Fata and I agreed that the front might just be better than the back -- but that, either way, there really isn't a bad seat on this animal. Great stuff.
Post-ride, we all took a moment to admire the amazing models of Phoenix that adorn the surrounding plaza, then Rob and Cindy decided to head out for the night. Fata and I took one last check over to the Flyers to see if the ride ops had rotated, but since [insert gratuitously obscene insult here] ride op was still there, we knew we'd be shut out so we gave up as well and high-tailed.
All in all, PPP '04 shaped up to be just as good as, if not better than, '03. It was great to see some new faces, and it always feels good to know that rides you loved before are even better than you remember. We'll have to do Knoebels as a day trip one of these years, but I think it's a damn sure bet we'll be back for a third year next fall. :)
But as for that Flyer op...Dick needs to TAER HIM DOWN!!!!11!1!1!! ;)
--Dave
I was demolishing them. My back is still sore. It was awesome.
Hobbes: "What's the point of attaching a number to everything you do?"
Calvin: "If your numbers go up, it means you're having more fun."
Neuski, as far as I can figure, there really is no difference, just a semantics thing. I knew I was snapping it right if I got enough resistance to make the tub bounce when all the slack came back into the other cable. If there's a difference, I'm guessing it's just a technicality.
No difference. *** Edited 10/11/2004 12:08:06 AM UTC by ApolloAndy***
Hobbes: "What's the point of attaching a number to everything you do?"
Calvin: "If your numbers go up, it means you're having more fun."
Daytime was fun with rides on Downdraft, Power Surge, Whipper (classic fun), High Speed Thrill Coaster (full of laughs and giggles), Whirlwind for our one ride of the day, Super Roundup, and plenty of Twister and Phoenix laps. We closed our 5PM hand stamp with 2 rides on the Galeon thanks to a nice ride op who told me and my 3 friends to stay on since the next cycle was the last of the day. We then did some shopping and such and ran the stuff back to the car.
Upon returning to the park from the car for Phunfest activities we decided to check for the pizza well the lines were long so we went to the Haunted Mansion which was a long line but worth the wait as always and a very fast moving line. After the ride the pizza lines were shorter so we took a break for some pizza and soda, YUM!
After our quick dinner it was time to see the Phun of Phunfest. Some very nice costumes as we walked around. Also Phoenix and Twister just got more and more Phun as the night wore on. One downer was the Pioneer Train, should have had some live people to scare you while you rode along. But overall a Phun time for all in my group.
The 15 minutes it took to move one length of the queue was a clue, and I figured I had another 45 minute wait. That was at least three rides on either Phoenix or Twister. And by that point, the line was out to the outdoor seating at the Alamo. So I bailed.
I assumed they were running one train because they some live action going on and a second train might give away some of the surprises. But if there weren't any live "spooks" why couldn't they run additional trains? That was the only ride I would have liked to have tried that I didn't. The rest of the day/evening was a great time.
My only issue was with pilots that didn't show up phor the parade. You don't get the same effect when you carry unclaimed costumes past the judges!
Is it me, or are Phoenix and Twister running as fast as they possibly should? As for Flyers, we lucked out by getting in line just before a snap-friendly op took over. :D
"If we can dream it, we can do it"
Phoenix had the upstops going, so you know it was really flying or else the poor people in the back of the train may have been ejected. First time it hit them when I was on it I was thinking why did they turn on those trims. Then when I was walking back I came to the conclusion yes it was really running fast enough to need them.
dragonoffrost said:
Twister was incredibly fast that night.Phoenix had the upstops going, so you know it was really flying or else the poor people in the back of the train may have been ejected. First time it hit them when I was on it I was thinking why did they turn on those trims. Then when I was walking back I came to the conclusion yes it was really running fast enough to need them.
Umm...you were being scarcastic, right? Neither the Phoenix or Twister have trims....
Ask +Danny about the entrance into the helix ;)
mOOSH
+Danny
Supposedly the Rocket had a brake at the top of the 2nd turnaround (above the break run) when it was in Texas, but that went the way of the Whirlwind when Knoebels bought it. *** Edited 10/20/2004 5:44:53 AM UTC by Im a Grover***
Just ride the front once (or watch one of the Coaster videos that have POV) youll see that there are no trims....what you probably heard though were the rollbacks, those arent trims...they just prevent the train from rolling back had it been running dirt slow.
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