IB 5/22/2011

Well, we left for IB at 9:30 AM. Stopped at the Bob Evans in Merrivlle and had the worst breakfast at a sit down place. Waitress was great though. We forgot that IB is an hour ahead of us, so The wife and I got to the park at 11:30 Chicago time. I got to use the confirmation email that ACE sent me to get our passes for 15 Bucks. What a steal we thought. Well it turns out that most of the rides are closed! We got 4 rides on Hoosier Hurricane, 3 on Tigger and 3 on Galaxy. Double Shot, Lost Coaster, Cornball Express, Rocky's Rapids, SkyRide and the Flyers were all closed. We were sooo bummed. They have moved Music Express, Water Swings and moving Falling Star out by Steel Hog which was my 1st time on it and it was a blast!

Steel Hog is my new favorite steel. The new Adventure Point is no where near being done. I really doubt it opens this year. Anyway, at about 4:30, the sky turned this crazy shade of purple and we soon heard the tornado sirens. We got told we had to go to Frankenstein's Castle for protection. So we walked thru a passage next to the elevator to the chicken exit where we waited it out. Soon we were told that we could go back into the park. We decided to count our losses and just go home. Of course it started to get extremly windy on the boardwalk and cold. we were parked at the south parking lot and just made it to the car before all heck broke loose. All in all not a very fun day with most everything closed and the storm.

We got 2 free passes to back later this year, but I think I can have more fun in Gurnee. I'm kinda soured on IB which used to be my favorite park. I wish Tom never would have sold out to Morgan Resorts because they have no clue how to run a park. Very dissappointing to say the least.

This park is on my "must do" list. I keep hearing bad things about how the rides are always closed. Traveling nine hours, I want to make sure that everything is open when I go. Was there any indication on their website that the park wouldn't be completely open when you went?

I had a great time at IB last summer despite being there on a crowded Saturday. Lost Coaster was closed all day which was a major bummer, but the rest of the park was really unique. My only complaints were really slow crews on Cornball Express and Hoosier Hurricane and the fact that there's nowhere to get "free" water.

Tip for first time visitors- pay the $10 to park in the lot closest to the park and keep a cooler in your trunk. The drinking fountains in the park are stained green from the nasty well water, and only bottled water (I believe at $2.50 a bottle) was available at the stands.

It's too bad IB is 'changing' - and not for the better. So many former employees have been burned, etc. Locals are even not going to the park. It is still (as of 2009) one of my favorite places in the world. The big changes I noticed were seat belts on Tig'ger, the painting of things bright pink/green/blue colors and the carelessness/clue-less ness of many seemingly new employees.

It's very well known in the area and to former regulars the changes, lets hope this translates to something good, rather than the negative trend. IB is a very special place, last summer was the first in many were I missed a visit. I usually go 2 or 3 times. I'll be back this year for sure.

Simialar to Travis, I am possibly lucking into a side trip there next week. Was it just bad luck that the rides were closed or are they down for several days?

LostKause said:
This park is on my "must do" list. I keep hearing bad things about how the rides are always closed. Traveling nine hours, I want to make sure that everything is open when I go. Was there any indication on their website that the park wouldn't be completely open when you went?

Go now! I can be your tour guide :) For the whole 2 blocks of the park... Go before too many 'new changes' happen, and Tig'ger isn't there anymore - or something else horrifying. I think they charge to park now. No more pullin in on the grass up front... pay first sucka!

I've been trying to get to that park, as well as SFGAm and HW, ever since I moved to the mud hole called West Virginia. I need to find a job first, and it's on my list. You would make an excellent tour guide, Billy!

Shades said:
Simialar to Travis, I am possibly lucking into a side trip there next week. Was it just bad luck that the rides were closed or are they down for several days?

The Air Crow guy told me they are waiting for a part for Cornball Express, as for the "new" part of the park, Water Swings, Music Express and Falling Star, are still waiting for "tender lovin' care"

I still just can't believe that most everything was closed. Thank God the Taco stand was open :) As a side note, the Pronto
Pups stand under the Roof Garden has these cool t-Shirts to can buy right at the stand. Bought one :) Also, there was no indication at all that most of the rides were closed, until you get up to the ticket booth. They should have at least put something to that effect on their website or their recorded message that you hear when you call them, Lost

Growing up in central Indiana, Indiana Beach has been a part of some great childhood memories. I missed going the last couple of years. We had some free tickets for my family other wise I could not afford to go. They are charging Disney prices now to ride. They have been advertising a multi million dollar renovation. we were excited to hear about the zip line and other attractions they added. Once inside the park I was amazed how much the park had gone down hill. The park looked dirty. The rides had faded paint and most of the coasters were not working. After taking the kids over to kiddy land It was clear the new owners missed the mark. Several of the rides in Kiddy land were not working, not much else for littles ones to do. By this time it was time to eat. We went to the shafer Queen. In the past has been an great little place to eat. as we were walking in, there were dead bugs all over the place. We ordered our food. No on else was there. 45 minutes later I went up to ask for our food and the girl replied oh shoot I forgot. I asked for my money back, but she was unable to give me a refund. She then asked do you still want your food , hmmm?. We then went back to see if the coasters were running. As I watched the Corn Ball express going, It stopped at the top of the first drop. About 20 minutes later maitenance guys pushed to cars down. I then went over to ride the steel hog. ONly two cars running and the line took forever. After waiting about 45 minutes in line, the coaster went down for repairs. I guess what I am saying is that this was once a great family run park. Now the employees dont care, the park is dirty and looks run down and nothing works. I hate to say this, but I made my last trip to Indiana Beach. I will drive an extra couple of hours to Holiday World or Kings Island. These parks are cheaper and people matter to them.

^I have been to the park 2x in the last 5 weeks, and most everything was running perfectly.

Lost Coaster of Superstition Mountain was closed both times we went, but had been operating earlier in the day both times. They were working on it while we were there, too.

Falling Star is not up, but will be up soon from what I can gather.

Music Express (in it's new location) wasn't complete on our first visit, but was up and running (very fast, forwards and backwards *had to say that after a recent visit to Cedar Point*) this last time.

Prices are a couple bucks more than 5 years ago. I think it's about $30 for a ride/water all day, but I get in for $15 with my ACE discount (and can get up to 3 friends in at that discount as well).

On Fridays, the rope/wall climbing things are included on the POP - how cool is that!?

Some of the changes at the park, I don't care for. And I sure as heck do not like that I cannot call the park, and get ahold of a person.

I addressed all of this with the management that was there both days we went. Guest/Public relations is a good place to give your constructive criticism, and air complaints on things you don't like. There is some new staffing at the park; some old. But they DO listen.

So many people say "don't bother, they won't do anything" when I suggest they tell park reps/PR, but with that attitude, nothing will happen. They are there to listen to you.