Kennywood --- 06-07-03
Associated parks:
None
Immediately upon entering the park from the tunnel you can look to the left and see Phantom's Revenge. As soon as I looked a train rolled down the first drop and over the second hill, down into the unseen abyss also known as one of the many Ravines at Kennywood. I started drooling that instant. I was pretty suprised to find almost NO line for the ride. Expecially with the day being a Saturday and Phantom's Revenge seeming like it would be the most popular ride in the park. Waiting no more than say 5 to 10 minutes I was in the train in the last row of the last car.
The train really crawls it's way up the lift for about half of it, then it seems like it kicked into second gear to give you that extra push over the top.......Wow... The drop was nicely executed and was seemingly smooth! I was not expecting it to be so smooth, especially after having ridden Shockwave at Six Flags Great America. I now knew what was coming next and could not wait to experience this drop that had been so glorified by other coaster lovers out there. We crested the second hill, and all of a sunned, BAM! A small whiff of air time that I was definately not expecting! But it wasn't from cresting the hill, it was from being sucked down the biggest hill on the ride. Next thing that I could see was myself heading toward decapitation from Thunderbolt's low clearance support structure. This is the only Headchopper I have actually believed was going to take off my head. I ducked, which wasn't too great of a choice because the G's at the bottom of that hill kept me ducking for the next few seconds which caused me to not be able to see where I was going. We started Ascending again and were pulling into the high speed turn right before the tunnel. Wow - I love that turn. I felt like I was just soaring in Kennywood! But that feeling was short lived before we began to pick up speed and head into the tunnel. Which I guess didn't really put all that much more thrill into me, but it was nice. The most unexpected thing that now happened was a very abrupt pop of Air upon leveling out to go into the turn before the hops. That was sensational.
We made that turn quickly and then began the hops. These Series of bunny hops provided the strongest amount of Air I have ever experienced in my life. Three hops I believe before a ground hugging semi helix which then amounts to a Double-Up and into the brakes.
The ride paces quickly and does not last long, but you definately enjoy what is there! Phantom's Revenge was worth the trip to the park in itself, let alone what else I was to ride.
PHANTOM'S REVENGE: Times ridden : 5
Favorite seat: Last Row last Car Right side.
Rating: 9.5/10
Final Comment: Only lacked what I would have liked most, floater air.
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Next we were onto Thunderbolt. I was definately expecting a Great ride, which isn't really what I got. I wasn't sure why you had to have 2 people in a seat at first, until I got on the thing. The laterals are very extreme. It's very hard to avoid crushing your partner. This made the ride Semi-Painful. I didn't pay attention to much of the ride because my hips were in pain, so I have nothing further to say about this ride.
THUNDERBOLT: Times ridden: 1 (Thank God only 1)
Favorite Seat: Would rather it have been on a park bench
Rating: 5/10
Final Comment: Glad I rode it, but will not again.
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Racer was what looked like was next on the midway. It didn't look like anything special to me, and It looks rather ugly. But the ride was Great. There were a few parts where I didn't know what was going on, like right after the third major Drop. I didn't think I was going to peel to the left. I was ready to head straight. That was most enjoyable. The airtime wasn't all to special, but the ride itself was in my opinion better than Gemini, Which says a lot to me. Would definately ride this over and over again.
RACER: Times ridden: 3
Favorite Seat: Back Car
Rating: 8/10
Final Comment: Wonderful!
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Finally... my most anticipated coaster at the park. Jack Rabbit. From what I have seen on coaster programs and pictures the Double Down looked like pure bliss. I got on it and found out that the Double down was the ONLY good part about the ride. And I was pretty disappointed that the ride was hyped so much. The Magnetic brakes were cool. Very quick stop.
JACK RABBIT: Times Ridden: 1
Favorite Seat: Only Rode in last row
Rating: 7/10
Final Comment: Too Short, too Quick, too blah...
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Following the Jack Rabbit I decided to go on Phantom's Revenge again. Which made up for my disappointment from Jack Rabbit and Thunderbolt.
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EXTERMINATOR: Times Ridden: 1
Favorite Seat: All the Same
Rating: 9/10
Final Comment: Left me feeling dizzy and Suprised that it could be such a fun ride in the dark. Very Re-rideable! Sweet!
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My visit was Awesome at the park and I spent a lot of time on other flat rides. Although I was only there until about 8:30 I got to ride many things due to the absence of a crowd at the Park. I would love to re-visit the park sometime!
FINAL PARK RATING: 9/10
FINAL COMMENTS: Very Magical Feeling Park. Almost felt more at home than at Cedar Point!
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Assistant Webmaster,
Kennywood Boulevard
Anticipointment rears it's ugly head yet again.
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www.coasterimage.com
Dorney Park Visits in 2003: 6
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Kennywood Park, America's finest traditional amusement park.
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