Patience is a virtue. I went back to PKD for the second weekend in a row, and still have not been able to ride Hypersonic.
As soon as I arrived, I saw the sign that said Hypersonic would be closed that day. Once inside the park, I wanted to find out why and if there was any possibility of it opening that day. I am glad that I did ask, because it actually made me feel a little better. I was told that they were in the process of adding the 2nd train and doing the programming. By next Saturday, they would have Hypersonic running with two trains. That was good, because I had already planned on going back the next Saturday anyway. My chances of finally getting to ride have now improved....right?
Here is a quick rundown of what I did get to ride:
Flight of Fear - Open and running with it's new lap bar restraint system. That's right...kiss those OTSR's goodbye! It was a whole new experience without them, but the new restraint system is very confining. It appears to be a very close relative of what Hypersonic has. The bars come up from the floor. (It is very hard getting in and out of the train now.) When you pull down, there is a small bar that goes across the top of your feet. The bars then come up on the outsides of your legs, coming up to a lap bar.
It is very effective, but from the waist down, I was pinned tightly, and I am only 125 lbs. (I knew it would be when the first thing the attendant told me was "Put your knees together.") There was only one train running, but WOW what a great ride with your arms and head unrestricted.
Anaconda was a walk on. I even got to ride twice in a row in the front without getting off. The loading and unloading is very fast.
Volcano did not have much waiting time. My first ride in the second row was only a 5 minute wait. I love this ride! I went back later, and still only had to wait about 20 minutes for the 3rd row. (Hardly anyone was in line for the front row because it was raining.) I went back for a 3rd ride about 4:00, but it had temporarily shut down.
Rebel Yell, The Hurler, and Grizzly were all walk on's. On The Hurler and Grizzly, we sat midway and were able to re-ride 3 and 4 times in a row, respectively. This was my first time riding a coaster in the rain. It is painful, yet strangely enjoyable.
7th Portal - Have now seen it 6 times, and every time is just as fun as the first. I keep seeing things in the background, etc., that I didn't see before. It is great. Tried doing it the last two times without holding on. That is really fun, and that seat belt is there for a reason!
Because it was cold and raining, I left about 5:00. But, as I mentioned above, I will be back next Saturday to ride Hypersonic. I am thinking positive...I've got to get lucky sooner or later.:)
