PPP: How many years for you?

With PPP "phever" setting in, I just have to ask:

How many years have YOU been going?

This isn't a bragging thread or anything, I'm just curious to know how long people have been going to this thing. I have yet to meet someone that has been attending since the first year! I'd love to see if there are any long-time attendees around here, and hear about how they think the event has changed throughout the years.

Me? This will be my 12th or 13th year (can't really recall, as I stopped counting a few years back). All I remember is that, when I first started going, the Phoenix, Haunted Mansion, Carousel, Log Flume and Antique Cars were running (maybe a few others, not sure)... it was cold and rainy... and only a few hundred people were in attendance (if that!)

My, how things change!

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-Rob
A.C.E. member since 1990
Posting @ Coasterbuzz since 2000
E.C.C. member since 2002
*** This post was edited by Rob Ascough 10/3/2003 10:41:38 AM ***

This will be my third year. My first Knoebel's experience was PPP and I can't believe I never heard of the park beforehand, and I've lived in PA all my life. It's such a awesome park with two of the best woodies, great flats, good food and it's all reasonably priced. PPP or not, Knoebel's is a great park.

Its amazing how many people have never heard of the place, even in PA. Once they do, though, they're rabid fans... everyone who goes to the park seems to advertise it to their friends like they are on the Knoebels payroll themselves!

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-Rob
A.C.E. member since 1990
Posting @ Coasterbuzz since 2000
E.C.C. member since 2002

This will be my 5th year, if I go. I was sick all night last night and didn't get any sleep, so I'm not sure if I'm going now.

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--Greg, aka Oat Boy
My page
"The safety word is 'banana'." -- Family Guy
*** This post was edited by GregLeg 10/3/2003 12:16:31 PM ***

Year number one...and hopefully, "and counting..." :)

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[Nitro Dave -- 145 Laps] [Track Record: 85 and counting...]
Princeton University -- Class of 2007
In the Nation's Service, and in the Service of All Nations

Dave- Go once, and it will definitely be "...and counting". That's why I started this thread... I wanted to see how many people went and kept going and going and going!

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-Rob
A.C.E. member since 1990
Posting @ Coasterbuzz since 2000
E.C.C. member since 2002

First timer.

I went one year.. and honestly.. that was enough.

I'm not badmouthign it.. it's just not my kind of thing. Too many closed circles.

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June 11th, 2001 - Gemini 100
VertiGo Rides - 82

But its not really a regular park day. While I haven't been attending since the very beginning, its pretty obvious (from the name, if nothing else) that it was intended to be a "coaster event." When I started going, very few other rides were open, and each year when it was announced that one or two "other" rides would be working, it was big news.

I'm not saying that you're wrong for feeling like you do... I'm just trying to help you to understand that its not really a normal day at the park, and shouldn't be compared to one.

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-Rob
A.C.E. member since 1990
Posting @ Coasterbuzz since 2000
E.C.C. member since 2002

5 years straight for me. The funny thing is that I never knew about it before then! I only live about 12 miles from Knoebles too. I swear I must have lived under a rock!

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Signature will be closed today. Sorry for the inconveinance.

Me and my family have been going since probably '88 or '89 and never missed one PPP. Yes, I will be going again but this year will be the first time that my family will not be going. Guess I'm the lone survivor. My dad blames it on the incresing price and increasing attendance. Isn't it the second most popular event of the year, 2nd to Coastermania at CP?

Anyway I'm still going regardless of how many people attend. I still have a great time going and seeing so many of my friends that I made over the years or that I haven't seen in years.

Thing is Rob, It's not just this event. I tend to avoid enthusists events like the ebola virus. I just don't tend to have fun in the groups that generally show up to events. Now there are some that I do or did hang with that I had no problem with but since working the park for a couple years now, my interest in attending most events is about the same as catching West Nile virus.

I know alot of people who enjoy them, and more power to them. I'll continue to work 20 hour days come every Coastermania, because I get more of a kick helping people have a good time than being part of the "click", so to speak.
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June 11th, 2001 - Gemini 100
VertiGo Rides - 82

I will get there one of these years. Maybe next year?

Haven't gone yet. I live like 35-40 miles away. Marching Band and PPP don't really mix... :(

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I'm a loser.

Just got home from my first PPP:). Too tired to think straight right now, but it was enjoyable.

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Eastcoaster
Rideworld

I just got home also. That was my 2'nd. The weather kept the lines walk-ons in the morning and 10-15 for Phoenix and Twister at night. My longest wait was the Antique Cars at about 30 minutes. They did a great job with it. One of the people was on my roof and looked down over the front. But the best one was the person who somehow managed to get into my car then his hand was on my shoulder. That was awesome.

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-Sean Newman
*** This post was edited by SFgadvMAN 10/5/2003 10:13:32 AM ***

This was my first. Very enjoyable regardless of the 3 hours sleep I've had over the past 3 days.

Twister was insanely hardcore. Brutal in a great way. Phoenix was everything I imagined. Beautiful, powerful, and speedy. Pretty much perfect.
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Rob - Jerk/Loser - Standing up for the unfunny and unattractive. - Click here for details

My 2nd. Awesome time. Great to finally meet a lot of the CPG and other regular buzzers. Both Phoenix and Twister were hauling. I didn't think it could top last year, but it defnitely did. I'm already looking forward to next year.

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Be polite and ignore the idiots. - rollergator
"It's not a Toomer" - Arnold Schwartzenkoph
"Those who know don't talk and those who talk don't know." -Jeff

I just got home from my first PPP trip. I got to the GCI factory this morning and just got home from that trip. It was great, and tons of fun. I hope I can get there again next year! I don't think I really met many people from this site, but maybe a few. It was a great experience, to say the least :)

This year was my third and it was by far the best, it was good to see some of you again, especially since I've been out of the coastin' loop for the last few months. :)
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Joe Cernelli
My CampusFish Blog