Small parks that deserve some recognition

Next year I'm thinking about getting down to Stricker's Grove, either on the Fourth or if they have an ACE or GOCC event. Is it worth it? Specifically, how are Tornado and Teddy Bear?

Also, probably the same trip, I'm thinking of hitting (Cincinnati's) Coney Island. What's the skinny on that one? I heard it's been improving the last few years.

Coney Cinci is more about the nostalgia and the past than it is about the present-day.

Got some cool flats, like the uber-rare Tempest, and a nice dry sack slide, but the bumper cars and the coaster both leave a lot to be desired. A cool side-trip, plan on 2-3 hours...half of it in the museum, LOL.

Oh, and Sky Princess (CCI's first) does indeed rock. The remainder of the park is probably better-suited to the elderly guests and the smaller kids...hmmm, not that unlike Clementon...'cept Tsunami/J2 is *far* superior to most wooden coasters out there.

*** Edited 12/19/2006 5:24:52 PM UTC by rollergator***

Tsunami/J2 is trying to tear itself apart. I have rode it each season and must say each year has become more and more of a rough ride. It still ranks in my top 10 wood but it is fading fast. Clementon should be on this list and would definitely fit if the Jack Rabbit at the park was operational.

Thanks for the info, rollergator.

^ Always happy to help a fellow 'Buzzer...AND the smaller parks! :)

^^d.o.f...sorry to hear that, I got to ride Tsunami when it first opened, PPP trip, and that thing was CRAZY insane. But it was clear even then that MAINTENANCE would be key. A couple of friends rode it this year and raved about it, so I *assumed* it had been getting the care it so obviously needs. Something THAT intense, requires lots of love and care...unfortunately for the Miller (*and* us), I think that's got only one way to go, and that's down... :(

*** Edited 12/19/2006 8:32:25 PM UTC by rollergator***

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Jeff said:
[beer commercial voice-over guy]

Here's to you Mr. Small Park guy...

[/beer commercial voice-over guy]

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{leftover 80's band singer}... Still buying tickets to pay by the ri-i-i-de...

... ain't paying no 8 dollars for a burg-e-e-er... or paying extra to butt in line...

... diggin' that ancient wood-i-i-i-eeeee...

{leftover 80's band singer}

Kemah...especially knowing what's to come for '07.

Also shout outs to Lake Winnie.

DelGrossos and Waldameer are remarkable how they are so successful in the wake of all that competition, big and small. It is to both of these park's credit that they are managing to add some new things that will bring them more attention. Parks of this type are such a nice change of pace from the bigger parks.

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Ensign Smith said:
Next year I'm thinking about getting down to Stricker's Grove, either on the Fourth or if they have an ACE or GOCC event. Is it worth it? Specifically, how are Tornado and Teddy Bear?

Also, probably the same trip, I'm thinking of hitting (Cincinnati's) Coney Island. What's the skinny on that one? I heard it's been improving the last few years.

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Check out my video TR's on Strickers in the bellow link.

You can have fun there with the right people. If your going for big thrills then it's probably not up your alley. The Tornado has a amazingly scary airtime moment and should be ridden at least once while you got the chance.

Chuck

Timberfalls!

man i have to get to the Dells, lol...thats a MUST this year, you guys; hold me to it!!! :)

If you don't get to the Dells this year, We'll SOBitize ya.
:)

That is fine as long as you dont SOBitize Hades. Hope it got some loving attention this winter.

J2 still is crazy insane but you better heed the warning signs. I rode it 14 times in a row opening year, then 7 times in a row the next year this year I was lucky to be able to handle 3 in a row. Just plain abusive. Like I have heard said. J2 is the end run of the Voyage. You just don't know what happened when you are done a lap. It takes a few laps to figure it out.

I've never been (tho I'm totally creditwhoring it next summer) but Wild Adventures in Valdosta GA - aside from the steel coasters being Vekomaland - seems like it'd be a rad little park. Has a CCI woodie, good flats (including an inverter and the increasingly ubiquitous Screamin' Swing), and... yeah. Seems like fun.

^ Credit whore's dream park...other than that, still leaves alot to be desired. I haven't been since the CG buyout though, so hopefully they've used the time since the last expansion to do some work on landscaping, theming, and general *atmosphere*. Kinda strikes me as MiA only with more coasters...WAY too much concrete.

Most fo the enthusiasts I know who *have* been to WA stop in for a couple hours, grab as many credits as available (one good thing, not too much coaster downtime, *usually* only one down at a time), and BAIL for a better park elsewhere. Cypress has made really good strides, hopeefully I'll have a good report after my next trip to Valdosta (January maybe).

edit: Note that upon the Cheetah construction, I wrote a little article for the ACE mag on WA and Cheetah. I still think the park has a tremendous upside, and hope there's some work done on "non-ride" aspects to restore some of the charm.

*** Edited 12/20/2006 3:15:07 PM UTC by rollergator***

Kemah Boardwalk in Kemah, TX REALLY deserve a ton of reconition with their new Gravity Group woodie!! :)

Family Kingdom at Myrtle Beach is another underated small park. The Swamp Fox is one of the best wood coasters in the south! Plus, they have a nice selection of flat rides and a decent flume ride. It's just too bad that Pavilion wasn't still there, too. Both parks made a trip to Myrtle Beach well worth the long drive to get there! Hopefully, Family Kingdom will hang in there, especially with Hard Rock Park coming in 2008.

I really enjoy The Park at MOA. Even before the spinning coaster, it was a really neat atmosphere with quite a bit to do. The log flume is fantastic, and then there's the Tumbler!

Boomers! in Dania, Florida. (Between Ft. Lauderdale and Miami.) They have, among other things, 2 Huge Arcades, and Outstanding Go-Kart Track, Six Miniature Golf Courses and, best of all, The Dania Beach Hurricane - :) FLORIDA'S BEST ROLLER COASTER!!! :) *** Edited 12/22/2006 8:57:25 PM UTC by Borntocoast***