Valleyfair!- 6/12/05

I was pretty bored yesterday so I decide to take a trip to the fair in the valley for a few rides with a friend.

The park wasn't overly crowded, but it was moderate crowds. First thing I did was go to Riptide. I can't say enough about how much I like the new area they have done for this ride, it really brightens that section of the park up alot. Riptide was quite busy because it was hot out. I did notice that it was alot noisier than it was from just a few weeks ago. Good ride as always, but I have yet to ride in the center of the gondela were you get wet.

Then went on PowerTower for a 5min wait on the red side. After that we went over to Wild Thing. It was running two trains and had about a 15min wait. The WT crew was running awsome today. Six ops checking restraints. They were averaging dispatches from when the train came to a stop till when it left at about a minute or less. It was good to see. After that we walked back down to Steel Venom for a quick ride, no wait really. Then I opted for some fudge which was a good choice because that stuff is always amazing. We decided to take a ride on Monster next. I love this ride, I've never realized before how much fun it is, it just takes forever to load and unload though.

We were going to go on High Roller, but the line was down the station ramp and starting into the switchbacks, which means about a half hour or more wait. Why can't they put the second train on? I don't get why they never seem to use it. We then walked to the very back of the park to take a ride on Excalibur. Gets rougher every year. The only thing I actually enjoy about that ride are the first drop and that first turn, but thats it. Then we started are long walk back to the front of the park. Got another ride on Wild Thing in seats 1-3 this time, almost ejector air on the first two hills. After that it was time to leave. I did notice Riptide was having some mechanical issues when we walked by on the way out. It was closed and testing continuosly.

Overall a fun few hours at my homepark.

Since no one else has mentioned it...

WT is running like a bat outta you-know-where this year on the return run. Are the rides brakeless? No, but they weren't from '96-'99 either. You get nearly more air in the middle of the train this year than you'd get from the back row in previous seasons.

Am I the only person noticing? Where are all the people who ranted and raved and complained previously? Give them props! NOW!

-CO

Well I know I'm going to enjoy WT later this year for sure now. I always loved the begining but the last bunny hills seemed boring. I sure hope it stays that way until next month. They should always have it running that good. :)

They honestly, truthfully wanna...and may have found an off-season solution .

Not only is there air on WT you also get a great pop of air on the Space Shot side of Power Tower! Everytime I have been at VF this season the rides have air! Shhh, don't tell them they might change it!

WT is running a bit faster, but after coaster craze last year, I am just not impressed yet.

PT is giving a nice shot of air on the space shot...which is nice because now I don't have to ride alone in the rain to get it. :)

I got a few rides in the second to last seat on Excalibur and the first/shorter midcourse hill had great air. I will be hiking to the back of the park for as long as that lasts.

Am I the only one who has noticed how much of a pervert Ed Alonzo is? Last year I saw his show a few times till I figured out all his tricks. It took a few shows to figure out that ring in the can of beans trick. I noticed some of his "jokes" being a bit on the raunchy side, but he had nothing on this year. He does a good job most of the time keeping it on the down low when he goes too far, but for the last trick with the swords, look at the expression on both of his assistants' faces when he says he is "going to put his hands in these two holes". In one show, the Hooters girl lost it when he referred to the locks (her boobs) as "biggins". It was quite funny. Great show! Two thumbs up! Glad I don't have kids! Sit front right to spoil a few tricks. And if you get hit with the banana; throw it back! *** Edited 6/13/2005 7:03:31 PM UTC by RavenTTD***

CRAP! See, that's why it's always best to catch him in the early season...before somebody says something on the Web and he cleans it up 'till Halloween @ KBF.

Da Midget just loves him, especially since she's done gags with him the last two years running (the invisible card deck at 6 and the vanishing ring at 7). I think I was blindfolded for the knife-throwing trick a year before that. CBaby is the only person who hasn't been involved in the show in some fashion.

Am I the only person who finds the Ampitheater sign change to 'Ampitheater Plaza' a little curious?

-'Playa

This year for audience participation he uses one young boy (under 10) and one female to play the part of Ed's mom, but he will take a teen for that one. The part of the show with the boy is a series of tricks, and the varied reactions the boys give for the last one is worth seeing the show again and again. One kid I saw seemed like he wanted to run away.

Regarding the Ampitheater, they must be doing something since they have it closed off but there is a show right there that gets crowded. It is quite annoying to stand there when there are a bunch of empty seats and a stage right there.