10 Longest Slides

While we're on the subject of the waterpark...(please hold your applause until the end)

1. Endless River: 630 ft
2. Raging River: 382 ft
3. Giant Body Slides: 375 ft
4. Awesome Twosome: 349 ft
5. Midnight Plunge: 315 ft
6. Wild River: 280 ft
7. Speed Slide: 251 ft
8. Free Fall: 228 ft
9. Bermuda Triangle's side slides: 160 ft
10. Bermuda Triangle's center slide: 81 ft

So that being said:

About 8 Bermuda Triangle's center slides = 1 Endless River
About 2.5 Bermuda Triangle's side slides = 1 Giant Body Slides
About 1.5 Speed Slides = 1 Awesome Twosome
About 1.5 Free Falls = 1 Raging River
2 Midnight Plunges = 1 Endless River

Test Your Knowledge

We've had a few Walda-History lessons about THEN, but what about a challenge about NOW?

Warning: If you cheat and look ahead at the answers, Wally Bear will cry.

1. We have two dark rides: the Pirate's Cove and the ________.
A) The Shanty Shack
B) The Whacky Shack
C) The Spooky Shack

2. Star 104 ran a Sky Ride contest a few years ago. What did contestants have to do?
A) yell to as many people as possible
B) ride as long as possible
C) name as many rides as possible

3. What two rides have been named by the public?
A) Steel Dragon and Ravine Flyer II
B) Thunder River and Steel Dragon
C) Steel Dragon and X Scream

4. Who is Wally Bear's furry friend?
A) Wendy Bear
B) Wanda Bear
C) Whitney Bear

5. Which does not belong?
A) Dodgems
B) Bumper Cars
C) Flume

6. You can get a great view of ________ on the Ravine Flyer II's first hill.
A) Canada, eh!
B) Lake Erie
C) Your life flashing before your eyes

7. Besides horses, what other animal is on the Carousel?
A) gazelle
B) lion
C) dragon

8. What is the most amazing game in the world? Hint: hammer + strength = winner
A) American High Striker
B) World's Strongest Man, Woman, or Child
C) Hit That Thing Really Hard

9. What is one food item we do not offer?
A) kettle corn
B) Dip 'N' Dots
C) elephant ears

10. What century was Waldameer established?
A) 18th century
B) 19th century
C) 20th century


ANSWERS:
1. B, 2. B, 3. C, 4. A, 5. C, 6. ABC, 7. C, 8. A, 9. A, 10. B

0-3 Correct: Wally Bear Wanna-be
4-6 Correct: Wally Bear Wiseguy
7-9 Correct: Wally Bear Winner
10 Correct: Wally Bear Extraordinaire

Find That Statue 3

Patience and Fortitude (who share names with the lions guarding the NYC Public Library) are at the entrance to the Steel Dragon.

I stumbled upon CHUCK and DEVON discussing their favorite rides. Where was I?

Welcome to Water World!

...Where all your dreams come true! (Sorry, I couldn't resist)


Our head lifeguard, the Bog Watch Frog. If you need anything, just ask.


FYI: You might not see the view during the Midnight Plunge...half of it is pitch dark. But if you want the scenic route, take the Awesome Twosome, which is blue-green.


A raining mushroom? Yep, with a turtle and whale to boot. Riding them is optional.


For the brave, there's the one on the right. For the daredevils, go with the left.


Looks pretty peaceful now...just you wait. They don't call 'em Raging River and Wild River for nothing.


What a view! That's about all you do in the Endless (or Lazy) River.

Find That Statue 2

Did you find BRIAN, EMILY, and DAVID? They are next to the Showtime Theater and in front of Thunder River and Pirate's Cove.

I had a nice chat with PATIENCE and FORTITUDE today. Do you know where they are?

Interview With the Prez

I had the pleasure of sitting down with Waldameer's president Steve Gorman for a quick interview.

Q: How would you describe Waldameer to someone unfamiliar with the park?

A: Waldameer and Water World is a traditional family-oriented amusement park and waterpark with a casual, safe atmosphere. We have 28 rides and 11 water slides along with midway games, food stands, gift shops, and live entertainment.

Q: In your opinion, why do people keep coming back to the park, customers as well as employees?

A: We have a good variety of attractions for all ages, at reasonable prices. The atmosphere is friendly. Employees are treated as family.

Q: How can a small family-operated amusement park compete with larger park chains such as Six Flags? Does Waldameer offer something they can't?

A: We don't really try to complete with the big parks. We have successfully made our own niche by offering free parking, free admission to the amusement park, shorter lines to attractions, and a variety of admission packages to suit different family budgets.

Q: What is your fondest memory of the park?

A: Opening new major attractions such as Thunder River, Steel Dragon, X Scream, and, of course, the Ravine Flyer II. It's a great feeling to complete the project and see the smiles on the people's faces after they experience their first ride.

Q: Thanks for taking the time to talk with me. Do have anything else you'd like to say to the Waldablog readers?

A: Come out and ride the Ravine Flyer II!

Mini Walda-History Lesson 2

Class, the topic for today is the L. Ruth Express train.

Q: Now, does anyone know how the ride got its name? Any takers?

A: The train is named after Lydia Ruth Moeller, wife of Alex Moeller, the former owner of the park.

Q: What is the theme of the tunnel that the train passes through once on its way to the station?

A: A silver mine. The tunnel rock has streaks of silver that shimmer when the sunlight hits it.

Last question:

Q: Next time you ride the L. Ruth Express will you bring your headlamp and pickaxe?

We're Movin' Up

I published a post regarding the Ravine Flyer II's international standings in CoasterFanatics.com's 50 Best Overall Coasters and 25 Best Wooden Coasters listings earlier this month.

As of today...(drumroll)

The RF II is now:
4th Best Overall
3rd Best Wooden

We moved up one slot in each of the categories! We're almost the best of the best!

Find That Statue

Okay, kids, ready? I spy with my little eye: BRIAN, EMILY, and DAVID.

Where in the wet, wild, and wonderful world of Waldameer are they?



The next installment of Find That Statue will have the answer...

"A Good Old-Fashioned Thrill Ride"

Cindy Price of the New York Times wrote an article, published July 11, about her wooden coaster tour across Pennsylvania. The Ravine Flyer II, a "big boy" coaster, was her last stop. Here is an excerpt from the article:

"The coaster was a 15-year labor of love for Mr. Nelson, who, operating under an “if you build it, they will come” kind of theory, spent years cutting through red tape before finally getting the go-ahead to build in 2006.

It was worth the wait. The Ravine Flyer II is a slick and beautiful, fast and furious wooden coaster that begins with a deceptive 85-foot lift hill that crests high above Lake Erie (is that Canada?) before blasting you down a 118-foot ravine (surprise!), into a pitch-black tunnel, up and out into the light, over a four-lane highway, curving onto a second 86-foot hill, back over the highway, around some crazy bends banking up to 90 degrees (sideways) followed by some other indescribable funny business (total chaos) and ends only when you are near hysterical, winded and happy, wondering who you are, how you got there — and when you can ride it again.

And absolutely none of it compares to this: the Ravine Flyer II — the wooden coaster that Derek Shaw claims “could be the best new ride this year in the world,” that thecoastercritic.com is picking for “sleeper hit of 2008,” and has been the talk of coaster forums all year long — costs exactly $4.50 to ride. "

I encourage you to read the article and watch the tour footage which includes the Ravine Flyer II from start to finish as if you were riding it.

Thanks to the New York Times and especially Cindy Price for a wonderful article!

10 Tallest Slides

This is for all the Curious Georges out there...

1. Free Fall Slide: 47 ft
2. Speed Slide: also 47 ft
3. Giant Body Slides: 45 ft
4. Awesome Twosome: 44 ft
5. Midnight Plunge: also 44 ft
6. Raging River: 33 ft
7. Wild River: also 33 ft
8. Bermuda Triangle: 32 ft
9. Frog Creek (Tad Pool area): 5 ft
10. Endless River: 0 ft

So that being said:

9 Frog Creeks = 1 Giant Body Slide
About 6 Frog Creeks = 1 Raging River or 1 Wild River or 1 Bermuda Triangle
1,000,000 Endless Rivers = 0 of any Slide (Sorry, Endless River, maybe next year...)

Worth 1,000 Words: X Scream

A promotional poster for both the X Scream and Country 98 FM radio.


The X Scream queue line and observation benches (doesn't that sound technical).


The tippy-top where even birds need a closer look.


X Scream's garden area specially reserved for VIP statues.


You're almost there! A few steps more for the thrill of your life.


Uhh...second thoughts, maybe? Don't worry, it's only 140 feet.

Rumor Has It 3

MYTH: The Ride-A-Rama includes BOTH the rides and the waterpark.

FACT: The Ride-A-Rama includes ONLY the rides and NO slides. The Combo pass includes BOTH parks.

Also, General Admissions refers to ONLY the waterpark. You must have AT LEAST a General Admission to enter the waterpark. The ride portion of the park is FREE.

RF II Declared World's 5th Best Coaster

This is a listing of the best roller coasters as rated by CoasterFanatics.Com members.

TOP 50 OVERALL

1. El Toro - Six Flags Great Adventure - 9.64/10
2. Superman: Ride of Steel - Six Flags New England - 9.59/10
3. The Voyage - Holiday World - Holiday World - 9.42/10
4. Balder - Liseberg - 9.39/10
5. Ravine Flyer II - Waldameer Park - 9.37/10
6. Millennium Force - Cedar Point - 9.34/10
7. Expedition GeForce - Holiday Park - 9.31/10
8. Goliath - Six Flags Over Georgia - 9.23/10
9. Katun - Mirabilandia - 9.22/10
10. Thunderhead - Dollywood - 9.19/10

The Ravine Flyer II was also ranked as the 4th best wooden roller coaster.

Top 50 Overall
Top 25 Wood Coasters

After less than two months of its debut, the Ravine Flyer II is already making waves in the international roller coaster community. Thanks to all the Coaster Fanatics who voted for us!

We're Ready! Are You?

It's finally here: 4th of July weekend! Woohoo! USA! USA!

Yes, we are open the 4th of July.

Yes, we have fireworks on the 3rd and 4th.

Yes, even our statues are excited and ready for the festivities.

Charlie the Clown

I know you've past him.

I know you've taken pictures with him.

Maybe a funny one for the kids or a normal one for Mom and Dad.

He is the clown that sits on the bench, watching you and waiting for you to stop by and say hello.

His name is Charlie, after Charlie Cox, a former gardener who enjoyed sitting on the benches and observing Waldameer's guests as they strolled from ride to ride, maybe picking up some cotton candy or fudge along the way. The clown statue was purchased in Tampa, Florida about 25 years ago. The clown head garbage cans were purchased in Tampa as well.

Next time you see him, take a break from the rides, entertainment, and refreshments. Just take a seat, breath in the atmosphere, and enjoy.