Friday, March 25, 2011

The North End Blooms

Since the official start of the Spring season, the North End has been blooming with activity and color. All three rides are starting to come together and the North End is beginning to feel like a part of Waldameer. 

Wendy's Tea Party has sprouted up tea cups in beautiful shades of green, pink and red. All that is left is the center tea pot and the ride will be spinning with fun!



The Flying Swings is also blooming for Spring. The top canvas, crown and ceiling panels were installed this past week along with two sections of the center hub displaying colorful, hand-painted scenes of Italy. Soon, chairs will be growing from the ceiling to carry riders around and around!

The North End will be Rockin', Spinning and Flying its way to summer fun sooner than you think!

Friday, March 18, 2011

It's a Sign

No, I'm not talking about Aquarius or Gemini or even Scorpio. I'm talking about signs for the new rides in the North End! Each new ride finally has a great big sign to tell Guests which ride is which. Like I said before, it must be a sign that the North End is getting close to being completed! Take a look below at the colorful works of art.
Wendy decided not to sign this one!
Does it look Wally is trying to use sign language?



Thursday, March 17, 2011

Back to the Bronze Age

The North End got a taste of the Bronze Age today as six of the seven bronze statues arrived early this morning. The truck from Randolf Rose statues pulled up to the Skeeball building and out came girls, boys, turtles, puppies and an 8-foot tall white-tail buck!
Playing with a turtle.

Puppy kisses!

Playful pups.

Bambi's father.
These statues will all be featured in the North End in typical Waldameer design. There is only one more statue that has yet to come to finish decorating the North End. We will have to wait and see just what it could be!

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Big, Bright and Colorful

It was another exciting day in the Waldameer parking lot today. The final two containers arrived on time filled with tons of colorful paneling to fit on the Flying Swings. All the pieces had thousands of lights and were beautifully painted with bright colors. Some of the pieces even had hand-painted murals of Italy on them!
Stacked and ready to unload.
Colorful tops to crown the Flying Swings!
All of the parts and pieces were stored away until it is time for assembly of the ride.
The metal racks kept the pieces safe during transit.
A for Wendy's Tea Cup ride, we just couldn't wait to put some of the pieces together! The circular track and the rotating platforms were put in place today just to see if they would fit. It all came together like a puzzle!
Something is missing in this picture. Maybe a few tea cups!
Now all that's needed is a few tea cups and a tea pot and kids will be spinning in no time!

Monday, March 14, 2011

Up, Up and Away

It was a beautiful day to fly today. Fly the Flying Swings that is! The first container arrived this morning in Waldameer's parking lot carrying the first batch of pieces to the third and final ride featured in the new North End.
Blue seats galore! Some even fit two riders so kids can ride with their parents.
Inside the 18-wheeler were plenty of blue seats, frames and of course, the monstrous center of the ride. Everything was unloaded and put to the side while everyone focused on lifting, tilting and setting the center piece at its new home.
How do you remove a 33,000 pound ride part? Very carefully!
But the Flying Swings ride is so huge that there are more pieces coming tomorrow! Two whole containers are arriving tomorrow to deliver the remaining parts and pieces needed to complete the main attraction of the North End. For now, the lonely center stands tall, looking out over the lake and waiting for warmer weather.
The first part of the Flying Swings, standing tall.

Monday, March 7, 2011

Two Down, One to Go

Despite the snowy roads in western Pennsylvania, the second new ride for Waldameer's North End arrived safe and on time this sunny morning. The teacup ride was unloaded and unpacked under the direction of Wendy Bear, whom the ride is named after. At the site for the ride, the final preparations are being made before Wendy's Tea Party can be set in position.
The tea cups lined up all in a row.
Here is my handle, here is my spout!
The next big event is scheduled for a week from today where the last and largest of the three new rides will arrive. The iconic Flying Swings will be delivered in three containers and will require a very large crane to unload.

As the days continue to turn and the snow continues to melt, it is only a matter of time before the first riders will be seen laughing and enjoying the brand new North End!

Thursday, March 3, 2011

Tea Time is Set

As the snow slowly melts, a time and day are set for the arrival of the second ride in Waldameer's new North End, Wendy's Tea Party.
Wendy's Tea Party will have a spot to be placed once it arrives!
With the tea cups traveling down the highway, planning is already under way for the arrival of the third and final ride, the Flying Swings. With two months left before the North End's debut, there is little time to waste!