The Ride is Here!

The Mega Disk'O was scheduled to arrive on Monday, but, because of the Easter holiday, it was late and came on yesterday. We only had time to unload the parts; no ride construction yesterday. But today's a new day and it's being constrcuted as I type and you read! Pictures are on their way!

Mega Disk'O Update

These pictures were taken a few days ago (before the snow. Snow in April?!). You can see the gold railings and the new bronze statues set up. The ride is being delivered this Monday by three large semi-trucks.

The entrance queue line.


The exit walkway.

From on top of Middle Grove.


That gold criss-cross thing (very technical) in front of the entrance is actually the frame for the sign, which will go above the queue line.

Our adopted statues have been set free!

Hmm, something's missing...oh, right, the ride. Have to wait till Monday!

Making Some Progress

Sorry for slacking on the Mega Disk'O picture updates. Progress was being made; it just wasn't very visible. So here's February and March's construction in a few quick pictures.


I believe the cement ground is what we saw as rebar before.
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Perfecting the cement walls.

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Starting to see the cement walls in place.
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The base and walls are basically done and the fencing is just starting. This is the exit walkway.
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A panorama picture from March is on Facebook.

Are You Afraid of the Dark?

As the proud owners of two "darkrides," we at Waldameer don't mind the dark (except when I have to go through the Pirate's Cove alone...*shiver*). Anyways, the good news comes from DAFE or Darkride and Funhouse Enthusiasts.

For the 8th consecutive year, DAFE's members selected the Whacky Shack as one of their Top Ten Favorite Darkrides, and the Pirates Cove was among the Top Ten Favorite Walkthrough Attractions for the 7th year in a row.

Thanks DAFE! If you're interested in learning more about DAFE, click here.

Waldameer: The Early Years

I've gotten a few questions about the park's beach and the original Ravine Flyer so I thought I;d address both together.

These are excerpts from "Amusement Parks of Pennsylvania" by Jim Futrell, director and historian of the National Amusement Park Historical Association. He knows his stuff like nobody's business.

BEACH

"During Waldameer's early years, the park consisted of two areas. At the top of the slope, 70 feet above Lake Erie, was a 10-acre picnic grove with swings, hammocks, and athletic fields. But most of the activity was concentrated on the beach at the bottom of the slope. Linked to the picnic grove by a 1,000-foot-long boardwalk, the beach area featured a swimming pool, a 110-foot-long bathhouse, a pier, a water slide, canoes, and rowboats."

RAVINE FLYER

"As the amusement park industry entered its golden age in the 1920s, George Sinclair, who owned Meyer's Lake Park in Canton, Ohio, came to Waldameer Park and built the park's largest roller coaster, the Ravine Flyer. Opened in 1922, the Ravine Flyer made use of the park's topography to create drops of up to 80 feet, and it traveled over the road that ran in front of the park."

If you're interested, pick up Jim's book; it's a good read!

Name the Ride Contest

The naming of the Mega Disk'O has officially begun! The winner gets a Waldameer picnic for 24 people on June 14, 2009.

You can submit your name for the ride through your favorite radio station: Bob 94.7, Star 104, Rocket 101, or 93.9 The Wolf.

Brand Spanking New!

A shipment just came in! It has stuff for the Mega Disk'O surroundings. Here's a quick peek:



No, not a giant watch. It will soon to be our second clock tower. The other one is in front of the Ali Baba.
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We adopted some more bronze children to play in our park.
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We didn't kidnap them, I swear. We just haven't taken off their protective masks.
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We should probably take off that plastic on his book too. He's been staring at that plastic the whole trip!

It may look disorderly now, but, trust me, everything will look fine and dandy when the Mega Disk'O is opened!