"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.