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.

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!

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!

Getting Ready for a Tea Party

There wasn't much time to celebrate after the SS Wally arrived on scene at the North End yesterday. So much still has to happen for the North End to be ready for Guests come April 30th. The next thing on our list: Wendy's Tea Party.
Ever since we decided to have Wendy be in charge of the new Tea Cup ride, it seems that she has been taking her time getting things prepared. I mean, Wally Bear already has his ride in position! But don't think that Wendy has been snoozing all winter! She has been carefully planning the construction of her ride since day one. Some say she is even more organized that Wally ever was!

A view inside the building shelter of Wendy's new ride.

Wendy's Tea Party Ride is set to arrive the first week in March and everything is right on schedule. The first pour of concrete finished today and the final pour is scheduled for next week. Crews are working overtime to make sure Wendy's deadlines are met. When talking to one of our workers, they described Wendy as "a very nice bear to work for... as long as you do what she says!"

Waiting for concrete to set is like watching paint dry!

With Wendy in charge of the show, there is no doubt that by the time her ride arrives, we will be ready to set it up.

First Ride Arrives at the North End

The good ship SS Wally sailed into port today and docked in the North End. It has been a long journey for the small tug boat, sailing all the way from Italy. Rog's Rigging met the SS Wally in the parking lot to offload it from the container. Then it was high flying and tight driving all the way down to the North End where the ride was laid perfectly in position.

It was a tight squeeze to fit a whole ride in a container!

And we have lift off!

The production was caught on film by Action News 24, WICU and WSEE television stations along with a personal interview with Mr. Nelson. Stay tuned tonight for the evening broadcasts to catch a glimpse! The Erie Times News was also out to snap several photos for tomorrows printing of the paper.

It's a bird, it's a plane, it's the SS Wally!

Close to touchdown.

Now that one ride is here, we are still waiting on two more, Wendy's Tea Party and the Flying Swings. Wendy Bear has been tracking the progress of her ride and thinks it should arrive sometime in the first week of March. Meanwhile, crews are working hard to try and get the spot ready for the Tea Cups to sit. With a few more days filled with sun and warm weather, we should be ready just in time for the ride to arrive.

Touchdown.

Set In Stone

There is no turning back now! The SS Wally will soon be permanent after pouring the final slabs of concrete Thursday and Friday. It seems only yesterday when the grass was still green in the train circle.

The loading/unloading platform and the exit ramp for the SS Wally.

With the final cubic feet of concrete poured for the SS Wally, the next step is to hurry up and wait! The SS Wally is due to arrive in Erie, PA in early February in containers delivered from Italy. Unfortunately, there is not much to do until the snow starts to melt. Once the weather turns though, Wally Bear promises to have his ride put together in no time!

You might be able to see Wally Bear's paw print in the freshly poured concrete!

Wendy Bear on the other hand is taking her time putting together her ride. She says there is not much to it. She did decide on a color for her fence though, and almost all of the sections are already painted!

Yellow!

All Fenced In

Old Man Winter is still up to his old tricks, dumping piles of snow on Waldameer and the North End. But don't think for a second that a little snow is going to keep us from working! The North End says to Old Man Winter, "Bring it on!" as more and more progress is made at the new expansion site.

The latest news from the North End involves something blue and pink and it's not a baby shower. It's the Flying Swings and the SS Wally getting their fence! After the New Year Celebration, crews have been busy fencing the two new rides in order to have everything ready come April when the rides arrive from Italy. Since Wally Bear's favorite color is blue, he choose the fence for the SS Wally to be blue.

It was harder to choose a color for the Flying Swings fence but after looking at pictures of the ride, it was decided that the fence should be light pink.

Both of the fences look good so far. Wendy Bear is still trying to decide what color to paint the fence for her ride, Wendy's Tea Party, but she says she'll be ready when the time comes to decide.

Hopefully the bright colors will ward off Old Man Winter from dropping any more snow on Waldameer!