Is a Walda-Job in Your Summer Plans?

It's that time of the year again! Waldameer and Water World's 3rd Annual Job Fair is being held March 29th from 10:00am to 3:00pm in Rainbow Gardens.  We are looking for around 500 responsible, enthusiastic, and hard-working Team Members for our 2014 Season.  Available positions include Lifeguards, Ride Operators, Game Attendants, Concessions, Catering, Retail, and Admissions.  Depending on position availability, you could be hired on the spot! Continue reading to learn all about how to apply to be a part of our Team!

Might Waldameer and Water World be your First Job?
Never fear, we have some tips for mastering your interview!

• Make sure you are dressed "business casual" and you meet our grooming guidelines. No need for a suit and tie or a homecoming dress, just avoid those jeans and t-shirts. 
• Arrive to the Job Fair with your completed application, photo ID, and Social Security Card (payroll purposes only) so you can save time when there are sometimes long lines.
• The best first impression is arriving to your interview with a sincere smile.
• Be ready to share some fun, unique things about yourself that you think make you the perfect Team Member. We love to hear about your school accomplishments, extracurricular activities, hobbies, and other activities.
• Remember, previous work experience is NOT a requirement.  Waldameer and Water World considers activities with school, volunteer work, and babysitting among countless others as things that indicate a responsible hard worker.
• It's okay to be a little nervous.  All of us get a little nervous before an interview.  Just remember, we are all very excited to hear from you!

Unable to make it to our Job Fair on March 29th?

No problem, we understand you have a busy schedule.  Starting April 1st you are more than welcome to stop by the Park Office for an interview any weekday between 8:00am and 5:00pm and on Saturdays from 9:00am to 3:00pm.  The Park Office is the large gray building right next to Paratrooper.  Make sure you enter Waldameer from the 6th and 8th street parking lot, walk through the Dodgem gate, and make a left and follow Sky Ride until you see the Office on the right. We recommend you stop by as early as possible in the month of April as many positions fill very quickly.

NEW for 2014: Want to become a Certified Lifeguard? 

Lifeguarding is a very high-responsibility skill that looks great on a resume!
Positions available for ages 16 and up.

We have made some changes that will help getting your two-year certification more affordable! For the first time, Waldameer and Water World will compensate a portion of certification classes for the first year of a two-year certification. In the second year of certification, a portion of  Water World uniform expenses will be compensated. Check out our Job Fair for more details!

Having Waldameer and Water World on your resume provides you will a variety of useful skills for your future.  Team Members come away with extensive experience in guest service, teamwork, critical thinking, and high levels of responsibility.  Along the way of building up your work skills, you will have the summer of your life making friendships that last a lifetime, earn Team Member incentives, and celebrate Team Member Parties!

For more information on Waldameer and Water World Job Openings, click here.

63 Years Young?

Keeping with our recent theme of maintenance and improvements, let us explore the ongoing preservation of perhaps Waldameer's most venerable family thrill ride.  Most of us "Erieites" can say our first roller coaster ride was the Walda-Legendary Comet.  Since 1951, Comet has provided happiness and thrills for millions of riders.  It may not be the tallest, fastest, or most scary roller coaster in the world, but Comet can't help but put a big smile on everyone's face as every ride brings back memories of our first coaster ride. For many, Comet also becomes the first roller coaster we share with our children or younger friends and relatives.

While we may not celebrate the arrival of new lumber like we did in 1951, you can still bet that new lumber is always arriving for Comet each off-season.

Closing in on 63 years as a member of the Waldameer Family, you may be wondering why we titled this post "63 Years Young."  A common misconception of wooden roller coasters is that they are all old and rickety which can sometimes make a potential rider feel uncomfortable about riding.  Actually, it's quite the contrary!  Each year Comet, Ravine Flyer II, and almost every wooden coaster in the world receives new lumber in various sections of the track and superstructure.  Going further into detail, the lumber used on wooden roller coasters is all pressure treated which extends the life of wood dramatically before needing replacement.  Follow us on our next exploration as we scale some of Comet and see for yourself how were are constantly maintaining this classic ride for 2014.

Lots of new wood in the station roof which also supports a large turnaround.  Something just doesn't feel right this time of year not hearing and feeling the coaster train rumble overhead.

Comet's lift hill had many of it's diagonal supports replaced for 2014.

Look closely on the right rail of the track and you will find some re-tracking!  To the left you can see some new wood on Comet's superstructure.

Several track ledgers were replaced to maintain a smooth ride. 

Several hand railings were replaced so we can provide our dedicated maintenance team much needed security when inspecting and working on the track each morning.  Once the weather breaks we can get started on painting.

Just for fun, here is a rare view of Comet's layout.  The blue tarp on the bottom right is an ongoing project on Comet's final brake run.

A closer look at the main brake run where an abundance of structural improvements continue to be made.  Don't worry, everything will be ready for May 10th!

Welcome Back! At least that walk wasn't as treacherous as our Ravine Flyer II re-tracking exploration!  As you can see, Comet is far from a "Set It and Forget It" kind of ride as new lumber is always being integrated into the structure every year which actually makes the vast majority of the Comet much less than 63 years old.  Now go out and impress the world with all of your new wooden coaster knowledge! Be sure to debunk all of those outrageous rumors that wooden coasters are old and rickety!

PS: The Countdown is on! Exactly TWO months until Opening Day!

Ravine Flyer II (Part 2 of 2): Flying Smoothly into 2014

A couple weeks ago we shared with you a peek into how we disassemble, inspect, and reassemble Ravine Flyer II's trains each winter to ensure they operate safely each summer.  While that is the perfect project to undertake in the warm maintenance shop during the harsh winter months, the milder fall season was the perfect opportunity to improve several stretches of Ravine Flyer II's track.  A common term used by experts to describe this improvement process is "re-tracking."

Check off another improvement on our 2014 Improvement Map!

I hope you remembered that safety harness and pair of climbing shoes, as we are about take advantage of a recent Winter thaw and explore our most recent re-tracking project performed on Ravine Flyer II.

Notice how the track looks brighter towards the bottom of the drop?  That's all fresh wood!  

Think of maintaining a wooden roller coaster as a process like maintaining the streets we drive on.  After a few years, the surface needs to be replaced due to the weather changes and heavy cars driving on it.  While Ravine Flyer II has not developed any "potholes," we believe that it is in the best interest of rider safety and comfort to repair high-stress sections of the track before they get a chance to become bumpy or uncomfortable. The adjustments performed on Ravine Flyer II account for the seasonal wear and tear caused by moisture, temperature changes, as well as the weight of the two 12,000 pound coaster trains.  Let's explore some other re-tracked sections!

A smoother 105' second drop.  Did you know that RFII's  two largest drops of 120' and 105' are larger than any other wooden coaster in the State of Pennsylvania?

Up over the lift hill for some smooth airtime.

A fast, smooth turn as we fly over L. Ruth Express.

One last smooth pop of airtime before our flight lands.

A smooth landing after a thrilling flight.

Phew! That was a walk! And that was just some of the many sections of re-tracking. An added benefit of re-tracking projects in the Fall of 2012 and Fall of 2013 is a slightly faster ride experience.  Engineers are always analyzing the coaster and making micro-adjustments to the banking of the track.  These adjustments allow the coaster trains to fly with more ease which reduces stress on the coaster's superstructure and in turn gives a slight speed increase.

While it not may look very significant (the middle bolt was moved), this is a very crucial adjustment to the track banking to reduce stress on the coaster structure.

If you thought Ravine Flyer II was smoother than ever in 2013, wait until 2014!  Test rides in this past Fall yielded some rave reviews of the already impressive, world-renowned roller coaster.  We can't wait for all of you to try it out for yourselves!  Whoever said all wooden coasters are rough?

Ravine Flyer II (Part 1 of 2): The Evolution of an Award-Winning Roller Coaster

The year 2008 changed everything for Waldameer and Water World.  The wait was finally over as Waldameer once again had a giant signature roller coaster to attract thrill-seekers.  Ravine Flyer II made a bold statement to everyone that Waldameer was not that same little park anymore.  Attendance rose 20% in 2008, which has been maintained and exceeded ever since.  As we all know how uniquely thrilling Ravine Flyer II is, the evolution and ongoing story of this roller coaster is like no other coaster in the world.

Let's go back to 1993...Waldameer placed it's first deposit to build a signature ride.  Ravine Flyer II would be the long awaited successor of Ravine Flyer; a coaster that operated from 1922-1938 which also crossed Peninsula Drive.

One of the earliest proposed layouts of Ravine Flyer II.

A couple years later, a wooden coaster manufacturer, Custom Coasters International, came up with the proposed layout below.  This design was the first "official" layout to be constructed for Ravine Flyer II's original target opening season, the year 2000.

Looks a little closer to what Ravine Flyer II looks like today.

During the longer than expected planning and approval process to build Ravine Flyer II, Custom Coasters International ceased operations in 2002.  However, the ambitious project never missed a beat as it was taken over by a new roller coaster manufacturer, The Gravity Group, from Cincinnati, Ohio.  In 2006 the final green light was given to Ravine Flyer II, and the current layout of the coaster was revealed. Construction was completed in 2008.

Ravine Flyer II as it stands today.  Advances in wooden coaster engineering allowed for a more intense layout featuring a 90 degree banked turn as well a high-speed s-turn following the bridge.

In September of 2008, Ravine Flyer II shocked the world by beating out a massive 230ft Steel Hypercoaster to win the Golden Ticket Award for "Best New Ride of 2008" in the entire world.  Our Owner, Mr. Nelson, also won the very prestigious Golden Ticket Award for "Person of the Year" in honor of is passion and dedication in not only getting Ravine Flyer II built, but for his decades of successful service to Waldameer Park.  It only took Ravine Flyer II one season to elevate Waldameer and Water World into the global spotlight.

Our Trophy Case.

Fast-forward into present day, and Ravine Flyer II has been ranked as the 6th Best Wooden Roller Coaster in the World by Amusement Today each year since 2009, and most recently ranked #6 in the World by the 2013 Mitch Hawker Wooden Coaster Poll.  Both of these rankings are the most prestigious roller coaster honors in the Attractions Industry.

Ravine Flyer II patiently awaits for the 2014 Season to begin. 

Make sure you grab a safety harness and have a good pair of climbing shoes for Part 2! We will be exploring the results of some interesting activities that occurred with Ravine Flyer II in preparation for a thrilling 2014 season.

Where There Is No Off-Season

Walking through the midways of Waldameer and Water World in the winter might give you impression of a place that is quiet, inactive, or even abandoned.  The Raging River raft slide looks like a vacant bobsled course, Showtime Theater is stuck on the "snow dance," clinking sounds of Ring Toss seem like a distant memory, and no one is welcoming all of us Earthlings into Whacky Shack.  While it might seem that Waldameer is in hibernation until May 10th, there are a few places in Waldameer that never sleep a wink.  Join us as we explore some of the many winter activities of Waldameer!

The Park Office may appear to be snowed in, but inside it's humming away with Season Pass Processing, Group Sales arrangements, Picnic planning, as well as strategy development for 2014 and beyond.

Rainbow Gardens stays hopping on the weekends with dances, craft shows, fundraisers, etc.

Perhaps the most active place of the park during the winter months is tucked away into the Western corner.  Back there you will find a large gray building which on the outside it may seem as quiet as the rest of Waldameer and Water World.  Step inside, and Waldameer comes to life.  Put on your safety goggles and lace up your work boots, as we are about to go on a journey through Waldameer's Maintenance Department!

All 30 Dodgem cars are in the garage for inspection and tune up.

The Pirate hesitantly gave up his treasure to be shined up.  I'm sure he will be counting every gold doubloon when he gets it back!  

After being  inspected, all seven Tilt-A-Whirl cars received a fresh coat of paint!

All twelve Spider cars received new paint inside and out.

Steel Dragon car bodies await reassembly as their undercarriage is disassembled, inspected, and cleaned.

All twenty Thunder River boats are dry-docked and undergoing touch-ups to their fiber glass and art details, as well as upgrades to seat cushions and safety features.

Ravine Flyer II's trains have been completely disassembled.  Wow! That's a lot of parts!

Once the cars for both Ravine Flyer II trains are completely disassembled, each individual part is cleaned, inspected, and repainted to look just like new.  This delicate process is critical in making sure each component is in excellent working order in ensuring rider safety.  Comet, Steel Dragon, and Ravine Flyer 3 all undergo similar inspection processes. 

I wonder what this could be?  Looks really sharp! Stay tuned as we learn more!

These are just some of the countless projects going on in our Maintenance Department.  As the weather begins to get warmer, projects will transition from disassembly and inspection to reassembly and preparation for Opening Day.  However, maintenance doesn't slow down one bit once the rides and attractions are back up and running.  Our maintenance team is always the first to arrive in the odd hours of the morning for safety inspections and routine maintenance, and some of the last to leave late at night.  These "Heroes" of Waldameer cannot be thanked enough for their countless hours of dedication keeping all of our attractions safe while they continue to provide family fun for multiple generations.

Growing Comforts for a Growing Park.

A key theme of this 2013-2014 offseason has been improvements to Waldameer's infrastructure. You can think of infrastructure as the inner workings and logistics of Waldameer.  At Waldameer, infrastructure goes beyond just the rides and slides.  Infrastructure includes several things such as the following: having enough seating for families to share meals together, enough parking for thousands of cars, having enough games available to challenge growing crowds, designing a midway that doesn't get congested, and making sure our ride queue lines are organized and not overflowing.  This week we are proud to share with you an infrastructure addition that will surely provide for a more comfortable visit to Waldameer!

Click to Enlarge.
What's that? Looks like another improvement got checked off!

Perhaps this heated box is the warmest place in the City of Erie!

One critical piece of infrastructure that Waldameer is addressing is having enough restrooms in convenient locations.  As Waldameer's midways branched out, new attractions became further and further from existing restrooms.  In 2014, that will all change. Perhaps our largest ongoing construction project is a new modern restroom facility.  These restrooms can be found right next to Steel Dragon and under "Big Thunder" of Thunder River.  These aren't just your basic run-of-the-mill ladies and men's restrooms, but modern facilities that will also feature the much needed convenience of family restrooms that are easily accessible and accommodating for a variety of needs.


An Inside look gives us an idea of what to expect once construction is completed.  On the far end is the ladies and men's rooms, and closest to us will be two family restrooms.

Another neat feature of these new restrooms is a convenience for your furry friends! Your dog will never have to go thirsty with the new doggie drinking fountain!  As being one of the rare pet-friendly amusement parks, we thought our canine friends could use a comfortable place to rest and rehydrate on those hot summer days! 


New restrooms aren't our only major construction project for 2014, make sure you keep an eye out for a post in the coming weeks about a major change that will significantly benefit our guests as they enter the park! Stay Tuned!

A High-Flying Birthday Present

Backtrack 15 years ago, and you will find a very different Waldameer.  Ravine Flyer II existed only in blueprints, Steel Dragon was an empty lot, The North End was a former maintenance area, Mega Vortex was a collection of picnic tables, and no one was "XScreaming" as they dropped 140ft. So that might make you ask yourself the question...Which thrill ride was Waldameer's King of the Midway in 1999?

I'll give you a hint.  This thrill ride is the new check mark on our 2014 Improvements Map.

Click image to enlarge

That's right! Ali Baba was the King of the Midway in 1999.  Along with Frog Hopper and Big Rigs, Ali Baba opened as a part of a major multi-ride expansion for the 1999 Season.  Today, Ali Baba is no longer the only large thrill ride that dominates Waldameer's skyline, but now a part of an increasingly impressive skyline of many diverse thrill rides.

From 1999 through 2006, Ali Baba was Waldameer's tallest thrill ride, and second tallest ride in the park just behind the 100+ foot Giant Gondola Wheel.

To celebrate a special 15th Birthday, Ali Baba deserves a present that benefits the thousands of guests each year that are thrilled by this magical flying carpet ride.  You might recall how Ali Baba used to feature one large safety restraint for each row of seats that was lowered to secure the entire row of riders at once.  For the 2014 season, these two large safety restraints were replaced by individual restraints for each seat.  No longer will you be surprised by the giant restraint coming down too fast, as you can now lower your individual restraint at the comfortable speed you choose.  Even better, individual restraints mean a better custom fit for each individual rider which makes Ali Baba even more safe and more comfortable.

Ali Baba's Birthday present all wrapped up.

We couldn't help but peek underneath to see what's inside!  See the gaps between the new individual safety restraints?

Along with new restraints, we touched up the flying carpet colors and made some upgrades to the lights. Ali Baba will surely sparkle like new as riders continue to enjoy soaring seven stories into the air.

This is the lighting decoration that will be reattached to the flying carpet once we have Ali Baba put back together.  The original all gold lights now are a colorful combination of blue, purple, pink, red, and gold.

Happy 15th Birthday Ali Baba! Here's to many more!

P.S. We have many other milestone Birthdays at Waldameer this year.  Can you guess which rides are celebrating their 5th, 10th, 20th, 25th, and 50th Birthdays?