Photo TR: Six Flags America Shenanigans

by **RAWKIN_coaster38** » Wed Jun 20, 2012 12:54 pm

Great TR! Very entertaining.

I don't know anything about this park so it's cool to finally see a TR about it.

by **Goliath513** » Wed Jun 20, 2012 10:06 pm

kenshinmac wrote:I am always a bit bummed when people post about Elitch Gardens. First because usually I had no idea they were there and second because usually it is just a trip for credits.

Looking at the trip date and the weather in the pictures, this was actually the day we were there. Mind Eraser was running great due to the cold and rainy weather, even in the back of the blue train which is usually beyond painful.

cal1br3tto wrote:A little-publicized (even on TPR!) benefit available at Elitch Gardens is Rapid Ride, a skip-the-line system that is probably closest in practice to Cedar Fair's Fast Lane, The Great Escape's Go Fast Pass, and SeaWorld's Quick Queue. The unlimited version, VIP Rapid Ride, costs a reasonable $29.99 plus a few sneaky dollars' tax, and the basic (one lap per ride) version boasts a base price of only $14.99. All coasters except Sidewinder are available, plus Ghost Blasters, Tower of Doom, Shake Rattle and Roll, and a couple water rides. Unfortunately, I discovered that Half Pipe and Tower of Doom also offer a single rider queue, which of course decreases the value per ride of the paid system.

Overall, I was impressed with the VIP Rapid Ride experience. Guest service was average to very good, rider response was not harsh or intimidating, and I consistently rode within one to three trains of arriving. Seating choice varied, and I'm not sure if the differences were due to crowd levels, individual ride policies, or operator discretion. On Boomerang, a third row seat was always assigned (after a short wait); on Twister II I always had free choice; and on Mind Eraser I was assigned toward the front once and once specifically told I could ride any seat, including front or back. Time saved varied, but overall worked out to make this a cost-effective and convenient choice.

A major problem with Rapid Ride is signage. I only noticed a few signs with specific, accurate instructions. Generally, you board through the exit, but in many cases there were Rapid Ride signs or painted instructions that lead "nowhere," but no signage on or pointing towards the actual exit path. At Ghost Blasters, the Rapid Ride queue was chained off even when open for business (and clearly warranted based on the main queue).

It's always fun to read trip reports from here, especially ones with a positive outlook on the park. To clear things up about the Rapid Ride/VIP, seating choice when I worked there was usually guests' choice. It caused the most problems at Mind Eraser when they would always choose the front, which already had a long line and often angered guests in line. At Half Pipe, VIP was supposedly through the exit and Rapid Ride through the single rider line (I have never seen it actually used for single riders), but most often both would just come through the exit. Seats are also assigned here to ensure no groups get separated on either side of the ride. Ghost Blasters' Rapid Ride line is usually chained off to avoid confusion since its often mistaken for the ride entrance. Rapid Ride/VIP signs do not seem to cause as many problems as the labeling on the actual passes does. You would be surprised how often people came up to Sidewinder to use their pass, only to be shocked to see it's not listed on there, or they think its a different ride (one time someone was convinced it was Disaster Canyon).

by **disneyfan1313** » Thu Jun 21, 2012 7:42 am

Thanks for the great TR! I love captions that have a bit more fun instead of just listing what we are looking at. I am also a little surprised at the lack of theming also... oh well!

by **cfc** » Thu Jun 21, 2012 9:38 am

Nice job, Laura. I never been to Elitch Gardens; if I happened to find myself in Denver one day, I'd probably check it out, but I've no burning desire to visit the park.

Facebook · by **cal1br3tto** » Mon Jun 25, 2012 8:20 pm

Mile High Flea Market (Henderson, CO) and Heritage Square Amusement Park (Golden, CO)

Let's take some time to recover from the latest and greatest thrill machines (that's you, Vekoma SLC and Boomerang) with some Colorado fun a little closer to the ground, which is no major downgrade considering that said ground is one mile above sea level!

: We'll start out by hitting Mile High Flea Market in time for the 10:00 rides opening. (The market opens at 7:00 in the morning Friday through Sunday, so keep that in mind if you're a shopper.) Pay the $3-per-person fee at one of these booths, and you're set! Or get in for FREE because you're cool and scored extra tickets the day before.; Viewed 766 times

: All the skateboarding bulldogs wept, and slowly rolled away on wheels lubricated with tears.; Viewed 766 times

: Stuff gets sold here. Bought, too. Can't very well do one without the other, right? Just be careful, or you might catch some bugs from your mile high endeavors.; Viewed 766 times

: No, I don't know what is up with Colorado and this style of tent. But I'm sure someone here does.; Viewed 766 times

: Mile High Flea Market is offering an online BOGO coupon for ride tickets, which are 75 cents each. The Dragon Coaster costs 2 tickets per rider. If Billy wants to ride the Dragon Coaster one time and he has one free ticket, how much did Billy pay for his other ticket?; Viewed 766 times

: If your answer was NOT "75 cents," then I will be very, very concerned, unless there are special circumstances involved.; Viewed 766 times

: The dragon fancies himself a VERY attractive fellow. He imagines that one glance at him could aggravate a heart condition (all that fluttering isn't good for some people) or cause one to faint. He's convinced you might even want to take your shirt off right then and there!; Viewed 766 times

: What do you think? A bit grandiose, right? Or did you too collapse in a passionate swoon?; Viewed 766 times

: Of course, I am most interested in, um, another body part. (Relax, I'm talking about tails here. Dragon tails are cute, all right?); Viewed 766 times

: This is my absolute FAVORITE kind of Dragon Wagon: Double Spiral (1 climb, 1 down). What's yours? Hello? Anybody?; Viewed 766 times

: Dragon Wagon Double Spiral is also my favorite yoga position. I like to meditate on all the kiddie coasters I will be able to fit on if I exercise regularly.; Viewed 766 times

: Say it with me: EXCITEMENT!; Viewed 766 times

: And exciting it was. Not the most airtime a Dragon Wagon has ever proffered, but plenty of intense laterals. GREAT views of the flea market, too!; Viewed 766 times

: This is a mini-Himalaya of some sort. Or should I say Mini-Rockies?; Viewed 766 times

: That looks like a giant tongue. But a Super Happy Fun Tongue, so it's all good...I think?; Viewed 766 times

: Mini-Sizzler for Sizzler-riders in training. Although, assuming it's significantly tamer than the big version, those kids are going to be in for a real shock when they ride a real Sizzler for the first time.; Viewed 766 times

: Your standard car-ousel. It's named Umbrella, since that is, after all, the basic theme of the ride.; Viewed 766 times

: Does this count as a dark ride, or is it just an outdoor ride with dark ride elements?; Viewed 766 times

: Don't worry, I jumped out of the way at the last possible second. If only I had just read the "TUNNEL" sign so I'd have known there was a tunnel there.; Viewed 766 times

: Moving on. There was live entertainment, or at least an attempt at something of that nature.; Viewed 766 times

: There was fair fare, or as some might call it, scare fare, since it could very well end up killing you.; Viewed 766 times

: Some of the storefronts had funky facades like this.; Viewed 766 times

: I don't have anything else to say about this place, so here is a picture of a horse.; Viewed 766 times

Since you won't find this anywhere on the Internet outside of Big Mike's thread, here are the ride hours at Mile High Flea Market: 10-4, Saturday and Sunday only. I'm assuming a traditional amusement park season such as May-September, though the market itself is open year-round.

: Let's head to Heritage Square for their 11:00 opening. The park is nestled in this lush location just a little ways past the town proper (if you think you missed it, you probably didn't).; Viewed 766 times

: That's kind of an ugly building, which doesn't bode well for theming in the rest of the park...; Viewed 766 times

: Ever wonder what it's like on the other side? Well, here is a photo from somebody who saw the light and crossed over.; Viewed 766 times

: Just off the entrance is this quaint events center, where, shockingly enough, an event was occurring today.; Viewed 766 times

: Oh my goodness, it's a Victorian oasis!; Viewed 766 times

: I seriously had no idea what Heritage Square looked like before visiting. Or, if I did, I forgot.; Viewed 766 times

: But now I know that it looks...like this. And now you know too!; Viewed 766 times

: Let's check out some rides! You know there is something wrong with you when you can hum along with the carousel music. So, for your sake, I hope you can't.; Viewed 766 times

: Some kind of fancy walk-through...with prizes?; Viewed 766 times

: The maze. Oh, and heritage and stuff. Gotta have heritage.; Viewed 766 times

: Where you go first if you want to ride rides, or if someone special you love very much wants to ride rides.; Viewed 766 times

: It's also an arcade. But not a Fascination parlor (darn!).; Viewed 766 times

: Scrambler. This park is a bit more "grown-up" than the flea market, but even so, you'll probably only want the credit(s) if you're alone.; Viewed 766 times

: I think this was closed? If not, it did a GREAT job fooling me.; Viewed 766 times

: Romantic swan boats for you and your date. But you're a coaster enthusiast, so of course you don't have one. ;); Viewed 766 times

: Good old-fashioned Tilt-A-Whirl!; Viewed 766 times

: Kiddie banana-planes? Wait a minute, that IS what they are?! I was just joking...did not notice this at the park!; Viewed 766 times

: Kiddie swings. No, really, you won't fit. Don't even bother asking (or asking why I know this).; Viewed 766 times

: Up, up and away, in my beautiful, my beautiful imitation of a hot air balloon.; Viewed 766 times

: "Does this really go all the way to Mt. Kilimanjaro?"; Viewed 766 times

: What's this? Cook and eat your very own roller coaster???; Viewed 766 times

: Did you know that this here is Indiana Jones' favorite ride?; Viewed 766 times

: Stuff you should know. Because there WILL be a quiz later.; Viewed 766 times

: Overview. Also, there is a Ferris wheel.; Viewed 766 times

: Empty planters equal theming. Fire hydrants equal even better theming.; Viewed 766 times

: Meet Mr. Pit. Sorry, folks, but that's "Python," not "Brad."; Viewed 766 times

: READY?; Viewed 766 times

: SET?; Viewed 766 times

: GO!; Viewed 766 times

: That was fun. Here's the mini-golf. Well, not the whole thing.; Viewed 766 times

: Even going to the bathroom is fun at Heritage Square! (Not in a creepy way.); Viewed 766 times

: For older thrill-seekers, there is an alpine slide as part of Heritage Square. And if you've ever wanted to get some action a mile high, it looks like you can do that here too.; Viewed 766 times

: But the younger folks don't have to miss out on the alpine fun.; Viewed 766 times

: At Heritage Square, simply drag the nearest ride op to the ride you want (even if it's something lame like this). No waiting around hoping someone notices you, or waiting for a switch (hi Keansburg and Scandia). Pa rum pum pum pum!; Viewed 766 times

: And now, what I REALLY came here for.; Viewed 766 times

: Isn't he ADORABLE?; Viewed 766 times

: Rough overview. You best believe I count powered. Two ACErs (or parents...of kids, not ACErs) are allowed per ride.; Viewed 766 times

: Cute Innocent Mike, meet your cousin, Stoner Sally.; Viewed 766 times

: Big red barns are, of course, an iconic hallmark of the Victorian era.; Viewed 766 times

: Anyone else hungry for some gingerbread?; Viewed 766 times

: These make me so very, very happy. It isn't nice to talk about how they make me happy, though.; Viewed 766 times

: But this one is held up only by stilts! What if there's a beaver infestation? Hurry, run for open ground!; Viewed 766 times

And now you know that credit whoring in Colorado is easy as can be!

by **Double0Kevin** » Mon Jun 25, 2012 8:43 pm

Romantic swan boats for you and your date. But you're a coaster enthusiast, so of course you don't have one.

Hahahaha... Ohhhhh Snap! Great TR as per usual.

by **MayTheGForceBeWithYou** » Mon Jun 25, 2012 9:55 pm

I have yet to go to the Mile High Flea Market...considering I'm a Colorado resident that's a sucker for that kind of stuff, means I will go eventually (especially if credits are involved!)

As for Heritage Square, I never really went to the amusement section (except for my credits and one or two flats); it was always the alpine slide that made me want to go.

Great TR, that coming from a resident. Any other Colorado adventures?

by **sfmman2000** » Mon Jun 25, 2012 11:20 pm

Besides being the cutest girl on TPR... awesome trip report!

by **beatle11** » Tue Jun 26, 2012 2:11 pm

Great stuff Laura!

by **Big Mike** » Tue Jun 26, 2012 3:24 pm

Woo Hoo!!! A Big Mike shout out!! Love when that happens!

Tell me you didn't go all the way there and not find the 2 Mikestery Cards that were never claimed at those two parks!!

Peace, Big Mike

Photo TR: Six Flags America Shenanigans

Re: Photo TR: Laura Braves Elitch Gardens...on a Saturday!

Re: Photo TR: Laura Braves Elitch Gardens...on a Saturday!

Re: Photo TR: Laura Braves Elitch Gardens...on a Saturday!

Re: Photo TR: Laura Braves Elitch Gardens...on a Saturday!

Photo TR: Mile High Fleas 'n' Fun

Re: Photo TR: Mile High Fleas 'n' Fun

Re: Photo TR: Mile High Fleas 'n' Fun

Re: Photo TR: Mile High Fleas 'n' Fun

Re: Photo TR: Mile High Fleas 'n' Fun

Re: Photo TR: Mile High Fleas 'n' Fun

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