Photo TR: A visit to Conneaut and Waldameer

My plans for Saturday were to go hang out at Darien Lake for a while. But when I heard Blue Streak opened at Conneaut, I thought that'd be a little more unique of a trip. A 4 1/2 drive however, and with friends either away at college or uninterested, I went on an adventure of my own.

The park: Unlike anyplace I've ever been to. It was just a small area with rides plopped down between a tiny neighborhood of houses. I paid $5 for parking, and then was let in to some of the random roads that go anywhere... I found a small parking area and tucked myself into a spot, noticing none of the other cars had the parking pass I was given, so I'm not really sure where I was supposed to be.

I went for a walk, taking in the beach area with maybe 100+ people at the "Beach Club" building. Some people were playing a game in the yard the Toboggan was set in. I walked down a street of condemned-looking houses and past small wooden blockade saying "No alcohol beyond this point", so I was officially "in" the park. I grabbed two Blue Streak tickets and a few other tickets to do whatever other interesting rides were around. I was surprised at how many people were walking around (I guess still not many compared to most places), but there were hardly any people on rides. Blue Streak typically had 8 or so people per train.

Blue Streak: While not amazing, it's definitely a really cool ride. The trains look ancient. Coasting slowly through the tunnel, it's like being in someones basement. With beams of light shining through it truly feels like a coaster that's been rotting for years that's just been hot-wired. The view in the front is great, of the heavily crooked lift hill and the trees alongside. It seemed like most drops on the way out had tree branches that are just narrowly missed. It was a little rickety in the valleys, but had some nice little pops of air on the hills, especially with just buzz bars. The newly tracked portion didn't seem smoother, just a different type of rickety. It had a clack to it. I later got a back seat ride, and I'm pretty sure I would've been a goner on the first two drops if I wasn't holding on tightly.

Cute Story Time: While sitting on the Tumblebug (Pictures below) a girl avoided all of the empty cars and came to sit with me. She told me her name was Elizabeth, and asked me mine. I said Nick, and she began to talk about Nick Carter, so I'm not sure if she thought I was him or not. It was clear she had down-syndrome, and didn't seem to be with anyone else at the park. As we rode she scooted closer and closer to me, until we were right against each other. And she told me she was going to marry me one day. I felt a little bad but was glad she had someone to have fun with. I told her I have a long drive and had to leave, and she shook my hand and I left. On the way out, I stopped at the Devil's Den, and once seated I hear the ride op go "Oh hey Beth!" She had come over and wanted to ride with me. The ride op didn't know we "knew" each other and questioned her, but she said that I was fun and she wanted to ride with me. So we rode the dark ride together, her going "oooooh!" at all the gags and hugging my arm tightly. It was the interesting point of my visit. I gave her a hug goodbye and said I had fun.

I began the 50 minute drive to Waldameer. I've never been to the park while it was open. Just during the Ravine Flyer II film shoot, and the manager walked us to each coaster to get the credits. It was looking very nice. Parking was free, and I paid $16 for unlimited rides (after 6pm). I went right to Ravine Flyer, which was a walk on. It felt so good to be on a top 5 woodie (for me) again. It's still smooth. And still has amazingly long periods of stand-up air. Really made my day.

I wanted to grab some shots from the ferris wheel but didn't realize there are no single riders.(?)

I walked around and did some of the flats, but ended the night with 6 rides on Ravine Flyer. I'll discuss more in the photos.

-Nick

Muriel and I began the long drive, facing much gloom.

This is my road rage face.

BLUE!

Here's the view stepping out of my car

And looking down towards the Beach Club and where the Toboggan sits

I had never seen one of these up close, so I was excited. I wish it was running

The view down the boardwalk. The Hotel Conneaut is up to the right.

According to the website, they do $10 boat rides around the lake, but I never saw anything happening.

Looking back at the Beach Club with some festivities.

Here's the hotel. People were socializing on the long porch. This place looked very haunted, I'm pretty sure the people were all ghosts...

Some of the area surrounding the park. Just really bizarre.

The park's office

An operating ride! I've never seen one of these before.

Kiddieland, land of the kiddie coaster. I walked in faced by a sign saying all riders must be under 54" for each ride. So I didn't bother trying.

Here's the midway. It really struck my "abandoned amusement park" fascination. It just has that look. I loved that it was a cold, windy day.

This is the longest the line was=less than a train's worth. I asked if I could standby and get the front for the next ride.

Station shot

There's a mini golf course in the forefront. I thought about asking if I could walk through it for some pictures but realized there weren't many good opportunities anyway. The ride is well hidden.

View from the train station

It makes a nice little trip through Blue Streak then down and around the turnaround by the street.

We had to stop and wait for the coaster train to go by before we could pass underneath

Looking down the return portion

I really like the look of the one-sided walkway. The track looks so simple.

Around the other side now, looking at the second hill. So...wooden.

Up into what I think was a mid-course brake run. But I don't remember any braking.

One more look back

The newly tracked turnaround

I like this shot, it reminds me of a camp.

I walked to the back of the park with a section of flats all operated by a single worker who one would summon to the ride of their choice.

I've never ridden one of these, but I didn't feel like waiting for the worker to be done operating the Paratrooper for the other one patron in this area.

Looking down the midway from the other end

This looked fun! I've never seen one in person before, and I love trying old flats like this.

Embarrassing myself in front of the ride-op.

I'm somewhat of a lift hill enthusiast.

Looking back at the giant, clunky cars.

I went back for my back seat ride. Here's a better look at the train.

Entering the tunnel

Deliciously musty and eerie.

On my way out I stopped to do this. I love how they added a sign advertising the "Infamous GUM WALL!!"

I don't know much of the history of the park, but have heard about a fire at some point.

Which I guess, heat could explain the melted lamps.

Fun and desolation.

One last look back. Thanks for reading! A few Waldameer photos on their way.

Cool pics! That's weird you had to pay for parking. I just asked the "guard" where to park and he just waved me along. I ended up parking in that same lot near the dilapidated basketball game.

Oh that park looks cute! Damn, so many places I want to do before the NorthEast trip now.

Waldameer photos. I didn't really take "progression" photos of my time there, just shots of things.

And a few words on Ravine Flyer II (To make up for the lack of photos of it), I was expecting it to have gotten somewhat rough, as GG coasters seem to do. Now I've ridden Voyage a few weeks ago on Middle America, and while it was a long, airtime-filled ride, it just had a bit too much painful roughness than I prefer. Same with Hades, insane air, just an overall brutal ride. From what I've ridden, RFII is easily my favorite GG coaster based off it's location, air, and smooth but wild ride. It's just a perfectly fun ride. Onto the photos.

-Nick

More Blue!

Looking out the front of RFII's station. The ship was running pretty high but I didn't ride. And the ferris wheel rejected me

It was so great to be here again.

I learned how to spin myself while waiting on the up-side. Looked so stupid. I'm new to the amazement of Spider rides.

An "Ali Baba." I've never been on one. I was the only one on it.

The park is so nice. Really a Lake Compounce-like park. Except rather than mountains you have an awesome view of Lake Erie.

Without a doubt the most intense drop tower I've been on. The crazy winds had the whole tower twisting and swaying. It was incredible being up there with that, and an endless view of Lake Erie with some big waves. I thought we were going to hit the ground, the brakes catch so late.

This was open, but in 55 degree weather not many people were on it.

Gave Steel Dragon a ride, fun as always.

I hopped on the train hoping for better shots of RFII. Snagged one of Comet.

That middle slide just looked too short, steep, and tunnely to be safe.

The one shot I was able to get

Disk-Os are fun! New for the park I think?

Then it got reaaaaaaally dark. Dooooom.

Okay, that was the shot with flash. It was a little more like this.

I had to wait for the 3 people on it. Then I rode it alone. I went back for a few night rides on RFII (Amazing) Before the longggg drive home. Thanks for reading!

Cool pics! That's weird you had to pay for parking. I just asked the "guard" where to park and he just waved me along. I ended up parking in that same lot near the dilapidated basketball game.

He asked me where I was headed, and I said I wanted to ride the Blue Streak. Maybe he thought you were just walking around or something.

Yeah, probably. Were there any cars in the lot across the street when you went? Technically that's where everyone is supposed to park when visiting. Friday night I thought about parking there because it wasn't chained off or anything, but I didn't want to be the only car.

The no single rider rule on the ferris wheel is from Chance, I remember reading on Screamscape a couple of years ago the reasoning was that with no seatbelts or any restraint, Chance was afraid a person trying to kill themselves might try to if they are alone but if others are in the car, they would be convinced not to jump. Hershey and Dorney's ferris wheels also have the same rule.

^I despise single-rider rules. And I despise them even more when they aren't advertised at the entrance to the line, but seem to suddenly "materialize" when you reach the ride vehicle because the ride op says they do. Ninety-nine percent of these rules seem to be more along the lines of "We don't feel like operating the ride for just one person" or "The line will move slower if we place just one person per car" rather than anything having to do with safety. Personally, I think any park with these types of nonsensical rules should offer a discounted admission ticket for single riders since they aren't able to have the same ride opportunities as those coming to the park in groups of two or more. It's a personal pet peeve.

At any rate, I really enjoyed this TR. The best day of my life thus far culminated at Waldameer a couple years ago, and RFII is my favorite coaster of all time. I've never been to Lake Conneaut, but it looks like exactly the kind of park I would enjoy. Hopefully I'll get the chance to see it one day, melted lamp globes and all.

Were there any cars in the lot across the street when you went? Technically that's where everyone is supposed to park when visiting.

I didn't even notice the area over there, I just saw the road leading in with a sort of information booth and went that way.

The no single rider rule on the ferris wheel is from Chance, I remember reading on Screamscape a couple of years ago the reasoning was that with no seatbelts or any restraint, Chance was afraid a person trying to kill themselves might try to if they are alone but if others are in the car, they would be convinced not to jump. Hershey and Dorney's ferris wheels also have the same rule.

Wow, I've never heard that. I thought it might be a balance thing, but figured that was dumb if couples can ride sitting next to each other on one side.

Were there any cars in the lot across the street when you went? Technically that's where everyone is supposed to park when visiting.

 

I didn't even notice the area over there, I just saw the road leading in with a sort of information booth and went that way.

This is the area I am talking about. It's across the street, where the sign is. You can see all the cars in this picture.

Awesome PTR Nick! Now get your butt to Savannah!

Nick. I love your road rage face. Also, It's thanks to TPR and guys like you who bother to write trip reports like this one that I keep discovering new magically attracting places like those parks, but also Compounce or other so charming though not "10 B&M's on property" parks. Can't wait for another TPR and/or road trip with you guys. Don't forget ! You've been invited !

Great to hear that the back seat of Blue Streak still has the power to make people hold on for dear life on the first couple of drops.