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Photo TR: A Jiggidy Return To Mid-America


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Beech Bend

 

I decided to make a return visit to Beech Bend. I did visit the park back in 2007 when it was on the TPR Midwest Trip. Not a whole lot seemed too different. Several of the older rides were gone, but they have certainly added new ones to replace them. The Kentucky Rumbler continues to be the main reason to visit this park. While it is a bit worn and beat up, it still runs well. I consider it to be in my top three of GCI's coasters. It was a short visit, so there are not as many photos in this update. Enjoy!

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This way to Beech Bend.

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This would be the place.

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I have no memory if there was a water park in 2007.

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There is something extra special about this Sea Dragon.

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Yes it was Michael Jackson's. You can hear his music all throughout the park.

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The main reason we are here is to ride this.

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While it is a bit more beat up when compared to my last visit, it still was running well.

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It still is one of my favorite GCI coasters.

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Station photo.

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The old water flume ride is still here.

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Sploosh!

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Is this flat ride new?

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The replaced the older drop tower with this. Though it looks the same as the old one.

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I think we just rode the same model at Kentucky Kingdom.

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It is pretty tall.

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The Pinfari death coaster is gone. It was replaced by a bunch of new kiddie rides and a petting zoo.

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Current park map.

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The dark ride is still here.

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The cars and the effects inside were all recently upgraded.

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Freddy is still on the wall though.

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You have been warned. This is a super evil, evil, ride.

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It really is. It looks not too crazy, but it is.

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Here is a video.

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We really got this to spin with an unbalanced car.

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Just a simple final shot of the park.

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Nice report so far. Great to see some updated stuff from the parks I'll be visiting in a few weeks!

 

Do you remember where the 1997 flood sign at Coney Island is located? Would love to get a picture of that myself.

 

I don't remember exactly where. The park though is pretty small, it should not be difficult to find. Somewhere near the right middle.

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The Scat 2, evil evil death machine. I think the Scat 1 was the first ride I ever operated and I can tell you people who got on that thing had no idea what they were in for, I honestly don't remember ever having a repeat rider haha.

 

The original water park with the 3 slide tower, main pool, and small kiddie splash section was there in 2007 but they added the lazy river, larger play structure, and wave pool a few years ago (2010 maybe?). It looks like a great addition and every time I see old friends post pics from Beech Bend the water park always looks packed.

 

I agree that the Rumbler is still one of the better GCI's around, it really packs a punch for the size that it is and has a nice mix of elements. Used to be very re-rideable and solid coaster for the the whole family. It's also nice to see some more "permanent" structures around the newer rides like the Sea Dragon, drop tower, and the frisbee. Beech Bend is what it is but permanent structures do go a long ways for making the place look more permanent and less like a carnival.

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The Pinfari death coaster is gone. It was replaced by a bunch of new kiddie rides and a petting zoo.

 

Soon to be opened death coaster is now at Keansburg Amusement Park. Should be open within the month. Was it really that bad?

 

I think it might have gotten new trains near the end? When I rode it at Beech Bend in like 2004 with the old trains it was terrifying. I just remember half the seats being roped off.

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The Pinfari death coaster is gone. It was replaced by a bunch of new kiddie rides and a petting zoo.

 

Soon to be opened death coaster is now at Keansburg Amusement Park. Should be open within the month. Was it really that bad?

 

I think it might have gotten new trains near the end? When I rode it at Beech Bend in like 2004 with the old trains it was terrifying. I just remember half the seats being roped off.

 

Me too. In 2005 it seemed at one point that my restraint loosened up a few inches during the ride.

 

It's funny that the only other Scat 2 I know of is here in Charlotte with a traveling fair company. They set it up in Mint Hill, NC at our little town fair every year. I've ridden it once.

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Holiday World

 

I ended up not taking many photos in the park. I spent most of my time in the water park since that was the main focus of this visit. I really enjoyed both Wildebeast and Mammoth. Wildebeast is easily my favorite water coaster I have ridden. Mammoth was also a lot of fun too, but I do give Wildebeast a slightly higher level grade due to the more airtime. All three coasters were running well. It was obvious that Voyage received a lot of re tracking during the off season. Other than about 10 seconds after the triple down, it was running really well this visit.

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That is one large coal power plant.

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This looks familiar.

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First things first.

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Unfortunately due to some bad final brake run sensors, the ride was closed most of the day.

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At least Raven is running. I love this coaster.

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Yes, Pilgrim's Plunge is totally gone. I bet this will be reused in a near future.

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Speaking of a near future... I wonder if the name of the truck is a hint.

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More construction.

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New for 2014.

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I am sure there are fans.

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Rules of the ride.

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Pretty soon now.

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Hooray they got Voyage going.

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I am happy to say it was running well this visit.

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A few hours north you get to experience windmill central.

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Goliath Media Day!

 

Being a member of Club TPR certainly has many perks. One of these perks was being able to attend the media day of Rocky Mountain Coaster's brand new ride at Six Flags Great America, Goliath. Being that I am a huge fan of these coasters, I considered this to be a real treat. I rather enjoyed the ride. The hang time on the zero-G stall is unreal! Due to the nature of the restraints, your upper body is free which makes this part much more exhilarating. I was able to ride it three times and I found that the back car provided the best ride. Overall better air and hang time. I would also say that while the ride is intense, it does not have that out-of-control feeling that the other RMC's have. I would also say it is a lot more graceful. Yes, it is also very smooth. Anyways, let us get onto the photos, shall we?

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I wonder what this update is all about.

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I don't think I have ever been to a Six Flags park at 4am before.

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There it is. Goliath.

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Hooray! Time to head into the station!

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There is the train. All media uped.

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Getting everything ready for the first set of riders.

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Here they go!

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The train returns from a live TV segment.

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Rules of the ride.

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It was cool to ride it one day before opening day.

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The sun is coming up.

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The coaster is really impressive to look at.

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The Zero G stall is my favorite part.

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What is this ride called again?

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Waiting for, in our case, a second ride.

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We see you second train.

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What do you think?

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Blink and you might miss it.

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There goes another train.

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Up they go!

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It is not every day that you get to see the coaster designer, Alan Schilke, ride his own creation.

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The train is pretty much exactly the same as Outlaw Run's. These also have the newer, more comfortable, leg restraints.

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My favorite part!

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Whee!

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So fun!

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Another group of happy, live on TV, riders.

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Bugs is all decked out!

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The old Iron Wolf station looks all freshened up now.

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More new signs.

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Rules of the ride. Yes, for you Larry.

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Ride logo.

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There is a nice selection of Goliath items to buy.

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Shirts are good, right?

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The jacket looks nice.

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You can also buy a full set of armor.

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I seriously love this part.

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In action!

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Here is a better looks at the main entrance and station.

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Park President, Hank Salemi, starts with the official dedication of the ride.

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The ride is now officially open!

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First official opening train.

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Entering the dive loop.

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It looks like we are being invaded.

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Guarding the entrance.

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Just impressive to look at.

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Wheeee!

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Great ride....Go ride!

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Thumbs up for Goliath!

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I believe you visited HW a day before I did. Glad to hear The Voyage was running well, seeing it was closed all day when I visited the next day. I actually have a gut feeling that the whole area where Pilgrims Plunge used to be is going to be completely redone to cater to the new ride next year. Thanks for sharing the photos!

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I love opening days! I haven't been to one in so long!

 

On another note, those were the least buff looking warriors I have ever seen

 

I was just gonna say, would it really have been that hard to find some guys in good shape to act as the gladiators? There have to be at least a few people in Illinois who go to the gym right??

 

Anyway, love the TR so far, thanks for the great pictures!

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^Yeah, but those kinda actors cost money. 6Flags probably found 10 largerish employees, Paid them $7.50 per hour, dressed them up as gladiators, had them sign on camera waivers, and told them to follow the leader.

 

Probably cost them less than hiring one real buff dude for the morning.

 

SAG/AFTRA rate of a single on camera event for 45-60 minutes. $1,137

Source - http://www.sagaftra.org/files/sag/rate_sheet_aftra_network_tv_code_2011-2014.pdf

 

10 6Flags employees for two hours $7.50 X 10 = $75 X 2 hours = $150

 

What do you think 6 Flags did?

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I believe you visited HW a day before I did. Glad to hear The Voyage was running well, seeing it was closed all day when I visited the next day. I actually have a gut feeling that the whole area where Pilgrims Plunge used to be is going to be completely redone to cater to the new ride next year. Thanks for sharing the photos!

 

It sounds like that we got really lucky with our two rides.

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  • 2 weeks later...

I think the wait for Goliath stayed between 2-3 hours last Thursday, with 2 trains running. The line was the longest at the beginning of the day, probably closer to 4 hours.

 

I was at Indiana Beach a couple of days before, and I was amazed at how dead that park was. I actually had to ask the ride operators if a ride was running, and they'd be like "It is now. Hop on."

The Double Shot at IB tried to kill me. That ride has some INTENSE ejector air. Also, Cornball with zero wait for the back seat was awesome. A few times, I was the only person on the train.

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