ParkTrips Posted July 3, 2006 Share Posted July 3, 2006 So yea.. I headed off to ATL bright and early this morning and hopped on a jet to Philadelphia. I met up with a friend and we headed off to Clementon Lake Park so I could finally get my chance to ride Tsunami, a little S&S ball of fury. I skipped out last year and almost regretted it big time when the park looked like it might close, so I was not going to miss a second chance. Thoughts on Tsunami - umm... well first off it is pretty rare in the fact that I liked the front better. The trains, like Avalanche, are just patheticly short (but hey, they have overflow seats ) in a laughable sort of way. The ride is INTENSE. It really rides the line between intense and rough. It's, for the most part, enjoyable. The ride brings some quick pacing and a few decent pops of air. Thanks to the effed up tracking, the second hill delivers about 4 jolts of airtime. Overall, I kinda liked it but I didn't love it (sorry Jay) Thoughts on Clementon - wow, this place is a dump. It's down there with Visionland in my book, and it makes me yearn for Beech Bend. Few rides, no "environment", lousy staff, even worse clientelle.. nothing much good as far as I was concerned. Turn it into a shopping mall for all I care! Time for photos! and finally, I leave you one last photo of Tsunami, which became a front-row walk-on within an hour of opening. The park was dead. And lame. no thanks, I value my shoulders The turtle whirl delivered a weak ride.. but hey, the ride op was almost do-able so its not too bad! One of the better Falling Star's Funny, one of the ones with an actual accident is still running! The definition of SBNO. .. but that hill is just wrong! (but still pretty good) It boasts one of the better first drops around. WTF? I came to ride Tsunami. Grrr.. One of about 7 signs and 3 verbal warnings that the ride is aggressive Aaah, the reason for coming, Tsunami What better way to celebrate the 4th of July than at one of America's premier amusement parks? PHL, which immediately looked small to me mmmm.. brekfast Even being at the airport didn't stop me from emailing Dan see, ATL's not all that bad I bought like 1500 pesos with $5! so I arrived early and went to hang out in the intl terminal now that Im a cool kid with a passport Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hercules Posted July 3, 2006 Share Posted July 3, 2006 It's cool that you didn't love it. I know that I think it is a pretty damn good ride. I'm into that borderline rib cracking experience. But you liked the front better? I thought that the front was pretty lame, at least on the first drop. I loved the drop on the back and it is my favorite first drop on a wood, even after riding El Toro. The place is a dump with horrible staff, but I think it has character at the least. Anyway, hope you have a good night in Philly. I'll see you tomorrow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SharkTums Posted July 3, 2006 Share Posted July 3, 2006 I think it says something about a park when you have more photos of airports than the ride/park in your TR! Glad that passport boy finally has a credit I don't...hmmm, might have to look into airfare... Have a good trip, be safe, don't do anything I wouldn't! BTW, hurry up and get to SFGAd so I can see pix of my baby! (the intamin ride, not you!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ParkTrips Posted July 3, 2006 Author Share Posted July 3, 2006 ^^ I really liked it though. Don't get me wrong, I don't hate it, but its just not my style. Of course, you liked Hercules I only liked the front better because it bumped us around more and induced that F'd up sideways ejector stuff. ^ yea, I spent more time in the airport than at the park! Oh, and I have several credits that you don't have. I may even get Reithoffer's Small Unit Orient Express tonight if I'm lucky BTW, DIE! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nitro1118 Posted July 3, 2006 Share Posted July 3, 2006 Hey, Parktrips, if you need any advice for GADV/Toro (assuming you're going) you can PM/IM me. Nice TR! I live in NJ, but have never been to Clementon. Looks like a pretty crappy park that is carnival-quality. I have heard some great reviews for J2, so I may head down there this summer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CoasterFanatic Posted July 3, 2006 Share Posted July 3, 2006 First off, let me tell you that I am glad you called it "Tsunami". "J2" is just the lamest name ever. I agree with you on the seat selection. When I went, the operator was like "a bunch of ACErs were just here and said you had to ride the back for a REAL thrill". I said "bullsh**t". "This thing gets crazier the further up you go!" ... and that second hill ... "WHOOO LORDY!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGreatOne Posted July 3, 2006 Share Posted July 3, 2006 Any park with a crappy Tilt-A-Whirl is a crappy park (save Hersheypark). Have fun with 10 minute dispatches on El Toro tomorrow... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coasterguy618 Posted July 3, 2006 Share Posted July 3, 2006 Great Photo TR! BTW, just so you know, you might wanna check with SFGADv of when El Toro is open cause it was closed today. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nitro1118 Posted July 3, 2006 Share Posted July 3, 2006 Any park with a crappy Tilt-A-Whirl is a crappy park (save Hersheypark). Have fun with 10 minute dispatches on El Toro tomorrow... Since the 2nd train has been added dispatches have been under 3-4min, and while there still is stacking, it is not bad anymore. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hercules Posted July 3, 2006 Share Posted July 3, 2006 Hey, Parktrips, if you need any advice for GADV/Toro (assuming you're going) you can PM/IM me. Nice TR! I live in NJ, but have never been to Clementon. Looks like a pretty crappy park that is carnival-quality. I have heard some great reviews for J2, so I may head down there this summer. Don't worry, he has been there. Plus he is going to be meeting up with some "experts" while there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shockwave Posted July 4, 2006 Share Posted July 4, 2006 First off, let me tell you that I am glad you called it "Tsunami". "J2" is just the lamest name ever. I agree with you on the seat selection. When I went, the operator was like "a bunch of ACErs were just here and said you had to ride the back for a REAL thrill". I said "bullsh**t". "This thing gets crazier the further up you go!" ... and that second hill ... "WHOOO LORDY!" Agreed. This Tsumani renaming malarky really got my goat. Joe, now you've got your passport I hope you'll be coming to England soon! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ParkTrips Posted July 4, 2006 Author Share Posted July 4, 2006 ^ Thanks, you just set me up for a barrage of comments regarding the UK Trip edit - oh, and I agree about the name. It will ALWAYS be Tsunami to me. And if by chance El Toro is down tomorrow, oh well. I'll still be at one of my favorite parks... and I'll have an excuse to go back Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shockwave Posted July 4, 2006 Share Posted July 4, 2006 ^ Thanks, you just set me up for a barrage of comments regarding the UK Trip Well it wouldn't be the first time that's happened on here! Seriosuly though, if you come over I'll be sure to take a few days off work to show you around! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nitro1118 Posted July 4, 2006 Share Posted July 4, 2006 ^ Thanks, you just set me up for a barrage of comments regarding the UK Trip edit - oh, and I agree about the name. It will ALWAYS be Tsunami to me. And if by chance El Toro is down tomorrow, oh well. I'll still be at one of my favorite parks... and I'll have an excuse to go back Since it will be July 4th, I doubt it. Today was only the 2nd day Toro was down the whole day since it opened 3 weeks ago, so I am sure you'll get your ride on it. It may not open at 10am, but it will most likely be open by 2 or so. BTW, ride Toro in BACK row, right side for best overall ride, or 3rd row for most ejector. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WadeJ Posted July 4, 2006 Share Posted July 4, 2006 Rumor has it that Toro was hit by lightning last night. We had horrible storms here. Otherwise, the ride has been operating perfectly. I hope (and pray) they get it working again by the 4th. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coasterguy618 Posted July 4, 2006 Share Posted July 4, 2006 ^ Thanks, you just set me up for a barrage of comments regarding the UK Trip edit - oh, and I agree about the name. It will ALWAYS be Tsunami to me. And if by chance El Toro is down tomorrow, oh well. I'll still be at one of my favorite parks... and I'll have an excuse to go back Since it will be July 4th, I doubt it. Today was only the 2nd day Toro was down the whole day since it opened 3 weeks ago, so I am sure you'll get your ride on it. It may not open at 10am, but it will most likely be open by 2 or so. BTW, ride Toro in BACK row, right side for best overall ride, or 3rd row for most ejector. Make that the 3rd day toro was closed the whole day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nitro1118 Posted July 4, 2006 Share Posted July 4, 2006 I only remember one day it was closed, and that was opening week, and now today. It was closed for an afternoon a week back that scared everyone into saying it'd be closed for a week. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DerekRx Posted July 4, 2006 Share Posted July 4, 2006 Well Joe will be happy to know that as of 6:30pm on July 3, El Toro recovered from its slumber. Kingda Klosed was still doing its lawn ornament impression, as was Superman (but he's got the better one of them anyway back home). Hopefully Toro stays opened for Independence (or perhaps its Mexican and is waiting for Cinco de Mayo. In any case, I'll be there tomorrow as well, hopefully it'll run again, as I really enjoyed my 1 ride on it, but it wasn't as amazing after 1 ride as Balder or Voyage in wooden terms for me. Still, awesome ride, hopefully it runs again, though there are no "thunderstorms" so hopefully that'll help in Joe's favor Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rider117 Posted July 4, 2006 Share Posted July 4, 2006 I'll be at GADV tomorrow night for the fireworks and hopefully a night ride on El Toro. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
larrygator Posted July 4, 2006 Share Posted July 4, 2006 Joe - since I'm joining you I'll consider myself an expert since I've ridden two Intamin woodies already. and well - you haven't ridden any yet Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SharkTums Posted July 4, 2006 Share Posted July 4, 2006 ^I knew I liked you Larry! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ParkTrips Posted July 5, 2006 Author Share Posted July 5, 2006 Anyways, just a little text today, I may add more tomorrow. During the day at the park, we rode El Toro twice, Medusa once, Mine Train once, Nitro twice, Batman once, the haunted swing once and I believe that is all. Nitro ran well, better than I had remembered. I think it gives Goliath a good run for its money, as both are quite different and excellent in their own ways. El Toro is an incredible ride. I simply cannot imagine what Balder, a coaster which looks even better to me, is like. WOW!! Your ass is out of the seat forcefully for extended periods of time. The cable lift really adds an odd mystique to the ride, it just doesn't seem right! The first drop is very steep and provides awesome airtime, as do the series of hills going out. Serious airtime unlike the wimpy crap that a lot of rides *cough*Voyage*cough* deliver (score: 1 ET, 0 Voyage). the turnaround is a beatuy to look at an a thrill to go through. The next couple of hills weren't too insane but still delivered better air than 90% of other woodies out there.. but then, the hill of all hills. It took me by suprise and left me wondering what the hell just happened. The twister section, while good (and better than a certain coaster in Indiana), it still just doesn't stand up well against the first half, and I think a select few rides (Thunderhead, Boulder Dash) are better at being out-of-control. Still pretty damn good. Houdini's.. as I told 'Hercules'.. the ride simply confused me. I kinda liked it, but it just puzzles me. The other rides - not worth a comment. That's all for this trip report! I hope you enjoyed, and this is one last shot of a beauty of a coaster. I miss you!! Note group of people trying to cut in line.. also note Larry determined not to let that happen. Best of all, when they finally got past us and we reported them, security did nothing. I think the L could have been removed today Hey, SFOG, why the hell did you have to take out the Looping Starship. Oh, wait, I almost wouldnt care if we weren't WEAK with the fltas =( This is where the sad part of the day begins.. hey, SFOG, why the hell did you have to take out the Gasp? Is "pulling a Knotts" a desireable thing? Yet another SF parade.. yet another park that has much better stuff than my crappy homepark =( :insert dumbfounded look: Only lame-ass G-Adv TRs dont include a turtle photo.. It had a bit more rattle than I remembered, but I still think its an awesome ride. After seeing this, I immediately enlisted. Toro's ops have definately improved Those three letters should never leave the internet... THE hill (and man.. I had a bad day with the camera) Nice. I'll admit that I may have been the only person not to spot the funny part of this picture right away Hey, I see a new woodie.. and its actually running! They took out a schwarzkopf ride for a smoking section? lame. Nitro was the lick today. Oh, and they have ANOTHER broken Intamin ride. Welcome to Great Adventure, home of a 456' tall penis with ED issues Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SharkTums Posted July 5, 2006 Share Posted July 5, 2006 Ahhh, the Intamin Woody Airtime.... Every park needs to get an Intamin Woody NOW! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jew Posted July 5, 2006 Share Posted July 5, 2006 I simply cannot imagine what Balder, a coaster which looks even better to me, is like. It's kind of like filing papers...but with ejector airtime everywhere. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SharkTums Posted July 5, 2006 Share Posted July 5, 2006 ^Joey is going for the top of the list! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts