Eric and Candace's East Coast Trip Photo TR

[YoshiFanDon't make me kick you in the donkey!]

The park wasn't even that crowded that day compared to what the type of crowds it normally gets. It's just that bad operations like 1 train on Storm Runner and SDL made all the line longer than they should have been. And Fahrenheit having the single rider line closed and only 2 trains running. I was told Storm Runner had a 75 minute wait at one point, I went back later in the afternoon and waited around 45 minutes.

The rapids had a 15 minute wait that day when it was usually 45+ minutes easily but that was probably because it looked like it was going to rain.

If it had been sunny earlier in the day and the park was as crowded as it usually is, I'd have hated to see how bad the lines were.

Rollersoaker wasn't running at full capacity either and the dispatches were slower than they should have been.

The main reason we went that day was for the rapids (couldn't get there early enough to join the TPR trip for the day even though ERT would have been awesome since I think they said you had to be there by 8 or 8:15)

[ernierockerWhy do I still have a donkey title???]

This has really got me psyched for my trip to Hershey in July now. Thanks for sharing such awesome photos!

Glad I could help!

The park wasn't even that crowded that day compared to what the type of crowds it normally gets. It's just that bad operations like 1 train on Storm Runner and SDL made all the line longer than they should have been. And Fahrenheit having the single rider line closed and only 2 trains running. I was told Storm Runner had a 75 minute wait at one point, I went back later in the afternoon and waited around 45 minutes.

I agree, the park wasn't really that crowded. I think before Hersheypark, we maybe waited on only a handful of rides for more than 20 minutes and that was after eight straight days with some being multiple park days!. And most of those waits were probably at Rye's Playland. With ERT, Gold Q-bots, other queue-skipping systems, and awesome trip planning, I just was spoiled with not waiting in lines and completely dominating parks. So, it was a little bit of shock actually waiting an hour for Great Bear and a few others. We avoided Storm Runner and Fahrenheit for the rest of the day, as we had our feel during ERT.

I am hoping to have Dorney Park up tonight.

[stingrock23"Excuse me, miss, may I pound my large rooster into your donkey?"]

Most of the day, I was in a daze and just couldn't really get into the spirit. But, that all changed when our Lightning Racer ERT began. I got this shot of adrenaline that made me forget all about how tired I was and it was one of my favorite moments on the trip. Nothing beats being the only group in the park and just racing each other over and over. It is moments like these that put TPR trips WAY above any vacation you will ever go on.

I felt the exact same way. I was just about done before that ERT, and almost decided to skip it, but I'm glad I didn't.

[EmirooA zonkey is a cross between a zebra and a donkey.]

I love this picture.

Sadly, it reminds me of my original expectations for Pilgrims Plunge. (Ride is great and you get still soaked though.)

[ernierockerWhy do I still have a donkey title???]

Two more updates to go!

Day 10-Dorney Park

I probably had the least expectations for Dorney Park than any other park on the trip. It didn’t appear to be getting favorable reviews in the ECT forum, so I wasn’t expecting much. To my surprise, I actually didn’t mind the park at all! It could have been that I spent more time that day either sleeping or at a bar than in the actual park, but I really came away thinking it was at least a decent park. Besides the horrible operations on the Wild Mouse, I enjoyed every one of the coasters. I’ll get back to this shortly.

The day began with us walking across the street for ERT on Steel Force. The late start to the morning was much appreciated after the Hershey Park day. I think being Day 10, the enthusiasm for ERT sessions had waned because the entire group seemed to be sleepwalking. I remember thinking while waiting for a train to dispatch how much different this was than the first ERT session on Boulder Dash. I could tell the ride-ops were a little puzzled by how quiet everyone was.

After ERT, we were allowed the first ride of the day on Voodoo. It really helps getting the brand new coaster in the park out of the way especially one with low capacity, so thanks to R&E and Dorney Park for working that out. We decided after Voodoo to skip the backstage tour and instead get as many credits done before lunch. We were able to do all the credits except for Hydra, Talon, and Thunderhawk by noon. We could of done more if it wasn’t for the terrible operations on the mouse. I am sure it is either a safety or maintenance issue, but it is really sucks seeing car after car getting half-filled while you stand and bake in that line!

Next, it was time for what I had been looking forward to all day. EST! Exclusive Sleep Time! I think this might have been the best nap I had taken since I was a little kid. I woke up feeling like a new man. Better yet, Candace wasn’t feeling that sick anymore! We decided to celebrate our rejuvenation by walking next door to the restaurant bar at the adjacent hotel. We had a relaxing early dinner (with a few drinks) and then headed back to the hotel. (Thanks again to Richard for buying everyone’s dinner!) Candace decided to stay in the room and try and sleep some more, so Jason and I “walked” across the street to get all the credits we missed. This brings us to an interesting story involving Jason. We were on our 2nd run of Thunderhawk, when some genius wearing a backward's hat decided to stand up while we were climbing the lift hill. The ride immediately e-stopped and a slightly “spirited” Jason made sure to loudly inform said genius that he did not approve of his actions. I think Jason said something like,

Jason (to idiot who stood up): Hey backward’s hat! Way to Go!

Jason (to self): I am going to get beat up.

Jason (to backward’s hat idiot): Way to go douchebag!

Jason (to self): Oh, I am going to get beat up.

After this, we may have ridden Steel Force again? And did we run into Brent at some point? We also might have gotten on the drop tower. It seems I may have been slightly “spirited” myself. I do know that we finished the night off with Hydra and Talon ERT. So, there you go. The park I had the least expectations for was definitely not my least favorite on the trip.

On to the pictures!

[YoshiFanDon't make me kick you in the donkey!]

I think Dorney gets a bad reputation because of its location. If it was somewhere else in the country it would be better received but since it is in between Hershey and Great Adventure, and isn't as good as either of those, a lot of people don't think the park is that great.

The Wild Mouse is just Cedar Fair being over cautious. They added seatbelts and rarely run more than 4 cars plus the no more than 2 adults per car rule and a confusing loading station to most people make the line crawl. I have waited 10 minutes just with the line in the station.

A lot of rides like Dorney are like that, even though the Camp Bus for example has a weight limit of 440 pounds per row and Morey's, Great Adventure and Gillian's all allow 2 people over 54" in the same row, Dorney doesn't even if it is under the weight limit.

[downunderWhy do I still have a donkey title???]

After this, we may have ridden Steel Force again? And did we run into Brent at some point?

I'm having trouble remembering myself, I remember we were all having dinner next door, we were drinking those Kitchen Sink cocktails.

I vaguely remember riding Thunderhawk at night, I might have been on the e-stop train but I can't remember. I remember ERT. I think those Kitchen Sinks created a lot of memory gaps from that night.

[stingrock23"Excuse me, miss, may I pound my large rooster into your donkey?"]

I don't think we did the drop tower, at least I didn't.

That rest at the hotel was definitely needed, and those kitchen sinks took their toll on me. One thing I really remember is the change of atmosphere at the bar from "restaurant/bar" in the daytime to Club LaVela at night.

[ernierockerWhy do I still have a donkey title???]

I think Dorney gets a bad reputation because of its location. If it was somewhere else in the country it would be better received but since it is in between Hershey and Great Adventure, and isn't as good as either of those, a lot of people don't think the park is that great.

You are right, it is surrounded by some great parks. I didn't hear too many bad things about Dorney Park from other people on the trip, but then again we had a group that left for most of the day to go to Six Flags Great Adventure. Most everyone else, either slept or went to the water park during the afternoon. I would like to go back sometime, so I can experience some of the other rides.

I vaguely remember riding Thunderhawk at night, I might have been on the e-stop train but I can't remember. I remember ERT. I think those Kitchen Sinks created a lot of memory gaps from that night.

I don't think I actually had one of those drinks. I believe I just stuck with beer. That is probably why I can remember at least part of the night.

One thing I really remember is the change of atmosphere at the bar from "restaurant/bar" in the daytime to Club LaVela at night.

Oh, that's right! I forgot you went back over there.

[stingrock23"Excuse me, miss, may I pound my large rooster into your donkey?"]

^ Yeah, a few of us ended up back over there. Everyone else is dressed for clubbing, then there's this group of coaster guys in shorts and shirts. Definitely very interesting.