adriahna
Posts: 4692
Registered: 6/4/2003
Rank: Site Moderator
Skooter Junkie
|
 8/1/2004 4:48:18 PM
Hey, all - I know you're probably dying to read of my experience at Compounce, especially those of you who've already found my review of Boulder Dash. And so, without further ado...
We made it to Lake Compounce at about 4pm - too late in my opinion, but the park is on the small side, so the pain wasn't too harsh. It's a lovely little gem, preserving well its long heritage as the nation's oldest. Surrounded by trees, it is loosely reminiscent of Knoebels. We headed straight for THE WILDCAT, a great 1927 woodie - sweet little coaster, with pops of airtime and decent speed. Then hopped over to the GHOST HUNT, a new experience for me - an interactive darkride!!! It was OK - too distracting what with the laser guns and all, to appeal to me as a spook house. Anyhow, BOULDER DASH was next - a real beauty during the day, but to prove itself even moreso later that night. The CAROUSEL was to follow, a truly wonderful machine, complete with a great, beautifully tuned Wurlitzer 153 organ - one of the finest I've seen in years. The carousel is meticulously maintained - wonderful carvings, as well. Next stop (you knew I'd get to it sooner or later): AMERICAN FLYERS...ugh, a serious slap in the face to all of us flying scooter addicts. Too slow, the sails are oddly shaped, and methinks those extra cables have something to do with the disappointing ride. Not a snap to be seen. Oh, well - time to check out the MUSIK EXPRESS - a favorite. This is one of the prettiest I've seen recently, but they only ran it forwards - half the fun was missing. And they played death metal - a new trend in this ride??? Interesting...now, we were hungry, so we headed to the Croc Pot Cafeteria, where I had a delicious salad, and, of course, free Pepsi!!! A great thing at a park - we never went thirsty. Next came a liesurely trip on the TROLLEY, a real treat. The old ads in the car and the original fixtures were a great touch. Once off, we took two rides on THUNDER RAPIDS - a great, great rapids ride - one step behind PKI's. I came off soaked, and quite happy. Now, we headed off to the WAVE SWINGER, a sure way to dry off. Our pals decided to try out DOWN TIME, while hubby and I checked out the shops. Then, finally, three rides on BOULDER DASH, which were unbelievable in their intensity.
Overall, it was a great little park, and a real joy to finally experience. Very friendly people, good food, great maintenance, and two great woodies. I have to hand it to them for doing such a wonderful job.
The next day, we headed off to further attractions, starting out with the Mark Twain house in Hartford - if you're interested in this at all, it is NOT to be missed. Second, we swooped by the Bushnell Park carousel, a truly landmark machine, showcasing the finest work by Stein and Goldstein - this was one I'd been dreaming about visiting for years, and it lives up to the expectations. Third, we headed back to Bristol, to visit the Carousel Museum of New England, a real treat. It offers a great array of beautiful antique figures, newer pieces, a gift shop, and upstairs is a fascinating Fire Museum - I was blown away by the extent of this exhibit. Alongside the Fire Museum is a display of carousel figures that the museum is restoring, a fascinating thing to see.
Finally, on the way home, we decided to stop by Rye Playland - a perfect way to end a great weekend. The park shined as always, and sent us home smiling.
--------------------
It's not a successful ride on the Flying Scooters unless you've got bruises to tell the story for you.
|
larrygator
Posts: 4654
Registered: 11/7/2002
Rank: Platinum Critic
|
 8/1/2004 5:25:11 PM
sounds like a great well-rounded, coaster, cultural trip. Did you skip the Sky Ride because you were soaked from the Rapids? I'm glad my Mark Twain house suggestion was observed.
|
Cairn
Posts: 156
Registered: 3/22/2004
Rank: Bronze Critic
|
8/1/2004 5:53:45 PM
Glad you had a great time and enjoyed Lake Compounce. The park is the pride and joy of Connecticut, so it is nice to see people coming up here to visit.
|
adriahna
Posts: 4692
Registered: 6/4/2003
Rank: Site Moderator
Skooter Junkie
|
8/2/2004 3:50:05 PM
Quote:
larrygator said:
sounds like a great well-rounded, coaster, cultural trip. Did you skip the Sky Ride because you were soaked from the Rapids? I'm glad my Mark Twain house suggestion was observed. |
I was seriously wanting to ride the Sky Ride, but was with three folks who had other ideas...we got to the park late, and by the time I mentioned the Sky Ride, the park was open for only about one more hour. Maybe next time - we're sure to visit again. For one thing, my brother, who is in Thailand right now, will kill me if we don't take him along...
|
3r1c
Posts: 5466
Registered: 6/7/2003
Rank: Platinum Critic
|
8/2/2004 4:20:01 PM
Great TR adiahna.  Does Boulder Dash come really close to the ground or is it elevated by a couple feet?
|
larrygator
Posts: 4654
Registered: 11/7/2002
Rank: Platinum Critic
|
8/2/2004 6:27:52 PM
Boulder Dash is like an Olympic Ski Jump it is never very far off of the ground. I doubt know for certain but I would guess it is never more than 30 feet off the ground. On the stretch back into the station on the bunny hops it skims really close to the ground on multiple occasions
|
adriahna
Posts: 4692
Registered: 6/4/2003
Rank: Site Moderator
Skooter Junkie
|
8/2/2004 11:43:28 PM
Larrygator put it perfectly - it skims right down along the mountain - it's extremely intense, and scary as all hell...
|
yfz450
Posts: 1743
Registered: 3/13/2004
Rank: Platinum Critic
|
8/3/2004 2:30:50 AM
sounds like you had a good trip and boulderdash seems like a good ride.
|
Cyclonic
Posts: 2636
Registered: 7/19/2002
Rank: Experiment 626
|
8/3/2004 5:34:26 PM
Great report. What is the work on Playland's Volare?
|
adriahna
Posts: 4692
Registered: 6/4/2003
Rank: Site Moderator
Skooter Junkie
|
8/4/2004 10:55:13 AM
Volare? How's that?
|
larrygator
Posts: 4654
Registered: 11/7/2002
Rank: Platinum Critic
|
8/4/2004 11:29:52 AM
I think Volare is the manufacturer of Playland's new flyer (Super Flight) that is under construction
|
Cyclonic
Posts: 2636
Registered: 7/19/2002
Rank: Experiment 626
|
8/4/2004 5:36:26 PM
Actually, it is the model name, the ride is built by Zamperla. I rode the one installed at Canada's Wonderland this year, and while I did not find it to be that bad, many say it gives a new definition to pain. Then again, I did not think Hurricain was that bad either I was just wondering what the progress on the ride was, if you noticed any?
|
adriahna
Posts: 4692
Registered: 6/4/2003
Rank: Site Moderator
Skooter Junkie
|
8/4/2004 11:01:16 PM
Gotcha. I saw it, but it kept breaking down, and looked SERIOUSLY painful - just jerky as all get out. The lift hill was the strangest thing I've ever seen - no chain, but rather a rotating structure that led the cars up the lift, rather like a corkscrew. I knew I'd make it out to Rye again this year, so I figured I'd check it out later. But oh, did it ever look like it could wrench out your neck. So, I just checked it out from a personal favorite, the Derby Racer...
|