PhantomNik
Posts: 515
Registered: 6/6/2002
Rank: Gold Critic
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 8/19/2004 5:49:09 PM
Well, I've been away from TPC for a little bit (very busy summer!), but I'm back so it's time to post some stuff again!  First up is a trip report from KennyKon, my 2nd ACE event this year, at my home park of Kennywood. This was an absolutely fabulous event and trip to one of my favorite parks around! The whole idea of getting some ERT at my home park was just great! 
The weather, for crowd control, was perfect! There was a forecast that included a 70% chance of rain. Turned out that it only rained for like 15 minutes at around 1 pm and that was it! Plus, it was a Sunday, so crowds were light to begin with!! Simply beautiful! First off, I will give a big kudos to the Kennywood staff  , because the registration was smooth and organized.
The gates opened up at 9:15, and we headed back to Racer and Jack Rabbit for the first ERT rides of the day. Started with a ride on Racer, got right back in "line" (actually I circled around and got right back on!) and then got a double ride - sweeeeet! Next, hopped (pun intended) over to Jack Rabbit and got 3 rides on it. You just have to love that double dip - truly the most insane moment of airtime I've experienced on a roller coaster! I end up standing every single time!!  Then, it was back to Racer. I loved going on this with fellow enthusiasts - every person had their hands out for slapping. This truly made the rides that much better! Got another double ride, then got back on to find out we'd be on the last double ride of the ERT. Here's where it got really cool. We got a double ride, and as the trains came back to the station we all clapped and cheered. The ride op (which I later found out was an ACE rep they were letting run the coaster) then says "You guys got me, right here", as he tapped on his heart. Then he said, "Awww, heck, enjoy your ride!!!" That's right, I got a TRIPLE ride on Racer!!!! Simply tremendous! So, I had 3 Jack Rabbit rides and 8 Racer rides.....and it was only 10:15!
Next, up to the front for ERT on Phantom's Revenge. This was the only hiccup of the day. ERT for PR was supposed to start at 10:30, but didn't get under way until about 10:45. Plus, only 1 train running. Oh well, still got 1 lap in before the public! Got a group photo by the 1st drop of PR and then lunch at the Cafe. A hidden gem at KW, in my opinion. Great food and good portions for a reasonable price. The turkey dinner is excellent!!
Then it was off to PR again, when I discovered what the rest of the day would be like. I walked right up to a deserted station! I took 5 straight rides on this masterpiece! Kind of annoying we couldn't just hop out into the station again. Instead, had to walk down and around to the entrance (which isn't right by the exit). It was good exercise though! Rounded out the remainder of the day with rides upon rides with waits no longer than 10 minutes or so! Ended up leaving at 8 because we had done everything so much by that time!
The picnic dinner was superb! Also, it was Kenny Kangaroo's 30th birthday that day, so we got cake and celebrated with him. He even rode his ride, the Kangaroo, in full costume! Now that was hysterical!!  Just a great day from start to finish, and I ended up with some insane ride totals on the coasters (see below).
Kennywood
Coasters – 9.5/10
Ride Selection – 10/10
Ride Quality – 9.5/10
Food – 10/10
Cleanliness – 10/10
Staff – 9/10
Landscaping – 10/10
Atmosphere – 10/10
Overall = 10/10
The Coasters:
Racer – Pure fun describes this classic wooden gem. It has a great layout and there's truly a racing feel during the ride! Slap those hands!! (11 Rides) 9/10
Jack Rabbit – Again, FUN is the key word! A simple little wooden coaster that's packed with some good drops, a tunnel, and that outright amazing double dip!! John Miller was a genious! (7 Rides) 9/10
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psu_dude
Posts: 92
Registered: 6/6/2003
Rank: Senior Critic
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9/3/2004 6:01:08 PM
Great trip report!! I like how you rate both the park and the coasters, nice touch. I've pondered joining ACE several times, and if the events are anything like that, it makes it seem like a no-brainer to join! Those were some very impressive totals on their coasters! The most I've gotten on PR (my #1) in a single day was 7, so 11 times sounds heavenly! That thing is an airtime machine!!
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PhantomNik
Posts: 515
Registered: 6/6/2002
Rank: Gold Critic
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 10/1/2004 10:06:21 AM
Quote:
Animan1 said:
I always enjoy you're TRs PhantomNik, they're easy to read, and you summmarize nicely at the end of the report. |
Thanks, I really do appreciate your positive feedback! I know everyone has their own trip report style (which is one of the cool things about this site). I just like to give details of my park experience during the trip along with a quick-hitting ratings summary for the park and its coasters at the end. The park ratings are just the main things I look at in judging a park when I visit it.
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