originally posted on 9/25/2020
Attendees took a spin on the new Whirlwind.
Photo: Joel Brewton-Riling. View full-sized image.
Like many other experiences in 2020, this annual event shared by ACE Western Pennsylvania and Western New York Coaster Club (WNYCC) had to be a little different. Usually lasting two days, Flying High became a one-park, one-day event at Waldameer & Water World because Conneaut Lake Park never opened for the season. Thanks to Ravine Flyer II, there was a lot of flying high but without Conneaut’s ACE Roller Coaster Landmark Blue Streak.
Seventy-three attendees gathered on a bright Sunday morning of August 30 for a day of fun at this beautiful amusement and waterpark in Erie. Because of COVID-19 restrictions, there was no group meal, but attendees had the option of purchasing a Value Meal as part of registration.
Photo: Richard Koppelman. View full-sized image.
Morning ERT began at noon on Whirlwind, the new SBF-Visa Spinning Coaster, and Whacky Shack, which was celebrating its 50th anniversary.
Left to right, Steve Gorman, Randy Skalos, Paul Nelson and Ops Manager Andrew Felice.
Photo: Sarah Windisch. View full-sized image.
A real treat awaited attendees at 12:15 at the Coaster 1 pavilion for the Q&A with park management. Randy Skalos, a Waldameer employee who has helped restore Whacky Shack since 2008 and is often its ride operator, shared photos of this Bill Tracey-designed dark ride from its early years. In addition, the park provided a cake in honor of Whacky Shack’s 50th anniversary. Present for the cake cutting, in addition to Waldameer Owner Paul Nelson, President Steve Gorman and Skalos, was Perry Duncan, who, as a 27 year old, helped Bill Tracey build the ride in 1970.
Whacky Shack turned 50 this year.
Photo: Sarah Windisch. View full-sized image.
Skalos, who first rode Whacky Shack the year it opened, commented on recent updates to the ride. Skalos acquired two sound tracks from the (defunct) Idora Park (Youngstown, Ohio) Whacky Shack, one of which is being used in the striped room this year. The other track is being digitally restored for use next year. It will replace the current Whacky Shack’s sound track, which over time has deteriorated.
Next to speak was Nelson, who has owned Waldameer for 42 years. He reviewed some park history and the park’s philosophy, which can be summed up as Waldameer is a place that welcomes everyone.
ACE Western Pennsylvania Regional Rep Bill Linkenheimer III thanked everyone for coming, and especially thanked the WNYCC for organizing Flying High. After expressing his gratitude to Waldameer for opening this season, WNYCC Webmaster Bob Wheeler commented on attendance being higher in 2020 than in previous years despite the fact that only one park was included in the event.
After a door prize break, Gorman also thanked everyone for attending and mentioned some of the difficulties of park operation of 2020. Park attendance was only 15 to 20 percent of normal, but Waldameer was glad to open for the people who wanted to get out and have some fun. The hardest task to complete? Finding enough hand sanitizer! The biggest issue for the park? People not wearing masks properly. The good news? 2021 will be Waldameer’s 125th anniversary! The bad news? There will be no new rides for 2021 (stay tuned for 2022).
Photo: Sarah Windisch. View full-sized image.
Gorman, who always has funny park stories to share, described his surprise encounter with the trespassing skateboarders who damaged some of the waterpark slides early in the season. Fortunately the damage could be repaired before the park opened. Linkenheimer reminded attendees that they can help promote attendance at their favorite parks by providing reviews on Yelp, Google and Trip Advisor, to name a few. ACE Western Pennsylvania offers a one-stop place for links to review sites for all of the region’s parks: acewesternpa.org/parkreviews.
After the Q&A, attendees were on their own to enjoy the rides and the waterpark. No informal takeover times were scheduled, but attendees had many choices among Waldameer’s eclectic collection of new and classic rides. Unfortunately, because of COVID-19 concerns, the Pirates Cove walkthrough was not open, but the L. Ruth Express Train provided great views of the park from the ground, and Sky Ride and XScream Drop Tower offered equivalent awesome views from the air. Besides Whirlwind, coasters not to be missed were the ACE Coaster Classic Comet and the Maurer Rides spinning coaster, Steel Dragon.
Photo: Joel Brewton-Riling. View full-sized image.
Most anticipated was the hour-long ERT, starting at 8 p.m., on Ravine Flyer II. This Gravity Group-designed wood coaster is always a wild ride, but at night it achieves superawesome status. Since the park closing time was earlier this year, the late ERT rides were the only ones that qualified as “night” rides, but all were amazing nonetheless. Gorman joined attendees for several during ERT in this satisfying sendoff to summer.
— Lee Ann Draud, ACE Publications Director
Socially distancing was the norm throughout the visit on Ravine Flyer II.
Photo: Richard Koppelman. View full-sized image.
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