originally posted on 8/25/2023
Photo: Dave Hahner III. View full-sized image.
It’s hard to imagine a more fun place to be on a warm summer day than with your friends in an amusement park on a lake — and not just any park, but one with unique rides and a waterpark to boot! One hundred fifty-three ACEers and their guests from eight states and Canada shared that sentiment and met at Waldameer & Water World in Erie, Pennsylvania, on August 5 for Ravine Flyer Frenzy 2023. There was a new water coaster to check out plus an anniversary to celebrate the amazing Ravine Flyer II.
An event is never needed to draw ACE members to Waldameer & Water World, although a celebration for Ravine Flyer II never hurts.
Photo: Stacy Singer. View full-sized image.
First, everyone had to check in at the Lakeview Picnic Grove to get their name tags, schedules and wristbands. Waldameer thoughtfully provided coffee and doughnuts for attendees and generously donated ice cream so ACE could serve Ice Cream for Breakfast. Thus, for a donation, attendees could begin their day with a tasty bowl of ice cream that benefitted not only them but Give Kids The World (GKTW). 2023 is the ninth year ACE Western Pennsylvania has raised money for GKTW Village in Orlando, Florida, where children with life-threatening illnesses and their families can enjoy a week of fun and relaxation at the Orlando parks. This year their efforts raised $280, which is the third highest total to date.
Ice cream for breakfast? Few things are typical at an ACE event as the Lucas family serves up some to raise money for Give Kids The World.
Photo: April Lucas. View full-sized image.
A behind-the-scenes tour of the Bill Tracy-designed Whacky Shack treated attendees to a close-up look at the attraction’s many props and stunts.
Photo: Stacy Singer. View full-sized image.
After registration ended at 10:30 a.m., there was a behind-the-scenes experience at Whacky Shack, the Bill Tracy-designed dark ride that is celebrating 53 years at the park. Led by Whacky Shack’s ride operator and restorer, Randy Skalos, attendees could walk through the attraction with the lights on.
Lights-on tours of dark rides are always enlightening because they reveal how rudimentary technology and simple innovations combine to create chilling experiences.
Photos: Allen Hite. View full-sized image.
Also at 10:30 a.m. was ERT on Comet, an ACE Coaster Classic from Philadelphia Toboggan Company, designed by Herbert Schmeck and operating at Waldameer since 1951. ERT on Whacky Shack began at 11:15 a.m., and both ERT sessions ended at noon when the amusement park opened (the water park opened at 11:00 a.m.). The group photo was taken in the Ravine Flyer II infield shortly after the park opened.
Informal takeover times often lead to laughter, and the one on the Dodgems was no exception.
Photo: Stacy Singer. View full-sized image.
It being a warm, sunny day, many park visitors headed directly to Water World, so most event attendees who wanted to try out Waldameer’s new water coaster, Rocket Blast, waited until the initial rush was over. Informal takeover times (ITOTs) were scheduled on popular Waldameer rides, beginning with the Bill Tracy walkthrough Pirates Cove, followed by Steel Dragon, the park’s Maurer Rides spinning coaster. The ITOT on the Dodgems led to much hilarity, then everyone chilled out on the L. Ruth Express train ride around the park. The last ITOT before dinner was on Whirlwind, the SBF-Visa Spinning Coaster.
Ravine Flyer Frenzy attendees enjoyed Walameer’s most recent coaster installation, Whirlwind.
Photo: April Lucas. View full-sized image.
While small in stature, Waldameer boasts a comprehensive collection of flat rides including Wipeout – a hit with Ravine Flyer Frenzy attendees.
Photo: Stacy Singer. View full-sized image.
At the all-you-can-eat dinner with hamburgers, sausage, chicken strips and many sides plus ice cream for dessert, Regional Rep Bill Linkenheimer III welcomed everyone. He also thanked both Waldameer and Park President Steve Gorman for their hospitality as well as the Lucas family for organizing and serving Ice Cream for Breakfast and donating the toppings. The money raised from ice cream sales will be donated to the campaigns of those who sign up to participate in the Coasting for Kids event at Kennywood on September 3. Linkenheimer also will donate to the first 10 people who sign up for the September event as members of the ACE Cares Team. He reminded everyone of the upcoming ACE Fall Fantasy event at Kennywood on August 20.
Throughout the day, Ravine Flyer Frenzy attendees enjoyed classic attractions from the Whacky Shack dark ride to the park's headline roller coaster and event’s namesake, Ravine Flyer II.
Photos: Allen Hite. View full-sized image.
Gorman stepped up and asked everyone to participate in a moment of silence for Waldameer’s late owner, Paul Nelson. He recounted Nelson’s history at the park, which began when Paul was 11 years old. Gorman remarked that he “learned from Paul to love Waldameer but learned on his own to love ACE.” Three generations of the family now work at the park. Nelson’s death was a terrible surprise and setback, so the family will slowly develop plans for the park’s recently acquired property.
Paul Nelson was instrumental in the creation of Ravine Flyer II. Proving the park offered something for everyone, he also made sure to install Ravine Flyer III for those young and young at heart.
Photo: Stacy Singer. View full-sized image.
More ITOTs followed after dinner, starting with the flume, Thunder River. Some attendees who did not participate stationed themselves next to the landing point of the flume’s final drop, feeding tokens into the water cannons as their fellow attendees floated by. Unsurprisingly, as the soaked participants exited the ride, the guilty parties all pleaded innocent! The XScream drop tower and the Flying Swings rounded out the ITOTs for the day.
Providing a moment of weightlessness as well as spectacular views of Lake Erie, many attendees took part in ITOT on Waldameer’s XScream drop tower.
Photos: Bill Linkenheimer III. View full-sized image.
The much-anticipated evening ERT was on Ravine Flyer II, which had been flying all day. The hour of ERT passed quickly, and trains ran full. Gorman joined attendees on the platform and heard the cheers and laughter as trains returned to the station full of happy riders. Ravine Flyer II rides at night are wonderful ways to end a day at Waldameer. They are a reminder of why this is a special park with owners who understand ACE and rides that never get old.
— Lee Ann Draud, ACE Publications Director
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