tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358199325112819854.post8894186735761228130..comments2024-03-14T09:48:03.975-07:00Comments on Bayern Kurve Blog: Two Pennsylvania Amusement Parks - Dorney and Delgrosso'sAndrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04518573464827073114noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358199325112819854.post-63609596134812946162021-11-03T15:58:22.557-07:002021-11-03T15:58:22.557-07:00Yep, Cedar Fair was on a dark ride "purge&quo...Yep, Cedar Fair was on a dark ride "purge" for a while, Major. They do cost more to maintain than most rides, especially if it's an "Old Mill" like Dorney had. And like you mention, fun houses are a "liability concern." Don't worry about not commenting... I appreciate anytime you chime in!Andrewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04518573464827073114noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358199325112819854.post-79716957374576153002021-11-02T19:28:53.080-07:002021-11-02T19:28:53.080-07:00It makes me sad that Dorney Park tore out all of t...It makes me sad that Dorney Park tore out all of their dark rides. Was it just to make room for more roller coasters? I can’t imagine that dark rides cost that much to run or maintain. If they were still around, they would be at the top of my list to see, especially if they managed to preserve their original appearance! Perhaps the general public wouldn’t care. Thunder Creek Mountain actually looks kind of neat! Why isn’t there an osprey nest on the Steel Force hypercoaster? I wonder if those “haunted shacks” were considered too dangerous? You know, people falling over and hurting themselves. Who knows. I wish I had some of Delgrosso’s amusement park food right now (I’m on a diet). Thanks Andrew, I’m sorry I don’t comment more often, but I love your blog!Major Pepperidgehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09843598326995116014noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358199325112819854.post-14544953839580929692021-10-21T16:28:00.914-07:002021-10-21T16:28:00.914-07:00I was hoping you'd comment, Chuck! Demon Drop ...I was hoping you'd comment, Chuck! Demon Drop is kind of living out its "retirement years" in PA; it was front and center at Cedar Point, where I'm sure many people like you questioned its structural integrity. <br /><br />The log flume has a small drop on the hilltop, but it mostly stays low to the ground before the big drop (actually more like a ramp) back down the hillside. It's a unique ride, and it surely costs a lot less to build and maintain. Also, Adventure Express is an awesome ride, but that anti-climactic ending can make you forget the rest. It's actually pretty hilarious once you know about it!Andrewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04518573464827073114noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358199325112819854.post-1713365911497182392021-10-21T09:53:52.266-07:002021-10-21T09:53:52.266-07:00I see a similarity in font signage between Dorney ...I see a similarity in font signage between Dorney Park and Cedar Point. Alas, Cedar Fair under Dick Kinzel was big on roller coasters and acquisitions but not so much about preservation or theming. In retrospect, it’s amazing that Knott’s didn’t lose more, particularly in light of what happened to Dorney Park. I am glad to see that an appreciation for their past (and for the revenue that nostalgia can generate) has led them to pay closer attention to their heritage.<br /><br />Demon Drop! That was my first drop tower, back in 1984. I still remember the whole family strapped int those cars, looking at each other on the way up, and wondering what the heck we had just committed ourselves to. And you’re right, that return mechanism <i><b>is</b></i> funky. Glad to see it’s still operating somewhere…and that it’s the last of its kind.<br /><br />That log flume lift hill looks like it’s on an <i><b>actual hill</b></i>. That’s pretty cool…unless the rest of the ride is level until you drop back down the hill. I’m all for incorporating natural features into ride designs, but occasionally they lead to odd results. Adventure Express at King’s Island is a case in point; its station is located on a ridge line and spends most of its run dipping into and running around a valley. To get out, it has to use a lift hill, which is themed with this climactically building temple, complete with drumming idols and a vat of molten lava about to be poured on you. You reach the top…and then you’re at the unload station. Major let-down. <br /><br />I think I’d like Delgrosso’s Amusement Park. Neat rides and lots of shade. Remind me again why I don’t visit Pennsylvania?<br /><br />Glad you had a lot of fun on that trip, Andrew, and I appreciate you sharing it with us!Chuckhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01836717368846566211noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358199325112819854.post-20104991222095189462021-10-12T14:01:55.199-07:002021-10-12T14:01:55.199-07:00Melissa, it's nice, but nothing amazing compar...Melissa, it's nice, but nothing amazing compared to a park like Knoebels.<br /><br />K. Martinez, I've actually never ridden a Tilt-A-Whirl with those old clown decorations, but I know exactly what you're <a href="https://entertainmentguidemn.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Happy-Clown.jpg" rel="nofollow">talking about!</a> There's a Trabant in pristine condition at Dutch Wonderland... a post about that park will be coming eventually.Andrewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04518573464827073114noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358199325112819854.post-2531479490908277612021-10-12T09:25:53.336-07:002021-10-12T09:25:53.336-07:00I love these pics of Delgrosso Amusement Park. Es...I love these pics of Delgrosso Amusement Park. Especially for the vintage/classic flat rides. I love the Tilt-A-Whirl in it's original colors and graphics with clown faces, crescent moons and the red, blue and yellow color paint scheme.<br /><br />We used to have a Super Round Up at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. It is gone now and replaced by the newer generation "Cyclone", same type of ride, newer version.<br /><br />Yes, I heard King's Island's "Wheel of Fortune" was moved to Delgrosso and renamed "Casino. Always thought it was the best variation of the Chance Trabant besides the classic "Chance" colors of Yellow along with red, blue, yellow and orange ride vehicles/seats.<br /><br />Thanks for the post, Andrew. Always love a traditional amusement park that still has classic flat rides.K. Martinezhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03960970051790617367noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358199325112819854.post-67809159066641763372021-10-11T07:07:37.318-07:002021-10-11T07:07:37.318-07:00I've never made it to Delgrosso's, but it ...I've never made it to Delgrosso's, but it looks right up my alley! Love that old signage.Melissahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06169920944565828337noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358199325112819854.post-60258941045834875152021-10-10T06:43:48.662-07:002021-10-10T06:43:48.662-07:00I forgot about that story, TokyoMagic! At Knott...I forgot about that story, TokyoMagic! At Knott's, Demon Drop wouldn't have been as egregious as Silver Bullet, but it still wouldn't be the best fit for the park. They probably would've rethemed it as some type of mining apparatus, but I'm sure the shorter distance to Pennsylvania and the extra cost of a retheme job caused Cedar Fair to send it to Dorney.<br /><br />I don't know how old the Tilt-A-Whirl sign is. It probably dates from between the 40s and 60s. Andrewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04518573464827073114noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358199325112819854.post-77366854352995858262021-10-10T04:20:31.418-07:002021-10-10T04:20:31.418-07:00So that is where Cedar Point's Demon Drop ende...So that is where Cedar Point's Demon Drop ended up! In 2009, Cedar Fair announced they were moving it to Knott's Berry Farm. However that never happened, and I was SO happy that it didn't! The rumor was that it was going to go into Calico Square, which would have ruined the sight lines for the Calico Mine Ride, the Log Ride, the Calico R.R., and the Calico Saloon....basically, every single direction you would look in Calico Square.<br /><br />I remember riding a version of Demon Drop (Freefall), when it opened at Six Flags Magic Mountain, in 1982. It was a very "rough" ride, even when it was new! I'm glad that you got to experience it, since this is the last one in existence.<br /><br />If that Casino ride is from Kings Island, then it's the very same one that the "Bradys" rode in an episode of <i>The Brady Bunch</i>, back in 1973!<br /><br />I love the art deco (or is it streamline moderne?) style of that Tilt-A-Whirl sign. I wonder how old that is?<br /><br />Thanks for sharing more of your park visits with us, Andrew!<br />TokyoMagic!https://www.blogger.com/profile/16340756514811789233noreply@blogger.com