http://www.wicu12.com/news/index.vnss?newsid=3818

After years of fighting in the court system, the new wooden coaster will open in 2008.

http://www.courts.state.pa.us/OpPosting/CW...05_11-22-05.pdf

Video:

http://216.128.12.36/sites/waldameer/index.htm

Just try to ignore the annoying voice-over.

That looks like it's gonna be a pretty sweet coaster. I love the bridge over the highway, like the use of tunnels as well. How far is Waldameer from KI or CP?

5.5 hours or about 360 miles from KI.

2.5 to 3 hours or about 180 miles from CP.

http://www.goerie.com/apps/pbcs.dll/articl...1150368/-1/NEWS

Article and video of bridge installation:

http://www.goerie.com/apps/pbcs.dll/articl...EWS02/814227967

I haven't kept up with this coaster. What were the legal troubles they were having?

The neighbors alleged the coaster would adversely affect the environment and their property values. They eventually lost.

Wow! That looks like a pretty wild ride!

Those troubles that Interp mentioned as well as some environmentalists did not believe that the coaster should not be built of the side of the natural bluff. Building there did result in higher construction costs, but Paul Nelson (owner) has had this dream of RFII since he purchased the park eons ago.

The amount of hoops Mr. Nelson had to jump through for this coaster were enormous.

And it's not that those neighbors did not have a legitimate complaint because the coaster does come close to their condos, but, the park has been there for more years than they have been there, so they have IMO "squatting rights" and it is the park's land. It's just that when people bought the land for their condos, they never expected Waldameer to build down the bluff with a ride.

But the park does keep rather short hours. Rides operate from 1:00pm to normally 10:00pm (and if it's a hoilday, a little later) and the park is closed on Mondays (again if it is a holiday, they will be open).

Waldameer is a great little park. It has 2 of the better dark rides around, along with a fantastic flume, a ferris wheel with a view of Lake Erie that is beautiful and numerous other rides. And the cost is reasonable, $22.00 for an all day pass to both the water park and ride park. But here is the catch, the park is free to walk around and not ride.

Updated pictures:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/rsscbell/

http://picasaweb.google.com/Waldameer/Ravi...IIRollerCoaster

http://www.goerie.com/apps/pbcs.dll/articl...ION02/805040382

This is a success for the park. Years and years in the making I am so happy to see this coaster ready for opening!

Helbig and I met the general manager of Waldameer when we spoke at the Great Ohio Coaster Club's Christmas party. He seemed like a pretty nice guy. I'll never forget him because he ultimately handed out about a half-inch thick pile of brochures, press releases, and photos of RF II and Waldameer. Second only to the lovely and talented Mary Lou Rosemeyer from Kennywood who went for almost a whole inch. lol

On the newer model PTC cars, what is that yellow thing on the front? Is that a foot pedal for bringing the restraints up?

Yes, being as some so-called guests had started bringing their own inserty things...(in Canada the place to insert the inserty thing is covered with plastic now...). The less said, the better...

The Erie Times News has POV of Ravine Flyer II:

http://www.erietube.com/kickapps/_Ride-the...06382/3766.html

A bit of a bump:

Jamie Oliver was a little groggy this morning when he climbed aboard the Ravine Flyer II and strapped into the popular wooden coaster. The 41-year-old Londoner and member of the Roller Coaster Club of Great Britain slept on the club's tour bus on the trip from Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio, to Waldameer Park & Water World in Millcreek Township. Oliver and 64 of his fellow British roller coaster enthusiasts were on Cedar Point's Millennium Force at 1 a.m. today, capping an 18-hour marathon at the amusement park. He slept for a couple of hours back at the hotel before boarding the bus and heading to Erie.

http://goerie.com/british-roller-coaster-enthusiasts-ride-waldameers-ravine-flyer-ii