This was our big coaster trip of the summer. 5 parks in 4 days.

We started out Friday night and headed to the in-laws in Wheeling to drop off the dogs and spend the night. The next morning we left around 7:30 for Altoona and Lakemont park. This is a smaller park with 3 adult coasters and a nice group of flats. The admission was right at $10 for an all day wristband. The highlight was riding Leap the Dips. This coaster was built in 1902 and is the oldest operating coaster in the world.

We started of with a ride on the Toboggan. These are often found on the fair circuits. The lift is the most exciting part of the entire ride. The cars are very tight and on the bunny hill at the end I hit my head on the roof of the car.

Next up was Skyliner. This is a classic John Allen coaster with some nice pops of air & a great view of the ball park. We were worried that the ride was closed when we headed over. We had not seen a train run yet. It seems that no one had made their way over yet, so we got a Zen ride on the first train of the day. We followed this with another lap with out even stopping in the station.

We went back later and got a total of 4 laps on Skyliner, but this time we had to share the ride.

When we walked by Leap the Dips, it was closed for maintance. I was worried that we may not get a lap in when we saw the maintance guys adding new lumber to some supports. Luckily the ride opened about an hour after the park opened. While we were waiting we did a number of flats including the Ferris Wheel, Carosele, Tilt-a-whirl, Twister, Round-up, Antique cars and Nancy & Elizabeth did a lap on Toboggan.

At this point we noticed that Leap the Dips had opened. They were only running one car but there was only a one car wait so not to bad. This ride has the most comfortable seats of any coaster I have been on. They felt like my lazy-boy at home. While this may not be a intense as Diamondback, it was still thrilling. No seat belts or lap bars. You are just sitting there with nothing holding you in.

We got another lap on Skyliner before heading over to SkyDiver. This was the tightest ride I have ever been on. The pad was even tight on Elizabeth. It was a lot of fun as you controlled how much you wanted to spin upside down.

So we got 4 laps on Skyliner, 2 on Tobbagan & 1 on Leap the Dips plus 7 different flat rides in just over 2 hours.

We jumped back in the car and were off to Elysburg and Knoebels.

I adore Leap The Dips...it's such a fun little ride! And your pictures are delightful! Glad y'all had fun, and I can't wait for the next installment!

I rode the same ride but a small park in Wisconsin called Little Americka. Glad you had fun Dave.

You mean the Toboggan, Adam? Conneaut had one, too. And hitting one's head on the roof is a classic, as is the fun of going straight up the lift "hill."

You mean the Toboggan, Adam? Conneaut had one, too. And hitting one's head on the roof is a classic, as is the fun of going straight up the lift "hill."

Yes Terp I ment the Toboggan. There fun little rides.

Looks like the park was dead dave. Glad you had fun. Looking forward to next tr.

I need to ride one of those again. Last time I rode, I barely fit the car. Something tells me I would not have that problem now! Still will hit my head on the roof, though....

The only times Lakemont is super busy are Wednesdays, when admission is three dollars, and when there is a ballgame in the stadium beside the park.

PLEASE update with Great Adventure next. I am begging you. Please. I am looking forward to it.

I think he's doing Knoebel's next...

Nice to see small parks with simple rides that still thrill many people to this day. Reminds me of Camden Park, the only "small" park I've been to, which was over 15 years ago. Looking forward to the rest of your TR!

PLEASE post great adventure tonight!!! Or Dorney! I'm so excited!!

^The next park he went to was Knoebel's, and I think you can wait. Plus he said Dorney was the most disappointing park of the summer. Just calm down...

^The next park he went to was Knoebel's, and I think you can wait. Plus he said Dorney was the most disappointing park of the summer. Just calm down...

So what. I still want to hear. Knoebels? It is just another lil baby park. I like my thrills HUGE, Kevin. Please don't order me around.

^The next park he went to was Knoebel's, and I think you can wait. Plus he said Dorney was the most disappointing park of the summer. Just calm down...

Knoebels? It is just another lil baby park.

Tell that to Terpy.

Who in some ways will agree, then ask: "And what is wrong with that?"

Not to mention great bumper cars, flying scooters, atmosphere, food (except the pizza, blech!), dark ride, etc.

Who in some ways will agree, then ask: "And what is wrong with that?"

Not to mention great bumper cars, flying scooters, atmosphere, food (except the pizza, blech!), dark ride, etc.

I just have a personal preference to bigger parks like Cedar Point and Kings Island. But I do love Holiday World so I know where you're coming from.

Who in some ways will agree, then ask: "And what is wrong with that?"

Not to mention great bumper cars, flying scooters, atmosphere, food (except the pizza, blech!), dark ride, etc.

Plus aren't Phoenix and Twister awesome?

Many people rave about Phoenix and Twister. The former is a very moody beast. I've had some of the best rides in my coaster riding days on that thing...and many that were mediocre, to be charitable. As for Twister...I rode Twister at Elitch Gardens before it was closed and re-created downtown at what was to become Six Flags and then not. I have ridden Twister II at Elitch's (sigh). Let's put it this way, Twister at Knoebel's Grove Amusement Resort is a beautiful coaster with a unique twisted lift.

Dick's a friend, so I guess I'd better stop there. That all being said, I adore Knoebel's. Always have. And probably always will.

Nice report thus far! We'll be taking a trip out that way later in September, so this report is a great way of helping us figuring out which parks to hit. Can't wait to see the next parks!

Sorry for the delays in getting up the rest of the PTRs. We just got back from SFOG & Dollywood and have CP Coasting for Kids tomorrow. Somewhere in between I have to work.

Do you sometimes ever wonder, "Maybe, my lower lip was busted for a reason?"

Anyhow, nice Trip Report. Glad to see you had fun, I can't wait till I can do these *cough*cough*.

I really like seeing reports on smaller parks, thanks.

I'm heading to Hershey in a few weeks and trying to get to Dorney while there.

and Jackson, I sometimes wonder if that was intended for Kat's PTR