The Interpreter Posted August 2, 2011 Share Posted August 2, 2011 The quotes in this article must be read to be believed: http://www.wsaz.com/mobi?storyid=126069823 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RailRider Posted August 2, 2011 Share Posted August 2, 2011 "Some rides are so old," Parks said. "We don't have a manual, so we've written our own checklist over the years. Anything we find or fix on the ride we put in the comments at the bottom so we have records of what we had to do during the season." Really know how to instill a sense of safety and security with quotes like that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bkroz Posted August 2, 2011 Share Posted August 2, 2011 And how might this affect the Flying Eagles (or the Flying Aces) if they resided in this area? One can't help but wonder! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cpt Crunch Posted August 2, 2011 Share Posted August 2, 2011 Camden is really going to have a bad reputation now. I wouldn't be surprised to see attendance go down in the coming years, especially if another ride malfunctions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rotag Posted August 2, 2011 Share Posted August 2, 2011 still uncertian bout "what" malfunctioned on the ride. it's very vague in its explanation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Interpreter Posted August 2, 2011 Author Share Posted August 2, 2011 By all appearances, the motor failed. No big deal. Until, that is, the park's "ride inspector" and owner said what they did. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
screamslikeagirl Posted August 2, 2011 Share Posted August 2, 2011 They are doing nothing to put anyone at ease! Last year I was at CP for a visit with my daughter's school. I was sitting on the Paratrooper and watched the motor on the one next to it (Used to be the Rainbow, I think it's Bullseye now) start to shoot sparks and then flames were shooting from it. I alerted the operator on the Paratrooper. He ran over and told the guy to shut it down. I kid you not, when I get off the Paratrooper, I pass a guy with wire ties and a screwdriver heading to fix the ride. I was horrified. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KI FANATIC 37 Posted August 2, 2011 Share Posted August 2, 2011 That's funny what Jack Boylin said. He is a family friend. But, as some of you were saying how it might hurt the crowds. I bet it wont, at least not for the locals. They don't care they just want to go their to have a good time. I'm suppressed the Big Dipper hasn't had a problem yet, or the Scrambler... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pcc Posted August 2, 2011 Share Posted August 2, 2011 2 rides in a week ... It's all everyone is talking about here. Bad press is bad press, unfortunately. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bkroz Posted August 2, 2011 Share Posted August 2, 2011 And based on what else we've heard of the park, I'd be surprised to see it remain in business for long. I don't know that I've ever heard a positive thing said about the place, and this just gives me a "carnival" feel that I don't much enjoy. It only took one accident to send the Kingdom down the river, even if it was indirectly. Accidents happen, but their consequences are very real nonetheless. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KI FANATIC 37 Posted August 2, 2011 Share Posted August 2, 2011 And based on what else we've heard of the park, I'd be surprised to see it remain in business for long. I don't know that I've ever heard a positive thing said about the place, and this just gives me a "carnival" feel that I don't much enjoy. It only took one accident to send the Kingdom down the river, even if it was indirectly. Accidents happen, but their consequences are very real nonetheless. Oh I'm right there with you on that one. I don't see CP being there in maybe 5 years... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pcc Posted August 2, 2011 Share Posted August 2, 2011 I love CP very dearly. I have fond memories of going there as a child, getting my yarn bracelet with the clown metal clip, plus my handstamp and riding all day. It was something I looked forward to each summer....Thunderbolt Express was my first ever looping ride. I have a jewelry box at mom and dad's full of those bracelets. We took our kids there several years ago, and I got the same 'carnival' feel that you do not even have to describe. The rides were scary. Not because of height or speed, but scary because you wonder if you'll live through the ride cycle The park workers in the kid area were not really 'kid friendly' and I just didn't feel, I dunno...welcome. That was my first visit to the park since a child and it really crushed some of the great memories I was trying to convey to my children. This is one of many reasons why Kings Island is our home park, even though it is 5 hours away, and CP is just an hour and a half away. It's just not as magical as it once was. Which is sad. *edit* I had to share this....my mother in law and I decided to ride the Haunted House together during that trip. Well, she's a large woman, and I'm tiny. Needless to say, that was the scariest trip through the haunted house I've ever taken. Around the corners, our car literally thumped by raising up and slamming down due to the weight difference. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tanna Posted August 2, 2011 Share Posted August 2, 2011 I love CP very dearly. I have fond memories of going there as a child, getting my yarn bracelet with the clown metal clip, plus my handstamp and riding all day. It was something I looked forward to each summer....Thunderbolt Express was my first ever looping ride. I have a jewelry box at mom and dad's full of those bracelets. We took our kids there several years ago, and I got the same 'carnival' feel that you do not even have to describe. The rides were scary. Not because of height or speed, but scary because you wonder if you'll live through the ride cycle The park workers in the kid area were not really 'kid friendly' and I just didn't feel, I dunno...welcome. That was my first visit to the park since a child and it really crushed some of the great memories I was trying to convey to my children. This is one of many reasons why Kings Island is our home park, even though it is 5 hours away, and CP is just an hour and a half away. It's just not as magical as it once was. Which is sad. *edit* I had to share this....my mother in law and I decided to ride the Haunted House together during that trip. Well, she's a large woman, and I'm tiny. Needless to say, that was the scariest trip through the haunted house I've ever taken. Around the corners, our car literally thumped by raising up and slamming down due to the weight difference. Haha. I can imagine. Fantasy Farm got eerie that way. I was asked to repaint the carousel in Fantasy Farm a loooonnng time ago. As I walked through the park to see the carousel, it was creepy how aged and rickety the rides were, and the workers were sketchy. I had a nightmare that night about painting the carousel, only to have the plaster chip away from the cupids, to see that they were plastered over corpses. Now that was a park that left a bad feeling. I didn't take the job, needless to say. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XGatorHead 8904 Posted August 2, 2011 Share Posted August 2, 2011 They are doing nothing to put anyone at ease! Last year I was at CP for a visit with my daughter's school. I was sitting on the Paratrooper and watched the motor on the one next to it (Used to be the Rainbow, I think it's Bullseye now) start to shoot sparks and then flames were shooting from it. I alerted the operator on the Paratrooper. He ran over and told the guy to shut it down. I kid you not, when I get off the Paratrooper, I pass a guy with wire ties and a screwdriver heading to fix the ride. I was horrified. When I first read this, I thought "When did Cedar Point get a Paratrooper ride?" Then I realized the CP mentioned was not Cedar Point, but Camden Park... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KI FANATIC 37 Posted August 2, 2011 Share Posted August 2, 2011 They are doing nothing to put anyone at ease! Last year I was at CP for a visit with my daughter's school. I was sitting on the Paratrooper and watched the motor on the one next to it (Used to be the Rainbow, I think it's Bullseye now) start to shoot sparks and then flames were shooting from it. I alerted the operator on the Paratrooper. He ran over and told the guy to shut it down. I kid you not, when I get off the Paratrooper, I pass a guy with wire ties and a screwdriver heading to fix the ride. I was horrified. When I first read this, I thought "When did Cedar Point get a Paratrooper ride?" Then I realized the CP mentioned was not Cedar Point, but Camden Park... Yeah, haha. Thats what I think of every time! But, pcc, you were saying the Ride Ops are not kid friendly, I completely agree, they are all older men who give me the hebby jeebies! (sp?) Unlike KI's ride Ops are mostly all college kids that enjoy being there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Titan Posted August 2, 2011 Share Posted August 2, 2011 They're perma-carnies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Interpreter Posted August 3, 2011 Author Share Posted August 3, 2011 More: http://m.herald-dispatch.com/articles/208992647 The motor fell out? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
screamslikeagirl Posted August 3, 2011 Share Posted August 3, 2011 Sorry about the CP/Cedar Point confusion. I was just being lazy!!! Camden Park makes me sad because I also have many memories of going there as a child. Now as a mother, I'm leery of even taking my child there. Like several of you mentioned, antime I've been the past few years I felt so unwelcome and the employees for the most part are downright rude. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
screamslikeagirl Posted August 3, 2011 Share Posted August 3, 2011 More: http://m.herald-dispatch.com/articles/208992647 The motor fell out? I just now read that article myself. It's not at all funny, and thank God nobody was seriously hurt, but I laughed when I read that statement. To me it seemed so matter of fact, like it's something that happens daily. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KI FANATIC 37 Posted August 3, 2011 Share Posted August 3, 2011 Oh Camden Park, one of a kind... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaggy Posted August 3, 2011 Share Posted August 3, 2011 I've never been a Camden Park fan. It ranks beside Williams Grove as one of the most run-down parks I've ever been to. I went twice, and the last time was years ago when I swore I'd never go again. When I was there last, Thunderbolt (now removed) had a sign saying "reopening soon" or such. Well, you could easily see that the track had literally rusted completely through. I thought "Do they seriously think this is repairable?" Obviously, it wasn't. The Dipper had all of the seats closed off in the rear car. Actually, I am wrong... it had NO seats in the rear car - and caution tape across the side of the train to keep people from boarding that car. Finally, when I decided to ride "HaWnted House" I got in my car, and the ride attendant gave it a shove to get me started (that's how they get it going - a shove!) Well, the entire side of my car fell off! He stopped the car, at which time I asked "Shouldn't I get out?" He said "No, happens all the time" and proceeded to re-duct tape the side of the car back on and send me on my way. I was scared to death I was going to get hurt. Camden is a scary carnival in my book. It's just not well maintained. Shaggy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tanna Posted August 3, 2011 Share Posted August 3, 2011 my god, Shaggy, you make me want to go just to walk through and have a genuine scare! They used to shove the ghost carts at Lesourdseville, too. And we accepted that behavior as normal. There is nothing as genuinely frightening as the last days of a burnt out park. The employees get seedier as years go by, the rides are hanging by a thread, and the management can't figure out why people are frightened away. Duct Tape! You have me laughing. I'm glad you survived. Edit 8-5-11: I looked up the Hush Puppy cars that Bill Tracy engineered, they all had their own little motor and magnets to keep it on track. As years went by, second stories were added to haunted house features, in the case of Kooky Kastle in Lesourdseville, it was a two story walkthrough later updated into a ride through. The little tiny motors in the Hush Puppy cars just couldn't take the extra incline, and as years would go by, needed a shove to get them started. I imagine across the country people in those hand painted coffin cars (Slathered over with duct tape) being pushed through the ride like old people on the Atlanta boardwalk. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Interpreter Posted August 4, 2011 Author Share Posted August 4, 2011 http://www.dailymail.com/News/statenews/201108030423 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KIBeast Posted August 23, 2011 Share Posted August 23, 2011 What a shame. Camden holds many great memories for me as well. Going to take my 2 1/2 year old there this year. The rides that he can ride all seem to be in relatively good shape. Can't believe he's already 35 inches tall. One more inch by next summer will mean a trip to KI. What's the height requirement for the Little Dipper? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon Bombay Posted August 23, 2011 Share Posted August 23, 2011 Shaggy, your description isn't much different from what I've heard about Camden before. However, if I recall correctly, that was under the old ownership which had an awful reputation. And based on what else we've heard of the park, I'd be surprised to see it remain in business for long. I don't know that I've ever heard a positive thing said about the place, and this just gives me a "carnival" feel that I don't much enjoy. There's a trip report I wrote here on KIC back in 2008 that has many positive things to say about the park. Have you been there before? What you've heard and this one article is pretty weak evidence for predicting its ultimate demise. Camden is actually a very nice park. The folks who run it are friendly and kind. It's far from the dangerous stereotypical carnival that it was years ago. I'd recommend Camden to anyone passing by the area. It only took one accident to send the Kingdom down the river, even if it was indirectly. Accidents happen, but their consequences are very real nonetheless. SFKK had more problems than just the accident. It didn't help, but it wasn't the nail in the coffin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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