Category: All-American Thrills News
20
May 13
May 13
Cedar Point’s Opening Weekend 2013- Including GateKeeper!
All-American Thrills News
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Hey everyone! For the weekend of May 10-12, All-American Thrills went on a 7-hour journey to the Best Amusement Park in the World, Cedar Point, in Sandusky, Ohio! On May 11, the all-new GATEKEEPER officially was unleashed, and we have a review. In this photo trip report, we have the GateKeeper United Way Auction, unique photos of riders on various coasters, general park pictures, AND a few valleys...lets go!
We stayed at Lighthouse Point, which is located at the end of the peninsula. Our unit was a "Cottage', and was lakeside. The cottage was GREAT- we HIGHLY recommend staying on property for your trip to The Point.
This was taken from the deck of the cottage.
Staying at a Cedar Point Resort, you get $34 tickets, AND early-entry at 9am, with select rides open- including GateKeeper!
On Opening Day, crowds seemed pretty moderate overall.
Lets start off the photo trip report with the all-new GateKeeper!
Brandon, with ALT (myself), was one of the winning bidders of the United Way First Rider's auction. Registration was at 7AM at the new Guest Services center outside the main entrance. And, let me say WOW! The new front gate/plaza is AMAZING! GateKeeper flying overhead is simply the icing on an already great-tasting cake!
Now. back to the auction... Once you were registered, you were able to go to Pink's for a light breakfast which had an array of breakfast items. Including donuts, danishes, coffee, orange juice, etc. It was a very nice start to the great morning (and day!)
Some humor....
After breakfast, it was time for seat selection!
Here I am signing the seat-selection board. I was on the back-right-inside seat!
Afterwards, it was time to lineup, and ride GateKeeper!
On the way to ride GateKeeper, we passed by a couple familiar faces!
Myself with Cedar Fair's President and CEO, Matt Ouimet.
Myself with Cedar Point's Vice President and General Manager, John Hildebrandt.
First to Fly!
I am on the right.
On Saturday, Fast Lane sold out!
Magnum!
I thought Magnum was a very fun ride with loads of airtime!
Windseeker was down due to....wind! Oh how ironic!
Corkscrew is a very fun classic coaster.
Raptor- an intense B&M creation!
Wicked Twister
Maxair was a VERY intense, fast, and thrilling ride!
Dragster is....well.....Dragster!
Now, onto the valleys-
All-in-all, we had a fantastic weekend at The Point, and he highly suggest checking out GateKeeper for yourselves!
Thanks for reading!
02
May 13
May 13
Hershey’s Great Chocolate Factory Mystery in 4D Review
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All-American Thrills had the opportunity to visit Hershey’s Chocolate World to join others at a preview of Hershey’s Great Chocolate Factory Mystery in 4D during Media Day on Thursday, May 2nd. Billed as “the only show of its kind” and two years in the making, this half-hour experience begins in the theater lobby called The Hershey’s Gallery Room. This “SweetSpace” Gallery is lined with photos and other images of Hershey’s characters visiting places all over the world, including other Hershey’s Store location such as Chicago, Dubai, and Times Square. Our host interacts with the audience as he walks through the group asking pertinent questions and interviewing guests before a cast of Hershey’s characters describe the dilemma of the Factory, and our “mission” once inside.
Moments later, the doors to the theater open, and everyone takes a comfortable seat in “The Central Surveillance and Observation Chamber”. We are shortly greeted onscreen by one of the three Hershey’s Characters that help all of us solve the mystery. In our show’s case, it was the Hershey’s Kiss. With the obvious help of the dialog that occurred in the Gallery, she addressed some of the people in the “Chamber” by name, announced groups in attendance, and then invited us to join in some “practice” audience participation activities. It is obvious that the “on-screen” characters (digital puppeteers) can see the audience. How innovative! I say “In our show’s case” because there are said to be over 100 versions of the storyline that can be changed on the fly, right up to the very last scene.
Using the latest Dolby® 3D technology, effects fly off the screen, and the theater makes use of dynamic seating that vibrates, and provides spectacular audio. Guests are also treated to other special effects including strobes, pneumatics, scents, and sprays! At times the audience participates in solving the Chocolate Factory Mystery that threatens the Hershey’s products. The trio of Hershey’s Kiss, Reese’s, and Hershey Bar help the guests get to the bottom of the mystery and vanquish the villain and his minions.
The Hershey Company worked with Jim Henson’s Creature Shop™ to bring the new show to life with state-of-the-art technology, and The Henson Digital Puppetry Studio.
As each “showing” will likely be different, you’ll want to see it again and again! Make sure to plan now to visit Hershey’s Chocolate World this summer to see Hershey’s Great Chocolate Factory Mystery in 4D!
Now, a brief video.
Finally, here are few pictures from the show!
The first two photos are from the "Gallery" that was talked about in the first paragraph.
Ty Granaroli of Granaroli Design & Entertainment wrote and produced Hershey’s Great Chocolate Factory Mystery in 4D. Granaroli was also the co-creator of Universal’s The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man.
These are the characters in the show.
The 4D Show opens on May 4, 2013.
So, all-in-all, this is a FANTASTIC show that I highly recommend seeing!
Tickets are $6.95 for general admission, and more details can be found at: http://www.hersheys.com/chocolateworld/
22
Apr 13
Apr 13
A Little Something Different…
All-American Thrills News
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Usually here at All-American Thrills, we cover amusement park-related topics. But, today, we're switching it up.
ALT covers any type of "thrill". So today, we're covering one of the fastest "thrills", on two feet.
Lacrosse.
Lacrosse is is fast-paced rivalry between two 10-people teams who try to propel a solid-rubber ball into the other's net.
Lacrosse is played with a long-handled hooked stick that is loosely strung with a type of netted pouch.
Lacrosse is one of the fastest growing sports in the United States, especially among college students.
Lacrosse was first played by the Native Americans, but the details of how it was originally played remains a mystery.
The rules of Lacrosse were created in 1794
Lacrosse was once used to toughen-up young men for war.
So, all-in-all, Lacrosse is a tenacious sport, that affirms the fact that there is no "I" in TEAM.
01
Jan 13
Jan 13
Cold for a Cause Polar Bear Club Plunge, Jan 1, 2013
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There were plenty of characters on hand to have fun and raise money for a worthy cause. We got to talk with team Brave Heart. This team has been helping for over thirteen years. They have used bag pipe players in the past to lead them into battle to help DDS, and continue to honor their past member's whos names appear on the sign. The newest member each year is tasked with carrying the sign into the water and not getting it ruined. This is just one of many teams that unite for this unique event.
Turkey Hill, upon many other sponsors, helped with the event
This is Bobby, he's done the Plunge for 14 years in a row!! Each year, he carries the U.S Marine's Flag, while his friend Pete carries the U.S Flag into the jaw-chattering water.
As you can see the event was well attended
Boy was the water cold
But young and old ventured in
Everyone had fun
But you can only stay in 38 degree water for so long.
We got to talk to several people and groups. Some went for the plunge to remember lost hero's, Some went to just do something crazy. No matter what the story they were there to help others and this was the most thrilling thing they could do today.
Here's the link to the Youtube video-
I think the best thing to gather from this event was the fact young and old, rich and poor, came together as ONE community to help people in need. No matter what the reason, this made for a thrilling and memorable day for a lot of people. The OVER $15,000 raised for DDS made them more-than thrilled, and will help many people with disabilities be able to lead a rewarding and thrilling life as well.
Written by Brandon Strouphauer and Tom Grady
Photos by Walter White
All-American Thrills
25
Oct 12
Oct 12
All-American Thrills Visits Dutch Wonderland’s Happy Hauntings!
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On Saturday, October 20, 2012, All-American Thrills traveled to Dutch Wonderland, and met with Ms. Bethany Slapinski, Director of Sales and Marketing for Dutch Wonderland. Given the family-friendly focus of All-American Thrills, Bethany was kind enough to explain her role in detail, the park’s mission, along with insight into what goes on behind the scenes to bring “Happy Hauntings” to fruition.
Since 1933, Dutch Wonderland has promoted itself as a “Kingdom for Kids”, with 28 fun-filled rides. It is designed for families with young children, and offers a host of fun things to see and do throughout the summer and fall. As expected, they have fun characters for kids of all ages, featuring Duke the Dragon, Sir Brandon the Knight, Merlin the Magician, and Princess Brooke. In the summer, they do have a water park called Duke’s Lagoon, and for 3 weekends in October they offer Happy Hauntings, and in the winter time they feature Dutch Winterwonderland.
Dutch Wonderland has consistently been recognized as a premier family amusement park, and has been voted one of the Top 5 Best Kid’s Park in the World by Amusement Today magazine. Plus, parking is FREE !!.
Bethany is responsible for all marketing, sales, and public relations for Dutch Wonderland. The park is open for the “Summer Season” through the first week of October and then closed for the one week between summer and the beginning of Happy Hauntings. During this time it’s all hands on deck to put up the Halloween themed decorations. Friendly skeletons, pumpkins, cobwebs, and many lighting changes occur during this short window. Some decorations such as hay bales go up early right after Labor Day. Of course, all of the rides are renamed and re-themed between the two seasons, featuring the “Roller Ghoster” and “Scaree-go-Round” as examples. All of the bulbs are replaced with purple, orange, and black to complete the theme.
Most of the staff during Happy Hauntings are employees from the general Summer Season, with incentive programs in place to keep employees throughout the year. As expected with school commitments, some employees can’t work during Happy Hauntings, so some seasonal workers are secured. All employees wear a seasonal orange sweatshirt to complete the park’s transformation.
Safety and security are always front and center at Dutch Wonderland regardless of the season. Bag checks operate during Happy Hauntings just as they would in the summer, because the park wants their guests to always feel comfortable and enjoy all the great attractions of the park. Rides operate per manufacturer’s specifications with regards to weather and temperature. In a park where “Kids are Kings”, “tasteful” costumes are encouraged as well.
All-American Thrills can’t thank Bethany enough for the extended amount of time she allowed for our interview, so we’d like to start our ride and entertainment section of all the wonderful, family-friendly attractions at Dutch Wonderland, with her favorite Happy Hauntings’ ride, the “Ghoulish Gondola Ride.”
Of course, there are plenty of kid-friendly entertainment options at Dutch Wonderland. Molly's Wacky Witch's Brew - Is a very entertaining show at the Celebration Theater. Molly is zany, crazy, and everyone’s favorite scientific, wacky witch. The show is very funny as Molly exhibits some science with her wizard in training Beaker, sure to leave the entire family laughing.
Storytime with the Princess - A classic event for all the little ones in the family to have a story told to them by the Princess and Knight of Dutch.
Trick-or-Treat Trail - From 3 PM to 8:45 PM, Ghouls and Goblins can get treats at 10 different spots along the trail. The park provides free bags, courtesy of AAA, while The Hershey Company donates the candy. This year, Dutch Wonderland has moved the trail from Duke’s Lagoon to “Huck Finn’s Leapin’ Frogs” due to its popularity. This new area is very efficient and put a HUGE smile on all of our faces watching the kids. TWO THUMBS UP!
Costume Contest - On October 14, 21, and 28th, the park holds a wonderful costume contest for all the creative ones in your family. Registration is from 3 to 5 PM in the Courtyard, with the event being held at 6 PM in Celebration Theater. It’s open for kids 12 and under and just a lot of fun, with a great prize to the winner and treats for all that enter.
Royal Friends Meet & Greet - This is a great way to complete your day at Dutch Wonderland with meetings, hugs and picture taking with all the stars of the Kingdom. It’s held in the Amphitheater with Princess Brooke at 6 PM, Duke the Dragon at 4:45, 6, and 7 PM, and the Knight of Safety at 4:45 PM. It’s a great way to connect and talk to all of Dutch Wonderland’s Royal Friends.
Dining Options - During your day of family friendly rides, attractions, events, and shows, we’re sure you’ll get hungry. Noble Roman’s Pizza was excellent. We also ate at “Mill Stream Eatery”, which offers a HUGE variety of menu options, including Asian food, chicken strips, Burger Mania, loaded baked potatoes, french fries, Nathan’s Hot Dogs, and a large selection of salads and healthy options. The menus are set up VERY nicely, with large pictures, numbers, and texts, which are extremely simple to read and VERY kid-friendly. TWO THUMBS UP!
In closing, we had a wonderful experience at Dutch Wonderland, and can’t thank Bethany and the entire staff making our day very memorable and educational. All-American Thrills highly recommends visiting the park and experiencing their world-class attractions first hand. The park is very clean, efficiently run, extremely safe and organized, while everyone we met was extremely nice and friendly.
Next year is Dutch Wonderland’s 50th Anniversary, so if you can’t make it this year, we highly recommend visiting this world-class, family-friendly park as soon as possible.
Written by Brandon Strouphauer and Thomas Grady. Edited by Kirk Sponaugle and McKenzie Richards.
Behind The Thrill
The purpose of this blog is to highlight what you, the reader, might find an All-American Thrill. We want to cover everything from amusement parks, to sporting events, to wherever the road takes us.
