Thoughts from an American turned Canadian in Montreal.
Sunday, September 06, 2009
La flop
So we went to the big amusement park Friday night by a special bus they had running. It dropped us off here under part of the Jacques Cartier bridge. That is where the amusement park lies as well. Since we got there 15 minutes before they opened, we walked around snapping pics. We noted about 20 people waiting for the park to open and that was the first sign that this night wasn't going to be what we pictured.
They had a toilet available and when I availed myself of it I noticed the sign above on the door. I think it should get most unnecessary sign of the year award. How the heck am I supposed to leave if I don't unlock the door?
I thought the play between the bridge, the light and the clouds was mesmerizing. But then I'm always mesmerized by the sky. We went into the park with about 30 people and wondered if this was going to be a washout in terms of attendance. We walked to the newest roller coaster, Goliath, which turned out to be the best roller coaster I've ridden. We sat in the back and a few others were in the front. We rode it a second time in the front right after and we were all alone on it for that run. You can kind of get the gist of the ride here. It's just a series of, I don't know, maybe 10 up and downs. But in the back you get airborne in your seat and your stomach attempts to exit your throat.
I felt a bit nauseous after two consecutive turns so we walked around a bit and a sudden shower developed over us. We chilled under an awning and you can see how eerily empty it was. At one point as we were walking around, a skunk skulked out from under a bush and scurried across our path to another bush. That halted us in our tracks alright. And it was so incongruent with our surroundings.
There were supposedly 500 people there. This meant that there was no wait for any ride and also that many of the food and beverage stands were closed. One nice thing was that all the photo selling booths were closed, you know, the ones where they take a pic of you on the coaster and then peddle it to you after.
We did find a tavern and sat down for a stomach settling martini. Later we had a poutine. In all, we rode on every roller coaster (open, one was closed) including all the biggies. I used to love love love the coasters and my brain still wants too, but then I find myself chanting "please let it be over, please let it be over" and "please don't let me vomit, please don't let me vomit" once I'm actually on the ride experiencing it. I don't know, that phase of my life just might be over. So be it.
I think I'm heading down to Florida in February and will ride my first roller coasters as an adult, at 40. Maybe Gravol is in order!
Am I losing my mind or did you have a different post up, at least temporarily, about La Flop? Maybe I dreamt it...I don't know what that's saying... :o
I've been to Busch Gardens on an extremely slow day. Loved being able to get on rides over and over again. Of course, that was in high school. I couldn't/wouldn't do that today.
I find roller coaster names amusing. It's like they're trying to convince us of something. Is there a roller coaster anywhere named "Whiplash"? Or "Nausea"?
I used to like roller coasters. I like the speed and the jostling, the rapid ups and downs, lefts and rights. I never have liked the BIG drops, though. One of the reasons I like Space Mountain at Disney so much is that the whole thing is in the dark. I can enjoy the motion without seeing the dreaded drop.
I had a good run with roller coasters, but yeah, my roller coaster days are over. I'm OK with that.
Photos #1 and #3 are beautiful. Then again, you already know we share a love of clouds. Nice composition in both, too.
There's one coaster at La Ronde that I really liked - can't remember the name but I think it's the one where you stay standing for the ride. It knocked my brain around inside my skull and I always came off it with a headache. Surely that's not a Good Thing.
I met some friends out at Stud that night who, after having made a big fuss about going to LaRonde, opted out when they got only a lukewarm response from others who preferred to take advantage of the last friday on the terraces in the VIllage. Being able to ride without waiting is very cool, though, despite the obvious lack of ambiance.
I would have loved having the place that empty but I think my days as a roller coaster enthusiast are over. It would jostle my defibrillator around too much. My days of running are over too for the same reason. Thank God I'm tall and can walk fast!
I love speed and drops and turns, but my inner ear betrays me and makes me sick for hours. That you could eat poutine and then get on a coaster is grounds for an award.
So we went to the big amusement park Friday night by a special bus they had running. It dropped us off here under part of the Jacques Cartier bridge. That is where the amusement park lies as well. Since we got there 15 minutes before they opened, we walked around snapping pics. We noted about 20 people waiting for the park to open and that was the first sign that this night wasn't going to be what we pictured.
They had a toilet available and when I availed myself of it I noticed the sign above on the door. I think it should get most unnecessary sign of the year award. How the heck am I supposed to leave if I don't unlock the door?
I thought the play between the bridge, the light and the clouds was mesmerizing. But then I'm always mesmerized by the sky. We went into the park with about 30 people and wondered if this was going to be a washout in terms of attendance. We walked to the newest roller coaster, Goliath, which turned out to be the best roller coaster I've ridden. We sat in the back and a few others were in the front. We rode it a second time in the front right after and we were all alone on it for that run. You can kind of get the gist of the ride here. It's just a series of, I don't know, maybe 10 up and downs. But in the back you get airborne in your seat and your stomach attempts to exit your throat.
I felt a bit nauseous after two consecutive turns so we walked around a bit and a sudden shower developed over us. We chilled under an awning and you can see how eerily empty it was. At one point as we were walking around, a skunk skulked out from under a bush and scurried across our path to another bush. That halted us in our tracks alright. And it was so incongruent with our surroundings.
There were supposedly 500 people there. This meant that there was no wait for any ride and also that many of the food and beverage stands were closed. One nice thing was that all the photo selling booths were closed, you know, the ones where they take a pic of you on the coaster and then peddle it to you after.
We did find a tavern and sat down for a stomach settling martini. Later we had a poutine. In all, we rode on every roller coaster (open, one was closed) including all the biggies. I used to love love love the coasters and my brain still wants too, but then I find myself chanting "please let it be over, please let it be over" and "please don't let me vomit, please don't let me vomit" once I'm actually on the ride experiencing it. I don't know, that phase of my life just might be over. So be it.
17 comments:
I have been to King's Island for a coaster open only day. 600 people or so. It was great.
Goliath looks great....but I'm still a fan of King's Island's The Beast. One of the best (wooden coasters) ever.
The desertion of the rest of the park and the wet ground makes it look like a movie set.
I scream like a little girl on even the kiddie roller coasters. Can. Not. Do.
I think I'm heading down to Florida in February and will ride my first roller coasters as an adult, at 40. Maybe Gravol is in order!
Am I losing my mind or did you have a different post up, at least temporarily, about La Flop? Maybe I dreamt it...I don't know what that's saying... :o
Awww, how disappointing. Where was everyone?
One rollercoaster, one time. That's my record. :o)
I get enough adrenaline rushes in a day, I don't need any on a rollercoaster!
I've been to Busch Gardens on an extremely slow day. Loved being able to get on rides over and over again. Of course, that was in high school. I couldn't/wouldn't do that today.
I find roller coaster names amusing. It's like they're trying to convince us of something. Is there a roller coaster anywhere named "Whiplash"? Or "Nausea"?
I used to like roller coasters. I like the speed and the jostling, the rapid ups and downs, lefts and rights. I never have liked the BIG drops, though. One of the reasons I like Space Mountain at Disney so much is that the whole thing is in the dark. I can enjoy the motion without seeing the dreaded drop.
I had a good run with roller coasters, but yeah, my roller coaster days are over. I'm OK with that.
I've never been a fan of roller coasters. Being in an empty amusement park would be a bit creepy.
Photos #1 and #3 are beautiful. Then again, you already know we share a love of clouds. Nice composition in both, too.
There's one coaster at La Ronde that I really liked - can't remember the name but I think it's the one where you stay standing for the ride. It knocked my brain around inside my skull and I always came off it with a headache. Surely that's not a Good Thing.
Strange to see the place so empty!!!!
I met some friends out at Stud that night who, after having made a big fuss about going to LaRonde, opted out when they got only a lukewarm response from others who preferred to take advantage of the last friday on the terraces in the VIllage. Being able to ride without waiting is very cool, though, despite the obvious lack of ambiance.
I would have loved having the place that empty but I think my days as a roller coaster enthusiast are over. It would jostle my defibrillator around too much. My days of running are over too for the same reason. Thank God I'm tall and can walk fast!
I love the bridge shot - that's just gorgeous.
Aren't rained-out and deserted amusement parks the saddest / spookiest thing?
I love speed and drops and turns, but my inner ear betrays me and makes me sick for hours. That you could eat poutine and then get on a coaster is grounds for an award.
I think it looks eerie, as others have noted. How magical that you got to experience that. I have to pop kiddie Gravol before or I vomit.
You are the one who took me on my last roller coaster ride: that one in Primm on the way to Vegas?
I knew then my roller coaster days were over.
That "please don't let me vomit" phase has been my whole life. Not a huge coaster fan.
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