Firehawk Goes Vertical

Firehawk is vertical! Check it out at Kings Island's media center.

Is it me or are those supports NOT painted from when the ride was X-Flight?

More on Bob Ott

This is from today's Morning Call:

March 9, 2007

Dorney Park has lost its most loyal fan

Dorney Park lost its most loyal fan last week when Bob Ott passed away. Bob's ties to the amusement park were secure when Bob met Sally Plarr at a Castle Garden dance in 1934. Sally was the coat check girl, working for her father, Bob Plarr, the owner of the park. As Bob tells it, the couple sneaked in a few dances to the music of Ted Wheems and his Orchestra, and ''We've been dancing around together ever since.''

As attrition occurred in the Plarr family, Bob and Sally ended up being the owners of the park and along with their son Bobby, they managed every aspect of the operation as a family corporation. Bob became chairman of the board and son Bobby became president. Sally was the corporate secretary. Under their leadership the park grew and made possible the amusement giant we know today as Dorney Park and Wildwater Kingdom.

Bob grew up in East Allentown and attended Ritter Elementary School and Harrison-Morton Junior High School. As an adult he openly shared his pride in his H-M heritage. Like the late jazz saxophonist Willie Restum, he would sing the Harrison-Morton Fight Song with the slightest provocation. Both men are enshrined on the walls of the school in the H-M Hall of Fame.

Bob knew every nut and bolt in Dorney Park – if someone points to the old Coaster (The roller coaster now called the Thunder Hawk) Bob says, ''I personally painted every inch of that and, checking for problems, I walked the entire route every morning.'' The Merry-Go-Round – ''I lost most of my hand in the mechanism during a stupid accident.''

One of Bob's most-anticipated and popular Dorney Park stories was about the ''sinking'' of the Showboat in the lake near Castle Garden. Patrons crowded to one side of the boat watching passing swans and water overflowed the floor of the ship, sinking it in 18 inches of water. Although there was no real danger and no injuries resulted, claims for expensive damaged clothing, shoes, watches and even a girdle were settled by the park's insurance following the event.

Bob watched from afar as major changes were made in the facility. He admired what Cedar Fair was able to accomplish. Bob defended the park advances in the face of critics who told him firmly, ''It is not the same as it used to be.'' Bob's reply always was, ''Nothing is the same as it used to be – it would have changed if I was still at the park.'' He beamed with pride as he recalled planting trees many years ago which are still there on the park property. And, he was proud of the improved safety for patrons when the old road through the middle of the park was shut down. Cedar Fair managers respected Bob and his lineage of park history, constantly inviting him to special park events.

Bob and I had a unique friendship over the past five years. I rode Bob's coattails celebrating the popularity of the history book ''Images of America, Dorney Park.'' What followed could never have been foreseen. The two of us were invited to book signings and personal appearances to discuss the book, the park, and park history. Over and over again, Bob told audiences his memories of ''the good old days'' at Dorney Park. Some of the audiences had us back twice, and Bob had so many stories, he rarely told the same ones twice! We joked that I had heard his speech more than 80 times and never heard the same speech twice.

I had the pleasure of witnessing Bob being greeted by friends from the past – folks he had not seen for decades. They all cherished the opportunity to visit with Bob one more time. A common beginning was ''You won't remember me, but I worked for you at the (something) stand or ride.'' With that, a new sharing of stories began as each story bounced off the previous one.

A few years ago, the amusement park industry honored Bob with a lengthy article in its monthly magazine, along with a full-page picture of Bob. They called him ''a legend'' in the industry. The label was right on target. Bob carried it well and often joked with us by reminding us that we were in the presence of a legend. All of us who knew the Legend were proud of that association, and are going to miss those Dorney Park and Harrison-Morton stories. May the Bob and Sally Ott love story never end.

Steel Force Construction Diary #7

Last time we were on May 9th, the day before Dorney opened for the 1997 season. The opening of the ride had already been delayed, and construction was at a frenzied pace.

In addition to having the turn around helix completed, they also had supports up for the entrance to the mid-course brake run.

They also had up the supports for the mid-course. Well at least some of them. I'd have to go back through some articles about it, but I know they had some problems getting permission for these supports because of how close they were to the creek and they were eventually modified from their original design.

This is the last picture from the 9th. It was pretty exciting back then to see the ride from Hamilton Blvd. like this. Also, take note that part of the parking lot had been paved and even the parking lines look bright and new.

Here we are on opening day, May 10th, 1997. This was taken from the Sky Ride, remember that? Ha ha. Anyway, they had supports piled up over by the entrance road, still on the trailer they came on. As you can see, some were painted, and some were not.

Here's the view of the turnaround from in the park. As you can see, they were putting up supports even on that Saturday to get the ride done. And as you can also see, they weren't even painted yet.

Here's a somewhat foggy looking view of the station area. Next update will have better views of the area, so let's just consider this a teaser for next time!

Motley Fool Bullish on Six Flags

On the heels of Six Flag's announcement of another corporate deal with Sara Lee for "official hot dogs," the Motley Fool has published an article about the company's recent developments.

The Fool seems pretty bullish Six Flags' 2007 prospects. Personally, I'm rather excited to see how the season plays out for them.

Read the article on Motley Fool's site.

Passing of Bob Ott

Bob was an amazing man who so much of what Dorney is today can be credited to, and I feel very lucky to have spoken with him - even though it was only once. I'm glad he is once again with his wife.

The above obituary is from the Morning Call Online.

Sea World Announces Aquatica

Sea World formally announced their new Orlando Water Park yesterday, and as expected it is named Aquatica.

The drawings of the park make it look really nice. I'm not saying it won't, but the drawings also seem misleading. For example, in this concept art:
All the attractions are piled up with theming and it all looks great. But then you look at the model:
And suddenly things look like your normal water park layout. Still, I"m sure it will be a nice kick in the pants for Orlando's overall market.

The park's flash-heavey site can be found here.