Day Four - June 1st 2002
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
The photos from today can be found here.
| Trip comments |
Justin Garvanovic
This was the park I was most looking forward to. I have seen the Giant
Dipper on TV untold amount of times, and have yearned to visit since I first saw
it. It didn't let me down, and lived up to everything I had hoped it would. The
Giant Dipper is quiet simply a classic. I know it's a term used a lot, probably
too much, but in this case it's warranted. I now have another US park I like as
much as Knoebels - and that's high praise indeed. How many parks can you play
beach volleyball at? I rest my case.
Malcolm Marr
When I got to the beach I saw a man with a metal detector walking the beach.
If he was looking for treasure he could have done no worse than point it towards
the promenade. A great woody and magnificent old style carousel amongst other
rides. A totally different park to Paramount the day before but still as
entertaining.
Tony Pycroft
What an absolutely fantastic park. Both the rides and staff are excellent.
Highlights have to include the carousal as well as of course the Giant Dipper.
This is easily the best day so far. Even the staff were whooping with joy
when we were on the dipper. Simply the best.
Jeff Graham
Fun morning ERS followed by a great day... how could you not have a
wonderful day at this place
Gijs Maarse
Best personel so far. Great Classic Rides; especially enjoyed junior free
fall (froghopper). I even managed to throw a ring into the clowns mouth at
the carousel. We also started a new tradition at the Giant Dipper - high fives
when the train returns to the station.....great fun!
Chris Hull
What a park!! The rides, staff and weather were just excellent. Carousal
ride and Giant Dipper being two major highlights of the day. Throw in a great
lunch, a few beers, sunshine and volleyball and you have a fantastic day.
However the finale just had to be the ride takeover in the evening on the Giant
Dipper. At first bemused faces from the rest of the public but then ending
in everyone (including the ride ops!) cheering, clapping and joining in the fun
that just happens to come from a group of ECC members! What a day!
Stephen Knight
Excellent day, excellent rides and good staff! Giant Dipper is a great
ride but unfortunately marred by awful trains. The kiddie Moser Freefall
ride is a good fun ride along with the Ghost Blasters.
Martin Valt
Superb traditional boardwalk with an awesome 1924 woodie. We had the best
ride takeover in living memory! Great beach barbeque - alcohol included -
followed by the ECC re-enactment of Baywatch-The Ride (look at the
photographs!). Hi to Erica.
Chris & Claire McFarlane
Had a great day at a great park, made a change riding a wooden coaster with
Morgan trains that was great fun! Good atmosphere and good staff, good
rides which added to a most enjoyable day. It's good to visit a park that
wants everyone to have a good day compared to a park that just wants to get
people through the gates. Definitely a park worth visiting if you visit
California.
Cecilie, Jonas, Torbjoern and Eirik
Giant Dipper was the highlight of the day, a great coaster with loads of
airtime. The beach BBQ was a pleasant break from the rides, and the beach
volleyball was great fun (for those who participated at least). The other rides
were also fun and we really enjoyed the dark rides, carousel and the fun house.
In other words, a perfect day! En stor hilsen til alle kjente der hjemme som
leser dette paa en graa regnvaersdag :)
Mark Riley
What a top day. The barbecue was a really great social event for the
group but the last hour on the Giant Dipper was electric with the public and the
operators joining us in what can only be described as a party. The
swimming pool in the hotel afterwards rounded off the day nicely (read: crazy
pool party!). Just off down the pub. But before I go (drum roll
please) it's Quote of the Day!!! Justin to Me... "Mark, do you need the
strap on?"
Mick Fryer-Kelsey
Hi Liz. Hi Crystal. And anyone else. Fantastic day. The Boardwalk was
brilliant - I saw a lot of lost boys! The staff and the park were fantastic. I
couldn't have wanted for a better backdrop for a roller coaster trip.
Terry Jarvis
Tomorrow's local headline should read, "European Coaster Club creates
hysteria with public on Giant Dipper". An absolutely awesome day.
Andrew "Viper" Barrett
Well what can I say... What a lovely resort. The Giant Dipper is one of the
finest woodies I have ever ridden. The BBQ was delicious, especially the
lettuce. The atmosphere on the Giant Dipper at the end of the day, with the
public, was out of this world. And the hotel's pool after was the icing on the
cake.
Tom Marshall
A great day - the Giant Dipper is a superb ride - and this was a day with
many highlights - the ERS, the Barbeque, and the atmosphere on the Giant Dipper
at the end of the day, with everyone in sight getting in on the fun - lots of
cheering, lots of hand-slapping and plenty of enthusiasm.
| Photo Album |

We arrive, and only moments later the Giant Dipper would have us under its
spell.

It doesn't get much better than this.

Or maybe it does!

Just about every train during the ERS went out full.

The morning Giant Dipper ERS in full swing.

"Yes, it is good!"

Andy Huckle and Paul Greenwood giant dipping.

Steve Fagin and Viper, who seems very excited by this "kiddie" rides.
Then again, he gets excited at everything.

Ian Booth (or is it Kev Winkley?) about to go for a spin.

The kiddie Freefall went down a storm -
some claimed it was the parks second best ride...

Cecilie and Terry, who for reasons best known to
himself is p*****g himself laughing, take on the Chance Chaos.

Adrian Whitcombe on Hurricane's "vicious" mid course swooping helix thingy.

The welcome at the park was as warm as you could hope for.

Andrew "Viper" Barret (our mascot!) with a lot on his plate...

Some of the more "physically active" members show the Americans how to play
Beach Volleyball!
Well not exactly... OK, we were crap, but we had a great time trying.

Helen and Phil, as seen on from a satellite high over Santa Cruz.

Derek Cromarty grabs a ring...

Cheer up lads, it probably won't happen...

Marco enjoying the Breakdance.

Janet getting a better view of the Giant Dipper.

Martin takes it easy.

Girls. And they operate the Dipper - a perfect ride just got better...