People Having Fun

California Screaming Trip Diary


 

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...

 

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