It’s 2021 and 2020 has come to a close – We Were Inverted’s first calendar year online. I thought it would be fun to take a look back and see how each crew member faired in obtaining new credits. While most of these credits were earned while on trips with me, that was not always the case. A few members did get some new coasters credits under their belts flying solo, or out with their friends and family. Those credits have been included here as well. Now let’s see how everyone faired, starting with those who earned the most new credits on down.
1. Sam (+59 Credits)
- Busch Gardens Williamsburg (8): Alpengeist, Apollo’s Chariot, Griffon, Grover’s Alpine Express, Invadr, Loch Ness Monster, Tempesto, Verbolten
- Camleback Mountain Adventure (1): Mountain Coaster
- Dorney Park (6): Hydra: The Revenge, Steel Force, Talon, Thunderhawk, Wild Mouse, Woodstock Express
- Funland of Fredericksburg (1): Twist n Shout
- Go-Karts Plus (1): Python Pit
- Hersheypark (10): Candymonium, Cocoa Cruiser, Comet, Fahrenheit, Laff Trakk, Lightning Racer (Lightning), Sidewinder, Skyrush, Trailblazer, Wild Mouse
- Knoebels (3): Black Diamond, Kozmo’s Kurves, Phoenix
- Lakemont Park (2): Leap the Dips, Skyliner
- Nickelodeon Universe at American Dream (5): Nickelodeon Slime Streak, Sandy’s Blasting Bronco, The Shredder, Timmy’s Half-Pipe Havoc, TMNT Shellraiser
- Six Flags America (8): Batwing, Firebird, Great Chase, Mind Eraser, Ragin’ Cajun, Roar, Superman Ride of Steel, Wild One
- Storybook Land (1): Bubbles the Coaster
- Wisp Resort (1): Mountain Coaster
- Six Flags Great Adventure (12): Batman the Ride, Bizarro, Dark Knight, El Toro, Green Lantern, Harley Quinn’s Crazy Train, Joker, Kingda Ka, Nitro, Runaway Mine Train, Skull Mountain, Superman Ultimate Flight
Wingman's 2020 Recap
Well, this was pretty much a foregone conclusion before I sat down to begin writing this blog. Upon the launch of this site, Sam expressed wanting to get over her fear of roller coasters. At the time, she had only been on a total of 11, with the biggest on her credit list being Hersheypark’s Great Bear and the Thunder side of Lightning Racer.
Long story short, I ended up kicking off a series of park trip blogs that I titled, “Summer of Sam,” where I talked about all the new coasters she experienced, figuring we’d start to slow down once fall arrived. I would have never guessed that we would still be adding to that list all the way through December. I sure as heck never thought that she’d have coasters such as Kingda Ka, Nitro, El Toro, or Skyrush on her credit list by the end of 2020 either.
Who could have imagined that Sam would go from where she was in June to where she ended up in December? If you’d like to read what Sam thought of this journey, back in September, she took part in an interview where she discusses some of the coasters she rode and what it took to overcome her fears. Read “Q&A – Summer of Sam Comes to a Close.”
2. Greg (+39 Credits)
- Adventure Park USA (1): Tumbleweed
- Busch Gardens Williamsburg (8): Alpengeist, Apollo’s Chariot, Griffon, Grover’s Alpine Express, Invadr, Loch Ness Monster, Tempesto, Verbolten
- Camelback Mountain Adventure (1): Mountain Coaster
- Dorney Park (7): Demon Drop, Hydra: The Revenge, Steel Force, Talon, Thunderhawk, Wild Mouse, Woodstock Express
- Funland of Fredericksburg (1): Twist n Shout
- Go-Karts Plus (1): Python Pit
- Hersheypark (3): Candymonium, Cocoa Cruiser, Laff Trakk
- Knoebels (4): Black Diamond, Kozmo’s Kurves, Phoenix, Twister
- Nickelodeon Universe at American Dream (5): Nickelodeon Slime Streak, Sandy’s Blasting Bronco, The Shredder, Timmy’s Half-Pipe Havoc, TMNT Shellraiser
- Six Flags America (6): Firebird, Joker’s Jinx, Ragin’ Cajun, Roar, Superman Ride of Steel, Wild One
- Six Flags Great Adventure (2): Dark Knight, Harley Quinn’s Crazy Train
Wingman's 2020 Recap
Like Sam, I knew Greg was going to be high on this list and second only to Sam. When Sam and I met Greg back at the end of July, he was sitting slightly over the 50 credit mark. Like Sam, in 2020, Greg was able to visit a handful of parks to complete their available coaster credits – parks such as Busch Gardens Williamsburg (BGW), Hersheypark, and Six Flags Great Adventure (SFGAdv). He also came close to completing Six Flags America (SFA) had Mind Eraser not been closed. That is on his 2021 bucket list, as odd as that sounds. Yes, even a Vekoma SLC is something Greg is eager to ride, which pretty much sums up this kind-hearted friend. He loves all coasters and can’t wait to ride any and all he comes across.
I’m sure in 2021 you’ll see both Greg and Sam leveraging for the top spot once again. Well, unless I can plan some trips where I can drown in new credits myself. But then again, all those credits will probably be new for them two as well. So yeah, they’ll most likely beat me out again.
3. (tie) Renee (+10 Credits)
- Camleback Mountain Adventure (1): Mountain Coaster
- Dorney Park (7): Demon Drop, Hydra: The Revenge, Steel Force, Talon, Thunderhawk, Wild Mouse, Woodstock Express
- Hersheypark (1): Candymonium
- Sesame Place (1): Oscar’s Wacky Taxi
Wingman's 2020 Recap
It was great getting to visit some parks with Renee again this year. Not only did the two of us visit Hersheypark for her first rides on Candymonium, but she was also visited Camelback Mountain Adventures (CMA), getting her first mountain coaster credits at the same time as Sam and Greg. That was such a fun trip where we followed up the mountain coaster with an evening at Dorney Park. I was the only one in the group who had been to Dorney park prior, so I had a blast seeing them enjoying the park for the first time.
Renee was also there for one last trip, where she joined our mutual friends, Amber and Jason, when Kayla was unable to visit SFGAdv. It was the first day of Holiday in the Park and we tore through the park, getting on so many rides that day. Fun times!
In addition to the trips I had with Renee, she also took her brother to Sesame Place and was able to ride Oscar’s Wacky Taxi. Oddly enough, I have yet to visit this park. It’s probably the closest park to the Baltimore area that I have yet to visit. That’s on my 2021 bucket list, so maybe I’ll have to ask Renee to join me and show me around.
3. (tie) Patrick (+10 Credits)
- Hersheypark (1): Candymonium
- Dutch Wonderland (1): Merlin’s Mayhem
- Go-Karts Plus (1): Python Pit
- Nickelodeon Universe at American Dream (5): Nickelodeon Slime Streak, Sandy’s Blasting Bronco, The Shredder, Timmy’s Half-Pipe Havoc, TMNT Shellraiser
- Storybook Land (1): Bubbles the Coaster
- Wisp Resort (1): Mountain Coaster
My 2020 Recap
I was poised to be fourth on this list until my December visit to Storybook Land where I rode Bubbles the Coaster with the American Coaster Enthusiasts (ACE). That gave me my 10th new credit of 2020, which I wouldn’t have predicted even just a few months ago.
I grabbed Candymonium on the June 29, 2020 King-Sized Pass Holder Preview Event at Hersheypark for my first new credit. It wasn’t until mid-August, however, before I’d see another new credit – the Mountain Coaster at Wisp Resort. A couple of weeks after that, on a whim, I decided to visit Dutch Wonderland and finally snag Merlin’s Mayhem. The following month, Sam, Greg, and I would make a stop at Go-Karts Plus on the way to BGW so we could all get the Python Pit credit.
As you can see, my new credit additions were slow coming. It felt like I wouldn’t experience getting more than one new credit during a park visit until 2021. That’s when Nickelodeon Universe finally re-opened, along with Sandy’s Blasting Bronco. It was time to go and time for me to finally ride more than just one new coaster – and ride some thrill/extreme ones at that. That trip didn’t come until mid-November, after we decided to wait so Greg could join Sam and I. That trip left me with nine new credits for 2020 and played a major role in my decision to visit Storybook Land to ride Bubbles. Having 10 new credits sounded so much better than nine to me.
5. Brad (+8 Credits)
- Hersheypark (8): Candymonium, Comet, Fahrenheit, Great Bear, Lightning Racer (Lightning), Sidewinder, Skyrush, Trailblazer,
Wingman's 2020 Recap
In October 2019, Brad joined Renee, Kayla, and myself at BGW’s Howl-O-Scream and had an amazing time. Earlier that year he had also went to Knoebels during our annual work trip, having a fun time. Although Brad had ridden coasters before 2019, it was pretty much entirely from visits to Kings Dominion. Needless to say, his interest to visit other parks was piqued. He absolutely loved BGW, but he was really looking forward to heading to Hersheypark eventually.
It just so happened that I had planned Hersheypark for our 2020 work trip so we could all ride Candymonium. Unlike many of the other Flight Crew members, however, Brad was able to obtain seven other credits since it was his first-ever visit. It could have been more, but with SooperDooperLooper and Storm Runner down all season, those will have to wait. Laff Trakk, Wildcat, and the Thunder side of Lightning Racer were also missed out on since we ran short on time. Oh well, all the more reason to head back out in 2021.
6. Chris D. (+5 Credits)
- Six Flags America (2): Batwing, Great Chase
- Six Flags Over Georgia (3): Dare Devil Dive, Goliath, Twisted Cyclone
Wingman's 2020 Recap
Living four and a half hours away from Chris D., it’s kind of funny that we were able to ride so many coasters together in 2020. I mean, three of our four outings together were to BGW – Chris’s home park. Still, that was some amazing nights and even better rides. Since BGW is Chris’ home park, no new credits were obtained during those visits, although I’m sure he, his daughter, Carrie, Sam, Greg, and myself, would have easily volunteered to test Pantheon for them.
Aside from the three BGW visits, the fourth park we visited together was SFA, where he finally obtained his elusive Batwing credit. It was the second park trip of the “Summer of Sam” blog series. Sam and I met up with Chris and Carrie and rode some coasters. Well, Sam wasn’t quite the Sam we have now, but she still rode with us on most of the park’s offerings. It took three journeys back to the hardly-ever opened, probably soon to be replaced, Vekoma Flying Dutchman before Chris was finally able to say he rode Batwing. As for Great Chase… Why not? It completed all the SFA coaster credits for him.
Chris and Carrie were also able to visit Six Flags Over Georgia (SFOG), getting Chris credits three, four, and five. The two of us had talked about trying to do a Hersheypark and then a SFGAdv trip together before the end of the year, but things ultimately didn’t pan out. Both parks are quite a haul for Chris, but they’re ones we aim to make happen one day – hopefully in 2021.
7. Chris A. (+3 Credits)
- Hersheypark (3): Candymonium, Great Bear, Lightning Racer (Thunder)
Wingman's 2020 Recap
Attending some of the work trips I arranged previously to places like Knoebels, Chris A. was very much looking forward to visiting Hersheypark in 2020. Like Brad, Candymonium would be a new credit for him, but he also had a few other coasters at the park he hadn’t yet experienced. Those were Great Bear and the Thunder side of Lightning Racer. Sadly, due to time restraints, we never made it to Laff Trakk, Wildcat, or the Lightning side of Lightning Racer. I’m not sure if he’s been on those or not though. I’m also not sure if he’s experienced SooperDooperLooper or Storm Runner either. Both of those coasters were closed for all of 2020. Hopefully we can touch base again in 2021, get him whatever credits he still needs at Hershey and visit a few more parks too.
8. (tie) Mindy (+1 Credit)
- Hersheypark (1): Candymonium
Wingman's 2020 Recap
You know 2020 was a crazy year when one of my biggest coaster buddies, Mindy, only visited one park with me. That park was Hersheypark. Being a former coworker (that’s how we met), I always invited her to attend the annual amusement park trips I arranged for our workplace.
Mindy was looking forward to going back to Hersheypark again. That was one of the first trips we did together and one of the earliest workplace trips I arranged. Needless to say, she was also looking forward to riding Candymonium.
Hopefully in 2021 things begin getting back to some sort of normalcy because I’d love to head out to a new park or two with Mindy again. Or heck, we could finally go to Kings Dominion together. Somehow we’ve never went there together yet, even though she will claim we have. Somehow she always crosses up one of our past BGW trips with having went to Kings Dominion. Oh Mindy… I miss ya!
8. (tie) Elaina (+1 Credit)
- Hersheypark (1): Candymonium
Wingman's 2020 Recap
In 2019 Elaina and I hit up a few different parks together and had some amazing times. We visited Knoebels, Kings Dominion, Hersheypark, BGW, and Funland of Fredericksburg (FoF). Needless to say, she entered 2020 with high hopes of visiting some parks. She was even talking about heading to places like Busch Gardens Tampa (BGT) and/or Six Flags Magic Mountain (SFMM) with her boyfriend, Austin, and told me I should come. Then, the rest of 2020 happened.
Although neither BGT or SFMM happened in 2020, I’m glad Elaina was there for our workplace trip to Hersheypark. I knew Candymonium would be a coaster she’d enjoy with her love for Apollo’s Chariot. Speaking of BGW, I hope 2021, I’m certainly going to make sure she gets to ride Pantheon with me a time or two. I know she’s very much looking forward to that coaster, as are many of us here. Maybe another birthday trip?
8. (tie) Jason (+1 Credit)
- Hersheypark (1): Candymonium
Wingman's 2020 Recap
Like with several of the Flight Crew members here, Candymonium was Jason’s only new credit of 2020. Between the chaos of 2020 and him working non-stop, I didn’t get to hang out with him as much as I would have liked. He’s always enjoyed trips to all the different parks and often says that he just trusts me to tell him what parks we’re going to and when. Places like Kennywood, Dorney Park, and Knoebels have all been memorable places he went to based on my suggestion. He loved every single one of them too.
For 2020, however, it was old reliable, Hersheypark. Thankfully they were able to open their new for 2020 coaster, Candymonium, and Jason was eager to add it to his credit list. All season long I shared photos from some of my other park visits with Jason. We really need to reconnect and visit some parks again in 2021. Maybe SFGAdv for Jersey Devil or BGW for Pantheon?
8. (tie) Reid (+1 Credit)
- Hersheypark (1): Candymonium
Wingman's 2020 Recap
During the last couple of years I began visits parks with Reid. He loved heading out to places such as SFGAdv and Knoebels for the first time. Parks such as SFA and Hersheypark were ones he visited often and ones he had season passes to throughout the years. That was the case for Hershey this season and he was very much looking forward to riding Candymonium.
Like me, Reid was able to ride Candymonium on one of the Season Pass Holder Preview Days and loved it. Little did I know that I’d soon be resigning from my job and Reid and I haven’t been to a park together since our July work trip together. That’s been the case for most of the Flight Crew, sadly, even the two below.
12. (tie) James (+0 Credits)
- New credits: n/a
Wingman's 2020 Recap
I can honestly say, I can’t remember the last time James and I didn’t go to an amusement park during a calendar year. Heck, I can’t remember a year where we didn’t go to at least three or four. Leave it to 2020 to cause something so bizarre to happen. When I launched this site, James sat as the only Admiral on the Flight Crew page. He still holds that crown. I hope once things get back to normal, he and I can add to his rank once again.
Even if we don’t get to any new parks for a bit, it would still be nice to get him on things like Candymonium, and hopefully, Pantheon and Jersey Devil. Those are all options for some day trips, which might be more up his alley right now since he became a dad within the last year.
12. (tie) Aunt Cheryl (+0 Credits)
- New credits: n/a
Wingman's 2020 Recap
If you ask my Aunt Cheryl, she probably would say she’s retired from riding coasters. Still, I tried to get her out for a small little venture to Storybook Land at the end of 2020. I really thought she’d enjoy the park after seeing my blog, “Storybook Land – A Tale of ‘Enchanted’ Memories” where I said I left Storybook Land with Enchanted Forest (Maryland) vibes. I was right about the blog. She saw the different attractions and said that she would really like to go one day, but just not yet during the current pandemic.
I totally understand where she’s coming from with that. One day, when things start getting back to normal, her and I are going to visit a park together. Whether it be Storybook Land, or one of the larger parks she used to take me to over the years. It would be nice to go to a park again with my Aunt Cheryl… no doubt!
12. (tie) Kayla (+0)
- New credits: n/a
Wingman's 2020 Recap
Sadly, I didn’t get to visit any parks with Kayla in 2020. She was supposed to go to SFGAdv with Sam and our mutual friends, Amber and Jason. Plans got bumped around a bit and she couldn’t make the rescheduled date. She gave her ticket to her best friend, Renee, so the ticket wouldn’t go to waste.
I tried again a little bit later to get Kayla to come to Hersheypark with Sam, Renee, and our friend, Chelsey, in December. She thanked me for the offer, but said she’d prefer to just wait until next year at this point. Like with my aunt, I totally understand. That being said, however, riding coasters with Kayla is always a good time and I can’t wait to make that happen again. She rode Twisted Timbers with me the first time and I sure would love to get some new credits were her again.
