May 2021 was a good month for coaster industry. We saw Jersey Devil at Six Flags Great Adventure (SFGAdv) begin testing, Velocicoaster at Universal Studios Islands of Adventure (USIoA) do a soft opening, and Fantasy Island possibly being saved by none other than Gene Staples. It has only served to get the crew and I excited for the rest of 2021. During May, we too started getting things moving in the right direction. Here is a recap of the last month here on We Were Inverted.
Parks Begin to Change Mask Policies
Without getting political, I just want to say that it was nice to see updates and changes being implemented all across the United States. We, ourselves, visited a couple parks at the end of the month that lifted the mask mandate for those who are fully vaccinated.
I know not everyone will not agree with the timing, how things are being carried out, or if they even should. I’m not getting into that debate because we all know they always turn into arguments. I respect people’s desire to lose the masks, keep wearing them, or still wait a while before returning to the park. I also respect any park who might require them to still be worn too. It’s just nice to see things begin to move in the right direction.
Just 5 More Pins Needed for 500
Between a visit to Kennywood and some eBay purchases last month, my pin collection kept growing and growing. April saw a ton of additions, most of which came from a large lot of 59 pins. I guess you could say I was more reserved this month?
I did buy more than what has been added to the site thus far, but I’m still waiting for them to arrive. Our post office has been majorly slow getting packages out these last couple of months. I’m currently waiting on 4 pins I’ve purchased to arrive. When they arrive, it’ll leave me just one pin shy of the 500 mark. I’m already thinking up a blog topic to cover the milestone.
A Change of Place (Not a Typo)
Since We Were Inverted launched amid the Covid-19 pandemic in June 2020, the crew and I mostly visited the same few parks over and over last year for our coaster fix. Parks such as Six Flags America (SFA), SFGAdv, Hersheypark, Busch Gardens Williamsburg (BGW), and Knoebels were our go-to destinations. Well, in May 2021, the crew of We Were Inverted made their way out to Kennywood and Kings Dominion for the first times since the site’s launch. Here are some recaps of those trips, along with three Hersheypark trips. You know we go there all the time by now.
Hersheypark (3)
Just like last month, the crew and I got in three visits to nearby Hersheypark. The first time I made my way up alone, but met up with Chance, the Cheapthusiast and his crew of Aaron, Matt, and Madison. A couple of weeks later, Renee and I visited the park with her brother, Brady, and our mutual friends, Amber and Jason. And the last visit was the memorable Mission 32 in 9 where Sam and I rode Skyrush in each and every seat on the coaster in a single day. No skip the line passes either. We did have an hour of Sweet Start though.
- 05.02.2021 – Hersheypark – Walking the Walk with the Cheapthusiast
- 05.16.2021 – Hersheypark – Brady’s Amazing Day
- 05.27.2021 – Hersheypark – Skyrush: Mission 32 in 9 Accomplished
Kennywood (1)
It was a long time in the making, but I finally was able to pick up the season pass I won from Kennywood during their Jack Rabbit: 100 Years, 100 Memories contest in 2020. Due to Covid, they decided to delay the passes until 2021 so people could fully make use of them. They also kept their promise in bringing all the winners out, plus one guest each, for a pre-opening ceremony and exclusive ride time (ERT) on Jack Rabbit. It was an amazing day, even though Sam and I were bummed about Steel Curtain being closed. We’re keeping our fingers crossed that we’ll have that credit very soon, however.
- 05.08.2021 – Kennywood – 100 Years of Jack Rabbit
Wisp Mountain Coaster (1)
Last year Sam and I made our way out to Wisp Resort to ride their mountain coaster. Ever since, Greg has been wanting to make a trip out that way and add the credit to his own list. Well, one week ago he found himself in Western Maryland, not too far away from Wisp Resort. He decided to take a few minutes and go get that credit, his second mountain coaster. He was also able to secure a ride photo, which made him even happier.
Kings Dominion (1)
Finally! Kings Dominion finally re-opened and Sam and I were able to head down on Memorial Day to get in some rides. Not only did we visit the park, but we picked up Platinum Cedar Fair passes in the process. I’m sure we’re going to head back down to this park a time or two to re-ride Twisted Timbers, Intimidator 305, and Dominator a bunch more times. We also want to find time to meet up with Chris and Carrie one day. I’ve been meaning to get Mindy and Mailyn down there too at some point. That pass will easily pay for itself, along with a visit to Dorney Park and hopefully, Carowinds. Sam wants to use hers when she visits a friend who lives within reasonable driving distance to Kings Island. That’s a park she’s long had on her bucket list.
- 05.31.2021 – (Trip report not published in time for this CAG Report due to being out of town)
Birthday Bonanzas!
The first week in June is kicking off in a big way. You already know that Sam and I made our way down to Kings Dominion on Monday, May 31. Well, Tuesday, June 1 sees Sam, Kaylee, and I at Knoebels for the first time of 2021. On Thursday, June 3, Sam, Kaylee, Greg, and I are heading back up to Kennywood. It will be the first-ever visits for Greg and Kaylee and Sam and I are praying that Steel Curtain is open this time. Well, Greg and Kaylee are too, of course. While we’re up that way, we’re going to give Fun Fore All a call to see if they’ll be running their outdoor rides for a bonus credit too.
All these trips were originally planned to be part of my birthday celebration, which is, Wednesday, June 2. In hindsight, however, both Greg and Kaylee celebrated their birthdays recently and Sam’s falls later in June. So, I have decided that these trips are to celebrate all of our birthdays, not just mine. Now… who buys the cake?
