Sam and I had just left Wisp Resort after riding their Mountain Coaster. Be sure to read, “Summer of Sam – Wisp Resort” for all the details on the first part of this amazing day. We stopped at a gas station before getting out on the highway to get some snacks, drinks, and gas. Once we had our share of Pringles, I clicked in on our destination on my car’s GPS and we were on our way. That morning I had changed “Lakemont Park” to read “Sam’s Surprise” on the GPS listing. I wanted to make sure she couldn’t figured it out by accident. Details! Pay attention to the details!
It would a bit of a drive to get up to Lakemont, but I was eager to see how much the park had changed and get Sam the Leap the Dips and Skyliner credits. My last visit to the park was in 2016, with Mindy, on our way to Cedar Point. We also stopped at Conneaut Lake Park and Waldameer that day. Sadly, Leap the Dips was closed on that visit, so Mindy never got the credit. Hopefully, it would be open for Sam. Thankfully I was able to secure the Leap the Dips two years prior, in 2014, when my brother and I hit up the same three parks on a road trip up into upstate New York.
As Sam and I got about 45 minutes away from the park, we noticed the skies beginning to darken. We checked the forecast and I saw that rain was headed toward Altoon, Pa., where Lakemont is located. We had a few hours before it was supposed to be more than a 40 percent chance of rain, so I increased my speed to get us there a little faster. Shh!
When we arrived at the park, I made my way to the administrative offices. The day before I had reached out to the park on their Facebook page. In my prior visits, Leap the Dips was an up charge attraction. I wasn’t exactly sure if it was or wasn’t under the park’s new restructure, so I decided to ask. I had no idea that the person who replied to my inquiries was the park’s Marketing & Business Development Assistant Manager, Jade Giantini. When I made mention of the fact that I was excited to come to the park again and that I had just launched We Were Inverted, I was told to stop by and introduce myself upon arrival. That excited me because I’ve been looking for ways to reach out to parks and work with them on some feature articles for this blog. This made the trip all the more special.
The Rain Begins to Fall
After waiting for a little while in the office, we saw some light rain drops beginning to fall. I mentioned to the secretary that we were going to go get on some rides while Giantini what she was tending to out in the park. I didn’t want to lose out on the rides after driving all that way. She understood and said that she’d tell Giantini we’d be back around when we were finished.
Wanting to make sure Sam experienced Leap the Dips, we made our way there first. We walked through the park and I was stunned. The park looked nothing like I remembered from my two prior visits. They certainly did a complete overhaul of the park. I’ll get to that in a bit, however.
As we walked up onto the Leap the Dips platform the ride operator told us the ride can’t operate in the rain and we’d have to come back when it stopped. It was barely raining and I knew more rain was slated to arrive in the approaching hours. I immediately got that sinking feeling in my stomach. I didn’t think the rain would let up and figured I’d once again go to Lakemont only to find Leap the Dips down for the day. I was mostly upset for Sam as I really wanted her to get this credit. This was the surprise of the trip. We said okay and walked away. We turned left and made our way to Skyliner instead.
Leap the Dips Down, So Skyliner it is
Since Sam loves wooden coasters, I figured she’d like Skyliner too. Having it sitting next to the Altoona Curve’s baseball stadium makes for such a unique setting, so it’s an interesting credit. After rounding the go cart track, we walked up the ramp, took a seat in the third row and away we went.
“Skyliner was unique for me,” Sam said. “Since I didn’t ride Phoenix at Knoebels, I had never ridden a coaster with just a buzz bar restraint. The airtime on it was awesome.
I love buzz bars too. Even though both Skyliner and Phoenix are on the smaller side, those restraints will have your butt off the seat numerous times during the ride. Rides don’t always have to be the tallest, fastest, or have the most inversions to be memorable. I’m extremely happy that both Skyliner and Phoenix were saved and relocated by their respective parks and can still be experienced today.
After our first ride, I talked Sam into riding again after I shot some off-ride footage. With as few rides as they now have in the park, there was no way I was not going to get in multiple rides. I’ve had at least two rides on Skyliner during each of my prior visits – two with my brother, Brian, and four with Mindy. It really is a good ride.
With it still drizzling, Sam and I decided to hit the go carts and the old time cars, hoping the rain would pass. It did slow down, but there were still some drops falling. We walked over to Leap the Dips anyhow because I at least wanted to get some footage of the track before the skies let loose, or we ended up heading home.
After shooting a few clips, we made our way around to the station again. There was another guy standing there waiting. As we came closer, the ride op called out and asked us all if we all wanted to ride. We said sure as did the other guy waiting. We were instructed to take the same cart. Sam and I got the back row, of which there are only two. For real, check out the carts on this train below.
Lucking Out with Leap the Dips
After shooting a few clips, we made our way around to the station again. There was another guy standing there waiting. As we came closer, the ride op called out and asked us all if we all wanted to ride. We said sure as did the other guy waiting. We were instructed to take the same cart. Sam and I got the back row, of which there are only two. For real, check out the carts on this train above.
As we made our way around this pretty tame track, Sam and I got a major surprise. A bump or two that literally lifted our butts off our seats. It was so much more forceful than I recall. Unless something changed, the only other explanation I have is that maybe my brother and I had front row seats in 2014? I’ve read comments from other people online saying the back row has some pop. Even Sam noticed.
“That thing really busted my butt with those dips!” Sam explained.
Even with the surprising bumps, it was nice to be able to get Sam the credit. It was also only my second time riding it as well. Thankfully, Lakemont Park is open and these two coasters can still be experienced.
“Leap the Dips was an amazing experience. I’m glad I got to ride the world’s oldest roller coaster,” Sam said.
As for Lakemont Park itself, the park underwent a complete change over the last several years. I plan to tackle this topic in an upcoming Lakemont Park themed feature and am working with Giantini with some questions I have about the park’s new structure. We are also discussing a few features about their coaster collection as well. I am so glad that she and I were able to touch base during my visit. I’m excited to bring these articles to fruition as a park like Lakemont and its rides are truly gems in this industry.
No matter how old the plane, or coaster, every good pilot still needs it flight crew. If you’re ever in Lakemont and want to get in some rides on Skyliner or Leap the Dips…
You can be my wingman anytime! (Top Gun, 1986)
Patrick
CREW MANIFEST
The following flight crew members attended this park, & earned the respective credits below:
Patrick
CAG
New Credit(s): n/a
Sam
Lieutenant
New Credit(s): Skyliner & Leap the Dips
