<img src="http://www.students.niu.edu/%7Ez107419/sf/PICTUR%7E2.JPG" align="right">
I arrived close to 7:30 and found a line of cars. I met up with Dave (Coasterdude316) A whole bunch of people were talking waiting for the gates to open. I got into the parking lot (free parking-THANKS Six Flags!
) and we met up outside Guest Relations for the tour. Here, we checked in with PR and met up with Ron.
<img src="http://www.students.niu.edu/%7Ez107419/sf/PICTUR%7E1.JPG" align="left">We followed the same path that most people would take if they were going to enter the watermark on any other normal day. A few highlights were the new games and the fact that much of the pavement in Home Town square is going to be repaved. Ron also went over the number of roofs that were redone.
We got to the busy entrance of Hurricane Harbor. They were already laying bricks for the entrance plaza. Included here will be a fountain and the entrance sign. Going from a South West theme to a Tropical theme is somewhat difficult, but they set the themeing in a Mexican Riviera style. Walking down the half completed entrance path there was a skunk in a post hole (
). <img src="http://www.students.niu.edu/%7Ez107419/sf/PICTUR%7E3.JPG" align="right">
<img src="http://www.students.niu.edu/%7Ez107419/sf/PI7LN8%7E1.JPG" align="left">Right when you enter the park (through turnstiles) there is retail shops. Here they will have a talking parrot (A real one mind you). The building was not quite yet complete, but it will feature wooden girder roof and wood plank floors.
Next we headed to arguably the main attraction-the Wave pool and slide complex. To get here, we passed over the lazy river (Castaway Creek) twice. The wave pool is full and currently capable of generating one static wave. Work was being done on it to complete the programming of Hurricane bay. <img src="http://www.students.niu.edu/%7Ez107419/sf/PIXXAC%7E1.JPG" align="right">
After that, we climbed the atomic coaster and speed slide complex. From up close the colors were magnificent (better than any pictures I've seen). We climbed to the top dodging welders and other construction. The view up here basically gave us a view opposite the webcam. Up here, there will be shades to keep it cool. We also learned about the Highway sign and the proposed additions and eventual destruction of it.
We walked down the way we came (no sliding yet
). We went out of the lifeguard platform in the middle of Hurricane Bay. Here we learned a little more about the wave pool and themeing. Walking off here, Dave ALMOST walked straight into the Bow (that's the front, right?) of the a real boat and knocked himself out cold. Too bad it didn't happen .
Once back on the ground we walked around the perimeter of Hurricane Bay and learned about the themeing of Hurricane Harbor. Apparently they paid people to go to Ft. Lauderdale Florida and just <img src="http://www.students.niu.edu/%7Ez107419/sf/PICTUR%7E4.JPG" align="left">drive and observe the marinas down there. The covered the Florida coast all the way down to Key West (Can I have that job?). A lot of the individual set pieces were sitting out, these included oars, bikes, signs, lobster traps, and benches.
We also watched them add a steeple to Saltwater Sal's which will serve REAL margaritas
.
Here we also learned about the problem with the Family Raft Slides (Bahama Mamma and Bubba Tubba). Apparently when they assembled the slides, they came up 8 inches short. I believe he mentioned how they managed to fabricate the end of the ride, which has since been installed. <img src="http://www.students.niu.edu/%7Ez107419/sf/PIBGKL%7E1.JPG" align="right">
We walked past Pink Flamingo Cafe and Skakey's Snack Shack. Both look excellent with Pink Flamingo Cafe being the nicer of the two (in my opinion). The pink flamingo will feature 3 separate kitchens (so to speak) which will open depending on demand.
<img src="http://www.students.niu.edu/%7Ez107419/sf/PIHA24%7E1.JPG" align="left">We came to the end of the path (paved) and learned about the paving process. The orange, pinkish colored concrete is laid out, smoothed, and then rock salt is thrown onto it. This gives it a nice<img src="http://www.students.niu.edu/%7Ez107419/sf/PI2DC9%7E1.JPG" align="right"> natural textured look. Also added are stamped images of fish, starfish, turtles, ect.
We reached Skull Island. Work was still being done with 3 cranes holding up various pieces of the structure. Work will go on well into the night in order to complete this structure by opening day.
<img src="http://www.students.niu.edu/%7Ez107419/sf/PINYYQ%7E1.JPG" align="left">We approached the end of how far we could walk without a hardhat. We came close to the Wahoo racer slides. These along with Hurricane Mountain are compleat and are awaiting certification which is expected to happen later today (5-21).
We didn't spend much time before moving back into the main plaza section of Hurricane Harbor. Ron told us various details about the water park as we strolled through the construction (Ooops, some little <img src="http://www.students.niu.edu/%7Ez107419/sf/PIKHVK%7E1.JPG" align="right">girl left a footprint in the wet cement).
<img src="http://www.students.niu.edu/%7Ez107419/sf/PIRUTX%7E1.JPG" align="left">We were in the middle of Castaway Creek and saw what could be the start of 2006 construction. In the meantime it's been covered with sand and dirt. This will be converted into a grassy hill where people can sunbathe.
We walked into the parking lot that had been converted into storage for all sorts of garbage and parts for Hurricane Harbor. This is where we learned about the landscaping which is being done professionally. This is a first for a Six Flags watermark. We walked over to where they were keeping the Palm Trees for planting. The largest tree will measure to 26 feet. Most of the palms they got were winter hardy, but are still expected to die. So they plan on shipping in more palm trees every year. I found this to be a pleasant surprise, it just sets the theme even more. <img src="http://www.students.niu.edu/%7Ez107419/sf/PI39AQ%7E1.JPG" align="right">
The water in Hurricane Harbor will be heated. This is expensive however. Ron said that they estimate it would cost 12,000 dollars per DAY to heat the water (WOW!) although I could be a little off on that figure.
We ended our tour by walking out the same way we came in. We talked with Ron a bit more near the entrance to the Viper. He asked if we had any questions or suggestions on how to make the park nicer. He also told us how he was planning on improving the park.
Finally, at 10:10ish the tour ended. We were already in the park and saw it was filling up rapidly.
We walked over to DeJaVu and waited about 15 min for row 1b. Good ride for my first rollercoaster ride of 2005. After that we strolled over and rode Sky Trek Tower to see the water park from the air. Landscaping was being done so rapidly there were trees and bushes in that weren’t there 30 min before when we were in the section.
We left the park to put our cameras back. The entire entrance plaza was full. Wow, it was busy. Went over to Iron Wolf for a quick ride. After that it was Eagle Red. Nice fast ride on Eagle today, the highlight of my day. Almost every line was filling up or full, so we decided to leave. On our way our we rode one more ride on Sky Trek Tower.<img src="http://www.students.niu.edu/%7Ez107419/sf/PIRQFB%7E1.JPG" align="right">
I got my pass processed (
) today as well.
I left the park and chilled at the Waukeegan beach for a little bit.
Feel free to ask any questions and Me or Dave will try to answer them from the information we have.
