Today was my final visit to the Zippin Pippin construction site prior to it's grand opening in less than 2 days. Many final details are being completed at this time. Overall it looks like the Pippin is ready for it's 5/21/11 debut. I plan to be there for the grand opening this Saturday. To see the finishing touches keep reading below. If you want to see the complete photo albums from all of the construction check out the links below, there are now over 1,000 pictures in the albums.
Construction Album #1
Construction Album #2
The most obvious addition since my last visit is a large Zippin Pippin sign added above the main entrance.
As you get close you can see arrows have been added to the concrete showing the entrance side and exit side.
I believe this small seat is so potential riders can check the fit of the seats prior to waiting in line. The seats are relatively tight.
As you move into the queue area you can see posts and chains have been added to create the dreaded out and back lines so more people can be packed into the space. While waiting for the Pippin you are inside the main oval and have a good view of trains moving up the lift hill, coming down the first drop, and exiting to the out and back. It should help build anticipation for riders.
Along the queue area are some signs that I assume will be mounted prior to Saturday. The first sign spells out the rules of the ride, the second is a sign from the original Zippin Pippin in Memphis proclaiming the ride as Elvis's favorite ride.
The trains have really been spruced up, check out the painting on the sides and the logo on the front!
Lines have been added from the automatic safety gates up to where riders load into the trains, safety yellow has also been added to the edges.
Here is a close up of the train seats, it is a relatively tight seat, each seat has it's own individual seat belt and lap bar. As you can see there are two locations you can hold on; however, I recommend getting those hands in the air to really enjoy the ride.
A portable stage is in place on the site, presumably for the grand opening on Saturday.
The new ticket booth near the coaster is also in place.
One of the original cars from the Memphis Zippin Pippin train is on a trailer at the site. It's possible Elvis sat in one of these very seats!
Looking at this close up of the wheels you can see why the original parts of the ride were not used for the Bay Beach Zippin Pippin.
The new path from the roller coaster to the rest of the amusement park has been paved.
Finally I'll finish with several panoramas taken from a variety of vantage points around the coaster.
Green Bay, are you ready to ride!
No comments:
Post a Comment