Funland Rehoboth

Seems like this is the year of wierd!

We’ve had our fair share of the out in left field questions and requests, but the things that stand out are the power, or lack of power issues we’ve had this year.

The latest round happened this moring before noon, during a major thunderstorm that went wipping through. One lightning strike, witnessed very closely by Tony and Misha, hit a pole at First and Delaware, causing two of the three power legs to be dropped, see picture.

This affected only Delaware Avenue service, but that is most of the kiddie rides, and all of the front stuff. Arcade, games lights, etc.

We have some lights, and some games work, and that really confuses people. Oh, the questions we have been asked!

Brooklyn service is fine and dandy, so the Bumper Cars, Crazy Dazy, Gravitron, Haunted Mansion Helicopters and SuperFlip are operational.

What will happen next!

I’m sure all you Funlanders remember the group photos we take every year. Well today was the day for 2008.

We had a good crowd, hot weather, and Chuck Snyder’s expertise behind the lense. (pictures posted here are of much lesser quality, i.e., I was behind the lens!

On a different note, Al has been feeling a little wobbly lately. Had some tests done yesterday, and is planning on seeing his doctor back in PA later this week. Keep him in your thoughts. He’s a little upset that he can’t be out on the floor with the kids!

Also, thinking of Al and Don, this is our 47th season, and we have to start thinking about Funland’s 50th Anniversary. We could use some input on when would be the best time to have it, and help setting things in motion. We have quite a few of your addresses, but if you know someone that hasn’t been back to Funland in a long time, and you are in contact with them, ask them to conact us. funland@funlandrehoboth.com works.

Enjoy the pictures!

I guess in all the hupla, I forgot to mention that we decided to go with SuperFlip. Logan Ginder came up with the name, and it sure does suit it well.

Got the center spinner repainted to reflect the name, along with a banner along each side of the main arm.

I’ll get pictures soon….

We had some issues after coming off Funland’s busiest day, Saturday July 5th. We had rain after the fireworks, which were pushed ahead to beat the forecasted rain. It was a good show, and then it RAINED!

Sunday I went to do the daily maintenance on the ride, and it wouldn’t run right, it took until Thursday afternoon, late, until we got the problems solved and opened the ride!

Just thought I’d share a nice article Chris Yasiejko of the News Journal wrote in the Sunday life section of the Wilmington News Journal.

Follow this link and read it online!:   

http://www.delawareonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080706/LIFE/807060331

We started taking paying guests after we had a little test run with Funlanders after work last night. All the kids said it was a solid ride and were screaming to prove it!

After a long day of finishing up the ramps and railings, nailing on a good bit of the pickets, Mark and I opened the ride about 5:15. These last pictures were taken about 8 PM. Pretty good crowd!

Enjoy the pictures!

Had a pretty good day today, getting the first glimpses of the operation of the new ride. Yep, still not sure what we will call it, so if anybody has some suggestions after looking at the pictures below, let us know! Alberto Paganelli from Moser rides arrived Sunday afternoon, and got right at making sure things were re-assembled correctly. He is more a electrical technician, but is equally versed in the assembly of the ride. With some minor adjustments, re-working parts, brakes and such that have been sitting idle since the ride was last run in July 2007, he had the ride going through its motions. We had some eager volunteers to test the operation, and judging by their smiles and yells, the ride will surely be a hit!

Meanwhile, another crew has been building the platform which will be used to load passengers on and off the ride. We hope to do more testing before opening this weekend. Check back for updates!

It has been a harrowing 36 hours! We closed Sunday evening about 7 PM, with the winds already whipping into the mid teens. We tied the Paratrooper down to keep the bonnets from swinging too much and collected what we thought might be blown around. What we didn’t tie down got blown around or blown away!

Winds increased over night, Don called me at about 2 AM saying one of the ropes on the paratrooper cars had broken loose, so we slowly rotated the ride to re-tie a new rope on that car, and added another to a 5th car. All secure again.

Monday was windy, 52 mph steady at times, gusting to 65mph. We have decided we need one of those weather stations right here so we can monitor the winds from the top of the Sea Dragon! Stuff was flying off from everywhere, siding from Mark’s porch, soffitt from the overhang near the corner of the building near the Bumper Cars, city garbage cans, Catts beach rental, building, chairs, body boards, the works!

The beach took a pounding, as seen in pictures below. Haven’t seen this much erosion since before the beach replenishment project. Just think of what it would have been like without the sand and dunes!

Funland opened under cloudy skies, with some leftover raindrops from the morning showers. Cloudy with a cold wind gave way to clearing skies which helped the temperature! The Funlanders that made it for the first week-end were excited to get the season going, as were the happy crowds that rushed through the doors when we opened. Some shots of opening day and happy Funlanders.

New paint was in order for some of the fixtures at Funland. We’ve started refinishing the horses on the carousel, and they look nice!The Skyfighters were looking pretty tired too, so they were spruced up with new basecoat and some zippy accents! Opening Saturday…… I think we will make it. We are a little short on help, so some of the rides and games will not be operating, including the new ride, which up until last week was called SpinOut. That might change, again! We’ll name it soon!