Funtown in the off season
I bet you all wonder what your favorite park looks like when it closes. Well if Funtown is on that list here is what you have never seen before.
What is here in summer well, only the best laser light show housed in an air dome ever. Astrosphere is almost completely unrecognizable in this season. The giant dome is all under the green tarp.
As you can see the ride is more yellow then green. Technically the paint color is Saturn Yellow
The lone exit door from the back of the ride waiting for next season.
Part of the drive system for the 3 arms of astro. Notice the gear drive on it.
Blowers that keep the ride upright all summer taking a long deserved rest.
the one closest to us is the emergency blower. its lp gas powered and runs if the power goes down.
Only maybe half of the gear running inside astro's dome. The bubble as operators call it has more lighting and lasers used inside it then most dj's own. The lights and lasers are kept safe and worked on by a very special staff member named Jay. He puts in a lot of time to make this attraction run each season and make it better every year. Thank you Jay for all the work you do. With out it astrosphere would not be the amazing ride it is.
for astro as it looks in summer click here
More work was going on though!
A freshly repainted casino frame sits waiting for next years riders.
The tilt-a-whirl in a bare frame form.
This Hampton combo is the oldest ride in the park. dates back to the 1960's
The kiddy planes have also been stored in their winter home.
No that's not a new bush that's the grounds crew moving some brush. The had been very busy the day I visited several cart loads were removed from the surrounding park.
The logs at rest on the ground. with the water drained from the ride it looks a lot different.
So what's under the water. Well log flumes have much in common with roller coasters. The wheels are what let it come down the hill. it actually rolls on the track to the end of it.
Dragon still looks ready to go other then the covered cars so lets take a closer look.
Well with out cables and pistons this ride would not get you off the ground at all. They have been removed to be inspected and protected over the harsh winter. Don't worry though the crew here at Funtown will have one of our favorite rides ready to go next season like always.
Next years Barney old fields? no they are the cars from the kiddy Farris wheel hanging out under the roof of the barney old fields.
The levy was breached here but thankfully its a normal thing and no damage done.
Well in closing I will leave you to ponder this shot. Normally I would not be standing here on the exit ramp but I figure you may pick up on exactly what is missing on the tack in front of me. Yes that's it the train. The train is one thing that gets a lot of attention during the off season. It was taken off the tracks for its annual rehab inspection and work. The crew take such good care of this ride and all the others in the park. I wanted to take some time to show everyone the crew here doesn't just disappear to Florida when winter comes. Some of the most important work at the park is done now. The park is thinking about the 2009 season now. Lots to do before opening day so I will let jay and the crew get back to what it is they do great. See you all soon.