I’m sad this ride is being removed. There was one transition I did not care for at the bottom of the spaghetti bowl, but otherwise I generally found this ride fun.
Anaconda
- Thread starter I305Evan
- Start date
Dang, Thomas called it here. I don't think the park even knew that when they posted it though
CoasterRadio should just have you on when they do that episode next. “Thomas from Parkfans is here to take care of this for us this year” then they’d probably make an off comment about coaster boys “sleuthing” and “ruining the fun” or something (which they have).
EDIT: not attacking Mike and EB honestly. I really enjoy their podcast. I just dislike those odd comments but I also recognize the podcast is more casual.
Last edited:
I went to the park to say goodbye for the last time, god Im gonna miss it. I rode it like 180 times this year and ended up buying a second anaconda shirt because I wore the first one so much. It’s been one of my favorites ever since I was like 7. I was hoping the inclusion of a snake temple in jungle X was an indication it would stay for at least a bit longer but I guess not.
Much like many here probably, it was my first "big kid" coaster as well...20 years ago actually.
Really just bummed we don't get a proper send off, I live further away now and haven't visited the park since before covid. I would've made the drive if we got a heads up. I know that is anecdotal, but still. Kinda blows.
...f**k unregulated capitalism, and all that.
Farewell Anaconda.
Really just bummed we don't get a proper send off, I live further away now and haven't visited the park since before covid. I would've made the drive if we got a heads up. I know that is anecdotal, but still. Kinda blows.
...f**k unregulated capitalism, and all that.
Farewell Anaconda.
My only ride on Anaconda was a very memorable one.
During a family trip to Virginia in the late aughts, my Aunt went on every BGW and KD roller coaster with me - except Anaconda. She detests snakes, so this was the one ride I'd have to go on alone.
While traversing the queue, I kept noticing an individual about 10 people away from me out of the corner of my eye. It was this huge guy with a stern look on his face - he constantly looked like he wanted to throttle the people around him. It was pretty unsettling.
Upon reaching the station, I got into line for the front row, thinking there'd be no way that someone so angry would want to wait longer than necessary. As I watched the people behind me spill onto the platform, I saw - who else? - that intimidating dude making his way straight over to my position. We were both solo riders with an even number of people in front of us. We eventually boarded and I held my breath as we ascended the lift hill.
When the drop started, the guy got a big smile on his face, put his hands in the air, and burst into wholesome laughter. It was a really fun ride and we exchanged a fist bump at the end.
I left Anaconda with a new coaster credit and a new friend.
During a family trip to Virginia in the late aughts, my Aunt went on every BGW and KD roller coaster with me - except Anaconda. She detests snakes, so this was the one ride I'd have to go on alone.
While traversing the queue, I kept noticing an individual about 10 people away from me out of the corner of my eye. It was this huge guy with a stern look on his face - he constantly looked like he wanted to throttle the people around him. It was pretty unsettling.
Upon reaching the station, I got into line for the front row, thinking there'd be no way that someone so angry would want to wait longer than necessary. As I watched the people behind me spill onto the platform, I saw - who else? - that intimidating dude making his way straight over to my position. We were both solo riders with an even number of people in front of us. We eventually boarded and I held my breath as we ascended the lift hill.
When the drop started, the guy got a big smile on his face, put his hands in the air, and burst into wholesome laughter. It was a really fun ride and we exchanged a fist bump at the end.
I left Anaconda with a new coaster credit and a new friend.
The recent demolition photos in the other thread reminded me that I had yet to give my thoughts on the coaster.
The news of Anaconda's closure has deeply saddened me. On every visit to KD - where in any given season, I make a "lot" of trips - I always made it a habit to ride it. And on some days (high park attendance, and short personal visit), was sometimes the only coaster I could justify riding; as on those days even though Anaconda always had a line of some length, the coaster had great capacity (unlike a lot of other attractions at KD).
Some of my favorite aspects that I will always remember about the coaster:
So I will really miss this coaster. (And though this may certainly not be the feeling of many) I personally foresee my average visit to the park being much less enjoyable because of it.
(And BTW, please don't even get me started on the lack of an announcement by the park for last rides... as I can't even begin to describe how p*ssed I am on this subject.)
The news of Anaconda's closure has deeply saddened me. On every visit to KD - where in any given season, I make a "lot" of trips - I always made it a habit to ride it. And on some days (high park attendance, and short personal visit), was sometimes the only coaster I could justify riding; as on those days even though Anaconda always had a line of some length, the coaster had great capacity (unlike a lot of other attractions at KD).
Some of my favorite aspects that I will always remember about the coaster:
- Riding in either of the back two cars was always my favorite, given the floater sensation when pulled over the lift hill - and even the small drop immediately out of the station.
- When approaching the tunnel, the water spray giving the illusion - mainly to those in line or the station - of the train plunging beneath the lake. But sometimes in the rear cars you would even get sprayed -- where on early Spring or late Fall days was (how should I say)... "refreshing".
- The roar and echo of the train as it traveled through the tunnel.
- Ahh, the twin loops: traversing them always put a big smile on my face. And I must admit, having them immediately back-to-back is an aspect I've always found much more enjoyable than Nessie's twin loops at BGW.
- Though the heavy trim on the MCBR seemed to disrupt the pacing of the ride, I always appreciated the pause to take in a different view of the water park I generally couldn't get elsewhere.
- The infamous figure-eight section: Though this section has been discussed at-length in this thread, it honestly did not bother me - that is after finding the "trick" to riding it (where the trick has been discussed too in this thread). But if the coaster had one weak spot, this was certainly it.
- I've always liked the corkscrew element on classic Arrows. And on this one, the double corkscrew over the water... pure absolute awesomeness! Also worth nothing: each time before going into the element, I always found myself double-checking whether I fully zippered my pant's pocket, to ensure my phone did not join the assortment of other guest items likely residing at the bottom of the lake.
- And most importantly: the scenic charm of the coaster on the lake - where down the road at BGW, many attractions have that 'scenic charm'. But at KD, there are few, and this in my opinion was the absolute best of them all.
So I will really miss this coaster. (And though this may certainly not be the feeling of many) I personally foresee my average visit to the park being much less enjoyable because of it.
(And BTW, please don't even get me started on the lack of an announcement by the park for last rides... as I can't even begin to describe how p*ssed I am on this subject.)
Maybe they will use the money to fund a new parking lot. So there is some hope.
Btw $60 for a branded decent made hoodie is fairly standard pricing.
I have pins celebrating the death of Volcano, Shockwave, and Hurler. I will gladly continue to do so celebrating the death of Anaconda and Berserker.
It's always sad to see rides like these go. Does anyone want to talk about how great HUSS rides are? Dang... I mean the sheer force of those inverters (like Berserker) were phenomenal and the same could be said for a good ol' HUSS pirate ship. Some of those things went near vertical in the back rows!
Berserker was an Intamin though.
Gotta say, the lake looked SO good tonight. I had many in put group say it felt like there was never a coaster there. They did a good job, the lake looks decent.
I totally agree that the lake looks great. Riding Racer at night, I caught a brief glimpse of the park’s lights reflecting off the lake and it was gorgeous. I think this area genuinely looks way better now that the ride is gone.
That said, I think the park has an easy opportunity to really make this a nice corner of the park. There are tons of little overgrown shrubs between the Chicken Shack patio and the lake that I think need to be cut back or removed; they make the lake look hidden instead of an intentionally presented water feature. Removing them would instantly open up the sight lines to the lake.
Then, I would add either one really big fountain or a handful of smaller fountains. A really big fountain would be a cool throwback to the original giant fountain in Lake Charles (which was so big that it had to be toned down because according to KD’s first GM Dennis Spiegel, “It watered everyone in the park!” …so it wouldn’t need to be that big). Or they could add two or three smaller fountains (or even just one) like the ones by Iron Dragon at CP. Say what you want about Iron Dragon, but the water feature around it is lovely.
All this could be done for less than $10K and would add a beautiful Instagram-worthy spot to the park.
That said, I think the park has an easy opportunity to really make this a nice corner of the park. There are tons of little overgrown shrubs between the Chicken Shack patio and the lake that I think need to be cut back or removed; they make the lake look hidden instead of an intentionally presented water feature. Removing them would instantly open up the sight lines to the lake.
Then, I would add either one really big fountain or a handful of smaller fountains. A really big fountain would be a cool throwback to the original giant fountain in Lake Charles (which was so big that it had to be toned down because according to KD’s first GM Dennis Spiegel, “It watered everyone in the park!” …so it wouldn’t need to be that big). Or they could add two or three smaller fountains (or even just one) like the ones by Iron Dragon at CP. Say what you want about Iron Dragon, but the water feature around it is lovely.
All this could be done for less than $10K and would add a beautiful Instagram-worthy spot to the park.
I like the shrubbery alongside the lake, it does hide the view but without it that plaza would feel less integrated with the jungle. What I'd do is clear out the trees in the circle and place a viewing/seating plaza alongside the lake here.
