Hastings was the coolest!

[Magic Mantis]

I miss the Hastings from the late 70's and early eighties! The Black light freezing Catapult indoors, Topsy turvy manor, The arcade and the shooting gallery, The Michael Recycle Reynolds aluminum theater, even Threadneedle faire was cool. I worked in the Tournament Tables and served Kings Feast Sandwiches in '81 that were totally scrumptious.

 

[oldtimer]

I miss the Hastings from the late 70's and early eighties! The Black light freezing Catapult indoors, Topsy turvy manor, The arcade and the shooting gallery, The Michael Recycle Reynolds aluminum theater, even Threadneedle faire was cool. I worked in the Tournament Tables and served Kings Feast Sandwiches in '81 that were totally scrumptious.

Damn skippy...

Don't forget the shooting arcade. (why was there a shooting arcade in medievel Hastings anyway?)

 

[Magic Mantis]

I miss the Hastings from the late 70's and early eighties! The Black light freezing Catapult indoors, Topsy turvy manor, The arcade and the shooting gallery, The Michael Recycle Reynolds aluminum theater, even Threadneedle faire was cool. I worked in the Tournament Tables and served Kings Feast Sandwiches in '81 that were totally scrumptious.

Damn skippy...

Don't forget the shooting arcade. (why was there a shooting arcade in medievel Hastings anyway?)

I did remember the shooting gallery. That wacky bird on the water pump was great. They also had a really cool dance show in the Magic Lantern Theater called Kaleidoscope.

 

[Nora]

My favorite thing to shot was the guy playing the piano; because he always played a short piece of the piano classic "Entertainer". The buzzard was also another of my favorite targets.

I have no idea why the shooting arcade was in Hastings- it certainly fit more with the New France Motif (if any). Still, I loved that game.

 

[Chris]

The shooting gallery was the best. If Eagles Nest and the shooting gallery were the only things there I would have had a great time when I was a kid. I seem to remember a snake that you could should and it would make a loud hissing noise, but the piano player was indeed a popular target for me.

 

[Magic Mantis]

That's true Nora and Chris. Those things are imprinted on our memories. I remember some skulls and a stoplight that would change colors. I think there was a big cat too. They have a shooting gallery similar to this at many of the Bass Pro shops across the U.S. Thread Needle Faire was fun too. I remember the rope ladder. I think I made it over once. Whack a toad and they had a cross bow shooting game as well and "Drench a wench" if that what it was called.

 

[oldtimer]

Oh man... that's why I love this forum.

All those lost memories flooding back, I totally forgot about the bird on the water pump. Remember the cuckcoo clock with the target on the pendulum? I wonder where all that stuff is today. Probobly some tiny Mexican themepark.

To me though the ride that most typified Hastings was the Katapult. So well themed, and so appropriate for the land it was in. Now that was how to dress up a classic flat ride.

Damn you Elmo... Go to your own land and get out of my Hastings.. er' I mean Ireland.

Oh, and one more thing... Check out the stained glass windows next time you're in the Festhaus. They have a great reference to when Hastings was still Hastings. I hope they don't get rid of them. On another topic, I'd pay good money to rip that lame euro clock crap off the front. It just looks incredibly cheap and amatuerish. The "show" it was built for isn't worth the loss. I feel like I'm in Yankee Candle everytime I see it.

 

[Nora]

Oldtimer, one major thing about Hastings that I miss is the fact that it made England a much more substantial country. My hope is that one day they convert the area of the tables behind the candy store into a covered Elizabethan era pub (something Shakespeare would have had a pint or two in). Not only that, but England NEEDS a ride of some sort. And please oh please, have the Globe theater revert to a live show.

 

[Magic Mantis]

Oldtimer, one major thing about Hastings that I miss is the fact that it made England a much more substantial country. My hope is that one day they convert the area of the tables behind the candy store into a covered Elizabethan era pub (something Shakespeare would have had a pint or two in). Not only that, but England NEEDS a ride of some sort. And please oh please, have the Globe theater revert to a live show.

Nora that is a great suggestion. Bring back "Ghosts of the Globe" one of the great Shakseperian experiences. When they lit those gargoyles on the upper level during the performances it was fantabulous. Live shows at the Globe might cost a bit more but you are engaged.

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Oldtimer, one major thing about Hastings that I miss is the fact that it made England a much more substantial country. My hope is that one day they convert the area of the tables behind the candy store into a covered Elizabethan era pub (something Shakespeare would have had a pint or two in). Not only that, but England NEEDS a ride of some sort. And please oh please, have the Globe theater revert to a live show.

Nora that is a great suggestion. Bring back "Ghosts of the Globe" one of the great Shakseperian experiences. When they lit those gargoyles on the upper level during the performances it was fantabulous. Live shows at the Globe might cost a bit more but you are engaged.

Actually thinking about England and being an employee for 4 years in ancient past , it is about flow. You don't want it to be to congested at the entrance of the park. England has limited terrain to filter people properly through the park. Too many options would cause a bottle neck and congestion which will give parkers a bad experience once they step foot within.

 

[Nora]

That is why the area behind Ireland and the England parking lot should be explored. The entrance into England is already too small and needs to be expanded to accommodate the crowds. Going through that area; though one of my favorite areas aesthetically speaking, is horrible on a busy day... and even worse leaving at park closing.

Back before Pompeii, I had big hopes that the area there would be useful for a ride for England. Alas, no such luck.

You may be interested to know that I have the whole recoding of Ghosts of the Globe. It is a LP record and I would need a record to MP3 converter in order for the masses to experience the show once more.

I am hoping that this year I will bite the bullet and purchase one.

 

[Shafor]

Oh, and one more thing... Check out the stained glass windows next time you're in the Festhaus. They have a great reference to when Hastings was still Hastings.

That stained glass really is a thing of beauty. The six original park hamlets with a giant AB eagle soaring above...freaking awesome.

You know, I've said before that I'm probably the least observant member of this forum. We've been to the park well over 100 times the past two years and I never noticed that mural until like two weeks ago. Pretty sad. Now that I know it's there though, I almost go out of my way to swing through the Festhaus at least once per trip so I can look at it.

 

[oldtimer]

Well check out the awesome wall murals too. Whoever the artist is/was his work in Octoberfest and specifically the Festhaus is incredible..

I'm a huge fan of signage and that place is full of it.


Wasn't this a hastings thread though? lol

 

[Ludwig the mad]

Though I like Ireland, that land definitely lost out when it changed from Hastings. Nothing will ever beat Questor or Nostromos. Two awesome attractions that have only seen pale imitations since.

How much longer must we endure Europe in the Air????? That crap ride even makes King Authurs Challenge look good, and I hated that!

 

[BuschGardener]

Getting back to the shooting gallery, how about all the cans? Steam driven. And weren't there flowers that died, then came back to life? Lamps that turned on and off?

Anybody got any pics of the shooting gallery, or anything in Hastings to post?

Great thread!