here to see my home park get appropriately roasted

When this is your home park

if you think this is unsafe you clearly havent been in lakeside

Here looking for fellow Coloradoans roasting Lakeside.

Imagine participating in the running of the bulls for a Vekoma SLC

The swaying on Twister II is an accident waiting to happen unless they fix it.

Elitches "Worst park I've ever been to" Lakeside *shivering in fear*

Ahhhhh....the bubble gum tree......

Alright basically, Elitch Gardens is a ghost of its former self. They closed the classic park, move it, turn it into a thrill park like Cedar Point or Six Flags, no picnics allowed, a waterpark, then Six Flags buys the park and it becomes the least attended Six Flags ever, causing them to sell it off, and it is what you see today. Had they left it alone in the 90's, it probably would still be alright, but basically it's now just a typical used to be Six Flags park.

The swaying from Twister II literally made my jaw hit the floor. Sweet Jeebus.

Moving to Orlando from Denver! Can't wait!

Me seeing my childhood home park while the title says "worst park in America"

As a native Coloradan, this has been my home park for years. I’ve had a lot of fun here! Yes it’s sketchy, expensive, and run-down, but it’ll always have a special place in my heart!

The best experience I had at Elitch Gardens was getting engaged. We're divorced now.

I remember going to the original Elitch as a small boy. We're supposed to be going to the new one next month; stuff better be open.

I'm an old schooler who grew up with the old Elitches in N. Denver, the original Mr Twister wooden coaster was awesome. It was ranked #3 in the US for quite a while...

"This sign is fake news" 😂😂

The amount of sway on that coaster is TERRIFYING! I can’t imagine seeing that AFTER you have already ridden- it makes my stomach drop

Cyclone at Lakeside is probably the most thrilling coaster I've ever been on, not because it's a good coaster, but because you're actually risking your life when you ride it

Wow. When I was in school in Colorado and we went to Elitch Gardens it was no way like this. Maybe it's changed over the years but back then I thought it was great and I had a good time.

Imagine getting trampled trying to get to a SLC

I grew up in Denver and often frequented this park and lemme tell you, I have never in my life ever seen the observation tower be open. Ever. It just doesn't happen.

half pipe I got told that it’s really bumpy but I don’t believe that. And sidewinder is closed almost every day cause of staff issues

I'm kinda embarrassed this is my home park...

"It was overpriced and nothing was open!" Me, a denver native "well yeah... duh" ARE NOT ALL AMUSEMENT PARKS LIKE THAT?

Watching Twister II sway is more exhilarating than the ride.

One time I saw a janitor at Elitches taking a full trashbag out of a trashcan. A lady couldnt wait for the crowd around her to move and ducked under the trashbag as he pulled it out. Trash water soaked her and the kids. Twas hilarious. Elitches is great.

Same here on a bad day because last time I came it was so fun in and next time go on the tower of doom and my favorite ride is boomerang to

Colorado deserves a much better home park.

Me: review my home park! Airtime: WORST PARK EVER Me: F

The old Elitches was a real treat. lots of shade from the old trees and cool rides, it was located in a neighborhood setting and was more reasonable priced. The new park is expensive AF and hot AF and not nearly as fun.

Sidewinder is closed very often and same with halfpipe but the Twister is usually open right away

Because of this park I grew up thinking that every roller coaster should leave you with a massive headache

....I live in Colorado and this is the only theme park I have ever experienced and I thought it was a fun and amazing place... I've been living a lie...

It is pretty typical, but if you stay at the park, the rides will open up most of the time and you can get on with essentially no lines at the right time

bummer! side winder and the half pipe are so much fun!!

LOL, Denver is “Home” so here’s some commentary. That sign is NEVER updated. Ever. The fact that you compared anything to SDC is by far way to much honor for elitch. Yes, Twister 2 is terrifying and for ALL the wrong reasons. That old arrow valleyed at one point in 2019, and blew the return launch motor twice in the season. Halfpipe is by far the best ride in the park. I used to run in, eat lunch, ride halfpipe and the sea dragon, then dip out.

Not gonna lie, everything you said is pretty much true. But when you live in Colorado you take what you can get when it comes to amusement parks.

I agree, Elitch Gardens is trash! I visited the park last summer for the second time and there were a ton of closed rides. The water park was so full the day we visited we were only able to ride a few rides....after spending most of the day there. The day we visited, it was a cloudy day and lighting was said to be detected miles away so we had to sit through 3 different shutdowns, each of which was well over an hour. There was absolutely nothing to ride or even do during the ridiculously long waits. The only reason we got to ride more than a couple rides is because most of the crowd had dispersed after the 2nd and 3rd rain delays. I've been to many amusement parks over the years and this dump has to rank at the top of one of the worst parks I've ever been to.

The twister is supposed to sway they have built in sprinklers that wet it to give it that movement if not it would snap since it is wood

The Denver-Colorado Springs area is such an untapped market for coasters. Six Flags or Cedar Fair should look at this market as a prime expansion opportunity (once the economy rebuilds itself from this plague).

The original Elitch's Gardens was incredible, on the north-west side

That green coaster is normally out of commission, I’ve been to ellitches about 6 times and it’s never been running. I’ve always gone in the middle of summer too

Elitches is actually really damn safe compared to lakeside and heritage square

Man I wasted a ton of my teenage years coming here. Used to get the annual pass and hang out with my two brothers all summer at Elitch. While I can definitely agree in retrospect that this place is kind of a piece I can't shake the sense of nostalgia looking at all these rides again. I sure miss CO.

That was the most polite rant ever

the tower was NEVER open. The sidewinder was closed for a minute cuz the operator was drunk and fell to her death. The main downfall is that it's next to the railroad and really can't expand. Overpriced, but, the waterpark was nice. My husband and I had season passes, and the Turkey leg stand by Troika was awesome. I was on XLR8R 12 times, and worth the extra money.

The lifeguards in the water park area are so rude and no I’m not talking about them actually doing their job. One example for my experience was witnessing a lifeguard around the Island Bobs wave pool when there was a safety check, we were all waiting outside of the pool, and were NOT allowed to go past the white line (not that far from the start) - a little girl (probably about 5/6) was sitting on the ground near the lifeguard with her feet barely past the white line. The lifeguard proceeded to yell at really loud, blowing the whistle right near her ear to not go past the white line. She then obviously started to remain there keeping her legs there crying, being later picked up by her parents. I saw this looking from 5 people away from where I was standing. I would give more examples but that would be too long - but other than that topic, elitch is an okay theme park and most rides there I find pretty boring.

Elitches is definitely more of a park you go to when you want to hang out with friends but don’t feel like going bowling or mini golfing for the millionth time.

If you ever come back just go to waterworld it’s much better than elitch’s

I know this is an old vid but I figured I’d chime in as someone who worked there: the sidewinder issue was EXTREMELY common in 2019 since none of the supervisors would train people on it, due to concerns with safety for far side operators. Twister almost never opened in a timely manner, and I would agree that Boomerang is the best ride there. And yes, our Vekoma sucks ass. During pre-season one year, a wheel sheared off one of the trains and almost struck a supervisor (missed by about a yard). A bunch of us spent the night towing that train back to the station to get it repaired.

We always buy annual pass at the price of $60, so never mind which ride is closed. Plus the dining plan. Kids are really fun without waiting in long line and eat really good.

The fact is there is too much other things to do in Colorado to be spending time at a theme park. You either have a big market such as Florida or a completely dreadful state like Ohio or Pennsylvania where the only escape is an amusement park. Colorado is niether, and of course any theme park will just not be good.

I actually liked Elitch Gardens, it's got a good atmosphere in some parts of the park, has good food, a good waterpark, and friendly staff. You probably got there on a bad day, the closed coasters are pretty good. Your day just sucked, and I feel bad you had that experience. (Not my home park btw)

Honestly Six flags at George lake ,exactly the same complaints.I asked (no lie)7 different staff if they had storage lockers nobody knew if they did.last guy I asked said he didn’t know and they were right behind him.That morning it rained and all the little prize games had their stuffed animals out and it smelled like mildew the whole day in that area.EVERYTHING was over priced and honestly the coasters weren’t that great

When our tallest coaster.. is a boomerang 🤦‍♂️😂😭

HAHAHAHAH, OH NO, THIS IS MY HOME PARK. After watching this channel for a good while I knew it wouldn't get a positive review but I still think it's great fun, definitely nostalgia has some to do with that. In my experience (and I've not been there in a number of years), Half Pipe is closed all the time, Sidewinder definitely a surprise to see closed, so for sure a below-average day but not an outlier.

In my opinion Vekoma Boomerangs should run 2 trains to boost capacity

Boomerang always been my favorite there. Use to like the flying coaster but they took it out a few years back

I grew up in Denver and only knew the original Elitch Gardens. It was completely, and I mean, completely, different than this. Maybe it was my age, from 5 to 13, dozens of visits, many "company picnics" until way past dark. Maybe it was those times. But geez, I loved it. When I was younger, the kiddy land area was wonderful. They had these tiny, motorized boats that went through a quiet garden, and man, did I want one of those boats. When I got older, things like the bumper cars really got my attention. When I see bumper cars today, they are slow and idiotic. These really moved, enough that sometimes people got angry when you hit them, as it could really be jarring! We would finish that ride, and if the line was short, get right back on as soon as we could. They had a dark house which was always a favorite, coasters, a little midway with other rides, and a great, pre-computerized arcade. Skeeball, that guy that you tried to outdraw that always seemed to win, pinball. There were beautiful gardens. You could bring your own picnic. I would finish with a bag load of fun, crummy prizes from the arcade. The park was clean and decent. i can still remember the sound of hydraulics and air whoosing from the rides' mechanicals. What is shown there seems like painted-over drabness, no imagination, no sense of real fun. Glad I had the experiences I did. This place is awful.

I feel bad for the unfortunate souls that have this as their home park.

I'm actually from Colorado, so I'll throw in my two cents: I agree completely. I used to go to the park every summer with my parents back when I was in late elementary school and middle school, around 2007 through 2011. We went back again in 2018, like you guys, because they had season passes available for both 2018 and 2019. Suffice to say, it wasn't impressive. The park didn't look like it had changed much at all in the 7 year span between going there my last day of middle school and my senior year of college. Like your experience, there was so many rides closed for non-obvious reasons (I'm guessing the staff shortage you mentioned), and the rides that were open weren't as fun as I remember. The biggest hurt for me was Twister II. When I was younger, that was one of my favorite roller coasters (though at that point, my coaster experience was very limited). When my Dad and I _finally_ got to ride it last year, it felt like the ride was going to collapse at any point with how rough and bumpy it was. I didn't ride the Mind Eraser, but considering how much I hated that ride as a kid, I was in no mood to try it again as an adult. I don't know if I just grew up and realized the park sucked or if the park has aged like milk, but there's a reason why my Dad was adamant our family wouldn't be going back in 2020. And when the only "new" ride they have is a reskin of an old ride, I don't think there's going to be many people going back to it when the park opens back up. I don't think you guys hit it on a bad day; just an average day.

The boomerang is dope though. Sidewinder is the 2nd best coaster they have.

Part of the problem with Eliches is the location. It’s boxed in and has no room to grow or even bring in construction crews to renovate and expand. So it just sits there aging. Good news is that it will be moving out east soon and that should help it grow in my opinion

It could have been worse, when I went there I rode Flying Coaster, a Zamperla Volare that everyone hates.

I risked my life willingly as a child at LAKESIDE riding the cyclone

So glad someone appreciates the Boomerang 😌 its my favorite

People usually take the light rail to avoid paying for parking or get a season pass so parking is free. You were there on an off day. All of those rides are usually open. A season pass is about the price of one entry and you can visit every day of the summer if you enjoy stuff like that.

IMO, the real Elitch Gardens died in 1994, when the original park closed to relocate, and left their old Mr. Twister coaster abandoned (till it met the wrecking ball years later). Six Flags did more harm to this park than good during their run of it. A shame, since the original Elitch could have been like a smaller version of Kennywood or Knoebels: An old park with a lot of charm. Instead, the post-1994 Elitch lacks any charm (or a good coaster for that matter). Colorado deserves a better amusement park.

Im so thankful to have El Toro

You went on a bad day man. When everything is running you won't be disappointed. I also agree about mind eraser, it's fun but it's a pretty rough ride

What about the amusement park that was out in the Golden area. We were there once about 6 years ago and right before we stepped on the Ferris wheel we noticed loose nuts on more then a couple mount bolts to one of the units you sit in. We did not go on it and I immediately went to management. It did not seem they cared.

Anytime I have gone to Elitch's all the main rides have been open. Granted it's been about 10 years since I went last. But I remember late 90's and early 2000's all the rides being open.

Sidewinder usually opens around 4-5 PM on most days. Half pipe most likely didn't open that day. Also this is my home park, and I'm very sadden to say that. But yeah, sidewinder is a lot of fun, because the restraints are loose, and you fly, best ride there.

If Elitch Gardens were to add an RMC similar to Aeriforce 1 or a crazy dueling Raptor, that would be more than enough to make me want to drop by. Fun Spot Atlanta was nothing special, but once Aeriforce debuted, I made it a point to visit.

A good friend of mine got a splinter/ metal shaving from twister 2 in his eye as we were walking under it to get in line. Its a badly maintained park, parking is expensive - but my friends always took the light rail since it drops off right there & is way cheaper.

Well, having this as your home park would be better than having no park as your home park. *cough cough* Natives of Montana

me watching this as someone who spent his childhood at elitches even worse younger brother, lakeside: 👀👀👀

Haha that swaying on the twister. They’ve used some wire lines to hold it down and the whole thing bounces back and forth. I hope they don’t give and hurt someone…

Yeah sidewinder and half pipe are always closed. It’s pretty sad.

Twister II was my second rollercoaster ever, and I really liked it. Then again my first coaster was Timber Wolf and I've only ever ridden Twister II and the six coasters at WoF so I don't have much to compare it to.

Thank you for being honest and fair in your review of Elitch Gardens. I understand your frustration. It royally sucks how short-staffed we were. Not only affected the operation and ride but it put a strain all the other employees that had to work that day lot of calling no-showed. I like a comment your last video they had to get disaster Canyon open and that takes 6 people do you operate it and we don't have that ride talk about guest complaint.Any who if ever do decide to go back to Denver I recommend a little amusement park call Lakeside. It's a small Park classic retro amusement park with a lot of history. It's not the fanciest but it is worth checking out specially take a ride on the cyclone the classic wooden coaster. Which is far more better than twister 2. And Maybe they'll have their new coaster up and running after being safety standard updated updated

They usually take awhile to open all the rides, my friend who worked there for years said it’s partially because the rides have to be approved by a supervisor and there’s only 3-4 a morning shift which is why most people will say to go during the later half of the day

FYI : there is an indoor half-pipe in Mall Of America in Minnesota.

A few things to add to your knowledge if you want to know and it’ll likely explain a lot. Six Flags actually bought out Elitches for awhile. The Boomerang is Joker themed. I dunno what they call the lift wing ride now but it used to be the Batwing. If you look inside “Kiddie World” you can still find remnants of Loonie Toons. When Six Flags bought out the park they upped the entrance fee which the new owner kept in tact. Also, Twister 2 used to have a sign, a rather large one outside of it. When Elitch Park moved properties Mister Twister was dismantled then “rebuilt”. They claimed they couldn’t rebuild the exact Mister Twister. However the original wooden beams and parts are still there in cases. They do get replaced with new ones if damage becomes “detrimental” but if the old parts are declared good they’re still there. Likely the reason for the coaster shake. Six Flags really ruined Elitch Gardens. There’s also two reasons the observation tower is literally never operable, one fact and one rumor. The tower was not maintained and could potentially blow over one day. On a windy day even two decades ago the tower would sway with high winds. Then rumor is they’re using it for a storage area. Last time I was up there the elevator was closed and you had to take the stairs. Which most people won’t.

Little did you know that the observation tower would’ve been the best part of that visit. Love the vid! 👍👏

I was born in Pueblo, Colorado and lived there until I was 13, this was the first theme park I ever went to as a kid with my family. good memories from the park but I was also super young lol.

I just moved to Denver a month ago. With nearly 400 coaster credits, I agree that this has leapfrogged Six Flags America as the worst park in the country. Went here for the first time a couple weeks ago (almost 6 years to the day from this video's content) and I have to say... if anything it got worse. ha. Both sidewinder AND Mind Eraser were closed without being advertised. Twister II is called Twister III now I guess (the Grizzly comparison at CGA is perfect as I also just rode that last week). Not sure what the change was. Though I'll agree, this was one of the better boomerangs I've done. Probably only behind Jolly Rancher Remix at Hershey.

This is my home park, yay! I went on opening day last year and I have to agree that their operations are awful. I blame Premier parks for that. I wish Lagoon wasn't 6 hours from me

I’ve ridden Sidewinder and Half Pipe. They’re the best rides in the park.

They have less cars on the twister now... just three, still fun 🤩

oooop yeah twister two is pretty much constantly closed for maintenance, since it’s so old it’s basically always broken. most denver natives are just waiting for someone to die on it and get it shut down

I live in denver and bro I went there a few years ago and we didn't get to do ANYTHING. We sat in line for hours and as soon as we got to the front, someone threw up on the ride and ut was closed

I have never even stepped foot in that observation tower. It’s always closed

I think it is very offensive to call any park “work park” (except Lakeside) I love this place still to this day

I got paid 1.75 an hour when i worked there in the late 70s. Seasonal pay so was less than minimal pay. I've never been to the new location, looks like I'm not missing much.

Imagine running to ride a Vekoma SLC

Denver wouldn't be so expensive if people stopped moving out here LMAO

I've been on roller coaters all over the USA and the Twister in Elitch Gardens was the most frightening. It might have been because it just didn't feel that safe. It felt like forever. Came close to yakking my guts.

I live an hour away but every summer I take 3 buses to get there for the day. Last summer, 2019, can't remember what day but I was there for about an hour in line for the octopus ride when they shut it down because of lightning strikes in the area. Yet they kept other rides with more metal than the octopus open plus the water park area was fully open. Lightning and water and people, good combination. The crowds thinned out a bit. An hour later some more rides shut down for same reason, but water park still operating. Crowds thinned some more. Anyways, the Mind-reader have ridden before; hated it way to bumpy on my head and neck. Reminded me of the flying coaster many years ago they had. Man, jerky and bumpy. So didn't even get on Mind - Eraser. The Half pike one went on a few years earlier; not impressed. Love the Boomerang and Sidewinder and with very few in the park no lines and I rode these like 5 times each the day. The octopus ride never opened. I rode the wooden one for old time sake, bumpy but fun. Rode the other rides and did the water park stuff and didn't get hit by lightning or electrocuted. Typically, lame but thanks to Mother Nature I had a great time. They need some new stuff. Hasn't been anything new since 1914. I want to get to Cedar Point in Ohio someday. Now that park looks awesome.