SFGAdv plan of attack & other questions

Okay, I'm really toying with the idea of going to SFGAdv this Saturday for opening weekend and I have a couple of questions

1. I have an SF pass from SFA (already processed). Can I simply flash the pass or do I need to go to Guest Services and obtain a paper ticket?

2. I want to go against the grain and NOT rush to Nitro. I wont mind standing in a two hours line for Nitro later in the day (plus I may be back on the 13th). Anyway, what is the best way to go to hit the other major coasters? I've never been to SFGAdv so directions with lefts and rights would be appreciated.

3. Is any of the food there good (relative term)? I'll have to eat sometime and would like to avoid the pizza/chicken strip/burger monotony if possible.
T.I.A.
jeremy

1)I don't know

2)I'd hit Medusa first (take a left after entering the park), and then come back and hit Viper, but it's not really a must-ride, GASM, decent Arrow multi-inversion, and then head over to B:TR and The Chiller. You could also do this in reverse -- just depends what rides you want to hit first. Hit Rolling Thunder anytime you want, there's never a line. Skull Mountain usually has somewhat of a line, but it's not that great of a ride, IMO -- ride it once you've ridden everything else.

3)There's a nice little area where you can eat and watch people playing games. Unfortunately, it only has the things you don't want, pizza/burgers, etc... I've never tried any of the other places, so I guess I don't really know. *** This post was edited by GandC on 4/3/2001. ***

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2Hostyl said:
"Okay, I'm really toying with the idea of going to SFGAdv this Saturday for opening weekend and I have a couple of questions

1. I have an SF pass from SFA (already processed). Can I simply flash the pass or do I need to go to Guest Services and obtain a paper ticket?

2. I want to go against the grain and NOT rush to Nitro. I wont mind standing in a two hours line for Nitro later in the day (plus I may be back on the 13th). Anyway, what is the best way to go to hit the other major coasters? I've never been to SFGAdv so directions with lefts and rights would be appreciated.

3. Is any of the food there good (relative term)? I'll have to eat sometime and would like to avoid the pizza/chicken strip/burger monotony if possible.
T.I.A.
jeremy"

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I think that the whole pass thing will depend on who's line you get in.If it is someone who has worked at great adventure and in this area before,they will probably let you flash and walk through but,if it is a first timer,they are going to be unfamiliar and refer you to guest relations

My game plan is to also hit the very end of the left side of the park.Once you get to the end,you could go right and hit medusa,viper,and rolling thunder first, which,is what i plan on doing.After i am done with those three i will go back and hit the opposite side where Scream machine is(you cant miss it it is a big red and white steel coaster but,medusa is more worthy of a first ride)and then if your into things other then coasters,The parachute drop and space shuttle are over there to.Then,i would go over to the right side of the park and hit all the big guns,Nitro,The chiller,Batman,i'd go on freefall before even giving skull mountain a second thought because i agree with Gandc,it is a lame ride if there is a line and even still,not to impressive.

As for food,they do have chinese,mexican and seafood places within the park,you just have to give a good look for them and,be prepared to spend some major cash at those places! There is mostly pizza,chicken and cheeseburger places otherwise.My plan is,since it is going to still be quite cool out,im going to pack sandwhiches and store them in the lockers rite after the exit gate,you can access these before entering the park,they are to your right before the main entrances to the park and,i am pretty sure you use quarters for them.When you exit to go to the lockers,They will let you back in showing either your season pass or just let them stamp your hand for re entry but,i would let them stamp my hand,it would probably be quicker.Have fun and,hope i helped!
Rickyswmn
Top 3 coasters i have ridden..
1)Steel Force,Dorney Park.PA
2)Medusa,sfgadv
3)Batman and Robin the chiller,Batman side.sfgadv
I am sure Nitro will knock steel force out of #1.

1) My daughter says we just had to show our SFA passes, but I don't remember myself.

2)GandC's suggestion sounds pretty good. Avoid Skull mountain when it rains. Everyone runs there since its indoors. Go to Rolling Thunder when it rains. The speed really picks up.

3)I don't remember the name, but there was an indoor restaurant that wasn't too bad over towards Batman.

First hit GASM and Rolling Thunder. GASM usually gets a line, so hit it first. Then hit Viper if you actually want to wait on line to get punched in the head. Medusa is no worry, hit it anytime during the day, as I've been on Medusa with a full queue, and it was only a half hour wait. Then trek on over to the other side of the park and hit Skull Mountain(if you want). Then hit Chiller(Batman side preferably), then B:TR then Nitro.

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"When they come for me I'll be sittin at my desk, with a gun in my hand wearing a bulletproof vest!"
-Catch 22

1. I dont know

2. Deffinetly go right to Batman: the chiller. Dont try Robin, it may give you an extra loop but you'll need an extra advil. After that hit Batman the ride and Nitro. Take the cable car/skyway over to frontier adventures. Hit medusa, rolling thunder, and Viper [Viper isnt that good but its got a wickid first drop - If you are more of a B&M guy, and a line waiter, go to medusa asa the park opens. Chiller and B:TR can get up to a 2 hour wait on weekends. My theory - if the line is visible on both rides (both are indoor lines)]
After that go over to boardwalk and hit GASM and this cool ride called the Twister. If you stay late the lines towards Medusa go down so if you want another ride go ahead.

3. At frontier adventures there is a big area devoted to mexican, chinese, and barbeque food. There are two decent eat-in restaurants - One by Chiller and One by Medusa. Both are expensive but the food is good. If you like the constant roar of coasters these restaurants are for you.

#1: I don't have a clue.
#2: Hang a left and head all the way for Medusa and stay there for a couple of re-rides. Try the first row as soon as you get there because that's the shortest the line for the first row will be all day! Avoid Viper unless you're into pain and bruised shoulders. Hit Rolling Thunder, GASM, Batman and Robin: The Chiller - both sides (keep your head pressed back HARD and you'll be fine), Batman, then NITRO. Skull Mountain is best after dark and even then it's no big deal.
#3: The Chinese food is pretty good and they also have a Fish and Chips place that's great if you like fish.
That's it, see you Saturday (among a billion other people!). Have a great time.

How crowded does everyone think it will be on sat? As compared to previous years.

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"One good thing about all this, with all this fresh air were gonna sleep like babies"

i dunno but i went on a thursday and evrything was walk on

With the camping out an stuff, it sounds like it's going to be pretty crowded! :-(

1) I've used my SFA pass 3 times at the main gate in the last two years and never had a problem
2) If you get there early enough I would head to Medusa first because it gets crazy buzy. It's also a fairly long walk from the front gate. IMO it's not worth any longer than a half-an-hour wait. Take a left at the fountain and keep walking till you get to Rolling Thunder. Take a right and head towards Viper. There you'll see the path that takes you across to Medusa. Actually most of the coasters get very busy so take your pick. All rides are located to either the left or right of the fountain.

Don't really know the park, but I think that you should just go to Nitro and get in line. It will only get longer as the day goes on. It may be long at first, but will remain so as people will most likely want to go again. Besides, what happens if it has mechanical problems like Hypersonic did? It would be bad to go home without riding it. So if you think that you can get in early, I would say go for Nitro first.

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Home Park: Knotts Berry Farm!
but also Disneyland and DCA

Season passes are processed the same way as your home park. Just go right to the gate.
Saturdays and Sundays are prime days for SFGADV add the given adverting hype for Nitro and the potential is there for the park to close the entrance because they have reached peak parking capacity. They have in the past used the parking lot at the county park down the road for overflow.
Go early as in be at the gate at 9:30 or earlier as they generally start letting people into the fountain area at that time. You should get a couple of hours of good ride time before the park fills up.
There are other food choices other than the normal chicken,pizza,burger,hot dog fare and are passable but very pricey. If it is open on opening day there is now a McDonalds in the park if all else fails.

Saturdays and Sundays are prime days for SFGADV add the given adverting hype for Nitro and the potential is there for the park to close the entrance because they have reached peak parking capacity. They have in the past used the parking lot at the county park down the road for overflow

Yep,this scares me since i won't be able to get there til almost 4 in the afternoon and what scares me more is that pop group being in concert is only going to add to the crowd.My only reason for going Saturday is to process my pass and jump on Nitro and leave.I am going back sunday but,i am bringing my kids and won't have anyone to watch them so me and my husband can go on nitro together.I can't go early saturday because i can't get a babysitter before 3 pm :0(.I will be seriously bummed if they close the park on me.

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Rickyswmn
Top 3 coasters i have ridden..
1)Steel Force,Dorney Park.PA
2)Medusa,sfgadv
3)Batman and Robin the chiller,Batman side.sfgadv
I am sure Nitro will knock steel force out of #1.

Hey guys, as an employee of the park, there will be a new season pass entrance located next to the scream machine, as well as a parking lot designated only ofr season pass holders, so just know where you are going. iper will be closed opening day as we are still facing maintenace problems with the ride

Usually, everyone I talk to never has a problem with it, but remember, this *is* Opening Day, and there will be employees who have never dealt with this before,
and they may hold the line for you, or send you to Guest Relations. Hopefully,
you won't have a problem.

Going against the grain can be tricky because the crowds go wherever the new
ride is. For instance, in 1998...everyone was waiting to the right of the fountain for Chiller. In 1999 AND in 2000, everyone shifted their attention to the left of the
ountain and Medusa. Now, I am *assuming*, but if history repeats itself, everyone
will be waiting to the right of the fountain again for Nitro.

With that in mind,here's a good plan of attack. Wait to the LEFT of the fountain. When the guard drops the ropes, there will be three rides in plain view...Houdini's Great Escape (to your left) our Grand Carousel (front and center) or the Enchanted Teacups (tucked off to the right). Personally, whenever I start my day off to the left
of the fountain, I start with Houdini. It's a great ride...a must do. After say, Houdini,
(no pressure or anything.. :P) stay to your left and mosey up the boardwalk. As you walk through the Boardwalk you have an array of choices. Great American Scream Machine, Centrifuge, the Parachutes, Twister, or Dino Island II 3-D. All are good rides, and I try to hit them all during the course of the day. I'd advise doing GASM, Dino Island, and Twister while your there early in the morning..those lines can get quite long!

After you're through with the Boardwalk (GASM, Dino Island, and Twister especially)
head towards Frontier Adventures. To head towards Frontier Adventures, stick to the
GASM side of the Boardwalk. As you head towards Frontier Adventures, there will
be a ride with alot of ''flash'' named Freefal by nearby signage. It's a INTENSE spin
and puke, but a really good ride. After either riding or passing that up, Frontier
Adventures will fork at a taco stand. You can head to your left, doing Bugs Bunny
Land, El Sombrero (Chance Trabant), Taz Twister (Rotor), Rolling Thunder, Viper,
and Rodeo Stampede, OR, you can head to your right, doing the Log Flume,
Runaway Mine Train, the SkyRide, and Medusa.

After doing one, of course do the other, and there is a brigde ajoining the Viper
/Rolling Thunder half of Frontier Adventures with the Medusa/Mine Train half of Frontier Adventures to make travel easier.

After you are finished with Frontier Adventures, it may be getting towards, or
already be, lunch time. Now, especially on Opening Days with new employees,
AVOID PEAK LUNCH HOURS (unless the lines don't look bad). Now, I think
SFGAd has perhaps the widest selection of food of any park outside Disney.
We have EVERYTHING! Mexican, Chinese, Hoagies, BBQ, American Fare,
Cajun, Seafood...and all the traditional park junk food! Let's see...Mexican food:
Can be found at the fork in the path to Frontier Adventures. Chinese food can
be found adjacent to Skull Mountain. Hoagies and BBQ can be found adjacent
to Raging Rapids/Nitro. BBQ can also be found at Best of the West...across
from the Log Flume. American Fare can be found at Character Cafe...across
from Houdini, Great American Hamburger...to the northeast of the fountain,
across from GASM, HBO Backlot Commissary...near Batman, and there are
a few other places for good traditional stuff that I'm forgetting. Cajun can be
found a few steps past Dare Devil Dive...Rajun Cajun is the name...can't miss
it. Seafood can be found to the right of Skull Mountain, and great Italian food
can be found at Mama Flora's Cucina by the Big Wheel. Country Cookin
can be found at Granny's also by the big wheel. And while I'm sure there are
a few more good places I'm forgetting, that's it for now!

Now, where were we? Oh yes...after you do all your Frontier Adventure riding,
you are ready to move on. You can go in search of food (see above) or you
can hop the the Skyride to Fantasy Forest, or you can walk there and take
in the beautiful lakefront scenery (recommended!). To take in the Lakefront
scenery, DO NOT go up the hill upon exiting Frontier Adventures. Instead,
head to the left towards McDonald's and the Bandstage. Walk at a lesiurely
pace, and enjoy the scenerey. Perhaps, even sit down and take a rest...as I
often do. (It's a good thing to do...especially if you've ridden Viper!) You will
pass the season processing building and come to Blackbeard's Lost Treasure
Train, a Zierer family coaster that's a real hoot! After that, there are several
more choices in the immediate area. Buccaneer (Huss Swinging Ship), Pirates
Flight (Rotating, High Flying Pirate Ships), a Round Up, a Zierer Wave Swinger,
Evolution, Chaos, the Big Wheel, a Skull Mountain themed spinning ride which
name escapes me right now (anyone?) and of course, Skull Mountain.

After doing whatever in that area, you should head for the Movietown/Nitro/
Looney Tunes Seaport area. Seaport is very cool even if you don't ride anything,
check it out for the theming. And you ARE allowed on their kiddie coaster,
Road Runner Railway. Plus they have a cool flume in that area named Riptide.
Then you have the new star of the area, Nitro, and Raging Rapids too.

After you finish with that area, you are now in Movietown featuring, Batman:
The Ride, Batman and Robin: The Chiller, Stuntman's Freefall, and Movietown
Splashdown. Moving on, you are now back in Fantasy Forestm featuring a Musik
Express, a Huss Frisbee (gotta ride!), Autobahn Bumper cars, and a Enterprise
named Spinmeister...

With that said, you've conquered SFGAd! BTW- if you do come back on the
13th, contact me, my email address is in my member info...I'd love to hang
out and ''show you the ropes.'' I love showing newbies around my home park.

Any more questions anyone, feel free to ask!

-rob

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Rob Vaccaro

I still have to buy my pass, so what should I tell they person working the gate at the season pass entrance?

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"One good thing about all this, with all this fresh air were gonna sleep like babies"

i just have one piece of advice for Great Adventure: Do Not Ride Viper!!!°¿°

I could've sworn I read somewhere on here today that Viper wouldn't be running for opening day.

S: Stop at Shopright and purchase your pass there you won't have the line like you do at the ticket booth. When you get to the park you can just enter like you purchased your ticket at the park and go to processing. Opening day season pass processing can be a long wait if you can get there early it is best to do so as later in the day I have seen this line get well over 3 to 4 hours long and you can't leave until you process your pass other than get you hand stamped and re-enter the park.