El Toro, Announced

I've spent way too much time outside of New Jersey lately and my credit card balances will provide more than enough proof of that ;) Not to pick a fight or anything, but how can you say that a park like SFA or SFNE has the same atmosphere as Great Adventure? Not that I'm faulting your opinion, I'm just trying to figure out how we can be so far apart on this topic.

I can't say that the murky lake is breathtaking but I think that general area of the park is. It's nice to wander back there, especially at night- it's dark, there is usually a cool breeze and it's relatively quiet, even when the park is overrun with loud teenagers. Not many theme parks have a "quiet" area like that one, an area of the park where not much is going on. Big trees, winding paths, lawns and benches- it's a beautiful change of pace from the rest of the park.

im happy SFGAdv is gonna have another woodie under its belt....the only thing that will make me happier is that rolling thunder survives the construction process and mixes with EL TORO to create out of this world head choppers!
In the virtual version, the only other coaster you can see is KA which is a bit unnerving. (this could also be because EL TORO is a heck of a lot bigger that RT)

I don't really love either of those parks you mention. If I go to SFGadv it will be because of their great coasters, not for the park's atmosphere. It has the potential to be great, but to me the negatives outweigh the positives.

A park's atmosphere is about much more than just trees and pathways. Its the whole feeling I get from when I walk in the gates until I walk out.

I personally hold parks up to high standards. Cedar Point, Islands of Adventure, Knoebels, Busch Gardens Williamsburgh and Kennywood deliver what I would call a good park experience, each in their own way.

As far as the Six Flags chain even goes, SFGA and SFOT had a much better atmosphere and far better ride operations than SFGAdv.

hmm the new ride will either be the cows or one big s&s ride that is used lol .

How true. Atmosphere is about much more than trees and lakes. That's why I say that Great Adventure has potential- much more than parks like SFNE and SFA. After all, it's much easier to improve operations at a park with trees and lakes than it is to put trees and lakes at a park with good operations.

I go to parks for a number of reasons- rides, operations, atmosphere... the list goes on and on. That's why all the parks you mention are ones that I thoroughly enjoy going to, whether it's three times a year or once every decade. All I'm saying is that Great Adventure could easily be part of that group of parks you mention if they worked on getting things right on a consistent basis.

i myself am a frequent visitor of SFGAdv and i feel that it has a great atmosphere. it contains a lot of open air scenery and its rides do not rely on indoor themeing like islands of adventure does. theres a lot of fresh air and cool music themed to the area you are in i really like it and from what plaza de carnival sounds like, that will make the park's atmosphere even better

The first drop should be very intersting in the back seat. Perilous Plunge's drop feels almost vertical, I can't imagine an even steeper first drop on a wooden coaster, you guys should consider yourselves VERY lucky.

Jomo - IIRC Plunge's drop is 80*...four degress steeper than El Toro. That being said I doubt the 4* will make much of a difference and it'll feel just as vertical as plunge.

Yeah, and I agree with that Rob. It has all the potential in the world but new rides and new themed areas will not fulfill it. For me anyways.

Great Adventure also has tons of hanging flower baskets, those cool ice cream trucks and some pretty impressive signage. Don't forget that many of the rides really come alive at night with great lighting packages. Definitely a park easy on the eyes.

New rides alone are not going to fix a park. It's not going to work with SFMM and it's not going to work at Great Adventure. But if you get new rides AND management that has solid intentions of fixing customer service, cleaning the bathrooms and making sure all rides operate all the time, you've got a recipe for success. Great Adventure seems to be trying- SFMM doesn't. At least going by what I've heard since my visit in June 2004.

*** Edited 9/28/2005 7:05:48 PM UTC by Rob Ascough***

Anyone notice on HW website that Voyage said its drop angle is gonna be 66 degrees a US record. I guess they are gonna have to change that.

---

Coaster Lover said:
The press release also mentions "a new, themed family ride" in the new Plaza del Carnaval area. Anyone seen any more information on this yet?

---

I've heard from several sources SWAT is on its way from SFAW.

Also, SFAW's closing is the reason why they are building Bugs Bunny National Park (instead of just a generic new kids section). The character licensing is being transferred (after doing a transfer from Bugs Bunny Land to Great Escape last season). That way SF doesn't have to spend more on license fees.

That's why there are really no detailed renderings of either section (BBNP or PdC). The additional equipment/theme elements from Astroworld were added at the last minute.

Interesting. I wonder if Diablo Falls will also make it to Great Adventure? Seems to me that the theming would work perfectly.

Wow... all this stuff... I'm surprised the fanboys of other Six Flags parks aren't complaining about why their park isn't getting xxxxxxxxxx ride/attraction instead of Great Adventure!

^^^ Regarless if El Toro has a steeper drop Voyage is still going to kick it's a$$ Also HW announced first so that is why they have first claim to the record, also as fast as there going Voyage will most likely open first. *** Edited 9/28/2005 7:14:00 PM UTC by westcoaster man***

That "murky lake" at Great Adventure is not really murky! Great Adventure sits on the edge of the New Jersey Pine Barrens - an ecologically important area and an International Biosphere Reserve. The lake is quite clean and pristine. The brown water is a natural phenomenon caused by high levels of tannic acid from the oak trees, a high iron content, and humus from decaying vegetation.

I think Great Adventure is a really scenic park, much nicer than most "theme" or large-scale parks. I like how it is set into the woods and I do find the view of the lakes breathtaking. Not many places offer the opportunity to ride a roller coaster with a view of a biologically rich and unique environment.

And the same thing goes for Clementon Lake so do not be afraid of the log flume. :)

I though the cedar made the water red/murky.

It's often called "cedar water" but I'm not sure how much the cedar contributes to it. I could look it up if I was feeling ambitious (which I am not). I suspect it is called cedar water because of the numerous cedar swamps that dot the pinelands (Atlantic White Cedar, which is quite valuable by the way)..

I dunno either. I grew up in the barrens and my dad always said was cedar water. I don't really care. ITs all good don't waste your time. But Mill is right the water is clean! I wouldn't drink it but its clean and won't hurt you! Now if its Delware River Water then I'd be worry. You know its from the Delware when you can chew it!

Typical "enthusiast" response............

Many of you should call yourself Cedar Fair enthusiasts, not coaster enthusiasts. What an awsome addition, if Geauga Lake built this for the 06 season this thread would be filled with, "Ya know, they are headed in the right direction.......they are turning the corner."

Six Flags focus should be fixing the below par service below par capacity, and below par downtime. Hwoever the ride looks great especially the finale.

Just because you can be spotted talking to upper-management on the park midways of America doesn't mean you know whats right for a property. *** Edited 9/28/2005 7:33:34 PM UTC by Industry Force***

Perhaps SF should recruit over seas more. I know they do now but perhaps even more or in other countrys. I know CF does it and its pretty sucessful! Staffing issues has always been a problem at SFGADV so I guess they will take who ever they can get.

I hate Cedar Fair and Six Flags. I wish this was being built at Silverwood ;)