Friday nights at WOA?

I was planning a couple of 3-day weekend coaster trips in September and came to the realization that virtually none of the Six Flags parks in the east are open on fridays (aside from the first friday, the 5th). The lone exception is Worlds of Adventure which is open 6pm-midnight every friday night in September. This seems strange to me that they would be open such odd hours in the fall, particularly when none of the other SF parks are open at all. Does anyone know if the park is in full operation on these evenings? Is there something special going on that I should take into consideration?

Well, I will admit that the hours are a little different. I don't know why they are like that, but I can tell you about what events are going on in September.

Blues, Brews & BBQ is going on one weekend

Oktoberfest is going on one weekend

Fright Fest begins in late September

I'm guessing it's similar to Cedar Point and its Bonus Weekends. School should probably be back in session by then, and it gives the students an opportunity to get to the park.

And, more importantly, an opportunity for their employees (predominantly high school kids) to get home, change, and get to the park by 5:00 or so.

Each park obviously sets their own operating schedule.

I wanted to do an away from home Fright Fest / Haloweekends type getaway on the weekend of October 11th - 13th. The kids have Columbus Day (Monday the 13th) off from school. I assumed because SFGAm is open on the 13th that all the other parks would be open all 3 days on that weekend and to my dismay - the SF parks I checked were all closed on Monday the 13th, Columbus Day. I may end up staying in Gurnee that weekend - even though it's only about 60 miles from home!

So does anyone have any experience with these friday night openings? Is it just a big high school hangout? Should I expect a big crowd?

Sorry for all of the questions. I just want to make sure that a friday evening at WOA will be worth the 5 hour trip.

Went to a couple Friday nights last year, and they were pretty good. All the rides were open except for the Wolf Bobs cause that's when they started to re-track the back half of the ride, and they'll probably do the same this year and get the rest of the ride done. They got a few haunted houses (haven't been in one so, can't help you on that).

As far as "big crowds," it's 50/50. The lines for Villain, B: KF and X-Flight were long, but not to long.

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Top 3 Wooden Coasters: The Villain, Thunderbolt, Blue Streak
Top 3 Steel Coasters: Magnum XL-200, Millennium Force, Top Thrill Dragster