Going to SFMM for first time. Any Tips?

I will be going to SFMM next Saturday for the first time, and I need advice. I got my canadian citizenship 1 month ago, and got my passport 2 weeks ago. While I managed to visit Cedar Point, MarineLand, and Six Flags Darien Lake, I recently discovered the best Six Flags park, Magic Mountain. I looked at the pictures of their roller coasters, and I got a couple of questions:

-What does Goliath queue look like, twisted, with several rows, or one straight row? I saw the big GOLIATH sign, but don't know how the queue looks.

-For X, what are the wait times like for that roller coaster? SFMM website said that X's queue closes 1 hour prior to park closing time.

-What are the loading times for Riddler? CP's Mantis had horrible ones, so I wonder.

So, I am looking forward to my SFMM trip next saturday.

Riddler *probably* has the most annoying station in coasterdom. I've only been to the park once, but I loved it and found all the waits to be reasonable (this was in March '05 though). X wait times were around 1 1/2 to 2 hrs. that day and since you're going on a Fright Fest night, I'm not sure how busy they'll be. Take the park for what it's worth. Flashback probably won't be open and you'll probably run into another coaster that won't be as well since this is a year-round park (Deja Vu was closed when I went). Have fun!

+Danny

The best thing to do is hit X right as soon as the gates open, then work your way around the mountain hitting Deja Vu (if it's open...) Riddlers, and so on... Then X again about an hour before closing.

Don't expect the most amazing SF park ever... In fact, don't expect much at all. If you go in with an open mind you'll have a great time.

and any motels or hotels around SFMM?

I believe Danny (and dawn and others) stayed at a motel near SFMM, I'm sure there are nice hotels in Valencia. It looked like a very nice place.

As for SFMM, run to X first, then Deja Vu (ride once for me since I didn't get to), then Riddler, then Collossus, then up to Superman. Basically, you go over to X, then back to the far end of the park to Deja, then work your way up to Colossus, then up the hill to supes, and you've gotten the capacity problems done.

Everything else should have a normal line, those seem to be the problem spots.

We did stay in a motel near SFMM but it was absolutely dreadful. When I get the name of it, I'll let you know, but it's probably one of the worst ones I've ever been to and it's a chain I had been to and enjoyed before. It was nasty and haunted. Go for it if you're interested in the experience. =p

+Danny

LOL, which is why we stayed in Buena Park ;).

If I go to Solace 06', I'll likely stay at the Days Inn near Knott's the entire time.

If you see Flashback running (hah!), run.

The other way. Run fast, run hard, just run.

Riiiiight. Like that is ever going to happen. ;)

I don't really consider Valencia a good place. I would stay at the Hilton Garden Inn. It's the closest hotel to the park and isn't all that expensive. Just make sure when you check in to try and get a room AWAY from the interstate, like in the two west wings. Otherwise, it's just a typical 3 star. It's about as good as the hotels in that part (maybe all) of Valencia get.

^And stay away from their burgers unless you REALLY want an interesting experience. ;-)

The Mooseburger Lodge and Panda Express are pretty decent, though.

Corey is right, just go into the park with an open mind but don't expect anything. Don't anticipate being disappointed OR blown away, just enjoy!

And yes, it's wise to run to X as soon as you get there, and then make your way around the park.

Have fun! Give Riddler's and Goliath my love!

-Tina

*** Edited 10/22/2005 5:14:34 PM UTC by coasterqueenTRN***

Best SFMM Tip: don't go...enjoy Knotts, Disneyland, California Adventure, or Universal instead ;)

edited to add smiley since I was being sarcastic.

*** Edited 10/22/2005 1:08:30 PM UTC by Mamoosh***

^Geez, some people are just jaded. ;-)

I agree with Moosh but since you are a newbie and have your heart set on SFMM I would go for it. Everyone needs to experience SFMM at least once. Riddler's, Goliath, Scream, Batman, and sometimes X are worth it alone. Don't listen to these spoiled Californians. ;-)

How many days will you be in LA? If you are in for a few you should take in some of the above-mentioned parks as well, especially Knott's, and Adventure City is just a few blocks down the road (nice little kiddy park if you are into that) AND Universal if anything!

-Tina

Tekno, do I get some kind of referral commission for getting you hooked on that Days by KBF? ;)

If your going all the way out there, you might as well hit the Disney parks and Knotts... Adventure City as well! Make a week of it, since the other parks are usally open everyday

Goliath's queue is really unique in that after you pass the giant letters, the queue line heads down a slope that does a sidewinder-kind of trail. The entire queue is packed in by tropical plants. It's really nice. Then it evens out onto flat land and there's a long stretch of straight line. Then you hit a short set of sidewinding queue (not packed right next to each other like CP's Raptor), then the queue straightens back out and goes around the turnaround by the station, then there's a huge flight of stairs up to the loading platform. There's no switchback of queue in the loading platform; once you get up there, you wait for the individual seat rows.

on 1-10 scale, tell me how rough Colossus is? I heard a lot of bad things about Psyclone, so I will avoid that one, but I don't know about colossus.

7.2581

7.2582. God, don't you know anything!? ;)

Don't have too high hopes of X operating next saturday since it vallied for its third time. It may or may not be operating next week. Just keep that in mind. Also Flashback, Revolution will be down for sure. It will be packed because of fright fest so be sure to get to the park early. Anyway, hope you have a great time at the park.