Hershey, Dorney, Clementon, SFGAd June 20-22 (long)
Associated parks:
None
Wildcat - a few rough spots, but fast and wild, a great ride! 2 rides, waited maybe 2 trains.
Wildmouse - suprisingly wild little ride! Those turns are superfast, smooth, a real thriller! Can't believe they have the moving loading station, where the cars don't stop, you just jump in!
Lightning Racer - WOW! This was my first ride in Mellinium Flyer trains. Those are some real lookers, and very very comfortable. After I really have been enjoying the 'new' ratchet lap bars of PTC coasters less and less, these beautiful trains gave comfortable rides in luxury! Man, I could start thinking of all the great woodies that would be even better with these things. Rode about 7 times, Lighthing (red) seemed to win a lot of the time. Only 1 train per track was running, but waits were no longer than 10 mins.
Sooperdooperlooper - Love this ride. Always love Anton coasters, Mindbender GA being my favorite steelie period. Other than the loop, this ride isn't a whole lot, but that loop is great and since the addition of Great Bear, the ride is more interesting. Got about 5-6 rides. Both trains were on, but no wait. They wouldn't let us sit for another ride, had to walk around. That sucks.
Comet - beautifully taken care of Herbert coaster! Think we rode it 4 times, back, front, etc. Forgot that the trains are named 'Halley' and 'Mork'. One of the best maintained 'oldies' out there, smooth, great paint upkeep on everything. Great old station and tracer lights throughout. There is a brake over the station that was on (dunno if this thing is ever off, it was on when I rode back in about 94). Not much airtime, but riding these classics is one of my favorite things to do. The old PTC buzz bars are red now, but thank god they haven't put in those WRETCHED ratchet bars, etc.
Storm Runner - wow!!! This is probably a top 10 steelie for me. Rode about6 or 7 times, not much of a wait. Snuck in one double ride with a single rider :) This is my first of the new generation launched coasters. The launch really gave me that tickle in my gut that I seem to have such a hard time finding on any ride anymore... This thing was smooth, that first drop was awesome, and the twist(s) thing was great with the airtime.
I skipped Sidewinder, got that credit when I was here the first time.
Roller Soaker - the kids love this thing. I took off my shoes and shirt to ride, but those water cannons seem to go rite into the underwear, so I was soaked. A fun ride, but wouldn't do it again, unless it was a hot day and I didn't have to wait...
Great Bear - what a great ride! I'm not a huge B&M fan, they're kinda all the same to me. That high turn over the looper was great, super views on the whole ride. Not too 'super fast lets squeeze 6 G's' experience that the Batman clones are. Near the front row (rode 2nd row 2 or 3 times) I actually got a little airtime about 3 or 4 times. Really loved this ride, it's short, but it's a top 10 steelie for me. Got at least 6 rides, no waiting.
Tuesday was my first trip to Dorney Park. From this point on, I was riding solo, leaving my friend Diana back in Lancaster, PA.
I drove in around 4:40, had planned on getting the twilight admission at 5pm. Got my ticket and walked in (it was before 5, but they didn't say anything).
Talon - right in the gate, what a great ride! Liked it much better than the Batmen, but not as much as Great Bear. Probably better than Raptor as well... 5 rides, barely no waiting...
Madmouse - same as the one at Hershey, but of course being a Cedar Fair park, the loading station doesn't keep moving. nice paint job/lighting.
Hyra - this thing looks great. No waiting, got 4 rides. First time was in the front, that jo jo roll is great and people seem to really love it. Great lights shooting up the life a-la Magnum (but in pink/or red?). First drop is nice and steep, and really great w/airtime in the back seat. A great ride, short. Other than the first drop on first 3 elements, B&M really could use a little more inspiration. There are great opportunities for the terrain, etc. This is MY problem with most B&M rides...
Thunderhawk - been waiting to ride this since the 80's when I was a teen coaster nut. Was dissapointed a few years ago when I saw the CFair folks painted it dull yellow puke, covering up the bright yellow. Great short ride, only rode it 2 times. Once in back and once in the 'Herpert P Schmeck seat of max torque' or whatever it's called. The third seat had great airtime (true airtime, thanks to the old buzzbars). The brake on the run back was a real buzzkiller. Also, the 'nuetered' look of the que/station reminds me of how Cedar Point really screwed up my beloved Blue Streak.
Steel Force - great first 2 drops, all in all pretty good. No Magnum, and the helix really is pretty strong. Not crazy about the color scheme of the trains. All have grey/silver on bottom, a stripe in the middle (one 'red train', on black and one blue) and white on top. Not very pleasing to the eye. Great ride though, tall, etc. 2 rides, waited maybe 1 train.
Laser - yes! Love these old Anton/Intamin, etc. thing (see my SDLooper review above). No wait, hate the fact that you can't pick your seat though... With all the resources CFair has, they could build a platform to facilitate the proper 'wait for your preferred seat' station. Anyway... great forceful ride. 4 rides, on in front seat.
Dorney was very Cedar Point-ized, all concrete, very clean, conservative, etc. A great park, the Whip was great, so nice to see it well preserved. I was suprised how small the place was - NOT a bad thing at all. Enjoyed it and would love to go back.
Clementon (lake?) park - Thursday June 22nd. Tiny little park, kinda reminded me more of a carnival. Got my $8 off coupon at the local WaWa and drove into the almost empty (tiny) lot. Got in and made a b-line to Tsunami, I mean 'J2'. There's a great sign going in stating "extremely aggressive ride." Real kick butt ride! Great first drop, 2nd hill/drop is even better. Lots of great sustained air time all over (even though it does have the awful PTC ratchet bars.) The ride is pretty rough though, notably the helix, which I didn't care for. One ride op was a coaster enthusiast and told me that GCI had been out to work on it. The curves especially had lot of those little metal brace things up against the track. Got about 6 or 7 rides in, the crew was fun to talk to, but had to wait for a few people (usually 2 or 3 others) before the train could be sent out. Front seat was the place to be, much smoother than the back and that 2nd drop gave me airtime all the way down (yes, even in the front). This thing is gonna need some work though!
Left there around 1pm to make my way to Great Adventure. I told myself the whole way to not get my hopes up, remembering my past experiences at this park. Out of the 3 times I've been there, I left 2 times out of boredom/dissapointment (closed rides, etc.)
After 3 years of not having a Six Flags season pass, I decided I would get one ... knowing that I'll be stopping in at Darien lake in the next few days, and may even go to my home park back near Chicago...
$15 for parking and $105 for a pass... the lot was full and it was hot as hell... I prepared myself, said the serenity prayer many many times, and kept reminding myself "you know what your getting into."
My last visit was 2 years ago. I got in and walked over to Kinda Ka. This place is hell getting around in, no set pattern and seems to have lots of big dead ends. I asked how long, the attendant told me it was a 2.5 hour wait. Then I started walking over the El Toro. I passed by the 'flash pass' box office and that started clicking in my head.
I am a totally against this fast pass/flash whatever it's called. I think it's totally WRONG of the parks to offer this. But, in true american fashion, they do it anyway. If you don't like it don't go, right!?
I was by myself. It was 1000 degrees. It was overdcrowded with smoking (all over) cell phone talkin teens. Acting out, posing in walmart bought Ramones, Blondie and Misfit tees (my fav bands of all time, and I used to get made fun of for wearing these shirts, mine were genuine too!) Along with the thug-poser crowd. Luckily for me, there were lots of cute guys to get my mind off of what I had gotten myself into.
So I brokedown and walked over to the 'flash pass' box. I asked all the questions, etc. The girls were very nice, but not really sure about alot of stuff. It was after 3pm, and this is when I found out the park was only open until 8, thought it was open till 10. They weren't sure about that either. Or where the bathrooms were.
I decided against it. With all my hatred for the idea of the 'flash pass' system, I woulndn't 'be a part of it.' The line for Toro couldn't be as long as that of Kingda, could it!? I had brought in my 'advanced' manual for the recent digital camera to read in lines to pass the time, being alone... and I kept reminding myself what I was getting into before I even decided to go... and that I didn't HAVE to ride the 2 new coasters this year.
So I wandered over to El Toro, this thing looks GREAT!!! 2.5 hour wait :) yay! i walked right back over to the flash pass booth and layed down 30 plus bucks for my little electronic thing. Back to El Toro, and I think I scanned it in the wrong place. The stupid signs say "put it in the slot" or something but there is no slot. You're supposed to hold it up to to scan. Mine didn't work. No beep. Great! I thought. A security guard has just walked up to the que attendant and I told him my 'thing' wasn't working. He tried it, no beep. "Oh well, I'll just walk you up." huh? I thought!? "is it just you?" he asked. "yeah." "Ok, come this way." yes :)
What!??? walk me up! hehe :) Basically, I had just go the flash pass, scanned it wrong (or maybe it malfunctioned, I dunno and don't care). I think he thought I had scanned in for my start time a while ago and was back to ride, but whatever, the guy walked me right up the ramp to the station. He told me to sit anywhere I wanted! So I walked to the back, there were 2 groups in front of me.
Another single rider later came up and I told him he could ride with me. I had made it! And I didn't have to wait in that stupid line. Some guys were saying they waited around 4 hours! So there was the second train, sitting on transfer. I knew about there only being one approved/operational train, etc. going into this deal.
What really urked me was the slow loading. I knew that it was slow, don't tough lap bars, stapling, etc. But 2 people to slowly check 36 seatbelts and lap bars???? Those poor employees.
There were some white shirt/exec/or whatever six flags people there doing whatever/escorting camera people looking on. If this was run by Cedar Fair, I think there would be at least 4 lap bar/seat belt checkers, probably more.
I do have to admit, the seat belt tightening/lap bar stapling was totally necessary for this ride. But for goodsake, get more employees up there! 2 employees started at the front of the train, one on each side, and tigtened every seatbelt, and pushed down ever lap bar VERY diligently. And yes, it's true, if someone pulls a lap bar down, the game starts all over.....
I was impressed that they really were looking out for safety here (note 1988 Lightning Loops incident, etc. and particularly the nature of this ride). So then we were off... The lift was great, fast, everything you've read. As was the ride. Major major major 'upward forces' (little true airtime, as you are stapled). Very very smooth, even more smooth than most steelies (note wood/steel construction, nylon covered wheels).
It's all been written, and it all comes down to opinion. It is a great ride. The GP love it. In all fairness, it is a woodie, but really for a purist like me, it's a 'hybrid'. Voyage is a woodie to me, and there is not comparison. It's natural to compare I guess, especially how El Toro was announced after Voyage with a 2 degree steeper drop to 'up the ante', but there is no comparison. El toro is very wild and forceful, but like the newer Intamin coasters, it feels very 'controlled'.
Then I walked over to Kingda Ka. Scanned it my little defective beeper thing. It was about 5:38 and it told me I could come back at 6:39. Great! I thought. It's a 2.5 hour wait, but this virtual que thing is only gonna make me wait an hour.
So off I went to explore the park. I walked around, not too excited to do anything here... The Chiller - both sides, was totally closed all day. Last time I was here I rode Robin (Batman side was closed) and loved it (note: I never rode it, thankfully, before they replaced the shoulder bars). I went and rode this ride I don't remember, themed with a skull in the middle and skull hand holding seats on a Turtle-like track. Not the best idea in the heat, this thing lasted forever.
I wanted to ride Skull Mountain, loved this coaster the times I've been here before. But it was 'broken down'. I didn't wanna stray too far and miss my 15 minute 'time slot' to ride Ka. So that's all I did. Looked a few thing, drank water out of bathroom faucets, and tried to find my way around.
This park is really one of my least favorites... it is very disorganized and the layout is terrible. I've heard of all the 'six flags/Shapiro' improvements, and other than fake greetings from pissed off employees, I didn't see any improvements in this park.
.... So this flash pass thing never beeped, but my ride time kept gettin pushed up! I was scheduled for 5:39, but moved up to 6:19. Apparently, the ride broke down 3 or 4 times, and that gets propagated in your time. So finally got on this thing. Ended up in the middle with another single rider over a wheel (it's still rougher, even on the best steel coasters...). The anticipation was great. The launch was intense and I felt my eyeballs and brain compress. My seat vibrated and everyone was freakin out and screaming. Great view from the top.
For the GP, sometimes big flashy things are better... sometimes bigger is better if your not a nut about coasters. It was a fun 'ride' but glad I didn't wait all that time for it. Storm Runner at Hershey was Much much much more fun, for me anyway.
So that's it, I wanted to get outta here. I came mainly to ride the 2 newest coasters, and did it. Still had more time.. and the girl at the flash pass checkout said "are you sure you don't wanna try Nitro?!" I said thanks, but no.
It will be many moons before I return to this park. Here's the rundown. Superman was shutdown when I came in. Medusa was shut down from what I heard from the 'guest' I rode Kingda Ka with. Rolling Thunder had the blue/red side open only. Kingda Ka only had the left side station open. Chiller was totally shut down.
There were not enough bathrooms in the park, and employees didn't seem to know where they were. Not many water fountains, I was one of many drinking out of the bathroom faucets (waiting to figure out the automatic flow faucets, that is) There were massive lines even for the overpriced soft drinks (only one window in a four window stand was open). The shuttle ship/looper thing was closed, as were several other rides (wouldn't have rode, just taking notes). The bungee launch thing was closed. I guess Six Flags/Shapiro/Great Adventure still have more work to do.
I did overhear other guests complaining about the lines/prices, etc. One couple was complaining that in a while day they rode 4 rides.
So the old saying is "if you don't like it, leave" so I did. BTW, the GASMachine was running the red and white trains and looks great with it's new paint job. Too bad nobody was riding this. Think I spotted about 3 people in the station.
And El Toro promoted as the "Greatest woodie" ??? that gets a big whatever. Come on Six Flags, your not making about the customer... To make things worse for myself, I forgot where I parked. So had to search through a sea of those sickly yellow plates to find my car. Got lucky, only took me an extra 15 mins...
I still cannot understand why this park is so highly rated. I guess out of all the Six Flags parks, it makes money due to its location. Other than money and a few big coasters, this park is ... uh... well.. I'll shuttup :) It just makes me happy that although I have had a few bad experience as Great AMERICA, I'm still glad my home park is one of the best Six Flags out there (especially out of the 'biggies')
(also that I live only 2 hrs from Indiana Beach, when I want a truly fun coaster and ride day).
That leg of my trip ended on a not so exciting note, but I'm gonna be hitting Darien, Seabreeze, Conneaut and maybe Martin's in the next few days (see meeting schedule). *** Edited 6/24/2006 5:49:38 AM UTC by J7G3***
I Love how whenever you leave an Amusement Park at the end of the day you'll hear a chorus of Car Alarms as pepole who cannot find their Cars use the "Panic Button" on their keys to locate where it is!:)
Eight 'O Clock closing! Mr. Shapiro, you need to keep this park open longer. People want more value and how can they get it if they wait in line so much and then have to leave so soon. An 8 PM closing might be all right for a park like LC which is smaller and doesn't have the crowds and the long waits. Meanwhile KW normally stays open until 10 and will remain open to 11 if it is busy. That allows us to experience the beauty of a lit up park and the thrills of riding coasters after dark.
I sugggest that the entire Six Flags management make a special trip to KW, KB, IB, HW, LC, DW, SDC, all of the Cedar Fair parks, and other parks that have their act together and offer good value. Maybe then they can determine what really needs to be done to some of their parks. *** Edited 6/25/2006 4:52:18 PM UTC by Arthur Bahl***
Arthur Bahl
J7G3 saidClementon (lake?) park - Thursday June 22nd. Tiny little park, kinda reminded me more of a carnival. Got my $8 off coupon at the local WaWa and drove into the almost empty (tiny) lot. Got in and made a b-line to Tsunami, I mean 'J2'. There's a great sign going in stating "extremely aggressive ride." Real kick butt ride! Great first drop, 2nd hill/drop is even better. Lots of great sustained air time all over (even though it does have the awful PTC ratchet bars.) The ride is pretty rough though, notably the helix, which I didn't care for. One ride op was a coaster enthusiast and told me that GCI had been out to work on it. The curves especially had lot of those little metal brace things up against the track. Got about 6 or 7 rides in, the crew was fun to talk to, but had to wait for a few people (usually 2 or 3 others) before the train could be sent out. Front seat was the place to be, much smoother than the back and that 2nd drop gave me airtime all the way down (yes, even in the front). This thing is gonna need some work though!
Sorry we made you wait alot of people get pretty pissed off about that. You picked the right day to come. We were not waiting on Friday for people at all it was packed all day until it rained.
Waldameer and CLP are close anough that you should be able to do both on the same day if time is a concern. Both parks have free admission and a choice of POP or Pay-per-ride *** Edited 6/26/2006 10:42:29 AM UTC by Arthur Bahl***
Arthur Bahl
Overall, the coaster I wanted to get to the most out of this entire trip was Blue Streak at Conneaut. It was closed Sunday. The lady from administration seemed almost bothered to answer my question as well... o well.
I hit Darien on the way back, I'm gonna do a trip report on that later.
I was doing better when I was there Memorial Day. It was about medium crowds for SFGAdv, but they were semmingly doing better than they were this day you visited.
I worked at the park 91-93 (2 yrs on the 'old/fun' Blue Streak) and it's amazing how the operations are so well run.. Rules are usually set in stone, everything is under control. Six Flags (esp. Great Adventure) just seems to be completely aloof.
I worked at SFOT (it was a semi-internship) in '95 and it was pretty much a mess there. The very cheap party favors (shirts, mugs, balloons) and renting a hall to commemorate the first "internship - alpha class" seemed much more important than finding out what we were actually supposed to be doing there. Lot's of VERY easy ways to 'get away with stuff' and 'milk the clock.'
CP, although I bash it with all the concrete and silver ques, is much more conservative. It's just much more organized and people care about what they are doing much more. If we had a job to do there, we may not have been happy about it, but we did it correctly.
Also, Mr. Kinzel, Falfas and the other 'black tags' were always seen walking around the park. Not to the extent of Holiday World, but the presence of people who actually care was 'there'.
eightdotthree said:
When the park is busy it is like this, when its rainy it is like Gonch's day. I have experienced both.
Yeah, I imagine the rain made my day what it was. SFGAdv is one of my least favorite SF parks - I really would have liked to see how everything held up in more 'normal' operations.
Sometimes you luck out and sometimes you don't. :)
J7G3 said:
... the lot was full and it was hot as hell... I prepared myself, said the serenity prayer many many times, and kept reminding myself "you know what your getting into."
Thats funny cause I say the same thing everytime I go.
I got in and walked over to Kinda Ka. This place is hell getting around in, no set pattern and seems to have lots of big dead ends. I asked how long, the attendant told me it was a 2.5 hour wait.
Never ask them this. They never know and always give the wrong answer.
I am a totally against this fast pass/flash whatever it's called. I think it's totally WRONG of the parks to offer this. But, in true american fashion, they do it anyway. If you don't like it don't go, right!?
I remember how wrong I used to think Flashpass was/is. It is! There is no way of getting around that; its greedy and unfair. But, if you cant beat em join em! I'll cheat bot anyday.
Voyage is a woodie to me, and there is not comparison. El toro is very wild and forceful, but like the newer Intamin coasters, it feels very 'controlled'.
Did you forget that the Voyage has a steel structure? Hybrid too my friend ;) Voyage may be slightly more "wood" because its track is wood but when it comes down to it they are both 50/50 wood:steel ratio
Also, if its of any importance, as of the other day, all commercials I've seen for the park/El Toro seem to have "dubbed over" the "worlds greatest wooden coaster" with "worlds steepest wooden coaster" lol. I don't know if it's just another one I haven't seen before or they actually decided to change it. *** Edited 6/29/2006 10:22:57 PM UTC by P18***
DorneyDante said:
J7G3 said:Did you forget that the Voyage has a steel structure? Hybrid too my friend Voyage may be slightly more "wood" because its track is wood but when it comes down to it they are both 50/50 wood:steel ratio
Not to me! The Coney Island Cyclone has a 70% steel structure. I guess it's just all a matter of opinion. To me, Voyage is a woodie "with steel structure." In all fairness, it is a hybrid, but it's still a woodie to me.
El Toro, on the other hand, it more wood than Voyage! But it's kinda a rich mans cheating way of being a 'poseur', or whatever... Those triains are just damn ugly too, ug! It really is a "Disney-esque" woodie.
Arthur Bahl
Keep in mind that many of us aren't like General Peeps. It's like the die hard fan. The concert hall opens at 6PM and they are already at the gate by 5.
What the Gold Bot does (and does well) is give people like us an option to kind of ignore the crowds and power-ride certain things for a day. Think of what your experience would be like if the crowds for the rides you want most just disappeared.
Is it wrong? Probably. Do I care? No. Why? (This stuff is more important to me than to the general peeps). The wonderful website has had endless debates about this subject, so I won't rehash the issue here - even though I think I just did.
To be fair, I had a great time at Knobles and Rye, but they just don't have a ride like Nitro, Ka, Medussa. I went on a family vacation at Cedar Point with my family a few years ago. I loved it, but other than the hotel bonus, I waited on quite a few lines. I would love to see the openly nice customer service I read about in postings about Dollywood or Holiday World. I just can't get there.
When I go to Great Adventure, I usually know what to expect. The Bot just helps me deal with it.
----
Mr. Bahl - You are absolutely right! An 8 PM closing is not fair, yet Cedar Point closed at 8 during the last week of August when I went. (Just when the park was starting to "light up") By the way - I just checked thier website - During late August weeknights it's still closing at 8 PM.
Here's To Shorter Lines & Longer Trip Reports!
Of course I went right after Kingda Ka had the major break down but I figured it was no loss since I still have Dragster nearby.
I'm not a big fan of the price for those Q-Bots/Gold Bots but I did rent one for my visit and I must say it was the best investment as I probably would not have done most of the park without it.
X Factor
Richie Reflux said:
J7G3 - As I posted on my (very long - but recent trip report) a Great Day can be had at Great Adventure. The only thing is that you have to plan it around weather when most people won't come. Most people (General Peeps) will not go to spend a day and a lot of money when heavy rain is predicted for the entire day. That's when I went and I had a BLAST.Is it wrong? Probably. Do I care? No. Why? (This stuff
To be fair, I had a great time at Knobles and Rye, but they just don't have a ride like Nitro, Ka, Medussa. I
---- 8 PM.
I hear ya! The first time I was at GAdventure was around when Skull Mountain opened. There was a huge storm, everyone left, and we had ERT on everything. But to have to plan that is just not my idea of a good time. Especially for a park on the other side of the country.
Q bot/flash pass wrong? Heck yeah, I think it is. Totaly hypicrite b/c I bought one to get on those 2 coasters the 4 hours I was at that park. I think it's crap...
As for Knoebel's not having a Nitro and Medusa, I think that's just opinion. We all got one I know.. I would much rather spend a day on Phoenix! I didn't even go near Nitro and Medusa this time... Those B&M's pretty much all feel the same to me. I really wanted to get some rides in on the Chiller (only rode Robin last time) but that was closed too...
I agree that pay queue systems suck. You pay enough to get into these parks and then you pay through the nose for the food and drinks so why this? It also degrades the park experience for those who don't pony up for the extra amount. As I mentioned before, I would like to go to some northeastern parks but I wil l probably pass on SFGAdv for now. I believe that KB, HP, and DP can provide a much better overall experience.
There are 11 good reasons why there are no Six Flags parks in PA. You all should be able to figure out what they are.
Arthur Bahl
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