Impressions from SFStL, Memorial Day (5/29)

I'm liking this concept of keeping things to the point, so here's the highlights...

- Ever since my first ride at SFoT in 2000, I've known that Mr. Freeze is a cool ride. However, now experiencing it with lapbars, it definitely now kicks some serious boo-tay.

- The top hat in reverse is climbing my preferences of favorite type of inversions. I love the view of watching the ground recede from you!

- What's with having Freeze that far from the rest of the Gotham-themed section of the park?

- I now officially dig dark ride shoot 'em ups. The Scooby Doo Scary Swamp across from Freeze is not to be missed. I actually preferred it a little to Gobbler Getaway, since more stuff reacted when you shot it, and you could see where your misses landed, like tracers!

- Really cool double-down on the Boss' first drop, but after that? Meh.

- Can I request some PTC trains for the Boss, please? The G-trains blow.

- They sure seem to like their really long queue lines here. Kinda fun to walk up for the Boss over all those kart tracks, though.

- Ahh, PTC's on Screamin' Eagle. :) That's a nice ride for an older girl. I could see where a cooler day might get you some air.

- I don't know why they moved the entrance for the Eagle near it's exit in the games, but c'mon, folks. The carved and painted wooden entrance sign for Screamin' Eagle is very classic. Let us enter the ride near it.

- Superman Tower of Power = usual Intamin drop ride fun!

- River King Mine Train was nice, but I just can't get excited about these much anymore.

- The chain-guide headchopper on Ninja is really cool. It makes the ride worth hitting again.

- Funny listening to my friend Lisa (coaster trip newbie), commenting that RKMT and Ninja were "smooth". Girl, you haven't hit the Man yet!

- I finally get on the mirror image Batman. Standard B&M smooth, but after being on so many SFGAm laps, I loved how every element tricked me a little.

- All in all, not a bad mid-size place. I would say all they need is a nice hyper with some plentiful air to turn it from a "nice stop when you're passing by" to a "I've got to get my but there" park.

- On a side note, if you are indeed in the area, make sure to go up in the Arch. A fantastic way to break up the trip, and get some splendid views, too. Must be cool to be up there during a Cards game!

Later,
EV

"- What's with having Freeze that far from the rest of the Gotham-themed section of the park?"

See SFA's Twoi Face: The Flip Side. It's in Southwest Territory, while JJ and BATWING are in Gotham City. In addition, tell me why SROS is in Gotham City?

I think it has to do with the park wanting to put the coasters in a certain location or something, which was less important than the theming agreeing with the area aspect.

On a side note, has anyone ever though about turning the St. Louis arch into the world's largest skycoaster? :)

I actually was up in the arch years ago while the Cards were playing at Busch Stadium circa 1987ish. It was neat to look through the arches at the top of the stadium to see play happening. The Arch is definitley a great way to spend a little time on a trip through St. Louis. Great views of the whole area.

Nope, No Way would I ride a skycoaster hanging from the Arch.

If they were to add a Skycoaster to the Arch, where would the lift tower-mechanism be built? in East St. Louis, IL? Kiener Plaza downtown?

The old Busch Stadium, now razed, had a few buildings blocking it, limiting the view of the north portion from atop the Arch. However, the NEW Busch Stadium, a baseball-only park, can be completely seen from the Arch, which makes it hard for staff to control the crowds up there when a Cardinals game is going on. Still, the chance to see Albert Pujols get a homer from up there is cool.

Can't say what it's like up there during a game myself, as I was in the Busch Stadium(s).

SFStL is a nice great park for the the 2 times I've been there (last was this April). A hyper would complete the line-up. *** Edited 6/19/2006 7:50:18 PM UTC by CoastersNSich***

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rablat5 said:
"- What's with having Freeze that far from the rest of the Gotham-themed section of the park?"

See SFA's Twoi Face: The Flip Side. It's in Southwest Territory, while JJ and BATWING are in Gotham City. In addition, tell me why SROS is in Gotham City?

I think it has to do with the park wanting to put the coasters in a certain location or something, which was less important than the theming agreeing with the area aspect.

On a side note, has anyone ever though about turning the St. Louis arch into the world's largest skycoaster?

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Not to mention that it's quite a long hike from Supes to Batwing...now if only they hadn't put two face in SWT there would've been a ton of possibilites for some decent flats over there.