PCW and SFDL on Memorial Day Weekend
I am planning a trip to these parks on Memorial Day Weekend and I'm hoping that any regulars of either park can tell me what to expect as far as crowds go, and what things are a must in each park. The coasters go without saying.
This will be my first time to each of the parks. I also plan on stopping at Martin's Fantasy Island. Anyone have some insights on that park?
Thanks
I do, I do!
If you're going to Martin's Fantasy Island... don't expect much. They got a decent variety of carnie rides (yes, some are decent thrills), as well as a great wooden coaster that's smooth and fun... but only standard "Chance" flat rides. You can't spend an entire day there unless you have a family (little kids will like the shows, and rides).
Crowds for Six Flags Darien Lake will be moderate. That is their Mardi Gras weekend, so expect some kind of weird things to be going on during your visit there... but I was there last weekend and it was a nice day, but I was able to get a lot of re-rides on all the coasters and flats. As long as they got 2 trains running on all their coasters (including the Boomerang), it shouldn't be more than a 20 minute wait max, except Superman (1hr max).
For Wonderland... don't know................
Thanks DawgByte, that's kind of the plan. We're driving up on Saturday, we'll hit Martin's for a couple hours, then SFDL til closing.
Sunday is PCW.
Monday is back to SFDL for whatever we missed or want to ride again, and then a six hour drive back to Jersey.
PCW is of course my home park but, we also get our Six Flags Season Pass from SFDL. The one thing that you should know about PCW that weekend is that it is not a Holiday Weekend here in Canada so you won't see the crowds at PCW like the ones this weekend. Our hliday is the week before Memorail Day. I would recommend PCW on Sunday rather than Saturday. Why? Well the weather here has not been great since PCW has opened and when we get the nice weather PCW will get busy. Like all parks PCW is no different... Saturdays are always busier than Sundays. Even on SFDL's busiest days will not even come close to a normal summer day crowd at PCW. PCW=3 Million guest per year SFDL less than 2 Million.
Here is what I recomend SFDL Saturday when the gates open. Buy some Fast Pass (or what ever they call them) rush back to S:ROS and ride a couple of time (don't use fast pass yet). Predator and catch the Boomerang and then over to Viper. If you are lucky Mind Eraser may be running two trains if not wait a bit or use a fast pass. Catch the Batman show. Eat at the Chicken Ranch ... they have really have good buffalo wings. ( I guess they should). The little burger joint across from the Chicken Ranch is also pretty good. Ride more S:ROS with your fass pass. Leave SFDL around 5PM and it is only a few minute drive east I-90 /I290 to Martins (MFI). MFI have a very reasonable after 5 pricing formula. You will not be disappointed in dropping in on MFI ... Free Parking and Silver Comet is fantastic. I call it Legend lite. You should be able ride Silver Comet till closing and trust me you will not want to leave.
Cross the border and stay on the Canadian side Saturday night because your US$ is worth way more here. Be at PCW Sunday for there 10:AM opening. This post could go on for ever for what to do at Wonderland. I would suggest popping over to my site and explore my PCW Guide.
Have fun and we will more than likely be at PCW on that Sunday.
Regards,
Kevin Reid
PCW Junkies on Ride Photos of Fear
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We are paid by those who have learned from our mistakes.
Everything should be running 2 trains on memorial day weekend, and Shipwreck falls should be running too. Shouldn't be a bad day, but not the best either.
How does fastlane work at SFDL?
I am not sure if Fast Pass is same at SFDL this year as it was last year. But here is how it work last year. Purchase a Fass Pass Ticket at the front ... I think it was $10 for five rides. Last year Fast Pass was eligible to be used approx one hour after the park opened.
The premier ride in the park, S:ROS, gets a full car (4 seats) roped off from the loading station. To use Fass Pass you walk up the exit and you are loaded into that one roped of car. The bad thing was they would not fill any of the four empty seat with riders if there was no Fass Pass riders. Quite silly if you ask me.
Here is a tip if you are not fussy on were you ride S:ROS. IMO the station is properly design because the entrance is blocked with folks waiting for the back. Just politely excuse yourself and head for front ... Seat 1.2 runs empty alot of times and there are folks always offering to let you go ahead because they are waiting to ride with buds on seat 1.1. This little tip can save you many minutes especially if SFDL is running their infamous one train op on the best ride in the park.
Have a great time at both parks. You may see us at PCW... if it is a bit chilly we will be wearing our SOB coats. You can't miss us everybody know us at PCW... just kidding!
Regards,
Kevin Reid
PCW Junkies on Ride Photos of Fear
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We are paid by those who have learned from our mistakes.
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Hey! I will be at PCW that Sunday too! Glad to hear it is not a holiday weekend in Canada.
The fast pass at SFDL worked great last summer when I was there. Lines for S:ROS were at least an hour long yet we only had to wait less than 5 minutes each time with fast pass! I thought it was unfair that they didn't fill up those 4 fastpass reserved seats though, as they were almost always empty as no one was using fast pass. Would have made the line go alot fast had they used those 4 seats if no one was waiting with fast pass.
Hey! I will be at PCW that Sunday too!
Catherine,
I was checking out your track record and I don't see any PCW coasters on your list. Will this be your first visit? If you have any questions on Wonderland just post them and I will reply. If you plan on hitting any other Paramount Parks this year I would highly recommend purchasing a PCW season pass. Which is much cheaper than the other Paramount parks when you apply the exchange.
Regards,
Kevin Reid
PCW Junkies on Ride Photos of Fear
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We are paid by those who have learned from our mistakes.
To add in some thoughts:
PCW may actually be the busiest on Sunday since there will be some fireworks that night and the park is open until 11:00 p.m. that night....Again, it all depends on the weather but you can guarantee that if it is sunny and not too cold, then the crowds may be a bit more larger than normal weekend crowds... As for vegetarian food, there is not too much selection that can fit the needs of such a person (except for veggie subs at the Mr. Sub's around the park), so you may want to get something from outside the park; there are a few places built just recently that can help...sorry for stealing the answer from you FRMPEI....
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But to add to that, the teperature is only supposed to be around 10, and should be quite cool in the evening. Add the fact that the Maple Leafs have a very important game on Sunday night, and I don't think that the fireworks will have that much of an impact on crowds... I know if I wasn't working I'd be at home watching the game...
Nice to see another PCW employee around here
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"I sold my soul to Viacom"
Great to see the reponses of the all the PCW supporters. I believe Catherine is going to PCW on the Sunday of the US holiday May 26 and not this Sunday May 19.
Vegetarian! Hmm good question. As already suggested Mr. Sub or cheese pizza @ Pizza Pizza . (The Pizza so good they named it twice). You could also phone the PCW general info line @ 905-832-8131 there is also a comment/info form on the PCW official site.
Black_Dragon,
We will be looking for you at Minebuster this year. We had some great rides on MCM this past Sunday.
VortexGuy,
Have not seen you at Vortex yet this year. First name Dave?
Regards,
Kevin Reid
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We are paid by those who have learned from our mistakes.
FRMPEI said:
VortexGuy,
Have not seen you at Vortex yet this year. First name Dave?
Correct. But my name tag says David (There's two Daves at Vortex)
You man remember be from such times as ACE day, and your local supermarket.. (Wow, that sounds a lot like Troy MacLure.. hehe).
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