Their staff has improved GREATLY this summer. Their service is also much better with having all rides running all the time. I have had a season pass since '97, and the park is steady growing and "maturing". My advice is to go on a weekday, like Tuesday or Wednesday, as the crowds are almost non-existant and you are able to really enjoy yourself!
Oh yeah, my advice is to also start in the back and ride Batwing and Superman first, however, since u have never been there before, this may spoil the thrill of the other rides. So go early and ride other things and save those for last or midday.
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*** This post was edited by scoaster on 7/8/2002. ***
I went there last year, and I'm going this Thursday (Change of Plans), it wasn't too bad last year, I went on a Thursday too. Batwing had a line, and hour +. Superman had a mere 20 minute wait, so it wasn't bad. They have tons of great rides there.
You'll love it!
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Drop Oup at PKD in 2003!
OoOoOo...Rolley Coaster!
I had a horrible experience in June 2001, but a near-totallly 180-degree-different experience June 2002. The staff were very nice, the rides were being run by efficient operators who were all courteous, the food was good, the service great! I think I spotted between three and five different managers walking around the park - they were the guys walking in the 95+ degree heat with the long-sleeve button downs and slacks and talkies! I felt badly for them, but I really appreciated how everything seemed to be pulling together so well!! this summer. Far far far less trash around the park. Far far less line jumping, although it still did happen a few times, but not enough to motivate me to write to the park about it. The only thing that really aggravated me were the groups of little kids running around parentless shrieking and shrilling and not caring for anyone around them, but that really isn't the park's fault, just negligent parents. Weekdays are better than weekends if you can do it - I went on a tuesday and it was the best!
Jokers Jinx rules now!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I went in the backmost seat, and this younger girl in her mid-teens was getting on it in the seat in front of me; she was scared and very nervous about it. As we were pulling into the station after the ride finished, she was ecstatically declaring how she had to go on it again and again!! Hehehehe. Gave me a big ol' warm fuzzy.
That's nothiing,I rode the Joker in the back last time I was there and had this little asian kid sitting next to me asking if he was tall enough to ride S:ROS and I kept telling him that as long as he could ride JJ that he'd be able to get on S:ROS.
Speaking of S:ROS I noticed that the height restriction has been changed from 54 inches minimum to 52 inches minimum to ride.
As for a strategy for the rides I recommend starting with Batwing & S:ROS and then working your way back to the main area of the park,also try to get to S:ROS early at night because they close the line early and while it's no MF or S:ROS @ SFNE night rides on SFA's S:ROS are just something not to miss.
*** This post was edited by BATWING FAN SFA on 7/10/2002. ***
While I agree that operations have gotten better...They are still lacking IMO. The few security people that they have on duty have been ineffective (since they are too busy shootin' the breeze). The line-jumping is still atrocious and after being at SFNE last week and seeing how effective a little preventitive measures are, I wonder why SFA can't do the same. The theming at the park is very weak. Often times, they running rides understaffed. And despite having both stations "working" on Batwing, they still have a hard time using them effectively (Why wait till 12 noon on a Saturday when a 1 1/2 hour line has built up, to finally add the second train???).
I have been there several times this year, so this isn't just an example of a bad day at the park...these are generalizations that I have formed as the season has gone on.
Despite the poor operations, the ride has a lot of great rides (which is the only reason that I go back). A lot of the parks ineffective operating procedures are hidden if you go during a slow day, so that is my recommendation to anyone going....if at all possible, avoid Saturdays!! My fiance and I have found that the best time to go is late on Fridays (ah the benefit of season passes)....you can get just as much done in 2 1/2 hours on a Friday night as you can on a busy Saturday...with minimal hassle!!
Happy Coastering!
Sean
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"Have fun stormin' the castle!"
While I have found that some days are like those you described, my visits to the park this year have been hit or miss as far as capacity. I've personally been aboard Batwing in the second station when it broke, so it is not always down because of staffing problems, nor is it always down because of mechanical problems. I've also been there on relatively empty days when they ran both stations, so it is really anyone's guess.
I have always found a friendly staff (save for one worker in guest relations... isn't that ironic?) and the crowd, while being more urban, has never given me problems either.
I always go on saturdays and usually find the longest & slowest lines on Batwing,S:ROS ,JJ and Wild one.
Roar however probably has the best throughput of any coaster in the park due in part to the station entrance being in the middle of the station as well as a short maybe 12 foot distance from there to the air gates compared to Wild one's rather wide and long station platform where you walk up the ramp then have to make your way back &forth through the maze before you even get up to the gates.
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-Sean Newman
88 coasters in Track Record!! Hypersonic XLC Coaster # 100 in July.
Nitro Laps:105
B+R Launches:28
As far as I know the 2nd train on JJ should be up and running , it was when I was there back on june 29th.
I just hope S:ROS is running both trains by the 27th.
In a little side note it appears that there's some sort of construction possibly going on behind Batwing.
If anyone is going to SFA in the near future please post anything on what you see in that area.
I smell a possible new coaster coming next year.
I wouldn't hold off on going this year seeing as how the possibility of a new ride/coaster hasn't been confirmed just yet.
Remember how most of us SFA regulars went a bit crazy about the land clearing last year when all it turned out to be was some pipes that were added in that particular area,so until I see footers being poured or actual track/flat ride components arriving at the park I'm going to be a little bit leery of this little rumor. I will however continue to follow this item rather closely so if anyone has any info please post it as soon as possible.
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