SF St. Louis - Anything going on??
Swoosh said:
It needs more flats. The ones that they do have a sparse and sometimes don't even run. I think that it's been at least 10 to 15 years since they received a new flat ride. All that they have added here as of late is coasters, Tidal Wave and yet another revamp of "Injun Joe's Cave".
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SWOOSH
http://www.themeparksonline.org
(In cyberspace no one can hear you scream)
I agree......I believe Rush Street Flyer was the last flat added, plus, they removed Mo Mo the Monster when they moved the swings. SFStL has only 20 or so rides, of which only 7 are "flats". It's my home park and I will always like it, but it needs attention.
Personally I like the path structure at SFStL, but then again I know it completely by memory.
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Fav Steel: Millenium Force Fav Wood: Viper
I totally understand how someone who isn't extremely familiar with the park could get lost! It's not like one big circle, but instead there are paths everywhere. And then there are so many "empty" buildings. I say "empty" because they could be used for storage or something, but some of them look pretty bad in the park. Like in the area around the Chicken Place. oh dear
Aaron
I really fell in love with Six Flags St Louis when I visited for the first time this summer. I think it is one of the better parks I have ever visited. Lots of trees, clean, halfway decent rides, friendly efficient employees, this park is the total package. Throw in a few more coasters and a handful of flats and this place would probably be one of the best big parks out there.
The reason they don't though is they unfortunately don't get the attendance. I was there on a Saturday and a Sunday and while Saturday it was packed due to a gospel concert, Sunday it was a ghost town. You could have shot a cannon down any coaster queue and not hit a soul. Go a few hundred miles to the northeast at Great America on a Sunday and the place is packed solid with people. No attendance, no bucks. It's too bad because it really is a great LITTLE park.
As for the paths, I too found myself getting lost, retracing my steps, ect... but the thing that killed me there was all the dang hills :) I need the excersise though so I won't complain to loudly. :)
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Bob Hansen
A proud CoasterBuzz Member
"Sorry folks, park's closed. The moose out front should've told you."
Feel the Strike said: I still say I was most impressed with the clenliness, ride quality (not quantity), and friendliness and efficiency of the crew with Six Flags St. Louis...
Ok I will give you that. I guess it am just biased because SFStL is the closest to me, so I have a critical eye when looking at it. Also since I have been to several Six Flags parks I think almost all of them but the ones in the N'East, I just know that there are better ones out there. It is still a beautiful park though.
And I will echo the comment on the paths being confusing. I have them memorized, but I bet a first timer would get lost easily.
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SWOOSH
http://www.themeparksonline.org
(In cyberspace no one can hear you scream)
I've been going to SFSTL for over 20+ years and I still have a bit of trouble when it comes to finding the Screamin' Eagle sometimes. Other than that it's a breeze to get through the park. Someone mentioned a few posts back aobut MoMo the Monster.. I sure do miss that ride. I remember that was like one of the first "adult" flat rides I was able to ride and I just fell in love with it. Too bad it was removed. Anyone know where it landed?
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This ain't no book you can close, when the big light hits your eyes. Cropduster-Riot Act-Pearl Jam
And then there are so many "empty" buildings. I say "empty" because they could be used for storage or something, but some of them look pretty bad in the park. Like in the area around the Chicken Place. oh dear
Hey dont knock vending (that blue building with the three large garage doors by Calicos) it may be unsightly, moldy and falling apart but I call it home
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To the person who keeps deleteing my account: This is really starting to become annyoieing.
*** This post was edited by Bossstl on 12/4/2002. ***
Actually, I'll go on record and say that SFStL is, IMO, the worst Six Flags park I've visited (for reference, I've been to SFGAm, SFWoA, SFGAdv, SFDL, SFMM, and SFKK). My visit there this past summer was one of the absolute worst park visits ever, and I swore I would absolutely not go back without some major addition to draw me in. Here are a few of the many problems I have with the place:
-There's nothing to do. Excluding the kiddie attractions, there are 21 rides in the park (six coasters, three water rides, Scooby Doo, nine flats, a train, and a car ride). Sorry, but there's more to do at Knott's Camp Snoopy than there is at SFStL. Nine outdated flats does not cut it in a park this size. Out of all the parks I've been to, I think this was the most pathetic collection of rides I've ever seen.
-Poor layout. I thought SFKK and SFDL were bad until I got to SFStL. Never in my life have I seen so many dead ends, random (and useless) paths, and difficult round-a-bout ways to get from point A to B. Add to that the fact that the paths are *way* too narrow and you've got problems. Though there were not many people in the park, certain areas felt crowded as hell because the paths were too narrow (and, I suspect, nobody knew where the hell they were going).
-No landscaping, lots of trash. Parts of SFStL are really pretty with tall trees and shade, but much of the park is also hideously trashy. Mr. Freeze has taken up residence in a gravel pit. Batman landed in the middle of an ugly, shadeless, and trashy field. Same goes for Ninja and much of the mine train. There are no trees from the Boss to Mr. Freeze. It's really only the small middle portion of the park I liked; the outer (and, I suspect, newer) areas were just plain ugly (as in SFKK ugly). And there was plenty of trash scattered throughout the park.
-Worst queues ever. The Boss, Mr. Freeze, and B:TR are three of the worst queues I've ever seen in terms of layout, setting, and design. You have to ascend approximately 10,000 steps and ramps to get to the Boss. Batman's switchbacks go on forever with no shade until you reach the nasty BO tunnel. Mr. Freeze has no cut-through path so you have to walk a mile to re-ride when the line is short (again with no shade). Gotham City "park" was all brown, with algae-green water in the fountain. Screamin' Eagle's queue is also terribly hot and humid, and people waiting in line looked like they were going to pass out.
-Crappy ride maintenance. Screamin' Eagle and the Boss. Do I really need to go into more detail here?
-People. I really mean no offense to anyone who frequents SFStL, but the crowd at this park was by far the *stupidest* crowd of people I've encountered at a park (yes, even worse than SFKK). Nobody seemed to know what they were doing or where they were going. Ride-ops were slow and unfriendly to the extreme. It was not a pretty sight.
-Terrible food. Amusement park food is usually not the best, but it was downright terrible at SFStL. What do you expect from a park that has been cited more than once for health code violations?
Though it's true SFStL is one of my least favorite parks, it certainly has a heck of a lot of potential. The landscape allows for some sweet rides to be built and, as I mentioned, the middle portions of the park are gorgeous with tall trees and cascading waterfalls everywhere. Much of the park's original architecture is also very cool, and I can imagine what the park was like when the owners actually cared about the place. Screamin' Eagle and the Boss both have *so much* potential, but both rides crawl (or bang) through the course and scream for grease. It would really not take a whole lot of effort to improve most of the issues I mentioned above, and if that happened SFStL could most definitely be one of my favorite parks. Unfortunately, my last visit was bad enough that I may never go back to see if that improvement does happen.
-Nate
(PS, if anyone really wants to see the trip report I wrote earlier this summer, I can search through the RCTalk archives to find a web address)
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"NO! You CAN'T buy a free cup of water..when you can...let me know."
I *did* eat at Villain's Cafe, I believe, and I was not impressed. :-)
-Nate
Coasterdude (while being a tad bit "glass half empty") did make some very valid points...
The queues... Why do I have to walk through the ENTIRE Gotham Park section every time I ride Batman? There is a perfectly good walkback path (the handicap entrance) that puts you in right before the "BO tunnel", however it is often blocked off (and sometimes they post a security guard to shoo people out of it...). The "park" section is also horribly maintained (has the fountain EVER worked?) Mr. Freeze does have a walkback gate as well (right before you enter the building).
Maintenance on the woodies... I'll agree there as well.
Lack of flats... no arguments here.
Now, on the positive side... I've never had a problem with trash (but I never go on really busy days...)
They almost always run two or more trains on the coasters - no 1-hour lines with 1-train operation (except Screamin' Eagle at the end of the season...)
The ride ops are usually pretty quick and friendly.
A major coaster or two and some more flats would really put this park on the map. As it is now, it will remain just another small, regional park. I know lots of people in the area (less than 1-hour drive from the park) who don't bother to go because "they don't have anything new..."
Since I brought up the getting lost on the paths I must explain. I'm used to PKI's nice wide paths that take you pretty much in four huge circles making almost a clover shape to always meet again at the tower. I did not like how over by Screamin' Eagle there were narrow stairs going down hills. I didn't see any problems with crowds until later in the day when all the people started showing up for fright fest. At that point the paths got extremely packed but I was ready to go anyways. I too share your pain about trying to carry coke bagnbox through the park. Though imagine trying to move a four-wheeled flat car full of 6-8 kegs of beer through PKI on a busy Saturday. It ain't easy to stop those thing once you get them going and stupid little kids or grown ups jump in front of you all the time.
I had no problem with any of the rides. They all were running great when I went. Screamin' Eagle was running one train and made the line incredibly long, but by time I rode it a second time they put a second train on. (It seems they weren't using it cause they were having problems with the restraints sticking shut on people) I had great airtime on it. The Boss was not rough at all (at least IMO) The only thing I hated where the queue lines. The first ride the line wasn't that long and would have been nice to see a shorter path to the front then having to weave in and out of the queues all the way up the hill. The second ride the ilne was full and out past the photo booth so it didn't matter so I can see its reasoning. The worst queues IMO were definetly Batman's. Having to go back and forth with those two foot high fences (I felt like a giant and I had to be careful or I would trip on them and fall face first) just to get all the way behind the ride and into the station. I know its supposed to be gothom city slums but it was just not visually appealing to see the crap in the themeing. GAdv looked much more appealing while still giving it that slum look.
All this didn't really bother me too much though. I was able to get past it all and enjoy the park. It has a lot of potential. Though there was one thing I was just utterly disgusted by. I know that it was fright fest and all and they decorated for it, but this was something you shouldn't see in a restruant. The chicken place has chicken bones hanging from the ceiling through the foux spide webs. Yeah they were cleaned off and had no meat on them but it was just disgusting. I refused to eat there. It was the only negative thing I really had to say to the park.
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Wood Rules!
coasterdude318 said: Actually, I'll go on record and say that SFStL is, IMO, the worst Six Flags park I've visited (for reference, I've been to SFGAm, SFWoA, SFGAdv, SFDL, SFMM, and SFKK).
I will say that there are a lot worse Six Flags parks. SFAW and SFEG come to mind, and in fact one of the parks you visited SFKK comes to mind as well.
My visit there this past summer was one of the absolute worst park visits ever, and I swore I would absolutely not go back without some major addition to draw me in.
Did you ever stop and think that you went on a bad day? Every park is allowed to have one every now and then.
-There's nothing to do. Excluding the kiddie attractions, there are 21 rides in the park (six coasters, three water rides, Scooby Doo, nine flats, a train, and a car ride). Sorry, but there's more to do at Knott's Camp Snoopy than there is at SFStL. Nine outdated flats does not cut it in a park this size. Out of all the parks I've been to, I think this was the most pathetic collection of rides I've ever seen.
Not to mention that they have an entire waterpark included in the admission - darn them for giving you things to do.
-Poor layout. I thought SFKK and SFDL were bad until I got to SFStL. Never in my life have I seen so many dead ends, random (and useless) paths, and difficult round-a-bout ways to get from point A to B. Add to that the fact that the paths are *way* too narrow and you've got problems. Though there were not many people in the park, certain areas felt crowded as hell because the paths were too narrow (and, I suspect, nobody knew where the hell they were going).
Now I will admit that there are some confusing paths, but every path leads to somewhere. Did you bring the map they gave you into the park or did you leave it in the car? If you left it in the car then it's your own fault.
-No landscaping, lots of trash. Parts of SFStL are really pretty with tall trees and shade, but much of the park is also hideously trashy. Mr. Freeze has taken up residence in a gravel pit. Batman landed in the middle of an ugly, shadeless, and trashy field. Same goes for Ninja and much of the mine train. There are no trees from the Boss to Mr. Freeze. It's really only the small middle portion of the park I liked; the outer (and, I suspect, newer) areas were just plain ugly (as in SFKK ugly). And there was plenty of trash scattered throughout the park.
I'm not sure where you are talking about there not being any trees between Boss and Mr Freeze. There are tons! Granted there are not any on the (DC) logo there in DC plaza, but to get from Boss to Mr Freeze you have to go through the HEAVILY forested Britania, and go through 2 ivy tunnels, then in the queue for Mr. Freeze you have to go past huge trees near Thunder River. As for the trash, depending on what day you were there depends on how many grounds keepers they have. Personally I have never seen the park trashy. This is afterall the "cleaniest Six Flags park" - they continually win the award year after year.
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Worst queues ever. The Boss, Mr. Freeze, and B:TR are three of the worst queues I've ever seen in terms of layout, setting, and design. You have to ascend approximately 10,000 steps and ramps to get to the Boss. Batman's switchbacks go on forever with no shade until you reach the nasty BO tunnel. Mr. Freeze has no cut-through path so you have to walk a mile to re-ride when the line is short (again with no shade). Gotham City "park" was all brown, with algae-green water in the fountain. Screamin' Eagle's queue is also terribly hot and humid, and people waiting in line looked like they were going to pass out.
Obviously you have a lot to learn about queues. There a whole lot of queues out there that are worse than these. I will give you the fact that Batman and Boss's queues go on forever, but remember on the weekends these are completely full so easy cut backs are not needed most of the time. On Mr Freeze there is one where you can re-ride. You come out the exit and then there is a gate that allows you back into line. Most of the time there is an attendant there allowing you back in. Sorry if that was not the case when you were there - again depends on the day and the amount of employees they have working. Sorry if the themeing wasn't up to your standards - remember this isn't Disney or Universal. Also how hot was it on the day you went - if the people aren't pumping the fluids - it's there own fault if they pass out.
-Crappy ride maintenance. Screamin' Eagle and the Boss. Do I really need to go into more detail here? -People. I really mean no offense to anyone who frequents SFStL, but the crowd at this park was by far the *stupidest* crowd of people I've encountered at a park (yes, even worse than SFKK). Nobody seemed to know what they were doing or where they were going. Ride-ops were slow and unfriendly to the extreme. It was not a pretty sight.
First go to SFMM, SFAW, and even Cedar Point and see how stupid people can get and THEN come back to SFStL. I think you will see that they are quite normal here. Another thing to remember, SFStL is the teen hangout during the summer - in essence, it's like the mall. Sorry, get over it.
-Terrible food. Amusement park food is usually not the best, but it was downright terrible at SFStL. What do you expect from a park that has been cited more than once for health code violations?
If you don't like the food, pack a lunch. However I know a lot more about those health code violations than most people do. I swear I will never eat here again after working in foods/retail during Halloweekends for a year.
In all honesty it sounds like you were out to hate the park from square one. But honestly if you hate the park so much, stay home -- that will mean one less person in front of me on the rides.
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SWOOSH
http://www.themeparksonline.org
(In cyberspace no one can hear you scream)
*** This post was edited by Swoosh on 12/5/2002. ***
As far as I know nothing major is coming to SFSL for the 2003 season. There will be a few minor changes throughout the park(a few "empty" buildings might be demolished).
But corporate thinks that Scooby was popular enough to carry us through 2003, even though every other park around here is getting something new. This is really nothing new for this park, we are the forgotten of the original three SF parks. If you look at the history of the original three parks (SFOT, SFOG and SFSL), you would see that SFSL never got many of the big rides the others parks got even in the early years.
This park has a huge amount of land to use for future development(will any of it ever get used?). Right now we are using only around 200 acres of the nearly 500 acres the park owns. This park is one of the best run parks around with a GM that really cares about the park, but that does not go for every employee that works there.
SFSL might have gotten something new for 2003, but I believe that some of our money may have went into the new Six Flags New Orleans park. SFNO was a late decision made be SF and the extra money had to come from somewhere.
Also, the last true flat ride installed in SFSL was the Rush Street Flyer in 1987. In 1988 the Condor was installed for a year(it was a flat ride, but it is not here anymore). Mo-Mo The Monster was removed from the park after the 1994 season, for unknown reasons. Then it's spot sat empty for the 1995 season, before the swings were moved there in 1996, when Dragon's Wing was built.
Got to agree with Swoosh on all those points. I for one thought that the Boss's queue was pretty sweet as you get a fantastic view of Mr. Freeze while waiting in line.
I also found the park to be as squeaky clean as Dorney where I could swear I could see my reflection on the Tarmac path.
To anyone reading this post, if you are unhappy with a park on the level that coasterdude318 is with SFSL or PFF is with VF then please don't go to these parks and spend your money. Everyone will be happier in the long run.
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Fav Steel: Millenium Force Fav Wood: Viper
So is there for sure nothing new this year for SFSL? if not, when do y'all think the next coaster will be built and what kind of coaster is it gonna be?
It's not 100% for sure that nothing new is coming in 2003, but if anything comes it will not be big.
The Condor was located basically where the entrance to Ninja is now, behind Wok & Roll. The Scrambler(now Shazam!) sat there from 1972-1987, it was moved to it's current location in 1988. Two seperate Condor rides traveled around several SF parks in the late 1980's, Six Flags Great America and The Great Escape both currently have a Condor ride.
Closed topic.
