SFA 2005 Trip Reports (Starting 4/17)

Well coasterguts, you'll be pleased to know that the wavepool at SFA is better than ever. ALL the blowers were working and it was really pumping out the big waves. Here are some additional notes to my T.R.:

-the cabanas are NOT in yet. I'm guessing they are pre-fabricated and will just need to be plopped in place as there are no foundations or anything, but it looks like they will go on the right side of the wave pool as they have removed the large umbrellas from that area
-Krypton Comet and Octopus were the only rides in the main park closed
-In "Way Back West," they have removed the fire effect from the exploding mine, but they have added a fire-walk to the end of the show (this had been done in past years). The effect involves a piece of dynomite exploding behind the villian (actually just a machine that creates a ball of fire) that creates a blast of fire that completly engulfs the villian. His back catches on fire, he runs around, falls in the well, they throw another stick of dynomite in and the water explodes out of the well. They have REALLY perfected this show taking out what didn't work, adding to make some lines better, and adding new things. It's really a must see at the park.
-I've said it before, but the Red train on Superman is running like the ride is new, if you can, wait for the red train, it's WELL worth it.
-The revised queue for Wild One has one flaw... the lines for the front and back of the train. The newly created lines are good, but unclear. They need to put the chains up to completly form these lines and the chains need to be perminantly in place, not on a hook that can be unhooked as they are now. They also should paint arrows on the ground guiding people around the lines, and hang signs abbove the seperate queues saying "Front/Back seat line forms here." Otherwise, the new more open station for Wild One is really a good move.
-The new landscaping around the park looks good, I especiially like the new palm trees in Skull Island. They will look really good when they're grown in. The flowers in Hurricane Harbor (especially around the entrance, Tornado, and Buccaneer Beach) also look great.
-TSC was running good, maybe six boats or so with two more sitting near the second turntable ready to be placed on the circut. It even appeared that more of the "animatroics" (and I use that term loosely) were working and it seemed there was more lighting. However, I still feel that once they get it up to 10-12 boat opperation, they need to call in Sally Dark ride and totally retheme it. It's an eight minute ride that could really develope a good story and be a world class attraction with some good themeing.

Another thing I want to add....

Roar's station was playing country music. It was pretty odd hear music the hole time in the station, but after a while I got use to it. I guess its really nothing new since they do play batman music in Batwing's station.

The only problem was the Roar's music was that it was being played in the wrong section. Roar should had got some music dealing with Skull Island. That's like playing batmans music on Wild One. ME should play country music instead of Roar. Roar can still use music. It didn't really bother anybody.

Security Guards were visible throughout the park. I saw at least three on Main Street. I found Main Street to be VERY crowded Memorial Day. Also there were Security Guards in the parking lot. Some assisting traffic and others patroling. I saw quite of few people finding it very difficult get out the park (well parking lot too).

“A SFA TR 6/7/05” or “Pardon Our Progress”

So, the weather was nice, PG County schools were still in session, it was a school day, and both my girl friend and I had the day off. No better time to go to SFA, well sort of. The park opened at 10 am, which was a plus. It was fairly empty in the park all day, except for after 4 pm or so when the students started showing up at the park. Unfortunately, with the lack of students in the park came a lack of student employees in the park. As such, they really had some staffing issues, which caused some late openings and rides with high employee usage to be shut down.

Rides down all day (well, as long as I was there):
-Krypton Comet (still down for the count)
-Iron Eagle (though testing by when I left)
-Typhoon Sea Coaster
-Renegade Rapids
-Bahama Blast
-Buccaneer Beach
-The Octopus
-The blue, yellow, and green slides on Paradise Plunge
-All attractions in the Castaway Creek area

Attractions that opened late (past noon):
-Two Face
-Penguin’s Blizzard River
-Crocodile Cal’s Caribbean Beachhouse

Like I said, I think a lot of this was because of staffing issues. Anyways, so we go to Hurricane Harbor first. Wow, this place is STILL receiving its makeover. The first thing to notice is the “Weather Board” across from the Hurricane Harbor sign. It says the current “beach weather” and has a listing of the last several hurricanes to hit the area and what they were like (all the listed hurricanes are from the names of park managers and heads of departments, some more humorous if you know the person they are referring to). The next thing to notice is that “green” is gone. Well, they green pathways at least are gone. They have been painted over with a tan/white colored material that makes the pathways look almost like sand yet is still fairly cool to the feet. (Essentially, it all looks like the ground in this picture):

http://photobucket.com/albums/y208/CoasterLover/SFA052805/?action=view¤t=SFA27.jpg

The next thing to note is the wonderful sandcastle next to Hurricane Hotdogs. VERY good sand art there. (Sorry, no pics). The pole for the shark next to Sharky’s Market is done and has the hardware up to hang the shark, but the shark is still not anywhere to be seen. Some cute parrot cutout decorations have also been added around the outside of Sharky’s. Large yellow and orange umbrellas have been added around Buccaneer Beach, but t wasn’t open today. It appears done, they just didn’t have the staff to operate it. Bahama Blast also appears done, but again never opened. Once again, I think it is staffing issues. The entrance to Bahama Blast is essentially under Tornado accompanied by a great sign and some wonderful landscaping and themeing. It snakes around under Paradise Plunge to the Bahama Blast Catch pool where you pick up your tube (the same used on Tornado, the green two seater or the yellow four seater cloverleaf). From there you treck your tube up the stairs and ride. The exit goes right to the catch pool for Paradise Plunge/Reef Runner. I’ve been told it was open before, but I’m bumbed that I still haven’t got my ride.

However, Tornado is up and running well. We got seven rides and it’s definitely quite the rush. Bring a friend so you can ride this, it’s a ton of fun. They’ve painted the retaining wall around the catch pool as well as the pump house completing the ride and it just looks fantastic. Head to the ride first though because the line, while reasonable fast moving, tends to get quite long. They are still allowing people to stand on the entrance bridge and watch all the action, so watch out as you’re hauling your tube up. I wish they would build a specific viewing area, but that bridge is a GREAT place to really look into the eye of the ride.

The Coca Cola Beverage Hut (as it is called on the park map), is actually now called the “Fanta Tiki Hut” (or something to that effect), but I’m sure you’ll be able to get all Coca Cola products there, the Fanta name just seems to match the color/theme of Hurricane Harbor better I guess. It never opened while I was there but it looks complete and the patio next to it is a great place to relax and just watch Tornado. Also seems Papaya Pete’s Chicken Hut is just beginning construction (at least I’m assuming it’s Papaya Pete’s). It’s directly across from Calypso’s and they were working hard all day on it. The kitchen is completely barren and still has a LOT of work till it’s finished. There’s also a nicely themed Dippin’ Dots in the Harbor now (makes three themed Dippin’ Dots that I can think of around the park… Gotham City, Coyote Creek, and now Hurricane Harbor). Some of the signs from Nantucket have found there way into Hurricane Harbor.

Not much else has changed around the Harbor. The “mystery steeple” is missing from the parking lot behind Group Sales and I have NO clue where it went. It’s not anywhere I could see. There is another painted booth behind Group Sales that appears to be headed into the Harbor (eventually). The cabanas are MIA, but as much other work as there is still going on in the park, I’d guess they are still on the way. The water park is so much better than last year, but it still has a lot of work to go.

As for the rest of the park, Superman is running great, both trains. While the red train is still running a bit faster, the blue is running considerably faster than it has earlier this year. Batwing, call me crazy, but I could swear it was running two stations early in the day, though I could be mistaken. It doesn’t make sense that they would run two stations with staffing issues, but when I was on Superman, I KNOW I saw people queuing into both sides of the station. Who knows, but when I rode at about 2ish, they were on one side of the station with one train. Maybe if someone on here was on it before noon, they could say for sure one way or the other.

I got to see a role back on Joker’s Jinx. The train launched, but right as it got to the end of the launch tunnel, the brakes activated and the train rolled about ¾ the way up the first inversion before rolling back into the launch tunnel and stopping. That was interesting. Wild One gets honors for best crew of the day, but they need to learn to set up the queue. Hook those chains that define the extended front and back row lines. Maybe paint lines on the floor to direct people. Mind Eraser gets the worst crew of the day. Very slow.

The Digital Caricature booth in front of TSC is coming along, but still has a lot of work. The opening show is being done on the stage in front of the Grand Theater, but only on busy days, today was not one of those days, it was done on the bridge.

Well, that’s about it. A lot of activity around SFA still going on. Be sure to check out the Batman show, has a lot of new pyrotechnics that really make the show cool.

Park Grade for Today:
B-

Aye Coaster Lover, I don't see the picture of the new flooring. Yeah I'm Late!!!! Well I haven't been to the park since Memorial Day and I need to make my way back up there... As for HH, have they finished the theming, and whats the status on Bucc. Beach and Bahama Blast to anyone that has been to the park lately?

P.S. This has nothing to do with SFA, but is Batman Begins being played at IMAX at Air and Space Museum? I've went online but didn't see any listing for it. Weird....

All new rides in Hurricane Harbor are opperational. Bahama Blast is fun, but not as thrilling as Tornado. The unfortunate part is that people can't seem to understand that the entrance to Bahama Blast is just about under Tornado and most all riders have been using the exit. Bucc. Beach is also open and seems to be quite the hit with the little ones. The shark is now hanging outside Sharky's Market and the "mystery steeple" was painted green and blue and placed above the entrance to Sharky's Market. Papaya Pete's looks to be done on the exterior, but I'd guess there is still interior work to go. The same could be said about the Fanta Tiki Bar. More themeing has been placed all around. n the planters, un the bare sides of buildings, on the roofs, you just need to look. Still no sign of those poolside Cabanas, I'd guess you'll see them when Papaya Pete's opens because I'm pretty sure that the food you can order in the Cabanas is from Papaya Pete's. A few new signs have popped up here and there as well as some of the signs that they removed from Nantucket. A new cement pad has been poured across from the games where the one shop that they had in the parking lot behind guest relations will go. Another cement pad has been poured near the Coca-Cola Cool zone (which I haven't seen squirting water since opening day) , I have no idea what will go there.

As for the rest of the park, both trains on Superman are running great, TSC is running great, and the park seems to be VERY crowded on weekends.

I'll be at the park this weekend, if you see a man with salt'n pepper hair, big gut taking pictures with a Nikon Coolpix 5700, stop by and say hi.

Another words, look for Mr. Six, with a camera and greying hair. *** Edited 6/17/2005 11:09:14 AM UTC by coasterguts***

I'm glad to hear that Bahama Blast is open. True, it looks like more of a family ride, and I'm sure that's exactly what they wanted. I'll have to see if I can make my way down there this weekend.

How have weekdays been doing?? Busy, or not really??Whats the avg. wait time for the coasters??

I took a ride today on Bahama Blast (it was a blast ;) ) Both Tornado and Bahama Blast and the whole water park looked outstanding. Papaya Petes is just about finished, as is Fanta Tiki Bar and the Cabanas have arrived. Yes for $75 + 5 per person (up to 8 people) you to can have a poolside cabana at SFA. OUCH!!! I think I will be sticking with the lounge chairs in front of Beachside Burgers and Subway.

I thought the park is very well done and they continue to work on it! Some sort of big sign is going up in front of Coconut Cover Trading Company.

Two improvements I would like to see:

1) A Steel Drum Band
2) Some sort of storm sound effect that sound before the waves start in the pool. Something that will similate choppy waters ahead like a Hurricane is getting ready to blow into Hurricane Bay. *** Edited 6/18/2005 11:14:37 PM UTC by coasterguts***

Anyone got pics of BB in operation? And did they leave the area inbetween the blue slide and BB all dirty and muddy? Or did they fill it in with some grass. 75$ thats crazy! Well it's an amusment park, so what did you expect!

-Colin-

*** Edited 6/19/2005 12:01:32 AM UTC by Colin Fisher***

Their still working on the landscaping. It wasn't muddy. I'm going back tomorrow to take pictures. I really didn't get many pictures of Bahama Blast. The water park was so packed this afternoon, I was afraid someone was going to accuse me of taking pictures for other reasons. So, I'll return first this in the morning tomorrow when it's not as crowded and get some pics and post them by tomorrow evening.

These pictures should give you an idea of how busy the water park was today:

http://www.sfafans.org/sfa061805.jpg
http://www.sfafans.org/sfabucaneerbeach.jpg
http://www.sfafans.org/sfacabanas.jpg
http://www.sfafans.org/sfahhmidway.jpg

Sorry the pictures look so bad, I'm still learning how to use image editing software. *** Edited 6/19/2005 1:27:03 AM UTC by coasterguts***

Whoa! Those are definently NOT cabana's. Those are just regular pop up tents. I hope they add a little more to those cabanas to make the a little more "Private" like they said in the press release. I meen I could buy one of those tents for less then the price to stay in one for a day.

-Colin-

You are paying all that money just for shade, wow. HH looks pretty sweet, I think that I will be down next week, so I will have to check it out.

I hope they have the tents bolted down to the ground, or bad things will happen during a really bad storm. I used to work for a sound company and we spent an afternoon putting one of those together, only to lose it in a bad storm the following day. From there on out, if we were using one of those tents, we'd use sandbags in addition to spikes. I know the ones we used had additional sidewalls as well that kept out the shade quite nicely.

Oops, forgot to mention with crowds like that I'm feeling optimistic about a phase two. Hopefully, I'll get down there this week when it's hopefully not as crowded. *** Edited 6/20/2005 12:44:07 AM UTC by Intamin Fan***

If you look closely they do indeed look bolted down to the ground.

-Colin-

Actually, talking about crowds. I went back again today. It was Fiesta Latino day. Once you got inside the park you were fine. Buying a ticket was another story. The lines stretched into the parking lot, including one that snaked out to the row closest to the water park (where the handicap parking is) and ended by Croc Cals. It was amazing. I've never seen the line this back. When my wife and I left on Saturday, the third parking lot was 3/4 full at 4:30. When I left today, around 12:45, the third parking lot had already reached that point.

Also, if you get a chance, see the new Totally Pop show. This show is by far the best show of this type I have ever seen done at this amusement park . They perform classic rock songs from the 70's 80's, 90's and today, to some high energy dance routines with multiple set changes. I looked for every sign they were lip synching and if they were, they were doing an incredibly good job at it.

How were the lines?

The lines for the rides weren't bad, except for the popular attractions in the water park. Other than that, when I left at 12:45, the main park was crowded. Superman was down (can you believe that, I do...) however, everything else was a typical Saturday.

My sister went, but was only there for an hour due to friends not showing up. I was suppose to go the park today, but I was really to tired because I was hangin with my friends last night. Speaking of entertainment....

Batman Begins

A MUST SEE!!!! The Best Batman Movie Ever. It's a restart, which is good. This movie focuses more on a story instead of the superhero battling villians. I wouldn't recommend this movie for small children though. Scarecrow is down right freaky when he blows that stuff in their face and then you see through their eyes. Yikes that was a bit scary. All of the other action was excellent, especially the Batmobile chase and the monorail crash. Well I guess the new villian for the next Batman is.... well you know if you watched the movie.

4.5 out of 5 stars. It would get a 5, but it gets a little chaotic towards the end and some of it just doesn't make sense and could have been cut down a little IMO. *** Edited 6/20/2005 3:25:52 AM UTC by SF Critic***

That's good, I was looking forward to seeing it soon.