SFA 2005 Trip Reports (Starting 4/17)

Coaster luver on June 7th was my ast day at school lol because on the real last day june 8th was my "promotinal ceremony".Tats what they called it but anyway this is like one of the earliest times school has closed but i wish i couldved went on that day.

Oops i meant it was my last day. Sorry! And i wish i could have went.

I'm going June 29-30, first time at HH for this season, i'm pretty excited about riding Tornado. I'll have to do a TR when I get back.

Knoebels- 4/28

You haven't been on the tornado!!!! Its like one of the best rides ever!! The drop is like a rollercoaster but better. I hope you have a great time when you go.

Yea, I have gone twice so far this year to SFA, but I live in PA, so I can't go like every week or two, more like once a month. I was chosen as one of the people to meet Mr. Six on Media Day, but I couldn't go, so this will be my first time at HH. ;)

-Ash *** Edited 6/22/2005 11:24:34 PM UTC by coastergurl***

Knoebels- 4/28

SFA, June 26; rides plagued / ride ops upset

Imma make this real short. Almost every ride I went to had complications and most ride ops just went slow. Took my older cousin, which hasn't been since 2002 Fright Fest.

Rides Closed: Swinging Carosel, Krypton Comet, Renegade Rapids

Ride Status (brief rides that had problems)

Supes, blue train got stuck in the station. It so happens that I was on the red train and I coundn't get off the train till the blue moved. One ride op came out to see how we was doing. She was very nice and answered our questions. Plus this ride was up and down all day.

Batwing, was operating two trains and both stations, but went down to one train.

TSC, this ride had some serious issues today. It was up and down all day also.

Bahama Blast, They need to form a line to get rafts. The guest were getting restless and jumping in the water to get raft. The lifeguard couldn't even control it.

Overall - Good/Fair Day, but it wasn't my best day at SFA. I glad my friends and my cousin had fun. 1/4 of the 3rd parking lot full.

Ride Ops...

My friends and I stood and line at PBR. We were up at the station when a ride op pressed the wrong button on purpose. How do I know? The ride ops were saying, "Why did you do that?" "What are you doing?" "What did you do?" "Are you stupid?" Employees were argueing and it wasn't pretty, so they told us this ride is down, you can visit our other attractions.

Another instance, TSC was down and we decided to stay in line and wait since they were fixing it immediatly. Some ride ops were coming from other turntables on TSC and into the station and were saying, "We are so under staffed", "This person never comes to work", "Man do I have to work their shift", "This don't make sense". I can see a employee fight after the park closes.

I have friends and family that work there. One time I was up there after hours to pick up my cousin and about six employees were throwing down. It's happens sometimes, but it was bound to happen tonight. Yup, some people don't like working with other, but such is Life.

Other than that they were still friendly and was doing their job. Most were friendly to the guests at the park, but were very agressive against each other.

P.S. I could have sworn I've seen gang members at the park today. About 8 to 10 men were wearing the same colors, some with bandannas. If they were a gang, they were just having a good time then. I wasn't paying attention really, because I didn't care. *** Edited 6/27/2005 3:57:23 AM UTC by SF Critic***

I don't know ALL the Facts!!!!!!

I'm amazed to see that Batwing is running two stations so often, but I'm just surprised that they are having so many staffing issues. Maybe what they really need to do is bring in more employees from way out of the area. When I went to BGW, they had the state where each employee was from clearly on their nametag and only about 1-in-7 or so was actually from VA. If the park could just fix the staff it would be SUCH a great park, but it seems the employees are the real problem year after year. I do notice the increase in ride mechanics though, I know they hired a few more this year and it seems while rides are going down more often, they are being repared faster.

If you can't stand the heights, get out of the line.

Sounds like the typical June melt down. Just a little later this year than last. I will give the park critic, they have a major hit with HH and some of this frustration might have to do with the increase in attendance.

On the other hand, one way to deal with employees that don't seem to have the desire to work for SFA is you cut their hours, while you train another person and then you just don't schedule them etc... They will either get the message or find another job. It's obvious the employee that worked a double shift cared enough about their job to stay and work the extra shift. As far as the team that doesn't work well together, you split them and put the elsewhere.

SF Critic Said:

I have friends and family that work there. One time I was up there after hours to pick up my cousin and about six employees were throwing down. It's happens sometimes, but it was bound to happen tonight. Yup, some people don't like working with other, but such is Life.

Sorry SF Critic, I'm a middle aged man with a beer gut and grey hair. What's does throwing down mean? ;) *** Edited 6/27/2005 11:53:42 AM UTC by coasterguts***

A day at the park is what you make it!

I'm pretty sure that it means fighting. How were ride waits?

-Ash *** Edited 6/28/2005 12:31:55 AM UTC by coastergurl***

Knoebels- 4/28

coasterguts said:

Sorry SF Critic, I'm a middle aged man with a beer gut and grey hair. What's does throwing down mean?

Sorry about my ghetto slang. Throwing down means that they were fighting. In my generation some people like to uphold to their rep., not being a punk, etc. So they will throw down or start a brawl.

Ride waits were the worst of this year so far. Remember it was in the 90's, so ALOT of people were in the waterpark. People were steady waiting for rafts for Bahama B. and Tornado. Some people even being stingy with rafts. It would be nice if they had mist sprays while your walking through the park. It was just too hot and really not much shade in the park.

Ex. When 3 people got off Tornado they didn't pass the tube, they took it to Bahama B. to ride. How stingy. The park needs more tubes anyway. They were low, and some broke anyway.

Yet ride ops were very slow. ME was beyond slow, not to mention we had to wait about 10 mins to get off. I also mentioned already the ride ops were very aggresive against each other. So it really didn't help.

P.S. They were playing R. Kelly music in Batwing's station, if you know who that is.

I don't know ALL the Facts!!!!!!

I have no idea who R. Kelly is, but I do know what Rhapsody is and I'm sure they will tell me.

Anyway, I don't think your suppose to take the tubes between Bahama Blast and Tornado. Sounds more like what the park needs is two water attendants or security guards making sure the tubes are passed off when you reach the bottom of the pool. I-Fan reported the same problem with Deer Park Plunge last week. One ride, pass your tube to the next person.

P.S. I suppose I shouldn't be surprised the word "Explicit" is next to each of his albums on Rhapsody. ;) Anyone ever heard of Styx, Yes, Journey, Rush? What ever happend to Classic Rock? *** Edited 6/28/2005 3:13:31 AM UTC by coasterguts***

A day at the park is what you make it!

My sister works at Six Flags,but she is not a ride op. I've never heard her say anything about people arguing. And they were playing R.Kelly at batwing? I liove R.Kelly's music!!! He is so vicious. Which song were they playing? I am planning to go ot Six Flags with 3 of my friends this saturday. We plan to ride Batwing but i am scared that it will break down how has the ride been operating the last few days?

Hellokitty3193 said:
My sister works at Six Flags,but she is not a ride op. I've never heard her say anything about people arguing. And they were playing R.Kelly at batwing? I liove R.Kelly's music!!! He is so vicious. Which song were they playing? I am planning to go ot Six Flags with 3 of my friends this saturday. We plan to ride Batwing but i am scared that it will break down how has the ride been operating the last few days?

Which comes to my mind, how long has your sister been working there? My cousin has been working there since the park been flagged. I have seen numerous fights at the park, even guests.

R. Kelly - They were playing Step in the Name of Love and I believe I can Fly. It doesn't fit the theming.

Batwing - The ride does have its breakdowns, but they try to keep the ride running. Sometimes there are 2 train operation, most likely 1 train. Basically go to that ride first. It takes forever to load rides, so you will be in the line for a while. Don't say I didn't Warn you!!!!

I don't know ALL the Facts!!!!!!

Oops!! I am so sorry for posting twice something was wrong with my computer, and I believe i can fly kinda relates to the ride.lol

My sister has been working there since i dont know but for about the last 3 years i guess. She does the snowcones in various places. She just became manager too!!lol My sister only tells me about rude customers or people who are very absent minded like asking how much something cost even though its on the glass or asking for some weird flavors like egg cream or custard yuck. Batwing is such a far walk but we should start from the back and go to the front. thx. Has anyone been there before the park opens and has waited. Because when i went there everyone was running to go to superman or batwing. Have they been running recently? To decide if i should wear my sandals or running shoes?lol

Yes, they still run or power walk. Actually, I think Batwing is the ride that has improved this season, even if it still breaks down. Two train operation is a big improvement to begin with and if it does go down, it seems to be back up and running relatively sooner rather than hours later like in years past. Superman is the one I'm seeing as being less reliable than in seasons past. I guess with the new equipment on the train they still need to work some bugs out. Another improved ride, capacity wise is TSC.

If you haven't seen it yet, go see the Totally Pop show, the best I've seen in the Grand Theater for several years.

A day at the park is what you make it!

Most Def. has batwing improved over the years. When I went for my last visit, I timed out train loading to less then 4 minutes. Which might sound bad, but for batwing standards. IS GOOD! The line was moving solid with two train operation. They managed to keep people out of the over flow lines, even when crowds of people continued to hammer the line. Batwing is starting to see its full capacity. Only full if they get the third train on, but it's close. Superman is another story, what is up with this thing, towards the end of the year last year, it was runnin' pretty good, but now, its crap. Almost no air time in any seat. And the bunny hops are insanly slow. So yes, the park has majorly improved - Capacity, cleanliness, and friendliness wise. And if you put it this way, its better this year, then last year, so be happy :D. I acually kinda wanna congragulate SFA on a superb season so far. I've made 5 trips to the park so far this year, and every day has been Grade A amusement. No breakdowns, No rudeness, And cleanliness throughout the park. *** Edited 6/28/2005 2:09:56 PM UTC by Colin Fisher***

I think Superman has gone through a number of changes over the past couple of seasons, first with ankle restraints and then this season the new system that ensures the lap bar is in the proper position. I believe this has created some new headaches that need to be worked out. I'm sure we'll see Superman back to reasonable operation in the future.

A day at the park is what you make it!

batwing is going to be my second ride because the first ride i always go on it the flying carosel