SFA or Dorney? - CoasterBuzz

If you are going to Baltimore area, Dorney is about 3 to 3 1/2 hours away. Actually, I would check out PKD which is actually closer. I like Dorney Park over SFA, but SFA has more coasters. If you are looking for good coasters here are the following. Of course, these are my opinions of good coasters and keep in mind that I am a wooden coaster fan. Dorney has Talon, Laser, Thunderhawk and Steel Force. SFA has Wild One, Roar, Batwing and Superman. PKD has Grizzly, Volcano, Hurler, Rebel Yell, and Flight of Fear.

Depending on what part of the Baltimore area you are in, SFA is 30 to 75 minutes away. As others have said, Dorney is about 3 to 3.5 hours. I thought the summary was correct that Dorney is better run, though SFA has improved over the last few years. SFA overall has a better selection of coasters, though I would love to steal Talon from Dorney.

I have never been Dorney, SFA is my home park and I'm not going to comment. Everyone else has said pretty much what I would say about this park.

I will make the suggestion for a alternate schedule. To me, being able to visit Hershey on a weekday before the end of the school year would be a god send. Storm Runner should be open by May 27th (the day I believe you are planning on hitting SFGadv). Why not hit HP and get a few rides on Storm Runner in. I'm sure when you visit the park in late summer the park will be packed and you willn't be able to get as many rides in on Storm Runner and the other coasters in the park. Visit GADV on Sunday.

Buy a Two Day Flex Ticket for HP and your average ticket price will be approx $28 since the Two Day Flex Ticket can be used any two days this season (I don't see anywhere on the website that you have to use the ticket on consecutive days, if I'm wrong please correct me). Not to mention, the park is open the Wednesday before Memorial Day as well, arrive after 3:30pm and buy your ticket for the next day and you can enjoy the rest of the afternoon at no additional charge.

Sounds like a good bargain to me and well worth visting GAdv on Sunday rather than Thursday.

nasai said:
Have fun, and ride Superman as much as you can before it breaks down.

So basically hit S:RoS before Rob and Jeff get there. ;)

Rob, your ride on Steel Force was with the MCBR barely tapping (which may have been due to two train op?) and that was the best I've seen it. Through most of the summer, the back set of hops are pretty weak. S:RoS SFA blasts it out of the water.

Anyway, although I adore Talon, and I think the Dorney's customer service is pretty good compared to SFA's, coasterwise, there isn't much comparison.

Hobbes: "What's the point of attaching a number to everything you do?"
Calvin: "If your numbers go up, it means you're having more fun."

ApolloAndy said:
nasai said:
Have fun, and ride Superman as much as you can before it breaks down.
So basically hit S:RoS before Rob and Jeff get there.

Oh, cold man. Then again, I was glad to get those early morning runs before you guys got there ;)

Coasterguts: What are you smoking, because I want some. If you have the oppritunity to hit SFGAdv on a weekday, I would take it over a weekend anytime, expecally if it is before school lets out.

Proud member of the vast right wing conspiracy.
Honoring our troops

Perhaps Jeff must've been there back on november 1st last year...I mean how else would the brakes have failed?

Anyone going on opening weekend? I plan to go on the 4th(can't make it opening day:() sure S:ROS will be on single train op(same for SFDL & SFNE) but it's better than not having the coaster up & running at all.

Is sfa's superman a better ride than sfdl's? I wasnt all that impressed with it after the first helix.

I have never been to either park and am hittin both this year. So...I have nothing to add. :)

What the hell are you talking about fanboy?

Jeff - Editor - CoasterBuzz.com - My Blog

I just like the fact that everyone confused the Jeffs on this site: Jeff Putz broke Superman the first time with his wife. Jeff Rogers and I broke Superman at Frightfest this last October. Yay for all of us! There's nothing better than keeping a coaster to yourself.

Andy, I do count myself lucky to have ridden Steel Force that day, regardless of the terrible rain, and my overly tired demeanor. ;)

The Flying Turns makes all the right people wet - Gonch

Jeff Rogers aka Peabody... I knew who was being talked about at what time and didn't get confused since Jeff and Rob (that nasai guy) were attached at the waist and with "and"s many a time over the past year. ;)

-Danny

Black 7 said:

Coasterguts: What are you smoking, because I want some. If you have the oppritunity to hit SFGAdv on a weekday, I would take it over a weekend anytime, expecally if it is before school lets out.

I haven't been to Great Adventure, however, if I had a choice, I would certainly hit a amusement park with a new coaster on a weekday when everyone is in school as opposed to an amusement park with no new coaster. Just my preference. HP has some great coasters. Then again, after I think about Great Adventure on a memorial day weekend probably wouldn't be the best idea.

EDIT:

Then again, is any amusement park not busys Memorial Day weekend?
*** Edited 3/9/2004 1:28:41 PM UTC by coasterguts***

Both SFA's & SFDL's S:ROS's are mirrored versions of each other...SFDL's curves left after the drop while SFA's turns right.

What are night rides on SFDL's version like when compared with SFA's? since there are no lights other than those on the lift SFA's is totally dark for most of the course once the sun goes down making it among the best in the park for night rides.

I would assume that SFDL's is closer to other light sources in that immediate section of the park to maake much of an impact on night rides...however since I've never ridden theirs I can't really be sure if it's true or not.

SFDL's ride doesn't border any other rides/attractions/buildings either (well, except for the picnic area) and it is lit up at night, but who cares? SFA's ride is built on an ugly, barren field. SFDL's is all over and around ponds and lakes. The first drop and turn are over water. It's gorgeous.

-Nate

Don't even try to use words like "ugly" when trying to compare two practically identical rides.

Other than the location & orientation they are exactly the same & both provide equally perfect rides,who cares if SFA's version is built over a field instead of a lake.

When you're hauling butt at 70 plus MPH you're not all that focused on the surrounding landscape to begin with.

Lol, this IS pretty ugly when compared to dl's.
http://www.rcdb.com/installationgallery699.htm?Picture=2

Not saying either is s better ride. I can say that dl's was a better ride at night than day when I was there last summer. Still rattled like a mofo though. *** Edited 3/10/2004 2:27:49 AM UTC by eightdotthree***

BATWING FAN SFA said:
Don't even try to use words like "ugly" when trying to compare two practically identical rides.

Why not? If one is built over grass and ponds and one is built over a barren field, why can't I use the word "ugly"?

Other than the location & orientation they are exactly the same & both provide equally perfect rides,who cares if SFA's version is built over a field instead of a lake.

Okay, but it was you who was aruing that SFA's must be better due to darker night rides. Personally, I think location can easily make a coaster (see Nitro).

When you're hauling butt at 70 plus MPH you're not all that focused on the surrounding landscape to begin with.

Is that why you stopped to notice the lack of lightning on SFA's ride at night?

-Nate