SFA questions - CoasterBuzz

I'm making my first trip to SFA on friday july 11th and i just wanted to know from the guys that claimed it as their home park,,,is friday a busy day to go? will crowds be minimal? Are there any good hotels that are close to the park? Has Batwing been running reliably? Thanks alot for your help guys, I'm very excited about my first trip there and my first spin on a SROS hyper. In fact i have plans of making it my 50th coaster :)

I went to SFA for the first time last year and stayed at the Hampton Inn that you pass on the way from the interstate to SFA. It was an extremely nice hotel, though it kinda took us a while to get to it because all of the streets surrounding it were one way.

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CBuzz member since 3/25/01.
Everyone has a photographic memory....some just don't have film.

The closer you can place a park visit to the center of a week, the lesser the crowds will be. The closer you are to the weekend, the more chance of greater crowds.

Have fun at the park, man. Roar is one of the most incredible wooden coasters I've ever ridden. Joker's Jinx is phenomenal now that it doesn't bludgeon the rider. Batwing might be reliable, but bathrooms are not convenient to it.

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"The most wasted of all days is one without laughter." e.e.cummings
*** This post was edited by ErinGoBraugh 6/24/2003 11:51:23 AM ***
*** This post was edited by ErinGoBraugh 6/24/2003 11:53:43 AM ***

Haven't been on a Friday so I can't comment on a Friday's. Perhaps steelforce can. Of course, with the weather the way it has been it's hard to say what kind of crowds you will have.

There are three hotels I can think of that you might be in. I have always found Hampton Inn's to be nice. There is one at the intersection of I-95 and Central Ave (Rt. 214) and one in Bowie, MD that is pretty new at the intersection of rt. 197 and U.S. 50. Also, in Bowie, MD there is a Comfort Inn at the intersection at U.S. 50, U.S. 301 and Route 3. I have stayed at this hotel before (even though I live it in the area, long story) . It's one of the nicer Comfort Inn's I have stayed at. It used to have a full service restaurant in it not sure if it still does. It is also within walking distance of Memphis BBQ (also at SFA), Bob Evans, Wendy's and Exxon in case you need a convenience story. If I had to stay at any of the three I just mentioned, I would choose the Comfort Inn. It's only 15 minutes from the park. Even though the park is closer to the Hampton Inn off of I-95, it's a little to close to the beltway for my comfort.

Not sure if you have season passes or not, but SFA has some really good discounts going. UP TO $15 off at certain places. When I called the park a couple of weeks ago, they had UP TO $15 off coupons available at Wendy's, Burger King and CVS. I believe the $15 off coupon is for after 4:00 pm.

My wife just called me from the park (as she lounges by the wave pool) and said the park was pretty busy today. 1.5 hours after the park opened and the front parking lot is already full and they are beginning to use the overflow parking. I guess, my other tip would be get there early.

Batwing seems to be running one train pretty reliably this season, if they run two they begin to have problems. Not sure why.
*** This post was edited by coasterguts 6/24/2003 12:19:27 PM ***

My advice is to get to S:ROS first & get in at least two laps both in the front seat,then head over to Batwing & be prepared for a moderate to long wait.

Once you've ridden those two rides just go back towards the GC entrance & be sure teo ride JJ & PBR,from that section of the park Roar is the next closest coaster so be sure to take that for a spin.

Once it gets dark head back over to S:ROS & get as many laps as possible,night rides on this coaster are not to be missed.

As far as crowds go I can't really help you out because I usually go on weekends,depending on the weather the park may or may not be crowded,especially now that we're in a much drier pattern than we've had all season thus far.

BATWING FAN SFA said:

crowded,especially now that we're in a much drier pattern than we've had all season thus far.

Thank you Bob Ryan! :)

Friday's aren't usually a bad day to go, but as mentioned, the closer u are the the weekend, the bigger the crowds. I went a couple of friday's ago and that is when most of the young kids were there, but they were in school then and so that is pretty much the only time they could go then. I think you should be ok though.

Batwing was running both trains while I was there with a minor 5 minute breakdown. They are prettty good about running 2 trains now out of 1 station. Also, as mention before, head to the back of the park and work your way forward. If Batwing is down when u first get there, ride S:ROS and JokersJinx, then check back, it usually doen't take them long to get Batwing running anymore, like it did in the past. I think you'll have a great time!

Have fun and be sure to post a T.R. when u finish ur trip.

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Hey thats trhe same day I'm going, I heard about the deal they have about first 500 get in free. I'd sugest two cafe first only cause when I went to PKi and went on the face off the line only got longer as the day went on and it was my first ride of the day then, then I'd check out gotham, although this will also be my first visit to the park.
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The Jokes on You!! Ha Ha

Here is another tip, the first 500 free is a local radio station promotion. They may have a 1000 or more show up so be at the park early!!!!!!!!!

Thanks alot for the tips you guys......i totally appreciate it ! Any more advice or info is definitely welcomed !

Jokercoaster:on the last couple of trips I've made to SFA the line for two face wasn't as long as it usually is,but maybe it's because the park wasn't as busy as it usually is.

OK, so on july

OOPs sorry abou tthat......so on july 11th the first 500 get in free? Is that a sure fire thing? Also, does SFA have fast passes or qbots or whatever u call those things? Again, thanks for all the help, i will definitely write a TR about my first time there and my 50th coaster :)

Yes, SFA does use fastlane on select rides although I havn't seen them using it that much this year.

The first 500 free is a radio station promotion. I would expect a lot of people there. I will not gurantee you will get in for free. But you can get discount coupons at Burger King, Wendy's and I even heard CVS. For more info:

www.sixflags.com/parks/america