SFGAm May 24th (long)
Associated parks:
None
Arrival: 9:30 got in the season pass line just as the National Anthem started to play, went right into New Orleans Place to ride the Man of Steel. Got in line by the entrance to the Bumper Cars, but I could tell they had not let us into the queue yet so the wait was 4 maybe 5 trains max. Waited the half hour for the park to “open” with no activity coming from S:UF, which got me worried and sure enough the ride had a “mechanical error” at ten. We ended up waiting 20 more minutes and then the test runs started. It tested not once, not twice, nor even three times but four times for both trains. Well it was then that I got a little antsy, and because I was with a group and we were still on the midway I decided to check out if maybe there was a test seat at the front of the line for me to try. I am a fairly large person and had to be stapled into the SFOG version last summer by a ride op, so by this time I was starting to get nervous that my first time in a line this year would not yield my first coaster ride of the season. Well no sooner had I gotten to the front when they opened the queue and I had to rush back to my place without trying it. On the way back, someone made a comment about how they knew the ride would open if an ACEr (had my shirt on) went to the front of the line they would open it. I was sort of in a rush and didn’t get a good look at him so if that is anyone who frequents this site Im sorry I wasn’t able to stop and chat (you did get me to laugh though if you didn’t see it) but I had a coaster to ride. Finally we “officially” got in line (all and all a 30 min delay after the park opened) for:
Superman Ultimate Flight: Wait 10 min, Ride Experience grade: B (good)
The big S is installed at the entrance and it looked great! As we walked (quickly) through the queue I noticed that the old Shockwave queue house was decorated with the posters explaining Superman’s powers (they are on the back of the wall before you enter the queue in Georgia). Once outside we had the cutouts of the villains and heroes. The ground looks so much better then the old parking lot and the pines they added will be great hand (I guess in the flying position) choppers a couple years from now. The line halted at the base of the staircase, so I struck up conversation with the ride attendant manning the bottom before heading into the station. Got in line for the 7th row and got on seat one. The moment of truth arrived; I got in the car pulled down the harness and “click” the ride locked in no problem. In fact, with some help from the attendant I probably could have been stapled into the next notch. Someone in the front row was not so lucky though, and we were halted in the station for a little while. Ok onto the ride, that pretzel loop is amazing and I think more intense then the one in Georgia for some reason, the rest of the ride though is lacking; it just plods through the course. Now, I really love B&M, but when it comes to flyers give me a Verkoma any day (I cant believe I just said that) they just keep up the intensity for a longer period of time. Also one final note, the ride ops on S:UF were top notch (a highly surprising move given the fact that this is SFGAm) except for my train (due to a passenger) there was no stacking, something that to my surprise would be the trend throughout the day. Next I headed to Yankee Harbor to take on the next superhero:
Batman: The Ride: Wait 30 min, Ride Experience: A+(was even better then it normally is, pure heaven)
When we got to the B:TR line to find it spilling onto the midway, but not snaking through the park yet so I knew it wouldn’t be a bad wait. No sooner had I got into the queue line proper then two pre-teens with backpacks started to cut through the line. They snuck by me before I noticed what they were doing or else I would have stopped them, but luck was on my side, no sooner did they disappear into the alley part of the line then the ride op came down to open the park queues up and catches them; the looks on their faces as they walked out of the queue were just priceless. Anyway, we caught yet another great ride op crew because they were reminding the GP every couple of minutes to be sure to step to the left if you want to not wait for the front, which meant that along with the normal BM efficiency and the fact that they were not stacking the line never seemed to stop, even in the staircase. Queued up for row 8, this time I sat in seat 4. The ride, was as I stated above, at peak performance. Sitting in the back I got the feet tingling sensation pretty much from the end of the second loop until the end of the ride, better then most rides I have taken on the Bat (and I always sit in the back). I admit that I am a sucker for inverts, and that this one is not my favorite (Alpengeist, Raptor, Montu, DD are better) but I will never get people who bash this ride; it is the most intense and disorientating layout of all the inverts I’ve been on (haven’t been to England yet) and is just a superb ride. Amazing how well this 11 year old steel prototype runs! Next it was off on the longer then it should be trek to SW territory to take on the two best rides in the park, first off:
Raging Bull: Wait 40 min, Ride Experience; A- (excellent, but not performing up to its normal standards)
After our trek we arrived at the bull to find its line also spilling onto the midway, but only one queue house openl. As this was everyone in my group’s favorite ride at the park, there was no stopping us anyways, and we got in line happy to notice that they were running three trains. As typical of the Bull there was also no stacking (making that the 3rd good ride op crew of the day). Unfortunately, we also noticed that the third hill trim was being applied very heavily, which sank our sprits. Got in line for the 7th row (the women in my party wanted to go shopping and the line for row 8 was 4 trains longer) and sat in seat 4. Strapped myself in, but low and behold I was not strapped in tight enough this year for some reason and was forced to staple myself in. The ride was still great (love that ejector first hill) but alas not its normal self with the heavy then normal trims. Got off and proceeded to Chabasco (a must) and my sister and I proceeded to make the “cup of fun” (spinning ourselves as fast as we can). After that we also had to take a spin on the Ricochet which I wish there were more of this kind of ride they are just plain fun. Finally on for our finally ride of the day on:
Viper: Wait 35 min, Ride Experience: A- (excellent, but not performing up to its normal standards)
Not much to say about this queue line experience, yet another great ride op crew sending out trains right as the front car of the train behind it entered the break run. I do however have a general complaint: they really need to do something about the wait you have in the station house; it is just bad psychologically to wait 15+ min for the ride after you have queued up for a row. Sat in the second to last row on the right side this time. Not as much airtime or bumpiness as last year, but the season is still young and this ride is still the most under appreciated wooden coaster on the planet. All and all a very good morning. I am not too much of a Great America fan, but this is the second year in a row service has increased dramatically. The crowds were light, especially for a Saturday (Memorial Day weekend everyone goes to Wisconsin while I trek southward). Weather was decent (sunny and in the 60s which is still a bit cool for amusement parks) but far better then the torrential downpours that the Midwest typically sees on Memorial Day weekend. The day was a great start to my season, and I only have a month to go till the summer vacation trip, peace out.
*sorry about that, did this in word and then pasted, I guess this program doesnt understand enters recieved from word (even though it did on my screen before I sent it)*
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Summer 03-CP, HP, Canobie, SFNE, SFWOA, and SFGAm.
*** This post was edited by Touchdown 5/26/2003 1:08:13 AM ***
As a frequent visitor to GAm, I've been able to ride Superman a bunch, and the ride is really nice, but I always thought that X-Flight had an overall better layout.
I went to WoA yesterday. Please, if you think that Vekoma's flying coasters are better (I did) please ride one this year. X-Flight was very, very rough, the loading process is nowhere NEAR as streamlined as S:UF's, and the overall experience was much less pleasant.
Alright, that's it. I just thought about it after I got off the ride and had to share my feelings...
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"Well, I'm sure I'd feel much worse if I weren't under such heavy sedation." - David St. Hubbins, Spinal Tap
http://www.loopscrew.com
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Summer 03-CP, HP, Canobie, SFNE, SFWOA, and SFGAm.
Hey, that was my brother that said if an ACEr went up there the ride would open. HaHa, we found it pretty funny as well.
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Riding the Bull anywhere but the back is merely going for a walk.
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If you haven't rode Raging Bull in the back row you haven't lived. The feeling on that first drop cannot be explained in words!
Have you ever ridden Apollo's Chariot or Nitro? How does it compare to Raging Bull, and why doesnt the Bull ever get any nominations for these awards while Nitro and A.C. always do. Well at least you can answer the first question
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Riding the Bull anywhere but the back is merely going for a walk.
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Never Has Gravity Been So Uplifting.
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Summer 03-CP, HP, Canobie, SFNE, SFWOA, and SFGAm.
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Summer 03-CP, HP, Canobie, SFNE, SFWOA, and SFGAm.
Just curious ..
It was a good report, and it sounded like you had a fun day.
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Cameron Silver
However, as I stated before this is the second year in a row I have seen service increase dramatically, the clientele has improved steadly since my first trip, Im turning it just is really hard to get over first impressions and I always want to compare this park to CP (which it isnt) for some reason. It is by no means a bad park, its just not one of my favorite.
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Summer 03-CP, HP, Canobie, SFNE, SFWOA, and SFGAm.
I always go on weekdays in the summer. Rarely are the lines for all the coasters 2hr+. In fact its rare that any of them would have more than an hour. Thats been my experiance.
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Riding the Bull anywhere but the back is merely going for a walk.
More expensive than Disney? HAHAHAHA!!! Its over $50 to see the rat.
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Arena football has arrived in the Windy City. Go "Chicago Rush"
*** This post was edited by Chitown 5/27/2003 5:07:30 PM ***
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9 Years working at Valleyfair :)! Stark Raven Mad, Coastermaina, BeastBuzzCon, Countdown 48 hours:)! 12 other parks! May 28th-June 9th. Club member 437.
CrAzedFaNaTiC said:
I'm the type of person that will only go on a weekend during May and maybe early June, but I can tell you for a fact I mainly go on weekdays. I have never waited more than hr and 1/2 for a ride and that was because Raging Bull just opened up in 99, even Deja Vu last year during a weekday in July (yes it was open) was only a 45 min wait and the whole line was full. This place is not that bad of a park at all and thats the truth, considering this they are one of top 3 parks for Six Flags for a reason( what ive been told they make the most money) Also SFGAm is one of the few parks that actually always runs their trains to full capacity on a everyday basis.
Like I said that was what it was like till about 2-3 years ago it has gotten much better, but first impressions are hard to shake off.
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Summer 03-CP, HP, Canobie, SFNE, SFWOA, and SFGAm.
Also it is nice to hear that the entrance and trees are finished. Now we have to wait for the grass...
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If Jimmy cracked corn and no one cared...
Why is there a song about him?
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