SFGAm Questions/Help
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Normally I try to gather as much info as I can from websites and threads already posted, but the SF website is woefully lacking in many areas, and I've still got questions.
I'm arriving at the Hampton Inn sometime Tuesday, August 6 in the afternoon/early evening. We'll be spending a full day at the park on Wednesday. The map suggests the hotel is 0.1 mile from the park. Is it possible to walk to the park and not have to pay for parking?
If we arrive early enough, we'd like to visit the park in the evening, but only see info on the full price tickets, and another cbuzzer suggested Twicket.
I tried to find info on Twicket...pay the $40 entrance fee, and then go to guest relations to get a second day ticket for $10 additional (I mean, really, why can't they just offer a two day pass??) On the website, the only park with this information was SFGreat Adventure. Is this available at Great America as well? (general complaint: why not have a twilight ticket?)
The hotel offers SF tickets...can I purchase my ticket there and then get the Twicket at the park (if it's available?)
Fast Pass: I'd heard you could pay an extra $10 or such for a Fast Pass that allows you to skip the long lines on a limited number of coasters. Is this available at SF Great America? Would be beneficial for my husband who abhores any line longer than 45 minutes.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
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I'd rather die living than live like I'm dead
I'm pretty sure Hostyl answered your MVP/Twicket question already.
How much are the tix at the Hampton? I'd buy one full price there, use it Tuesday night, and then buy the MVP thing for Wednesday. I bought a Twicket on a discount admission last year with no problem.
If the Hampton is in the stretch of restaraunts/hotels across from the main parking entrance, then you can walk easily. Probably about a five minute walk to the front gates. You just have to walk across the parking lot.
I think Kick the Sky probably answered your Fast Pass questions, as well.
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"Look outside, I know that you'll recognize it's summertime." - The Flaming Lips "It's Summertime (throbbing orange pallbearers)"
*** This post was edited by chris on 7/30/2002. ***
As far as walking to the park, good luck. The road into the park and the lot you have to cross to get to the front gate is quite long.
As far as their return policy, you can return to the park the next day for 10 bucks OR any other day in the season for 15 bucks. All you need to have is a valid entrance ticket and present that when purchasing your MVP pass. I am not sure where you would do that however.
As I said on another thread, FastPass is available for 10 bucks and allows you four rides. The rides that have fast pass are usually Whizzer, Raging Bull, Giant Drop, Iron Wolf, V2, Raging Rapids, and Batman. On a Tuesday night, Wedensday you may not need the FastPass as many of the lines may not extend past the FastPass entry points. Also FastPass is on a first come/first serve basis and is not usable after 8pm.
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Bob Hansen
A proud CoasterBuzz Member
"So you think your'e really brave, gonna see the DEMONS cave.
You silly dude, your'e only food, for the DEMON"
I believe you could walk but I believe the 0.1 sounds like to the parking entrance not the main gate. Plan on at least 1/2 mile walk.
SFGAm has 2 different Twickets which I believe are $10 for the next day or $15 for any other day in the season. Obviously, you'll need the next day. I once you're in the park you can buy the Twicket at GR. There are signs when you first get into the park that talk about Twicket.
Yes, they have Fast Lane for $10 for 4 rides. However, they only sell a limited number so on Tuesday evening you probably won't be able to get any. On Wednesday you'll need to go right to the Fast Lane booth which is located in the theatre on the way towards Deja Vu. The bad news is you can't get to it until they drop the ropes. I think Fast Lane is a must on the weekend but for a Wednesday, I can't say. I'll leave that to other 'Buzzers who go during a week day. Sorry. :(
If I remember correctly, the coasters for Fast Lane are: Bull, B:TR, V2, Demon, and Whizzer.
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Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former." - Albert Einstein
You can get a Twicket weather you pay for your ticket or get a free ticket someplace. If you are in the park you can buy a Twicket.
Depending on what day you go it depends on weather you should buy Fastpass. I personally think it is a waste of money because you only get to use it on 4 rides, and if lines are short all day you can't use it on another day.
Only if you go on a Saturday I would recommend buying a FastLane. The longest line you will probally wait in will be for Deja Vu and V2, all the other lines are usually about a half hour max all day long on most days.
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Deja Vu Count = 23
CoasterWorld
Here is the link for MVP info on the Six Flags site...
http://www.sixflags.com/parks/greatamerica/parkpress/article040102c.html
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Bob Hansen
A proud CoasterBuzz Member
"So you think your'e really brave, gonna see the DEMONS cave.
You silly dude, your'e only food, for the DEMON"
I am pretty sure the Hampton is with in walking distance, but I am not sure. If I remember its right next to the park, but I am not sure if its on the other side of the freeway or not.
The Fastlane is $10 for 4 rides. I suggest buying two right away (one for you and one for your husband). You have to use the fastlane by 8 o clock. At this time of year it is a good thing to buy, it really cuts down wait times. I suggest using it for Raging Bull and V2, along with any other two rides of your choice, maybe B:TR.
The twicket costs $10 extra, and it is available at SFGAm. There are signs in the bathroom (weird place, but yes they are there) regarding the twicket (at least in the mens room there are signs). I am not sure where you can purchase the twicket, but I am sure it says where on the signs.
Hope you enjoy your trip, and maybe I might run into you. I'm planning to go next week Wednesday :)
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Cedar Point-America's Roller Coast.
Thanks! I know Kick the Sky answered the question in another thread, but there weren't any specifics. I was actually hoping to get beyond the long line for Deja Vu, but that doesn't seem to be an option. I hope they have test seats. My husband is 6'4" with a 44" waist. He can easily ride Raptor at CP, but hasn't tried Wicked Twister yet. I'd hate for him to wait in a long line only to discover he doesn't fit Deja Vu or V2.
I don't mind walking, especially considering we'll be walking all day anyway (what better way to work off all that park food?). I'm going to see if there is a shuttle from the hotel.
What is the best time to get to the park. I know they open at 10 am, but is it best to get there earlier (like at 9 or 9:30?). I'm so used to CP who lets the GP into the park before the "official" opening time, even if the rides aren't open yet.
The site also says that some rides might not open until noon on "slow" days. Any guess as to which rides these might be?
And I'd love to meet up with any CBuzzers going on Wednesday!! The trip came about because my son wants to meet someone he's been gaming with on-line for several years. He's already warned me he'll be pulling a "teenager" on me and taking off with his buddy.
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I'd rather die living than live like I'm dead
*** This post was edited by CPLady on 7/30/2002. ***
Your husband should be fine with Deja Vu, as I found the restraints (at least on the one in Georgia) to be roomier than the B&M inverteds. I'm not sure about V2, as I haven't tried it out yet, and the Intamin restraints sound a lot more "hit and miss" in regards to what body types they accomodate. I did, however, ride S:UE with no problem. I'm about 6'1" with a 42" waist, if that helps.
I'd get to the park anywhere between 9:00 and 9:30. You'll be able to get through the gates, and then have to wait in the park for the "ropes to drop."
I would hope that since we are now in the "heart of the season" that all the rides would open at 10, but you never know. I'm not sure what rides "open late on slow days."
The walk from the parking entrance to the gate isn't bad at all. This is where the Pace bus drops you off, and I've done it many times.
The only other ride I can think of that your husband may have problems with is Raging Bull. If he has big thighs, he may have trouble, as the restraint system isn't very forgiving to those with "tree-trunk" legs. There is a test seat, though, so he won't have to wait to find out.
Have fun, eat a Mooseburger, and ride Viper in 1-3 at night.
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"Look outside, I know that you'll recognize it's summertime." - The Flaming Lips "It's Summertime (throbbing orange pallbearers)"
*** This post was edited by chris on 7/30/2002. ***
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Bob Hansen
A proud CoasterBuzz Member
"So you think your'e really brave, gonna see the DEMONS cave.
You silly dude, your'e only food, for the DEMON"
I'm not as tall (6') as your hubby but I have a bigger waist (48"). No fat jokes please. ;) The only ride I have a little trouble with is V2 trying to get the buckle locked.
I usually do the same thing that Kick The Sky mentioned with the time. However, keep in mind if you want Fast Lane you'll need to head there first. They sell out quickly. Go around the right side of the pond / carousel. Continue back and you'll see everyone waiting under the railroad. Once they drop the ropes if you head straight back you'll see a lot of people heading to the theatre where they sell the Fast Lane passes.
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Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former." - Albert Einstein
Thanks again. The trouble my husband had with the test seat for Wicked Twister was more due to his height and broad shoulders rather than his belly. In fact, the OSTR was at least 2 inches from touching his stomach but he couldn't pull down hard enough to allow the side seat belt to fasten.
Of course, since then, I've read on GTTP that the test seat for WT was closed down for a bit because "the seat belt on the test seat was too short". So...we'll just have to try it and see.
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I'd rather die living than live like I'm dead
Just thought I'd let you in on crowd levels on a Wednesday. I went on Wednesday last week 7/24 and the place was packed just like a weekend. No ride line was less than 45 minutes. I would definitely suggest getting a fast pass first thing when you get there.
The crowd seemed to be very family oriented, so the waits weren't quite so bad as they could have been. Not a lot of the bad element at the park that day, which was surprising for SFGAM. I love this park, don't get me wrong, but there does seem to be a lot of thugs running around the place. Actually most theme parks other than the Disney/Universal parks seem to be this way.
Hope this helps your trip. Take care and enjoy SFGAM. It certainly has one of the most diverse collections of rides of any park I have been to.
Tye
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So, would you like to tie me up with your ties, Tye? Lacy Underall "Caddyshack"
SFGAm, huh? It's my specialty. I lived in Pembrooke(the neighboorhood right across from Six Flags) for 5 years and now live 5 miles away from it. Hampton I know well. DON'T walk. There's no sidewalk and you're going to be real close to an extremely busy road. Just take a car down Grand Ave. to the parking lot.
If you want to visit another park at night, try Santa's Village in West Dundee or Kiddieland in Melrose Park. However, I've been to both of these parks, and the only reason I'd suggest you go is if you have little kids. My bet would be to stick around for the night parade. It's a new one this year and I liked it myself. Plus, nighttime is key for getting on the popular coaster rides.
MVP is $10 last time I checked, and it's a good idea to go back to the park only if you WANT to. Anyway, have a good time. Gurnee welcomes you!
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Take it up a notch, Mr. Operator! I wanna feel my brains in my feet!
BTW: I'd call up your hotel and find out how much the tickets are, if you are a AAA member (and evey coaster junkie should be :)) they offer tickets for $32.50 (gate price 41.19 including tax). The caveat is that you must either buy them online or at a local AAA office (local to the Chicago/Illinois area that is). Since you are coming during the day on Tuesday, it might not be hard to stop at an office in Chi to pick up the tix.
I did a similar thing when I went to CP. I bought tix at an AAA office not far from SFWoA. It just takes a little foresight.
later days,
jeremy
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"To get inside this head of mine, would take a monkey-wrench, and a lot of wine" Res How I Do
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Thanks again for the additional input. I'll find out from the hotel how much their tickets are. We are AAA members, so that is an option, but if Dominick's is relatively close to the park and/or hotel, we may try there if the tix are cheaper than the hotel.
Hopefully we'll get some riding in late Tuesday, and the crowds on Tuesday will help determine if we get the fast pass on Wednesday, although for $10, I don't see why not.
I just want to make it as pleasant as possible for my non-enthusiast husband who hates standing in lines. The better time he's having, the better my chance of having a riding partner all day. Otherwise he'll head back to the hotel and I'll be riding as a single as my teenager will be off with his buddy.
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I'd rather die living than live like I'm dead
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