SFKK, Opening Day

The coaster season is finally here for me and gave me the chance to attend my first opening day at a park. Got there about 10 minutes before opening with about a 5-minute wait to get in the park. The fairgrounds were absolutely packed and overflowing, with opening day, the Circus, and apparently an RV show all going on at the same time.

After I got in I made a mad dash to the back of the park. I made it to Chang for the first public train of the year, woohoo for me. It seemed to be running really well for just coming out of hibernation. When you exit the ride and come down the stairs, it appeared as though one of the supports had gotten some paint. It doesn't make much sense, but the support looked very purple and un-chipped, and there was some purple paint splattered on the ground. Go figure..

I had never ridden in the last row on T2 and now I know why. For some reason the first round of head bashing wasn't enough so I went for a second spin on Tylenol-2. Just as spine-jarring as ever…

Next was Twisted Twins, which delivered some good air in the back seat. I was pleasantly surprised to see that both twins had received new track in some places.

Thunder Run was mediocre, didn't really get as much air as usual. Nothing special today...

Greezed Lightnin' seemed just like last year. I absolutely love the ride, but it seems to just be a nightmare to get operating properly. The crews were doing a great job though, and their load times were incredibly fast. Cool.

I'm not sure if Hellevator gave a single ride...it was testing at opening, 11AM, and was closed by 12. Also closed were Quake (no ****, huh?) and Chaos (which had some disassembled parts lying on the ground.)

There's a nice new shady picnic table pavilion between Greezed Lightnin' and the Antique Cars, and there seemed to be a few new plants and trees here and there, but nothing too remarkable.

One thing that baffled me was how dirty the water fountains were for opening day. I'd think they'd do a super-dooper cleaning during the off-season, maybe at least clean that kind of stuff...

I saw a few coaster-people there I recognized, plus a man wearing a CCI shirt with a nametag of "Jeff"...

The lines were non-existent until after midday, and I was ready to leave the park by 2PM. Overall, I had a good time, but that was partly because there were no lines. I cannot see having to wait in long lines at this place, so most of my visits will take place very early in the season and during the last week or two.

I was there too. Agree with most of what you said. I was disappointed with the flats being closed; Chaos, Quake, Hellevator. I was also surprised that most of the ride ops were so unenthusiastic. Whatever. Anyway, it was good to be out riding coasters again. PKI next week!

Sounds like they're making good on that marketing message to deliver all kinds of family fun! /sarcasm

I was at the park yesterday and noticed a few changes that hopefully will add up to a better experience this season.

- Rollerskater has been completely stripped and repainted. It looks great!

- Queues are receiving coverings. I noticed it specifically on Chang which now has a covered queue (well one covering had yet to be hung, but the supports are there.)

- The pathway from Top Eliminator Dragsters under Thunder Run to the Carousel courtyard has been re-opened to public traffic.

- Many queues and buildings received fresh coats of paint. Enterprise and Raibow were in the middle of their queue repaint yesterday. (Primered.)

- There has been some clearing of unnecessary brush in the park that IMO always made the place seem unkempt in the past.

- The automated spheel was back in operation on Thunder Run.

- The park now uses a satellite feed to pipe in music throughout the park. Gone are the days of that terrible plinky-plunky bluegrass type music that incessantly played through the park. Apparently all SF parks will use this satellite feed now. So each SF park will be playing the same song at the same time as all the others.

- Voice-overs in the park such as "Should you become lost or seperated from your party..." have been re-recorded by someone without a thick southern accent ;-)

- I believe that there is now a quick acess gate from the exit of Greezed Lightning to the station stairs. That way you do not have to walk all the way out to the entrance to re-ride. This also thwarts those railing hopping teens that last year seemed challenged to jump the rail and risk a broken arm.

- Thrill Park Theatre was closed, but as I understand it will re-open as a new attraction this season. Apparently enhancements are being made to the ride to update it into a "unique" D experience.

- Apparently the Ride Ops have been trained to interact with the guests more this season. Thunder Run's crew specifically was talking via loudspeaker ala Beast trying (in vain) to get the waiting guests excited.

I was only at the park for about 1 1/2 hours so that was all I picked up on during my limited time. There may be more.

Shaggy

*** Edited 3/29/2004 4:08:13 PM UTC by Shaggy***

I was there in the middle of summer and the lines were non existant! Chang was about 30 minutes because of a one train operation, but TR and TT were both less than 10 minutes. I don't think SFKK ever gets lines does it?

It does get crowded on occasion, but typically only when there are special events taking place there or nearby.

Weeks such as spring break, State Fair, FFA etc etc etc bring good sized crowds to SFKK. However in general, SFKK is a park you can experience in a 4-5 hour visit. Well, unless you throw in the waterpark.

The waterpark seems to be the largest draw. Once it opens, crowds at the park typically double.

Shaggy

Does anyone know when spring break week is there? I can't seem to make the calendar work on the Six Flags website. I thought that normally it was the first week they were open, but I wasnt' sure about this year.

It is this week. They are open each day until 6pm. They will then go to weekend-only operation starting next weekend and continue until Memorial Day.

Shaggy

I sure hope all the SF parks won't be using a satellite feed to play music. I really enjoy some of the music played at my home park. (SFGAm)

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Queues are receiving coverings. I noticed it specifically on Chang which now has a covered queue (well one covering had yet to be hung, but the supports are there.)

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Yeah, Chang's queue got its covering about midway through last season, so that one section that was missing must have blown off or been torn.

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I believe that there is now a quick acess gate from the exit of Greezed Lightning to the station stairs. That way you do not have to walk all the way out to the entrance to re-ride. This also thwarts those railing hopping teens that last year seemed challenged to jump the rail and risk a broken arm.

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Really? I didn't notice that...

"The park now uses a satellite feed to pipe in music throughout the park. Gone are the days of that terrible plinky-plunky bluegrass type music that incessantly played through the park. Apparently all SF parks will use this satellite feed now. So each SF park will be playing the same song at the same time as all the others."

Yep! And get ready to hear Vengaboy's "We Like To Party" at least once an hour.

mOOSH

Oh, forgot my favorite line from the day... A 7 or 8 year old saw the unused train on T2 and asked his dad "Dad, is it possible to run two trains at once on a coaster?" Dad responded, "I would think so. I'm not sure."

I didn't hear any Vengaboys at SFoG this past weekend.

However, I did enjoy a true blast from the past, Soldier of Love, by Donny Osmond (artist ID'd by HomeyG, master of random 80s music trivia).

Re: satellite music... and so Six Flags officially takes over as the McDonalds of American recreation.

I, for one, am relieved. I hate experiencing different cultures and lifestyles in different states. Everyone should live like I do.

"Shud u becawm lawst ur sepurayted frum yur pawrteez, pleese cawntak guest relayshions."

Now gone. Thank goodness.

Shaggy

I wouldn't be surprised if that autospiel with thick southern accent is Neal Thurman, our former rides manager from SFoG. Neal sure does love to record autospiels ;).

Nope. The thick Southern-accent recording was that of a female voice. It has, however, replaced this season by a younger, much better, more articulate and non-southern-drawl induced female voice.

Shaggy

Thanks for letting us know what all SFKK is attempting to do to improve guest experience and family fun this year Shaggy. It looks like I'll need to plan a trip there before summer begins. I think Jeff spoke *way* too soon. ;)

+Danny

SFKK season passes are up to $50 through the website now. Anyone know if a local grocery store chain is selling them cheaper? Thanks! :)

Hey guys i'am a SFKK employee and just thought i would give you a quick update. Hellevator and Thrill Park Theatrer are open not sure what is playing in Thrill Park Theatrer though have not got the chance to ride it yet. They are doing nothing with the Quake might open later this year. Chaos will open soon they are putting lights back on.

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dawnmarie313 said:
SFKK season passes are up to $50 through the website now. Anyone know if a local grocery store chain is selling them cheaper? Thanks!

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Kroger had them for $39.99 might of went up by now though